I normally don't post this early in the morning mostly because I haven't accomplished much at this point in the day.... However, today is different. Today, I'm procrastinating. What you are seeing is the state of 'the toy closet' - it is beyond anything that Taylor can pick up (and frankly, I'd like to get rid of some of these toys and with her helping, we'll never part with them). This is an all day job - purging, organizing, and 'reconstructing' (i.e. putting little pieces in the right container) toy sets and I'm really dreading doing this.

Maybe, I'll reward myself with some fabric.... oh, wait, I went ahead and did that! I couldn't resist Emma One Sock's Heavy Metal knit print when it showed up on her site. I purchased enough to make a long sleeved shirt from it. I did resist Fabric.com's gambler's sale, however. I filled up my cart 3 times and abandoned it each time. As much as what I like some of the items that they have (and they are good prices), I'm afraid most of what I purchase may just sit in the stash. Maybe I'll mull it over while I clean.

Tuesday had asked about a up-close shot of the image transfers I used on my pajama tops - and here they are:

The one on the left is the 'vintage' look and the one on the right can be found on my new set of pjs (if you look really hard you can see the tiny rhinestones I used on the left t-shirt). How do you rough up your designs to look vintage? Aside from accidently destroying the transfer, I think that I may have figured out a few techniques. First, use the matte style, which in the PrintOnIt transfers means peeling it off hot (the one on the right was peeled off cool giving it a glossy look). After peeling off the transfer backing, place a clean scrap piece of fabric over the top of your image. Spritz various parts of your design with water (not the entire image just spots), then iron. Portions of the image will peel off onto the scrap paper. Ironing over the transfer dry will also lift off parts of your design image, but not as much as when it's wet. In the image on the left, I ironed over all parts of the transfer except for the face - I wanted that area to pop out more than the rest of the design. I think that the cracking etc will become more pronounced after I wash the shirt a few times.

So, I guess I've procrastinated enough - hopefully tomorrow, I'll have a 'clean' shot for you all to see!

If you read yesterday's post, then you know about my disasterous attempt at using a transfer on my new pajama top. After purchasing a whole new round of fabric, I sat down and started over again.

I have to admit, putting it together went quickly and this time I waited until I was completely finished with the whole top before I added the transfer. Whew! Everything went smoothly this time:

And here are my completed pajama bottoms:

Even though I've made this pattern up several times, I've never done a review of it. So if you're interested in hearing how it sews up (FYI - it's a quick and easy pattern and sews up wonderfully), you can find my review here.

So, what happened to the mangled design top? Did I burn it? Consider it a wadder and throw it away? Use it as a dustrag? Suprisingly, none of the above. If you would have asked me shortly after I messed up the design, I would have tossed it, but after looking at it, I decided to give the shirt a second chance. So, I redesigned it. If you look at the first top, you'll see that it's large and roomy - great for pajamas, but not so stylish if you're going to wear it as a top. So I took in the sides and substantially reduced the underarm area. Additionally, I cut off 7 inches off the bottom of the shirt (in my original top, I had not made the misses adjustment so it was already 2 inches longer than the finished design above) and made it into short sleeves. I 'distressed' more areas of the design to make it 'vintage' and added a few rhinestones for some 'bling'. Ta-Da! I have a top that I can wear with track pants!

Oh yes, and my Burda finally arrived yesterday afternoon, but still no Patrones........the saga continues. And a huge thanks to Debbie who pointed out the iron on transfer site, Printonit. I really like the way the transfers have turned out and have already ordered more!

I'm not sure if yesterday turned out to be good or bad, so I'll let you decide.

Let's start with the bad. I was working on my pajamas set, transfered the design to the front, then made a stupid mistake - accidently ironing over the backside of the design thus ruining it! In my attempt to try to correct it, I made it worse. It looks 'vintage' now, but not the look I'm going for, so I'm starting over with new fabric. DARN, it was looking so good too. I am also under the impression that there is a postal conspiracy for delivery of my sewing magazines. Not only is my Patrones missing in action, so is my December Burda World of Fashion.

Now for the good! Over the weekend, I got a belated birthday present in the mail from Anary. Inside were wonderful goodies including coffee (my morning indulgence), a dress notepad on a wire hanger, a Kwik Sew pattern, Utter Balm for my dry winter hands, and pattern sleeves. I've never seen the pattern sleeves before, but plan on putting them to good use - if you could only see what I'm working with now! Thanks again Anary - I loved everything.

Partners were listed for my Sweat Shoppe Swap
last night and I'm so excited about what I'll be receiving! Soon I'll be getting a set of clay buttons (does anyone know if you can put these in the wash?), a winter scene necklace, 3 sets of Happy Hairpins, a gingerbread fleece scarf, and a machine embroidery decorations! Woohoo! I'm so excited.

I also finished up the laundry - which means that I can devote more time to sewing (because I am procrastinating cleaning out that toy closet)!

And now for some things completely not related to my day:

For those of you who may have missed my review at Pattern Review, the photo on the right is my completed Simplicity 3935 pattern. Taylor loves her new pjs - she's even slept in the fleece top (which I thought would make her too warm) twice!

While surfing the other night, I stumbled across the best free pattern for a stuffed dove ornament [link via craftncutie]!

Disdressed also has posted patterns for her mitten ornaments! An illustrated tutorial can be found here.

The new issue of Knitty is up! Be sure to check out the Eiffel sweater and the Venezia Napkin Rings, they are both fantastic!

It's a little after 12:30 a.m. and I'm still awake. Why? I'm feeling very energized after an evening of sewing!

I went to Needle Nook Fabrics for their montly Sew In where I managed to start and finish Taylor's pajamas (simplicity 3935) and made some progress on my own (McCall 3019)! Of course, that is nothing compared to some of the women who were there. The woman next to me made 3 sets of childrens pajamas while her friend made tons of toddler pants with matching doll clothes (I think she was up to 4 that I saw). Two women there even made 17 (or was it 19?) pairs of pajama bottoms! While I was there I also got to meet fellow sewing blogger, Sara. And while I did managed to stay away from buying any more fabrics, I did sign up for their lingerie class that starts late January. So if you're in or around the Wichita area and want to take this class with me, give Anne a call and sign up!

So, now what's next on my plate? Well, attempting to declutter the toy closet so that I can reach Christmas wrapping paper is high on my list as well as tackling the ever growing pile of laundry. After that, finishing my own pajamas, completing my second La Rue bag, and starting the High Street Messenger. I also have 2 knitting books that I'll be posting this week as well. What's on everyone else's to do list?

Debbie's recent posts have made me want to make some pajamas for myself - so today, I ventured out to Joann's to find myself some fabric!

Fortunately, everything was on sale - otherwise, this would be a very expensive set of pj's. I found a blue paisley\swirl flannel fabric (normally 4.99\yrd.) and two coordinating cotton jersey prints (found in the dance & skate section of the store which is normally 14.99\yrd.). If everything was regularly priced - the cost to make this set would have been $41.21! I'm using a stash pattern, McCall 3019 - this particular pattern is easy to sew, comfy and has pockets. My fabrics are in the wash now, in hopes that I'll be able to take this to Needle Nook's sit & sew tonight.

In addition to the pajama fabrics, I also picked up 15 yards of pattern ease, New Look 6149 and several yards of black cotton jersey. Since my total went over $50, I 'qualified' for a $10 gift card. Apparently, no one at Joann's knew what I was talking about, even after I showed them my flier, so they just took $10 off my purchase today! WOOHOO! To top it off, Bret and Taylor gave me an early Christmas present - an extra wide ironing board with a sleeve press. A gift only a sewer could love.