Hippie Stitch

For those we love

2011-10-13T22:54:00.001-06:00

If you know my son, then you know about bunny. aka: bun bun or b-diddy. He's the velveteen rabbit of our house. Thread bare in spots from oh so much love. It's getting hard to keep him sewn together and harder still to separate them long enough to wash bunny and stitch him up. Hence, it's 11:00 pm bunny is freshly laundered and stitched up once again. Ready to be tip toed into my beautiful boys sleeping arms.

As I was rubbing my sleep deprived eyes stitching away I was reminded of a trip my father made with me to the city dump after my special blanket had been thrown away, just to have a look.

Oh, the things we do for those we love...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy 40th Cary!

2011-08-19T18:16:00.001-06:00

Cary celebrated his 40th birthday while on vacation with the Hendricksen's. He also shares his birthday with Guy who turned 45.

Party prep - making a piñata

Hello Mr. Squid

Costumes required!

Whoa!

Hubba hubba!

Just wrong!

YouTube Video

Hope your wishes come true! We love you both!

Vacation pictures soon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Still sewing

2011-08-15T10:45:00.001-06:00

In all the crazy of a new baby and getting a house ready to sale there is not much time for blogging. Sleep or blogging? Sleep!

I have managed to carve out a few moments to sew for friends.

The nursery inspiration:

The receiving blanket for a special little guy on his way from Africa!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

8:00 pm might just be my favorite time of day

2011-03-02T20:47:00.001-07:00

8:00

Sweet baby girl is rocking to sleep in my arms, my boys are whispering and giggling down the hall during a bedtime snuggle, big lazy dog asleep at my feet. Wishing you all a beautiful evening and restful night.

Homemade Granola for the morning

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup pecans
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut

Stir in

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Cook in 350 degree oven until dry. Stir every 15 minutes. When cool add

1 cup raisins
1 cup chocolate chips

- Posted using BlogPress on my i-pad!

Hello

2011-01-25T15:42:00.001-07:00

Hello, this is Vera Mae. Our beautiful early Christmas present. And look she's wearing a momma knit sweater! I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed with myself that it is finished and she is wearing it before she out grows it. Now, if I could only finish, well let's be honest, start the embroidery on her brothers matching vest. Wouldn't that be such a cute picture, them in matching momma made sweaters. Although that would require him holding her, which would require acknowledging her existence and touching her, hmmmmm maybe a little Photoshop...don't tell.

So this is where I have been, snuggling one small baby trying to hold on to just how tiny she is as I watch, hug and play with, gulp, my three year old baby. How time slips away from us. Just typing that makes me need to go and kiss them in their sleep right now. Bye

Oh, the sweater is the, Easy Baby Cardigan, from 'More last - minute knitted gifts' by Joelle Hoverson. The yarn is Spud and Chloe. Ladybug buttons from JoAnns.

- Posted using BlogPress on my i-pad!

Waiting, knitting, waiting

2010-12-15T12:39:00.001-07:00

We are waiting for this little baby, (six days late, but who's counting!) so I'm knitting. Great for nervous energy and the long hours if the night when I can't sleep. Keeps me more zen and from calling the baby bad names...

First off the needles a vest for Keenan from Joelle's book 'More last minute knitted gifts'. Made with Spud and Chloe washable wool blend yarn. I have another hank to make the baby a matching sweater, that's next up. Cute!

Still deciding if I want to monogram it or add a design to the front of some sort, any ideas?

How cute is this bunting! 'Buga baby bunting' pattern be Spud and Chloe in Malabrigo chunky emerald. (sorry it's upside down, can't figure out how to flip it on my phone or I-pad)

I can't get over the little ears, now if we only had a baby to fill it! Maybe the storm coming in tonight...

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baby to be's stocking

2010-11-30T11:07:00.002-07:00

All the snowman stockings

The newest addition just waiting for a name to put on

The soon-to-be new addition to our family needed a stocking, as the soon-to-be big brother noticed it didn't have one. Sticking with the snowman theme I made two wool felted snowman to attach to the stocking and added a ladder so they could be sneaking a peak inside.

K's Bedspread

2010-11-22T10:27:00.004-07:00

I finally finished Keenan's big boy bedspread! It was fun to design and fun to make the applique animals, then I got bored and had a hard time finishing the quilting and piecing. Hence the length of time these things take me.

I used the white animal print fabric from Ikea as the inspiration as we already had matching artwork and stuffed animals for this print from his nursery. I found the duck print and picked up all the solid cotton for the appliques from Fancy Tiger.

I used wool batting for the first time. What a great product, all natural and warm. A 40% coupon at Hanncock Fabrics helped with that.

Mom's happy it's finished and Keenan loves the animals and little fish swimming around his bed. Now if we can just keep the dog off of it...

deadlines

2010-11-03T11:11:00.002-06:00

There has been sewing, actually a lot of sewing. Just not much documentation as this belly gets bigger my energy seems to run out quickly. I have two weeks until my sewing table and machine need to go into storage to make way for the birthing tub and then crib. Hence, lots of sewing.

So, in the next two weeks you should see (cross my fingers that I can pull it off):
Keenan's finished big boy quilt
Prayer flags for a friend
The baby's new christmas stocking
Silky bunnies for Keenan to give the baby
possibly baby clothes
baby knitting projects
completed costumes for Keenan's christmas costume trunk
cloth wipes
burp clothes

Here are a few things that are finished and happened to get photographed!

When the baby arrives, Keenan is getting a doll, we decided it needed a sling to match mommies.

Lots of babies have been arriving in our circle of friends, a few quick blankets to welcome them.

Shopping

2010-09-04T05:24:00.001-06:00

Shopping for fabric and trim in NYC, oh my!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Newborn Warm Leggers (leg warmers) Pattern

2010-08-24T12:27:00.002-06:00

Newborn Warm Leggers (leg warmers) Pattern

Guage: 6 stitches = 1 inch in stockingnette stitch

Finished Size: +/- 7" long & 6" circumference

Materials: 1 skein Malabrigo Twist (3.5 oz) 100% pure baby merino wool
set US #4 double point needles

Pattern:

Cast on 32 sts.

Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K2P2; repeat from * to end of round

Repeat round 1 seven more times

Knit 40 rounds

Repeat round 1 eight times

Bind off loosely and weave in ends!

Quick knits for the belly

2010-08-16T17:12:00.001-06:00

Getting bigger, slowing down, time for knitting for the baby.

This weekend leg warmers or "warm leggers" as my son calls them. Modeled here by the beautiful Devan.

Pattern to follow!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2010-08-13T14:26:00.001-06:00

My husband had informed me that this actually makes me the biggest geek in history, but...

How amazing is this fiber art installation outside the Denver art museum! The dorky part, I knew the name of the artist: Janet Echelman from my Fiber Arts magazine reading. She was featured in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue.

