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Monday Miscellany

2011-09-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Awesome or just odd?

If you are intrigued you can find the recipe for dill macarons with chocolate hazelnut buttercream via the modcloth blog. If you try them let me know!

In the meantime I'm sticking with the basics

Homemade apple pie. Yum.

Heirloom

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

I come from a long line of crafty women and these beautiful garments were knitted by my grandmother. Sadly, she passed away when I was only three so I don't have a lot of memories of her but I have learned that knitting was a passion of hers. My aunt had been holding on to these baby clothes but I convinced her let me have them to frame.

This is not the best photo but if you look closely you can see how delicate the stitches are. I particularly love that she used a feather and fan pattern on the sweater, a favorite of mine (Check out the feather and fan scarf I made for June here). I'm sorry I never had the chance to learn from her but I'm glad that I have a few pieces of her work to inspire me.

Knitting in Progress

2011-08-31T08:15:00.000-04:00

I'm having a lot of fun knitting up this sweater for a movie lover. If you are a Big Lebowski fan it might look familiar.

The pattern is fittingly called "The Dude" and is available for free on Ravelry. It's a challenging knit with lots of colorwork but I'm so happy with how it looks so far. It's such an iconic sweater that I've even had a couple of folks recognize it even though I'm only halfway finished with the back.

Matinee Idol

2011-08-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

In case you can't tell right away, it's an homage to one of my favorite actors. I was looking for a quick project to use up some stash yarn and I came across this great chart based on this photo of Heath Ledger.

It knit up quickly and I added a few rows of garter stitch around the edge and knit a simple stockinette back for the pillow. I sewed a muslin pillow form for the inside to avoid any stuffing leaks.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to watch “10 Things I Hate About You.”

Good News, Bad News

2011-08-24T07:00:00.002-04:00

The good news is it was easy to sew and it has pockets. The bad news is that it looks like grandma's housedress. I think the problem might be the fabric. I made this muslin for Simplicity 2004 in more of that thrift store cotton I got on the cheap. It went together easily but all I can see is grandma's housedress.

The pattern envelope shows the dress with a belt and that does help a bit.

I'm thinking it might look sharp in a navy/white striped seersucker (see swatch pinned to the yoke) but I'm still on the fence. Do I go ahead and cut in to the good fabric or hold off for a better pattern? Comments are welcomed.

Monday Miscellany

2011-08-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

These beautiful sun print projects caught my eye recently.

Sun prints on fabric via the garden design blog

And on yarn via the craft blog

I picked up a sun print kit at a yard sale this summer. I might have to give it a try before the summer is over.

Happy Monday!

Loving lace

2011-08-19T07:00:00.006-04:00

I'm a bit late in posting this but I wanted to share this shawl I made. It was a gift for my husband's grandmother on the occaison of her 90th birthday. I used a lovely sock weight hand dyed Malabrigo yarn I picked up on a road trip to Vermont. The yarn is beautiful and soft and this project used less than one skein. I am very happy to report that my local yarn shop has recently begun stocking this yarn so I look forward to using it in future projects.

The pattern is called In the Land of Oz and is available for purchase from Bellybuttonknits Designs. The pattern really shows off the colors in the yarn and it’s a relatively quick knit. I would definitely make it again.

Project notes can be found on my Ravelry page.

I Love the Internet

2011-08-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

You might remember I was struggling a bit with this simple pattern (Simplicity 1969). In a fit of desparation I googled the pattern number and happened upon the lovely and talented Beth from the Rusty Bobbin blog who wrote that she had recently purchased the same pattern. I described my problem and she generously explained what I was doing wrong (as I suspected, it was a case of user error). She was so helpful and sweet she even went so far as to offer to make up the pattern and photograph the steps for me (fortunately, her explanation was very clear and no photos were necessary).

I now have a completed muslin (minus topsticthing and finished hems) that actually fits and I'm looking forward to sewing up a new top. I've added a link to the Rusty Bobbin blog in my blogroll. If you are interested in garment sewing, I highly recommend keeping up with her blog. Did I mention she knits too?!

Monday Miscellany

2011-08-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share a picture of the treasures I picked up at SOWA with June last week. I scored a Vera Neumann scarf & pillowcase and a yard of elephant ribbon. I don't know what the pillowcase will be just yet but I couldn't resist.

It seems a bit early to be thinking about Christmas but the folks at Craft Hope have posted a new project making Christmas stockings for families who were impacted by the tornadoes in Alabama. I have friends in Alabama (who thankfully survived the tornadoes without suffering any damage) and have some experience making Christmas stockings so I might have to make some time to participate.

In non-crafting news, I've recently discovered and become obsessed with Drew Carey's Improv-a-ganza on the game show network. I find Jeff Davis hilarious. Check out one of my favorite clips below

Happy Monday!

Pixie hat

2011-08-12T07:00:00.008-04:00

I made this pixie hat for a friend's new baby. It knit up quickly in an evening and I like that it's easy to personalize with stripes that can be customized to match dad's (or mom's) alma mater or favorite sports team.

The pattern was free on Ravelry and is a great stash buster as it uses only a bit of yarn. More details can be found my ravelry page.

Simplicity?

2011-08-10T07:00:00.003-04:00

Still on a high from my last garment sewing success I picked up this Simplicity pattern for $1.50 thinking it would be a quick and easy project. Apparently, I still have much to learn about apparel sewing.

There are 4 pattern pieces and 13 (an omen?) steps. Steps 1-6, a breeze. Steps 7&8 might as well be written in ancient Greek and the diagrams look nothing like the fabric pieces on my table. Thankfully I made a muslin first. I sewed and unsewed it about 10 times before admitting defeat. I feel like I must be missing something so obvious if I put it aside and come back to it later it will somehow all make sense. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Monday Miscellany

2011-08-08T12:00:00.025-04:00

I spent a fun rainy Sunday with June shopping and catching up on Project Runway. It's still too early for me to choose a favorite (I can barely remember everyone's name at this point) but a couple of my favorite past contestants have some interesting new projects.

Season one winner Jay McCarroll is designing a fabric line for Free Spirit. I particularly love this paint splatter print in plum from his Habitat Collection. You can check out all his designs here.

And quirky nerd girl Diana Eng from Season 2 recently launched a beautiful line of laser cut t-shirts. I love the combination of intricate details with such simple materials. Click here for more info.

In other news, I ran across this amazing birthday party via the Making in Lovely blog. Is it wrong that I would like someone to thow this party for me on my next birthday? For the record, I'm just a little older than 7.

Head over the the Pure Joy Events blog for more photos and details. Seriously, could this cake be more awesome?! It's even got a Max look alike. I'm smitten.

Summer Sewing

2011-07-07T20:57:00.002-04:00

I finally sewed something that I would actually wear in public! I made this skirt using Anna Maria Horner's Flirting the Issue skirt pattern which you can find here for free.

