Bowl-O-Rama

I'm happy to say that my new eBook is listed on YCMT, and I'm back in the swing of making gifts! I used my Bowling Shirt Pattern to make these presents for some of my rowdy girlfriends. Actually, the shirts are for their kids, but hopefully they will bring back memories of all the crazy things we did back in the day. Things like...


...going out for sushi. We girls could put some hurt on a "boat!"



...gossiping around the chimnea on warm summer nights.


...planting flats and flats of peas so that we could isolate the chloroplasts from the seedlings. There is no better bonding experience than cleaning up the gooey green aftermath of that procedure!


This last one is for my Louie. One our former neighbors used to say he was a "card," so this fabric always makes me think of him.

There only FOUR days left of the "Thrifty Under Fifty" challenge, and I still have lots to do. I still need to make pajamas for Louie, pants/shirts for Louie, finish three dollies, two name pillows, a quilted runner, and some handbags. I'd better get to work!!!

In that mode...

I've been hyperfocused on my latest eBook for the last few days. I get into kind of a weird trance when I am at this phase in the process. All I can think about is finishing the eBook. Laundry is piling up, my hair is getting greasy, and Louie is disassembling things right and left. Thankfully, I have an understanding husband who is keeping us fed and withholding comment about my hair.

This "mode" is nothing new. I used to get myself in the same state back in my science days. It was especially bad when I would write grant proposals. I'd usually put off the boring paperwork until the dead last minute, and would end up in fighting with the departmental secratary's typewriter in the middle of the night. The lack of sleep would make me terribly emotional and completely antisocial. It was always such a good feeling to get the fat envelope sent off and grab a shower and a long nap.

My eBook writing zone is a much more blissful state. It is really a joy to write about sewing and crafting. Bodices and bows are so much more fun to draw than enzymatic pathways. Any deadlines are self-imposed, and it isn't the end of the world if I go ahead and go to bed when my eyes start to ache. In this case, I'm really pushing to get this eBook finished in time for holiday sewing projects.

Since I am sooooooo close to finished, I'll go ahead and disclose what I've been working on...


I've been wanting to make a vest pattern for the longest time. Louie wore a prototype to my brother's wedding last April (poor kid always cries at weddings).

I'm very excited about this eBook! Vests are hot right now! And they aren't just for dress-up, either! I love the look of an oversized vest over a big T-shirt - very retro 80's! I'm including options for collars, mock pockets, and ties/belts in the back.

These vests super-duper easy to make, too. They are definitely good for instant gratification! Speaking of which, the ties are made from this eBook by my friend Sherrie, aka PatchworKids. Talk about an easy, adorable project!

OK, back to putting the finishing touches on my eBook. I'm really looking forward to washing my hair tonight!