Pics!

I forgot to include some pics of the sewing i have been doing.  I made a skirt for the dress tour that Leanne Barlow put on, however my aunt was life flighted and we obviously were unable to make the trip.  (she is now doing great--it was a bizarre occurrence where they thought there was an aortic dissection, only to go in and realize nothing was there!)

I had been saving this fabric for something special and this skirt fit the bill! 

I also made a #louboxtop by @sewdiyblog and see many more of these in my future.  I used a super soft knit from @girlcharlee and love it!

I made a second #ogdencami by @truebias with her fabric from workroom social and I copied @marcyharriell and added some mini pom trim to the hem. I am completely in love with this too!  I also can't wait to try one of the ogden came dress hacks.  i want a maxi style and i have the @vandco ombre confetti from gray to black.  I think it will be great for a wedding we have this summer and also a few other events...

the pic is not great, but the fabric is so fun!

the quilt i am currently quilting (🙈) on my domestic (what was i thinking?!) and my Pop's bday cake made by our super talented friend, Amy.  We had a great ski last weekend and i am super happy we were able to enjoy the break in the weather because as you can see we were hit hard this week with more snow and cold!

This pattern is the Regent Street Star, by Moda Bake shop, and then i added these flying geese along the borders.  They took Waaaaaaaaaay longer than the top, but i wanted it to be queen sized... he only turns 60 once! :)

So... most of my running has been on the treadmill, but i have really been enjoying it again, which feels  incredible and is helping me mentally deal with being a forced shut in!  The snow is pretty, but when it is as cold as it has been it is really challenging to go out and enjoy it. Plus the poor dogs are cooped up too!

goals?

So... we are at the last day of the second month of the year.  How are everyone's goals going?  The two goals i posted here, neither has been met. 🙈 My father wasn't feeling so hot so we still went and spent the weekend at Seeley Lake, but we didn't do the race.  we did do our workouts and skied and still had a great time.  I still am sticking with the #elizabethanderin2019 challenge.  That involves a daily 1.5 min wall sit and 25 pushups.  The next two races i am registered for both st. patrick's themed.  One is a 3 miler with a client and her daughter, and the other is the Run to the Pub 10K, which i have done almost every year.  I have been enjoying the #gomoregetmore challenge on the Nike Running Club app too. it has kept me motivated to log miles since we literally have 3 feet of snow, treadmill it is.  we have had one day that has been above freezing and most of the days have been sub zero for over one month now.

I am almost finished with a queen sized quilt for my father, for his 60th birthday.  I finished the floppy top to show him by his bday, but now i am quilting it on my domestic machine.  with a minky back.  it is a behemoth beast!!!  this is the largest quilt i have made to date and am partially regretting the decision to quilt this myself on my domestic.  i will post pics of it completed.  it is the regent street star quilt by moda bake shop, and i added flying geese borders with scraps from the pieces in the top.  the borders took longer to complete than the main part of the top... oh well it is unique and worth it! :)  He loves it, and will use it.  I also made another Ogden Cami, with true bias fabric, and copied a fellow sewist from IG and added mini pom trim to the hem.  it is SUPER cute! I want to make an ogden cami hack dress, and still want to make the lander pants... probably when this quilt is finished i will begin the pants!!!😬 I have two different fabrics i want to use. If you have any tips or tricks feel free to send them my way!! :)

Happy New Year!

I hope this new year finds you all healthy and well... its been a small eternity since i have posted, and i realize this is a dying form of sharing (blogging) but i still enjoy writing posts, and can't bring myself to do lengthy ones on ig, so i am going to attempt a more regular schedule of posting/sharing here.

I did lots of sewing for christmas presents for friends, family and clients.  My current obsession: Pom Poms!!  i made blankets with poms on the trim, tea towel/napkins with pos on the bottom hem, a table runner, etc.  OBSESSED!  They add a bit of whimsy and a retro vibe to things and i love the effect.  

Goals for 2019:

make Lander pants
snow joke half marathon with Pops

so far that is it... 

what are some fun sewing items you have created? What races are you looking forward to? running goals? fitness goals?

Happy New Year and here's to accomplishing goals!

DIY wallets

Finally, my Sew-Jo is back!!  I am so happy that i am inspired to sew again.  Not doing great physically, i am glad i have something to occupy my time.  Today i made several wallets.  It took until the third one to truly dial in the correct size, then once i had it figured out i made a few extras.  They make great presses and are fun and quick to whip up.  I used a suiting fabric and some left over denim scraps for the exterior fabric and then some fun fabrics for the interior.  I wish i had more of the fish, but i love the Hipster Fabric from Crimson Tate.  

