and then there was scrap yarn...

It's true my sweater no longer looks like a hat for a giant but now an actual sweater with sleeves...

well maybe not sleeves exactly but at least there are stitches on scrap yarn marking wear sleeves will one day be :)

Since this is a top down I decided to try it on, make sure it wasn't too big or worse too small.  Drumroll...

It fits!  I have to say that I am entirely happy that I chose to knit the 36/38 size instead of the 40/42 because it's obvious that the 40 would have been too big. 

I'm gonna have to get some measurements and see when I want to start the waist shaping, that's probably the only modification that I'll be making, I'll put the decreases for my waist where, well my actual waist is :)

This past Sunday I took the some of the kids to the park (Husband was sick)...

I got to knit a little while I was there

It was awesome.

Well there you have it scrap yarn, parks and sleeves!  And oh yes, a giveaway as promised.  Nothing too spectacular, just an apron...

I saw this fabric and it cried to me to make it into an apron, so I obligied :)  I think it's perfect for summer and will be great on the dark, long winter day's to help brighten your kitchen and lighten the workload of cooking :) 

So just leave a comment below, if you need help thinking of something to say you could tell a joke, write a limmerick, or even give me a math problem to work on :)  Just be nice and in a couple weeks I'll pick a lucky winner at random.  (please for my sake and yours leave someway to be contacted via email or if your name links to your email that works too)

Hope you have a day that's sunny side up and get knitting :)


*Disclaimer*  I just want to clear the air in that I'm giving this apron away for fun and for no other reason.  I love to make things and give them away and I love making new friends :)

Everyone's a Winner!

Source Sam Dubeau

Okay, so I just couldn't let fate choose a winner from my How To Post A Comment giveaway.  I have plenty of things to pass onto my friends and I hope you appreciate it and not feel cheated of being the winner.


Also, I felt especially hopeful when I read LauraWilson25's comment in that she might win.  So here are the prizes:

For LauraWilson25:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Last week Laura was having a rough day so I thought these lovely small silk flowers would cheer her up!  Congrats Laura, hopefully you and your daughter will find many ways to enjoy these lovely roses.

For MichellePaige:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

I know that Michelle loves ribbon and can never have too much!  Can't wait to see what you create with this Michelle :)

For Sara:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

For my cousin Sara who needs the boost to get started with stamps!  Here's a few for just about every occasion!

For Anth:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Anth, thank you so much for you lovely comment!  I hope you love yarn as much as I do and that you'll find a way to use this fun yarn!

and finally for Peggy:

Picture take with FX Camera with an HTC Hero

Some fabulous vintage (and not so vintage ie Winnie the Pooh) lace pieces!  Not sure why but these called your name to me Peggy!

Isn't it great to be a winner?  I'll be sending out emails to you all and hope to have everything posted by next week!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I promise next friday I'll do a Fearless Friday Post!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

So what are you going to do for the weekend?  Have any great plans?  Are you all excited to be winners?  I am so happy to be able to share with my friends!!!

How to Post a Comment

I thought I should show you all how to post a comment on my blog.  I know, I know some of you already KNOW how to do this so feel free to skip today's post stay tuned and you might get a surprise at the bottom.   However, I know that I do have readers who would like to comment but haven't been able to figure it out.  For you I bring you today's post.

The above picture is what it looks like between blog posts.  See the star?  Right by the words '1 Friendly Thoughts'  That is the link button to the comment form.  Click on it with your mouse.  You should then see this:

The big green star shows you where the comment box is.  Click on the open box and your cursor should appear.  Then start writing your lovely comment to me :)

The blue star shows what your comment looks like in the box.  When you've finished your thought there is a little text box that has a label 'Comment as'  This is where you get to tell me who it is that is commenting.  Now, since you're uncertain about how to comment you'll scroll to the bottom of the list option and pick either 'Name/URL' or 'Anonymous' follow the prompts from blogger then click on the button 'Post Comment' indicated by the orange arrow.


Congratulations!  You've just posted your comment!  Oh Yeah!  Go ahead and do your happy dance.

I really do love to hear from you guys.  I get email alerts when you leave a comment so I never miss one.  When days are low on the encouragement meter I hop on over and re-read all your lovely comments!

There you have it!  Commenting made easy.

Now that you have new blog commenting skills try it out.  Leave me a 'Friendly Thought' or maybe two or three.  In a week (June 24, 2011) I'll tally up the comments and for each one you leave I'll put your name in a drawing for something fun.  Since I'm allowing multiple entries (okay, I'll limit it to 5 per person)  I'm going to leave the prize a surprise, but I promise it will be lovely and most likely crafting related!

{{hugs}}
Buffy

So tell me what do you think you might win?  What do you hope I'll give away?  How has your week been?  See the possibilities are endless of what you could say!  So test out your mad commenting skills and enter in the fun!

