Go Outside!

Today was such a gorgeous day outside that we had to go for a little drive, and then (after the sad Spurs game) a hike.

Here’s Paul on the trail. Of course I picked the super easy one since I have basically been hibernating all winter, and I was panting nonetheless. It’s the elevation….yes…. I’m still adjusting after nine months, that’s it.  Everything is still all dead around here, but in a few weeks hopefully it will turn spring-like. Of course, they are predicting snow later this week, but I’ll take my 68 degree days when they come.

I wore one of the shirts I made a few months ago that I’ve yet to show off, another Built By Wendy 3964 (first version, which I loooove and wear all of the time, is here). See how I am standing outside in this picture? Very exciting. Anyway, I think i could make a hundred of these shirts and still want to make more. I wear them over long sleeves or under a sweater in the winter, and they are nice and breezy for summer without leaving my arms feeling totally bare (plus they don’t creep up like t-shirts, thank goodness). The pattern is kind of difficult but it gets easier every time, and if you do simple things like leave off the bias-cut ties (and put a seam at the neckline with a button/loop closure instead) you can save yourself some yardage. It’s also a great use for the fabrics that I only have a yard of (just about all of them), when I can find two that go together. These two are from Reprodepot– Alexander Henry’s Chickadee and Moda dots.

I also had a  baking urge this morning– I’ll share the results later this week. Hope it’s lovely where you are.

Sunday Sewing

I made it back from New York, and I think I’ve recovered from jet lag. I had a good time, but honestly, I was quite ready to leave.  Something about the sheer  number of people and rushing and dirt and smells made me a little bit insane (which is what happened when I realized it was time to move out last year).  It was good to get away though- I had feared that visiting would make me miss it and re-open wonders of whether leaving was a good decision, but actually it made me feel much better about where I’m at. I’m so happy to live somewhere quieter and slower now, even if it’s not always ideal (ahem, it snowed this morning). Hopefully I’ll post a few photos of some of my NYC field trips this week, but right now I am excited to show off my new shirt/tunic thingy.

I have had the sewing urge for a while now, and I wanted to make something before I dive into a big non-sewing project. I found this fabric in my stash (which I significantly reduced this weekend!) and made up a shirt with Built By Wendy 3835. Things I did differently were: made the sleeves longer with no elastic, lengthened the hem by about 4 inches with a slight flare and added the darts from the dress version of the pattern. The darts make it a tiny bit tricky to get on, but they’re worth adding because otherwise the shirt can be kind of shapeless (as I learned with the first one).  This pattern really is SO simple and quick.  I cut the pattern during the Spurs-Suns playoff game yesterday (did anyone see it? It was intense!) and sewed it up in two half-hour ish sessions last night and this morning. I would definitely make this version again… I’m getting to the point where I have enough sewn tops in my wardrobe that I could wear them all week if I wanted to. Which I do. Yay.

For more Built By Wendy inspiration, check out the flickr pool.

New Purse

I have been looking for a new purse for a long time. Since I’m not leaving the house all that much, I don’t need the gigantic one I had whenI lived in NYC (you know, with an umbrella, kleenex, spare book, water bottle,  anything I might need in the span of a day). I’m really picky and there aren’t a lot of cheap local choices, so I have been relying on a clutch I bought at Renegade last summer. But, since I don’t want to accidentally leave it anywhere, either here or there, I got to it and made myself a new little purse. Just big enough for the essentials plus a camera, and it sits right on my shoulder without getting in the way.

I’m happy with my fabric choice but wish I had used interfacing, and that I’d spent the extra buck on a zipper that matched my bias tape. But, I did succeed using stash-only supplies. Both of the fabrics are from Reprodepot- the inside (Heather Ross) I found at Renegade last summer, and the outside is left over from a project that you’ll see in a magazine in the hopefully not too distant future.

Check out the left corner, where I inserted some little plastic rings that are actually for crocheting in place of d-rings. I like how they turned out. I’m happy to have this in time for my NYC adventures. Can you guess how excited I am to get going? Here’s a hint (taken this morning):

Yeah.

Busy Busy

I have been working nonstop (or so it feels) because I am trying to get a lot of things done before A) Paul’s parents get here for his show tomorrow and B) I go to NY (three days after they leave). Phew. The idea is to do everything now so I can do absolutely no work while I am there. What a concept!