I am still new to apparel sewing and hesitant to cut into good fabric so I opted for this floral print quilter's cotton. I picked up an entire bolt of it at the thrift store for $6 so there was plenty of room for error. The pattern calls for a lightweight cotton fabric, like a lawn or voile, but the quilter's cotton worked well enough. The pattern is fairly simple and basically requires the ability to measure your waistline, cut a rectangle based on that measurement and sew a few straight lines. It was a bit of a challenge threading the several rows of elastic through the casings (a beer helped) but overall it's a good project for beginning apparel sewists. I don't have a serger and I didn't want to spend the time on complicated seam finishes for this project so I just used a simple pinked seam. I'll see how it holds up after a few washings and decide if I want to to attempt a different technique on future projects.

The print would not have been my first choice but it's growing on me and paired with a tie front blouse, cardigan and my favorite bow necklace, I feel a bit like I'm channeling style icon Emma Pillsbury.

New Sweater

2011-03-07T18:40:00.006-05:00

The knitting spree continues and I recently finished this cabled cardigan. It was a free pattern from Lion Brand and more information is available on Ravelry. It was a good challenge and I'm feeling much more confident with cables now. Of course, not confident enough to show you an extreme close-up of the many mistakes that you'll find if you look closely at this sweater.

Overall I like the cardigan, particularly the dramatic collar and the waist shaping. But I'm not sure I'm sold on the sleeves. I only have one coat that can accomodate them and if I were to make it again would probably attempt to modify the sleeves a bit.

The knitting continues but I'm starting to think about spring and there may be some sewing on the horizon. Stay tuned!

O Christmas Tree

2010-12-20T12:00:00.008-05:00

My husband and I have a tradition of adding a personalized ornament to our tree every year. We take turns each year selecting our ornament and try to do something unique. Last year my husband added a lovely hand painted ornament featuring our cats Sophie & Max. This year it's my turn and I was inspired by this lovely print from Spanish artist Blanca Gomez to make our ornament.

I cut the basic shapes from inexpensive craft felt and attached them to a sheet of white felt using wonder under. I added detail using embroidery floss and then to add heft I fused it together with a piece of heavyweight interfacing and backed it with a second sheet of white felt. I cut around the figures and finished the edge with a blanket stitch.

I think this technique would also make great gift tags, sadly there are just not enough hours in the day. Maybe next year...

My Sweater is Famous

2010-11-22T16:26:00.005-05:00

My sweater was featured on the Craft blog today!

My friend asked if I would knit him a sweater and mentioned that it would be great if it had zombies on it. I searched high and low for a pattern but couldn't find anything that I liked. Always up for a challenge I decided to try my hand at designing one myself.

I found this amazing site which allows you print knitters graph paper which you can use to design your own intarsia charts. Originally I had a different design in mind but I would have had to use a much smaller gauge to accommodate the complexity and I would have been knitting this sweater for the next 3 years. I think the 8 bit zombie was a good compromise and my friend seems to like it too. More details on the pattern are available on my Ravelry page.

I really enjoyed the process of designing the chart and seeing it come together into a finished garment. I think there may be more intarsia in my future.

Oscar Sweater

2010-10-26T22:47:00.007-04:00

When I came across this adorable pattern I knew it time to make my first attempst at intarsia. Although the pattern is called "willie" it instantly reminded me of my friend Sara's canine BFF Oscar.

Things started off well enough and I was pleased to discover that the intarsia part was fairly simple. Of course when I got to the yoke construction and attaching the sleeves it was a whole different story. I won't lie, it wasn't pretty and there was much cursing and un-knitting. However, after putting it aside for a time and taking a few deep breaths (and a glass of wine) I was finally able to figure it out and I'm pretty happy with the result.

I went a size up to give her some room to grow. As you can see it's a bit roomy but still cozy enough for a fall afternoon.

For me the ear detail just makes the sweater. It's too cute for words.

Girls Weekend 2.0

2010-10-26T21:16:00.012-04:00

I'm a bit late in posting, but I couldn't let the 2nd annual crafty girls' weekend pass without mention. This year we took the show on the road and headed up to a cozy cabin on the lake for some quality crafting time.

There was sewing,

and knitting,

and my favorite fashionista created a new signature style

which we all modeled as we showed off our finished products.

The last weekend of summer cooperated nicely with warm afternoons to practice our synchronized swimming moves in the lake and cool evenings perfect for knitting and gossip by the fire. We were also fortunate enough to have an expert sewist and an expert knitter right next door who were kind enough to offer advice, food and caffeinated beverages.

It looks like girls weekend will continue to be an annual tradition. I'm definitely looking forward to next year!

All photos courtesy of KH & LH

Twin Set

2010-08-07T10:34:00.004-04:00

I'm definitely still going through a knitting phase. I can't seem to stop. I made these sweaters for my friend who is expecting twins -- a boy and a girl. The pattern comes from my favorite knitting store in Portland (Maine, of course!) KnitWit.

I don't normally like hearts as a motif but the heart pockets on this sweater are so sweet I couldn't resist.

I chose a neutral color scheme that would work for both a boy and a girl and just left the heart pockets off the boy sweater.

A simple button closure in the back will make it easy to slip these on and off when the weather gets chilly.

This pattern was quick to knit up and easy enough for a beginner. It comes in a good range of sizes and a different color scheme would totally change the look.

Clean Sweep

2010-07-22T17:06:00.005-04:00

I love my swiffer. Let's face it two cats make it a necessity. What I don't love is buying swiffer cloths and throwing them away so I decided to make my own.

A quick internet search shows I'm hardly the first person to have this idea. After sifting through many different versions I landed on this tutorial which converts a ballband dishcloth into a swiffer cover (instructions for the ballband dishcloth can be found here). It was fast and easy to knit up and a good way to use up scrap yarn. And I'm happy to report it works just as well as the disposable cloths on cat hair.

Let's Go to the Movies

2010-06-21T13:05:00.008-04:00

I've been hesitant to post this project because I haven't been able to get a decent picture. I guess these will just have to do.

My cinephile husband has turned our extra bedroom into his very own movie theater complete with blackout shades, a giant screen framed by red velvet curtains and a popcorn machine. He lovingly refers to it as "Cinema Zyberdiso." In celebration of his movie palace I made this pillow for his captain's chair.

It features vintage movie monster fabric I found on Etsy. I created a logo and embroidered it using glow in the dark thread I ordered from here. Although I wasn't able to get a good photograph of it, I love the glow in the dark thread. It was easy to work with and the effect is just what I was looking for.

Not a fan of competition, Max shows he can glow in the dark too.

Jewelry Box Redux

2010-06-15T19:32:00.005-04:00

I came across this lovely tutorial a few weeks ago and was inspired to give my jewelry box a facelift.

While I'm fairly handy with a needle and thread I'm certainly no expert when it comes to spray paint. Fortunately for me I know someone who is. Thanks to her expert guidance (and touch up skills!) it looks exactly how I envisioned it.

The only problem is my new Tiffany blue jewelry box is now fancier than most of the jewelry in it.

Happiness Is...

2010-05-02T22:50:00.011-04:00

A good read about knitting and obsession,

Chocolate mint tea!

and the They Might be Giants station on Pandora.

Drab to Fab

2010-04-07T09:31:00.002-04:00

I picked up a classic folding knitting basket at a yard sale a few years ago and had been using it to store my embroidery notions and pattern books. Sadly, one too many books and the thin cotton fabric gave out.

