Shopping the stash

I haven't sewn anything since December. I got burned out trying to get Christmas churned out, then it turned into my wrapping station. And ever since I just haven't wanted to sew. Mostly I think that I didn't want to dig out the sewing cubical. But today there was no more putting off because I need to sew some costumes for my son's school play. It took a lot less time than I thought it would. Most of the mess was just putting away all the wrapping supplies (yes, they've been there since Christmas...) and putting the fabric back on the shelves. My girls had knocked them through the cubbies and onto the floor. I was pretty irked with them when I started refolding it all, but soon I was caught up in shopping my stash and picking out fabrics I wanted to sew up. First items on the cutting table, new skirts! My girls love to wear skirts and our selection of everyday playing in skirts are getting a little ragged. 

In an excess of creative good-will I let my three year old pick out fabric for a skirt.

She immediately pounced on this purple cotton that is printed all over with ballerina princesses in sparkly skirts... awesome. 

It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I said she could pick. 

I found the lace in my embellishments box and it worked perfectly with the fabric, because the hearts have an iridescent sparkle as well.

She loves her new "fanciest skirt!"

 Having learned my lesson I decided that the five year old would just get to be surprised by what I chose for her skirt. I hopped on to Pinterest for some inspiration,

found a yard of fabric and started cutting!

I love it! It turned out exactly as I had envisioned in my head. I always get a little thrill when I make something without a pattern and it actually works. :)

This is a very thin, silky feeling cotton. It's probably a blend, but it's been in the stash so long I can't remember where or when I got it. I love the summery color and the vintage look of the floral print.

I added side pockets which thrilled Evie. 

I believe her exact words were, " Ooh! They are big ones so I can put lots of stuff in them!"

 I considered shortening it a bit, more to the knee, but she insisted on keeping the length. I don't mind really, she'll be able to get more wear out of it at the rate she's growing!

The sash is probably my favorite detail, especially as it is just for show. The skirt is pulled on with an elastic back waist and no fastenings to slow down my busy girl. The sash could be tied in the front or back, in the middle or more to one side depending on the look you want.

Two projects done and the sewing room is still clean!

Now that's a good day...

Yarn Binge

Last Saturday I spring cleaned my yarn stash.

 And by cleaned I mean more along the lines of rearranged. 

I had every intention of being incredibly harsh and pulling out yarns that I don't love and know that I will never knit up. I really tried to be critical and honest with myself about what I would and wouldn't use. When all was said and done, I had about five skeins in the discard pile. Hmmm...

I moved some stuff around and found a little more room for the yarn I was keeping. 

I also found that I have six socks that are waiting for their mate. I tossed one that was the wrong size and I knew I would never finish, but still... that's five socks that need to be knit and soon. I'm thinking that I need to do a sock of the month thing for a while...

I did cull out two grocery sacks of odds and ends to send to some friends who are undertaking blankets made up of leftovers, so I felt good about that. 

 I realized that I have lots of great yarns and many, many projects in various stages. 

I got all excited about working through some of my great stash.

Then my friend texted me today to brag about the amazing deals she'd just gotten at our local JoAnn's. They are moving locations in the next week and so they are liquidating everything. I've picked up a few things over the past couple of weeks at 50 and 75% off and thought I got great deals then. But with two days left they've marked the entire store down to 90% off!

What?!

That's right. Ten cents on the dollar. Um... at that price it would be irresponsible not to stock up!

Let me explain.

I usually pay between $12-24 for a skein of sock yarn. I try to wait for it to go on sale, but sometimes you find a colorway that speaks to you and says, "take me home... you know you want me... I need to be yours!" (In my world sock yarn whispers.)

This is a hand-dyed skein that I paid $24 for.

 (I think it wants to be a pair of gloves... but that's a different post.)

This is what I bought today:

22 skeins of sock yarn

3 skeins of crazy pom-pom yarn 

(Lila has been begging me to buy her this yarn for months, and for 50 cents each she finally wore me down. I have no idea what I am going to do with it. I might just end up letting her lug the skeins around and snuggle with them...)

3 rolls of ribbon

4 button cards

(I would have gotten more, but I think my friend Myra cleaned them out before she called me.)

3 sets of knitting needles

Total before discount = $240

Total I paid = $24! 

So just to recap...

And yes, I was so giddy by this purchase I rushed right home and set up a photo shoot with my new yarn. That's more fun then figuring out how to rearrange the stash again...