Becoming A Warrior Dash Runner

Warrior Dash 5K Run

A few weeks ago some of my family and friends joined me in 

running the Warrior Dash...In of all places Warrior, Alabama!

We were so excited, and nice and clean at the start.....but that didn't last long,

since it is an obstacle course run. Literally mud crawling, fire jumping!

I am always excited when my husband joins me in a race!

With a blast of fire...

we were off

we hurdled over half walls, crawled up muddy banks, climbed up

a mountain, crossed a pond, traveled muddy trenches, crawled under barbed wire

to name a few......

Climbed this structure

Leaped over fire

My sons photo is amazing!

and crawled through more mud and barbed wire

It was so much fun!!!

And perhaps best of all.....

was crossing the finish line with my husband!

We are now fearless warriors and can't wait to run it again!

A Little More About the Ruffled Skirt Sewing

I love my new skirt and have already had so many 

compliment on it!! Today I wanted to share a little more

of my creative and sewing process for this. 

I first started wanting something a little more fitted than just a regular gathered skirt.

So I took waist and hip measurements and then dropped straight down for the skirt.

It worked and fit....however was a little tighter than I wanted in something I might wear all day.

I really want a great fit, but plenty ease of movement.  The first skirt I made I also used 4" 

ruffles, which are pictured...my second skirt and the finished skirt photos feature the 

5" ruffles which I really love the most. It is all personal preference though.

I ended up using a 48" sweep at the bottom, but will go just a little

more on the next one. Probably more like 50"-52". I haven't

quite decided which.

Cut 5" ruffles for both skirt panels.

Mark the panels where you want your ruffles to fall. 

My bottom ruffle is 3" up, then 2" between each ruffle until the top one.

I used 3" between the very top and the second ruffle.

Run a gather stitch on all ruffles. I just gather and adjust each one

individually on the skirt panel and pin in place. 

my ruffles are cut the width of the fabric, but I didn't use all the width. 

Just gather to you taste and liking for the overall look. 

Trim the extra and sew the side seams. I use a 1/4" seam allowance and then serge the 

seam for a finished look. 

You will notice the ruffles are not hemmed though and the will ravel.

I also serge the very top before tuning it under for an elastic casing.

Turn down 1" and sew in place. I then use 3/4" elastic

I would only wash this skirt on cold and hang dry. You will 

probably have to trim some threads after washing depending on

how much ravels. For a more tailored look....of course hem all the ruffles.

This would also be great done in knits with a yoga style waistband. 

If I used anything other than muslin I would most likely hem the ruffles

to have a more finished tailored look.

But I think the muslin gives a fun messy, and even 

anthropology inspired look. 

Happy Sewing :)

Ruffled Skirt

I have a new favorite skirt for fall! 

My ruffled skirt is made of two colors of muslin

with all the edges left unhemmed to a little but messy 

look. The slight A-line is perfect, and it looks great with boots. 

I found my inspiration on pinterest and then 

had to make one. 

My ruffles are 5" and I used 6 of them. I had to play around

with my overall skirt design to find a fit that I liked. after a couple tries

I found success and am very pleased with the overall look of this

fun skirt.

Happy Crafting!

A little knitting

We have been so busy there has been no progress on the camper in a few day. 

It will mostly be a weekend project in good weather until we get lights 

back inside. 

I haven't had any sewing time lately either. 

But this lovely swirl sweater was finally finished 

blocked and sewn together. 

Now I just need the weather to cool off a little

more so I can wear it.

The pattern is from the the Knit Swirl Book.

It is such a fun project to work on. 

I had a little trouble at first and had to start over a couple times.

But in the end it was worth it to figure it all out. 

(joining your circle and not having it twisted is a HUGE challenge)

This great lace scarf is blocking and should be ready to wear soon. 

Vintage Camper Project

My husband and I have a new project

just for the two of us!

 It doesn't look like much now, but when we
are finished it will be the cutest little
vintage camper ever.
It is a 12' 1960's model

 The guy we bought it from had been using it for a hunting shack.

 We will be gutting everything!

 The plan is to put a full size bed back in and a table for two.
We plan to use the original fixtures and stove if they still work.

 So far we have gutted about half the camper.

The door is beyond repair so Jeff has made new door.

So far it is looking good.

We have totally fallen in love with old vintage campers that people have gone
in and restored and can't wait to have ours finished and start taking it out.
Our kids are almost grown so we are looking to enjoy some travel someday!

Quilt Jacket

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity

to give new life to an old quilt someone

bought. The finished projecct is absolutely

adorable. I especially love the added doilies

on the pockets and as an added collar.

 

 

I am always a little afraid to actually "cut" into

the old quilt. I want to cut is perfect and have the

finished jacket match up beautifully.

 



Becoming a Color Runner

On Labor Day my family and I had the most fun ever ......

as we became Color Runners with some great friends!

The Color Run is said to be the Happiest 5K on the planet!

We ran in Birmingham Al, at the Barber Motorsports Parkway.

We started the 5K pristine and clean....although drenched to the bone
in torrential rains that just wouldn't stop.

We finished looking like a rainbow threw up on us!

We were there extra early and it paid off as we lined up and were in the
first wave of runners to start.....not

only that, we were 10ft from the starting line!

(at the 2K mark we had been covered in red and blue)

The motorsport track is 5K and full of more hills than I usally run.
I was able to run the whole thing though with a 30 min time.

Unfortunately, my husband and son both have terrible chest colds.

At the last minute after getting soaked
they both decided not to run.
Their support of my running madness is so wonderful though!

After we finished we stopped to eat lunch and noticed

that it had stopped raining.......

 

so the girls and I had a little color celebration of our own

on the lawn where we ate.

Good thing the rain will wash it all away quickly :)

 

 

Most definitely a day to remember, and we

can't wait to do this again!

What will I do next????
I am so glad you asked.......
Next month we are running the extreme, mud crawling, fire leaping
(yes I mean all of that literally)
5K Warrior Dash in Warrior Alabama.
 What a great place to run a Warrior Dash.