This is the fourth time I've made up this pattern - Simplicity 3835 ... I don't even need to look up the number anymore - and I still love it. This blouse went through a few iterations before reaching its final form (and might get a few tweeks yet).

I was originally planning to use the collar piece and have a placket with a button closure in the back. I had sewn it in and everything but the whole blouse just refused to sit nicely. It was tight around my chest and loose around my shoulders and the collar felt much too close to my throat. I ended up cutting out the collar completely and putting in binding like my Roses in Black tee. So much more comfortable. I'd wanted to have binding on the cuffs too. I was thinking of cute little puffed elbow sleeves and had added a little extra width to the sleeves but it was not to be. Even with the extra width the sleeves are only just the right size so I finished them off with a regular hem. I've noticed before that the sleeves on this pattern are a little tight for me.

I love the lace on this top. It occurred to me when I was about half way through taking out the collar and I'm so glad I added it. The fabric is a shot cotton (called mushroom I think) and the lace brings out the creamy weft threads in the fabric for me. The lace itself is from a little stash gifted to me by a friend's mother a few years ago. Whenever I want to add lace to something special I hope to find it among those hand-me-down pieces.


I said this blouse might receive a few more tweeks and I'm mostly thinking of the back darts when I say that. Because I made such a loose wide neckline on my blouse, the darts are sitting lower than they are meant to and I get a bunch of wrinkles in the back of my top. I really like the way they give just a hint of a tailored look though so I haven't picked them out yet. I might end up shortening the sleeves by about an inch too. They sit right on my elbows and ride up an inch anyway; I might be more comfortable without the extra fabric.

If I can avoid both games of fetch and the cat walking on my keyboard I might get a post finished before tomorrow ...



Proving, once again, that I'm a sucker for cute groceries.


I finished Rob's new neck warmer ... for the second time. The first one was much too big. Why did I cast on so many stitches? Now I have a lovely little ball of leftovers. I've got quite a few of these and I'm thinking of starting something like this.


Everything was in shades of grey outside. Not dark, gloomy greys but soft, clear, calm greys. Sky, roads, trees, everything ... all white and grey. This is my inspiration palette for repainting our bedroom.


Embroidery hoops and my blue wall.


We watched the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver at Rob's parent's house. My favourite part was the fiddling. It makes me want to dance. I worked on the heel for my current sock instead.


Tea time in the middle of the afternoon and I have leftover fruitcake from my sister. There is something about food wrapped in cheesecloth that I find so homey and cozy.


A slice of sunshine coming into my studio.

- I'm almost finished cutting out all the pieces for my new purse. There are so many! I got out a roll of painter's tape and labelled rectangles as I cut them out. I've still got one pocket to cut but I'm a little undecided about how big it should be. I think I'll start sewing first and make my decision when I get to that pocket.

- We got Abby a new chew toy today. It says it is best for dogs over 60 pounds ... our 25 lb. pup is a powerful chewer. Fortunately she pretty much sticks to her toys.

- My blog was listed in a post on Canadian Living's Make+Do Blog last month. I can't express how utterly cool I found that. I highly recommend looking through the list; there are a lot of other fun spots to visit.

- I'm debating whether or not to participate in the Knitting Olympics. It would be pretty fun to participate and I think Christina's pattern in my Rockin' Sock Club kit would be a good entry - it involves several new techniques for me. Under normal circumstances I think those socks would be a good challenge for me to finish completely in 17 days but we'll be on vacation for most of those days so I'll probably have way more knitting time than usual and that doesn't seem quite fair.

- If I don't participate in the Knitting Olympics I'm still planning to make those socks as my vacation project. "Happy go Lucky" is a pretty good motto for a February vacation the whole point of which is to relax and bum around a different city for a week.

- I spent part of this evening over at my sister's house. We dreamed up our summer gardens and ordered some seeds. I loved doing carrots last year and want to add tomatoes (that actually produce something), peas, beets and maybe spinach, beans and strawberries this year. I'll need to figure out where everything will go and probably build at least one raised bed in the back yard.

- I took pictures of me in my new blouse at lunch time today and will try to share them this weekend.