I pulled apart the somewhat dated original fabric and used it to make a pattern.

Now my knitting basket is sporting a new look with my favorite echino print and a sturdy canvas lining.

Quilting Inspiration

2010-04-05T08:31:00.006-04:00

I went to the Thimble Pleasures quilt show a couple of weeks ago and came home inspired. Here are just a few of my favorites. For more inspiration visit the guild's website or Kathleen, Kathy or June's blogs.

New car smell

2010-03-18T09:53:00.004-04:00

My car needed a little pick me up so I was excited to find this tutorial on DesignSponge.

This was a quick project and I had most of the raw materials at home. The only trouble I ran into was trying to find dried lavender. After being told by the salesclerk that they did not carry it, I took a look around and finally found some in the soapmaking aisle of a major craft store chain. A small package was less than $5 and was enough to make 2 sachets with plenty left over to make one, possibly two, more.

Adventures in quilting

2010-02-15T16:41:00.014-05:00

I was excited to be invited back to the Thimble Pleasures quilt guild's annual getaway. It was fun but I fear I exposed my quilting incompetence. More on that later but let's start with the pretty pictures, shall we?

I finally quilted the lovely vintage quilt top I got at Brimfield last year and it looks like it's a hit with the both cats.

There are so many pretty and colorful fabrics in this quilt it was a challenge to find just the right fabrics for the back and binding.

I finally opted for blue birds for the back and a pretty red and white polka dot with tiny blue flowers for the binding. Against the advice of the expert quilters in the room, I used simple straight lines and red thread for the quilting. It's not perfect, I'm really happy with the look.

Finally, I suppose I must share this picture as well.

Yes that's me with my quilt sewn to the tablecloth. Not my finest crafting moment but I'm thankful that at least it wasn't my shirt.

If you are in the area this weekend and want to check out some truly beautiful quilts be sure to check out Thimble Pleasures quilt show. Details can be found here.

Sweater for Dad

2010-02-04T11:37:00.004-05:00

Okay, so it's not for me but Dad really needed a new sweater. I used a Columbia-Minerva pattern from 1969 contributed by Mom. Some people might consider it a vintage pattern--Mom is not one of those people. The wool was inherited from my Aunt Anne and while it is good quality and made a VERY warm sweater, I can't say I enjoyed working with this particular fiber. It was a bit scratchy and rough on the fingers.

Next up, more sewing. I'm happy to report that I've been invited back to the Thimble Pleasures quilting getaway this weekend. Looking forward to a wild weekend adventure and hopefully returning with a few finished projects.

New wardrobe for 2010

2010-01-22T18:41:00.000-05:00

One of my new year's resolutions is to learn more about apparel sewing and knitting. First up a new sweater:

This is my first project using a higher quality yarn. I chose Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light and the difference was noticeable both in price and quality. Fortunately, Windsor Button had a good sale. The alpaca was soft and easy to work with and the sweater is very warm. On the downside, it's a little shorter than I'd like and the sleeves are a bit too full. It's not an everyday sweater but I have worn it with a high waisted denim skirt and with black dress pants. The pattern is called Millet and can be found in the Tapestry Collection book by Rowan.

Next up patternmaking. Stay tuned.

As Seen on TV

2010-01-18T10:44:00.008-05:00

I was catching up with Ugly Betty on my DVR this weekend and I did a doubletake when I spotted Betty Suarez's fabulous bag.

Do you see the resemblance?

Looks a lot like my knitting bag don't you think?

I'm sure it's just a coincidence (a tote made with IKEA fabric is hardly an original idea) but it was still exciting to see my bag on national TV! Although, upon further reflection given Betty's past fashion choices I'm not so sure I should consider it a compliment.

Christmas Wrap-Up

2010-01-02T16:27:00.005-05:00

I was spoiled with quite a few wonderful gifts this year: books on sewing and knitting, fabric, yarn, a stylish McAuley almnae t-shirt and a vintage Vera tablecloth just to name a few. I love all my gifts but I wanted to share a few special handmade gifts from the crafty women in my life:

A ribbon yarn necklace from Mom

Earrings from Aunt Sue

A Girls' Week '09 memory book from Krista & Lydia

A wreath from my cousin Lisa

Yummy homemade relish and strawberry jam from my colleague Mary

I have to admit I dropped the ball a bit on making gifts this year but with all this inspiration to draw from I'm thinking one of my new year's resolutions will be to start working on my Christmas gifts in July.

Sock it to me

2009-12-17T19:47:00.003-05:00

Finally, the set is complete. The socks reached their destination and I've been told they are hanging on the mantle with the rest of the set.

Since I didn't put names on the stockings I personalized them in other ways. Mom's stocking features gingerbread and her famous Italian cookies. Dad's stocking has a nod to his favorite baseball team -- the Red Sox, of course.

Now all that's left is to wait for Santa. I certainly hope everyone made the nice list this year.

Sneak Preview

2009-12-14T21:24:00.006-05:00

You might remember these stockings I made for my favorite kids last year. There were supposed to be stockings for Mom & Dad too but they never quite got finished. I'm happy to report the set is finally complete and they are on the way to join the kids' stockings on the mantle just in time for Santa. I don't want to spoil the surprise but I can't resist sharing a sneak peak of my favorite details:

Baby Sweater

2009-11-27T08:04:00.002-05:00

I knit up this baby sweater for a friend who is expecting. She doesn't want to know the sex so I thought this turquoisey/green would be a safe choice. I used this pattern purchased at the famous Lettuce Knit in Toronto. It knits up from side to side rather than from bottom to top which I initially found a bit confusing. However once I stopped stressing and just started knitting it came together pretty quickly . Although I must admit I did make a mistake on the waistband and cuffs (I knit when I should have purled).

Here's my second attempt for another friend's newborn son. As you can see I corrected the waistband and cuffs on this version.

I really like this pattern. Knitting from side to side gives the basic garter stitch a unique look and the newborn size can be knit up in just a few days. Athough these two sweaters are quite similar I like that you can really change the look with the choice of yarn and buttons. I would definitely make it again.

Christmas comes early

2009-11-20T11:07:00.005-05:00

My friends June and Kathleen had the chance to go to the famous International Quilt show in Houston and they generously brought me back a bag of goodies. I'm not exactly sure the origin of all the chicken fabrics but they are really fun. In fact I'm thinking I may have to convince Kathleen to help me turn them into one of her fabulous quilted bags (speaking of Murphy bags if you have some holiday shopping to do I encourage you to check out her fabulous Etsy store).

Some other items of note include several gorgeous buttons including a red clasp that would work on a bag or maybe as a closure for a knit cardi, a pair of rooster embroidery scissors (I had wanted the traditional bird style but these are so much cooler) and some beautiful silk embroidery floss made right in my own neighborhood.

Thanks so much ladies! You both have excellent taste and I love all my goodies.

Good Grief

2009-10-31T14:53:00.005-04:00

It's that time of year again and since my office has a big Halloween party I figured it was a good excuse to practice my limited apparel sewing skills. After much deliberation I choose to go with the classic style of Lucy Van Pelt.

