Well, Happy Summer if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. And Happy I-hope-Winter-won’t-last-too-long to the rest of you. I can’t believe we’ve already had the longest day of the year for 2015. Time is flying. As always. {Sigh.}
It’s been pretty busy around here. Nothing exciting — just the usual. I’m still weeding — I can’t seem to have all the beds weed-free at the same time. At the rate we’re going, it’s going to take until fall for me to get all the beds weeded. I’m blaming the rain. But it’s sure making things green and pretty, so I’m not complaining.
I also squeezed in a little sewing over the weekend. I’ve had this little shirt cut out since last summer and I finally managed to get it sewn together.
The fabric is a Nani Iro double gauze and I LOVE it! It has a wonderful drape and the double layers give it some body without making it a heavy fabric. I’ll definitely be using double gauze again for clothing.
I used a reeeeeeeally old pattern and changed it a little. I’m not sure how it said to finish off the sleeves, but one of my favorite ways is to just bind them like you would bind a quilt. 3/4 length is my favorite. And, even though I added a little to the length when I cut it out, I didn’t think it was long enough, so I added a bias band around the hemline. It was an experiment and I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
So, Yay! I have a new top. Which will definitely cheer me up this week, ’cause I’ve been grumpy. We’re moving into little call-center-style cubicles at work and they’re awful. Really awful. No privacy at all. Stupid short walls and you can hear everything. Today was my first half-day in my cube and I could hear the guy an aisle-and-a-half away munching on carrots. It’s ok though, I’m just waiting for my turn to annoy people. See this guy?
It’s a Flying Monkey. He screams as he flies through the air. The next time the goofballs at the other end of the room decide to have a gabfest, I’m going to launch him. I feel it’s my duty to contribute to the mayhem. I’d like to think it might help the powers that be know what a stupid plan this is — but it won’t (they’re oblivious), so maybe we can laugh a little about it. I’m armed and I’m not afraid to fire!
Have a great week — we should have a pool and guess how long I can hold out before I let the monkey fly LOL!
XOXO,
Anna
So crazy the way business/offices think everyone wants to work in a zoo. Yea, suppose to be more collaborative but I can tell you when we did it with IT team only a hand ful of the college grad set liked to work like that. Let that monkey fly…but I hope no name one it!
That’s one hilarious monkey! The philosophy about office ‘gardens’ as they call them here, is one I still don’t get. I’m glad I have been self employed for the last 20 years or so and didn’t have to cope with all the office nonsense. Most people have flex places nowadays, so you don’t even know if you can work in the same place when you come to work the next day. You have a chair and a desk (or even only a small table) and the rest is ‘flexible’.
Good luck on the weeding!
I love your new top! I also love the idea of the flying monkey …… I need to get one to throw at people in coffee shops/restaurants who talk very loudly, although their companion is only sitting 18″ away!! I don’t want to hear their conversation …… and I would also need one for people who talk very loudly on their mobile phones. And, and, …… I definitely need one to throw at the television when anyone from the Scottish Government/SNP appears!!!!!
oh I love the shirt……….well done.so pretty………….
I don’t mind the winter but OMG so sick of the short days thank goodness that is over………….gain 2 mins by the end of the week in my daylight time………woohoo………..
The blouse is beautiful, Anna. I think you might make it to Friday before you let that monkey fly! :oD
At work, we’re moving into new quarters in August where no one will have an assigned space. You keep your things in a locker and sit where you want each day. No files either, every document is supposed to be electronic – we’ll see how that works out!
You’re too funny! I say let if fly early and often, lol!
Your top is absolutely the cutest! Looks summery and sweet – like you
I keep telling myself I need to find a really easy shirt pattern to make and I don’t – I am never satisfied with clothing that I make and end up not wearing them if I do finish one.
Cute top! I’ve been thinking about venturing back into sewing some clothes. Do you have an overlock machine? (If so, do you recommend the one you use?) That’s the only thing holding me back ~ finishing seam edges.
That monkey is hilarious. Would love to be a fly on the wall when you lose it. ;-)
What a great blouse! You are so creative no matter what you do. I’ve about given up on the weeds, they are winning the war and it’s either raining or too hot and humid. I’m not sure you’ll get through the day with the monkey. When we had those cubes I called it my cell and whoever was directly next to me my cell mate. I also used to shoot a rubber band up in the air across the room to see who would mutter “what the??” So good luck in your new environment. Try whistling – or singing!