I did do a little fun sewing this weekend on the who-knows-what-its-for quilt. I outlined all of the rectangles with this tan/khaki cotton. I was going to use some linen-like fabric I had but I didn’t like the way it felt so I used cotton instead. It still needs sashing around the borders, but that may require an extra bit of fabric. I think I would like to freeform quilt this one, and am actually looking forward to the quilting part, because it’s so meditative to just sew. I’ve been doing a lot of crocheting “for work” lately and I miss my sewing.

 I’m getting excited about my trip to New York. On the list:
-Crochet Coral Reef
-Visit to Brooklyn Flea
-Purl Patchwork plus other Soho shopping
-Birthday Bar night (plans forthcoming)
-lots of eating

 And boy am I looking forward to the eating!  Plus maybe the weather will be nice and if not, at least not snowing. I must admit I am getting so sick of the snow here.

Starting Something

It’s snowing outside. A lot. GAH. Can’t a girl catch a break? I don’t actually need to go anywhere, but I thougtht maybe I’d go to the coffeeshop and type instead of sitting at home. Oh well.

I started a little quilt this weekend. I’m not sure who it’s for or how big it will be (although I think it will only consist of the 9 rectangles I made already) but I am liking it. I keep looking at it wistfully because I want to work on it, but I have other things to do. It’s fun to play around with fabrics with no real goal in mind.

 

In other exciting news, I bought myself a ticket to NYC for mid april. I can’t wait to eat, shop and walk my way through the city again. I’ve really been missing it lately, and it’ll be fun to spend another birthday there. Plus I will get to see this.

Oh, and I added a bunch of earrings to my etsy shop. The photos are a little gray, I’m afraid, but trust me- they are vibrant and pretty in real life. Damn snow.

Easter Egg Placemat

 

What is it?

 

Well, you probably already read the title. It’s an Easter Egg Placemat. Don’t worry- that’s a tiny plate, not a gigantor egg.  I made this last week in Bernina club, did some seam ripping last night (piping is hard!) and finished the decorative stitches today. I bought the kit for the class- so, no, this is not my usual color scheme, but I wanted to fit in. I did change it up a bit by sewing all of the stripes together, cutting the piece in half, and lining up the pieces perpendicularly when piecing the top.

All in all, making it was good fun. I’ve been feeling pretty lonely working from home lately. Plus I’ve barely had time to make anything for the sake of making it. Sewing straight lines up and down this mat was downright enjoyable!

I love Easter and I kind of miss celebrating it. My birthday always fell around Easter when I was a kid, and I’m sure that had something to do with it being one of my favorite holidays. Plus holidays are acceptable times to be crafty. Hopefully I’ll at least get around to some egg dyeing, even if I have to eat all of the eggs myself.

Bead Simple is almost here!

I have been getting a lot of mail lately, but was especially excited to receive my contributor copies of Bead Simple yesterday. Susan has been working on this book for quite a while, and it came out so great! What I love about it is that each design is shown in 3 different renditions– each with different beads and findings, which can help you visualize a project that’s just your style. It also makes it easy to think about YOUR supplies and not necessarily having to buy the exact items used in the projects, which makes it a winner in my book! Plus it is lots of fun to see what all of the guest designers made. There’s also an extensive techniques section with illustrations and clearly written instructions, so even if you’re a beginner, you can follow along.

Here’s my filigree necklace on page 97. I wanted to do something totally different but still use the same basic technique (tiers, in this case).  At the time I didn’t think this was a necklace that I would personally wear (too fancy), but now that I have it back it’s actually quite nice with a slightly-dressy top. I could use a little more glamour in my life. I’ve been bored in general with my jewelry lately, so hopefully this book will isnpire me to craft some new pieces. The book will officially be released on March 25th, but you can pre-order on Amazon if you like.

I also got a copy of this new book from Chronicle: The Pillow Book by Shannon Okey. It’s a lovely book chock full of your pillow basics, but then there are also some really fun and useful projects like pet beds, ottomans, and seat covers, too. It’s definitely a good choice if you’re trying to do some redecorating or re-energize your couch. And the best part, which seems to be included with all of the new Chronicle books, is that the patterns are all included at full size in a separate envelope on the front of the book.