Using only 3 blue t-shirts and a few stray buttons I managed to make a pretty decent approximation of Lucy's iconic dress. It's a very simple design but since I was working without a pattern it did present a few challenges and the end result is far from perfect. That said, I'd say the quality is as least as good as the costumes you can buy at the local party store. I added a black wig, leggings, bobby socks and mary jane inspired sneakers to complete the look. And, just in case, a Charlie Brown stuffed doll.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to the pumpkin patch to wait for the great pumpkin.

Still Sewing

2009-10-23T21:05:00.002-04:00

A new hobby means new things to sew. I raided my fabric stash to whip up some helpful knitting accessories.

First up a basket to corral all that yarn.

Next a bag to tote supplies for knitting on the go.

Complete with lots of pockets for needles.

New Obsession

2009-10-21T19:37:00.011-04:00

I've started knitting and I can't stop. It started off small with some simple washcloths, then wristwarmers and a scarf. Pretty soon I moved on to sweaters.

He's actually worn this out in public!

I love the portablity of this craft and there's definitely more knitting in my future. After all, all the cool kids are doing it like my talented friend Joanna and my fabulous knitting teacher Lydia pictured below.

Girl Power

2009-08-27T08:53:00.011-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the honor of joining my favorite girls for the final few days of "Girls week 09." My best friend's husband and son were off on a camping trip and Josh was on a deadline, so it seemed like a good excuse to get together and do some crafting.

First up a little sewing.

Then it was time for a knitting class. My knitting teacher (pictured below) helped me with my first project "rocker girl wristbands" from this fun knitting book.

Turns out when you're wearing a rocker girl wristband you have to strike a rocker girl pose.

There was also some non-crafting fun.

And I didn't even mention the furniture refinshing, yard saling, fabric shopping, yarn spinning lesson, Little House on the Prarie DVDs, freezer paper stencils and an lot of laughing. We do love our boys but every once in a while it's fun to hang with the girls.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

2009-07-28T23:14:00.007-04:00

I was feeling really good about my latest project yesterday. Today not so much.

There is a serious flaw in the pattern. It seems Step 26 will not make any sense if you sewed step 12 backwards. Time for some un-sewing. And maybe a drink.

Question

2009-07-27T16:52:00.006-04:00

Does anyone else have this problem?

Brimfield Adventure

2009-07-19T17:43:00.007-04:00

The Brimfield antique show is the largest in New England and draws dealers from all over the country. It's held three times a year in May, July and September. July is typical the slowest month but we still managed to find plenty of good stuff on Sunday.

Buttons, notions and rick rack - oh my!

Pretty painted furniture

Beautiful jadite dishware

And a few conversation pieces.

Since I live in a small space I tried not to do too much shopping but a few things did manage to find their way home with me....

That's a vintage scarf box (perfect to hold my growing collection of Vera Neumann scarves), yet another Vera scarf, and elephant ring holder, a sweet vintage curtain valance with pom pom fringe for my kitchen and a hand-pieced quilt top. Not a bad haul for less than $40.

Dreaming of Elephants

2009-07-18T12:49:00.004-04:00

This baby quilt is for the current Craft Hope project and will soon be on it's way to India. I wanted to do something that was graphic and gender neutral. I chose bright colors that reminded me of the beautiful saris I've seen in Bollywood movies.

Since this is only my second quilt, I was a little unsure how I wanted to do the actual quilting design. Fortunately, my friend Junie happens to be an expert so I turned to her for some advice. Check out her blog for a great tip on how to preview a quilt design before taking it to the sewing machine.

This is my second Craft Hope project and I love that they give me a chance to experiment with new patterns and techniques while supporting a great cause. The deadline for the India project is July 25. I'm contributing a blanket but they are also looking for other items like hats and booties. Check out their website for more information. You can even sign up for their newsletter so you'll be the first to know about upcoming projects.

Well, at least it's functional...

2009-07-07T20:58:00.010-04:00

We are traveling to two weddings this summer and since the zipper on my cheap dress bag broke ages ago I figured it was time to retire the trash bag I had been using in its place for something a little more stylish. I wanted it to be sturdy and waterproof so I made a pilgrimage to amazing Franklin Mill Store to check out their selection of oilcloth. I instantly fell in love with this beautiful Anna Maria Horner print. It was quite pricey but I had a discount so I decided to buy enough for two projects, the garment bag and a carry along seat both from this book.

Although the pattern instructions were fairly simple, as you can see I ran into some trouble matching the print. I decided to increase the length of the finished bag from 36" to 42" but I couldn't figure out how to cut the fabric in such a way that the pattern would match and I would still have enough yardage left over to complete my second project. I should have been more thoughtful about the fabric choice and picked something that didn't require an obvious match. Live and learn. On the upside the bag went together quickly (especially since I opted to use ready made piping rather than make my own). Once I got over the fact that it couldn't be ironed or pinned, the oilcloth was surprisingly easy to work with. I'm sure there are more expert solutions, but I used a combination of blue painter's tape and quilt binding clips like these in lieu of pins.

In the end it's not my favorite project, but it's functional and definitely a step up from the trash bag. I'm looking forward to taking it on the road.

Goin' to the Chapel

2009-06-19T09:00:00.002-04:00

My good friend and "god-husband" (we are the proud godparents of a brillant and talented 12 year old) is getting married today and I wanted to make something special for him and his new bride. They are registered for this beautiful bedding so I used it as a jumping off point to design a pillow with their new monogram.

I selected chocolate brown linen which I backed with a lightweight interfacing to give some stability to the stitching. For the monogram and date I used a simple satin stitch with embroidery floss. The embellishments were done with metallic thread. My original plan was to use only the metallic thread but it was so difficult to work with that I decided to start over with traditional embroidery floss rather than pulling every hair out of my head. In the end, I think it was the right choice because the combination of metallic and non-metallic floss adds dimension and interest. I hope it works with their style and finds a place in their home.

Shopping Spree

2009-05-30T10:08:00.004-04:00

I was a little jealous of all June's great finds so I stopped by one of my favorite thrift stores to try my luck. While I didn't do quite as well as June, I'm pretty happy with my treasures. My haul included: a cute embellished t-shirt, 2 wooden embroidery hoops, a bag of sewing notions (bias tape, twill tape & my favorite -- rick rack!), a beautiful Japanese paper wallet from Zemliya Paper Products and another Vera scarf. A few more and I'll have enough to make something like this.

Therapy for Mom

2009-05-23T20:45:00.002-04:00

Recently my Mom has been suffering from a bout of costochondritis, a painful inflammation of the cartilage around the ribcage. The good news is the condition doesn't have serious health consequences and should resolve itself in a few weeks but in the meantime it's quite uncomfortable. There's not a lot that can be done, but heat does provide some relief. With that in mind, I stitched up a pretty heat therapy bag using this tutorial from the Sew, Mama, Sew blog.

It went together easily and, remarkably I was able to fill it without spilling rice all over my kitchen. I guess that's a good thing since after my husband tried it out he promptly asked when I would be making one for him.

