Happy New Year

It is hard to believe that a new year is almost here. Especially more so when you go out for a walk on Christmas day and see dandelions blooming. After all this is northern Illinois and usually we have snow on the ground this time of year.

After spending the weekend before Christmas with several celebrations, Christmas weekend itself was a quiet time for my hubby and me. We spent some time on Christmas Eve at a neighbor's house celebrating with friends. Then it was midnight Mass at St Paul the Apostle Church. Once again beautiful music and surroundings to celebrate such a holy day. After sleeping in on Christmas morning we took a walk where we saw the dandelions blooming. Such a strange sight. Then we just relaxed and made some homemade pizza and watched my Packers beat his Bears. One of us was happy anyway.

I have been working on the panels with attached valances. The fabric has a trim stitched in a loop pattern. It has been a challenge matching the loops for the seams but I think it is coming along nicely. Note to self, check out fabric before quoting a price next time.

Fabric is all ordered for next client and her panels. I can't wait for it to show up. This afternoon I am meeting with a client/friend to discuss making a wedding dress for her daughter. This will be the first time making a wedding dress for a client although I have made them for my sisters, my daughter's best friend and my daughter.

I am planning the summer sewing camps and looking forward to starting back up with the after school classes. We will have two new students so that should be fun also.

Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on Saturday. It was great fun. We were able to skype with my sister and her family in Arizona while opening presents. Enjoyed lots of great food, fun and played some games. Many thanks to my hubby who helped pull it all together while I was busy working. I did make grandma's rum cheesecake, which he has been doing for the past 15+ years. Of course I used the wrong pan and it took hours to bake but everyone that had some said it tasted just fine.

Finished the kitchen valance. Had some questions regarding the final construction but with help from the CHF forum I got it all done. I think it turned out great and someone is going to have a nice addition to their kitchen window for the holidays.

Also finished the round tablecloth and now onto the panels with attached valance. Meeting with a client tomorrow to finalize fabric selection. Then it is time for some dress alterations and other projects.

Just came from another great session with our Action Coach group. Learning so much but it is a lot of hard work/home work also. Going to keep this short so I can get back to work. Happy Holidays everyone.

Working Furiously

This is an ottoman a client rescued from the trash. The colors were certainly not her style but she saw great potential in it. We discussed a slipcover versus reupholstering. After some discussion in with she stated she has two little ones we decided a washable slipcover would be much more practical. She found some great linen like fabric and washed a sample of it. She liked how it looked after washing it so then it was time to start the fabrication process.

I washed the fabrics and then using the circular template I had just bought from Rowley I made a pattern for the top. I cut a base circle from lining and then quarter circles of the fabric, matching the print on each one. This formed a neat kaleidoscope effect on the top. The skirt was also cut into quarters and an invisible zipper added for ease in taking on and off.

I removed the old fringe and staples and pounded in those that wouldn't come out so no little fingers could get hurt. Lastly I replaced the bottom cambric and the client has a 'new' ottoman that is just her style.

Now on to the rest of my projects. I have a kitchen valance, a round table cloth and some panels to make. Need to keep working.

My hubby and I just finished a ten week weight loss program. He lost 14 lbs and 5.5% body fat. I lost 12.5 lbs and 5.5% body fat. We both want to lose a few more pounds before we start training hard again in January. He is looking to run his first half marathon in the spring. This is from a guy who a few years ago complained that running more than a mile was too hard. I'm so proud of all he has accomplished. I plan on running my first marathon in the fall and we are both going to do a series of duathlons this year for the first time. He is also going to learn to swim and attempt a triathlon. We have a busy 2012 coming up.

Saturday we are going to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family so we have lots of preparations to get done by then. I have to wrap presents and bake another couple of batches of cookies. Need to finish cleaning the basement and bake a cheesecake and coffeecake.

Holidays Fast Approaching

Izzy finished her sewing bag. She is looking forward to making a belt and starting her first clothing project from the Kids Can Sew book in January. Anna is almost finished with her sports blouse, Meghan is getting closer to finishing her banded top and Katie has just the hems on her mom's night shirt. The girls and I are taking a break from lessons until January.

The duvet cover if finished.

The mitered corners at first gave me a bit of a challenge mentally but they turned out great.

Now on to a slipcover for an ottoman, drapery panels and tablecloth.

Last night we decorated the tree in the living room and I also mixed cookies. A lot of the gifts have been ordered so now is the time for wrapping, baking and the final cleaning and decorating of the basement.

Need to sign off to get some work done.