Out of hibernation, just in time for fall.

First post in two months. Sheesh! I figured once we got through the boy's three month birthday things would start to get a tad easier and I would have more time to keep up with this blog, but it seems like for me month four has been the hardest so far (for a number of possible reasons). I've managed to get a little bit of knitting done, but it's been tough enough just trying to keep up with things like laundry and dishes. It's been really frustrating for me at times, and I feel like I waste a lot of my time sitting on the couch so I want to make a concerted effort to try and get myself feeling a little more normal and productive. Particularly after reading Brittany's post on how she balances life as a wife/mother and a dedicated blogger, I have taken a few things to heart and the last few days have really made an attempt to change my everyday M.O. To a certain extent, what I'm capable of getting done is still dictated by my son (four months old last week), but I have been able to get a lot of stuff cleaned up and better organized, which makes me feel much more human/sane. I've got major knitting plans for the next few months and would like to squeeze in some time for sewing in the near future, so I can have a couple of new things to wear during the colder months. 

About a week or so ago I finished the pants that go with the little eyelet outfit I've been making for the wee one. They look so big next to him now, but he's growing so fast he'll be too big for them before we know it. 

I've got the trim on the bottom edge of the cardigan finished, and will be plugging away at that bit by bit when I have a moment. Perhaps my biggest accomplishment in the past few weeks has been phase one of a major organizational project. I've got about 200 patterns (a large percentage of them vintage originals) that have been previously stored in what was an all out embarrassing manner. For some time I've wanted to get them better organized and more safely stored, but until now haven't had the motivation or focus to get around to it. So, I now have two huge binders that function as my pattern "index", with all of the pattern envelopes (or instruction sheets in some cases) organized by decade in acid free sleeves. The patterns themselves are now in uniform envelopes labeled with the company and number and organized in the drawers and bin next to my treadle machine.

The second phase is to alphabetize the envelopes by company and number. I have no clue when I will get around to that, though.

Up next in my knitting docket is this sweater for my husband. I've got a lovely charcoal-heather, recycled wool yarn for it. It's knit in bulky weight yarn, and the pattern is simple, so it should work up pretty quickly. The yarn I have is about this color, but he wants a funnel neck instead of the rolled collar.

Image courtesy of Skytender

What I'd really like to get done before the weather turns too cool, however, is a new pencil skirt and vest for myself. I've got several different 50s and 60s vest patterns I may use, and I want to do some fun detailing on the skirt, perhaps at the back vent. Maybe something like the pleating on this skirt from Stop Staring. I've just replaced my favorite white, button-down blouses and I really love the super tailored look of 50s women's suiting (not to mention the fact that pencil skirts and button-downs are a stylish, but totally practically alternative to my other nursing friendly clothing).

Image Source

I've got a light to medium grey suiting in the stash that would be perfect for this ensemble. I still have yet to decide exactly what style of vest I want, but now that my patterns are so much easier to browse I shouldn't have too much trouble making a decision! Today has been pretty productive, including getting the dining room table (ie my cutting table) cleared off, so hopefully the little one will let me get started cutting things out in the next few days. It's back to work for me now, but to round out this relatively picture laden post with a photo of something I actually made myself....

Have a good week everyone!