The last one, i used navy thread to top stitch and it also has the beer fabric.  I am always thrilled when i find something fun and functional for guys.  My hubbee loves these wallets because they are huge and thick.  FYI: it is not great to put your wallet in your back pocket, especially if you sit on it while driving/work etc.  

I want to finish my philanthropy quilt this weekend, and possibly sew a clothing top.  What projects do you have going? Also if you have any other guy friendly sewing projects, let me know!

lots of sewing, tiny bit of exercise...

This quilt top is the philanthropy top i made last weekend, and didn't have the photo to share:

And this is the flying geese mini i made for the flying geese mini swap i am in. It is a jelli quilt  pattern, and as usual her patterns are excellent!  the error in this is all me! I have dubbed it "amish geese" because of the error.  In our guild, we use that term because the amish believe only god was perfect, so everything else is flawed or has an error.  I had a great time free-motion quilting.  I turned this mini into a pillow case.

 This weekend i made a dress with Pockets!!!!! It is a VERY simple pattern by NewLook.  it says one hour, but it took approximately 4... even now with the tissue cut out, i still think it would take me two.  Maybe i am slow?  This fabric is the cotton and steel rayon challis.  It is DIVINE!  I loved working with it and upon finishing this dress, ordered more.  It was challenging to take pics of myself and it was early in the am but you can get the gist!  it also has a belt with the same fabric, however i didn't like the look, so i tried it with a leather belt and that was much more flattering. i have a few modifications i will make on the next one, but this pattern was great and i look forward to my next attempt.

 I have the book, Sewing in a Straight Line, by Brett Bara.  it is a great book with excellent tutorials and patterns.  These fabric trays were in there.  Three sizes, however you could make them any size.  They are quick and easy and great for stash busting.  i made several for extras for my "Pay it Forward" projects and for a few other swaps i have coming up, and easter prezzies.

 This one is a large one.  I used my 12.5" square ruler, and I think it is a great way to showcase the Tula Pink fabric.  i am going to use it on the coffee table to hold remotes and my angel cards.  The possibilities with this fun project are endless. you can make them deeper, triangle shaped, rectangle etc.

So these were some fun items i made over the weekend... and more trays are about half done! :) What did you create this weekend?

On a fitness note, I bought a new reformer.  it is the balanced body allegro, xl.  i have, however, pulled a muscle (pelvic floor? psoas) and have barely been able to walk so i have yet to utilize it.  i can't wait to heal so i can play around on it!! Our weather has been all over the place, but i was able to go for a walk with wrigley and Sunny and her dogs too.  it was beautiful.

These three had a blast! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and your monday flies by!!!:)

remember to never skip a monday so even if you do a few planks or a wall sit do something!!! something is always better than nothing!!

two weekend workouts

I did two great workouts this weekend so I thought i would share in case anyone wants to change something up and try them.

On Saturday I warmed up on the spin bike for 5 miles.  Then i performed the following circuit 5x:

treadmill at 6 degree incline, 7 mph for .25 miles

10 burpees with tricep push up and single arm row from plank position with 10# db

10 leg press 15 plates

10/leg ham curl 2 plates

10 leg extensions 3 plates

10 of each/leg adductor and abductor cable 1.5 plates

then a one mile flat cool down.

This went by quickly and was fun do to the variety.

Sunday i also did a 5 mile spin warm up alternating sitting and standing each minute.

Then the workout:

1 mile easy paced (7 mph), 1 min of walking lunges with weighted bar

repeat for 3 rounds

40 min on the reformer and pilates mat work.

I love circuits.  They keep me motivated and focused.  And since they are short bursts of a variety of exercises, i can easily wrap my mind around the circuit.  They can also be done with little or no equipment, so no excuses to skip a workout!

The pilates felt great on the hammies, my left is still not quite right but definitely improving.  And i always love the core work pilates provides.  

I also did quite a bit of sewing this weekend too!  My sew jo seems to be returning.  I think it helped having a friend come over for a sew night, i had to tidy up my sewing center.  I will post pics next post of current projects! :)  

Any goals or events coming up? projects? 

fun run and exciting sewing!!

Yesterday was the Run to the Pub in Bozeman.  And one friend couldn't make it due to weather, and another friend decided last minute to take her spot!  So friday night i whipped up a sparkly skirt for her to wear as well since she said she didn't have any green to wear.

