Back from Chicago

DH and I recently attended a Leadership conference at Willow Creek in South Barrington, IL. This was our first trip to the Chicago area and we had a fantastic time.

We arrived into O'Hare around 7am, rented a car and traveled around the suburbs. We noticed there was a lot of ponds/lakes and nature preserves as well as beautiful plantings and gardens along the streets, medians, and communities.

We ended up at a sanctuary in Schaumburg. It was a nice place to walk around and stretch our legs.

At the wildlife sanctuary


The next morning, we headed over to Willow Creek for our conference. We later met up with our Pastor Joey and his wife Sarah.

Can you believe 7,000 were in attendance?


Acknowledging the support globally


Entertainment break...one of several

We enjoyed two days of magnificent and invigorating speakers. They included Bill Hybels, David Gergen, and a host of religious and business leaders.


We did get an opportunity to take a trip downtown. We ended up parking around Soldier Field and walked around the waterfront. Now, you know I haven't been doing any sewing and I didn't attempt to head over to Vogue Fabrics. I know, shame on me. I did get an opportunity to see a wedding photo session. So, I present my only fashion photo from this trip:

Wedding photog moment. Caught this scene along the waterfront


We headed over to the Shedd Aquarium.

Back side of Shedd Aquarium & city view

Do you know how hard it is to take pictures through glass?

Finding Nemo

We would definitely go back to Chicago and spend more time uncovering treasures of this beautiful city.

A big thank you to Joey and Sarah for encouraging us to join them on this remarkable leadership trip.

Hamming it up for a picture. Joey and his Jamoca Almond Fudge moment


(If you have been to Chicago, please leave a comment about your favorite places to visit, dine, shop, etc. We will definitely use these tips for our trip next year).

A Year Older and So Much Wiser

I want to take a minute and thank those of you who visit my blog, even when I don't keep up with my posts or my sewing activities. I know you pass through to see what others are up to or check out some of the resources.

Today, I'm celebrating my birthday and I must say that I'm feeling fine right now. I've got a few more white hairs and more spots on my skin. I'm happy and healthy. I'm enjoying life.

To help me celebrate my day, I would like for each of you to take 30 minutes to an hour sometime today (and/or the remainder of the week) and enjoy one of your favorite hobbies. Make time for yourself. Create something for yourself. Let me know what you are going to do to help me celebrate.

Isn't this better than chocolates? And no calories, too! lol!

So, what am I going to be doing for a few hours today? Knitting at my LYS.

Another Knitted Creation

You would think that during the summer months, when it's hot and humid, that I would have stopped knitting and started sewing again. It hasn't happened that way. I now have a fascination for cotton and cotton-blended yarns. I have knitted two additional garments called Ophelia. They are comfortable to wear. I plan on wearing these through July and into August. Even into September.

Ophelia in Mediterranean


Ophelia in Cactus

Still no sewing. Well, at least I have some knitting to show. :)

The Results of 29-Days of Intense Knitting

I present to you, my two new lace cardigans. Knitted and seamed in 29 days! I disappeared into the knitting world to get these done. I was a crazed knitting machine. I was on a knitting high for so long that I'm now one tired puppy. Mentally.


My first lace cardigans

There were many firsts for me on this project:

- My first real knitted cardigan. Knitted from the bottom up. Meaning: there would be knitted pieces (e.g. back, 2 fronts, and 2 sleeves) that would be seamed later.

- My first real lace pattern. I attempted to knit a lace scarf, but got bored with it.

- I knitted both versions at the same time. I actually started with the Denim version (expensive yarn) and then decided to knit another version Azalea with inexpensive yarn. I would call my Azalea version a "muslin" or test garment.

- Just like in the sewing world, I knew I had to "adjust" the bodice otherwise the 8-row ribbing would hit smack in the middle of my full bust area. I lengthened the bodice, under the armhole and above the 8-row ribbing.

- I knitted my first buttonholes. Talk about a mind-boggling task. I had to figure out the placement along the front bodice and then how much to space out while knitting and purling the front ribbing. I used a two-stitch buttonhole for 3/4" buttons. This task reminded me of sewing buttonholes with my SM...where I hold my breath until a buttonhole is finished. ;)

- I actually sewed side seams that disappeared into the garment. That was a back-breaking job for me as I stood for long periods of time to get this done. I used my cutting table cart to layout my knitted pieces to sew the seams flat.

This was definitely a fun-filled and rewarding knitting project for me. I enjoyed the challenge and as a result, I ended up with two beautiful cardigans to wear.