You must see it at night, when it's lit up. I made Cary take me after our anniversary dinner out. Couldn't waste having a babysitter.

Also a little peak at my ever growing belly. Happy weekend!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dreaming of fall

2010-08-09T17:18:00.001-06:00

This time of year I start dreaming of fall. I even started a knitting project which is a cool season activity for me.

I'm ready to start nesting in for the winter, maybe it's the pregnancy.

-the project: baby leg warmers!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Popsicles!

2010-07-20T14:33:00.002-06:00

I had a moment of weakness at Williams and Sonoma (who doesn't now and then) and came home with this amazing popsicle maker! It makes popsicles in 9 minutes, any flavor you can imagine up. This morning we had breakfast smoothie popsicles. Today after work I have limeade with real grape slices waiting to cool us off. I'm thinking that Sir Emmit the Dog might need some beef broth popsicles, help! I can't stop myself. Could you have dinner in popsicle form? Maybe gazpacho? Let me know if you have any amazing flavors to share or just want to come over to have one!

On a side note, sewing has resumed at our house. Thanks to a visit from my mother-in-law who ironed all the yardage for Keenan's 'big boy bed' quilt. God bless her, that is my least favor part and stalls me out every time. Hopefully this pregnant body is up for some creative time! I'll post pics soon, looking to be super cute and oh so 'big boyish'!

Sewing lessons

2010-07-04T19:14:00.000-06:00

This weekend I gave my girlfriend Elizabeth a much belated sewing lesson. First project, matching mommy/son pj's.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

3T

2010-06-20T16:32:00.001-06:00

Finally, a few spare moments and a willing 2 year old.

The first muslin trial pair was a little snug. Second attempt, super cute stripped terry cloth, and a pattern ready for more!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Breckenridge

Sometimes

2010-06-17T20:54:00.001-06:00

Sometimes when your (ok, when I'm, I know some people love being pregnant) pregnant and your feeling sorry for yourself because you are feeling so rotten. You do things that you wouldn't normally do to make yourself feel better.

This one turned out to be brilliant! When I was signing up for our CSA (community supported agriculture) farm share this year, in addition to our regular veg, fruit and egg share I signed up for a flower share. I have passed it up every other year trying to be frugal. What a mistake!

I picked up our first share this week and there sat this beautiful bouquet, just for me, oh those brilliant pregnancy hormones. I get this little piece of heaven every Thursday! Definately my new favorite day of the week.

Hopefully you found your own little piece of joy today.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:My kitchen

Mission accomplished

2010-06-09T18:57:00.001-06:00

Short summer jammies! Keenan wouldn't stay still for a photo so we went for an action video!

YouTube Video

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sewing time?

2010-06-01T14:41:00.004-06:00

I'm swamped at work, our house is a wreck and I have lots of gardening to do... all I really want to do is sew.

For Keenan:
Finish designing his new "big boy bed" quilt and start sewing it! Using this fabric from Ikea.
Refashion a few of his long sleeve pj's into short sleeve and short combos
Make a few knit short with matching tees, maybe with a applique design like this by designerjot.

For Me:
A case for my new ipad! Stylish fabric, with the ability to hook to the head rest in the car so Keenan can watch movies on it during long trips.

For my Sister:
Her overdue, only getting more overdue, birthday present that is sitting on my sewing table and involves fabric made from old rice sacks like this. We had matching dresses out of this fabric, which we made when we were younger. Horrible family photo, which you will not see, to verify it!

And a bunch of other stuff, but this would be a good start. Maybe I can make myself a deal, clean one room in the house and you earn an hour of sewing time. Maybe?

Oh, where oh where have I been?

2010-05-27T12:40:00.002-06:00

A little under the weather and just starting to feel better as I finish my 1st trimester. We are expecting! I remember when I was pregnant with Keenan, someone telling me how decadent your first pregnancy was (at the time I was outraged!) oh, how right they were.

Tired and queasy take on a whole new meaning with a two year old at your feet. Hence, not much crafting, well actually not much of anything going on around our house (dishes, laundry, shopping). Thank heavens for take out and wonderful husbands to pick up the slack.

Hopefully the 2nd trimester will be a bit easier and I'll have a little bit of energy left over for making very tiny and cute baby stuff!

Saturday cleaning

2010-05-08T10:06:00.000-06:00

Saturday was always 'clean the house day' when I grew up. That tradition has stuck with me.

Today while sorting toys, we found a box of Lego recently sent to us from cousins who outgrew them. So how do you store Lego? A big draw string bag!

Quick and easy. A good Saturday morning project.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Memory Game

2010-04-27T15:25:00.003-06:00

Memory: The family version

For my nephews birthday (I'm ashamed to admit it was months ago and this package is just leaving our house) I made a custom memory game with photos of all of our family with him.

This project is simple and you could even make a no-sewing version.

Print two copies of each photo on printable fabric (available at craft and fabric stores). I made mine 4" x 4". Iron the photos onto 4" squares of double sided fusible pellon (also available by the yard at your local craft or fabric store). Iron a 4" square of fabric on the other side, make sure you choose a plain fabric or overall print. Pink the edges, using pinking shears or a fancy blade on your rotary cutter. I then zigzagged around the edges, but you could skip this step if you don't sew.

Toddler vest

2010-04-07T08:47:00.000-06:00

Keenans sweater vest recycled from daddy's old sweater.

-- Post From My iPhone

Easter Roundup!

2010-04-06T13:29:00.002-06:00

Easter flew bye this year. I found the hiding knit chick, finished the fabric eggs and recycled one of Cary's old sweaters into a new sweater vest for Keenan (he was so excited he immediately wore it outside to garden, hence it made it to the hamper before photos)

Keenan's Easter Basket (don't you love the bunny basket my mom made him!)

The chick was hiding in the garden enjoying the spring weather

Hugs

The best part about fabric eggs, you can keep hiding and finding them.

Hippity Hoppity Easters on it's way!

2010-03-29T12:57:00.006-06:00

Here comes Peter cottontail hopping down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity Easters on it's way... and with that comes plenty of Easter crafting at our house. (I did finish the baby chick, then lost him somewhere in the house, will photo once he is found. Luckily my mother-in-law is coming this week so the house is getting cleaned. "we're coming for you little chicky don't worry")

Super cute and super easy Easter bunny finger puppets. See www.purlbee.com for the instructions.

2010-03-20T14:22:00.001-06:00

My favorite time of the weekend

Enjoy your weekend!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Toasty Tootsies

2010-03-18T12:34:00.003-06:00

Expecting 5-10" of snow tomorrow after 65 degrees today sends shivers down my spine! Luckily I finished my first pair of hand knit socks. They are the warmest coziest alpaca-iest socks around. As you can see I ran out of the burnt orange and had to add a little stripe of moss green, and I think I like them better that way. Love the little surprise when you take off your shoes. My only disappointment is when I started these I didn't know that alpaca stretches and doesn't return to shape. Hence, after wearing them this one time they stretched out too big for me and now belong to my husband. Lucky guy!