*Giveaway Closed* comments still open for practice

A Winner and A New Top!

Drum roll please…

Sorce candccustomdrums.com via Taylor Armerding via pinterest

              the winner from my fabulous giveaway is…

Sara who wrote:

My husband is my best friend :D

I know how sweet is she?  Well Sara, if you're the Sara I think you are just send me an email (it's under the contact section) and I'll get you your prize.  Thank you to all who entered and shared about your best friends.  Friends are the best and even better when they're your best friend :)  I know cheesy but still it had to be said.  I am so excited for the new followers, thanks, I totally forgot to mention the reason why I offered following as a chance to enter the drawing…I want to be able to do more giveaways!

Now I did mention a top in the title and that is true.  I just finished a new top, the one I've been dreaming of making for about four months but only now finally made it.  The best part?  It is even better than I imagined.  Enough words how about some pictures?!

Okay so here is a little information about the top.  The floral fabric came from a cotton nightgown that had been gift to me for repurposing.  I loved the fabric so much I just knew I had to make something for myself out of it!  At first I was thinking that I would turn it into a summer dress, reusing the top portion but then inspiration struck and I was stuck on the western style yoke and knew that would pair wonderfully with my cotton nightgown.

I just so happened to have a pattern and the blue chambray fabric, which I must confess was a PERFECT match in color to the blue in the flowers.  So here is what I did.  I used Simplicity Pattern 4199 (unfortunately I can't find a link to the pattern) and cut out pieces 5-10 out of the chambray fabric.  The pattern is for a long sleeved shirt but I just cut the pattern of shorter.  Also, since I was only going to need the yoke in blue I cut the front band (piece 7) shorter too.

I loved the embroidery design on the pattern so I cut two yoke backs and 4 yoke fronts.  I traced the embroidery design onto fusible interfacing (the woven side) and then while using the pattern I lined up the design and then ironed on the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.  Then using a slightly longer stitch on my machine I stitched the design.  I actually went over the design twice, I thought it looked better, but three times was too much.

The Ladybug is real and Husband didn't notice it at all.
Don't worry, no ladybugs were injured during this photo shoot.

Because I cut double the number of yoke pieces I simply sewed the pieces right sides together to get the nice finished edge of the yoke.  I just treated the double stacked yoke pieces as one and followed the directions for assembly.  I assembled the yoke together first, then the collar and because I'm picky I hand stitched the collar closed.

The front band I did differently than the directions.  The Simplicity pattern had a wider button band than the nightgown did so I made the button band to match the narrow width of the nightgown band.  then I just stitched in on over the yoke fronts.  I didn't add any buttons to the yoke as I knew I would never button up this tunic all the way.

Next I simply cut off the top portion of the nightgown paying attention to the buttons, I wanted to be sure that I wasn't sewing the yoke right on top of a button.

See my super cute helper there in the corner?

Then I traced just few lines onto the nightgown from the front side, front , back and back side pieces for placement of the sleeve.  All that was left was to cut out the fabric.  I did discover that the night gown wasn't even at the ruffle, there was a slight curve upwards at the sides.  So I just cut the ruffle off just above the seam and then resewed it back onto my top which I straightened out.  I also added ties out of the floral fabric to help pull the top in together.

The only other modification I made to the pattern was the sleeves.  In a moment of brilliant insanity I decided to make a small facing on the bottom edge of the sleeve with some left over floral fabric.  Because the sleeve seam was in the back of the arm, very visible, I chose to vent the sea, above the facing.  I like it, now I can wear the sleeves turned up showing off the facing or I can wear them down if I want a longer sleeve.

All in all I am really happy about this.  As soon as I publish this post I'm gonna head over to Rae's photo pool and enter it into the Sewalong contest.  Wish me luck!  

Now a few parting pictures…

Don'tcha love the red shoes?  I do!

{{hugs}} to you all!

If you feel so inclined comment below.  Tell me what you think of my new top or offer a suggestion for the next giveaway.  Also, if you find a link to anything I missed just mention it in the comments below and I'll quick as a wink get it added.  Thanks again!

Fearless Friday

So after a week of sick kids we're finally getting back into the routine.  Vinny was home from preschool all week not because he was sick but because preschool was out for the week to do home visits.  Fortunately I had already had my home visit so we didn't have to stress about visitors.  Though now I am really ready for things to settle down around here.

Well are you ready for a picture into my real life again?  I thought so.  I know I already posted pictures of my dirty laundry and we won't say anything about me airy my dirty laundry on the internet will we ;)  However, I thought I might actually show you the disaster that is the laundry/sewing/crafting room/alcove.  It really is a teeny tiny area that most would call the mud room or entry way but a girl has got to make room for the craftiness that is her life right?