At one point, I had to stop knitting to get a haircut. My local hair salon was offering a free haircut/charity event to those who were laid off or looking for jobs. Donations would be sent to a charity. I was glad to help out there.

I've written a review of this cardigan at my 2BKnitting blog. You will find the format is similar to what you would see on PatternReview. Enjoy!

A Little Gardening

It looks like I won't be planting any annuals this year. No lovely Impatiens to brighten our walkway. Instead, I've been thinking of resourceful and practical plantings. Yesterday, I went to visit DH at the nursery to pick out some herbs for my mini garden. I quickly planted these before the sun went down.

I just love the variegated Basil that my DH picked out for me.

Lemon Thyme, Cilantro, and variegated Basil

As you can imagine the scents were absolutely devine when I freed them from their growing pots. In my planter, I mixed some Soil Moist into the soil then added a final 2"-3" layer of soil on top of that. I planted my herbs and sprinkled some Osmocote on top of the soil. I watered the planter thoroughly.

Parsley, Basil, and Thyme

This year, I've been cooking mostly Italian and Mexican dishes. Yes, we eat a lot of pasta (wheat) and beans around here. Fiber is good. I can't wait to start using these herbs in my dishes.


On the sewing front: I have to admit. I lost my sewing mojo. I know you can relate to this. I partially blame my knitting projects for that. Like a mad-woman, I knitted two cardigans at the same time. Guess what? The pieces are done. I will never do that again...knitting two at one time. Right now, I'm taking a breathing break before I start to seam the pieces. That's why you haven't seen any garment sewing-related posts from me. My SM is jealous of my knitting needles.

I do have some knit fabrics that need to be made into a maxi dress (the Simplicity pattern that's becoming a fave) and a few knit tops.

What a Beautiful Day!

I've been doing some sewing, but nothing earth shattering to post about. When I have days like today, chances are you will finding me sitting on the porch. Knitting. Unfortunately, I can't take my SM outside and sew. I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't appreciate the noise. So, I sit and knit and listen to all the birds singing and chirping.

Late this afternoon, DH and I sat outside to enjoy the beautiful day. He had some studying to do and I spent time with my knitting needles.



Here's a picture of my latest tote bag creation.



Filled to the brim with my knitting stuff. Believe it or not, I actually have two lace cardigans that I'm currently knitting in that bag.



It was a gorgeous day in my neck of the woods. How about yours?

A Beautiful Find for Under $10

I was at my local Michael's store the other day and came across this beautiful find. An Amy Butler Lotus Tea Box Scrapbooking Tool Caddy. I do not own anything Amy Butler nor do I have any of their gorgeous fabrics. I immediately fell in love with this and the clearance price of $9.99. The caddy is well made and well padded. It has a large interior opening of 6-1/2" x 12" x 6-1/2". There are 8 external pockets. Three on each long side and one large on each narrow side. It didn't take me long to realize that there is no way I could sew one of these for under $10. Even my home dec tote bags cost more to make and that's not including the labor.

Amy Butler Lotus Tea Box Scrapbooking Tool Caddy

So, this caddy came home with me. Don't you just love the fabric and colors?

I'm not a scrapbook person as I've drawn a limit to the number of hobbies I can master at one time. I can see many other uses for this. One use is to hold my current sewing project(s) and associated notions in one place.

Another use, to store and carry my yarns and large knitting projects. I can temporarily store my circular needles in the outside pockets along with a tape measure, small scissors, and other notions. Here, I've tossed in several skeins and cakes of yarn:

My caddy filled with yarn

Right now, this caddy looks beautiful on my cutting table. I love a beautiful find. :)

Double Post Day - My June BWOF Arrived

Wow! Two posts in one day! I must be in a chatty mood. :)

I came home to find my June BWOF sitting on the table. I couldn't contain my excitement and immediately went to the page with all the line drawings. Looks like a very nice issue. I even love some of the accessories.

June BWOF

Here's what I would love to sew:

#102 - knit top

#116 - ruffled dress

This long skirt caught my eye.

#124 - long skirt

I saw a pattern for a knitted fish bag. How cool is that? I do love it when BWOF includes a knitting pattern.

As I was scanning the mag from front to back, I couldn't help but notice the previews for the upcoming July mag. I have a feeling that's going to be a pretty good issue.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to do any tracing or sewing this long weekend as I have to work. Sew, I'll be thinking of you sewing gals and catching up on your sewing blogs. I wonder which one of you will be the first to tackle the #102 - knit top?