Next up on my needles...

2010-03-11T13:40:00.003-07:00

I fell in love with these little chicks the second I saw the Purl Bee post about them. Add that to the bag o' pastel mohair yarn I was gifted and you start to see the picture! I'm envisioning three of these little chicks tucked inside of Keenan's Easter basket with the little eggs hidden all over the house. If you are feeling the love and want to join me in the knitting fun you can find the pattern here.

Spring Sweater - just in the nick of time

2010-03-10T12:56:00.002-07:00

To solve the yarn dilemma I decided to go with short sleeves. Spring is starting to show it's face here in Denver so I figured I would get more wear out of the sweater that way and could wear it layered with long sleeved shirts (as pictured above) on those really cold days.

The super yummy and ohhhhh sooo soft yarn is Malabrigo Twist in grape, 100% baby merino wool. It's simply divine to wear, which I did for three days in a row! It's not really from a pattern, I took the 'My Favorite Sweater' class at Fancy Tiger and you create the sweater as you go, designing it as you please.

Happy Bloggity blog blog!

2010-03-03T13:36:00.003-07:00

Today is the 1 year anniversary of starting my crafty blog. Can you believe it. When I started out a year ago my goals/intentions for the blog were to inspire me to create more and help me break through some creative blocks. It has definitely accomplished both of those things.

So what about this next year. Funny, but I'm looking for exactly the same things. I want to create more and break through some creative blocks I'm running into. My goals are to take on fabric & yarn dyeing, learn to transform my alpaca fleeces into yarn and create some of my own pattern designs. Just typing that makes my stomach nervous and my brain rush to ideas.

Thanks for your support, cheers to another year!

oh, and a quick update on my sweater. The main body is off the needles and ready for sleeves. The only draw back is I don't have enough yarn for both sleeves, hmmmmm the possibilities for solving this, stay tuned!

Spring!

2010-03-01T14:44:00.002-07:00

Sewing for new babies, always makes me think of spring! Two neglected baby gifts that have been sitting on my sewing table for months, this weekend was just enough time to finish them off.

I think my all time favorite receiving blanket edge is pom pom fringe, who out there doesn't want to be wrapped in layers of warm flannel with a little pom pom fringe for bling?

Off to India

2010-02-26T11:05:00.003-07:00

I spent time in India oh, so long ago and this weekend a very good friend of mine is heading there. So, I jumped at the chance to send a few warm fuzzies to my friends who live there.

This apron is for Tina along with some chocolate for Sanjeev (Chocolate is very hard to come bye there, how do they survive!) They run a restaurant that caters to western yoga students and provide a home away from home for many a lonely traveler. Since I can't wrap my arms around them in a big hug, this will have to do.

Luck o' the Irish

2010-02-25T14:33:00.001-07:00

Keenan helped me craft up our St. Patrick day decorations. A simple banner he colored and glued, hung on a bit of yarn.

Emmit

2010-02-18T10:37:00.002-07:00

We have a new dog, Emmit. The sewing this week has been mostly for him.

I zig zag embroidered our phone number on his collar.

Re-covered an old dog bed for sewing together and purchased two yards of fleece for a blanket. Although he prefers to sleep here, super helpful when trying to use the peddle.

Then a few new hot pads for the kitchen. Ours were beyond gross!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sugar anyone?

2010-02-13T17:17:00.001-07:00

Valentines day preparation!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Valentine Flip Book

2010-02-11T12:54:00.004-07:00

I was inspired by 'Color me Katie', found here:

http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/2010/02/kiss-in-your-pocket.html

Mind you her outfit is smashing and her pose is perfect, love her.

Alas she does not have small children who are sleeping and your trying to sneak in a craft project without their help in order to surprise your neglected husband...

My attempt. I'm only posting the first and last photo. You can imagine the middle or watch Katie's video for the full effect

Felt hearts

2010-02-10T15:43:00.001-07:00

Felt hearts everywhere! Sew easy, sew fast.

Front door

Living room mantle

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Love Catcher

2010-02-09T13:10:00.003-07:00

Over on www.scribblesnsnapshots.blogspot.com the challenge blog I share with my girlfriend Stephanie, I made the intention to have Tuesday Art Days for Keenan and myself. Today was our first attempt and it was a smashing success. In the valentines spirit we made a heart sun catcher.

Sun Catcher

Supplies:
Contact Paper
Tissue Paper shapes and pieces
*the options are endless, you could use glitter, yarn, string, leaves, lipstick kisses...tissue paper is what we had on hand although one little golden aspen leaf did make it in.

Tape contact paper sticky side out to a door or window. Smash tissue paper shapes and other treasures onto contact paper. Sandwich smashed stuck on treasures with another piece of contact paper. Cut into heart shape. Enjoy

Happy valentines week!

2010-02-08T14:45:00.001-07:00

With blustery weather outside, and a little extra craft time during a girls ski weekend, I've decided to celebrate valentines week!

Decorations, daily love notes and themed food for my boyz.

A few of the valentines created during girls ski weekend each with a love note under the heart flap.

"you're so 'knot'y it's nice!"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Achoooo!

2010-02-01T14:20:00.004-07:00

After the dust settled from Keenan's birthday trip we settled into a cold. Still fighting our way out. A few pics of the birthday crafting while we recover.

I'm feeling quite brilliant with my crown idea. Hiding under that cute star proudly displaying the number two is a piece of Velcro. That way every year can have a new number and design.

This cake was no fuss, no muss. A chocolate cake with a 'hole' dug in it by the steam shovel add a candle and your finished. I served it with fresh banana slices and blueberries. Inspired by Keenan's favorite book 'Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel'.

Finally a re-usable all occasion fabric bunting of our very own. I had planned on using fabric scraps, but they were all at the cabin for a quilting project while I was sewing at home. So a few new fat quarters later and Wala bunting! It took a while to make as I made it reversible. Meaning instead of just cutting out triangles and sewing them on to binding tape. I cut two triangles for each bunting triangle, with right sides together sewed the two long edges. Turned the triangle right side out, pressed and then attached with binding tape. It's my virgoness shining through waahaahaaaaaa.

2010-01-15T11:26:00.001-07:00

There has been much crafting going on, Sweater knitting, birthday bunting and crown. Just too much other stuff this week, extended family coming to town, fostering a rescue dog, birthday party planning, tantrums, cleaning, to facilitate posting. On vacation with above mentioned extended family and new dog next week. Hopefully lots of crafty time and plenty to share when we return.

