…but this time in an absolutely FABULOUS way

Because I have a new addition to the sewing family.  Meet “The Rocketeer”!  Also known as the Singer 500A Slant-O-matic!!  This machine is not just a sewing machine to me but a piece of beauty.

I came to own my Slant-O-matic through my sewing class friend Rochelle.  She is the best for showing me new things and sharing with me her amazing love of gadgetry and sewing…two weakness of mine.   Every time I see her I always wonder what new thing I will just have to own or can’t live without.  The Slant-O-matic was the latest of those oh so wonderful discoveries.  See, my friend collects vintage sewing machines and she wanted this machine to find a good home.  I was hesitant to look at it as I just bought my “new to me” Brother machine which bringing my household number up to 2 machines.  However, when she brought it down it was love at first sight.  When I saw the sleek design of the machine and just how super unique it looked I had to have it.  Don’t get me wrong, I tried to fight against my urge to buy it but I HAD to have it.  The absolute selling point in the design area was the stitch selector switch.

It reminded me so much of one of those old Cadillac or jaguar emblem.  The ones you see and know that that car is a beauty – drives like a charm and has an engine that purrs.  This sewing machine was all of that.  She is my equivalent to a new vintage caddy   Vroom Vroom baby!

Now outside of needing to won this machine for just it aesthetic appeal, there were a few practical points to my purchase as well.  First, this machine is heavy duty, at least more so than my Brother, therefore it had the potential of handling thicker and more unruly materials than my newer lighter plastic sewing machine.  It also has has a larger throat for quilting – 4.25″ versus 5″.

The slanting angle of the needle gives more visibility to the sewing and the bed of the machine just seems larger and more airy.  I didn’t realize how claustrophobic my Brother or older Singer made me until I started sewing on The Rocketeer.

The machine also has a variety of embroidery stitches and the ability to handle double needle sewing.  Oh yeah did I tell you how much I love that flip top?!  Unfortunately I don’t have a picture with the hood down but it just adds to the sleekness.  So cool!

I also justified my decision my reducing my existing machine number at home by giving my niece my old Singer Prelude in order to accommodate “The Rocketeer”.  Now I have two Brothers and one Singer.  A little over the normal nuclear crafty gadget family number.

Things that will take some getting use to are the screw on feet as I have been pretty spoiled by the quick switch snap-on feet of my new model sewing machines.  There is a adapter that will allow for the use of snap on feet but I am waiting a bit before I dive further in to the gadget collecting.

Second is the threading of the machine which takes a bit of time as you have to go through a few more levers and also thread it through and around some holes.  Reminds me a bit of serger machine threading but with practice I should be able to get over this.

A few other karmic facts about this machine that just go to show you have destine I was to own it:

• During my last vacation I picked up a Professional Buttonholer for a zig zag slant machine thinking it would fit my Brother.  Now I own a slant needle machine to go with my new buttonholer.
• I have been itching to make a quilt.  Rochelle told me that the previous owner who she bought it from was an excellent quilter and used this very machine for her artistry.

So there you go complete justification for my new vintage addition.  But really this machine needs no justification because it is Fraking BEAUTIFUL!

Keegan approved!

Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow in Amber Heather (yarn held double)
Inspiration: The Infamous Clapotis
Needles: Size 6 needles
Yardage: 4 hanks (approx. 1760 yards)
Modifications: Added about 4 more straight section repeats, added fringe
Enjoyment Factor: 8
Knit Time: 4.5 months!!!  That is an all time slowest..LOL!

The Good:

• This is my second Clapotis ever.  The first one was a bust because the yarn was just wrong Wrong WRONG!  I don’t even know if I blogged about it.  This one is perfect!  The yarns is a great color, super soft and warm.  I also like that the yarn is a little sticky from the fibers so the stole holds in place when you are wearing it.

• The yarn was part of a yarn swap that we did last year.  I was so happy to get it.  I then found out it was my buddy Skylar’s yarn from the year before so it is nice to know it “stayed in the family” and brings good yarn karma

• It came out to be a very nice size.  The goal was to use all the yarn and I almost made it.  I could have done two more repeats probably but ultimately the left over was minimal enough for me to…hold your breath…throw it away!