The second one went much faster and without issues.  The first one, my needle was getting gummy stuff on it (glue from sequins) and thus breaking the thread.  This time i noticed if i sewed a bit slower the glue didn't build up (i don't know why that was), and thus no thread breaking and time consuming rethreading/detangling etc.  so the gathering went faster and over all it was just smoother sailing than the first attempt.  Which was great, because by friday night my brain is mush.  

We left livingston, and it was 18 degrees and socked in.  It felt very humid.  As we went over the pass, and into bozeman it warmed to 40 and kept climbing, and was sunny.  And CALM.  This was such a nice reprieve from our livingston winds.  I had no time goal for the race, just to keep it easy and feel out this hamstring.  And Tara, she thought she would walk most of it and she ran it in its entirety!!!  woohoo!!!  The event is very fun and there is a block party after where you can have your free cupcake and beer(s) etc. but it was awfully crowded and beer was the last thing i wanted, so we went for sushi (always a win!).  All in all, the event was EXCELLENT! 

Potty Line Pic!

I gave Tara one of the bows i made too.

I have been wanting to make these Birkin Flares forever (seriously for a few years) and finally last weekend i cut out the denim!  And the rivets, thread, buttons etc arrived that i ordered from Taylor Tailors (excellent source!).  So now these are ready for assembly.  However, last night i worked on a bit of my paper piecing for an IG swap, but then had to finish up tax prep.  i have a few CHORES to do then hopefully back to the sewing center for me! And yoga later.  

All of the bits for the Birkin Flares!  I am so happy there is a sew along to follow.  That is the only reason i was brave enough to attempt these.  i have a fun idea for my top stitching on the back pockets... now i hope i can implement it!

Anyone else run a pub run this weekend? 

run to the pub attire!

Tomorrow is the run to the pub.  i have done a virtual race or two this year, but this will be my first in real life race this year.  I normally run the half, however i was supposed to run the SnowJoke again so i only registered for the 10k this year.  We are currently receiving snow squalls and it is supposed to be windy which makes the already icy roads extra crappy to drive on, so I am hoping by tomorrow it will have cleared up some...  I wanted to share my makes for the race.  i bought the sparkly material two years ago but didn't end up running the race that year and forgot about the fabric and ribbons i had bought last year, and found the package of goodies around christmas time this year.  Better late than never, i guess!!

I ordered a fun tee from Etsy, and made these hair clips and sparkly skirt to wear over some leggings. the skirt was fun and easy to make and I'm sure there will be more colors in my future! :) 

is anyone else running a st. patrick's day race?  Costumes?  i must say, i love the bows--they are glued onto these excellent alligator clips that stay put.  i attempted to wear a fun headband with whirligig pinwheels one year, and those F-ers just kept bonking me in the face/eye/ear and so about half a mile into the race they were launched into the ditch.

i am also very happy i hit up one of the running skirts sales and purchased some ice breaker gear.  i will definitely be sporting my long sleeved top under my tee.  i love the super soft fleece on the inside.  wishing fast and non-slipping-on-ice feet to all!!!

slacker...

well... it has been almost a year... i am a slacker.  my apologies.  a lot has been happening since my last post, both in my sewing life and my running one.  One can always follow along on instagram turtlegirl00 is my username.  

This saturday is the Run to the Pub and i am running the 10k.  I am looking forward to it.  I am also trying to plan other races for the year... Any recs? 

I have been sewing up a storm, a fun variety of quilts and apparel.  This past weekend i cut out the parts for a pair of Birkin flares.  I am now waiting for several items to arrive in the mail that i will require to finish them.  I have wanted to make these pants for a very long time. Fortunately, they are a tradition wide leg trouser style and will be timeless (hence my desire).  I am making them using a dark solid denim, however, i think they would be cute in a patterned canvas, or white canvas like sailor style etc.  I used a pdf pattern which is so time consuming trimming it, taping it, then tracing with swedish tracing paper etc. but now that i have the pattern ready to go, if i decide to make another pair it should go much faster. 

while waiting for my finishing notions for the flares, i am working on a philanthropy quilt for our guild and I want to make a sparkly skirt for the pub run.  I actually bought the material for it for the race two years ago, however with my mother's passing i bailed on the race.  

I also am out of netflix shows to binge.  any recs? any podcast recs? 

exciting news!