Enjoy the week!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend sewing

2010-01-10T14:55:00.001-07:00

Loving wool felt this weekend.

Lisa's ring bearer pillow for next saturday's wedding. A miniture version of purlbee.com's tutorial.

Birthday crown for my nephew!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Patience?

2009-12-29T13:44:00.004-07:00

I was gifted this amazing alpaca fleece! I can't even stand how soft it is and how amazing the colors are. Now, I don't know anything about carding, drafting, spinning, etc. to go from fleece to yarn. I only know those words from watching a few You Tube videos. I can't wait to figure it all out! (FYI: I'm looking for some cotton hand carders to borrow or buy used if you know of any laying around)

This book was part of my Christmas present from my husband (sometimes he does listen :) ). Can't wait to dive in. Read it once already, have shopping list on iphone, projects multiplying in head.

Here is where the patience comes in. I have a long laundry list of started projects to finish. Started loosely defined here. So, the goal is to spend January finishing these projects so I can start these new fabulous ones without old projects hanging over my head.

Here is the list ( I need to write it down now, because the longer I think about it, the longer it gets!)

- A 'silky' for my friend's son (cut out, seem to be missing a piece, must dig deeper)
- 'Little Bo Peep' skirt for me from 'Seams to Me' (have fabric)
- Knit socks (one sock on needles 1/3 finished)
- Double knit hat for mom (see previous post for this sad tale)
- Knit Sweater (the one new project as it is a 'how to knit a sweater class' I received for Christmas and starts next week!)
- Hot Pads (just the idea, mine are gross and not cute, must change that)
- Crazy quilt (half way pieced, started when I didn't have any on going projects and wanted to use up scraps- when does that ever happen - guess it did)
- Pajamas for me (have fabric, no pattern)
- Mending basket (will it ever be empty?)

There you have it, in print and on the internet, that's a good start I hope! Here's to clearing out the old as we approach the new year!

Crafty mom

2009-12-26T09:30:00.001-07:00

Look at this super easy (toddler friendly) Christmas tree decoration. Make them now and have them tucked away for next year.

Supplies:
-1 yard each color of star used (5 colors will make enough for one tree)
-1 yard batting each color used
-star stencils (cookie cutters work great).
-matching thread

Draw stars on 1/2 yard of felt with erasable fabric pen, spaced atleast 2" apart.

Layer the materials. Felt, batting, felt with stars drawn.

Sew with a small stitch width along the star outlines through all layers.

Cut out the stars from the felt. Being careful to not cut the batting.

Pull batting apart in between the stars.

Hang on tree. The batting sticks to the needles so no hangers are needed.

Thanks for the tutorial mom!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hope your day was filled with suprise, wonder and a cozy spot to relax.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T17:09:00.001-07:00

Nothing better than family Christmas eve crafting!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sewing with mom

2009-12-21T16:29:00.001-07:00

I'm home for christmas. Which means sewing with mom. The supreme sewing goddess!

I brought two of my favorite sweaters that had been attacked by moths with me. We created two of these 'scarflets' for Christmas gifts.

Being allergic to wool, my model was a little hesitant. Thanks mom!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Good things to come in 2010

2009-12-19T14:18:00.001-07:00

Look at this amazing bag of stamps!

My husband collected them when he was a child (how cute and nerdy is that!). His mother is visiting and brought them.

I have soooooo many ideas already. Can you think of possible uses?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Toddler Christmas

2009-12-15T23:04:00.001-07:00

It's much more fun to craft together, so when Wendy asked to make rocket ships I jumped at the chance. I even had time to finish a new 'silky' for keenans stocking too.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Double Knit Update

2009-12-14T15:06:00.002-07:00

oh it's bad, very very bad. Three inches and hours into the hat. I decided to try a little color work, although I don't know how to do color work (you can see it coming can't you). It did not turn out that well, so I decided to undo it (this is where is goes very very wrong). Came off the needles, couldn't get it back on and finally I un-did every last stitch. I almost cried!

I'm waiting a couple of days to try again (maybe this time with a pattern and some instruction) just need a few days to regain my wits.

Winter freeze

2009-12-09T07:51:00.001-07:00

-6 in Denver this morning. Amazing how beautiful something so miserable can be.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Double knit here I come!

2009-12-08T15:47:00.003-07:00

Someone ( they occasionally read this blog) I love is in desperate need of a new hat. Being allergic to wool, I found some silk/bamboo yarn. The problem arose of how to make it warm. So I jumped onto ravelry.com, knittinghelp.com and YouTube. Seems like double knit is the answer, so here we go. I'll keep you posted.

Trying out posting from my phone. Let me know how you think it's working.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

camping christmas

2009-12-02T11:32:00.003-07:00

A picture snapped just before the snow hit! We now have 3" on the ground, hello December!

This pup tent (ala 'Weekend Sewing') is for my oldest nephew. I think that opening, basically a big piece of fabric, would be kind of disappointing for a six year old, so I decided to include a photo of us trying it out.

I thread sketched the spider web and spider with my sewing machine (ala: http://clutterpunk.blogspot.com/2009/10/thread-sketching-on-fabric-techniques.html). Easy project which I know will be used.

Black Friday

2009-11-30T10:58:00.005-07:00

Who has time for 'black Friday' when there is sooooooo much crafting to do (and don't get me started on the social and economic impacts).

So we crafted and crafted and crafted all weekend. Food, friends, football in the background (something about the sound of football makes me want to craft).

Here are the results:

Purses for the tweens on my list. I just love both lining fabrics, it's like a special little surprise every time you open your purse (not sure why the photos keep loading sideways, sorry). The pattern is from the blog 'Made by Rae' It's a free download and super easy!

Uncle Cary and Auntie Julie dolls ala Angry Chicken 'Bend the Rules sewing'. Hilarious, I can't even stand how funny these are. Keenan is hugging the 'mommy' doll, or pretending it's a phone, I'm going with hugging because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy!

Hand knit dish cloth for my dad. Not my favorite knitting project, borrrrrring, but the result is lovely. I would want to do dishes if I had a few of these.

Sneaking in the Christmas list, a bridal shower gift for a winter wedding. LOVE that Lisa & Bill will actually wear these.

And finally a plain, plain hat for my man. What's fabulous is the yarn, it's a local. Local Alpaca! They include these amazing photos of the alpaca that they got the yarn from with it's name. How cute it that! I'm wrapping those photos in with the gift

Almost finished, just a few more projects to finish up! Hope you made the most of your Thanksgiving weekend!

Eek!

2009-11-23T14:00:00.003-07:00

oh, he looks cute. But, two of those in your cabin for two months unattended are the end of all your crafty weekend dreams.

The only crafting that took place was a few rows of knitting in the dark during the car ride too and fro. Otherwise it was cleaning, washing and steam cleaning, oh my!

