Thanks for all of the lovely comments, prayers, and thoughts. I think that I made a good decision eve though it doesn't feel like it at the moment. When you love someone and they love you back, it is even harder to walk away. You second guess yourself, feel like you are not giving it your all, and whatever other rush of emotions that come your way. In any event, I feel stronger for sharing and even comforted by the flood of support. Thank you.
In an attempt to keep things crafty, I'm wearing another FO that I never managed to post about. It's not my favorite, even though I love the fabric. Still, it's a comfy top to wear on a Friday when I'm at work instead of hiding under my covers in bed.
Stats:
Pattern: Simplicity 2898 - long sleeve version
Fabric: Delia Berry from Fabric.com I purchased 1.5 yards
Size: 10-22. I believe I cut a size 16.
This just didn't come out like I planned. I serged over spots that I didn't mean to (this was with my old serger) and pushed my awl through the fabric in others. lol. Still, I have managed to wear this to work several times and not one weird look among the office bunch. lol.
Knitting News:
I am close to separating for the sleeves on the circle shrug. I think I'll probably end up adding another one of these projects to my queue if it comes out as wearable as I suspect.
More Sewing FOs by weekend's end....
Without giving up too many details, I'm just going to say that I am really sad today. A situation occurred last night that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t know why, since all signs were pointing to it happening, but I still didn’t expect it to happen. Now I’m sad and feel very much alone and misunderstood. We all let people down at some point in our lives, and I’m no exception, but I just wasn’t looking to be let down one more time. After two major failed relationships in my life it would lead one to believe that the heart would become more guarded – in general. I must be a sucker for pain, because I’m still willing to let people into my heart. I know that crafting blogs are for crafting, but it somehow helps to let it out to those who have followed part of one’s life, even if for only the crafting part. I’m just not sure about what to do with myself now. How do you determine the difference between forgiveness and being made a fool? When you ask for one seemingly small thing that you need and you can’t get that, why should you always be the bigger person and let it slide? Sometimes tough love is the only real love that can be offered. Growth can be painful and sugar coating life only gives cavities. I’ve lost my need for a sweet tooth and am plowing ahead – alone.
I feel so STUPID!!!!! Of course my family is off to a Caribbean cruise, so I’m going through this one solo. That’s how it happens for me. Even though there’s others close to me that have offered their ear and concern, they really never understood my choice in the first place. Everyone gets their own opinion, but now that I’m here – I feel more ridiculous and ashamed.
Memorable quote from different Italian – Tony Soprano “Yeah. I find I have to be the sad clown: laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.” More crafting to come – I’ll have a lot more time to do it for sure, now.
Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. Here is what was generated based on my blog....
I wore another FO that I failed to post on my blog. Here are the second versions of Butterick 4807 pants. Yes, this is a top I made a while back, too - but that has seen lots of wear and has been posted about....anywho the pants are very comfy with a nice knit fabric that I picked up a while back from Joann's. This is the same pattern that I used t-shirt material to make pants before.
The McCall 5662 top is finally coming together and I only have the bottom to sew to the band and finito!
I actually wore my Butterick 5260 top to work today, so I was able to get a quick snap of it before running out the door. I made this the end of January, but haven't really put it on for work like many of the other pieces I've made. It's very comfy and the fabric print is fun, while still being work appropriate. In my previous pattern review I mentioned how I modified the neckline using Fold-Over-Elastic instead of making the cowl neck. This was a Fabric.com fabric find for $9.00.
Tonight I have sewing class and need to get off the computer and cut more fabric (since I didn't do it last night) in preparation.
In knitting news - I am working on my shrug project, which I did manage to bring (and work on) at the Infinite Knitters group last night. Hopefully, I'll have a pic of my McCall's top, if I'm productive in class tonight.
P.S. - Faye's pattern giveaway package has already arrived to my house! I am psyched. Thanks Faye. What a generous gift.
I have finally completed my first knit FO of the year! Yes, it is only a hat, but it’s a step in the right direction. This step has led me to cast on for the Textured Circle Shrug from Stefanie Japel’s Glam Knits book. With the current state of the economy it’s probably wise to use a reasonably priced yarn and let the pattern stand for itself, so I’m opting for CottonEase. While I love the actual green color that is used in her book, I’m working on a cream colored version. This should give me lots of wear possibilities and will be a good addition to my wardrobe. 
Side Slip Cloche Hat Stats:
Needles: US Size 6 29” wooden circular
Yarn: 1 ½ skeins of Plymouth Yarn Royal Llama Silk (60% llama/40% silk) – this was from my Secret Pal Swap 10 partner. Yippee!
Overall, this was a good project for on-the-go knitting. I made this hat almost entirely during hockey games and one drive to Vegas! A worthwhile project for sure.
In sewing news – I messed up the top portion of McCall 5662, so I have to re-cut additional fabric for the top portion this evening. Instead of serging the top to the midsection, I’m going to use my Bernina and see if it goes more smoothly than my first go-around. I want this project out of the sweatshop, so I’ll see what I can do after knitting group at Starbucks (yup, now that I’m taking the Intermediate Sewing class on Tuesdays, I can go to the Infinite Knitters group on Mondays). I also want to cut out a pair of pants, since I’m putting my view sewed creations to overdrive with work wear. It’s time to add some to the line-up. I have some great material in my stash, so this will be a good project to work on during my Tuesday class.
