I made another new hoodie today. It lacks closure. I need to go zipper shopping, I've got two closure-lacking hoodies done at the moment. I gave my last favorite wear-around-the-house one away last night because it looked WAY better on him than on me, and this new one is much to my liking. Pretty sleeves! Also it fits me better. I may not keep it long, though. Something in me adores having a brand-new hoodie to wear every week, and if I just keep on giving them away or selling them, I get to continue this in perpetuity.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Sunday 28 November 2010
08:36
Unknown
I've got this huge pile of fleece in my closet. The last few hoodies I've made have been made using unusual fleece (peacock print) and the fleece itself both inspired, and limited, the hoodies. You can't get too crazy with design, when the fleece itself is all crazy, or you end up with way too much extra crazy, and nobody wants that.
I've got ideas rolling around for some of the simpler colors. I have some black and red patterned fleece that wants to be a Darth Maul hoodie, and this morning I got an idea for the brownish tie dye fleece.. it is wanting more and more to become and Adventurer Hoodie.
Adventurers. 19th Century explorers.. Amelia Earhart, Sir Richard Francis Burton, Lewis & Clark. The opening sequence of the Pixar movie "Up". The golden age of explorers is exciting to read about or think about, and the style is just so much fun. In my head there are Indiana Jones-style maps with big dotted lines on them.. lots of brass rivets and grommets.. fur lined hoods and plentiful pockets for swiss army knives.. loops for carrying your ice axe.. sturdy metal zippers and fastenings everywhere because your life may someday depend on this garment you wear.
Hmmmm.. now, what did I do with my sketchbook?...
I've got ideas rolling around for some of the simpler colors. I have some black and red patterned fleece that wants to be a Darth Maul hoodie, and this morning I got an idea for the brownish tie dye fleece.. it is wanting more and more to become and Adventurer Hoodie.
Adventurers. 19th Century explorers.. Amelia Earhart, Sir Richard Francis Burton, Lewis & Clark. The opening sequence of the Pixar movie "Up". The golden age of explorers is exciting to read about or think about, and the style is just so much fun. In my head there are Indiana Jones-style maps with big dotted lines on them.. lots of brass rivets and grommets.. fur lined hoods and plentiful pockets for swiss army knives.. loops for carrying your ice axe.. sturdy metal zippers and fastenings everywhere because your life may someday depend on this garment you wear.
Hmmmm.. now, what did I do with my sketchbook?...
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Tuesday 23 November 2010
15:46
Unknown
This was a bit of a challenge.. I took a long time deciding what should be the front, how to fit the sleeves, etc. I finally decided to add the blue panel underneath the sleeves because I could lay the fabric out better that way.
Originally I'd planned for the peacock fabric to go all the way around the body, but when I cut and sewed the sides of the garment, the whole thing came out WAY too busy.. so I decided to extend the blue down the sides as well and I'm really happy with the result!
The cuffs are done in purple ultra-cuddle fabric, which is very soft and really nice to the touch. I experimented a lot before I decided on the seam color.. there are so many colors in this fabric that *everything* looked good!
However, being the Princess that I am, I simply can't resist sparkly purple. The seams really add a lot to the look, and add texture and shine (sparkly is GOOD!!)
I originally did the side seams and underarm seams on the inside, also using sparkly purple thread, but .. the stuff that makes the purple thread sparkly also makes it a little itchy. I am not willing to wear itchy things! I redid the inside seams with soft ordinary purple thread.
More pictures in the photo gallery. Also it's for sale on Etsy.
Let me know what you think about this one. It's so unusual and so bright! I think I'm going to make one out of this Dolphin fleece panel next.
Saturday 20 November 2010
14:55
Unknown
Remember this? First posted in 2006:
I found this box on ebay a few weeks ago and was fortunate enough to win it.
Did you count them? That's right, 24 little hinged boxes, with a lovely display area in the middle. I knew right there and then this was to be MY Advent gift to myself, no sweets (candy) and miniature toys going in this box.