Although I did occasionally look out the window at the amazing view, see a fox on our porch and loads of blue jays gobbling up the peanuts we put out (much to my sons delight). I guess it could be much worse.

three, two, one blast off!

2009-11-16T11:23:00.002-07:00

Life was slow last week, as I loved on a sick babe. A tiny bit of knitting and this awesome rocket ship were made. A gift for a nephew turning one. It was a bigger hit with his three year old brother, go figure. At least it was loved.

Mucho crafting to come as I overheard and panicked in the airport yesterday when someone said 'Christmas is seven weeks away', then I checked my calendar and it's actually five weeks away. Now I'm really panicking!

On top of Christmas, one of my best friends just announced her wedding will be December 23 and well, she must have a handcrafted gift, so some secret crafting will be happening on top of that!

So rev up your engines here we go!

slowly, slowly

2009-11-05T13:38:00.003-07:00

I think my finger is now flipping me off! It's still healing, who knew you used your middle finger so much? Hence, I have been gathering material for the ridiculous amounts of Christmas crafting I have in mind, instead of crafting.

I'm attempting a bit of knitting, seems to be ok for about 10 min. at a time. Do you LOVE that giant ball of yarn, this is for a gift so I can't tell you details yet.

Glue sticks, I can handle glue sticks. A few photo cards were made for Cary to send his Real Estate clients. Beautiful shot he took of the fall colors. Mmmmm, I can smell fall just looking at the photo. Don't you just love that smell.

A fabulous thrift store find, can't you just see a sun dress from this! Much better then it's current life as a curtain. Don't worry, I'll rescue you fabric!

Sauerkraut

2009-10-27T13:16:00.006-06:00

Well, I missed the start of the Sauerkraut class as I was um, delayed at the health clinic. My finger and the car door had a bit of a fight. Obviously the car door won. Luckily my parents, in town to teach the Sauerkraut class, were troopers and went on without me.

I was able to film and get photos of most of the fun. I'm hoping sometime before the end of the year to get a video edited.

Chopping up the cabbage, I love the community effort and working outside!

Shredding, weighing and salting in the kitchen

Stomping, nice to have lots of helpers for this, although they don't seem to be working much in this photo.

Who knew so many friends would want to have a five gallon bucket of cabbage fermenting in their basement! I'll keep you up to date on our fermenting as we go along. Hopefully in a few weeks we will have a tasty macrobiotic treat!

Not much crafting or anything else for a few days, as I let my finger heal. I'm hoping by the weekend, cross your fingers for me!

Sharing Traditions

2009-10-23T11:49:00.004-06:00

Waiting at the acupuncturist, with a little bit of knitting and choco to keep me company.

Waiting for the weekend to begin. My parents are in town to teach a sauerkraut making lesson. How cool is that! My father grows 200 cabbages each year to make sauerkraut with, most of which he gives away. Amazing. A few people are gathering tomorrow with clean 5 gallon buckets, salt and 'the stomper' I will document with photos for next week.

Whatever you are up too, have a great weekend!

Lots of fall crafting

2009-10-21T10:38:00.004-06:00

The weather has turned, the days are shorter and there are soooo many projects going on at our house right now. A couple to share today.

A too bulky not used scarf deconstructed for that fabulous pink and orange wool. I'm feeling more elf hats are on their way!

New aprons to celebrate the finale of canning season! Thanks too my canning partners Charlene & Wendy, and Grant Family Farms for the amazing produce in our preserving share. 10 bushels tackled and on the shelves ready for winter!

'Tea Cup' apron pattern from Anna Marie Horner's 'Seams to me, 25 new reasons to love sewing'. Loving the custom bias tape for the edge. Great instructions in her section 'maybe I'm biased'.

Embracing Mistakes

2009-10-19T11:19:00.003-06:00

Have you ever figured out you made a mistake, waaaaay too far into a project to fix it. That happened this weekend, so I decided to embrace it! I'm choosing to see my mistake as just a personal handmade touch, adding my own unique flair to the project if you will. Maybe you will see it maybe you won't...

This project is fairly easy.

1. Cut your orange, yellow and white fabric into strips (mine were 3.5", 4", 4.5").
2. Sew strips together with 1/4" seam allowance
3. Cut into triangles. Because I was making mine reversible with the candy corn fabric (Hancock fabric), I cut my triangle 6" at the large end and 1/2" at the pointy end (sewing the two triangles with a 1/4" seam makes a perfect triangle point).
4. Sew two triangles right sides together on the two angled side edges. I used a 1/4" seam allowance making a perfect point when turned.
5. Turn and press.
6. Insert 'flags' into black binding tape, spaced however you like and zig zag closed. I leave 2' at the beginning and end of the bias tape to use when hanging.

I used 1/4 yard of each solid color, 1/2 yard the candy corn print and 6' of bias tape. This made 12 flags.

This same process in different colors makes a great re-usable decoration for parties of all kinds!

Spooktacular sewing!

2009-10-16T13:46:00.002-06:00

This was a great quick project to add some Halloween spirit to our kitchen.

First, I cut Halloween shapes in wool felt. Then sewed them together using invisible thread. I used my sewing machine, although the project could be completed by hand.

If using your sewing machine, backstitch at the beginning and end of each shape then keep sewing for a few inches before adding the next one. (My invisible thread broke a few times during sewing. Because the bobbin thread was still intact, I just re-threaded and started with the next shape.)

This weekend: Candy Corn Bunting (then on to Christmas gifts, I promise!)

My Hat!

2009-10-06T09:56:00.002-06:00

A hat for me!

(OMG, I don't think I've seen this angle of my face for a while, look at all those moles and freckles. I'm turning into my grandmother! Love her, but OMG!)

Harvest

2009-10-05T10:54:00.003-06:00

I struggle with the grape harvest every year. Our grape vine grows on a fence next to our back yard entrance, which I use multiple times a day,the smell has been HEAVENLY the last two weeks. I just did not want it to end. Then I noticed the squirrels were going to harvest all my grapes for me. This year it seemed like everyone was loving the grapes...

Then I moved on to Yogurt (as promised). I used the crock pot method for incubation and besides needing to stir milk for 10 min. to keep it from scalding, while a one and a half year old really really wanted to help, it was very easy.

I was not impressed with my end result. It was very runny and mild, not tart at all. I'm thinking I need to let it incubate longer and maybe add the powdered milk as suggested in other blogs to thicken it. Overall, I'm not sure it is worth it for me. When I can buy great live cultural yogurt in jars locally.

Homemade grape juice on the other hand is always worth it! Two more weeks of canning and were finished!!! Then on to Christmas crafting.

Holiday crafting begins!

2009-10-01T11:44:00.001-06:00

A little sneak peak of our holiday wrapping paper! It's going to be a family affair.

