Stitch 2 Stitch

Keeping up with more summer clothes for the kids to take with us on holiday that’s just 2 weeks away (EEEKKSS~), made these 2 up and I’m loving the pattern! Have I told you that I totally totally love Otto patterns? The only thing that bugs me is that I have to remember to lengthen most of their top patterns. Like this one. Other than that, they are pretty much a dream to sew!

Tangerine tops in size 116 & 104….really reminds me how quick the girls are growing up!

I’m still not done with the sewing and I have approximately 1 week to get MY sewing done then I’ll have to rush and finish the last flowergirls dress for sis’s wedding. She’s bringing with her extra fabric PLUS I need to start packing for the trip. Omg…travelling with 2 toddlers and a baby. It’s going to be *fun*. Thank goodness for sisters!

Pattern : Crochet Granny Stitch Beanie
Yarn : Lime – Cotton Ease (Worsted 10 ply – Cotton/Acrylic)
Needle : 5mm

Because Arianna has one, KR insisted on one as well and picked this color.

She seems quite happy with it.

But like Arianna, she’s been influence, so meet the Green Goblin!

Pattern : Crochet Granny Stitch Beanie
Yarn : Terracotta – Cotton Ease (Worsted 10 ply – Cotton/Acrylic)
Needle : 5mm

After about 10 years, I finally picked up a crochet hook and although I had to refresh my memory a bit, I definitely am hooked now! I decided to crochet something simple and quick that was light for spring. And this is what I made :

Very simple Granny Stitch Beanie that I finished in *drumroll please* 1 day!!! ^.^

I hooked on yesterday afternoon and finished it late last night. My first time ever finishing a needled project in 1 day. ^.^ *happy happy joy joy*

Arianna loves it but what is an imaginative child do with it other than wear it?

Become Spider Man!! lol

Of course, I managed to get a more sensible pix after that…

Inspired by many of my friends, I meant to hand make this years Christmas presents. But seeing that I have not started AND I’m on holiday back in Malaysia….looks like it will be store bought again this year. I’m always admired people who hand make gifts because it’s just speaks out more and definitely personal as well.

Aside from making coin purses and hand towels, I thought making holiday cards would be a good idea too especially when the kids can chip in and help. Anything that comes from the kids is always a hit with the in-laws. But since I’ll be resting this year, I best put on my thinking hat and narrow down a few shopping complexes.

While it was winter, I was busy sewing up some warmer clothes for the kids to wear during summer while on our vacation. But apparently spring this time is somewhat hotter than usual so a huge chunk of summer wear have since surfaced. Here are some of the modelled shots of the things I’ve sewn and shared previously – here and here.

There are a few more that I have not uploaded so will do that next time.

Since I’ve finished the main bit of sewing for sis’s wedding, I’m thinking of crocheting a simple Granny Square Beanie I found on Ravelry. The last time I picked up a crochet hook was when I first learnt it and that was easily some 10 years ago! To think I crocheted so many Granny Squares for Mum…just coz I could! Some of the colors were atrocious…but now I will be crocheting for a cause.

Nothing feels better when you know you’ve completed something important way ahead of time AND that you now have the time and energy to sew/knit other things! I’ve finally completed 3 of the 4 flowergirls dresses for sis’s wedding and what a relief! I had a tought time with the fabric – it really was a PITA but I survived!

The girls in their Taffeta Dress (#19, 3/08) and although I’m not 100% happy with it, sis is and that’s what’s most important.

It’s still lacking the sash and the underskirt (who would hv thought that netting here is so expensive!) which will need to be done when I get back to Kulim but those are pretty easy to get done so I’m not fussed at the moment.

Now I can channel my time and energy to more sewing and knitting until we leave in about 3 weeks time!! (EGAD!!)

With sis wedding just around the corner, I’ve been assigned to sew up 4 flowergirls dresses. (I’m sure you’ve heard me whinging about this in many previous posts! lol) So before I cut into the actual fabric, this was my test on some poly/cotton.

The test turned out quite alright. This is the Taffate Dress (#19, 3/08)

Arianna saw no fault in this although I beg to differ. I definitely need to better my invisible zippers. But all in all, I think this will be a success.

I never thought I’d see the back of this but I’m so glad that I stuck to my guns (though I’ve thought many times to pull the trigger) and ride this out. *phew!* While the pattern is easy, it took awhile coz I stopped and waited for the matching seashell color to come by. Initially it was suppose to be all tawny but once I hit the 4th ball (I had 6), I was afraid that it would be enough. And knitters all know that more is better than less (as with fabric thats why you can never have enough) so MIL suggested a contrasting color, hence the seashell.

Once I finished my pieces, I then had issues trying to piece them up coz apparently I was having prenancy brain (not that I was still preggers) just couldnt get it right. It was then that I wanted to ripped the WHOLE thing and start again. But thank goodness I had a bit of sense left in me and decided to put it away for awhile. I’m glad I did coz after a few months away from it, I came back with a fresh mind.

Ted finds it ‘facinating’ that I’m knitting a cardi during spring but I told him that I MUST finish what I start…he just shakes his head. So instead of this being Arianna’s cardi, it’s now KR’s.

Yarn : Jo Sharp 8 ply DK Pure Wool
Pattern : Eloise Eyelet Cardi by Lion Brand Yarn

There are a couple of booboos which I am not going to admit to BUT I’d like to know what I did wrong that my yarns got mixed up in the front and is showing. I’m not going to ripped it again coz I’m not fussed by it but I’d still like to know how to do it right so I wont make the same mistake again. Will try and get a modelled shot one of these days.

Now, back to my sewing!

What a really nice weekend! It started out just like any other weekend but MIL had a surprise for me. Honestly, I’ve got a really nice MIL and I’m really thankful for that. She’s really thoughtful and well, let’s just say that I have very little to complain about.

Anyway, she had gotten me the recent ‘in’ thing. It’s something that you need to collect to make up the complete collection and she started for me – Art of Knitting. I saw this on the telly some time ago and was contemplating about if I should go for it. Apparently, someone decided that for me! She’s gotten me up to Issue 4 so I might just subscribe to the lot.

Then on the way back from MIL’s, we stopped by Salvos and although I was hoping someone would have dumped their Otto mags, I was quite happy with what I found.

The home decor book has instructions on how to sew your own armchair cover! ^.^ Since I dont have a super brain like Mum’s, these instructions will come in super handy!!

All in all, love love love!

I guess I now know why DH gets annoyed when I sew while he is watching a movie, though he is not fussed if the footy is on. After all, you’re watching the action and not really listening to people rambling on. Every now and then, he gets this wave and he just continously plays his computer games. While it doesn’t annoy me when I’m sewing but it sure as hell bugs the crap out of me when he does while I’M watching tv.

The related reason why his games annoy me is because it’s got this machine gun rat-tat-tat, and sometimes it just goes on for ages and omg, I swear some days, I just feel like chucking his game out the window. It came to a point where I actually bought myself a pair of cordless headphones just so that I could watch the TV and concentrate. But sadly, Dad spoilt his and so we gave him ours. Now, I’m back to suffering again…..and its no help that Arianna encourages him to play his games coz she likes the tanks!! *rolls eyes* And he is more than happy to oblige, I can tell you that much…..aarrgghhh!!!