The first job was to mask up the box, so I could use more than one colour, and then a trip to the DIY store to get a couple of match pots. I could have gone traditional red and green? I could have tried silver and gold? Instead I chose . . . . well, remember, this is a girlie box. . . . . see for yourself:
Then I had to put the numbers on somehow. Hmmm, my handwriting isn't neat enough to try that? Peel offs? Or stickers? So I took a trip to the craft store, and guess what I found, sheets of number stickers in LILAC! To match the box, OH YES!
Well, I'm thinking about using it again this year.
Sooooo, if you were filling an advent calendar for yourself, what would you put in it? Can include written things as well as thing things (GRIN) but it would be a shame to waste the space in those boxes by just putting written things in it.
I found this box on ebay a few weeks ago and was fortunate enough to win it.
Did you count them? That's right, 24 little hinged boxes, with a lovely display area in the middle. I knew right there and then this was to be MY Advent gift to myself, no sweets (candy) and miniature toys going in this box.
The first job was to mask up the box, so I could use more than one colour, and then a trip to the DIY store to get a couple of match pots. I could have gone traditional red and green? I could have tried silver and gold? Instead I chose . . . . well, remember, this is a girlie box. . . . . see for yourself:
Then I had to put the numbers on somehow. Hmmm, my handwriting isn't neat enough to try that? Peel offs? Or stickers? So I took a trip to the craft store, and guess what I found, sheets of number stickers in LILAC! To match the box, OH YES!
Well, I'm thinking about using it again this year.
Sooooo, if you were filling an advent calendar for yourself, what would you put in it? Can include written things as well as thing things (GRIN) but it would be a shame to waste the space in those boxes by just putting written things in it.
Friday 19 November 2010
14:06
Unknown
I love making gloves and arm warmers. They're quick to make, satisfying in that "I just made three finished products in under an hour" kind of way, and they use up extra fabric scraps so I don't have so much waste. LOVE that.
I really adore having them too. They add bright color to any outfit, and they're all funky and stylish and stuff.
I've listed a few pairs on Etsy .. take a look if you have a minute! These make great stocking stuffers, or else really nice "just for me" presents. :) :) :)
I really adore having them too. They add bright color to any outfit, and they're all funky and stylish and stuff.
I've listed a few pairs on Etsy .. take a look if you have a minute! These make great stocking stuffers, or else really nice "just for me" presents. :) :) :)
Thursday 18 November 2010
16:15
Unknown
Did you know that you can get flat rate boxes from the post office for free? How cool is that?
They are the perfect sizes for shipping hoodies in. This makes me happy.
They are the perfect sizes for shipping hoodies in. This makes me happy.
08:11
Unknown
This morning I spent almost 4 hours sat here at my computer beavering away at my blog. I had had a run of spam comments that had not been caught by the spam catcher on blogger. I decided that in order to move forward I would remove the ability to comment on all but the most recent posts. Now blogger allows you to set to moderation based on age of post but not close comments completely based on age of posts so i had to do it individually, post by post by post. It wasn't a difficult process, just time consuming, I ate breakfast here and I ate lunch here!
In the process I came across a number of posts that I wrote in the past that are worth revisiting. A good friend mentioned my writing yesterday and so I will start with one of the oldest pieces I wrote. This was originally posted on my blog July 2007 but was written a few years before that.
Mark 10:46 - 52
Here I am, sitting here, just like I do every day, in my allotted place, waiting, hoping, hoping that someone will take pity on me and put something in my bowl.
It sounds like there's a lot more people about than normal, and it's getting louder. Then I start to feel people brushing past me, crowding, rushing.
"What is it?"
"What's going on?" I ask.
But no-one answers, they're all too busy, in a hurry to see, to see … well, whatever it is.
Then I overhear, manage to pick out one voice from among the hundreds that are crowding my ears for attention.
"Jesus, of Nazareth, Rabbi."
Oh! The rabbi that has healed …. I have heard so many stories. But me, would he heal me? I'm not so good, would he do that for me? I suppose I'll never forgive myself unless I find out.
