Being productive feels so good!

I have always been an avid seamstress and knitter up until I was diagnosed with stage 3b breast cancer in Sept. 2010. Chemo, surgery and radiation knocked me out of action for almost two years. I didn’t have the energy to do much of anything. I had so many side effects from chemo I felt disabled, in fact I still do to some degree. I have permanent hair loss, short term memory loss along with word finding problems and a third of the energy I use to have. The thought of the beast returning hangs over my head like a black cloud.

It has been three years since that horrible diagnosis. I remain cancer free at this time. The dark cloud is still there, but I have to say I do forget about it once in awhile. Some people say to get on with my life and just forget about it. That’s not so easy when every time I look in the mirror I see a bald woman. When talking to someone I often become frustrated with my brain. I have to limit my activities to the things that really have to get done, because I will get too tired. I am learning to accept my limitations and not worry what others say or think.

Sewing, knitting and some quilting are some of the things I love to do best. These are things I can do now. Being productive really helps your outlook. I am so thankful my mom and grandmother taught me to do these things. I am slowly picking up speed and doing more and more in the sewing room. It feels so good!

I want to share some of the projects I have been working on. I have made this shirt before. It is my TNT pattern for a button up blouse. I wanted to make something that I knew would fit. I am a plus size, pear shape figure. I NEVER sew anything without doing major alterations on the pattern. In the future I will have to do a little more work on this pattern, because I have had a double mastectomy without reconstruction. I will have to rotate those darts or somehow get rid of them. Not having a bust is a whole new problem I need to figure out.. Here is the pattern:

Here is the blouse:     

My Daughter has been trying to get me to try purse making so I bought this pattern and these fabrics:

         

I usually don’t like sewing crafty things, but I have to say that I LOVE purse making. It was fun and fast. now I want to make several different purses in different colors. Here is my new purse:

Back to sewing and other things.

I haven’t been sewing much, but I have been knitting. I have been working on the Mr. Darcy sweater for my husband. I am knitting it out of one of my favorite yarns Beaverslide. It will be a heavy, warm sweater and I can’t wait to get it done.

I really need to sew for myself. I am plus-size and very hard to fit. Butterick 5300 is a pattern I have made before, so I decided to make something I know will fit. I chose a bright cotton voile I purchased at Fabric Mart.

I will post a picture when I am done.

A new apron

A few days ago I finished the Plus Size Sassy Apron.

A super easy pattern. I did not like or follow the directions.  Aprons are so easy you almost don’t  need a pattern!

Here is my new apron!

 

 

Surprise! I am blogging!

I decided to start this blog so I can share the things I create with those of you that are interested. I have been getting my sewing room organized and decided to recover my ironing board. I used this tutorial.

recovered ironing board

I also made a small ironing board from a cheap TV tray. I love this idea. It will come in handy when I am quilting and ironing all those pieces. I will have it right next to my sewing chair. I followed this tutorial.