Sew Off Round 1: Asymmetrical Springtime "Peecoat"

It's time to Sew Off!  Voting is now in session until Sunday at midnight, so please hop over to Naptime Crafters and pick your favourite TWO entries!

Round 1 of the competition is kids's clothing, so I decided to design and make a jacket for The Middle Child.

I have a long wool coat, bright yellow, that I bought years ago on holiday in a little boutique.  It has an asymmetrical collar that I just love.  For ages, I thought about replicating it, so this contest was the perfect opportunity!  I went into my stash and found this teal corduroy that perfectly matched my daughter's eyes, and decided to make her a spring jacket.

Using the shape of the coat as inspiration, I created my own pattern using sweetheart lines, shortening it to hip length, and adding side pockets for stashing girly treasures.

I used big wooden buttons, sewn on with yellow thread, and lined it with one of my favourite floral prints from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane collection.  I was very proud of how well it turned out, and am happy to report that it passed the "daughter test"!

But, as is typical with me, a funny thing happened on the way to the contest ;)  I had laid the original wool coat out on the kitchen floor to use it inspect the seams.  The doorbell rang, and off I went.  When I returned a moment later, there was a HUGE puddle of PEE sitting right in the middle of the satin lining!  Turns out my old incontinent dog decided to seek some relief there, as opposed to somewhere on all the easily cleanable hardwood floors in the house.  I was griping about it to some of my quilty friends when Kaelin, who is always good for a laugh, suggested that I name it the "Peecoat"!  Why not, seeing as it was already Christened and all ;)

So there you have it!  Adventures continue :)  Now scoot off and vote, would ya!

a tale of boobies and buttons

A funny moment to share from this morning.

It is Spring Break here, which means 3 busy kids at home to entertain. I had just stole away to hop into the shower, when 30 seconds later, Big G comes running into to bathroom, "Mom, come quick come quick!" My hair was full of shampoo but I assumed they had somehow taken their unsupervised minute to set the house on fire, so I dashed out of the shower, threw my robe on loosely and a towel over my head, and ran downstairs like a bat out of hell.

To the foyer. Where the front door was wide open.

With the post person standing there, package in hand.

Thank goodness it was a "she".

"She" may or may not have seen a flash of my boobies.

I am sure neither "she" nor I will ever speak of it.

After an awkward moment had passed, I signed the required forms to collect my small package of heaven. Buttons! All the way from Thailand! Gorgeous wooden gems, some of which will be getting a starring roll on my Golden Wheat cardigan, which is FINISHED!!!!!!!!


Off to sew them on, will show the sweater soon. I am expecting a full on parade for finally finishing this beast, so get your best comments of praise ready, I will have no shame in asking for them ;)

As Time Goes By

There is a great new shop called As Time Goes By in Winnipeg (at 442 Academy). It is home decor, has all sorts of fun goodies, and the owner, Katie, is a hoot! She also has a couple really fun ideas-her store has a free book exchange and....a button plate? What is that, you ask? Basically a plate full of awesome grandma vintage buttons that are FREE! Look at all the treasures I walked away with:

And here are some of my very favorites :-) I tell you , I was like a kid in a candy store.

Also, I bought this really cool beeswax needle holder. Apparently it helps your needles stay sharp!

Also scored some awesome maple flavored honey, made right here by little Manitoba bees! So crazy yummy...makes your toast taste like French Toast!
Anyways, Katie ships across Canada, so why not pop by her web site and take a peek for yourself?

Okay, at the risk of sounding like I am gloating, I received a couple more great things in the mail this week. First off- some more Denyse Schmidt to add to my obsession...I mean collection. These are courtesy of Kaelin at The Plaid Scottie, as part of a little swap we are doing. Thanks, Kaelin!

Second off, look at these luscious hand dyed yarns!

The purple is Malabrigo Chunky in Cuarzo, meant for a hat for a Christmas gift. Yes, already thinking ahead to Christmas! The orange is Madelinetosh Vintage in Warm Maise, for a sweater I am planning for Last But Not Least. It will be in the same Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi pattern that I am currently working on for The Middle Child. Man, sweaters take a long time!
We are heading on a bit of a family road trip soon (Lord help me), so I hope to take this along to keep me occupied/sane :-)