Stepping Away from the Edge

Waiting for this Moment to Arise

A little background music. . .

 

In the end. . .Black Cardi

stands victorious over Tote Bag.

It was a squeaker!  The final score was 27-25.  Although Black Cardi was on the board first and held the early lead, Tote Bag just kept charging!  Black Cardi, however, scored at the final buzzer to take it all in this season's March Madness!

If you'd like more details on the Black Cardi (named for my favorite Beatles song), you can click here for all the yarny-knitty details on Ravelry.

As for the Tote Bag, it is the Frenchy Bag pattern from Amy Butler.  As usual, the Amy Butler pattern is fabulously detailed and well-written.  This bag is pretty straightforward and, with the exception of one or two tricky-bits, would be very do-able for an advanced-beginner sewer.  I made the bag as a birthday gift for my friend, Sandie, and I'm pleased to say she loves it!  (There is a little glitch in one of the lining seams -- a tiny little pucker I chose to ignore.  It haunts me still.  I can see Miss Helzer, eye-brow raised in That Way, wordlessly handing me a seam ripper.)

CONGRATULATIONS to Sheri, who was the big winner in my random drawing of all March Madness voters.  I'll be sending Sheri an exciting March Madness prize package.  (Just for the record, Sheri popped over to vote after reading Mary's blog.  Thanks, Mary!  And . . . she voted for the Tote Bag!)

CONGRATULATIONS, also, to three March Madness "runners-up" (because you can't have a March Madness contest without having a "Final Four" line-up!):  Carole, Elaine, and Sara.  A little prize will also be on the way to each of you.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for playing along with my March Madness fun!

 

The Big Dance

So.  Tonight it is.  Kentucky vs. Kansas?  Nah. . .

The REAL Big Dance is right here!  The showdown between. . .

Black Cardigan, the early March Madness favorite, expected to go all the way.

and. . .

Tote Bag, this year's Cinderella story and rising upstart!

Who will walk away as this year's champion?  Well, that's for YOU to decide!

Cast your vote in the comments before Wednesday, April 4 at 9:00 pm EST.  My March Madness Champion Project will be announced in this Friday's blog post.  When you vote, your name will be entered into a random drawing for an exciting prize package!  (And, if someone sends you here to vote, be sure you mention their name, as they'll also be entered into the drawing!)

So.  Who's it going to be?  Black Cardigan . . . or Tote Bag?

The excitement builds!

 

 

Kym's Final Four

March Madness continues here at The Edge.  But I'm not talking basketball. . .

It's been a wild month. . . and as we near the end, I've got my Final Four! 

"Finish Black Cardigan" beat out "Garden Plans" in a blowout.

(More details about this baby in a later post.  For now, let's just try not to notice that my house was pelted by an egg.  I have no idea why.  I don't even have kids at home anymore.  I thought those days were gone with the finish of high school.  Who knew?)

"Finish Black Cardigan" was heavily favored at the opening of this year's tourney, being well under way already at the beginning of the month.  The unexpectedly warm weather totally freaked out "Garden Plans," making them skittish under pressure.

In the next bracket, "Photo Class" barely squeaked out a win over "Messenger Bag for Erin." 

Admittedly, this is the weakest of the brackets.   "Messenger Bag" didn't get much thought or consideration at all.  As for "Photo Class" -- at least the sign-up is complete.  (The homework?  Not so much.)

Next up. . . it appears that "Tote Bag for Sandie" might actually be the Cinderalla story this season!

Yes,"Tote Bag" completely overwhelmed "Begin Shawl" in a stunning overtime showdown.  This was a surprise, as "Begin Shawl" seemed to be a big favorite in this year's tournament -- and really, who had ever heard of "Tote Bag" before this win?

Finally, "Colorwork Bag" beat out "Mosaic Flower Pots" at the buzzer.

It's really not clear, though, whether "Colorwork Bag" will be able to maintain the momentum needed to take it all the way!  It looks like strong early efforts . . . might result in running-out-of-yarn to complete the project on time.

