Pleats and Pockets Tunic

I finished this tunic out of this Japanese pattern book. It was a bit overwhelming at first because the instructions were so minimal and the pattern tracing is not easy. After a little bit of reading between the lines and using some basic sewing knowledge, it turned out to be just fine. I actually made this top as a "muslin" or sorts. I have some fabric that I've been wanting to make into a dress/ top but didn't want to cut into it before I knew for sure that I had a good pattern that I would actually wear.

 I know I will wear this top because a) I already have and b) I love this royal blue color. But there are a few things that I will change next time I make it. For one - the neck line is a bit high for my liking, I feel like I have to keep adjusting it so I don't feel like it is choking me. See what I mean:

For two - my pleats are just a touch uneven (it matters) and the bust darts are a bit too high. The next one will be a bit longer so it can be a stand alone dress, no leggings required and I might just leave the pockets off. What do you think? Pockets: yes or no??

Picture taken by my 4-year old assistant

Out with the Gold

 We've lived in our house for 3 1/2 years and I'm ashamed to admit that this awful gold skeleton of a chandelier has been hanging up the entire time. With no light bulbs or glass. I didn't work and I saw it every day. In fact I saw it every time I came down the stairs. So awful!

Since I'm currently in project mode, I decided it was high time to change that. One of my favorite blogs to follow for DIY home inspiration had just purchased this light for her entry and I loved it! It's big enough to fill the space and make a significant impact but also simple and classic.

I put an Edison bulb in it which gives off the perfect glow at night, just like a night light. And really, besides the fact that both my husband and I had to get on the ladder nearly 20 feet up while he wired the light and I held it, this project was easy!

Oh and while I was up there and the ladder was out I got to clean all the dead flies and dust off the window sill that I can't reach otherwise. Of course that lead to cleaning the window inside.... and then climbing on the roof and cleaning all the windows on the outside... and then since the ladder was up and I was on the roof - cleaning out the gutters. Whew! I love that kind of project! It leaves me feeling productive and that one new light leaves a big impact. Crossing that off my list, next up will be new lights outside, then the porch....

Yellow Door

I've had "paint the front door yellow" on my house to-do list for a really long time. When my hubby gave me the green light on Monday and I saw that the weather was going to cooperate - I went for it! Headed for Home Depot, picked up some paint and supplies, took the door off and got to work. The process was pretty simple - clean and lightly sand the door. Since the door was white I didn't need any primer. I painted 3 light coats and let it dry all day. By bedtime is was ready to hang back up. When projects are this easy I wonder why on earth I didn't do it sooner?
I love how it turned out. The porch and front of house isn't exactly where I want it to be but I have big plans. The deck is next to be updated. I'd like to update the lights and eventually the house will get painted. But my new yellow door is s step in the right direction. It's so cheery and makes me happy when I pull up to our home!

Another thing making me happy are these beautiful peonies. These are by far my favorite flower! They take a while to grow and bloom but it's worth it. Aren't they lovely?

A Maxi Skirt for Me and Her

I've been meaning to make this maxi skirt for a while and today seemed like the perfect day. As I was finishing up Sage asked if I'd make one for her and it just so happened that I had just enough to make a skirt for her too. Her's isn't exactly a maxi skirt, but it's a skirt and she loves it. So that makes this mama happy.

For my skirt, I traced a maxi skirt that I already had for my pattern.  I pulled out my serger and serged the top band to the skirt for a nice and clean finish. (Pardon the sideways photos - my little helper took these!)

Can't wait for spring so I can wear this skirt with sandals!

Off the needles

I'm trying to complete all the knitting projects I have going on right now before starting a new one. It's easy to loose interest in a project half way through and move on to something else, right? So instead I'm vowing to finish those projects. These fingerless mitts were easy. The sweater, not so much... but that's another post.
I've made these before using the Maine Morning Mitts pattern. They are easy to knit and fun to wear. The yarn I used was the leftover Malabrigo from my honey cowl.
I'd like to send these to one lucky winner. Follow my blog and leave a comment below for your chance to win these.

Thanks to my cute model!

Take two...plantain top

I liked this pattern so much I decided to make another. Plus, I had some extra fabric laying around.  I didn't have enough fabric to make the long sleeve version with the elbow patches (which I love) so I opted for short sleeves on this one. I love how easy it is to wear. I had a little trouble matching the stripes up since the fabric is so stretchy but overall I think it turned out pretty good.

Paired here with my favorite new accessory - Ruby!

Welcome Ruby!

We got a new puppy. Her name is Ruby. She is the sweetest thing ever. See for yourself.

See. I told you.

As some of you know, we lost our family dog, Taryn, to cancer right before Christmas. It was hard and sad for everyone. Life just isn't the same without a dog when you are used to having one around. We found this little girl and the breeder agreed to hold her for us until the weekend when we could drive out to get her. So we made a trip to Eastern Washington, picked her up and headed to the ranch to visit some friends. Ruby got some serious loving from everyone and fit right in immediately. She was a great rider in the car and she is learning fast!  We are happy to welcome Ruby to our family!

 If you've never seen my "ranch" posts before, know that going to the ranch is always a good time. It is basically Wyatt's dream world. He keeps asking us when we can have a farm... and since we have no intention of starting our own farm, visiting the ranch is the next best thing. Our friends raise cattle (darn I didn't get any pictures this time!), goats and sheep and also have lots of dogs, horses and an alpaca, cat and bird. Wheew. The kids had a blast riding the horses, chasing the goats, feeding the alpaca and playing with the dogs. Us adults had a great visit and enjoyed watching the kids have so much fun!

Sage on the miniature horse

Wyatt on the pony

Wyatt on Fred

Sage and I riding Fred

Beautiful snow covered trees.

Our friends run Promised Land Fibers where they raise their own lambs as well as spin and dye their own yarn. We have been buying lambs from them for the last two years and they are delicious!

The sheep

Remember that purple vest I knit for Sage? Well it is made from hand spun, hand dyed yarn from this alpaca.

The alpaca

 I leave you with this beautiful picture not only of the sheep but of the peaceful landscape. What a wonderful place to spend the weekend.