• I love the fringe!  I made the same fringe as on my Lady Eleanor because I like it so much.  It also weighs the edges and helps keep the scarf in place.  Plus I like the swish swish swish of it all.

The Bad:

• The fringe took hours.  I knew it would be long but DANG!  It took even longer than the one on my Lady E because I used 4 strand of yarn 40″ long, the twisted them a bit as I tied them.  Afterward I blocked them to set the twist.  Good thing I like fringe

The Ugly:

• How long it took to make.  4.5 months people!! That use to be a lifetime for me but now it is just par for the course.  Too much to do, too little time.
• I hope you were not expecting much here.  I mean there are at least 11,738 finished Clapotis in the world and counting…how much ugly could there be?!

Sewing… the last stitches of the yellow jacket.   I know I know…every week I say the same but this week is the week of buttonholes and then TA DA!!! Done.  I don’t normally build this much pomp and circumstance around a project but man, that topstitching nearly KILLED me!  I have to wait until Tuesday to make the buttonholes because I hate the ones my machine makes, I don’t have the right size for my buttonholer attachment, and I am too cheap to take the jacket to the tailor to have him put them in.  Le Sigh.

Playing with… my new sewing machine!!! No, not the one you already know about…but another one!! There will be a forthcoming post all about that.

Knitting… nothing right now.  I started the mini sweater but haven’t made much progress because I am just not loving the yarn pattern combo.

Eating… crab!  my favorite food!  My mom is bribing me over this weekend with the promise of swimming and crab.  With the thermostat hitting in the upper 80’s this weekend how could I resist?  (please note: I see my mom EVERY weekend…she is so spoiled )

Buying… more fabric!! I bought the most gorgeous and scrumptious feeling double faced wool in both a black/gray color and mustard yellow!  I had been looking for some mustard yellow wool since last season! The black and gray combo (imagine swatch below with gray instead of red because they are now all out of the one I bought)  will be used to make Burda 08-2007-111 cape.

I don’t know what to do with the mustard yellow though.  I had planned to make Burda 08-2008-115 in a purple but maybe I should use the mustard instead

…decisions decisions

Thanking my Lucky Stars… Not just because I have a job but because of where I work too.  My old job has laid off quite a bit of staff  and mine has yet to go that route.  It may not be the best company but I do really like it there…despite the occasional complaint

Planning… for my 4 day weekend!!! I can’t WAIT!!! It is a stay cation type of weekend but man I have so much planned in the way of crafting.  CAN’T. WAIT!

K everyone, see you later in the week!

Let me start out by saying that I am not a lover of felt related books.  They always start out with the best project being on the cover and when you thumb through it you end up saying to yourself, “they think I need a book for that?”  You then proceed to take mental note of the pattern instructions and move  on.  Given they often have bits and pieces of inspiration but nothing to write home about.

That said, I love felt furnishings.  There are so many patterns that I am not only inspired by but am in desperate need of making!  This rosette pillow is definitely on the short list.

I love the filled texture of this pillow.

The stuffed dots on this pillow with the top stitching is so cute.

But aside from the projects, there is inspiration for your own creativity on each page.  Just looking at all the different ways of folding and manipulating the fabric made my creative juices start flowing.

Now in regards to good felt…that can be an expensive proposition.  I have looked at some sites and the cost is simply prohibitive for the REAL good stuff.  One girl I know who makes the most gorgeous felt items uses really nice pool table felt.  Super nice and robust but not something you will be able to find at Joann’s or in small yardage requirement.   Joann’s carries WoolFelt which I used on my camera case.  Although it is  better than those synthetic craft sheets it is still showing some pilling and wear.  I might go the same route as I used on my Snow Mum Pillow and use fused flannel instead.  I hear that flannel pills too but I have also read that it can be minimized.  I say that might be a good trade off to save a few dollars.

All in all, I highly recommend this book for the wonderful pictures and future home dec projects.

BTW: Random House has the box  pleat throw as a free download if you are interested.

I love magazines.  LOVE THEM!! I go the bookstore on a regular basis to find new ones that peak my interest.  Don’t let me start another hobby because I will have acquired every magazine about the subject in order to saturate myself with information.

