Dolly! And doilies, and 80's vests, oh my!

Hi readers!
Recently I was able to acquire a treasure trove of vintage yarn craft and needlework patterns booklets dating from the 30's up to the 80's. I am in heaven flipping through them for ideas and just plain fun! Among the treasures...

I found my knit dolly! [made by a family friend for me when I was little]

 from Coats&Clark booklet 1973

mine--a little worse for wear!

And doilies!

And lots of 80's vests. Yikes! (I'll spare the pics on that subject).

That aside there are also some really awesome silly-cute things and many many fashionable pre-80's garments. Can't wait share more of these with you soon for great crafty inspiration! Also working on improving the blog design (don't forget I am still a beginner, after all), and there are some very optimistic things in the works to tell you more about soon! 

All the best!

Optimistic Crafts

Time in the New Year

Greetings readers! It has been a long time. Blogging has been low on the to do list lately, but not for lack of wanting-to-do!

pomodorotechnique.com

Despite the fact that my work/day job is to keep people and time organized, my home and personal project life seems to be ridiculously unorganized these days. Back in the fall sometime, I read something on Tilly and the Buttons blog about the Pomodoro Technique. Have you heard of it? I helps you focus on setting aside 25 minute increments to focus on projects. Ideally you'll get the cute tomato (pomodoro) timer to help!
It is supposed to help "eliminate the anxiety of time". Ha! Is it just me or is there never enough time to do everything you want to?

Well, I did actually finish a few projects since I last wrote. One cute thing I made for the holidays was this fair-isle mice pattern. I used bigger needles and changed one to stripes instead of fair-isle. These would be a fun cat toy gift and could even have some catnip stuffed inside. (I just used regular poly-fill stuffing) Here is the original, and mine.


super-cute!

cute, but not as cute

Another thing I've beeen working on since the fall is this awesome vintage sweater! The pattern is from a 1939 Polar Yarns book.

I will show you the finished one in the next post. I swear, optimistically, that it will be soon! And I did actually finish it!
Making time for crafty-ness and sharing it is an essential part of my goals for 2013. Signing off for now, wishing you better-late-than-never New Year good fortune. What have you been making lately? What are your 2013 aspirations?

On to the next thing...

Well, I finished with project #1 for the Evernote Knit-Along! I was so excited to participate in this DIY challenge that somehow thought I'd do at least 2 of the sugested projects by the end of the month. Well, that didn't happen, but I did start another new knitting project from a vintage pattern book that I will reveal an upcoming post.
Here are the armwarmers. They were an easy fun project and the pattern is free at
www.redheart.com/free-patterns/lettuce-knit-arm-warmers

It's hard to be lighthearted about projects today. Fortunately where I live in Queens was not hit terribly hard by Hurricane Sandy, but I'm saddened by the devastation and worried for the people affected. Please reach out to help. Here are some ideas: Astoria recovers site lists needs and volunteer opportunities. Occupy Sandy is a link full of ideas. And there's the Food Bank NYC and New York Cares and of course the Red Cross where you can donate on their site or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to their Disaster Relief fund.
Knitting and crafting can be a comfort in difficult times, have you ever used working on a creative project to help you come to terms with tough times?

Sewing Progress Report

Wow. Lately have been pretty productive! Finished making this a couple weeks ago--the top in the middle...

(Will post an actual picture soon--see tiny herringbone print fabric swatch.) It turned out great and was really easy. I admit I left it hanging without a hem for about a month before finishing as is my usual procrastination method.

The same weekend I started on this, knowing I'd have to work quickly since it's a summery dark grey on black searsucker sheer cotton fabric.

And as of yesterday, it's done! (I know, need pics! I'll wear it this week.)
Another one that I'll make again, for sure. The armholes are very tight though, so must remember to make them a little bigger.



Also, I've been managing to knit A LOT on the wrap cardi the last few weeks while watching the TV series Borgia, among other things, on Netflix. Watching scandalous tales of history while knitting=fun!
How crafty were you this weekend?

More starting, less finishing.

What does this optimistic crafty lady do on a hot day when confined to one room of air conditioning? Why, start more projects of course! Like cut out the pieces for this great lantern fabric!


and this "Jiffy" pattern that should be easy to whip up!

Forget about ironing those pattern pieces in this heat, or maybe finishing already started projects like this oranges dress (mostly finished, but needs alterations).

Nah. What else can I start?! 
Once I'm finished starting, time to settle down with a glass of wine and my knitting (Vogue Knitting wrap cardi)--a step toward finishing something!


Look how far it is getting--about 1/2 way across the back panel!





I hope your weekend is going great and you are staying cool. Are you finishing anything you started?

Vintage Summer Fridays

Ooh la la this is a bad pic!

HI! For the next few Fridays I will wear and feature something vintage. Yes, I know today is Saturday so maybe by next week I'll get on the right page. For now let's talk about yesterday.
I bought this Sassoon jumper dress at least 10 years ago at Olive's Vintage in Brooklyn olivesveryvintage.com and have been wearing it ever since. [I ought to have a picture somewhere of me in it--friends, do you? Taking one with my phone was not really working.] It's a go-to summer favorite because it has pockets--easy to grab a few bucks and the keys and go. So not only is the dress vintage/old, it is now old in my wardrobe. I wonder if anyone is saying "why is she wearing that same old dress again?!"
So, do you wear vintage? Or do you think it's just plain old? Thoughts?