summer projects

A family cross-stitch.  I haven't done cross stitch... it is possible that ever is the correct answer, but probably not since I was a young kid.  This was fun, even though I had to pull Bri all the way out 'cause his first version made him waay too short and just with a weird head.  This is better.  Scooter's ears also need some work, but overall, it was fun and I am happy with it.  I'll probably try another soon.

 Tomatoes... 6o lbs picked and 21 jars packed ready to go for cooking this year... so excited

 I roughly sorted them into Heriloom, golden, some  marzano shaped ones and just a general red mix batch.  Rasmussen doesn't actually label their field very well, but it was fun to pick nonetheless.  

 After much hesitation, I tacked the Wiksten Tova top using some of my precious nani iro double gauze.  It was a little tricky, but there is a sew-along that restated some of the directions in a way that just worked for me and ... voila...!  I also love it, it is so comfy and the fabric looks like a pretty watercolor.

Mom got me a serger for my big 4-0 and although I was initially pretty terrified, a class set me going in the right direction... it was essential for the gauze.  I also have totally put it through its paces... I made several (three) a-line knit skirts with a yoga band top.  Two of them will definitely stay in rotation, the third (really the first one I made... this one) didn't wash well,


 fabric was just too fine, so a good sturdy knit is really a much better plan for a skirt.  I also made two tanks (Wikstein tank) both of which I really like.

.  One is a bit snug 'cause I didn't figure out the french seams correctly and ended up taking in a little too much, but it still fits and I still love it!  You can't see the double weave goodness, the front is the gingham, and the back is the reverse, which is basically a demin looking black... as is the pocket, also can't see from this pic.

Okay that is entirely too many "self" pictures for a post, so here is a cuter subject....

and one more serger star... a cute skort for Grace.... and the first thing I put on the serger  Perfect for my monkey-bar girl.

However, I really need to get some new patterns, I have two tanks, three skirts and three of the tovas... that pretty much covers most of what I will wear.  Although the lady at the fabric store was trying to convince mt that it is okay to have a "uniform", I probably ought to branch out a bit.