boppy-ish

Sewed a cover for a cheap-o pillow from Jo-Ann's. Crafty, ain't I??

curtains

More from the Ikea trip. I love this fabric because it lets a nice amount of light through. Almost like a printed shear. Kind of busy next to the Amy Butler fabric covered lamp shade. That might be my next project...

tote for toting totables

Ahhh... A little sewing therapy never hurt anybody. Here's the cheerful end product of my bad mood. A GIGANTIC tote for the GIGANTIC binder. And it is huge. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a biggie.

Here's one of the inside with the dreaded binder...
And plenty of room for... Well, damn near anything would fit in this monster!

bag = love

mmmmm.... I'm in love....

With my new bag! I used this pattern with a few modifications. I added an inside pocket and I didn't do the handles with the flattened-out bottom parts. But gosh do I looooooove it!

Exterior fabrics are home dec from Hancock's, so it's a nice stiff bag. I interfaced it too, so I think it'll hold up well. Lining is Alexander Henry from JoAnn's. It's a perfect size for everyday stuff. I actually made the handles a little long too so I can carry it up on my shoulder. I hate bags that you can't get on your shoulder if you're wearing a coat or whatever. It's a little Spring-ish, but I'm going to wear it anyway! Hooray for new bags!

project one...

I am a wizard. Yes, Literally a wizard. Here's my robe to prove it...

I made it from an old flannel sheet, but I didn't think of how wizard-ish it would look until it was all finished. And it's too big (see agreeing sewer Stacy here). So the moral of the story is, I need to make another one. I guess I shouldn't technically cross one 2008 project off. But anyways, lesson learned about big things sewn from starry fabric. Now I just need to find a hat...

In other news... There's a bee in our apartment. Right. A bee. And yes. It is still January. And yes, there's about a foot of snow outside. So where did it come from you may ask? Well, the air conditioner of course. Apparently he has been sleeping in there. He flew out for about 2 minutes today, around the living room just long enough to freak me out, then back inside the air conditioner. I'm not quite sure what to do about it, but maybe we'll have honey soon... Nice.

looking back...

Well, as promised, here's a look at what I did in my first year of sewing...

2007 in review (in no particular order)

• Lemon Curtains
• Reversible Tote Bags
• Fresh Cut Purse
• Library Tote
• Purse (I'm still carrying it)
• Amy Butler Apron
• Amy Butler Apron and Hot Pads (for mom)
• Sophia Bag
• Stockings
• Little Tote
• Baby Blanket and Skirt
• Magazine Holder
• Julie's Bag
• Summer's Bag
  
• "Grandma" Bag

Well, there you go.

And it's really not everything I've made... Just most of the stuff I felt was worth putting up somewhere... So take that Eric! (he thought I would never use the sewing machine he bought me for Christmas last year. Ha!)

looking ahead...

So I have this hunch that 2008 will be filled with a certain type of planning... But I can't get into that too much now, so stay tuned for updates. Sorry for the cryptic message, but here's some planning I can share.

2008 sewing project list...

• Box Bag
• Door Stop
• Hoodie
• Bagsket
• Weekender Bag
• In Stitches Kimono
• Hand-Tied Quilt
• Kitchen Towels
• Puzzle Ball

Now, this is certainly not a complete list, as I am constantly finding new things that look pretty enough to make... But it's enough to get me started. Several of the projects were already in my side-bar, so I'm going to try to re-arrange things a little around here so they make a bit more sense. I'm thinking tomorrow will be a time for reflection... But until then,

Happy New Year!

oh fleece, how I love thee

Aren't these freaking adorable? They're made from the softest fleece ever. And they took about 15 minutes to sew. Seriously. Not having to worry about seams unraveling is so wonderful. Now they just need to get packed into that Christmas bag with the baby-doll and baby bottles (Sophie loves all things baby). Honestly, could that be any cuter? My uterus is aching just a little. Sigh.

But seriously, that's two things crossed off the list. An adorable hat and some Christmas stockings. Nice. Now on to hot pads and an apron...