Chocolate craving

2009-05-18T17:55:00.005-04:00

Having a chocolate craving? Expecting company? I have found the perfect brownie recipe to satisfy and impress via Smitten Kitchen. It's adapted from Cooks Illustrated's classic brownie recipe and is just about as close to perfection as a brownie can get.

I didn't have cake flour on hand so I substituted all purpose flour & corn starch. All purpose flour can be substituted for cake flour but the ratio is not one to one. The general rule of thumb when substituting all purpose flour for cake flour is 1 cup of all purpose flour minus 2 tbsps, plus 2 tbsps of corn starch.

Classic Brownies
Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

Be sure to test for doneness before removing the brownies from the oven. If underbaked (the toothpick has batter clinging to it) the texture of the brownies will be dense and gummy. If overbaked (the toothpick comes out completely clean), the brownies will be dry and cakey.

1 cup (4 ounces) pecans or walnuts, chopped medium (optional)
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into six 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups (15 3/4 ounces) sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 18-inch length foil and fold lengthwise to 8-inch width. Fit foil into length of 13 by 9-inch baking dish, pushing it into corners and up sides of pan; allow excess to overhand pan edges. Cut 14-inch length foil and, if using extra-wide foil, fold lengthwise to 12-inch width; fit into width of baking pan in same manner, perpendicular to first sheet. Spray foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.

If using nuts, spread nuts evenly on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Whisk to combine flour, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl; set aside.

Melt chocolate and butter in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of almost-simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. (Alternatively, in microwave, heat butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 45 seconds, then stir and heat for 30 seconds more. Stir again, and, if necessary, repeat in 15-second increments; do not let chocolate burn.) When chocolate mixture is completely smooth, remove bowl from saucepan and gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs on at a time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla.

Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with rubber spatula until batter is completely smooth and homogeneous.

Transfer batter to prepared pan; using spatula, spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle toasted nuts (if using) evenly over batter and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours, then remove brownies from pan by lifting foil overhang. Cut brownies into 2-inch squares and serve. (Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days, or, ahem, in the freezer until your resistance gets the better of you.)

Inspired

2009-05-11T17:44:00.002-04:00

I was catching up on my blog reading and came across this amazing new site that combines two of my favorite things, sewing and volunteerism (yes, I am a giant geek).

The goal of their current project is to provide handmade rag dolls to all the residents of the Casa Bernabe orphanage in Nicaragua. For my contribution I stitched up this cutie using the black apple doll pattern found here. I'm also challenging the ladies of Sew Anyways to contribute a doll.

If you are interested head on over to the Craft Hope blog for details, a variety of doll tutorials and submission deadlines. While you are there be sure to check out pictures of their first project which delivered new handmade dresses to the Pan de Vida shelter in Mexico. And if you can't participate in this project be sure and check back often as they are soliciting ideas future projects.

Sew Hippo

2009-04-12T17:12:00.000-04:00

I'm taking a drawing class so I haven't been doing a lot of sewing lately. But when my friend recently had her baby I dusted off the machine to make this stuffed hippo from the February 2009 issue of Sew Hip. I'm a huge fan of the magazine and I love that each issue includes full size patterns for the featured projects. Directions for the hippo were clear, easy to follow and included helpful photos and diagrams. My only complaint is the head/neck piece indicated to cut two when only one was needed.

The magazine is imported from the UK so it's pricey (about $10 an issue) but worth the splurge. It's not carried everywhere but I have found it at Barnes & Noble. And, I recently discovered digital issues are available here for about half the price.

Extreme Sewing

2009-03-08T14:07:00.000-04:00

I was invited to crash the Thimble Pleasures quilting guild retreat this past weekend. The ladies of the guild are some of the most welcoming, talented and generous women I have ever met. They are also rowdy, foul mouthed and lots of fun. The weekend was filled with sewing, socializing and fabric shopping. I had a blast even though I was scolded for turning in early (at 11pm) on Saturday. I could tell some stories but I get the impression that what happens at the quilting retreat stays at the quilting retreat and I definitely want to be invited back next year.

I'm not working on another quilt but I did finish up a couple of projects this weekend. First up is the Chemisette Handbag.

I love the pattern but I found the finished bag was smaller than the photo suggested. It's still a very usable size, just not what I was expecting. The pattern was fairly easy to follow although I used a different gathering method than the one described and added a key fob. I definitely plan to make the bag again but next time I will play around with the inside pockets to make them a bit more functional. I prefer a zippered or sectioned pocket.

The second project is a "humbug bag" which has a funky triangular shape. No pattern for this one since I had my own personal tutorial from the lovely & talented Kathleen Murphy but there's a tute for a similar project here. This bag can be made in any size and is a great project for practicing quiliting techniques. I should also mention the gorgeous print fabric on this pouch was a gift from the fabric fairy. I admired it at one of the shops and the next day a yard of the fabric mysteriously appeared in bag. I absolutely love it and just in case the fabric fairy is a reader I wanted to say thank you.

All in all it was a great weekend. I learned a lot and was inspired by all the talented women of the guild. I'm definitely thinking there is another quilt in my future. If you are looking for inspiration I encourage you to check out Kathy, Kathleen and June's blogs.

Feel the Love

2009-02-14T03:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! We're pretty low key around here, but I did manage to whip up a little something for my better half.

I used an old scrap of canvas, freezer paper and fabric paint to make the gift bag. The little button reads "I'd rather be kissing my crafty wife" and can be ordered with a matching husband button from this adorable Etsy shop.

Inside is a custom t-shirt for my sexy bearded guy.

I used the freezer paper stencil technique again here and I really love the results. It's super easy, doesn't require special tools or expensive materials and you are really only limited by your imagination. If you're interested in making your own there's a great tutorial here and and lots of inspiration to be found here.

Happy Birthday Emma!

2009-01-26T20:38:00.000-05:00

My friend and fellow Aquarius, Emma, turns 5 today and is celebrating with a cat themed birthday. Sadly, I couldn't make the trip to Virginia but I thought I would send along a gift in keeping with the theme. The tote is corduroy with a calico lining and the applique is wool with faux fur accents. I used an old "Lizzy McGuire" pattern for the basic size so it is scaled appropriately for my young friend.

As you can see my assistant was very involved in the design process.

Lydia's Knitting Bag

2009-01-07T18:44:00.000-05:00

My favorite 10 year old is very precise with her Christmas list. While she does enjoy HSM as much as any other girl her age, her list is always unique. One year she asked for a pink guitar, last year she wanted a decorative pillow for her bed and this year it was knitting bag. Specifically, a knitting bag that was big, creative, had pockets for her needles and her knitting book and was filled with bamboo needles, a crochet hook and pretty yarn.

I'm happy to report the bag was a hit. Now I just need to find time to take those knitting lessons she's promised me.

The Stockings Were Hung....

2008-12-29T18:31:00.000-05:00

Last year my Christmas present to my best friend was a promise to design and make stockings for her entire family. I'm still working on Mom & Dad but I finished the kids' stockings in time for the holidays.