Stay tuned!

Miss Helzer

"All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle."  ---Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, 1851

Today I continue my month-long reflection of the legacy of women who've played a role in my life.

In seventh grade, I was excited to have home ec class in my schedule.  I already knew how to run a sewing machine (a little), but I was eager to learn how to put together pieces to make a garment.  And I couldn't wait to learn to put in a zipper!

I remember being a bit totally intimidated by Miss Helzer when I first stepped into her classroom.  She was tall and imposing.  Somewhere in her 40s.  Impeccably dressed and made up.  Always.  She sewed her own exquisitely tailored suits.  Everything matched.  She was VERY put together. 

You always knew where you stood with Miss Helzer.  She had a certain . . . look.  With one eyebrow raised and one eye kind of squinted . . . that just said, "You CAN'T be serious."  She could stop you dead with A Glare.  She didn't put up with any shenanigans.  You did things her way. . . or you were on your own.  And. . . she hated things that looked "home spun."

There was a huge sign on her bulletin board; kind of a sampler of sorts.  In big letters, it said:

So shall you sew. . .
So shall you rip!

Miss Helzer?  She was a Pain in the Ass teacher.  A stickler.  She was totally By the Book when it came to following the Rules of Sewing.  As a 13-year-old, this was not welcome.  I just wanted finished products.  What did it matter . . . if the grain was straight; or what my "back waist length" measurement was; or - for God's sake -- whether my pattern pieces were pressed before laying them out on my fabric???  Was it really THAT important if your plaids matched up?  If your tension was properly adjusted on your sewing maching?  If you understitched your facings?

And what WAS that sampler about?  So shall you sew. . . so shall your rip?  What did that even MEAN?

In her class, of course, I towed the line.  I graded my seams.  I placed my pins perpendicular to the cutting edge.  I pressed my seams open using a tailor's ham.  I followed proper protocol when wielding my seam ripper! Begrudginly, I learned the "right" way to sew.   Despite my irritation with Miss Helzer's "pickiness," I wanted to please her; I wanted her to like me; I wanted to avoid her looks of disdain.

But in private, when I sewed for myself at home, I was sloppy.  And lazy.  I took shortcuts.  (And it showed!)

Over the years (and long out of home ec), I started to care much more about my finished products.  I really wanted to avoid that . . . homespun. . . look.  I found myself adopting more and more of Miss Helzer's lessons; her techniques; her "proper" methods of doing things.

And you know what?  My projects started to look a whole lot better!

So, thanks, Miss Helzer!  Every time I put in a proper zipper, I think of you.  Whenever I take the time to prewash my fabric and straighten the grain, I think of you.  Whenever I understitch. . . or hem a pair of pants. . . or put in a buttonhole, I think of you. 

And, by golly, whenever I rip (which is often), I think of you!  So shall you sew, so shall you rip!

Year End Review: The Not Knitting

Last week, I posted about my knitting in 2011.  I mentioned that I wasn't as prolific as I have been in past years.  Maybe.  Just maybe. . . that's because I spent a good deal of my time Not Knitting. 

I got my sewing machine out again.  I did a major crochet project.  I started journaling.  I even started . . . some other (Not Blogged) art projects.

I liked Not Knitting.  Not enough to give up knitting (never), but I enjoyed the diversion.  My five favorite Not Knitting projects during 2011:

1.  My Project Spectrum "True Colors" crocheted blanket. . .

2.  The lunch bag I sewed for Erin. . .

3.  The apron I sewed (also for Erin) -- it's reversible!

4.  The owl potholders I made (again. . . for Erin). . .

5.  Roll-up shopping bags I made as a Christmas gift (for Erin!). . .

I never did blog about these bags.  Because life got a little hectic there around the holidays, and I finished these up while my mom was in the hospital.  They're pretty cool, though.

Simple, quick, neat.  I followed this tutorial.  As a bonus, the bags roll up so you can keep them handy with you when you're out and about.

Looks like Erin was the primary beneficiary of my Not Knitting in 2011.  (She's not getting the blanket, though!!!)

