M4261

I'm still working on that same blouse and although it goes against everything I believe in, I actually put it on the back burner and inserted a quick project. Click here for the full review.

Absolutely no new sewing projects until I finish that darn blouse! Last night I did sew on the facings. Now I just need to hem the bottom, sleeves and add buttonholes and buttons. I will not take it into the new year. No progress on the sweaters. Frankly the only thing I want to do right now is make cards!

BTW all the prizes from the giveaway have been claimed.

Unclaimed prizes

Hmmm... prizes 2 and 3 are still unclaimed! Prizes 1 and 4 were mailed yesterday. I'm going to give the remaining winners a few more days. Here I am thinking I was having a fantastic giveaway and the winners don't even want them?? What's up with that? I think if you register for a giveaway it is your responsibility to check back to see if you won. Is my thinking all wrong.

So on my little planet, not much sewing has been going on. I have a blouse in the works--it's been in the works for a couple of weeks--but my enthusiasm waned because it's not coming out quite like I expected. Since I can't go on to another project until I finish it, I'll have to dig deep and muster up enough enthusiasm to finish it. I did machine knit my granddaughter two sweaters for Christmas but have yet to assemble them.

So what have I been doing? I've been doing my Black Martha thing making Christmas cards! I made all of my own cards this year including the envelopes. Here's a few of them:

Yesterday during the cleanup I also make a couple of Valentine's Day cards. Talk about ahead of the game.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and I am looking to my sewing New Year!

And the winners are...

Gift #4 goes to Joyce in NC from JP's Creations

Gift #3 goes to Elaray from Another Creation

Gift #2 goes to Michelle from Cheap and Picky

Gift #1 goes to Jen from JT's Closet

Congratulations ladies! The sooner you contact me at knitmachinequeen@aol.com, with your mailing info. The sooner your gift can be on its way and off of my cutting table!

I haven't done any sewing this week but I did knit (machine) the pieces for our granddaughter a sweater. I hope to finish the pieces for a second one today and tomorrow and have to have them done by Thursday. I work so much better under pressure!

Giveaway

I just want to give a brief description of my four giveaways. You must be a follower no later than Saturday, December 18th at midnight. I will announce the winners Sunday. Be sure to check back, you could be a winner.

#1

• Can of 20 spools of thread
• Dressform pin cushion
• Serger book - used
• Brand new Singer Sewing book
• Brand new One-Piece Wearables book
• Ceramic mug

#2

• Can of 20 spools of thread
• Chair pin cushion
• Selection of vintage sewing patterns
• Pants for Anybody - used
• Vintage Reader's Digest Sewing Guide

#3

• Can of 20 spools of thread
• Vintage Better Homes & Gardens Sewing book
• Fantastic Fit for Anybody - used
• Beads and Buttons - new

#4

• Can of 20 spools of thread
• Vintage Vogue Easy Sewing
• No Time to Sew by Sandra Betzina - used

Disclaimer: I reserve the right to change to add to or omit items as I see fit!

Today is my blogoversary

Do you know what today is? It's my blogoversary! (Sung to the tune of the Toni, Tony, Tone song) Don't forget to follow and leave a comment to be eligible for my giveaway. Four lucky winners will be chosen. Two years and counting!

International Mail

I got International Mail yesterday. It's a first for me and was so exciting. I won a giveaway at Eve's House and all the way from the United Kingdom I got this beautifully wrapped gift box.

As if that wasn't enough, look at what was inside.

Thanks Eve. I'll be wearing this to all my Christmas parties this season!

Giveaways are the best but you can't win if you don't enter. Be sure to enter my giveaways to be awarded on Saturday the 18th in celebration of my second year blogoversary and 100th pattern review.

Blogoversary in four days

I'm starting the countdown to my second blogoversary. What better way to celebrate than with a giveaway. Four lucky followers will have an opportunity to win one of four packages! At Ruthie K's suggestion it's only for US followers.

Tina of TCM asked "what's in the cans?"  There are 20 spools of thread in each can. And since I love pin cushions so much I had to add those. Some of the books are new and some are vintage duplicates from my stash. Don't forget to follow and leave a comment. You can leave more than one comment to increase your chances. I'll announce the winners next Saturday, the 18th.

My 100th PR review & blogoversary in 6 days

I've just posted my 100th review on Pattern Review...woohoo! To celebrate that and my second year blogoversary in a few days and I'm going to have an awesome giveway. As usual you must be a follower and leave a comment. The deadline will be next Saturday the 18th. Here's a photo of what will be included in the giveaway. Three luckly followers will win from this pile of stuff. Some vintage (old) and some new...as in brand new, never used! You could be a winner!

Simplicity 4273

The jacket is finished and my pattern alterations from my previous post were spot-on. I think it is one thing to be a great seamstress but an entirely different animal to be able to sew a garment that fits well.

This jacket is everything I hoped it would be. Because it is an unlined jacket, I opted to use a hong kong finish on the inside seams. I'm not sure I'll ever do that again. Finishing the seams took more time than it would have taken me to draft a lining. I will make this jacket again but will line it the next time.

The jacket is great with my Painter's Tape Pants. The fabric is from my stash and I'll sure it was purchased at an estate sale. Not the best quality...looks like polyester garbardine but it is very comfortable and feels great against my skin.

I wish I could have had more photos but the temperature was only in the 20's and it was starting to snow.