Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Cleaning up

Don't some weeks just make you feel so tired, like you are not going to be able to catch up?  I can tell it is going to be one of those weeks for me.  This week is going to be filled with parent issues, work, cleaning up  and going to see Mr 19 year old on Friday.  He is in a two day swim meet, so we thought this would be a good time for a visit.  There are a few things I need to clean up and get organized, even here on this blog.  I have some photos of some projects lingering around that I haven't showed you yet.  So now seems to be the time to get all of that out and organized so I can start over fresh again. 


These two scarves were knit up and sent away to far off friends. Projects 5 and 6 completed for the year.  With the 180 yards used to make these my total yardage of the year is 1,300.  Hooray!

I have brought out my sewing machine, and my serger from the closet where they have lived for years.   I used to make Halloween costumes for my children, that is until they requested costumes just like all their friends.  Those were store bought, plastic, with crazy masks, not the creative ones I made. I was amazed that I even remembered how to use these machines. 


I decided I needed a few comfortable clothes for work.  My behind is expanding and my comfort level in my clothes is decreasing.  I move around a lot at work and I am on the floor for hours so I need something that moves with me.  Yoga pants, I think I found the answer.  The problem is I am tall, and my legs are thin, mind you not in good shape, just thin.  I look silly with these wide legs that are so popular with these type of pants.  So I decided to buy a few pair and give them a makeover.   I measured a few inches in from the outside seam, measured up 36 inches, drew a line and sewed the seam.  I cut off the excess and there you go, nice pants for work.  I like them so much I made some capri length pants, too.   I should be ready for work now and much more comfortable.   Of course I could work out more to get in better shape, but that doesn't seem to be a great option for me time-wise right now.  


While my little buddy was here visiting I finished up an order for the etsy shop.  Fun, felted heart shape earrings.  I made 30 of them in different colors, very fun.  With the left over wires and beads I made a bracelet, what do you think?


I think it will be fun to wear for Valentine's Day.  

How is your week going?  Are you getting all caught up and organized?

37 comments:

Pammy Sue said...

One of those scarves you made looks like it's made with the Eco Duo color that I have...pecan something. Is it? I lOVE the heart bracelet. I have a "thing" for bracelets and own many. I tried to go to the etsy shop the other day when your sister showed some of your earrings on her blog, but I couldn't find a link. Am I blind?? Would appreciate a link.

So cool that you can alter clothes to fit your perfectly. One of the perks of being a good seamstress, which I am not.

Have a good week even if it is busy!

Gerda said...

Love to read your posts, the photo's of your little buddy in your last post are lovely. And I like your valentine bracelet!! Groetjes, Gerda

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi my friend, good job on the sewing and making comfortable clothing.. I live for comfort clothes! Cottons and stretchy for me! I adore the bracelet you made -- I ordered a pair of your felted earrings from Claudia's website.. can't wait to get them! Thanks again for the fabulous heart pin, what a sweetheart you are! Have fun on your trip to Ohio! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Love the heart's...and the pants...woman, is there nothing you can't do? You always amaze me at our talents.

Hugs and blessings dear friend.

Taci simmons said...

I agree Meredith, comfort is essential! I love the heart bracelet....what a charm :) it will be fun to wear on valentines !

Gracie Saylor said...

Meredith, you do inspire me; you accomplish soooo much, soooo well :-) The felted heart you made for me is perfectly shaped. Thank you for gifting me with your friendship and your lovely creation!

Have a happy trip this weekend !
xx,
Gracie

WildflowerWool said...

6 projects finished so far, you are knitting up a storm!

millefeuilles said...

Good luck to you for your week! Just imagine how happy you will be when you get through to the other side! Those trousers are looking great; well done!

Stephanie

Elisabeth said...

Yu've been really busy, Meredith! The scarves for your friends are just lovely and the Valentine's bracelet is really pretty :) Elisabeth x

Tammy said...

I am never caught up. And organization is always at the bottom of my list though something I seriously need to do. The bracelet is so cute. Great idea! And the scarves are lovely, too. I never learned to sew. You did a good job on the pants. I'm all about comfort. Best wishes, Tammy

Tanna said...

LOVE the bracelet and the scarves!! Well done. I WISH I had the need to take up pants! LOL! I need to get the inches you took out! ;) Have a wonderful week! blessings ~ tanna

Rizzi said...

HI MEREDITH,
BEAUTIFUL SCARVES...AND I LOVE YOUR BRACELET.....YOU ARE SO TALENTED....
I LIKE SEWING TOO....BUT I NEVER GIVE MYSELF TIME TO SEW.....HAVE A GREAT DAY......RIZZI

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, You have been busy. It's always so hard to get organized for a trip when you have catch up to do too. Love that bracelet, you should make more of them!!! Looks so fun to wear. The yoga pants turned out great and so practical for your kind of work, good for you for designing your own.
Hope your visit is fun and you get to see a good amount of time with you son.
xoRobin❤

Anonymous said...

All of your projects look great. Love the idea for the pants. Ahhh... how nice it would be to have long legs. I am 5 foot 3 1/2. So everything is always too long on my legs and arms! I need to pull my sewing machine out of hiding and see if I can figure it out again! You have inspired me :)
And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the heart bracelet!!!
I am working on organizing. My sister & her 2 teenage sons have been living here with me for a month and we are finally moving her into her house. My house has been bulging at the seems!
Have fun visting your son.
Love,
Danette

Kris said...

