finding reasons to get *really* excited about our montana trip

trying hard not to get her pic taken!, originally uploaded by flanmela.

reason #1 -- we'll be seeing my brother and his family, including two adorable cousins that my kids haven't really met yet!

reason #2 -- lots of swimming time at the hotel and knitting time in the car!

and reason #3 -- perfect opportunity to make LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE DRESSES! i've just finished this one -- the dress is with pintucks, a peter pan collar and is made in a nice, muted Liberty lawn fabric. I've made the pinafore with some nice natural muslin. The pattern is an 80's McCall's pattern, and the only thing i don't like about it is that it's one size only -- size 5.

but i'm guessing she won't want to wear little house on the prairie dresses when she's 13.

i'm making another one for our 5yo cousin.

and maybe another for my bug...

big boy shirt

big boy shirt, originally uploaded by flanmela.

finished this a while ago -- around father's day. it's a shirt that was cut from my husband's well-worn favorite business shirt. in fact, it was the shirt he wore to our rehearsal dinner 8 years ago, so -- very sentimental!

the pattern is from a japanese sewing book and i love it! the neck is a bit too big -- when i was cutting the front, i maintained the buttons and buttonholes but didn't properly adjust the sizing. oh well. it's still pretty fab!

happy 100th birthday, elizabeth!

charity child's BSJ, originally uploaded by flanmela.

just finished a cardigan for charity. it's one of elizabeth zimmerman's classic patterns -- the baby surprise jacket. i made a child's size (6 to 8 yo) with my noro and morehouse scraps and have to admit, i like how it turned out. very EZ, if i do say so myself.

a lovely woman on ravelry has organized a charitable giving of many, many BSJs to children in need in elizabeth zimmerman's home state of wisconsin. all in EZ's name. i'm very excited to be a part of it!