Neutral. . . With a POP

I don't have a "favorite color."  I don't think I really ever have.  True, I went through a "purple phase" when I was a pre-adolescent (doesn't everyone?).  And I used to think I liked red more than any other color (but only certain shades).  But really, I tend to favor . . . neutrals. . . with a POP of almost any other color.

This really becomes evident when you spend some time with me.  My house?

Neutral.  With a POP of color.

My closet?

Overwhelminingly neutral.  With a few POPS here and there.

My decorating?

Neutral.  POPS.

My workout clothes?

You guessed it!

Even my dog. . .

Neutral with a POP.

Maybe that's why I tend to knit in the POP colors?

Maybe I like a neutral background so much. . . because then I can play with ALL the other colors.  And never have to choose a favorite!

==========

And in Project Spectrum Sewing Project News for the month of December, I show you this:

The humble - yet neutral - polar fleece fringed blanket!

Over the years, I have made many, many (many) polar fleece fringed blankets.  I have made them in the team colors of every hockey team Brian has played on.  I have made them as gifts for friends and family.  I have made them to comfort friends who were sick or injured.  I have made them for babies.  I have even made one for Jenny. 

This one is for Erin's boyfriend.  He is a neutral-loving kind of guy, and this will be a perfect Christmas gift for him.  (He doesn't read my blog, so I'm safe in showing it here.)  Although Erin has several of my polar fleece fringed blankets, they were all made for a much younger version of Erin.  A version that liked, for example, blankets with bright yellow rubber duckies.  Or puppies-on-a-day-glo-pink background.  Erin says she giggles whenever she sees her boyfriend wrapped up in the ducks.  It's high time he had one of his own --  in a pattern and color that suits his style!

Hope he likes it!

 

 

Lunch Bunch

This month brings a new Project Spectrum color . . . TEAL.

Hmmm.  Teal.  I wear darker shades of teal from time to time.  I have some beautiful teal yarns in my stash.  But, unless you're in the Caribbean, you don't typically see teal in the landscape.  Especially not in the fall -- when everything is moving toward yellow, brown, red, or orange!

Right now, aqua (which is really a form of teal) is enjoying a "grooviness" factor -- at least in the home décor arena.  It's popping up in trendy kitchens - appliances, dishes, accent colors, etc.  But it isn't showing up in mine.

I may end up sitting out this Project Spectrum month.

But before I go on my Project Spectrum vacation, I have one recent sewing project to show you.  I actually finished it last month -- but I've saved it to post now.  Because there is teal in it!

Last month, I sewed a little lunch bag for Erin.

She hasn't had a lunch bag in a very long time, but she needs to use one now -- because she has late afternoon and evening classes this semester, and needs to take a dinner with her when she heads to campus.

I had recently picked up this book:

I'm kind of a sucker for cute bags -- and I had planned to make a lunch bag for myself.  Instead, I picked this one out for Erin.

It turned out to be much more . . . involved. . . than I had planned.

There are clever little details and handy pockets.  Like this one (for a water bottle).

And an inside pocket

that can hold a little ice pack.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out . . . but, let me assure you, there were times during the sewing process that I wanted to chuck the whole thing in the trash and run out to Target to BUY her a lunch bag!

This is not a sewing project for the faint of heart!  The instructions are complete . . . but not terribly detailed or helpful.  Very few diagrams or photos.  There are millions of rectangles -- all different sizes -- that need to be pieced Just Right.  While I was making the bag, I wondered if the authors/editors really expected anyone to SEW one of the bags from their directions -- or if it was mainly put together to be an "inspiration" kind of book.  Not terribly user-friendly!  (But the bags are adorable!)

The bag is insulated (with Insul-Bright; an insulated batting), so - especially combined with the ice pack pocket - it can keep a lunch nice and fresh.  Thing is  . . . you need to quilt the insulated batting to the outside fabric before you can even begin piecing all the millions of rectangles together!  And then -- you still need to do a lining.  And . . . don't get me started on the straps!  (They are easy -- but the placement is crucial.  And there is no photo or diagram, save the finished product photo.)

