Christmas Gifts

IF my cousins ever get me the info that i need, I'm going to finish these christmas projects/gifts. I'm making Cuz Ross a Harry Potter Gryffindor Freshman Scarf and making Cuz Em some green sandal socks and Cuz Steff some red and black sandal socks (not pictured).

FINALLY FINISHED THE AMY BUTLER BAG!!!

WHAT a PAIN in the TUSH!!! This Amy Butler High Street Messenger Bag took me about 9 months to make. It cost me $50 in fabric and notions (materials) and that was WITH a sale/coupon. Plus, I had to rip it apart SEVERAL times. I cut the original pattern WRONG and spent most of the time trying to figure that out. You need to be COMPLETELY lucid when you cut the pattern as too many of them are re-using the same pattern piece with this tucked under here or folded or whatever. I sewed it sideways until step 7 of 12 and had to start over!!! (TWICE!!) I'm so glad it's done. I'll have to put it away for a year or 2 before I bring that one out again (but I'm worried that I'll forget what I did wrong and do it all wrong again :(...I'm just so happy to have the bag FINALLY. It is NOT worth the wait but I still like it a lot. My next bag will be MUCH simpler ...(http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/six-pocket-bag/?page=1). Now if I can find the time to get to JoAnn's for some fabric...

So I found this webpage:

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/bandana-clothing-crafts?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/sewing-projects-clothes-and-accessories#slide_5

and instantly felt compelled to make it. I happened to have a green bandanna that I've been trying to figure out what to do with. It was spur of the moment and only took me 20 min to make!!!

New - urgent project - Baby Shower Gift

I suddenly realized that I have a baby shower to attend in a week and I've promised myself that I'd start making things for gifts instead of spending more money (since I already invested some money in baby type fabric (and blue/pink stuff)). SO - I'm trying to do my "go to" simple bag and whip it up in a flash (yeah, right!). The mom-to-be is having a girl but has "politely requested" minimal pink. Not sure what I think about that, but I'm trying to comply. I found some white w/ brown dots in my stash and I figured I'd line it with pink (w/ brown starburst dots). I make this bag for everybody having a baby it seems. It isn't really a diaper bag and the moms NEVER use it as one but they all say they love it and like using it for various other reasons. That works for me! :) So - I have all the pieces cut out and ready, I just ran out of interfacing. As soon as I get to Walmart, I might be able to start this silly thing. It usually only takes me 2-4 hours (depending on how much I use my seamripper) to make one of these. Wish me luck! (And PS - I've made VERY little progress on the other projects I've previously posted. FYI) :)

Crochet: Purse (w/ wood handles) Project

I started a new project to crochet. It called for rayon cord but that is terribly hard to find with JoAnn's being on the opposite side of JAX and not even sure if they carry it for that matter. SO - I found a blue and yellow skein that was waiting to be loved. I was thinking that I would make a stripe pattern in it with only hints of yellow - maybe a stripe of yellow randomly? I can't decide so if you have any suggestions, let me know!!!

I'm going to a women's retreat this weekend in Daytona so I have 2 hours in the car (riding) and coming back and randomly thru the weekend so I hope to finish it then (as well as my pink cowl!!).

Here's one of the pieces/panels to my Amy Butler (pattern) Messenger Bag. This has taken forever to transpire and is a nightmare in the making. I spent a lot of time studying the pattern and looking for "home decorater" fabric that was affordable and cute. When I found it, I made the mistake of getting the liner and exterior fabric yardage mixed up. So, now my lining that I chose has to be the exterior fabric. Not the end of the world but still a bummer. It took a couple hours to cut out all the pieces (It has like 25 of them including a set of lining of duck cloth to line the lining). I finally started actually sewing it and I got to step 7 of the 13 step instructions and realized that I had sewn the front pocket and zipper section SIDEWAYS!! The instructions are either pretty bad or I'm totally out of practice. I have to find my seam ripper and spend a LOT of time dissecting all the "progress" that I made. I would have already scrapped the project but I've invested $10 in the pattern and $40 in fabric and notions. I'm so frugal (and I really WANT the finished product) so I'm determined to finish my "cooling off" stage and start rippin' and resewing. On the plus side, I'm ALMOST done with my cowl scarf/hood!!! Woohoo.

Current Crochet Project

This week's crochet projects is a PINK (Molly would be so proud) hooded cowl/scarf. I've crocheted one skein and I was hoping it would only need 2 skeins but now it looks like a 3 banger. I need to run to Michael's while the Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is still on sale for $5. The pattern is from Bernat (picture of black one is from Bernat's website FYI) and it's basically a single crochet/double crochet "in the round" pattern. Using my biggest crochet hook - which I believe is size P. (Love plastic hooks by the way. Thought I'd be a metal fan...) Easy peasy and going quickly. I accidentally made it 39" circumference instead of 29" on the first try and had to unravel and start over. It's still too big but I'm going to try to see it through and maybe keep it big. We'll see. Hopefully I won't hate it and have to redo it AGAIN after I do all three skeins!!!

Need to find a good pattern for a simple apron (wrap). I'd like pockets in it. Almost like a tool belt for a housemom/crafter.

Went to Jo-Ann's yesterday and my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I found LOTS of fabric that I loved but didn't have any projects for them (yet). I think I'll start using this blog as my idea book. My current idea book has a bunch of articles/mag torn pages just crammed into it for the most part. Perhaps digitizing will help/force me to organize it. Any ideas on what to make with the likes of the photos of fabric? I'm on a pink and blue kick it appears. Perhaps I need to make some baby gifts and store them for gifts etc. Diaper Bag? Hmmm...

Premiere Blog

I have blogged for years, but the focus of all my blogging was my kids and I guess now that they're in grade school, it's not as interesting of a blog (but that doesn't stop me!). Anyway, I've finally had more time to be a dilettante. I love to sew, crochet and craft (with most any medium). I can knit but I'm not good at it. So - here's my blog of stuff and nonsense...I mean projects...that I've done. This is my show off page so I can send the link to my mom and a friend or 2. My audience will be a handful of people at best but I think blogging is more release for the blogger. Blogging is generally a lousy way to show off. No one reads your blog unless you've advertised it (and even 98% of those bloggers still only have a small readership). I guess I'll stop my ranting and go take some pics. Words aren't as fun as the pics, right? :)