Hi Meredith!!! Love the scarves, and the felted heart bracelet....swoon!!!!
My neighbor gave me his serger. Rarely used. I looked at it in my sewing room for weeks. Then decided it was just too complicated to figure out. I gave it back to him and thanked him for thinking of me.
I have to alter almost all of my pants. I am weird shaped! Trim from the hips down, with thick waist and big boobs. Makes it hard to find really good fitting clothing. I take in all of my pants in the legs and through the hips. It's a pain, but it sure helps!
Have a wonderful time visiting your son. I hope he does well in the meet!!!!
Hugs,
Kris

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

No, not caught up with any cleaning or organizing. I did do some slacks hemming the week before last but I lost my get up and go. I did shovel the driveway again yesterday and my back feels it today so I guess I got some form of workout. Your bracelet is so cute! It will be great for Valentine's Day! Most likely I will be in Columbus this weekend too.....as usual. ~Hugs, Patti

EMMA said...

Oh my that machine looks soo complicated!!!
I used to make costumes for my eldest boy until he too asked if he could just have a shop bought one like everyone else!!
Heart felted bracelet is beautiful.

Elizabeth said...

love the bracelet !

Between Me and You said...

Oh, Mer, you should be so proud of yourself. You're such a clever girl to be able to accomplish everything you do. I adore your felted earrings and bracelet. Felt envy going on over here!
Have a great time with your boy - a hug from him will cure everything!xxxx

kathy b said...

Mere

I adored your earrings and now, the bracelet. I liked it on the site.

I love your aqua gift scarf too!

Have FUN this weekend. I hope it is much much better than the last meet you went to.

One hour at a time, Mere, one hour at a time.

Unknown said...

I love the little felted hearts. I just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading past posts. I shall be back!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Cute, cute, cute bracelet! The earrings must be adorable.

Beautiful scarves - especially the brown one. ;) (One of those far-off friends has yet to thank you publicly for your lovely gift. She hasn't forgotten - just didn't want to lump it into another post. A scarf like that deserves a post of its own.)

Funny that we should both post about sewing on the same day! Nice job with the pants. And I can't believe you have a big behind.

Lillie and Moss said...

Have a wonderful trip to see your son....I am sure he will be happy to see you also. Great job on your bracelet...I love it! really like the beads between each heart! I am all for comfort in clothing....here lately it seems like I wear wind pants a lot and t-shirts with a light jacket. very cozy!
Hugs, to you! Shari

serendipity said...

Well done with the alterations. I can never find clothes to fit properly either. Hooray for stretchy trousers! xx

Babajeza said...

I think the bracelet is very nice! :-) I couldn't be without a sewing machine and a serger. great tools to make and mend anything. :-)

* said...

Definitely not organised this week.....I've spent all week doing things that haven't made any difference, I've been out such a lot that things are very neglected....

I like that you took the sewing on.....best way to get what you want. I have a friend who is a dab hand on her sewing machine, she recently resized a load of knitted jumpers she bought in the sale...I wouldn't have had the guts but she took a jumper she liked drew around it onto the new ones, then she sewed up the lines (lots of times) and the cut the edges off....scary eh? But they look lovely!

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

I just love the felted hearts. So sweet. And the scarves turned out great too. You've obviously been busy!

cockney blonde said...

Goodness, you've been a busy bee. Love all your projects. I have a few unfinished/almost finished projects on the go. Hopefully will be able to blog about at least one of these over the weekend, x

RURAL said...

I love the bracelet, and am so happy to hear that the cute little earrings are selling so well.

Great yoga pants...I live in mine.

Jen

Petunia Pill said...

Cleaning and organizing..do we ever get it all caught up? Never ending job! Cute bracelet! You are so incredibly creative!

pembrokeshire lass said...

I love the 2 scarves and your make over of the yoga pants is great. I used to make a lot of my daughters' clothes when they were little but since then my sewing machine has been gathering dust....except when I lend it to said daughters! The bracelet is so pretty and I think you should definitely wear it for Valentines!! Enjoy yourself with your son!
Joan

Annie Cholewa said...

Those hearts are so pretty!

Tammy said...

Hope you have a great trip to Ohio! Is it cold and snowy where he is? Best wishes, Tammy

moonstruckcreations said...

My house is a little messy, I have been away for a few days so have lots of washing to do.

Have a wonderful time with your son.

Helenxx

Knitted_Painting said...

I will remember this sewing technique. I'm tall (well I don't think I am, but over here it seems that everybody is smaller then me compared to in Holland) and so it's hard for me to find trousers that fit me right in length and width. So at least this way if I don't like the widelength legs I can alter them :)

kathyinozarks said...

Hi Meredith you are getting lots accomplished-yes I like the redo on your pants, love the bracelet and scarves too. I have been really busy on a project all week hoping to complete over the weekend. I will share once the receiver has gotton it in the mail-happy weekend ahead Kathy

Deb said...

You've been busy Meredith!
Looks like a great sewing machine you have. My sewing skills are not the greatest, so my "investment" in a machine was $99 :-)
Love your red heart bracelet.
Have a wonderful weekend ♥