Check back tomorrow, I'm going to try yogurt making tonight!

Hats, Hats, Hats

2009-09-30T13:31:00.002-06:00

A few friends joined me making hats for 'Warming Families'. Here they are ready to be mailed out! We had so much fun, more hats for friends, family and ourselves are on their way.

Fall + Baking = Happy

2009-09-29T12:10:00.002-06:00

Nothing better than the crisp fall air to inspire baking. I've been making our bread the past few weeks. I dearly miss my Dad's home made bread and remind myself every time I visit him that I could do that too.

I'm loving the whole wheat bread recipe from 'Feeding the Whole Family, Cooking with Whole Foods' by Cynthia Lair. First off, the book is amazing! If you don't have it, you must get it. Second the recipe not only makes a great loaf of bread (well actually two), it uses up left over cooked whole grains. Which has now inspired me to make whole grains for breakfast at least once a week. A little inspiration circle if you will.

Slow foods, just make sense to me in the fall. Happy Baking!

Elves Everywhere!

2009-09-28T11:43:00.003-06:00

I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this elf hat.

#15 needles, chunky wool and two hours to perfection. I can't stand how cute this hat looks on my little man.

The pattern is from Handknit Holidays. The publisher Melanie Falick, gave away the pattern for free on their blog!

I've already started another one for my nephew! Sometimes fun and fast is just what I need to get the creative juices going. Now off to make my Christmas crafting list!

Autumn - Warming Families

2009-09-21T09:19:00.004-06:00

Oh, happiness a weekend in Breckenridge with near perfect weather. Mountain biking, fall colors and knitting. Can you believe it, after my leg warmer knitting problems. I used the forum on knittinghelp.com, solved the ribbing bind off problem and started a hat, my first.

Myself and two friends are knitting hats for One Heart Foundations "Warming Families", which knits clothes for the homeless. I thought this was a perfect first hat project, they even provide a pattern.

See this blog for details and the pattern, if you want to join the fun.

http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-feelgood-charity-partnership-with.html

A new ball of yard from Fancy Tiger a quiet weekend at the cabin and WooHoo a hat! My model was a little reluctant today!

My favorite part are the stripes. One to represent you and one to represent the recipient, so they know they are never alone.

15 min.

2009-09-02T15:10:00.002-06:00

Feeling pressed for time and not much inspiration, I have been trying to encourage myself to spend 15 min. sewing. I always end up inspired and spending much more than 15 min.

This week my 15 min of mending turned into a new wardrobe. I found jeans and khaki pants I didn't even remember I had. Along with a pair of Pajama bottoms, a gray skirt and black sweater. (You can see how often I do mending) I also finished to baby items, now to small for Keenan but ready to be packed away for #2 one day.

I also took photos of my jeans! This was a project from my challenge blog. I have not had much luck with pants in the past, so I spent the time measuring and adjusting the pattern before I started. Here they are, I've been wearing them like crazy with loads of compliments!

It has begun!

2009-08-20T13:43:00.004-06:00

Around my birthday, I just need fall. In order to speed it along, I start canning. This year our farm (grantfarms.com) offered a preserving share. 10 bushels of organic local goodness! I enlisted two friends and we are off and running. Our first adventure this year was beans! Can you believe how beautiful they are! Wax & Green combined (we did plain & Spicy Dilly beans!)

We just returned from summer vacation which means I am sewing again. All those baby blankets are finished and shipped (no photos, sorry), whew.

My second wedding anniversary was July 27th! The traditional 2nd anniversary gift is 'Cloth'! How could I pass that up, even if we had said no gifts. Just a teeny tiny sewing project for Cary. A laptop sleeve, hoping to protect his computer from flopping around in his bag.

Needing inspiration to sew and having a thank you card to write. I combined the two tasks and made a fabric postcard for my Aunt thanking her for sending me some beautiful napkin rings that were my grandmothers. I loved that her 'packing material' was fabric scraps, so I used the some of them in the postcard.

Pedrioli Baby Quilt

2009-06-25T11:08:00.002-06:00

I'm NOT a quilter, although you might think otherwise when reading this blog. Lots of quilts lately. For some reason I always end up making quilts for my girlfriend Cindy (who is a quilter), so here is a baby quilt for her little one that is due in August. I used minky on the back which I love the feel of, but hate sewing on. I used this backing for the binding also, I do not recommend this method with minky. It is so slippery you can't really keep it in place no matter how much pinning is used. So the binding is a little wonky, hopefully the baby won't mind :)

I think I have a fabric problem!

2009-06-24T15:19:00.003-06:00

New Fabric came in the mail this week!

Perfect for much needed summer tops

More fabric for baby blankets, make that 9 babies on the way who need a gift!

Button Cards

2009-06-15T20:17:00.002-06:00

Quick note cards made using my button stash. Good project for mom and son, the button jar is endless fun.

Sew Mama Sew Article

2009-06-08T14:16:00.003-06:00

My article for 'Sew Mama Sew' on purchasing a sewing machine is out. If you don't follow there blog, here is the link.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=831

Memorial Weekend Sewing

2009-05-24T21:57:00.005-06:00

On my challenge blog scribblesnsnapshots.blogspot.com. Stephanie challenged me to make a unique piece of jewlery. I used the fabric cuff pattern from 'Seams to me' by Anna Marie Horner. This was really fun! I made a ruffle version first, then decided I would like it better with out the ruffle, so I made another. Her instructions for the button loops are great. I had never made them this way. They work and look great. I will be using that skill again.

I bought this Oilily shirt on Ebay. The sleeves and shirt were a smidge to short. After two years of wearing it as is I decided to remodel it a bit. I removed the sleeves and used my serger to change the hem to a rolled hem.

Coming up, baby stuff. I have eight friends who are pregnant. Lots of baby sewing/designing going on. Also keep an eye out for Sew Mama Sew's June E-newsletter. I'm writing an article on how to choose a sewing machine.

The balance

2009-05-18T21:42:00.003-06:00

If you read my blog you know that I am constantly struggling between my structured, perfectionists sewing background with my desire to create free and wild. Today my 'do it right' side is screaming.

Two years ago (I'm embarrassed to admit) I made quilt blocks to serve as the guest book at my friends wedding. I then over the course of two years pieced a quilt and lining together. I then sent the quilt away to be quilted. This company also offered binding services. Binding is often not so fun and I'm not great at it, so I also asked them to bind the quilt. I can't even begin to describe my disgust when it arrived in the mail today.

I can't believe they even sent this to me with a bill. Luckily the quilting is fine and I will just have to re-bind it myself.

Please, please, please if this is what your binding looks like take a class, watch u-tube tutorials and don't even think about charging someone for it.

Thanks - I feel better now. Off to fix this mess.

