It's been awhile...

It's been a while since my last post and very difficult lately but first of all let me say Thank You to all of you for your kind words, condolences and prayers for myself and my family. We are hanging in there and trying to move ahead. It takes time to get through the loss of a loved one but we are finding that God's Grace is sufficient. We will cherish our fond memories and my brother will always remain in our hearts.

I haven't been able to sew lately though I think about if often, however it's been really nice to browse your blogs and see the beautiful creations that every one's been making. I will be getting back on the wagon very soon. I'm trying to get my sewing room organized, and begin some plans for getting something done. I really need some new fall clothes so, hopefully my next post will have some pictures of my upcoming plans & projects.

Happy Sewing!

My saddest day...

Monday morning Aug. 10th I lost my dear baby brother, John T. Brooks. We were very, very close. He was much more than a brother to me, because our mother died when he was only 14/yrs old so I helped to raise him. As life's journey continued he accomplished much. He worked hard, played hard, lived with more love & passion than anyone I know. He loved his family and friends, everyone that knew him no matter how long instantly knew they found a friend indeed. He was a loving husband, father of two beautiful daughters and three lovely little grand daughters and a friend to many all over this world. He finished two Master's degrees and was called to ministry. He lived for God and taught others to know Christ. He represented Christ well and I know he is now reunited with our mom & dad and just awaiting the rest of us to get there one day. It will be a grand reunion. Until then there will always be a irreplaceable hole in my heart. I'll always love you my dear brother...RIP.

Husband to Carla, father to Tanesha & Patrice & grandfather "POP"to Tanaya, Tashaya & Madison.

Beloved brother...
POP enjoying his grands...

At the wailing wall in Jerusalem,

John & wife Carla Baptism in Jordan River

Fun co-worker...

Here is a link tribute part 2 to his life that was played at his home going.

BRITT Tops finally done...

Finally I finished the tops yesterday, from the "Britt" magazine This is the magazine that Christy @ "Sew Much Fabric, Sew Little Time" sent me, I wrote about it a couple posts back. They were fun to make and the pattern didn't need lots of alterations as I usually have to do. There was a slight mishap with the black, white & yellow blouse just as I was completing it. When I was doing the final press along the hem I had a "brain fart" and put the tip of the hot iron directly on the hem and melted the fabric...Can you believe this, I just wanted to scream! I felt like thumping myself in the head. Well to save the blouse I decided to just turn the hem up again and restitch it. That work out OK, but of course it shortened the blouse more that I really wanted to, but it was better than loosing the blouse. Don't you just hate when something really dumb happens just as you are almost finished? I would have shown me wearing them but I was to lazy to set up the tripod, maybe I'll post pictures wearing them later.

I need to make a couple summer dresses so maybe that will be my next sewing quest.

Happy Sewing!!

One Lovely Blog Award...

Thanks to Ann @ Sew-Ann's Stitchin for passing on the "One Lovely Blog Award"

It's always a nice surprise to receive such an award from my sister bloggers. This time I would like to pass this "One Lovely Blog Award" on to any of the talented sewers out there that stop by my blog and take the time to share their sewing adventures with everyone through blogging. It's hard sometimes because I don't want to leave out anyone and each of you are talented in your own rite and have "One Lovely Blog". So, feel free to accept this award and display it on your own blog and share with others! ENJOY!

YA! I'm sewing...

I'm getting some sewing done today, YA! I feel like I've been revived. I'm working on a fitting/muslin for the blouse from the BRITT magazine Christy sent me. I wasn't sure how I'd like it but I'm really liking the fit, with just a few little fixes. I didn't have to make any major alterations. That's a real pleasure. Really the only thing that really bugged me was the pattern piece that they showed for the neckband...

This was to be cut x2 on the bias. I sewed this band on and took it off twice, that just didn't work, this fabric was too stiff and the stretch of the bias just wasn't enough for the neckline to lay smooth & flat. So I made facing pieces for the neckline...these worked much better,also the front darts will be sewn all the way to the hem. The material I used for this fitting/practice garment is a rather stiff broadcloth of some sort. It will look much better in the fabrics I'm using...The white, black & yellow is a polyester silkie from JoAnn Fabrics, the green, black & white is a semi-sheer crinkle fabric from G-Street Fabrics, the $2.97 table. I think this blouse will look nice in these fabrics, great for Summer.

BTW- many sewing bloggers have been showing notions that they enjoy using, here is what I use to cut out these patterns that are traced and need a seam allowance added...

This is an Olfa Rotary Cutter with an adjustable width arm screwed on. It's perfect since you can just put the arm where you want the seam allowance to be. No double tracing needed. This is among my favorite notions. I did a search to see it they still made them but I wasn't able to find one, but if you find one it's worth getting. I have the double tracing wheel also but this is my first preference.

MOJO In The Mail...

Lately I'd been so caught up with family, personal and work issues that I was totally distracted from sewing. I seriously needed a jump start of some sewing Mojo from somewhere. So, while browsing my favorite blogs I came across Christy's post at "Sew Much Fabric, Sew Little Time" about her new found treasure... the "BRITT" magazine. This magazine is similar to Burda, it shows photos of the styles featured in the magazine and has an insert pattern sheet to trace the pattern from. The instructions are in several foreign languages and includes English. It looked so interesting and I liked the styles shown so I just had to inquire of Christy where to find it online. I was having a heck of a time searching on my own. Christy shared the information on how to get the magazine and then a day or so later she informed me that she actually received a second one from the publisher, since they didn't want it back, she offered to send me the extra copy. It was so sweet of Christy to offer and of course I was more than delighted to have to opportunity to check it out. Within just a few days there it was in my mailbox, instant MOJO in the mail. It was like getting a refreshing drink of water in the desert. So, THANK-YOU Christy, it was so nice of you to send me the BRITT magazine and share your MOJO with me. Hopefully by this weekend I'll have one of the blouse patterns traced and ready to make up a muslin and will have some pictures to share.

Blogger Buddy Award...

WOW, another award, thank you Christy @ Designing Creations and Rachelle @ Knitmachinequeen. I enjoy both of your blogs and I thank you for including me as your blogger buddy! I'd like to pass it on to the following blogger:
Debbie @ Stitches & Seams
Joan @ Wannasew
Sherril @ Sherril's Sewing Saga
Linda @ Danvillegirl Sewing Diary
Tanya @ Sew Sassy
Aminat @ SewFit
Gold @ Live & Learn
Andrea @ Knit-Knac
These are just a few of the many wonderful blogger's out there. Enjoy and spread the Love!