Martha-ish, right?

Not as nice a background, but hey- it's a rotten apartment wall. I think I need a mantle. They're still cute though. And now you can't say I haven't done any Christmas sewing.

Thanks for the inspiration, Martha.

In other news, there is an ice storm going on in this part of the world today. Yikes. We went out for dinner in Eric's 4-wheel drive truck, and I still held on for dear life the whole time... I forget every year what it's like to have snow and such until the first storm hits and then remember... Winter in Wisconsin. Fantastic.

bring on that christmas spirit...

I'm getting in the holiday mood a little bit... Thinking about gifts to give and what-not. I think I'm going to try to sew a few things if I can get my act together...

I want to make one or two of these adorable stockings pictured here on your left. It's by Martha of course. She always knows best, doesn't she?

I want to make one of these box bags since I'm getting a bit more confident with them-there zippers. And they can hold stuff. Nice.

I want to make an apron and some hot pads. Practical, eh?

I want to make a hippo hat. Or an elf hat. Or a devil hat.

So now's the tough part. Who in the heck am I going to give all this stuff to? I drew the names of two of my 20-some year old BOY cousins this year. I'm not sure how much they need aprons... Or Martha Stewart stockings. Maybe it can all go to my mom? Well, I guess not the hats. Her head's probably a little big. Hmmm... Or maybe I can keep it all for myself. Ha! Now I'm on to something. What to do with all those hats though...

bag saga continues...

OK, I feel a little less crabby about the broken sewing machine today. So I thought I would show a picture of what's done so far with the Sophia Bag. Well, there's more done than this... But the rest isn't as interesting to look at. Well, maybe this isn't that interesting either, but too bad. Look at it anyways! Because it was my first time making (or even using) piping. I think it looks pretty cool, and once it's put together it should look quite professional. I may have to use it more often... The sewing machine is supposed to be fixed sometime this weekend, so hopefully I can finish the bag by Sunday. Eric is going to spend a few days with his family, so I should have time... If the machine really gets fixed. *crosses fingers*

want to see a broken sewing machine?

Me neither. But you're gonna anyways.

There it is. Busted good. The needle will NOT pick up the bobbin thread. Apparently it's on strike. Or lazy. Or wants to see me in tears. Or needs to be re-timed (probably). But whatever the problem is... I'm just a little devastated about it. Because I was making some serious progress on the Sophia Bag. I was actually putting the piping on the outside panels when the disaster happened. I would take pictures, but I'm just too disheartened. Ugh. So I guess my sewing machine will need to go to Jo-Ann's or somewhere to be looked at. Which will probably be a fortune or take FOREVER. Or both. *Sigh*

the bag begins...

I have a feeling the Sophia Bag is going to be a project of drama. I don't know why I have this feeling... But I do.

I bought all the materials (which took me on a scavenger hunt to 3 different fabric stores and on-line) last weekend. But I'm still
waiting for the pattern! It was sent this week, so hopefully it will come in the mail today. But I have a quandary anyways. Polka dots for the inside or the outside? I was going to line it with the polka dots, but the fabric is quite a bit thicker than I thought. So I'm not sure what to do. I just hope that this is a doable project... I think it might be the test to see if I am still a "beginner" sewer, or if I'm moving up the expertise levels. We'll see...

We're off to Darlington this weekend. It's Eric's mom's Thanksgiving and a party for his Grandpa's birthday too. Should be fun. I just always dread the drive... Sigh.

yes, this is another purse

You must be saying to yourself, does she really need another purse?? Well no, but I wanted to try my hand at copying a pattern without instructions. It didn't work out quite how I wanted, but that's OK. I think I may go shopping today to browse for fabrics to do the Amy Butler Sophia Bag... But I've been caught up in a Project Runway marathon all day, so we'll see if I can make it out of the house. Did I mention that new Project Runway episodes start on the 14th? Well, they do. And I'm excited. I loved the show before, but now that I sew a little bit I love it even more. I can appreciate what they are actually doing in the time they have for the challenges.