Yes, that is my new name. I have yet to post a pick of my hat FO. This is my first Knit FO of 2009! I am a slacker for sure. I'm already making plans for my next project. Originally I was planning on starting Bijou, but now I might cast on for Stefanie Japel's Textured Circle Shrug first. It's a fairly quick knit and will be a nice throw-on for work (I'm always cold - even in San Diego). 
I'm still working on M5662. I just have to gather the bottom bodice and sew it up. I have no idea why I've been so behind on my sewing....hopefully this'll get me back on track.
Since I don't have my hat pic - I'm showing another view of my Butterick 5246 dress. I say "my", because I'm stealing this one away from my Mother. I'm going to make her a longer version of it - 'cause Kwacha needs one, too - I just can't part with it. (She's on a cruise, so she won't read this before her new one is completed.) lol. Anywho - here's a shot of me at the Tao restaurant Valentine's weekend. Every woman there was rocking black and I felt like the color made me stand out - in a good way.
Pics of my hat this weekend.....promise!
Just a quick note to say that I have completed my Boutique Knits - Side Slip Cloche Hat. I will either block it this evening or wear it as is - (the stitches are even enough for my taste). I'll post a pic either tonight or tomorrow.
I am also hoping to complete my McCall's 5662 top in class this evening. I went to my class last night all packed up...and forgot my pedal! lol. The lecture portion was good and we watched a video on making a simple 2-strap bag, so it was still a good class. Still - can you imagine!?
In other HAPPY HAPPY News, I one 4 patterns from Faye for her blogiverssary giveaway. Yippeee. Everyone probably can tell my pattern/fabric addiction already. I swore off new pattern buys (except for the next Butterick patterns that have not come into the San Diego stores, yet) for a while - or until my roommate stops frowning at me for it. lol. Now I have new patterns without making a forbidden purchase. NICE!!!!!
Sorry I've been absent this last week. I'm still alive and kickin'! I will be going to my Tuesday Sew class tonight and will hopefully have a good start to my next project (McCall 5662 top). My Gorgeous Fabrics order just came in and I want to have it on me already. lol.
I made New Look 6843 skirt over the weekend. I cut out the pieces and realized that I didn't have the directions with the pattern. Instead of freaking out, I managed to put it together. Since I wasn't following the directions anyway, I moved the zipper from the back to the left side. Here's a picture of my new skirt on Sookie. I used a silky material that I purchased from Joann's.
In knitting news, I have picked my hat back up and am working on it during hockey games that Brandi and I go to on Saturdays. Now that I have been booted out of Monday sewing class I will also try to go to Brandi's Infinite Knitters Group at Starbucks. Here's my progress.
This is the third rendition of this asymetrical tunic. My original zebra print and my roomie's green version were both size large. I wanted a roomier version of my original using a funky print from Fabric.com which I had in my stash. The Jersey Knit fabric is called Phaidra Turquoise and I used 1.5 yards for a total cost of only $8.97. Can't beat that.
My first sewing class of the semester was not what I planned. Sewing is really growing in popularity. So much so - the class had well over 100 people! Last semester there were 45, which was overwhelming. Even though the multi-million dollar new building is 3 times the size of the old sewing room, we are over capacity. Professor Namdar asked me to change into the intermediate course, which should be smaller in size. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as that class is tonight! What did I do after being "kicked out" of class early for lack of space....did I mention that the class is located across from Joann's? I bought a great piece of silky fabric to make a skirt and a jersey knit solid for a coordinated top. Why am I off my fabric diet? I made my 10+ items using my stash. Yee-haw! Still, I'm going to try to continue some stash busting to use the fabric I already have.....
Here's a close-up of the fabric. I like the abstract feel. The whole thing is hearts, without being to "cheesy" for my taste. This one might even make a Valentine's day appearance....
I have 2 new FOs from this weekend using Simplicity 4789 for straight leg pants and my go-to-pattern New Look 6735 for the top. I had stash fabric from Joann's that I forgot I even had! I was able to make the pants and a top. I am looking forward to trying more pieces from S4789. There are six different options in this wardrobe coordinates builder. I have already started tracing the jacket and I'll certainly make the pants in a slightly thicker knit material.
Here's a picture of me wearing the pants along with the New Look 6735 top pattern. I was surprised how many people commented on my previous post, thinking the top and skirt was actually a dress. Kind of cool! I plan to mix and match the skirt, pants, and tops for four coordinated options with just two outfits.
My first sewing class for the semester starts this week (I had jumped the gun last week thinking it started earlier than it did! lol). I am very excited. Actually - my first issue of BWOF arrived on Saturday. Perfect! I will take the magazine to class and work on projects from the magazine for the entire semester. This should really help me advance my skills and get accustomed to the process. There are at least 15 patterns that I want to make out of this issue alone.
I also plan on casting on for Bijoux at work, before my lunch break ends. Busy busy bee....I'm also cutting the B5035 tunic pattern in an x-lg to make another version. I like the shape of my zebra print tunic, but want it a bit more roomy for a more casual weekend version. I'll have this one completed by tonight or tomorrow, since it is only three seams to make! Speaking of roomy, my roomie is back from her trip to Seattle. Yeah!!! I've missed Brandilion. Glad to have you back, girl!