So here are the dream pictures:

Source centsationalgirl.com via Leticia via Pinterest

Oooh, could I please have this room?  I lurve it!!!  However, this is what I have:

The sewing/crafting area dream space...

Source Cat Morley via Pinterest

Honestly that is seriously the BEST sewing/crafting room EVAR!  It almost looks as if it is your own private shop...how cool would that be?  Yet, I am honestly very satisfied to have this simple, yet constantly cluttered sewing area...

Don'tcha love how the pins always spill onto the floor?

My ever to helpful helpers like to do that…a lot.

I know that there are lots of people who craft on their kitchen tables, have to put their machines away as soon as they are finished and I am so blessed to have a husband who understands that and allows me the luxury of a using space that could be used in other less crafty and messy ways.

It is because I have a space to work that I am able to actually do things and not just say I will.  Which leads me to some sneak peak pics of what I've been working on…

I know, it doesn't look like much but really I'm quite certain you'll love it when I'm done.  And because I can't let you go without a little bit of spring

Yes, it is was snowing again this morning as I took Samuel down to the bus.  Crazy!  I bought the flowers yesterday cause they were so pretty and I just needed a little bit of cheer in this seemingly endless winter...perhaps I should declare it Christmas next month that way we can have a little more cheer :)

{{hugs}} to you all and remember that the giveaway ends on Sunday evening so don't forget to enter your name!

Also, if you're really long on time or just need a good laugh or something to read I've posted my thoughts on laundry here.

*CLOSED* It's a…GIVEAWAY!

*Giveaway now CLOSED*

I can tell that you're jumping up and down with excitement!  Oh, I know giveaways are so exciting, me I've been dreaming about this for a while.  If you've come over from luvinthemommyhood or versus welcome!  If you're just a friend that I've dragged over to my site, Salutations!

So what is it that I'm giving away?  A bag of course!  Need a picture?  Duh!

Isn't she lovely?

I thought so.  Want a few pictures to whet your appetite?  Alright, twist my arm already ;)

So here is the information on the bag.  It was designed and sewn entirely by me!  So it is one-of-a-kind.  I think it is a great knitting bag, but really you could use it for anything.It features a pocket on the inside that is divided into three sections.  Two are wide enough to hold post-it notes and the other for a pen or pencil.

The outer fabric is a light-weight canvas, while the lining is a nice light-to-medium weight orange cotton that has a nice repeating oval pattern in white dots.  Both fabrics were washed prior to sewing and it shouldn't shrink.

Enough about the bag, now here's how to enter:

Do you live where you can get mail?  Yes?  The you can enter.  I will gladly send my bag around the world for you.

Leave a comment below telling me about your best friend.  I designed this bag as a gift for my best friend so I want to know a little about yours!

Wait!  Would you like another shot?  Of course you would :)  Well if you would like another chance click the follow button on the side and comment that you did.

Rules:

Only 2 entries per person.

Comment form will be open until Sunday, May 1st at 7pm Pacific Daylight Savings.

Winner will be selected via random selection by one of my kiddos (you know with a bowl full of numbers) and announced Monday, May 2nd on the blog.

Please, please, please leave an email with your comment if your email isn't linked up with your comment form.  Really, I have five kiddos and don't have a lot of extra time to hunt down the winner.  If you don't leave a contact email I will give you 2 days to contact me with your info before selecting another winner.

Thank you in advance for all your entries, I look forward to hearing your stories.

{{hugs}} and Good Luck!
Buffy


*Disclaimer:  The giveaway is for the bag only.  Contents of bag only used as props and are not included.

Giveaway Winners!

This is my blog and I will bore you just a little (okay, really I hope you find it fascinating) but I have thoroughly enjoyed this giveaway.  My phone has been going crazy with all the emails and it has been so rewarding to know that others actually have the same taste in fabric as I do.  Really when I posted the giveaway on Sunday night I was praying that at least one person would comment.  Yet there were 132 comments and I read all of them (a few more than once) because they were so fabulous.  I am so glad that I opted to choose randomly rather than best story, 'cause I don't think I could choose.

You all were fabulous in telling me your favorite gifts, I'll even admit to crying after reading a few though I do have to say Laree's comment was one of my favorites:
            "Those are adorable bags - and I HATE velcro when I'm crocheting. It doesn't matter how careful I am, it always makes a mess!
           My favorite gift . . . well, I could be all sweet and say my kids, which is true, but not after a day like today . . . so I'll say the Silhouette cutter that's coming for Christmas this year!"

I think every mom who reads this agrees and I think we'd make great friends too.  Not only are you funny but you also share my love of hatred towards velcro around my fibers.

