Pile of Sweaters => Sweater Top

This is what I did with my weekend....

I took this pile of sweaters

 Loved the color of this too-big one:

Next up: Cutting and sewing

I remembered to serge the arm hole before sewing up the sides, which was a good thing.  This will keep them from unraveling.

Then I cut the bottom half to size.

Note the wavy seam on the waist.  I need to figure out how to do thick knits in the serger because that is what usually happens.  It's still wearable, but not quite what I had in mine.

Here's the finished look.  I was going to add more of the burgundy sweater to the bottom so it would be long enough to teach in.  But I like it better short.  I'm going to call it a top and not a dress....

I'm pretty pleased, overall.  But I've got to figure out how to seam knits on the serger problem before I make another one.

Update: My friend Carla explained that a more gathered stitch will help.  If you have a Baby Lock brand serger, this means "push the level all the way to the 2 at the top."

Who Knew?

Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones was the roommate (Harvard, class of 1969) of Vice President Al Gore.

 
I wonder if they keep track of who had what dorm room, just so they can later say, "Yeah, Famous Person roomed here."
 
The above tidbit is quoted from the book Who Knew? Things You Didn't Know About Things You Know Well by David Hoffman on page 104

Is Blogging Worth It?

That depends.  What do you want to use it for?

To keep in touch with family and friends.  It works well for this.  I'm surprised how many folks I already know whom I am able to be more connected with because they see what I'm up to on the blog.

To have space to write about what you want.  Ditto.  Facebook isn't designed for longer posts and it felt like I was possibly bothering people who didn't want me clogging up their feed.  Anyone who comes here, wants to.  Painting on the Ceiling is entirely optional!

Weekly Round-Up

This week I...

... did some more work on containers for the herb garden.  A massive blog post is coming soon!

... got to cuddle little Madeline and have a pleasant chat with her mother, one of the sweetest women God ever clothed in clay

... savored a walk with my mother through fall leaves so beautiful we had to pick some up and take them home.  For The Magician, was our excuse.  But really, there something about those colors that you just have to touch.
... went to an art exhibit where my friends both took home ribbons!

 ... Had Sister Stephen over for Scrabble.

... Went to the annual Open House at The Magician's new employer.  I took a photo of his office because he's getting some original artwork for his wall for his birthday in March.  (Notice the Houdini photo on the wall.  What is going to match that?  Hmmmm....)

Also at the Open House I met an art professor who is interested in possibly including some of my recycled art in an exhibit in April!  I went to bed that night with my head just spinning with ideas!

Rain Barrel Winterization

The even described below took place around Oct 19.  It's just taken awhile to get this posted - ed.

The temperatures have started to dip down in the evenings.  And as freezing temps were arriving sometime this week, it was time that we drained out the rain barrels and prepared them for winter storage.

There was, of course, a problem...  In order to put in the two rain barrels in the spring, we had to cut away part of downspouts.  With the barrels removed, we had to figure out how to re-attach the rain drainage as we didn't want any water coming back to the foundation in case of an early winter shower.

I checked around various hardware stores and was surprised to find that there was a lack of pipe couplings for rain spouts.  I mean the kind with one side larger than the other so that it slides on an existing pipe.  The only kind I found was the "elbow" shaped ones and those just wouldn't work for what we needed.

So I had to cut and crimp the attached spouts and slip on the old drain pipes that we cut away in Spring.  Then we used zip ties screwed into the walls to hold them in place.  In the end I also duct taped the seams and zip tied the tape in case the tape would peel during the cold winter months.

Now the spouts are securely in place and there should be no issues with rain or run off.  So we hope!!

More Glassware to Upcycle!

I hit the Thrift Store yesterday and added to my stash of glassware.  It’s now this big:

I’m hoping to turn it into these over the summer and sell them at craft fairs next fall.

This one isn’t glued yet, but if any of my readers need it for a Christmas party, just make me an offer….

An Upcycled Dresser Drawer becomes a Lampstand and Some Storage

As you may remember, I had to elevate my lamp/mirror on my dressing table and had resorted to this less-than-lovely solution:

(My dad and I made the jewelry stand.  It spins.  Nifty, yes?)

I wanted something with storage underneath and wherein one could not see cardboard boxes from the side.  If it weren't for wanting storage, I would have sewn something.  

But instead....  I came up with this:

  First, I found a drawer that would fit in the space.