"Jesus of Nazareth have mercy on me!"
No-one hears, so I shout louder "Jesus, son of David, I NEED YOU!"
This time I am heard, but by the crowd. They tell me to be quiet and stop making a fuss.
"What would he want with a dirty, smelly beggar?" they say.
But I won't listen to them. The healer is here. This could be my only chance. I shout and I carry on shouting.
Then someone grabs my arm. Ouch!
"Hey there's no need to be rough," I yell " I just want to speak to the rabbi."
"You don't get it mate, that's where we're taking you."
"Yeah, he's calling for YOU, asking for you to be brought to him."
"Don't be scared, come on, there's no time to waste."
And then, there I am, standing in a clear space in the middle of the crowd, and I can feel someone standing in front of me. I just know it is HIM! What do I do? What do I say? So many thoughts running through my head.
But before I have a chance to make sense of anything, he speaks to me.
"What do you want from me?"
What do I want! Can't he see, doesn't he know? Well, of course he does, so why is he asking? Oh who cares!
"Rabbi, I want to see."
There, I've said it, no going back now, no matter what happens I've tried, at least I've asked. It seems like an eternity before he speaks again, but it's probably only moments.
"You are healed. Your faith has healed you."
Dare I? Dare I open my eye lids? But he has spoken so I must.
WOW! So much, Oh my goodness! Look at that! And that! What? Oh …… Wow …. Where's Jesus? I must say thank you.
"Jesus, Stop, Wait!"
But what does he need to wait for me for, now I can see.
So I join the crowd and I follow him. Where to, I don't know, but he has changed my life forever, I just have to find out what it's all about!
In the process I came across a number of posts that I wrote in the past that are worth revisiting. A good friend mentioned my writing yesterday and so I will start with one of the oldest pieces I wrote. This was originally posted on my blog July 2007 but was written a few years before that.
Mark 10, Jesus heals a Blind Man
I wrote this quite a few years ago. I had been reading the particular passage of scripture and thinking about seeing it from particular people's point of view and this is what came out.
Mark 10:46 - 52
Here I am, sitting here, just like I do every day, in my allotted place, waiting, hoping, hoping that someone will take pity on me and put something in my bowl.
It sounds like there's a lot more people about than normal, and it's getting louder. Then I start to feel people brushing past me, crowding, rushing.
"What is it?"
"What's going on?" I ask.
But no-one answers, they're all too busy, in a hurry to see, to see … well, whatever it is.
Then I overhear, manage to pick out one voice from among the hundreds that are crowding my ears for attention.
"Jesus, of Nazareth, Rabbi."
Oh! The rabbi that has healed …. I have heard so many stories. But me, would he heal me? I'm not so good, would he do that for me? I suppose I'll never forgive myself unless I find out.
"Jesus of Nazareth have mercy on me!"
No-one hears, so I shout louder "Jesus, son of David, I NEED YOU!"
This time I am heard, but by the crowd. They tell me to be quiet and stop making a fuss.
"What would he want with a dirty, smelly beggar?" they say.
But I won't listen to them. The healer is here. This could be my only chance. I shout and I carry on shouting.
Then someone grabs my arm. Ouch!
"Hey there's no need to be rough," I yell " I just want to speak to the rabbi."
"You don't get it mate, that's where we're taking you."
"Yeah, he's calling for YOU, asking for you to be brought to him."
"Don't be scared, come on, there's no time to waste."
And then, there I am, standing in a clear space in the middle of the crowd, and I can feel someone standing in front of me. I just know it is HIM! What do I do? What do I say? So many thoughts running through my head.
But before I have a chance to make sense of anything, he speaks to me.
"What do you want from me?"
What do I want! Can't he see, doesn't he know? Well, of course he does, so why is he asking? Oh who cares!
"Rabbi, I want to see."
There, I've said it, no going back now, no matter what happens I've tried, at least I've asked. It seems like an eternity before he speaks again, but it's probably only moments.
"You are healed. Your faith has healed you."
