Project Wednesday: pretty project bags

After my success last week cleaning up my mess of patterns I thought I could continue my organizing trend with some pretty fabric bags for my embroidery and knitting works-in-progress. I present Exhibit A, my previous Ziploc-based method of organizing my embroidery supplies. Utilitarian and affordable but not so pretty (although I still like to use the snack sized bags to store embroidery floss).

I pulled out some fabrics and my rotary cutter and a couple of hours later I had these:

A linen bag with a pocket just the right size to hold a Stitchette guide, another drawstring bag from one of the new Heather Ross prints and a third bag with a fabric and embroidery detail. The two larger bags are both 12 x 16 inches and the smaller bag is 9 x 9 inches.

I even gave fold-over elastic a try as a closure for the small bag. It was super easy to apply (thanks Amy/Angrychicken!) and I think it will be perfect for keeping yarn clean and untangled while knitting it.

I love these bags and am going to make more to have on hand. They would make great reusable gift bags, come to think of it.

Infamy

OMG, I am so in love with these embroidered year book photos from Wonderthunder. My 20th high school reunion would have been this summer, had any of my lame classmates managed to organize something. We could have worn name tags with these little badges on them as we gathered around the bonfire in the gravel pit, passing around a forty pounder and listening to Motley Crue. Good times.

Stitching and Relaxing

Elise had very kindly shared her extra set of Wee Wonderfuls Summer Stitchettes with me, um, last summer so I decided I should stitch up one of those. Out came the iron, muslin, hoop, and floss. Down I sat in the long absent sun for a few hours of stitching.

This pattern was a big leap from my first jaunt into embroidery and I'm very impressed with the results. Except for hair of gold my Tilly looks just like the postcard included with the pattern. It gives me the boost in confidence I need to take on more embroidery projects. I don't want Tilly to get lonely so I have to bring Ruby, Anna, and Sam to life. Eventually these girls of summer will be turned into little dolls.

Surprisingly my favorite part of the project is invisible to everyone else. I had not expected to find myself so completely relaxed. During my first project I was so busy looking between the book and fabric to make sure it was perfect that I missed the quietness of it. The steady rhythm of the needle and the sound of the floss being pulled through the fabric couldn't help but quiet my mind. It's this sort of relaxation that I need to pay more attention to.

Welcome

If you're visiting for the first time via decor8, welcome! Depending on the time of day grab yourself a cup of tea or a cocktail and read awhile. We hope you find a little inspiration here, too.

Copy cat

Earlier this year I saw this little girl's dress on Moving Hands and was immediately inspired. In fact, I loved the Nano Iro Fuccura Flowers print she used so much that I haunted Superbuzzy for weeks until it appeared on their website at which time I immediately bought a yard each of the yellow and off-white colorways. Then I washed it up and there it sat for weeks, waiting for inspiration to morph into action.

Truth be told, I was a little hesitant put it to use as my past success sewing with lightweight fabrics has been spotty at best. Lots of puckering and pulled threads, several sad looking garments made from pricey fabric at a time in my life when I really didn't have any disposable income. Then my Oliver & S bubble dress pattern arrived in the mail and I knew it was time to get out the scissors. It went much better than I expected. I had a little trouble with the lining which I made from cotton/polyester batiste. Probably I should have switched to a finer needle, but it didn't really matter since it was just the lining and you couldn't see some of the little imperfections.

I love how the dress turned out. It's so soft and flowy: I think double gauze is a perfect fabric for this pattern. I can't wait to see it on an actual child (two more weeks until we visit my brother and his family- hurray!).

In summary, double gauze is my new best friend. Which is good, since I have the yard of the white Fuccura Flowers and an undisclosed amount of the blue Fuccra that I thought would be a nice summer top for me. There are still a few weeks of summer left, right?

Of Note

I found it odd the other morning to find myself staring into my nearly empty storage box for cards. While my paper addiction does not run as deep as my fabric addiction I do tend to buy more cards than I send. I soon found myself sitting at my laptop browsing the gorgeous selection of letterpress cards at etsy. However, indecision set in and I abandoned my hunt to go about my day.

It was later that I randomly remembered them. There were four packages of flat notes purchased last summer just because they were 10% off at Paper-Source. The stationery box was much too full last year and so these had to be stashed in another spot rendering them out of sight, out of mind.