Last year I signed up for 4 magazine subscriptions in an effort to curtail my investment in individual magazines  and curb my visits to the bookstore.  Now, I said I love magazines but I have to admit I HATE magazine subscriptions.  They stress me OUT!!  I just think of all the room they take up and trees that sacrificed their lives so that I could have a quick read especially if they are not tutorial or pattern based giving me no reason to keep them.  So in my throws of guilt…I keep them.

However, when I saw the The Butterfly Project at LollyChop via Craftzine I knew that at least a small part of my magazine collection (read: very small) would find new life via a pretty display of color.

I bought the frame from JoAnn’s and my BFF allowed me to use here Martha Stewart punches that she bought from Micheal’s  so I did not have to buy a set of my own only to use one time which would have negated the whole reuse effort.

The project actually took me a few days to complete.  The time spent was divided between cutting the tiny foam square into smaller squares, stacking the in variable height towers…

…and agonizing over proper placement and color combinations…LOL.

All in all a fun, quick, crafty reuse project.  For all the juicy details for this tutorial and other creative goodies, go over to LollyChop!

See ya later!

Crafting… with reuse in mind. Following my current trend of recycling magazines (post about that coming soon), I plan on making some of magazine bowls.

I also have to get my booty in gear making chiffon flowers for a Walk for the Cure fundraiser at work.

I have committed to 50 pcs but have lost a bit of steam.  Not because I don’t love making them, I just HATE making things in mass.  No etsy store in my near future…LOL!

Sewing… Nothing so far, but I am dreaming up a duvet cover using this AMAZING new fabric I discovered during my internet window shopping.

Isn’t it amazing?! It’s Laura Gunn’s Lantern Bloom.  I absolutely LOVE the color combination!  This is the first time I have wanted to buy every single print from a designer.  I am so In.LOVE.

Knitting… a betty minisweater because I need a fairly quick project on the needles.  I had some pretty red Bernat Satin yarn that has the prettiest sheen but due to the lace and the 100% acrylic content combo I didn’t think it would block very well so I abandon my first attempt and start over with some trusty Cotton Fleece.  Oh, by the way, I also finished my Clapotis but the pics will have to wait for a little more sun.

Eating… Less! At least trying too anyway.  We have a biggest loser thing at work and although that does not necessarily motivate me it does keep me aware.  This week I lost 5.5 Lbs!! Woot woot!  Let’s hope that this is not a fluke…LOL.  Oh yeah,  I also returned to the gym which kicked my butt!  I can normally jump in and out of exercise without being too sore but I guess age is catching up to me

Watching… my speedometer.  In fact cruise control has been my friend this week.  While cruising along at the speed limit I have had ample time to observe that a vast number of the population drives up to 5 mph under the speed limit.  I do understand that it is a Maximum Speed Limit, but damn!  Must learn patience…

Finally… Opting out of those stupid balance transfer checks they send out weekly.  I had already opted out of statements and thought that maybe this onslaught of paper just couldn’t be stopped but I finally called the companies to find out how to get out of these mailers and it is an entirely different opt out procedure.  So there you go people. If you are getting the balance transfer checks call the companies and OPT out of that too.

and so ends this week’s, Week in Chic!

Here is a quicky project that I finally whipped up.

Pattern: Butterick 6881, view E

Pattern Description: Loose-fitting, A-line or slightly flared robe, hood, front zipper, side pockets, long sleeves and stitched hems. 

Pattern Sizing: XL

Fabric Used: cheapy fleece from Joann’s

Notions Used: Zipper

Pattern Alterations: None

The Good:

• Working with Fleece is so fun and forgiving! This project was very easy and it came out so well.  It is amazing how fleece looks so nice even though you are just cutting the fabric and leaving the ends raw.
• I highly recommend this pattern for a cosy robe.  I plan to make another in fleece, probably view B, when it gets colder
• I love the hood!  It is perfect for keeping my neck warm and toasty.  And although you can’t see it, this robe reaches all the way down to the tops of my feet.  The Snuggie aign’t got nothin’ on this!