That is so funny… How I would love to be there when that monkey goes flying! Your top is really pretty!
Great shirt. It turned out beautiful. My guess in the pool is 2 hours.???????? good luck at work. Cory.
you little seamstress you!!!
okay so, i can’t tell you how i know this, but nerf guns are a must in a cubicle situation.
:waves madly
.b
ha ha ha!!! being the dooty-full employee that you are, maybe you should wear a flying monkey t-shirt as a disclaimer before you let the little guy fly…
and you do make the prettiest blouses/shirts/tops!!! quite lovely!
Cute blouse. Is there no end to your talents??? Sorry about work. Makes you wonder how bosses ever got to be bosses sometimes doesn’t it? I bet they all have a nice private office. I say RETIRE and craft/sew/knit. Wouldn’t that be great?
What a beautiful shirt!! You’re soo funny with your screaming monkey. I hope you tell us what happens with him in the next exciting episode.
The new top is really pretty! I guess I’ve never seen or sewed double gauze. Sounds nice. Is it similar to cotton voile? I like the sleeve and bottom finishes you did. I bought some cotton voile that I just LOVE, but am having a hard time decided what to do — a wrap-style skirt or a top or a dress? I just can’t cut into it yet.
You’re funny with your monkey escapades!
Happy Summer to you! I love your funny monkey! That’s too funny. I am envious of your sewing abilities! The blouse is beautiful.
I’m loving the shirt and the monkey. Every office needs a flying monkey methinks!
The blouse is beautiful. I would have had a hard time cutting into that fabric, it is so pretty. You are going to get lots of compliments! (I keep forgetting to confirm that I am NOT a spammer :) Ooo, I just did it twice in a row. It must be the heat, maybe I need another iced coffee.
I just love the blouse!!! I can quilt, but garment sewing seems so much more difficult. I agree about the office noise. The gals in my office would start talking and get louder and louder. It drove me crazy since they were talking about anything but work. Retirement fixed that!
ok…so let’s let Colette concentrate on knitting for her mama and NOW we can have a lesson on garment sewing!!! not nearly as portable as knitting, but ill bring you a coffee and let pretend to be at a coffee shop!! beautiful shirt anna….have you thrown the monkey yet?
I love your new shirt…I bought some Nano Iro when I was in Japan…not sure what I want to do with it – make that I know what I want to do with it…,just not sure I have the skills..
We really must meet when you are in my neighbourhood….hopefully it is not when I am away in the Netherlands….
OH WOW!!! Where do I start?!!
You are SO talented Anna (and way too humble!) – this shirt is SO BEAUTIFUL – and what a pretty fabric – the only thing missing is a picture of YOU wearing it (like I said, to humble!) ;)
And you’re not just a talented seamstress… but a VERY FUNNY GIRL TOO!! LOL I’ve been laughing out loud – your monkey is hilarious! I bet it has already taken of, right? Munching carrots, LOL!!!! :D
I hope you take your frustration out on your weeds instead of your colleagues… but if it has to be your colleagues choose wisely LOL :D
xoxo
Berglind
Oh, to be a fly on the wall when the monkey is launched! I would love to see the reaction. The blouse is gorgeous. I did not even know there was such an animal as double gauze. I haven’t sewn clothing in so many years I am totally out of touch with that side of the fabric business. And yeah, you should see the weeds here. We have coco grass that is a crop unto itself.
Cute top! What a bummer about your cubicle. My husband and I worked at the same company before we had kids, and we had 9’x9’x9′ offices – every one of us. You know, so everyone would be equally invested. A couple of years after I quit, they decided not everyone needed offices so they put everyone in nice big cubicles with tall walls. Then short walls. Now there are two people per short-wall cubicle; and who cares about all the money they’ve spent, showing everyone they’re not really that important!?!
Oh, I just LOVE the top you made!! I’m laughing at your Flying Monkey, he is just adorable and I’m envisioning him flying through the air and I’d love to be a fly on the wall to watch it all ;)
how about wearing ear buds? put some music on and block out the world. my husband complains about the same thing. he says he has to go find a conference room anytime he needs to concentrate or have a discussion with others. he hates it. ;p