Still other comments that were fabulous:

Wendy:
  "I could do a little brown-nosing here and say that the best gift I ever got was a journal that my dear friend gave me with a personalized note to me on the first few pages, telling me all her favorite memories that we've shared. But that would just be cheating. So I'll say that my favorite gift was a life sized cut-out of Orlando Bloom as Legolas. He has yielded much entertainment by hiding him around corners and luring unsuspecting victims to walk around said corner and have their socks scared off :)
P.S. I LOVE that little pink and brown bag almost as much as I love it's maker :)"

Delightfully Crazy:
   "The best gift I ever received was when I was 10 and it was from my aunt. She gave me a box of misc. crafting supplies! It was so big and so full. I'm sure it was stuff she no longer wanted from her own stash of supplies but I loved it!"

I think my nieces my just get this in the near future...I've got some cleaning to do ;)

Some of the more touching ones:


CraftyMomma:
   "Oh my! Both bags are so lovely! If I must choose I will say the brown and pink. My favorite gift was being able to travel to Missouri to visit for a week and a half with my mother this Thanksgiving. She is the most precious person I've ever known and at the age of 85 she still makes an impact on all of those around her. She has hospice care now because she is dying of congestive heart failure and a rare form of cancer. What a blessing it was to have that much time with her! I will never ever forget this holiday season."

Realm of the BlueRose Dragon:
   "Either of the bags are delightful, one can not have enough stunning bags to put goodies in! Lovely work!
My best present was being told I was cancer free for the second time and staying that way for over 20 years!
Thank you for a delightful giveaway!"

Though I must say that barneyn made my day by commenting:
   "now THIS is the best giveaway i have seen so far! i love it! wow! thanks soo much! the best gift i have received are my kids! :)"


Ack!  I can't believe how long this post is.  Honestly, I loved everyone's comment and wish I had 132 gifts to giveaway.  Thought maybe next month :)  On to the winners!

Well I went to random.org and  just couldn't figure out how to get that little widget to appear on my page.  Ordinarily when I have computer issues I just say "Husband, I can't get the thing-a-ma-jig to do what I want.  I need you to do it...please."  Only problem is that Husband left with Samuel and Vinny this morning to go visit his brother, sister-in-law, and nieces & nephew for an early Christmas (side note, Gramma and Grampa took the Lincoln and Elsa yesterday, so it's just me and the baby this weekend).

So I write all this just to say that you're going to have to trust me on this when I tell you the winners.  If you're really skeptical and don't feel that you can trust me I can email you the pdf I made of the screen prints ;)

Winner #1
 Andi who posted
 "The best gift I have ever received would probably have to be my dog. He is a great companion, and always makes me happy (even if he is a little naughty sometimes...) :P

thanks for participating in the giveaway!!!"

  Well Andi I hope your new bag helps your dog stay out of your goodies ;)

Winner #2
The Little Bird who wrote
  "oh wow I'm the first person to comment here!!
well i think these bags are great.. they're both wonderful, but i think my favourite would prob have to be the chicky one :) thanks for the opportunity!!
my favourite gift of all time.. i think would have to be an apricot tree, for my 6th birthday.. i waas SO SAD when we moved house!!"

 Well Little Bird I sure hope you've planted an apricot tree where you live now.

Andi and Little Bird I'll be emailing you just as soon as the baby lets me.

Thanks again everyone for participating.  Check back later next week as I should have the pattern for the bags I just gave away up for you to use.

*CLOSED* Giveaway!

{via}

*This is Giveaway is now CLOSED*

Hello!

Okay so I am so excited!  The other day I was on my phone checking up on my blogs and came across Sew Mama Sew!'s Giveaway Day which starts today.  Well at first I thought I'd love to do that but have nothing to give. Yet I really, really wanted to give something.  I love to give gifts.  I mean I'm already planning Christmas gifts for next year.

So yes, I came up with something to giveaway so before you leave to get nachos...here is what I have for you:

A knitting bag! (okay you use it for something other than knitting)

Not just one but 2!

Two of you will be so lucky to receive one of these...why don't you take a gander at what I have for you.

Lining of the Little Chickie Bag

Pocket on the inside of bag

Lining of Pink & Brown Bag

Such a pretty little pocket.

Okay so, I love to make these bags for my knitting stuff (well, I like to make them for other people since I don't actually have one for myself).  Reasons why I love this pattern:

-Holds shape, I used heavy weight interfacing
-Closure is drawstring, I like this because zippers & Velcro make me when they're near my yarn...I can't be the only one.
-Drawstring closure also makes nice handles for carrying and knitting at the same time.
-Completely washable (I have five kids, messes are my life right now)


What you want to know:
-Yes, I will ship internationally
- Post a comment below and tell me what is the best gift you've ever received, it doesn't have to be a Christmas gift and which bag is your favorite
-Please include your email address
-One comment per person, if you need to make changes go back and delete your original comment
-I will leave this open until 11 pm Pacific Standard Time on December 17th
-On the 18th I will select 2 winners via random selection and post the results here.
-Good Luck!