In an effort to use what I have I got out my small collection of stamps and inks. In a matter of minutes I had created my own custom note cards. Perhaps I should expand my stamp collection with these. With nearly 80 more cards to stamp I think I'm going to need a bit more variety than my stamp collection currently offers. So much for use what I have!

Shoe sale!

Am I the last person to discover Puddle Jumper Shoes? Adorable, made of leather and many styles are currently on sale for $14-20 per pair. How can an auntie resist? I ordered these two for a certain almost two years-old someone:

A Word of Caution on Dating

A consignment shop find: vintage postcard, copyright 1909 by Walter Wellman

Class Act

I’m just amazed by the things that can be accomplished in Photoshop and Illustrator. I could, and sometimes do, spend hours staring at the virtual rooms created by my favorite design bloggers in Photoshop. I especially love it when they take a basic sofa or curtains and show them in a different fabric. I want to do that!

And Illustrator? I do not have any drawing skills. I’m pretty much limited to a ruler and pencil. I’d love to be able to design a personal collection of fabrics or paper though. With Illustrator I just might be able to move beyond the sad lines I currently create into something worthy of printing.

I decided to stop dreaming about all I might do and actually start doing. This summer I signed up for an evening computer design course. I am simultaneously overwhelmed and blown away by what I’m learning. There is just so much to these programs. It’s going take lots of practice to get good. And I’m up for the challenge. Who knew homework could be so much fun?

Project Wednesday: pattern caddy

Not only did I stay awake for all of Project Runway last night, I managed to start and finish a project. While the designers had Heidi to give them their assignment, I turned to an issue of Cotton Time for inspiration.

I flipped through it and found a project which looked like it could be completed in an evening without having to struggle too much with non-English directions. I pulled out some of my favorite Summer in the City prints and a coordinating Japanese cotton and started cutting. From the diagram it seems like the point of the project was to make a piece of patchwork and then cut it up for the box, but I just cut five squares of fabric and five of utility canvas for the lining and sewed them together to make two boxes. I used fusible interfacing to give the canvas lining some extra strength, definitely the right thing to do.

The inner and outer boxes weren't exactly the same size, so I added some giant rickrack to hide the sad looking stitching around the top. Two twill tape handles with decorative buttons and I was done.

Now I have a lovely caddy for my patterns, which were previously propped up next to the crafting books.

Gifts for Babies

It’s hard to resist requests for crafting special gifts, especially when babies are involved. A few posts back Elise shared the first crafting request and her handsome little bear that was the beginning of the gift. Seeing him I realized my contribution to the project had better be good.

I decided to make a kid sized tote with initial applique where “I” is for Isaac. I chose denim for the exterior so that it would stand up on its own. The applique, lining, and handles are from Katie Jump Rope in colors of brown, blue, and green.

To round out the gift I whipped up two bibs from Amy Karol’s Bend the Rules Sewing.

I have to say the resulting gift pack is awfully perfect. I hope the recipients agree.

The second request came from the dudely after seeing Isaac’s tote. His college friends just welcomed their first baby and he thought it would be a perfect gift. Obviously, I couldn’t agree more. So this little guy also gets his own applique tote in denim with a Katie Jump Rope plaid in blue and green. Here “n” is for Nathan. I filled this tote with bibs and a board book. I believe it’s never too early to start reading to kids.

I think initial applique totes will become my go-to baby gift. I’ll just vary what I fill them with. I especially like that the tote will grow with the baby. I have visions of them walking into pre-school with their little totes in hand. But let’s not rush that.

Another green skirt

I bought this fun print from the Echino line by Etsuko Furuya from Superbuzzy last summer, intending to make a skirt. And then I choked. It was pretty expensive and the color and pattern were bold and quirky so I couldn't make just any old thing with it. I've pulled it out several times in the past year, trying to decide how to use it, but always set it aside in favor of something less dear. Finally, after seeing how well my first attempt at a Barcelona skirt turned out, I decided to make another and finally cut into my precious fabric.

This is the layered version of the skirt. I love the softness of the fringe and how it breaks up the pattern so I don't feel like I'm wearing a tablecloth. I had a brief moment of panic when I pulled it out of the washer covered in a tangled mess of threads until I remembered that the reason for washing it was to fray the edges of the layers (slaps self on head).