So if I come back from a fabric expedition later I will definitely share pictures...

sew this, sew that

Do you ever feel like you just need a little organization in your life? Yeah, I had one of those days today. I don't sew as much as I'd like to, for a variety of reasons, but I thought maybe if I could get a little organizing going... So I went to my mecca (Target of course) and they had these peg boards on clearance. Nice. So I drilled a couple holes in the wall, and here's the result. I like having things up where I can see them, but I hate how white it all looks. I want to paint walls!

I did manage to make a couple more pairs of flannel PJ pants. But they're one of the easiest things to sew. I'd like to try something a little more ambitious... Like this. Isn't it cool? I don't know if I have the patience to finish a project like that, but I think I might give it a try.

clown pants?

My latest sewing obsession has been PJ pants. I think this is my 3rd pair. But this is the only pair that makes me look like a clown! They were a bit short, so I thought I'd add a ruffled bottom. Which is cute...

If you're 4! But I'm going to rock them anyways.

Really only Eric will see them, and I'm sure he won't make me buy a trapeze or anything...

I put them up on craftster too, and so far they're getting good reviews, so that is increasing my clown confidence a little...

baggedy-bag-bag-bag

Another bag... This one is from Amy Karol's book. I like the book well enough, but the patterns are meant to be copied and increased in size, which I didn't do. I just kind of eye-balled it and guessed what 129% would look like... Which translated to a rather shallow bag, but probably my fault not the actual pattern's. Anyways, I do like it, I just can't pack loads of stuff into it. I may also add some buttons or other trim to the stripe-y area. We shall see. (and the bottom doesn't actually look that crooked in real life)

My Grandma did pass on Friday. Very sad, but I hope that everyone can find some peace now. I know it was so hard on her and her daughters too. Tough time for everyone though.

sewing day

Ooooh... Look-y here! A new little bag for me! I finally did a teeny bit of patchwork. I was inspired by this, and this, so I finally did my own. I absolutely love the tan outside fabric. I bought two yards of it on sale the other day at Hancock's. I love the way the pink thread looks in contrast to it on the straps and the top stitching. It is so soft too. Yay! I think I'm going to make a wallet to match. I'm also going to make something with this fabric. Maybe a purse lined with it? I was going to do a purse using it as the outside fabric, but I like the heavier feel of the thicker fabrics on the outside. I also added this scrappy little flower made with this tutorial. I'm trying to use up scraps if you can't tell.

Anyways...

I made pulled pork today in the crock-pot. I don't think I've seen Eric as happy about something as he was today eating pulled pork for a long time. He actually did the pulling too, and he was quite proud of himself... But it was quite delicious if I do say so myself.

little this, little that

This is a new little doorstop I made from Lotta Jansdotter's book. It looks kind of wonky, but it's not quite done. I stuffed it with fiber-fil because I have no beans!
I was also trying to sort through my stash of fabrics today. I want to make a bag that has some sort of patchwork, but I'm not quite sure what to do yet. I have piles of fabrics, but for some reason I'm having a hard time picturing any of them put together... So instead they're all mashed up in a pile on the floor! Hopefully that will give me some inspiration?
I did get my Martha pans yesterday. They seem nice, but I'm a little annoyed about one pan. It has some kind of sticky black stuff all over the outside of it. I'll try to scrub it off, but it's a little disappointing... You would think Martha of all people would be a little more fastidious...

I also got my new driver's license today. I'm actually kind of pleased with it, because the picture at least looks like me. My last license was SO terrible I was mortified to show it to anyone. So at least now I can leave the new one picture-side-out in my wallet without breaking out in hives.

just one more skirt...

Sorry. Just one more skirt. It's the last thing I'm sewing before I pack the sewing machine and all the junk that goes with it. I had to finish this before the 25th because Julie and Trevor are bringing their kids to the zoo. (Yay! I *heart* the zoo!) So seriously, no more pictures of skirts. Although this is adorable, no? I kept laughing like the Count on Sesame Street while I was making this. Ha!