Hanging on the mantle

Griffin's snowball fight stocking

Lydia's snowboard stocking

Stella's snowman stocking

These were fun to make and the older kids gave input on the designs. The stockings are made of felt. I used fusible web for the appliques and did a blanket stitch around each piece. All the details are hand embroidered.

Lydia approved :)

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2008-12-20T19:44:00.000-05:00

Red coats, good friends and hot chocolate from Burdick's

Holiday movies, especially this one

And my all time favorite

Max in his santa coat

Especially when he's sleeping

Decking the Halls

2008-12-13T20:39:00.000-05:00

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2008-12-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

We had our first snow of the season today. It was just a dusting but it's starting to feel like the holidays. I met my friend Jenn at the annual Bazaar Bizarre to do some Christmas shopping and then walked back to the T thru the Copley Place and Prudential Center to check out all the holiday decorations. It definitely put me in the holiday spirit.

Sadly, still no tree as I have a few projects to finish up before I can pack away the sewing machine that is currently set up in the middle of the living room. But I did want to share our newest Christmas ornament:

It makes me smile everytime I look at it. I had it custom made by an Etsy shop called Lynn's Little Creations. She does beautiful work and I was impressed with how quickly she was able to put it together. If you are looking for something special I would highly recommend her shop.

Canine Couture

2008-12-02T19:16:00.000-05:00

I've been working on a number of projects for the holidays but I don't want to spoil any surprises by sharing them here. However, I couldn't resist posting my first attempt at canine couture because I know the recipient and her owner don't read the blog.

I stuck pretty close to the original pattern, using some black wool I picked up a yard sale this summer (for free!), faux fur for the lining and collar and hot pink topstitching. I love the result as modeled by our stuffed friend Winston and I think it will look even better on the stylish Jack Russell terrier who will be recieving it for Christmas.

The Countdown Begins

2008-11-29T21:48:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe Christmas is right around the corner! No tree yet as that would require packing away the sewing machine and I still have a few gifts to finish up but I was inspired to create a new Advent calendar. Mine is based on this pattern from the adorable Allsorts blog.

Wishing....

2008-11-11T18:04:00.000-05:00

Just in case Santa is reading, I thought I would mention that I am in LOVE with this collage from doe-c-doe's beautiful Etsy shop.

Sue's White Chili

2008-11-10T21:06:00.000-05:00

My aunt Sue has been talking up her white chili for some time now and I finally decided to give it a try. She says it tastes better the next day but I can't confirm that since we ate the whole pot.

Sue's white chili with corn bread

If you would like to give it a try here's the recipe:

1-2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut up
1 can chicken broth
1 can cannelini beans rinsed and drained
1 can green chilis, not drained
chopped onion
garlic
cumin to taste
Put chicken broth, onion, garlic and cut up chicken in pot and simmer til warmed through, Add beans and chilis and cumin, cook for 5-10 minutes. Serve. Great with corn muffins on the side.

I garnished it with a little shredded cheddar and a couple crushed up torilla chips. It's a lighter twist on traditional chili (especially if you skip the garnish) and while the chilis add a nice flavor it's not too spicy. It definitely hit the spot on a chilly (pun intended) evening.

Just Do It

2008-11-04T03:00:00.000-05:00

When you're done treat yourself to a free coffee at Starbucks or free ice cream at Ben & Jerry's.

Slippers version 2.0

2008-11-02T20:11:00.000-05:00

While I loved the look of my first slippers, they were made of two layers of thin cotton and not particularly warm. I had some extra fabric left over so I decided to make a new pair, adding a layer of warm & natural cotton batting to the uppers and another layer to the insoles.

I cut the pieces slightly larger (I just eyeballed it) to accomodate the extra bulk and adjusted the fit as I went along. I kept the quilting lines simple so as not to compete with the bold print.

I'm really pleased with the both the look and the added warmth. I wear them all the time and they seem to holding up to the heavy use. I would definitely make these again.

My Quilt is Famous!

2008-10-30T20:44:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited! My quilt was featured on the amazing Sew Mama Sew blog today!

Welcome to everyone stopping in by way of Sew Mama Sew. Take a look around and, if you're so inclined, please leave a comment.

Happy Sewing!

Supermodel

2008-10-28T21:16:00.000-04:00

I just had to share these adorable photos of Miss Stella rocking her retro 80s tee! You may remember this shirt from my original post here. It looks so much better on the model.

So young and yet she's already learning how to deal with the paparazzi. Watch out Mom, this one's going to be a handful!

Score!

2008-10-25T14:12:00.001-04:00

I stopped in my local thrift store last night and hit the jackpot. I found 4 vintage Vera Neumann scarves for $1.99 each! Actually the first 3 were $1.99 and the 4th was free with my coupon.--SCORE! Clearly I was taught well by my thrifty (cheap) dad and mom whose favorite sport is yard saling.

Here are some pics of my beautiful new scarves:

I'm no expert, but from what I was able to find online about the changes in her signature I would guess these date from the early 60s-mid70s. They probably don't hold much real value as vintage Vera scarves, while collectible, are still fairly easy to find in vintage stores and these do show some signs of age (a few pin holes and some small spots). But for $6 they are definitely one of my favorite finds. Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with them. I could wear them as intended or maybe repurpose them into something fabulous like this.

Hmmmm...

Cold Feet

2008-10-19T16:40:00.000-04:00

Now that the weather is getting colder, it's time for some new slippers. Instead of buying a new pair, I decided to attempt to make my own. I used this pattern and some fun fabric I had in my stash.

I have to admit I struggled a bit with the pattern. It looked simple but the whole process just took a lot longer than I anticipated. I might have just been having an off day but I felt like I spent more time with the seam ripper than the sewing machine on this project. Also, handsewing the soles was quite time consuming.

Despite the difficulty, they are comfy and I like the funky mismatched look of the fabric I used. They could stand to be a bit warmer, but the wool felt soles take off a bit of chill. When winter sets in I might be inspired to try another pair with some modifications to add some warmth.

Quilt Accomplished

2008-10-15T07:41:00.000-04:00

I finally finished my quilt. It took several months and quite a bit of cursing but I'm really pleased with the result. Here are lots of pics:

quilt top

quilt back

close-up

I'm so glad I took June's advice and invested in a walking foot for my machine. It definitely made the quilting process much easier. I'm also grateful to this helpful tutorial on continuous quilt binding. I think it will be a while before I attempt another project of this size, but it feels good to know that I can do it.

action shot

gratuitous adorable cat photo

Mmmmm. Good.

2008-09-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

We're in the middle of a September N'oreaster. It's cold, gray and rainy and the perfect day for some baked goodness. These coconut chocolate chip bars hit the spot.

Here's the recipe I used. It is adapted from this version:

CHOCOLATE CHIP COCONUT BARS
2/3 c. butter, 1 c. brown sugar, 1 c. white sugar, 2 eggs, 3 tbsp. water, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 c. all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 c. unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 pkg. chocolate chips, 1/2 c. chopped pecans.

Mix in order given. Pour in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cut in bars while warm.

They are best when eaten with a cold glass of milk. Enjoy!

