Final WIP

I can't believe it's almost here. In the final weekend before the craft fair I decided to add another project. Or as I like to think of it another product line. It just sounds like I know what I'm doing when really I'm just making stuff I know I'd love to buy or give as a gift. I present to you my "Modern Gal's Color Wheel". It's also titled "Wallets in Progress to Coordinate with Already Finished & Fabulous Totes".

My first wallet design was born of my partner's desire to have something crafted by me for him. (It would seem he had became slightly jealous of all the crafting going on around him for others.) His first two craft suggestions were shot down. I just couldn't see myself making a tie or a cumberbund, perhaps at another time. What we agreed on was a business card holder, the forefather of the above wallets. It is now his constant companion throughout the day. He assures me they will be a huge hit. I hope he's right otherwise he's going to be seeing a large assortment of them in his Christmas stocking. I'm sure he could pull off the pink floral.

How much is that doggy in the window?

I can't believe how smitten I am with this little pup. I circled the store many times, each time making a pass by her diplay. In the end, how could I possibly pass up the cutest pencil sharpener ever made? At just $1.99 she was a bargain! It's nice she'll help keep my marking pencils sharp, a (sharp!) contrast to their current state. I discovered an added bonus once I got home....as the tail wags so do the ears.

Sidelined

I have lots more to show you guys. More smocks, patchwork scarves, hair pins and some fabulous new-to-me vintage brooches. Unfortunately everything is "almost done" but not yet ready to photograph. And, I had minor surgery on my right shoulder this morning which has pretty much ruled out sewing or crafting of any kind that involves lifting my arm up for the next day or two. Frustrating, not being able to finish projects when I am so close. Fortunately there are many, many projects in my past that I can talk about in the meantime.

Take this sweater, for example. Adorable, isn't it? I gave it to my nephew for Christmas two years ago. However, I actually started making the sweater years before for another child. To be honest, I started it so long ago that I don't actually remember who the original recipient was supposed to be. My nephew wasn't even a glimmer in the eyes of my brother and sister-in-law when the yarn was purchased and the knitting began. It took me so long to knit, that by the time I had all the pieces finished the child it was intended for had to have been in kindergarten. So I didn't even put the sweater together; I just tucked the pieces away and forgot about it. The storage box survived seven moves in two countries (it now has a green card).

Then my nephew came along and I remembered this pattern and decided to dig it up so I could make him a "hands up" sweater for Christmas. Was I surprised to find a nearly completed sweater in the right size! An evening or two was spent sewing the seams and adding a rolled edge at the neck and waist. Good thing, too, as I didn't actually look for the pattern until early December. And you know what? There was another partially knit sweater in the box with this one, same pattern, different colors. I'm sure someone will come along in a year or two who needs a sweater. By golly, I'll be ready.

You're Invited!

With all this talk of craft fair preparation it's about time we shared the details and formally invited you.

Indoor Craft Fair

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School

215 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough, MA

Saturday, November 3 from 9 am to 3 pm

Admission $2

If you're in the Boston/Metrowest area please stop in and say "Hi!". We'd love to meet you. How will you know us you ask? Why, we'll be the Funky and Delightful ones, of course!

Change of pace

No sewing for me this weekend - I have an assignment due tomorrow for one of my classes so I've been click-clacking away. Thank heavens for my laptop which allowed me to work outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. My skin even has that tight "you got too much sun" feeling. Since when do we need sunblock in New England in October? One plus about spending so much quality time with the computer was that it reminded me of an easy project I whipped up a few weeks ago. I needed a wrist rest but I couldn't bear the thought of bringing one of those gel-filled plastic ones into my house. Too new plastic smelling, not eco-friendly and, frankly, not pretty enough. So I made one. I used one of my favorite Heather Bailey fabrics paired with a cream colored ultra suede for the bottom (the ultra suede provides a little more friction than cotton and prevents it from sliding around). Three seams on the sewing machine, about a pound of flax seeds mixed with a little dried lavender, slip-stitched the open end closed, and voila, a lovely and functional way to ward off carpal tunnel syndrome. My favorite thing about it? The occasional soothing whiff of lavender that accompanies particularly vigorous typing.



I did take a break long enough to make a pot of soup so that we won't starve for the next few days. It's one of my favorite recipes and one that I made up myself. So simple and so satisfying, we eat this at least twice a month through the fall and winter.

Turkey Curry Meatball Soup

In a large stock pot, add the following:

3-4 carrots, peeled & diced
2 large potatoes, peeled & diced
3-4 stalks celery, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled & bruised (smack them with the side of a knife)
1/4 cup powdered chicken broth (I use Vegeta)
1 tablespoon curry powder

Fill pot with water until vegetables are submerged ~2 inches. Bring to a boil on high heat. While soup is heating, prepare meatballs:

1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 small onion, diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 egg
1 handful dry bread crumbs (I use gluten-free)

Work ingredients together with your hands until you have a homogeneous mixture. Form into ~24 meatballs. When soup has come to a boil, drop meatballs in one by one to prevent them from sticking together. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender and meatballs rise to the surface (indicating they are cooked through). Add a generous grinding of fresh black pepper and serve. It keeps in the fridge for about a week, but it will be long gone before then.

