More added pockets for practicality

This blue wool tweed cap sleeves jacket was made a few years back. I love the fabric and the cardigan shape:

After adding pockets, a closure and some waist shaping, it becomes much more wearable:

It's great for travelling and stylish too!

Cancer post - what is my new role?

I'm continuing to go to Boston for the cancer trial drug first week of Dec. The last cycle in Nov resulted in a 'no change' situation - there were no increase in number or size of cancer tumours but also no reduction in number or size either.  It could be taken as an encouraging sign that things are not worse. Or it could be interpreted that the trial drug had stopped working.

The Boston trial only eliminates a participant if the cancer has progressed 2 months in a row - if the cancer tumours have grown in number or sizes. So that seems a while to wait for someone who's not sick enough to lie in bed all day, nor well enough to be able to even change a bedsheet by herself without having a breathing issue.

My mind is coherent enough to be super bored right now but my body is not well enough to resume 95% of what I used to do before my cancer diagnosis. It's a really frustrating place to be for a person who used to be very busy and like being useful. I don't know what my new role should be. I also cannot count on myself each day to be consistent - same energy/health level to deal with the kids or housework. Some days when the kids come home from school, I had the energy to deal with them. Some days I dread the sound of them coming home. How is this inconsistency good for the children? I also don't want them to have a heavy emotional reliant on me in case the cancer takes a turn for the worse quickly and unexpectedly.

I just want to be the old mom again. I can't right now. I don't know what my role is right now. I don't know what to do.............

New Fashion Jewelry - beaded tassel necklace

I love making crafts - Jewelry making, sewing, paper crafts, home decorating, etc. Lately I have been clearing up my jewelry making supplies and decided to make some new fashion jewelry. This was what was created:

I think this will look good with a nice sweater or sweater dress!

Refashioned: Plaid wool woven dress to tunic

I entered this plaid wool mix dress late last year into the PatternReview.com contest. I had only worn it once at a school Christmas concert. So I thought it would be more useful as a tunic top. I simply just cut it midriff and I had already worn it twice. Not bad for something that I made a year ago!

Before:

After:

Adding a closure to the Purple Reversible Faux Fur vest

I have been feeling well and not well depending on the day. So when I do feel good on a day I would like to take the opportunity to do something I enjoy: jewelry making, sewing, refashioning, etc.

Since I have to go to Boston now on a monthly basis, I wanted to make the clothes that I currently own more practical. This purple reversible faux fur vest was made late last year. It was warm and cozy except it required a closure. So some quick remnant denim and 2 buttons made the vest warmer and practical:

Before:

After:

Now it's even warmer and cozier to wear!