T-shirt trial

2008-09-21T18:41:00.000-04:00

I have to admit I have a fear of sewing with knit fabrics but I'm interested in attempting apparel sewing so I figured it was time to face my fears. I thought it was best to start with something classic so I attempted a simple t-shirt (the "muslin" was made from an old jersy sheet). It was much easier than I anticipated and I'm particularly happy with how the sleeves look.

I had the walking foot on my machine from a previous project and because I was too lazy to change it I just left it on for this project. It worked really well and the next time I'm sewing with knits I will specifically put the walking foot on. I also used a ball point needle which was helpful.

Of course the shirt is far from perfect. The bottom hem is clearly wonky, but I'm at least feeling more confident and maybe ready to give it a shot with some nicer fabric.

No More A.C. Moore For Me

2008-09-14T12:06:00.001-04:00

Sometimes a coupon just isn't worth it. If you been following my blog, you may remember this crosstitch piece adapted from Charley Harper's work.

Sadly, this picture is all that remains after I took it, along with two other pieces, to A.C. Moore for framing. Of the three pieces I took in only one was returned in acceptable condition. The second piece was damaged (a thread was pulled out) and then "repaired" without my permission (the offending thread was cut from the front of the piece!!!) after I was advised to leave it at the store so a manager could review the damage. The third piece was lost entirely.

Despite repeated promises, I was never once called by the store regarding my order. I had to initiate all phone calls, even after leaving home, cell and work contact numbers. On a positive note I will say the store manager did immediately refund my entire framing order and offer free framing on any item of my choice --clearly, not an acceptable option. I choose instead to accept $250, the maximum allowable amount, for my missing artwork.

What I found most disturbing about the entire experience was that when I went to pick up my order the clerks at the framing desk were sympathetic and said my experience was not uncommon and that they have had a number of similar problems with the company they send artwork to for framing. Gee, if you keep losing/damaging your customers' artwork, perhaps it's time to find another vendor.

Anyway, just a heads up in case you are planning on having anything framed. If it's worth more than $250 to you, you probably don't want to take it to A.C. Moore.

Project Storage

2008-09-08T18:34:00.000-04:00

I seem to have a lot of projects in progress so I decided to make some bags to store them.

I cut up an old sheet and made a couple of simple drawstring bags in different sizes and, just for fun, decorated them with my logo using a simple freezer paper stencil.

Freezer paper is fast becoming one of my favorite craft items. If you are not familiar with it, one side is plain paper and the other is wax coated. The waxy side adheres to fabric when you iron it. It forms a firm bond, firm enough to keep a sharp edge when stenciling, but easily pulls away without leaving a mark when you are done. I've also recently started tracing pattern pieces onto freezer paper and ironing them to the fabric instead of pinning.

Here are the finished bags filled with my unfinished projects...

Now I suppose I should try to finish something!

80s embroidery

2008-08-29T16:19:00.000-04:00

Spoiler Alert! If you know someone named Stella who is having her first birthday party this weekend, you might want to skip this post.

Honestly, it's been a busy few weeks on the crafting front and I had initially decided that I would purchase a gift for Miss Stella, but then I fell in love with Stitchado's unicorn embroidery design and decided it would be perfect for a fashion forward one year old. And, since the unicorn brought on a serious 80s flashback I couldn't resist creating a Strawberry Shortcake design to go along with it.

Embroidering on knit fabric was quite a challenge. I attempted to work with a t-shirt stabilizer but found it a bit unwieldy so in the end I just used a small hoop and tried to be mindful of the fabric tension making sure it was taut but not too stretched out. They are definitely not perfect but fortunately the cuteness factor of the designs covers up a multitude of sins.

If anyone has tips or suggestions for embroidering on knit fabrics please leave them in the comments. I'm thinking these might also be cute on t-shirts for older girls.

The Big Reveal

2008-08-25T18:03:00.000-04:00

Luke Wiley's mom, photo courtesy of Brenda

The secret can now be revealed. The bluebonnets shown here are featured on my friend Kari's new diaper bag. She's a proud Texan living in Boston and I wanted the bag to reflect her roots. For those of you who don't know, bluebonnets are the official flower of Texas. As a native New Englander, I have not seen many (or any) bluebonnets so I was a little afraid my artistic interpretation might not translate but I'm thrilled to report that they were instantly indentified by the transplated Texans in attendance. What a relief, y'all!

Here's a closer look at the bag, complete with changing pad and case. I used Amy Butler's "nappy bag" pattern. It goes together pretty quickly (if you leave out the embroidery) and as with all Amy Butler patterns, the directions are explicit and easy to follow. Also I like that the paper pattern pieces are sturdy and hold up to repeated usage (this is my 4th nappy bag this year!).

For those of us without infants, this bag would be a good size for the gym or the beach. Obviously, I would eliminate the bottle pockets and changing pad, although a modified version of the case might be perfect for stowing a pair of flip flops.

Sneak Peek

2008-08-21T07:45:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peek of a larger project that I can't share just yet. I designed the bluebonnets and embroidered them by hand. It was particularly challenging because a transferred pattern would not show up on the dark fabric so I had to do the embroidery freehand. I won't lie, there was a lot of cursing along the way but in the end it's pretty close to how I had envisioned it.

More details on the finished project soon.

Crafting Olympics

2008-08-19T18:56:00.000-04:00

I may not have won gold, but I got some snazzy new pillows on my couch. I'm finding the Olympics is kind of like an America's Next Top Model marathon (don't judge me). The hours go by and all sense of time is lost. Since TV time equals crafting time I got quite a lot done . Last night I made not one, but two new zippered pillowcases for my couch pillows. I recycled the zippers from my existing cheapo IKEA covers and used the old cover as a pattern. It was super easy and I'm really pleased with how they came out.

Zipper close-up

My couch looks great with the new facelift, but sadly the rest of the living room looks a like downtown Baghdad due to the flurry of sewing activity. Perhaps I'll put the crafting on hold tonight and do a little cleaning. Then again, I do have a few more things on the project list...

Flickr Fun

2008-08-17T23:46:00.000-04:00

1. Portland Head Light,2. Del's" Pizza, 3. Eternity, 4. Orange is In..., 5. Heath Ledger .. One of my fav. actors.. Died at 28, 6. iced tea, 7. New Zealand Tree Fern Fronds, 8. ice cream puff, 9. happy happy..., 10. Josh Lounge, 11. Anaconda bridge, 12. max quilt

This was created by playing a little game that has been making rounds on a number of blogs. The idea is to type your answers to a list of questions into the Flickr search and choose your favorite picture from the first page of results (it's okay to sort by most recent, most interesting, etc.). Then put them together and make your mosaic. Here are the questions (and my answers):

1. Your first name (Elizabeth)
2. You favorite food (Pizza)
3. Your high school (Catherine McAuley)
4. Your favorite color (Orange)
5. Your celebrity crush (Heath Ledger)
6. Your favorite beverage (Ice Tea)
7. Your dream vacation (New Zealand)
8. Your favorite dessert (Ice Cream)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up (Happy)
10. What do you love most (Josh)
11. One word to describe yourself (Waard - Krista this one is for you)
12. Your Flickr name (lzyber)

Your turn Junie Blogger!