I am so excited to announce that i am a Running Skirts Ambassador.  Although, truth be told, i am intimidated!  Looking at the fellow #skirthusiasts they are in so incredible!  You can read back through my posts, especially missoula marathon 2014, I am singing the praises of Running skirts!  Check out their stuff here:

http://store.runningskirts.com/?cmid=MDoyOjMzMjZmMmE1NTg2OTY3NmE6Z21KUEVDMHd5SjhISWwwdnVIUlZCQT09&afid=MDoyOjI4ZGNmNWUwZGRmMmE4MGY6MXRFcHE2eXBlNWlaZHlQcW5nVkpOQT09&ats=MDoyOjBlYmI4MWE5ZDRjYjc3MzA6Y2taWlhGazFvVGFWakpvRFdqbTc5Zz09

I personally like the "Athletic" skirts.  they are constructed with shorts underneath the skirts. They make skirts with skivvies too, but i prefer more coverage.  They also have golf skirts and those are longer.  And maternity, etc.  the items wash and wear so well and they have tons of fun fabrics and are always adding new stuff.  Enjoy! i sure do.

yikes! long time since last post!

wow!  a lot has happened since my last post... a few marathons, and LOTS of sewing!  my sewing has improved so much and i really have to thank all of my Instagram peeps.  They are so motivating and encouraging and a wonderful resource for my sewing.  The same as my ig running peeps.  I live in a very small community and am so thankful to have found such remarkable online support.  
Also since my last post i have bought several sewing machines to aid in the sewing game!  I have a crazy techie Janome now and i bought a vintage singer 301.  She is gorgeous!!! and even her original case is beautiful too.  

One of the highlights of this year so far was attending Quiltcon in pasadena.  This trip was so fantastic for so many reasons... first of all leaving montana in the winter to head somewhere warm and sunny is always a bonus.  But being around so many talented sewists was inspiring and it also made me realize my own skill set is decent! :)  i considered myself a beginner, but i think now i am an intermediate.  i had a goal to make something to wear each day to the convention and I DID!! i made two dresses (three actually but one was knit long sleeve--too hot) and a top and several bags.  Sunny, my sewing and running bud came on this trip too and we certainly had some laughs, as usual.  Also we hit that hotel gym every day too! :)

As far as my running is going, i just ran a half that went not great... but that is okay, it was an emotionally draining day and i knew it wasn't going to be stellar.  i am thankful for the finish.  I have several halves on the books (SEAWHEEZE!!) but am contemplating a full again... most likely Bozeman since we have several trips planned already and I don't think i can swing traveling for one this year, but i definitely miss being in training.  

I am starting a bootcamp program next week, and looking forward to that.  My goal is to be better about blogging too... but lots of pics on Instagram @turtlegirl00.  so here is to spring, new beginnings or re-beginnings! :)

Tulle Skirt

I began this skirt back in April to wear to the first of many weddings we were attending this summer, however time has been taken up by work and training and hosting lots of company.  This weekend I ran (hobbled) through my 16 miler on friday to free up my saturday and conserve energy for dancing at Ben and Kristie's wedding.  So saturday am, I finally ventured into my sewing center.  It has become a catch all for randoms and needed to be tidied before I could sew the few baby items I wanted to make for a friend.  During the tidying I found the almost completed skirt.  Aha!  I can wear this to the wedding today!  I slipped on the skirt and it was WAY TOO BIG!  When I began this project i was 16 pounds heavier... so I went to work on taking in the skirt and assembling a simple strapless top. voila! ensemble completed!  it was so fun to sew again.  And tulle is much simpler to work with than I was expecting.  The skirt has three layers: a nude jersey layer, another nude jersey layer with gold flecks and then the black tulle layer.  I was glad it wasn't too full, so I wouldn't look like i was wearing a cupcake.

The wedding was great. I am so happy for Ben and Kristie.  These tykes were my stellar dance partners!  Next up on the sewing agenda is to finish the swim suit I started in march!!!!

Leggings!

I stumbled upon a blog and am so happy I did.  it is Fehr Trade.  Melissa is a sewist and a runner (sew sole sister!!).  She is hosting a challenge right now where you make an article of active wear and walk/run a race in it.  I am running in Bloomsday in Spokane on Sunday, so I attempted a pair of leggings.  I found a tutorial on Etsy as to how to make your own pattern.  I also just received the new book, The Colette guide to Sewing Knits and some new knit fabric that was on sale at fabric.com.  

This was the first time I used my french curve ruler!! Very excited about that... it was a "must have" that has been in packaging for at least a year.  Ther pattern worked out great.  The only adjustment I had to make was to shrink the waist up.  I tend to make things bigger (I don't trust my own measurements?).  

