Sweatshirt Redone

There are generic brand sweatshirts at discount stores, like Walmart or Target, or there are designer brands with some trendy details...Just redo a sweatshirt to update it with lower necklines, updated high low crop version, and add some design details like below...

I first started with reversing the right side, and now the wrong fuzzy side is going to be the right side of the fabric. Then remove the bottom ribbing. Save it.Half of it will be used for the new neckline trim, and the rest will be the smaller version on the bottom.

Next, decide if you want a u neck, v neck or a off the shoulder slouchy version. The best way to decide is to go into our existing closet and decide which neckline is the most flattering. Use this neckline as the pattern. A simple way to draft the new cut opening is to place the sweatshirt on the hanger, place the "pattern favorite" shirt on top of the sweatshirt, and the hanger is underneath the two. Make sure the top shoulder seams are all touching, the openings are center, and front and back of the necklines are centered. Use pins to mark the sweatshirt every few inches. Then disassemble the entire thing, realign the sweatshirted pinned  and make sure right and left sides,front and back  are asymetrical. Then cut the new neckline hole.

For the bottom, now this is the raw edge , because you have cut away the bottom ribbing. Mark where you want the center front to hit. Use your belly button as a point, and decide. I cut mine 11/2 inches. then I layed the sweatshirt on a flat surface and lined up the center side seams{usually there is no actual center seam, just a trace of a fold line}. then use a slight angel cut to achieve the slight high low back effect. this will be more subtle than the dramatic high lows on skirts, but in theory its the same technique. Now on to the bottom ribbing. Cut the big circle on the fold, so you have two. One will go back on the bottom, refolded and twice as small as the origianal width. The other ribbing circle will be cut down in length to be placed back on our new neckline. The piece of ribbing should be 5/8th of the length of the fabric. Make a seam. Then fold right sides together and align correctly spaced on the new neckline.  If its any smaller, the ribbing  tends to pucker up.  Place the ribbing like anyother ribbing that you have done, check the sewing guide paper foldout with any project.

Because I use the wrong side of the fabric as the new right side, I had a printed label right on the fabric. so I used a piece of fabric, cut as a triangle to cover up the label. See first picture. Now topstich, I used the zigzag stitch on my machine,  the ribbing down on the new neckline and the new high low bottom edge on the fabric side. This is very important, to keep the ribbing laying flat. Wow!...Your done...

Knitted e-reader bag

My Knitted E-reader Bag
This project goes over a leather kindle touch case.
In my stash of yarn, I have a lot of blues and greens. Of course, I like the color blue..
I am trying to design a project that would use up some extra yarn. The project turned up beautiful. I used two strands of yarn,cast on 22 stitches and mixed in various colors of yarn, switching them out every 4th row...I used size 8 needles. {But please check your gauge, as results could vary }Then I used a knit/purl for the base, then used a seed stitch for the top flap.

The project has a nice feel for it, and I used a unique button from my stash..

Finnish Cardamom Bread

Finnish Cardamom Bread

7 whole cardamom pods
2 cups milk
1 package active dry yeast
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp. salt
6 1/2 to 7 cups all purpose flour, divided

For glaze:
1 egg, beaten
sliced almonds

Final second  glaze when loaves are cooled:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1/2 to 1 T. coffee to make a sugar drizzle



Crack open cadamom pods and heat in a small pan for several minutes. Grind or pound seeds and set aside. Heat milk to lukewarm. Add yeast and stir until dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add a small amount of flour about 1/2 cup, stir into yeast water  and let that sit in a warm spot for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until foamy. Add milk, cardamom and 11/2 c. flour. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and elastic. Stir in softened butter, salt, and enough flour to make dough stiff enough to knead. Knead on floured surface until smooth and satiny, about 5 to 10 minute. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover, let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size. . On a floured surface divide dough into three parts. Divide each third into three parts. Form each part into a strip 16 inches long. Braid three together, sealing ends. Repeat for remaining 2 loaves. Place on greased cookie sheets. Cover loosely and let rise about 30 minutes until less than doubled in size. Brush loaves with beaten egg;sprinkle with almons and sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Makes 3 loaves.

Here is one loave, but I already divided it into 3 sections, some to freeze and some to give away. I do not recommend using store bought canister cardamom. Most of the flavor has faded.

Candy Girl Hot Pattern

This project is a solution to purse organization. The pattern is a free download with registration at a pattern site called www.hotpatterns.com . The pattern is available as a free download, print it out on your printer and assemble the pieces. It is a simple box shape construction with multiple pockets to hold all your gear. I made my first one from some purple iridescent poly in my stash pile, and some recycled white webbing.

 It measures about 11.5/29 cm long, 7"/17cm high and 3.5"/9cm deep. Then when you want to change purses, take it out of  one purse, and place it in the next. I'm wondering how I managed without one!..And Hot patterns has other fabulous purse patterns to check out!

Poetry Books

Poetry Books are faboulous bedside table  jems. Each poem is a short version of some thought, memory, or feeling. Pick up on any page and start reading... In this case, Migrations Poetry and prose for Life's Transitions are reflections from lifes movement from one chapter to another. There are poems of weather, birds, weather, air, and also dark passages such as bewilderment, violence, aging, loss, death, and trama. All the poems reflect Duluth or the northland in some way.... www.wildwoodriver.com..$15.00

London 2012 Olympics - Finland

London 2012 Olympics - Finland by onemonday featuring sports shoes

American Vintage long sleeve top
$72 - the-dressingroom.com

Shop True Religion Women's Lizzy Capri in White
sidestreetboutique.com

Keds sports shoes
dsw.com

The Fair Isle Sock

Fair Isle Sock...
Knitting....Its such a zen thing...It grounds me in times of stress and family instability. Often times when I can't fix things or after I've given a fair amount of maternal advice, there is nothing to do but wait. Wait or pace. Or why not wait and develop my knitting skills?

Knitting is a acquired skill, and it takes practice. I often can't knit in the summer, but love it in the winter with a cup of calamine tea and a cookie...One project leads to the next advance level and then before you know it, your at a intermediate level making some cool wool socks...The book I used is Patons Next Sept Four Socks and Slippers