The Bad:

• I made this between 8 to 10 weeks ago so the construction details have all but faded away in my mind.  Looking at the picture tells me its been a while because my hair has grown quite a bit since then
• For some reason the installation of the zipper was a challenge and didn’t come out quite as nicely as I wanted it it absolutely works

The Ugly:

• I won’t get to use it again for quite a few months, but it will be waiting when the time comes.

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Organizing… Everything via computer!! That has been my thing this weekend.  I pared down my blog categories and actually started using tags and I transferred my sewing pattern collection from my Peacock Chic Flickr to a Flick site of its own Peacockcouture.

This is where I have chronicled all my BWOF and Big Four patterns so I can use tags to search my collection when planning my next project.  I love it! Especially with my iphone making the internet so handy.  If you want to use it too, go for it.  All the hard work is done…might as well share it

Sewing… my yellow burda jacket still.  I got the collar done and facings on, now I just have to join the two and do lots and lots of topstitching.  Actually I don’t know if the word “JUST” is the right term since this jacket has been an on and off adventure for quite some time.

Knitting… on my clapotis.  I am only a few rows from being finished so expect a finished object post soon.  Now I just have to figure out whether to work on WIPs or start something new

Photographing… nothing really.  My 365 set has all but fizzled out as a constant thing.  I don’t know when it happened but it just did.  I still want to keep up with the photography aspect of it so I might have to change my view from 365 to just chronically those days that mean something.   I also need to work on my grandnieces pictures that I took weeks ago and on the tulip farm pics and on the Maker Fair pics and on the aquarium pics…oy vay!

Eating… homemade microwave kettle corn!  I had a hankering for kettle corn and I cannot stand the microwave kind you get in the store (fyi -  it is made from sucralose not sugar due to potential burning…yuck).  So I merged this kettle corn recipe with the microwave popcorn in a paper bag technique and voila!  Kettle Corn!

Watching… nothing…specially due to the digital switch over.  I don’t have cable and have been using antenna service.  I did get the digital box converter but my antenna is not the right kind to work with the new system.  Errr…now I have to get a new antenna to watch broadcast tv.  Thank goodness for TV via internet.

That’s all folks…Have a great week!

Inspired by Wise Craft’s…well…wise craft I made some fabric covered moleskins for my BFF who loves moleskins.  I made these as part of an “I Care” Package that I created and gifted to her during my last whirlwind weekend visit.  These were super easy and took no time at all.  The tutorial can be found here.

I already had the double sided fusible webbing from my snow mum pillow so I only had to pop out for the moleskins.  A little ironing here, a little ironing there, a little snip snip trim over there and voila!! Instant crafty satisfaction!

I went with a tree theme since she loves nature and they matches so well as a 3 pc set.

I even personalized them with my stamp.

If you are in need of a quick gift or just something to satisfy that instant crafting need.  I highly suggest putting these on your list.

The universe cannot stand being out of balance, it will try to right itself at all cost.

First… The Best Saturday Ever

Then… I reveal my pseudo crochet ability.

This is the start of an amigurumi toy except I have not idea which side is the right side and wrong side OR if this is really crochet at all?!  Not sure it is crochet you say?  Well, the alternative would be some bastardized version of crochet like the last amigurumi toy I nearly finished only to find out I was doing slip stitch the entire time….LOL!

Wrong side? Right side? I have not idea…any help is appreciate from the crocheters out there.

So with luck on my side, crafty juices flowing everywhere, and euphoria right around the corner the universe decided that I needed to be brought back to earth and grounded in reality via a….Speeding Ticket

Same route for 4 years never a copper around but over the past 3 days since the issuance of my ticket I have seen 4 other people pulled over along my route.  I was also driving herd style with the rest of the “unsafe speed” drivers and was picked out like a young gazelle amongst a pack.  Guess it was just my time, eh?!  Good thing I was in such a pre-euphoric state that I just chalked it up to bad luck, lessons learned, feeding the starving economy, and savings jobs by keeping the very nice bike cop employed.

Hmmm…maybe my uber-lucky streak will come back and the cop won’t show at court so my ticket gets dismissed!!  Pipe dream maybe but here’s to hoping!