Summer recap and time to get back to blogging!

My summer blogging hiatus has come to an end! I feel so energized after taking the break, now time to get back to writing and documenting!

Here is a quick recap of my summer. Still a couple weeks to go, but once the neighborhood kids start gearing up for school it seems like fall is not far away.

- spent lots of time with this little Princess! Celebrated her First birthday!! Holy cow that year went by fast. Visited the zoo and saw a baby zebra, had photos taken at the Morton Arboretum, and gosh, was she excited that she could climb up into her own little Darth Vader chair!! So funny!! She keeps me young at heart :) 

- celebrated my mom's 70th birthday, had a great big surprise birthday bash!! And dye REALLY was surprised!! 

- enjoyed some beverages ;)

- did a bit of sewing. 2  pairs of work pants, several shells, a summer top, linen crop pants and a jacket plus several other garments in the works! 

- a few sewing related things. Sew Chicago ASG meetings, visiting the Chicago History Museum and some pattern work. All great fun!

- started getting my butt in gear and going for power walks! Need to burn off the calories from all those yummy beverages! Know what I mean???

- and a bit of traveling! I've been to Miami,   Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, Teaneck (NJ) ,NYC, Anaheim, Stewartsville (NJ), Boston, Hampton Beach (NH) and Greensboro (NC). Actually, on my way to Greensboro as I type!

Stay tuned for some more detailed posts on my sewing projects. 

I hope everyone else had a great summer or winter for those down under! 

Goodbye to summer wrap-up!

Oh boy, oh boy! I'm a little sad that summer is officially over this evening. My biggest reason is that I will miss all the lovely sunshine. I think as I get older I crave the sunlight even more and the darker days of winter can make me feel melancholy and a little blah. Maybe time to start taking some extra vitamin D and invest in some sun lights for my sewing room :)

I have realized that between my crazy work schedule and my most adorable granddaughter, Princess V, that I have been a bad blogger. Haven't even found the time to squeeze out my monthly wrap-ups!

So here goes my wrap up for July and August.

In no particular order, mostly because I just don't remember!! Hehe

1.Striped Wrap Knit dress.

Fabric is a blue and white striped ponte, nice mid-weight made using my TNT wrap dress pattern, Simplicity 1653. This dress has been great for work travel!

2. Striped knit sleeveless top.

Same fabric as above I had just enough fabric to make this top. McCall's 6752 view C. In retrospect I should have used a thinner/drapier knit. I had to change the gathers at the waistline to pleats because the gathers were to much with this thicker knit. I worked out in the end but next time I will use a light jersey or an ITY knit.

3. Green/brown poly 'silky' dress

This was a 'silky' from JoAnn's clearance. Vogue Tracy Reese 1343. I have worn this dress 3 times over the summer. Twice accesorized for work and once dressed up for a wedding. Very versatile! I plan to make another version with just some small changes.

4. Silver/black dressy Capri pants

This was from a Fabricmart buy. They described it as a black stretch denim. It is a bit more silver but that makes it lovely. Silhouettes 3300 Lana's Jeans made without the back pockets and belt loops and shortened to a mid calf length. These have gotten lots of use this summer!

5. Red denim jeans

This fabric is from Linda Z's store in Arlington Heights, IL. They have a very nice selection of high quality garment fabrics. This is my TNT jeans pattern Silhouettes 3300 Lana's Jeans. Oh, I really like these jeans! I had the first opportunity to wear theses in San Francisco when I was there last week. 

6. Red/Blue/white high collar shirt

This fabric is a cotton/silk voile from Fabricmart. Lovely to work with! Vogue 1385 Today's Fit by Sandra Betzina. This was FUN to make and FUN to wear. 

Those are my July and August summer makes! Pretty good for having a crazy summer schedule, I think it made for a good balance of sewing and family time while I was not off traveling for work.

So what did I do for fun this summer?

1. A brand new grand baby to snuggle, cuddle and adore!

2. A long weekend visit with my sister :)

3. The Charles James exhibit at the Met in NYC, so inspiring!

4. My hubby and I's 20th wedding anniversary party. Oh what a party!

5. A week with my parents, daughter and granddaughter in Delaware :)

6. Lots of time spent with my little family and my friends, makes me whole and happy.