Enjoy!

It's All in the Wrist

A self-healing mat, rotary cutter, ruler, and I make a formidable foursome. With the glue barely dry on the envelope for the Funky & Delightful craft fair registration I began cutting out projects with a decisiveness rarely seen in my project planning. I too often agonize over every fabric choice wondering if this is the project to use it in. However, with a November 3rd deadline looming decisive is what I was that late September weekend. I cut out 12 bibs, 7 sets of coasters, 6 adult sized totes, and 4 kid sized totes along with the necessary facings and linings.

And you know what? Even though I spent ten minutes, at most, on each fabric choice I love the resulting projects just as much as those I've spent weeks thinking about.

more green

We can't seem to get enough green here this week. I might as well continue the theme with a little shoe and handbag love. Unlike Heidi Klum, I like things "matchy-matchy" when it comes to shoes and bags (or shirts and socks). The bag is my August/September submission to the Get Your Craft On Flickr pool. It was made using a Joel Dewberry print and Amy Butler's Frenchy bag pattern. August's rule was "use what you have" (fabric) and "birds" was September. I really love this pattern; the shoulder bag is a great size so I end up taking it everywhere (it's actually in need of a little wash at the moment). At Tory's suggestion (have you seen her bag?) I subdivided the two interior pockets for a total of five compartments. I find having more pocket real estate makes the bag much more functional (not to mention less floppy so it holds its shape better). I had grand plans to make one for a certain someone's birthday this week, alas I have run out of time. Perhaps for Christmas...

First Days of School

My niece, Little Miss Lou, recently began an important new adventure. She now attends pre-school two mornings per week. She won't know this for several years but the right accessories are so very important. To help with that I recently spent a quiet Monday evening putting together the perfect toddler sized backpack. I modified the backpack in Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing and used bright, fun fabrics from American Jane for Moda. This little backpack is now often filled to overflowing with the essentials: books and a sippy cup. For this project, I would have to give myself an A+!

Weekend progress

• 5 buttons sewn onto clutches (9 done!)
• 3 smocks cut out and ready to sew
• new fabric was washed and ready for use
• patchwork scarf plans in progress
• vintage button supply replenished
  

Oh, and meet my new distraction.
We had a week of pea soup weather (cold & rainy) so I started a pea green project intended for a lovely little girl. I love casting on a new project. The promising sounds of the needles clicking as the rows of stitches build up and the shape of the garment emerges. There I sit with my pattern and a mound of skeins and all I have to think about is the next stitch. Peaceful.

Saturday

Saturday finds
Originally uploaded by Me, Elise

The weather has finally changed here in New England and the crisp fall air was just the inspiration I needed to think about some patchwork scarves. Super soft wool was purchased: these are going to be cozy. I can't wait to start pulling fabrics for the patchwork. One new print was purchased that might find it's way onto a scarf, but I managed to restrain myself. Fortunately there was a thrift store next door that distracted me, very convenient. I think there should be a law enacted mandating that all thrift and fabric stores be within a block of each other. I always head straight to the bed linens section. It's usually a pretty disappointing array of cartoon prints, but today was my lucky day and I found a lovely vintage pillowcase to add to my collection. And the bird tin - isn't it fabulous? A glorious fall day, successful thrifting, new fabric and a walk in the woods with my husband - a perfect Saturday.

Clutching-on for dear life

A clutch of clutches
Originally uploaded by Me, Elise

Three weeks and counting down to our public debut. Did we mention that we will have a Funky and Delightful table at a craft fair in Marlborough on Nov 3? And that we have been sewing like madwomen to build up our inventory? True and truer. Tory has been working on bibs, keychains and totes for both adults and kids using some of our favorite fabrics. I'm sure she'll share some pictures soon. Inspired by Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing book, I have been churning out children's play smocks and a collection of clutch-style evening bags. I'm so pleased to finally find homes for some of the vintage buttons that I have been collecting. I find I have to live with fabric and notions for awhile before I figure out who goes with who. Get to know them, find out their likes and dislikes before I make the perfect pairing. I've made more than a few May-December matches, usually a distinguished older button and a flirty new fabric, but a few have gone the other way. So far all remain blissfully attached to their partners and that's all we crafty matchmakers can really hope for, isn't it?

Hello world!

We're Tory and Elise and we're addicted to fabric. This craft blog thing just seemed like too much fun so we decided to start our own. Here we plan to chronicle our adventures finding, making and creating all things funky and delightful. We have been so inspired by the amazing internet community of crafting women and we're looking forward to giving a little back. We hope to see you again.

~Elise & Tory