Making Progress

I spent most of the three-day weekend in my craft studio sewing, embroidery, straightening, and listening, as I must do every summer, to my Harry Pottery books on CD set, Books 5, 6, and 7, The Order of the Phoenix being my very favorite. When I checked out #7 the other day, the librarian said, "I hope they enjoy it." I looked at her and said, "Oh, this isn't for the kids. They are bored with it. I have an annual summer Harry Fest in the car." I'm a 43-year-old who misses Harry Potter! Ridiculous or riddikulus!, as one might say to a boggart! If you like Harry, too, and have never listened to the book on tape, run out and get the series. I can vouch for the American version read by Jim Dale. He does such a wonderful job and actually grows the voices as the characters grow up. Okay, enough said!

I purchased the Simplicity 3835 pattern to make for myself, however, Camille was ga-ga for it at first glance, so I made her one first.

I tried to take in all the advice I've read about the pattern from different sewing bloggers. I made the size 6 for her but think the 8 would fit better across the front. However, there is so much excess fabric in the back. I understood one blogger to say not to put the seam back there to lessen the bulk, so I cut it on the fold. That didn't help here. Is this where I might have put in some darts? I really don't want to spend too much time figuring that out to keep it simple and easy to make.

Maybe with the size 8, cutting the back on the fold but take just a bit away, and creating vents at the side seams, the top will drape better. That's what I am going to try next time. Also, I left the elastic out of the sleeves so no puff and no bother with another casing. Camille is quite happy with the top and wore it right away yesterday and then out today again. I hope this is the beginning of a new phase in her clothing - finding great patterns for her - and also encouraging her to sew as well. By the time I was her age, I had it going on in the sewing room. I wish she would jump in, too; she is so artistic.

My husband spent most of our three-day weekend working on the harder house projects, including painting. He painted my bookcase for my studio office and finished up the work table I designed.

Remember this horrible site:

and this:

Now, see this!

Color: Lowes Valspar Playful Pool 5005-7C

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Bright, shiny, and new, all ready for me to add what I need to make this studio office a home. It's not for sewing. That's the other room filled with chaos, which I think is necessary somewhat to create. This room is for meeting with clients, designing, blogging, scanning, creative computer work, displaying my goods, and paper art, like scrapbooking, etc.

You can see some of the art pieces I have to get framed. I found the lamp shade at IKEA in Atlanta in May. Loved this at first site! You can use it on any type of lamp, however, I picked the lamp cord to hang like a little chandelier over the reading chair.

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The two cabinets standing next to each other will be emptied, and I'll use that for display. My friend has one of the panels out to cut glass for all the cupboard doors. The cabinet with the shuttered doors is actually a craft armoire. I will use it for storing scrapbooking and paper art supplies.

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Now I just have to decide on curtains. Do I go with a calico sprigged with red and yellow flowers or do I go more demure and use a black and white toile?

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Ouch! My right index finger is hurting. I've been scrolling, blogging, flickr-ing, and working on the computer for hours now! Looks like that's my cue ....