I was having issues with my serger. I re-threaded it about 4 times, adjusted tensions and was about to shove it off the table.  Then I noticed one of the spools, I had put on a cap.  this stupid sucker was the culprit. so upon removal of that, it stitched like a dream!

I am so happy with the fit of these.  The fabric is a bit light, but they are comfortable, not threadbare and have enough stretch/give to move around in them.  I think they would be great for yoga, pilates, maybe sweat would show running/etc.  I will test!

I am also taking the RRCA coaching certification course this week.  it is being held in conjunction with the RRCA annual convention.  I am looking forward to saturday's banquet where Deena Kastor is hosting!!!

So on my race agenda is Bloomsday, Yellowstone half, a 9 mile trail run at 6500--8500 feet, Missoula half, a Ragnar relay and possibly another fall full?  If not a full then another half.  

Now i am going to attempt to make some more capri leggings with some lycra I found in my stash! :)

Wonky blocks and wonky training

I am trying something way out of my comfort level with sewing.  These wonky blocks are a great way to use scraps, but they are so random, I wasn't sure if I could do it.  I cut out my center pieces and then began randomly sewing the "straws" (that is apparently what they call the skinny strips) around the centers and then you square up the block to whatever size you wish.  I decided 6.5" since that is the template I have. 

I am loving these!!  Even though it is random, which I don't normally like, these are fun.  And I am going to do a border around each block that will add some uniform and cohesiveness to the project.  I am glad I stepped outside of my comfort level with these.  Plus it is a great way to use scraps of my favorite fabrics.

Now onto wonky training... I am not currently in training (about ten days until it starts).  I have, however been trying to do cardio and strength at least five days per week.  It has been going well. I also am stepping outside of my comfort zone with offering a group class each week.  Last week only one person showed, but it was a blast!  we did a killer circuit and three days later my lats still feel it!  

I think it is important to try new things, get a bit uncomfortable.  You may discover/unlock some new potential!

A sewing and running challenge? where do i sign?

Check this out!!  On the Coletterie sewing blog today they featured Fehr Trade sewing and this lady looks AMAZING!!!  She is training for the London Marathon and believes everyone should exercise more so she has created a sweat and sew challenge.  How cool is this?!

<p><strong>I’m in taking part in…</strong><br /> <br /> <a href='http://www.fehrtrade.com/article/822/announcing-the-spring-race-challenge'><img src='http://www.fehrtrade.com/images/5798.png' alt='Spring Race Challenge' width='255' height='300' border='0' /></a></p>

Not sure if the link is working... hmmmm... here is the link to her blog if you are interested in more deets:

http://www.fehrtrade.com/article/822/announcing-the-spring-race-challenge?commented=1#c008097

She is a very talented sewist (? i never know the term to use!!) and i am so glad she was featured on the Coletterie blog today!  i am now following her on Twitter and her blog.  I am intrigued to sew my own workout articles...  i have made a hot yoga ensemble, but never something for running.

Anyone else in?

Hawaii Handled!

The in-laws invited all the "kids" to meet in Hawaii (Ko'Olina, Oahu) for a vacation.  We left Montana in the middle of a snow storm, and missed all sorts of horrible weather.  Phew! 

While Montana was having arctic cold temps, and receiving feet of snow, we were having fun frolicking in the ocean, watching sun sets, eating delicious fish, poke, pineapple, enjoying fruity cocktails, admiring phenomenal scenery.  Our friends from Helena, Mike and Erin were also in Oahu, staying about 20 minutes away from our resort.  It was so fun to have them there.  They are surrogate family members.

Adios Bozeman!

 I made these cover ups!

 Fire dancers 

 Dinner at Roy's (i want that painting)

 the server brought this drink over--not what any of us wanted but it was festive!

 Luau Fun!

 can you find waldo?

We went to Pearl Harbor. 

 These trees were so cool!  Dole plantation

 At Sunset Beach north shore watching the surfers

 On the pineapple express at dole!

 North Shore sunset

This was north of Ko'Olina, on west side of island

 lana kai beach--gorgeous!!

 On the H3

 doin cool stuff like drinking out of a coconut...

 Last dinner at Chuck's.

 Fedora Club

 One of the coolest moments for me!

 Hanging with my friends...

 Pier 38 

Old bug/new bug

Nico's--a great restaurant!! 

We saw a lot and did a lot on this trip.  I also only missed one day of working out and ran some of my fastest miles.  We are pretty fortunate that we all get along the way we do, and can embark on these travels.  jaclyn and i created a hashtag for instagram for our trips: #teamrehmerhowardtravels  hopefully there will be more of these! :)