I made a wee error by attaching the layers for the back panels before sewing the center seam which would have been prevented had I been following the directions (cough, cough). Fortunately you can't tell unless you know how it was supposed to look (phew!) Because I was using a heavier weight cotton I didn't bother with the lining and managed to cut a half hour or so off the construction time. If you decide not to line it you do need to either add a half inch or so at the top or use bias tape to be able to finish the top edge without shortening it.

And by the way? Taking a a photo of something you are wearing that is both in focus and flattering is hard. Especially with all the slapping and waving of hands necessary when one's backyard has been turned into a mosquito breeding ground from all the wet weather.

Inspiration Pack Giveaway

Inspired by a giveaway done by Emily Martin of The Black Apple, Holly Becker of decor8 decided to host her very own Inspiration Pack giveaways. Last month a call was made to artists and crafters to donate their scraps to decor8. The scraps could take the form of fabric, buttons, paper, cards, ribbon, stamps, stickers, journals or really anything you were looking to recycle. The goal was simple: to inspire someone else.

The staff of Funky & Delightful answered the call and sent off a package of our fabric scraps and buttons last month. There was no way we couldn’t contribute. We’ve gained so much inspiration over the last few years from blogland. This was the perfect opportunity to pay it back.

Inspiration was also sent from nearly 100 other people including Hable Construction, Designer’s Guild London, Sarah Parrot, Sofia Barao, and Jen Renninger. Holly has spent the last few weeks organizing the goods into 10 inspiration packs for giveaway. Entering the giveaway is easy, just comment on the post answering the questions posed. You’ll definitely want to get in on the opportunity to win one of these packs.

The winners will be announced July 28. Good luck!

(all images courtesy of Holly Becker for decor8)

Yellow & Gray

Since I finished my birdie sling I'm seeing yellow and gray everywhere. Here are some of my favorites from etsy.

Clockwise from top left: grey flower pendant by Outlined, Noki pocket jotter by dozi, stitched mod yellow cards by polkadotshop, jacinda earrings by ristowkl

Clockwise from top left: butter yellow napkins by MichelleBrusegaard, mod stripey porcelain vase by shoshonasnow, twirlies wall wear 2 by neawear, Beth print by EggCupArt

Keeping Cool

It's humid! If it weren't for this great vintage fan I'd have my very own sweat shop going today.

It was on my first flea market trip to Grafton four years ago that I found this Diehl Junior fan. At just $2 and in perfect working order I had to have it. It has come in handy over the summers though the dudely is still convinced that at any moment it will burst into flames. Perhaps I'll ease his mind and have it rewired sometime.

For another way to keep cool I highly recommend ice cream. Today, this third Sunday in July, is National Ice Cream Day. In 1984 Ronald Reagan signed this important legislation. I think this is policy everyone can agree on. Agreeing on the best flavor, however, might be a different story.

Weekend pleasures

My mom's vintage pincushion that somehow remains undamaged after more than forty years of use, filled with new jewel-topped straight pins.
The smallest cat keeping me company during my afternoon of sewing.
My new summer bag. I've always wanted a white leather bag and this, my friends, was the year. It was the last one, it was 40% off, it was destiny.
A white wine spritzer, sipped on a lake front terrace in the warm breezy moments before an amazing thunderstorm.

Summer: it is good.

Stacked up

Just washed fabrics from the Urban Chiks Swell collection. I can't wait to cut into the seersucker; it's so soft and light, I think it will be perfect for children's clothes.

Works in progress, including two for a certain niece's upcoming second birthday.
My new ceramic measuring cups from Anthropologie that finally went on sale (sale price not listed online).

Books left on my summer reading list: The Perfect Summer, Mountains Beyond Mountains, The Birth House, The White Tiger and Bill's Food.

Books on my recently read list:

When You Are Engulfed in Flames - kind of depressing, I had to read it in short bursts rather than devouring it like I usually do with something David Sedaris writes. Mid-life crisis is just not that funny.

I Capture the Castle - a smart, funny book with a strong female teenage protagonist. A good summer read and a book I wish I'd read when I was 17.

Lullabies for Little Criminals - hard to read at times, but oh so good. It really captures the confusion of being a preteen/teenage girl trying to navigate adult issues.

Unaccustomed Earth - stunning, I couldn't put it down. I've been a huge fan of Jhumpa Lahiri's writing since The Interpreter of Maladies and she doesn't disappoint with this book.

Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? - an historical novel set during the time since Partition through the Air India disaster. I wish I'd been aware of the politics and issues leading to Sikh extremism when it was actually happening. I grew up in the middle of it and was completely oblivious.

Only seven summer weekends left, how will I manage to finish and get in my required hours of hammock lounging and gin & tonic sipping?

So, you think you can sew?

Wednesday night television used to be so easy. In the summers there was So, you think you can dance? which is best enjoyed while laying flat on the sofa with the air conditioning on and a Gaga's SherBetter bar in one's hand. Fall brought anticipation of the new season of Project Runway and late nights in my craft room hiding out from the hockey game that always seemed to run concurrently. And so it went for two years, one leading into the other with just enough of a break in between to make me really miss each show. The natural cycle of television, perfect in it's simplicity.

Well, imagine my horror when I realized that the Project Runway Season 5 premiere started right in the middle of SYTYCD last night? Tim Gunn, how could you do this to me? You of all people should realize how important it is to see something through, to not get distracted in the middle of a project. I was committed to SYTYCD: my freezer is full of ice cream bars and I've negotiated rights to the couch on Wednesdays for rest of the summer. How could you tempt me with your wacky tattooed designers and another grocery store challenge?

Well, if I've learned anything from the first four seasons it's how to make it work when a wrench is thrown into the works. I missed half of the dancing, had to have an extra snack of gluten-free pretzels and fell asleep during the runway show, but by golly I managed to pull it together in time to see Heidi crown the winner and bid auf wiederzen to the unlucky loser. Next week I might even manage to revive Project Wednesdays* and have something more than a crick in my neck to show for my evening's efforts.

*Speaking of which, Sarah from Pretty Bird Press has taken up the Project Wednesday banner (go Sarah!). Head on over there and keep her accountable, won't you?

Found: Small Spaces

Remember my, almost embarrassing, rant about an unnamed magazine’s definition of small spaces? My voice was heard! In three consecutive issues their small space section has contained homes no larger than 1,100 square feet.

The first month I thought was a fluke but a really lovely fluke. I really connected with this space. It prominently featured my favorite color (green) and style (small spaces that combine new, mid-century modern, and repurposed items to create a comfortable, lived in feel).

I just love the desk area featured above. Shutters were repurposed into a great bulletin board. (Reminds me of my shutter repurposing project.) An old tool box serves as a mobile mail center. The open legs on the desk keep this small area feeling open. It shows that you don't need a dedicated room to create a great office space.

The next two months' homes were just as lovely. While the overall homes didn't strike me as much as the home above there were some great ideas I will file away. Both homes used unexpected pieces for kitchen islands. The lighting fixtures throughout both were just fanstastic. And one of the homes had the best conversion of a cabinet into a sink for use in the master bath. The sink bowl used on the cabinet reminds me of a small farmhouse style sink.

I realize that magazine features are often shot a year in advance. Therefore, the likelihood that my post had anything to do with this fantastic turnabout is small. Nonetheless I like to think I've made a contribution to the preservation of the small space.

Blog Love

The Philosophy of Lists has bestowed us with the best little blog award. She has named us "Just plain fun to read". We were more than a little excited to get this. Giddy may, in fact, be the best word to describe it. Thank you, fellow blogger, for such kindness. We think you're awfully fun to read too!

Christmas in July

Not really, I just couldn't figure out how to tie in a photo of me opening my Christmas stocking in 1972 to Bastille Day. I happened to be in New York City for July 14th a few years ago and had dinner with some friends at a little bistro that was quite festive. We drank Lillet and ate moules frites and even managed to order in French which was slightly thrilling.

Any-hoo, back to my toddler days and point of this post. My mom sewed a lot for us when we were kids; clothes, costumes, curtains and even doll clothes as evidenced here. I loved my dolls and loved their pint-sized outfits, accessories and furniture. I still have my mom's doll trunk from when she was a little girl packed with what remains of my doll wardrobe. Most things she made but I did find a couple of items that still have their "Made in Hong Kong" tag on them. I've posted them all to the Vintage Doll Clothes Flickr group and to Craftilineage which is an awesome collection of photos of things made by family members prior to 1980. Check them out, there's some awesome stuff there as well as a few cringe-worthy photos of 1970s fashion.

Day Tripping - Portland

MA to NH to ME

Benny's for lobster rolls

Mid-day gelato snack

Hours of peaceful views

Outside dining on the water