I'm doing a zone re-set on my sewing room.
The creativity room as well.
Knitting is on going. Only one or two more days before I finish up this pink prayer shawl project.
I got the tote with the fabric back in the sewing zone for progress.
Got out two projects for sewing from the tote.
Here, before I hide them away for a few months, are the half-dozen ornaments in the Magnolia quilt pattern. I put the notions around them to show their size and maybe remember what was used to get this done! The seam ripper was used every day, lol. The funny little white wand is a seam turner for turning right side out. The ornament in the center shows the back where the "Merry Christmas 2025" is sewn in. Magnolia is the same as the Cross and Crown quilt pattern, just with additional triangles at the corners and each quilt piece slightly smaller. I'd made a Cross and Crown one and enjoyed it on the tree for a few years, but it's large and I'd always feel like it needed to be near the bottom of the tree. These paper pieced ones in this pattern could be smaller.
Magnolia Christmas Ornaments 2025 small.jpg
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Harriet, those Christmas decorations are beautiful! I'm sure the recipients will be thrilled.
Our house doesn't "do" Hallowe'en, so I shan't be displaying a lighted pumpkin in my window or on my doorstep ( a lighted pumpkin indicates you are welcoming trick or treaters and have something for them. But DF CW and G13 just opposite will more than make up for it. CW told me her plans and they sound amazing - as well as the big lit pumpkin they will have strings of little pumpkins on the porch, and Hallowe'en themed lights all the way up the front path to the front door. Indoors, she's going to continue the pumpkin theme, and have decorations in brown and orange and is thinking about setting up her Christmas tree with just the lights, covering it with a sheet and cutting out black paper eyes and a mouth to form a "ghost" in the corner of the sitting room.
G13 hasn't decided on her costume yet. Last year she dressed as a black cat, which had a stunning pair of ears and a black fluffy tail, but CW decided there really wasn't enough to her costume "as is" and that although it was ok for her to wear it around the house, it was inappropriate if she was going to be seen in public handing me out sweets to children, and made her wear a pair of black leggings "for modesty". As you can imagine that didn't go down well with G, but CW stood her ground and told G the alternative was to cancel the whole event!! So I'm curious to hear what costume G does decide to wear, whether she has learnt from last year ... or not!
Twins', on little things, using paper to piece can be a real help for accuracy. It means extra steps, and sometimes it can get confusing because you're sort of working opposite, but it's sewing along lines and it's calming. You're good with paper - you could probably get the hang of it quickly. (smile - thin, tear-away paper, not the same, I know)
While there is lots of noise and commotion in my kitchen, I'm using my time in the sewing room organizing scraps. Ironing, sorting, putting some into baggies to keep the same fabric together.
I've been on the fence about making some bookmarks. I thought of making a set of Halloween ones, one for each grand. I've got a couple sketches that are do-able. But if I don't give them ahead of time, I don't think they will be enjoyed. We think of "Treats" for that night, but really, the next day, the season changes! So, I'd want to get ahead of things and don't know if I'll take the time.
Kittykatt, we are sort of like you in that we don't really do Halloween - you'd never know from the outside that we even keep up at all. But the two youngest are not quite finished with wanting to dress up and show off their own creativity. So, we do try to make a fuss over them. I said last year it might be the last time, and I really do think I see the signs of "too old for this" this year. But so far, we are expecting some Trick or Treating.
You're moving right along on that knitted shawl, Nancy.
Goodwill report on shopping for "parts":
Today at Goodwill I found a plain sweatshirt and a plaid front-button-placket cotton shirt that matches that sweatshirt well.
My idea for a cardigan is to take the two sides of the button-front placket (with a few inches of additional fabric left at sides) and attach at the front center of the sweatshirt, cut the sweatshirt down the middle and wrap the additional fabric around to bind the edges. I seldom button a cardigan, really, but this would answer both the binding of the cut front and the ability to close it when I want. I see so clearly how the button side of the placket can be done; just have to puzzle out the buttonhole side but already have a thought. The cuffs of the shirt are very nice with 4 buttons each, well-made. I'm thinking I might use one of those for a pocket.
Leftover cotton fabric from the shirt won't go to waste - will work in a scrap quilt or some other project. I could see why others weren't interested in the shirt even though very nice - it was a size small and seemed skimpy at that. Needed a teenager (or a model?) to fit. For me, though, the parts will work well.
I was glad to have the little retractable tape measure in my purse. I was able to figure out that an attractive sweatshirt was strangely small, so I dodged that disappointment. (no changing rooms, no mirrors at GW)
