One More Make,,,

Please excuse the bad lighting,
it is rather cloudy outside...

Last night, after I had just put away most of my sewing 'accouterments' (ironing board etc), I suddenly felt the need to sew yet another skirt and so I did!

I cut everything out and did a bit of serging (overlocking) that evening and today I finished the rest. It is the same skirt as yesterday, only this time I added the grey band at the bottom and some custom bias-tape underneath that part. I did make the waistband a tad bit wider since the other one was just a teeny weeny bit too tight... <wink>

Listening to: "I'm your Boogie-Man!" by good old (very old) K.C. and the Sunshine Band... {smile}

Two New Makes...

Click! to enlarge...

The last couple of weeks I've been working on both this skirt and this cardigan. The skirt is a fairly simple a-line model with fun pockets in the front and a zipper in the back. Nothing too fancy, but easy to wear. 

I found the cardigan pattern for free on Ravelry and I'm enjoying the making journey, taking my time... I was especially inspired by Rosa P.'s version which you will see below.

I can just see myself wearing it this way with the new skirt and all. It will be a while though before I finish that cardigan... <wink>

Instamatic...

Click! to enlarge...

Yes, I too have 'fallen victim to' Instagram. I just don't have many words these days so photo's will have to do... 

Master C. returned home for the summer a couple of weeks ago and sometime in the middle of last week we decided to go on a short local hike up to the top of Tolt McDonald Park, right here in our little town. Believe it or not, but I had never been up there before! It was quite a bit of a climb, but the view were so worth it!

The sun had just started to come out and despite the humidity from the rain we had had before, the climb was very pleasant and we had a nice afternoon with ice-cream after. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon... {smile}

You can look at my other Instagram photo's on my actual page, but I will leave you with this lovely shot of Miss M., playing her new guitar that she got for her birthday last month. She is learning how to play it via You Tube and she already sounds magnificent. A girl to be proud of!

Winnings & Ramblings...

I don't usually enter give-aways since the chance of winning is so slim and then I'd be so disappointed, but a few weeks ago a give-away crossed my path which I just couldn't have pass me by.

Janina from the wonderful  'Elke Dag Zaterdag' (Every Day Saturday) blog made this beautiful stitched 'postcard'. I just loved it from the first minute I saw it and now it is here in my house! {smile} She didn't just send me the card, she also added some lovely pieces of Dutch fabric to the envelope, what a nice surprise: Bedankt Janina!!!

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Let's see, what else has been going on? Oh yes, I knitted a small hat to go with my Red Raglan. It didn't quite work out the way I had planned, but I had fun making it... Some Dutch people told me it reminded them of Harry Slinger, the singer of Drukwerk.  <wink> (sorry, Dutch reference...)

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Lots of Evening Grosbeaks were spotted at the bird feeder the other day. We only see them certain times of the year and they fly in large groups. They look like super big finches and their coloring is just fantastic. I managed to take a few pictures through my office window...

Aren't they just gorgeous??!

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Last week we had several days of very high temperatures (up to 90F/ 30C!) and my new dress worked out nicely in that heat... (now we're back in the rain unfortunately with records nearly broken...)

Sorry, my mannequin is a bit crooked...

This is the third version of the same pattern and I still love it!  {smile}

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Well, I think that was it for now. Miss M. is taking her AP English exam this morning (4 hours of writing several essays and analysis) and Master C. has finished all his college finals for the year. Mr. G. will be driving to Spokane tomorrow to move him back home for the summer. That is a lot of driving in one day (about 9 hours there and back) and then it is High School Prom Night in the evening, for which he has to be a chaperon. (part of the job) Busy, but good, times!

Red Raglan...

Oh boy, I have finished yet another wearable knitting project: a Red Raglan Cardi. I'm very happy with how it came out and it is very comfortable to wear. I used Lion Brand 'Heartland' acrylic yarn in the colorway called 'Redwood' for the man part and the same acrylic yarn but then in a color called 'Grey Smokey Mountains'. (US size 8 needles)

If you look closely you'll see that I've added a 'feather & fan' lace knitting pattern at the bottom half of the cardigan body and also on the sleeves...

Sorry, not quite in focus. The camera had a hard time with all the reds....

Mmmmm, what to knit next....

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In other news, I got myself an I-Phone this week, my first smart phone ever. The learning curve was (and is) rather steep I must admit. I've just been able to post my first picture on Instagram, but I'm not certain I can replicate all the maneuvers to do it again!  <wink>

Also I'm busy cleaning out both the guest room and Master C.'s room, since he will be moving back home again for the summer next weekend. Boy, this past year simply flew by!

Miss M. took her SAT test yesterday (college entrance exams) and will take the ACT test next month. Her college path has started for real now too...

Well, that's about it for now. I've also sewn a dress last week that I've worn a few times already, but I guess I haven't made any pictures yet. That will come later this week...