Dare I? Dare I open my eye lids? But he has spoken so I must.
WOW! So much, Oh my goodness! Look at that! And that! What? Oh …… Wow …. Where's Jesus? I must say thank you.
"Jesus, Stop, Wait!"
But what does he need to wait for me for, now I can see.
So I join the crowd and I follow him. Where to, I don't know, but he has changed my life forever, I just have to find out what it's all about!
00:46
Unknown
- My name is Zoe
- I LOVE THAT NAME - it's Greek for life, but there are two words in Greek for life and this one actually means "God's life in us!"
- My maiden name means "owner of a wedge shaped piece of land" - Make of that what you will.
- My married name means "watchful" or "watchman".
- I am married to Andrew.
- He works as an electronic design and development engineer, currently working in the automotive industry.
- I have two boys aged 16 and 19
- I work part time speaking to children in local schools about God.
- I volunteer as Co-ordinator for the 5 - 11 year olds work in our church.
- I LOVE working with the church children
- BUT
- My heart is really to reach the children outside the church, and I'm not seeing happen what I long to see.
- Although I am going through a transition and really am not sure what i want and what I think half the time at the moment
- I've been blogging for at least 7 years first on Xanga, then for a while on Tyepad and now on Blogger.
- I am overweight
- I need to do something about that
- I have sleep apnoea
- I use a CPAP machine
- I fell on the compacted snow outside our house in March a few years ago and fractured my tail bone.
- That caused back pain for quite a long time but is now almost totally gone. PRAISE GOD
- I LOVE to craft, have tackled many different types over the years but at the moment I am concentrating mainly on art journaling
- I have hair that used to be naturally red/auburn on it's own. These days it tends more to a brown and needs a bit of help for that red shade.
- But I really want bright purple hair
- Just for a while
- Would love to see the looks on people's faces when I walked into church like that
- Hey, maybe if I ever do, I should take a camera with me to record them, heehee.
- Anyone fancy helping me?
- Although I did get covered in green gunge for our VBS one year.
- My husband and I lead a small group at church, we are the youngest members of that group, which can be interesting at times.
- I turn 40 in 2 months time
- I am part of a community of Christian women online who I love and trust and adore
- I got to go to America back in February (it seems like much longer ago than that, WOW) and meet some of them
- I got caught up in the worst snow America has had in decades and it took me 4 days to get there!
- It was worth every second
- I want to go again
- More than anything I want more of God
Sunday 14 November 2010
15:53
Unknown
I just got back from the park where we took some photos of my latest hoodie creation.. let me know what you think! I feel like an elf in this one. This is actually a revisit of my original Forest Faerie hoodie, which was one of the first designs I ever did. It may have been the first one I ever made after getting my serger for christmas last year, and I've worn that one so much. It really was my favorite article of clothing for much of the year. Unfortunately, I live pretty loud and that tends to be a little rough on the things I love (read all you want into that). My forest faerie hoodie has been spilled on, climbed in, slept in, sat upon, rumpled up and used as a pillow, and lit on fire (I was fire eating in it and dropped the fire eating torch on myself).
I intended for this one to replace it, but this one somehow turned out to be a larger size, so I've listed it on Etsy so someone who fits it perfectly will be able to take it home and love it.
More pictures in the photo gallery
Friday 12 November 2010
07:41
Unknown
This place has been an inspiration for me since years ago when I first discovered them. I wear the skirt I bought from them ALL THE TIME. Love. Check them out: Alienskin Clothing
Thursday 11 November 2010
08:46
Unknown
For Halloween, my hubby Darrell wanted to be the Mad Hatter.. he had just about all the costume bits except for a good Mad Hatter Tailcoat, so .. since I had a bunch of fleece on hand, I made one up for him out of cozy dark blue anti-pill fleece.
Of course, Halloween in San Francisco was unseasonably warm, so he ended up running around with it under his arm for all of Halloween. Ah, well. He still looked darn good.
Of course, Halloween in San Francisco was unseasonably warm, so he ended up running around with it under his arm for all of Halloween. Ah, well. He still looked darn good.