Lots of sewing, not much posting

2009-05-14T08:55:00.002-06:00

I have been busy sewing without much time to post. Here is the outcome:

Reusable cloth produce bags with drawstrings. The leaves are stamped with fabric paint. Great project for left over fabric scraps.

It only took me ten years to complete this project! A college t-shirt quilt. My motivation to finish was choosing the amazing lining fabric in the next photo, LUV it!

Wool Felt Coasters, a thank you gift for a friend. These whipped up really fast, I will be making these again!

Up this week, matching shirts for me and my sis using the 'made by rae' free ruffle shirt tutorial. Check back soon for photos.

More birthday sewing

2009-04-30T10:35:00.003-06:00

What three year old doesn't need a personalized super cape! I surfed Etsy to look at design ideas and get a general idea of size then created a pattern. It is 30" long and 23" wide, with a velcro closure at the neck. It could be reversible if you wanted.

Now I'm finished with the little folks, moving on to the big people May birthdays and mother's day gifts.

Birthday Sewing

2009-04-21T11:24:00.004-06:00

Keenan trying out the Birthday Crowns

Nicole displaying part of Eli's birthday bunting

I am very lucky and have four nephews and two nieces that I LOVE to make things for. Two of there birthdays along with my sister's land in May. Hence I have been busy with birthday sewing. The two birthday boys are getting play crowns. Eli gets new custom bunting for his room and hopefully I will have time to make Super Capes. Pattern inspiration from 'The creative family' by Amanda Soule.

I also took a knitting class the last two Sunday's and have been busy knitting and un-knitting :( my first project, leg warmers. Hopefully I will have something to show soon, if you don't see any proof of knitting soon, please get on me about it. It was fun to learn, but I'm struggling completing the project. I like to figure stuff out, then I lose interested. I think that is why sewing holds my attention, there is always something new to try and/or fix.

Easter Sewing

2009-04-13T22:29:00.003-06:00

The jacket remodel mentioned in my first ever blog, finished!

An Easter present for the "ball" obsessed boy!
Pattern from 'Seams to Me' by Anna Maria Horner

A bunny 'silkie' to add to our ever growing collection, Burda 9731.
Bunny easter basket compliments of my mom.

Happy Easter!

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2009-04-09T10:56:00.003-06:00

I was in Washington DC last weekend. On our way to the Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian of American Craft Art, we stopped by the White House. Look what we found, Bee Keepers. Talk about making my heart smile! I have renewed hope for our little world, by the simple presence of the ancient art of Bee Keeping at our nations capital.

The city of Denver also has a Bee Keeper on staff, how cool is that for your job. I'm seeing bees in my next project somehow!

Easter Cards

2009-04-02T11:05:00.004-06:00

Keenan created his first drawing this week. He was fascinated with the paper one of my landscape plans came wrapped in from the printer. First he threw it on the floor to walk on. Then we put it on his table and I handed him two of my colored pencils. He thought that was great fun. They even tasted good too.

Because I wanted to commemorate his first drawing, but the paper was not that great. When he went down for his nap, I turned it into Easter cards for the family. Mailing one to his daddy for our memory book.

Happy April!

Smashing Spring Top

2009-03-29T22:21:00.005-06:00

My sewing this week has been for Steph and my weekly creativity challenge. This week a spring top. See our joint blog for more photos and the scoop. http://scribblesnsnapshots.blogspot.com/

My Spring Top, waiting for good weather

This one was a tad to small it's heading to my nieces Laurel & Jordan!

Sharing Space

2009-03-23T21:14:00.002-06:00

My creative space has been getting much more use by other family members this week. Hopefully participating in the Made by Rae 'Spring Top Week' challenge will get me back in there.

http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-top-week-you-know-you-want-to.html

Ink Drawings to celebrate with!

2009-03-14T21:21:00.007-06:00

I'm trying to learn how to create simple quick ink drawings. Taking inspiration from Monica Sheehan's book "be happy" I tried my hand at a few this weekend to celebrate a two special occasions: An engagement and a 1st birthday!

Card Front

Green Goodness, stitching the world back together: volume 1

2009-03-14T20:48:00.009-06:00

This will be my sporadic musings on being green. For the last few months I have been thinking about re-usable wrapping paper. My friend Kathryn was working on her version of this for Christmas gifts and when I finally caught up with my Sew News reading I found that they had a contest in December for re-usable wrapping paper. Taking this inspiration I started formulating a design.

As I had two birthday presents to wrap this month, I decided to put my mind and stitching to this task. I came up with two ideas. One pretty ordinary but effective, the other a bit more creative.

First, I ordered my nephew Ethan a personalized coloring book from frecklebox.com for his 4th birthday. To wrap this gift I made a re-usable tote bag, which I personalized with iron on embroidery letters. Hopefully he will learn from a young age the beauty of the tote bag.

I must admit I'm a bit of a tote bag addict. They do make great gifts though. Three years ago I made cloth shopping bags for all my girlfriends for Christmas, they still comment and tell me they are using them three years later.

For this tote I measured the coloring book and cut a piece of fabric one inch wider then the width and twice as long plus two inches. Serged the sides, hemmed the top and added the webbing straps which were recycled from wrapping linens I received as a Christmas gift. I then ironed on the letters.

Second, also from frecklebox.com I ordered Keenan's little buddy Oliver a personalized story book for his 1st birthday. For this wrapping I cut a single piece of fabric 13" x 27". My idea was to make cloth napkins which would remain hooked together in the middle for the wrapping. Then the recipient could simply cut between the two of them for use. To accomplish this I choose a decorative stitch that would stop any fraying that might occur after washing and stitched around the edges of both napkins. Leaving about 1/2" between the two napkins side stitching. I pinked the edges to make it more decorative and help cut down on fraying. Then I wrapped the book, using a safety pin as tape. I wrote quick instructions on the back of the card. The end result was a big hit at the party and looked great.

2009-03-09T21:28:00.007-06:00

Can you believe how fabulous this fabric is? It was on sale at Fancy Tiger and I had to buy some. It's flannel! I only bought a yard, because I couldn't think what to use it for other than a receiving blanket at the time. Now that I have had some time with it I can think of all sorts of things. I'm going to head back tomorrow to buy a few more yards. I will also get more info, who makes it, designer, etc. for the blog.

And, here they are the completed lizard pajamas. Keenan was kind enough to model for me, although it is a bit tricky to snap a photo as he wants to crawl over and grab the camera. I'm not a huge fan of the pattern I used for the top, Burda 9617. It has snap closures on both sides of the neck, but in a stretch fabric, I don't think any snap closures would be needed. I did make the pants from this pattern on another occasion and they are fantastic, like baby 'hammer time' pants, tons of fullness and fun. I will grab a photo next time Keenan is wearing them. The lizard pant pattern Simplicity 9853 worked great. It is a one piece pant pattern which once you get the hang of it is super easy. With this pattern I was able to accomplish my initial intention of modifying a pattern to fit Keenan. Now what fabric to use for the next round, rough tough park pants?