 

Paul and his friends have a running joke that the difference between the apartments of men and women is the amount of pillows on their couches. I hate to admit it, but it’s true! Of course, my couch is currently covered in projects. Some day, pillow book. Some day!

The Drawstring Beret

Ever since I saw this hat in Eugenia Kim’s book, Saturday Night Hat, I had a strange fascination with wanting to make it. I thought it was kind of silly, so I made this one instead. But this weekend I came back to the book, and it still called to me. You see, last week it was so sunny and bright that I actually left the house and went on walks, and did not have to pseudo ice skate across slick sidewalks everywhere. So I thought I needed a little transitiony hat. Of course today it is snowing like crazy…but this weekend- ooh, the plans were in action.  

This hat works up really simply, and you only need half a yard of fabric to make it. I used an old sundress that if I’m honest with myself, I’m not going to be fitting into any time soon. I love the fabric though, hence the recycling.

Although the book has really well illustrated instructions, I found them confusing with both this hat and the previous one. The construction is not hard at all, and I don’t know if I just think differently or what, but after I got past the cutting step, I just winged it.

In trying this hat on in the myriad of suggested ways, I found the best use so far: bandana substitute. I can loosen the drawstring, pull it down to my neck, get all of my hair in the hat on the way back up, and tie it shut. This way my hair stays out of my face during my looking-down tasks– which means I won’t have to wipe my hair back with a clay soaked hand anymore. Therefore I can skip getting on the bus with what looks like mud all over the side of my head. Spattered pants are acceptable, I think, but mysterious substance on glasses frames and cheek= not so much. I’m going to test it out this week.

Till then, I’ll just wear it around the house and pretend I am a cupcake or something. I could see myself making more of these.

Fits and Starts

Not much posting lately. I’ve been making stuff- just not necessarily stuff I can/feel like showing yet. I did finish the lining on my sewing bag, though.

It has a pocket for scissors, a pen, and whatever else. I took it to Bernina Club last week, where I made this heart potholder.

It was a good first time use of my walking foot (love!!) and a bias-tape refresher. I was by far the youngest person there, but I love being in a room full of people who love to sew.  Plus, I always pick up new tricks at classes. I just love how much time I have to actually take classes here. Plus, I get to take these classes for free for a year as it was included in the cost of the machine. Yay.

I actually have even more free time as of last week since my temporary job has ended. I have other projects to focus on, so it’s probably a good thing, but I do feel sad not having a reason to leave the house every morning. 

It is finally warming up around here (35! Break out the t-shirts!) and I can’t wait to get out and do some more walking. All told, his winter has been so, so, so much less hard than I thought it would be. It is lovely to be here with Paul, and the snow is completely beautiful, the sun shines, and it’s dry. I’m telling you, that makes a huge difference in actual cold-feel and the numbers on the thermometer don’t always tell the full story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cold! But overall it doesn’t feel as brutal as a New York winter. There are other things I miss, but not the depressing bleak dark-at-4:30 days.

Sewing Machine Bag

I wrestled with this beast last for all of last week +weekend and haven’t touched it since.

Looks impressive and finished from the outside, but I know that it doesn’t have a lining yet.  I made it from some $3 sale fabric at Joann and some gorgeous Kaffe Fasset striped fabric I got at ReproDepot last year. (Rest assured I’m blogging there because I was already ordering all of the fabric anyway!)

I lined it with a layer of quilt batting + a layer of Peltex. Add that to the surgical tubing leftovers I used from this project and the pocket layer, and you’ve got a lot of layers to sew through. I think I need to reinforce the bottom yet again, it was so tough to actually sew it on, through all the layers, while encasing the tubing ends and going for a straight line. I made the straps(fabric covered twill) so they could go over my shoulder, which was wishful thinking on my part.  Can you tell I have a touch of ”But I made it myself so I don’t know if it’s sturdy” paranoia? It comes from the love and protective instinct towards my new machine.

All in all, it has been a crazy challenge…and might just end up as luggage. But I am pleased that I attempted it, because I always learn something with every project. I have some big work things coming up, so I’m not sure when I’ll get to the lining… although it’d be nice to finish it for my sewing class next week so I could take it on a test drive.

***By the way, today is the last day to enter my 100th post giveaway. Don’t be shy- anyone can win. And thanks for all of the great comments so far, you all are really too sweet!