However, the fleece tailcoat has found its purpose. He puts it on first thing in the morning now that the weather is turning chilly.. and I must say it delights me to see him so scruffy and yet somehow so formal while sipping his tea.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
13:32
Unknown
I made some fleece pants the other day and it got me thinking about my favorite pants.. the ones that make me feel like a fairy.. the ones that are so much fun that I have to wear just simple stuff with them so as not to go overboard with STYLE. There are some amazing designers out there! Here are a couple of my favorites:
Phoenix Rising pants.. I discovered these while looking for a fire-safe performance costume and they have almost become "signature" Fire Pixie Fire Performance pants.
Melodia Pants.. these are some of the most unique and best quality pants I've ever found. Love love LOVE them. Yes.
Phoenix Rising and Melodia work together to make these:
Wow. How fairy can you get? I want a pair of these pretty badly.. maybe they'll trade me for a hoodie? ;)
And, of course, I love Lululemon's stuff too. Comfy and their fabric is really wonderful.. it's thick and stretchy and breatheable and tasty and it makes pretty much anyone look amazing. Wish I could buy it by the yard.. wouldn't funky fairy pants look and feel GREAT in Luon fabric?
What are your favorite pants?
Monday 8 November 2010
Friday 5 November 2010
15:52
Unknown
I have silly fleece pants I got for Christmas maybe 3 years ago. They have penguins on them.
Every morning when I get up and crawl out of my floating fairy bed, I go straight to the closet for the fleecy penguin pants.. what I want is something comfortable, handy, cozy and warm so I can go downstairs and sip tea and write in my journal.
I realized the other day that I need some Fire Pixie fashionable fleecy pants since the penguin pants will soon give up the ghost. Also... well, I can do better.
Just put the finishing touches on these today. They turned out to be a size M/L so they're a little big on me (and my mannequin doesn't even HAVE legs so forgive her!)
They are made of 100% ultra-cuddle (which is the softest fabric in the UNIVERSE). The side panels are blue with flared legs and the sides lace up for a perfect and highly stylish fit.
They'll fit anyone with a pants-waist size of around 35 to 45 inches, and there's a lot of play in the legs - they're stretchy and adjustable with the lacing. I'll get some better pics soon. I haven't hemmed them yet so any height from 5'9" or so or shorter is comfortably do-able. :)
Soon I'll find a model these fit and take some better pics and list them on Etsy! (If you need a pair immediately, though, just let me know.. ;)
Every morning when I get up and crawl out of my floating fairy bed, I go straight to the closet for the fleecy penguin pants.. what I want is something comfortable, handy, cozy and warm so I can go downstairs and sip tea and write in my journal.
I realized the other day that I need some Fire Pixie fashionable fleecy pants since the penguin pants will soon give up the ghost. Also... well, I can do better. 
Just put the finishing touches on these today. They turned out to be a size M/L so they're a little big on me (and my mannequin doesn't even HAVE legs so forgive her!) They are made of 100% ultra-cuddle (which is the softest fabric in the UNIVERSE). The side panels are blue with flared legs and the sides lace up for a perfect and highly stylish fit.
They'll fit anyone with a pants-waist size of around 35 to 45 inches, and there's a lot of play in the legs - they're stretchy and adjustable with the lacing. I'll get some better pics soon. I haven't hemmed them yet so any height from 5'9" or so or shorter is comfortably do-able. :)
Soon I'll find a model these fit and take some better pics and list them on Etsy! (If you need a pair immediately, though, just let me know.. ;)
Thursday 4 November 2010
Wednesday 3 November 2010
19:30
Unknown
Angela from Fancy Fairy makes the best fairy wings in the world. Srsly.
I want to make hoodies that accommodate her wings - i.e. hoodies with a back hatch where the wings can be easily slipped in, under the hood, and worn comfortably with the hoodie. This is definitely on the radar and definitely not too far out.
She just posted some new ones with a new color design technique at her etsy store. Take a look!
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