Today I sent out a last minute invitation to all the creative women I know to invite them to a Swap-O-Rama-Rama this weekend. I believe the original brainchild behind this is Wendy Trymayne you can find her info at http://www.swaporamarama.org/ Basically you all bring unwanted clothing which you then up-cycle into new garments by de-constructing and reconstructing them. What I love about the idea is that it's not about being perfect, more about being creative and sharing with each other. I'm hoping it will help me break out of my sewing barriers. Hopefully enough people will be available to give it a go. I'm sure the results and photos will be great!

My other project this weekend was to start another blog in collaboration with one of my best friends Stephanie. We both have the intention of being more creative in our daily lives and decided to support each other on this with a joint blog in which we will trade off coming up with a creative challenge to do each week. My task was to come up with the first challenge, Steph's task was to create the blog. Feel free to follow the fun. www.scribblesnsnapshots.blogspot.com

Cover up

2009-03-06T14:24:00.006-07:00

One of my biggest pet peeves with little boys clothing is that it becomes age inappropriate very early on. After 12 months it seems that you can't find anything without sports, television show characters or monster trucks on it. As my son at 13 months is wearing 24 month tops, we are often given gifts that fit into this category. Recently we were given an orange sweatshirt, my favorite color, with a monster truck embroidered on it. Keenan started wearing it and every time I thought "oh, I just hate that monster truck". Finally last week I thought, I can do something about that and in 15 min. I was able to nicely cover up that monster truck.

Before

Even in this simple change, I was thinking, do you think it's going to look homemade now. I love homemade, why won't I want it to look homemade? Maybe it goes back to my middle school days and being embarrassed by my homemade esprit bag. Hopefully I can instill earlier a love and appreciation of handcrafted items in my son.

This weekend I will be seeing one of my pregnant friends. I typically make receiving blankets for friends but recently have become bored with them, even with the addition of pom pom fringe. I needed something new. Looking around our nursery my eyes fell upon a stuffed frog with a rice heating pack in his belly. We use this all the time. When Keenan is sick we use it to keep him warm and also for easing gas pains. So I made a animal shaped baby rice heating pack. A quick gift using old flannel scraps. It is about 6" in diameter and filled with un-cooked rice. Next time I will add essential oils or herbs for a little scent after warming.

Mindset

2009-03-04T13:48:00.004-07:00

My son walked for the first time today. Completely in tune with his personality of being strong and confident. He got his balance took a step or two, then you saw the shift in his mind set and he up and walked across the room, amazing!

I feel like I have had a similar shift in mindset and made amazing strides in the last 24 hours creatively. Last night I dropped into a craft night at my local alternative craft store, Fancy Tiger. I have thought about going millions of times and finally did. I was only there for about fifteen minutes as I had to get home to nurse but in the fifteen minutes I was able to have someone mark the sleeves on my jacket remodel and buy more yarn to finish the dryer balls. I also stopped next door at the good will thrift store and found an amazing table cloth, to use for fabric. This is something I have also always wanted to to do, buy linens from a thrift store for fabric. With a $2.99 price tag, this was a great find. My total bill was around five dollars when I added in two pair of pants for my son, perfect!

Thrift Store Fabric

I hurried home to find my son asleep and my evening open for sewing. I finished the dryer balls and put them in with a load of laundry to felt. Next task a shirt to complete my sons pajama set. One thing I find kills my sewing motivation is the task of unfolding a pattern, hunting down the pieces and doing the crazy origami it is to re-fold a pattern. I was stopped dead in my tracks just staring at the pattern envelope. Another deep breath and a thought about the blog and I talked myself into it. An hour later I was sewing on the snaps the final step. Lizard pajamas ready to go.

Today I was home mid-day waiting for a service appointment, he called and was running late. I took advantage of the time and added straps to my sons sun hat, another project lurking around my sewing room since the fall. It maybe took fifteen minutes. Why do I let things like that sit around. I'm feeling really good about the momentum I have started. Just need some inspiration on the jacket. I guess I will start with the sleeves, now that I have them marked.

Creativity

2009-03-03T10:53:00.011-07:00

This is my blog. Why? A place of inspiration for me. To share the things that I love and make me happy.

I'm hoping it will inspire me to create more. To live the life I dream of living.

I have sewn all of my live, one of my earliest memories is playing with thread cones under my mothers legs while she sewed. She is a sewing goddess, she sews for a living, a sewing teacher. I did competitive sewing, Make it Yourself with Wool, as a child. I was a tailor for a department store during high school and college. All of this adds up to being a great seamstress.

The problem: I'm to confined, to perfect, everything has to be done the right way.

The goal: to break through this mental block, get dirty creatively, have failures along with triumphs and love every part of it.

This problem does not just reside with sewing, I am creative for a living a landscape architect. It holds me back at work, at play and in my interactions with the world. I'm going to change that.

Current Projects:

My son turned one in January he is a string bean, tall and skinny. Clothes don't fit his body well, so I am working on altering a pattern to fit his unique body. My first attempt is a pair of pajamas out of fabric covered in 'leaping lizards'.

Already I am feeling critical about this project and posting this photo. Deep breath, this project is fun and full of love. Who wouldn't want a lizard on there butt at night.

Next Project: one for me. Recycling a wool jacket originally constructed by my sister for 'Make it Yourself with Wool'. I think at the time this was a winner. Now a bit outdated, but I love the gathered back. I'm thinking I will shorten the sleeves and jazz it up a bit. Maybe some funky lining or a cool embroidery design, ala Oilily. Any thoughts or ideas out there?

Final current project, and by current I mean the ones that I am actively working on. If I listed all the projects in the works, well that would be ridiculous. If you sew, you know what I mean.

Dryer Balls! My husband calls me a hippie because I am an all natural, tree hugging, granola eating, home canning, CSA loving momma. So my current green project is dryer balls. Basically balls of wool yarn, felted and used to fluff stuff in the dryer in place of dryer sheets. I read a blog on how to make them after seeing them offered on Etsy (I heart Etsy!)

I have made wool felted balls before for my son to play with. I used instructions from a waldorf craft book for those. This was a terrible, time consuming, hand felting process. The instructions I'm using this go around seem much more user friendly. Make the yarn balls, about the half the final size of 6"diameter, put balls in nylon sock and tie off. Throw it in the washer and dryer with your clothes. This will partially felt the ball. Next finish making the ball to just larger than the desired finished size. Back into the nylon sock and wash/dry again until desired felting is achieved. Wala! Mine are halfway done. I ran out of yarn. That is today's outing.

And there it is my first post. Kinda fun!