Do you remember Jane's shirt designs?  I shared this version awhile back.  After reading all those encouraging comments, Jane was determined to see one of her designs become reality.  Many more drawings later, she settled on this for herself:

For this artist it is all in the details.  For this mom it is all about practical.  So we compromised and started production.  I channeled my inner Hannah and printed the words straight from my computer on to freezer paper.  I cut out the stencil, leaving the "o" intact.   I found a long-sleeved striped t-shirt from Target in an acceptable color combination and then paired it with a short-sleeved shirt (also from Target) we already had.  Jane did the painting.

Jane chose the fabric for the star and I did the applique on my sewing machine.   I cut the sleeves off of the striped shirt at the shoulder seams and then grappled with how I was going to attach them without some weird visible stitching.  I decided to sew them into the short-sleeved t-shirt at the shoulder seam allowance and it worked perfectly.  The key part:  I don't think that this would have worked if the shirts were different brands.  Both sleeves had the exact same profile.

See that smile?  Jane is one happy girl.  She designed it and we made it.  She wants to wear it.  All the time.  I couldn't be happier, either.  The experience was a good reminder for me that dreams can come true.   You just need to chase them a bit.

Jane also designed a shirt for Kate.  You can see it here.

Is it Thursday already?  How did that happen?

Despite a general busy-ness around here, I did manage to make this fingerless glove.

Too bad it's not 1982 cause one is all I've got.

I used Fetching from Knitty.  I like the pattern, but there is no way I am going to get a pair out of one skein.  And I am being frugal with the yarn - no gauge swatch for me.  I am wondering if anyone has knit these out of one skein of  something other than the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.  If so, please tell.  Also, I am not digging the picot edge bind off.  I am going to take it out and just bind off in the rib pattern.  Anybody agree?  Disagree?

Other news...Scout is settling in well.  We are getting along famously.  You see, she likes yarn just as much as I do.

Meet Scout, the newest addition to our house.

She is a great big ball of tail-chasing, leaf-pouncing, 12 week-old kitten energy.  Super sweet, a bit shy and so cute, she is just what we needed.  She was found in a hotel parking lot, apparently abandonded and has been cared for by a string of volunteers for the past few weeks.  I had mentioned to a few people that we were thinking about getting a kitten.  One thing led to another and now, here she is.  Welcome home, sweet Scout.

Another pin cushion....no blood this time!

A quick shot of the back for scale.

Still checking things off my to do list....I have a lot to accomplish in the next two weeks so posting may be spotty.  Happy Friday everyone!

I made another coffee cozy last night for my friend Geron.

I didn't want her to feel left out.

Fall is on it's way.

And it's that time again....  Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Arrr, be it a good one, me mateys! 

I raided my small scrap basket on Sunday to make this pin cushion as a gift.  I got it all sewn up and stuffed and then I noticed it.  You know, that faint brownish-red spot in the middle of the orange gingham?  Right there between the white and brown pins?  Blood.  My blood.  From a pricked finger.  I picked up a wayward pin pointy side up because I was distracted by the incredible conversation between Amanda and Jennifer coming out of my ipod.  So wonderfully inspiring, but I knew it would be.  Anyhow, guess whose pin cushion it is now?  Yeah, you got that right.  I needed one, too.  Well, at least that is what I am telling myself.

I am feeling slightly less panicked at the moment.  The girls' shoes are ordered and the rest of the school volunteering for the week can be done at home, via telephone.  Working today and then addressing envelopes tonight and tomorrow afternoon.  I am hoping to find a dress on Thursday - fingers crossed.  So, more photos than words in the next week or so....and probably not much emailing.  I try to answer all my comments, but I may just have to let that go a bit for right now.  I really appreciate the time it takes to come here and catch up with me.  I really, really do.  Reading your comments always brings a smile to my face.  Thank you so much for that - right now, it is just what I need.

I took this photo at the zoo on Friday.  There is just something about giraffes that slays me.  Maybe it's the height or their quiet ways.  Or it could be the eyelashes...wouldn't you love eyelashes like that?

And would you mind if I posted photos again this week?  Things are a bit hectic at the moment....volunteering at school, addressing envelopes, helping get things ready for my brother's wedding and rehearsal dinner (less than three weeks away).  The girls need shoes for their flower girl dresses and well, I just need a dress.  That would be nice.  I have a baby present for my newest nephew, Kenan, to finish.  And I have to get that done before the next little one comes along any day now.  There's yard work to do and some indoor painting, too.  I could go on and on, but I think I will stop.  Just reading this over is giving me a minor panic attack.

Breathe, Erin, breathe.