Scrapbook LO: Balsam Lake

This is my boyfriend Kevin last June at Balsam Lake, Ontario.






I used acid free silver paper from Dollarama (they have lots of neat scrapbooking supplies) and sanded it with sand paper to give it a more rustic feel. I also sanded the Karen Foster fish paper and inked the edges with brown. I also tore and curled the edges of the stone paper and chalked the torn edges with brown chalk. The letters of the title are also from the sanded silver paper. I used my Bosskut die cut machine with the 'Morgan' font. To complete the page I used brads that looked like screws to give a masculine feel.

p.s. isn't Kevin handsom?

Scrapbook layout: My Dog

Here is a one page layout I did late last summer of my miniature pinscher, Troy.

A Scrapbook layout

Here is a layout I did recently. Its a two page layout. The title is "Spring at the Farm." I took these photo's last April/beginning of May.

Left side:

Right side:

And together (this one is out of focus, but you get the idea):

New Patterns from Modern Sewing

I ordered some patterns from http://m-sewing.com . It's a custom size pattern website that you enter your measurements in and get a pattern generated according to your measurements. Then within 24 hours you have your patterns available for you to print off on your home printer. You do have to glue all the pages together though. I haven't yet sewn one of these patterns so I can't say how accurate the fit is or how much of a pain it is to glue the pages together.

Here is what I got:

A super chic jean jacket:

A raglan sleeved blouse:

Another blouse:

Skirt with a flounce:

And another skirt:

So what do you think? Like them? Which should I sew up first? I'm thinking the last skirt?

New Look 6497 -complete. Finally!

I really, really like this pattern. This is the second time I have made this shirt, but this time I altered it so that the back is solid. The original has it so that the shirt ties in the back, which is fine for the summer. I made a casing with elastic in the top in the back to prevent the back from sagging. I also lengthened the bodice by an inch because I found the first shirt I made a bit too short there.

I used a plum jersey knit from Fabricland. It cost a $1.50 a meter. The pattern cost $2, and I've used it twice so far, so that means this shirt cost $2.50 to make. I think thats pretty good considering in the store I would probably pay over $20 for it.


















I love the empire waist and how the bodice is gathered.



A pic of me wearing it. The straps aren't supposed to be a halter; I just don't have anyone to pin the straps on the back in the right spot for me to sew them. Sorry the picture is skewed. I had to set the camera on a dictionary on the table to take this picture.

Back view showing the modification I did. The back hem isn't crooked, its just caught up on my butt. I don't think this top would flatter all figures, especially pear shaped women as it flares out quite a bit at the butt.

An update of sorts, and I have a new hobby- knitting!

I haven't had time to sew much lately and it really, really sucks. I'm just swamped with school work. I have been working, little by little, on a knit top. New Look 6497 http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=6497 I'm making view A. I made view A in the summer out of a black jersey. This time though, I'm attempting to modify the back so that there is no ties in the back, so hopefully it will work out. I also lengthend the bodice by one inch. Somehow this resulted in the bodice being quite a bit wider than the bodice lining. Im not too sure how that happend since I just added to the length and not the width. Oh well I'll just measure how much bigger the bodice is and cut a new one to fit the bodice lining since I checked the alignment with the rest of the pieces and the bodice lining is correct. For this time Im using a plum coloured jersey that is very soft. When I'm finally done I'll post a pic of it along with the black one I made in the summer.

This weekend I plan to get some more sewing done (along with a s-load of homework). I would like to make this kimono-esque top from New Look 4020 http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4020&show=1
view D. Lots of people on Pattern Review (PR) have made this top with good results. I'm not sure which fabric to use. My options are hot pink, rose pink, plum, baby blue.... and I think thats it. And if I have time I would love to start on a pair of Vogue pants. I have super nice black pinstripe wool blend that feels soo comfy that would be great for the pants.

Today, two of the used books I ordered off of Amazon arrived. I'm absolutely thrilled with them! They are Singer: Tailoring and Singer: The Perfect Fit. I highly recommend these books. The other one I'm waiting on is Singer: Sewing with Knits.

On another note: I've picked up another hobby (I know, I know I barely have time to do the ones I have now.. I don't remember the last time I touched a piece of scrapbook paper ). Over Thanksgiving weekend my sister taught me how to knit. She has been knitting for a few years now is really good (she posts a bit on Crafster, but mainly lurks..I think). Anyway, she let me borrow a pair of size 10 needles, some yarn and her Stitch'n Bitch book by Debbie Stoller (great book btw). So now I'm knit two, purl two'ing my way to my first scarf. Since I don't have a lot of spare time I decided to take my knitting to class with me the other day to work on it during break (I have 3 hour lecture/seminars for my 4th year bio classes...it sucks) and you'd think I pulled out a porn mag based on the reaction I got! "I can't believe you brought that to class" "What are you doing?!" me: "what does it look like?! Im knitting." etc etc. Mind you these comments were from guys not girls in my class. The girls said "oh thats a good idea, get some knitting done while on break." I really don't know why its such a big deal and I found the different reactions of the guys and girls interesting. Anyone else had a similar experience?

My newest machine! A vintage Kenmore.

This is my newest vintage machine! Can you believe that I got it for free! It works prefectly, just a bit louder than my Singer Stylemat 329K from the 60's (I think), maybe its because its a front loading verticle bobbin? This Kenmore is obviously older than the 60's, but I don't know by how much. The model number on the bottom says C -877-16. It only straight stitches and backs stitches, but it really makes a nice stitch. Its sooooooo pretty too! I would love to know more about this machine, especially what decade its from. I have joined the vintage kenmore yahoo group, just haven't posted there yet.