Treasures

2008-08-17T03:01:00.000-04:00

A lunchtime visit to the Salvation Army netted these fun finds. I love the red purse with it's adjustable strap. The sweet white pitcher will be perfect filled with flowers from the farmer's market. And every New Englander needs a lobster plate. This set of two plastic plates look like they probably had a previous life in a local lobster shack. They will be perfect for our next picnic. Not a bad haul for $5.

Making progress

2008-08-13T16:41:00.000-04:00

Quilting is hard work! I finally finished sewing up the quilt top, but still need to do the quilting and binding. My first adventure in quilting has given me increased respect for my incredibly talented aunt who quilts entirely by hand. I think it's safe to say I will not be attempting that any time soon.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the quilt top. I cleared out a good chunk of my fabric stash and I think it's going to look good on the bed when it's done. I love the finish work on this brick path quilt. I think I may attempt something similar on the backing.

A detail shot with the normally camera shy Sophie.

Patchwork in Progress

2008-08-08T17:32:00.000-04:00

In an attempt to use up some scraps from my fabric stash I've decided to try my hand at quilting. I chose this pattern because it seemed simple and a good way to showcase a variety of bold prints. I thought the biggest challenge would be cutting out the required 198 rectangles but arranging them in a pleasing manner was quite a project. Lucky for me, Max agreed to supervise.

Now I just need to sew everything together and quilt it. Thank goodness there are still a few months before winter. I suspect this is going to take some time.

Sew Hip, Hooray!

2008-08-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to read about this new magazine coming in October 2008! It promises new patterns, tips and tricks and interviews with sewing superstars like Amy Butler. Now the only question is whether to pre-order just the first issue or splurge on a subscription and get the free gift?

Sweet Corn Soup

2008-08-05T22:33:00.001-04:00

Sweet corn soup = summer in a bowl!

Made from this recipe using fresh ingredients from the local farmer's market. My market had red scallions instead of green so I substituted them for the garnish. It was very filling for a dish with so few ingredients. And, most importantly it was husband approved. Leftovers made a tasty lunch the next day.

Suitable for Framing

2008-08-03T22:37:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to report I finally finished this crosstitch piece. I'm really pleased with the way it came out so I decided to splurge on custom framing for this piece and two smaller coordinating pieces. They should be ready to hang over my bookcase in 2-3 weeks.

Happy Trails

2008-08-02T10:45:00.000-04:00

The lovely receptionist at my office just retired and is off in search of adventure in her RV. She's an avid quilter and loves bright colors so I made her this simple, fun tote for her travels. I based the applique on this embroidery pattern. I love the design but I chose applique instead of embroidery to add dimension and incorporate some fun fabric scraps and trims from my stash.

Bon voyage, Pat. We'll miss you!

Fiction & Fabric

2008-07-27T23:18:00.000-04:00

According to the folks at True Up online retailer fabric.com is now selling fabric via Amazon . Sadly, it does not appear to qualify for super saver shipping.

I have to admit I have resisted ordering fabric online mainly because I'm impatient, but also because I find the colors are hard to read on screen. However, there are a number of online sources that are very tempting. Here's my current fantasy shopping list:

Garden Party at Sew Mama Sew

Marimekko prints (reasonably priced!) at The Fabric Fairy

What's Buzzin' Cuzzin ? at Cicada Studio

Modern Flora at J. Caroline Creative

Japanese Imports at Repro Depot

Alas, I think any actual shopping will have to wait until I finish at least one item on my current project list.

Work in Progress

2008-07-24T18:58:00.000-04:00

I'm currently obsessed with finishing my Charley Harper crosstitch patterns. This is the last one of a series of three that I'm thinking that will look good framed and hanging over my bookcase.

I love the detail of crosstitch but I've found it hard to find patterns that have a more modern look to them. Generally they seem to range from the super cutesy baby stuff or the more traditional samplers. I was very excited when I found these patterns inspired by Charley Harper's artwork. They are also available here. At $6 and under they're not only beautiful, but affordable.

Happy Birthday Spencer

2008-07-23T22:18:00.000-04:00

Spencer Elden is turning 18. You might recognize him....

Are you feeling old yet? To see what Spencer looks like today check out this interview on the NPR website.

Run don't walk!

2008-07-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

If you haven't already, you must watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog. It has superheroes, villians, laundry, frozen yogurt and an evil horse. What more could you ask for?

Available here for free but only until midnight tonight. No need to fret if you miss the deadline, it is available for purchase on ITunes.

I *heart* NPH !

Dog Days

2008-07-19T19:54:00.000-04:00

My friend Meredith is expecting any day now. I had some leftover fabric from the diaper bag I made her so I decided to make baby Sara a little something extra.

Patterns to make your own dachshund can be found here.

Success!

2008-07-18T23:45:00.000-04:00

My new produce bags are ready for the farmer's market. All in all, a very simple project.

It was my first attempt at sewing with sheer fabric but, with a few simple adjustments, it went together with relative ease. First, use the smallest needle you have on hand (I used a 12) and set the machine to your longest stitch length. The fabric (a sheer curtain)was a little slippery going thru the machine but by holding the fabic taut (front and back) I managed a reasonably straight stitch. A tear away stabilizer might have helped but, for this project, I didn't bother.

I'm not a particularly fast sewist but even with the added difficulty of sewing with the sheer fabric I was able to put this together while watching Project Runway. For the record, based on the grocery store challenge, I'm rooting for Daniel. Who knew you make a dress out of plastic cups? AMAZING. I'm also loving Terri's crocheted top made entirely of mop heads. I've never seen a mop look so chic. See all the designs here.

Yum.

2008-07-17T21:06:00.000-04:00

Pie crust + rhubarb + peaches + inspiration =

Yum.

Environmental Poser

2008-07-16T10:01:00.000-04:00

I like to think I do my part for the environment. On the plus side, we’re a one car family, take public transportation when we can and recycle. On the minus side I have been known to leave lights on in rooms I’m not in and on hot summer days I admit I have, once or twice, left a fan on for the cats while we were at work. Nobody is perfect.

I sometimes feel like a bit of an environmental poser because over the past few years I have been on a crusade to rid my house of plastic bags. I wish I could say my motives were for the good of the environment but they are actually because my 20 lb cat Max has a plastic bag obsession. He can’t resist. He eats them. Sadly, the plastic bags do not love him back and his fascination has led to a colorful litterbox and a painful and expensive trip to the vet.

An indignant Max sporting his "Flashdance" look after his

plastic eating induced hospital stay

We switched to canvas bags for shopping and errands years ago, but I admit I sometimes feel the need to bag my produce in those flimsy plastic bags. I know I shouldn’t do it, but sometimes I just don’t want my tomatoes rolling around the bottom of the cart. I knew there had to be a better way and I think I’ve found it. I read this tutorial and I’m going to give it a try. It’ll be my first attempt at working with the sheer fabric and I’m a little nervous. I found a curtain panel for $1 at a yard sale last weekend so I’ve added it to the project list. Stay tuned.