Anyway.  There it is!  I'm pleased.  Erin is pleased.  And . . . teal!

Unfinished Business

Like. . . we're talking WAY unfinished.

Here it is, the end of August; the end of PINK in Project Spectrum. . . and what've I got to show for it?

Zip.  Nada.  Nil.  Zilch.  Nothin'.

But a pile of unfinished business!

Erin took one look at this shawl over the weekend and said, "Ummmmm.  Mom.  Wicked?"  That does it.  The green is going.  (Besides, it had to be ripped anyway.  I read the wrong side rows of the lace chart backward.  Duh.)

This is a possibly-adorable summer dress in tie-dye, heavy on the pink-ish (but hard to tell in my sewing room light), started on an early August afternoon and . . . still just sitting there.

And this was yet another rather ambitious August project.  (It's to be a garden bucket cover -- bottom right on the pattern.)  That's it's current status.  Pile. of. Fabric.

So, August is flying by -- without much PINK to show for it. 

What's a gal to do?  Why, take off for points Up North.  Leaving that unfinished business behind!  (Although I will take the Wicked shawl and try to . . . do something with it.)

Happy weekend!

 

Feelin' Groovy

Officially finishing off July = Blue with a little Simon & Garfunkel.  Hit it, boys!

 

Erin has always loved owls.  Always.  Like. . . from babyhood.  One of her favorite books as a very little girl was a simple, heavy-pressboard book called Animal Sounds.   She loved to make the sounds of each animal in the book.  As we read, and got nearer to the end of the book, she would get increasingly excited.  You could feel her little body get jumpier; her hands would twirl with excitement . . . because the last of the animal sounds was the "whooooo-whoooooo-whoooooooooo" of the owls!  (Or "wowls," as Erin called them.)  She loved it!

When she was 15 months old (or so), in the fall as we put our vegetable garden to "bed" for the winter, Erin discovered our inflatable "scarecrow" owl.  It was pretty frightening; it looked just like this:

No matter, though.  She loved it!  She gave it rides in her baby stroller, dragged it everywhere, and treated it as gently as any 15-month-old can.

But, back then, owls weren't . . . groovy.  You couldn't find owl toys in the stores (although my mom did manage to find one stuffed version that Erin adored); there were no patterns for adorable owl bags or pillows or toys; you'd never see owl fabrics or clothing with owl designs.

But now?  Well, let's just say Erin was an "early-adopter!"  Now, there are owl patterns EVERYwhere!  Owls are definitely . . . feelin' groovy. . . these days!  You can decorate your house with owls, wear owls, carry owl lunch bags. 

And moms can finally find adorable owl fabric to make an apron for her owl-loving daughter.

This pattern is from Sew Liberated - the Emmeline Apron.  Very cool design.  Very fun to sew.  And. . . completely reversible!

So it's two aprons in one!

The owl fabric really is groovy . . . with little peace signs and everything!

Happy little owls.

In blue.

I hope Erin will be . . . feelin' groovy . . . in her new WOWL apron!

 

Fade Out

Last year, I bought a new "fade-resistant" patio umbrella and matching cushions for my outdoor furniture.

It looked nice -- cheery and bright.  But.  "Fade-resistant"?  Not so much.  This year, the same umbrella and cushions are looking tired and kind of sad . . . totally faded to shades of grey.

I really don't want to have to replace my umbrella and cushions every year.  I decided to let Project Spectrum inspire me . . . to add a brighter, greener touch to my tired patio cushions.

I headed to my local fabric store where I found outdoor upholstery fabric -- Sunbrella -- it's supposed to be "fade-resistant" but I'm not holding my breath.

And I made five cushions.

I think they turned out pretty well; I'm happy with them - especially the contrast piping.

They brighten up the little couch and the chair.

And make the swing look much more inviting.

It's still looking pretty faded. . . but I think the cushions will help bring a little bright spot to the patio.

Until they fade out, too, that is!!!