diversification

i'm lovin' stephanie of jonquils and ladybugs' garden tour tuesday's and wanted to share with her, with you, what's in bloom for me, too. gardening and sewing are totally creative arts, in perfect harmony, one to the other, don't you think?

so let's see what's workin' it in my garden and urban space this cloudy yet wonderful tuesday.

tea olive - it's put on so much growth in just the past week or so with the warm temps we had, consecutively. one of my favorite evergreens for the small, quiet flowers with a gentle, yet enormous orange fragrance...


a purple lily-of-the-valley type flower of which this is the very first bloom. i planted several of these bulbs last fall, but again, didn't make note of the variety...


azaleas - still in glorious color given they've been open now for quite some time...


bridal wreath spirea - ok, this is actually in my neighbor's yard, but i can count it as i'm usually the one who keeps it pruned back during the summer (shhhh...don't tell!). i admit i really only like it when it's in bloom. any other time and it's kind of just green, woody (a deciduous shrub) and can get super scraggly without constant care...


pink double petal petunias - one of several hanging baskets (the other two are a deep purple) i picked up at our most wonderful local state farmers market...


pineapple sage - i'm so excited to have started a new herb garden planted last week. there's tuscan blue rosemary, hot & spicy oregano, bergartten sage, lemon thyme, sweet basil, too...


thanks for joining me, allowing me this bit of diversification. and pop over to Stephanie's blog, not only for the garden tour, but for her most awesome sewing, crafting and family life!

scrap happy

an absolutely glorious day has broken here this morning. i'm squeezing in a little scrap therapy before i head out to plant some herbs.

this little stash of scraps...


...will become cute little 2" x 2" and 2" x 4" and 4" x 4" squares and rectangles...


...that i will then piece for a 16" x 40" coffee table runner and a set of six coasters for my niece.

see that yummy sun coming through my window!

i'm also going to sneak in a "spring" bag for myself, probably the swing with a few modifications as i gave the original to this same niece (yep, i like to sew for her!) as they were her colors. mine will most likely be from this wicked cool fabric (specifically, the js11 & js12 midnight). yeah, tee has no idea how black shouts spring. just wait and see!

halter apron

pattern: daily spice halter apron by heather bailey
fabric: alexander henry. jewel mobile
other materials/notions: lining. white lightweight cotton; interfacing. pellon fusible stacy shape flex
modifications: n/a
date completed: 7April2009

totally cute & easy to read pattern. it was my first time doing any kind of gathers & i'm pleased with my results. that this apron actually fits me (as you can see here on Clotilde who is set to my measurements) pretty well just tickles me! i love how you finish the skirt and then attach to the waistband after the bodice is on. i think that's why it works if you're a little hippy...and, no, i don't mean 60s cool this time...like me. :)

of course i love the retro groovy fabric. glad i bought it when i did because i believe it is now discontinued.

go ahead. make yourself a halter apron today!

bits & pieces

yep, it's the daily spice apron by heather bailey in jewel mentioned in my previous post. lovin' it so far and the pattern appears to be very well written. if i can steal a few more quiet moments from the business of life, i'll start to sew!

and i hope you guys don't mind something not sewing related.


it's the first tulip to open that i planted late fall and i'm sooooooo excited! sadly i didn't make note of the variety. oh well. i'm happy to have something pretty to look at regardless of name. there are at least a half dozen more in bud. can't wait!

fyi - all about fabric

i'm undecided about what i want to sew after completing the shopper and i've also been a bit preoccupied trying to rewrite my resume to head back into the workforce after a four (*GASP*) year absence sometime in the coming months, i hope.

but, while browsing fan and group pages on fb, i came across this delicious blog devoted to all things fabric and thought i'd pass along the link to all of you fab fabric fanatics for your viewing pleasure.

www.trueup.net

hope to be back soon with some little yummy good, thinking maybe this apron by heather bailey in this jewel fabric. uhm.

happy days, everyone, near and far!

the kindness of friends...

overwhelmed. that's me this otherwise ordinary day, having been gifted the Lemonade Award by creative artist, crafting mama and librarian, sweet Iris of Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life. the award recognizes those bloggers that show gratitude and/or attitude. but it's me that feels so grateful for those who share so openly, so generously here in my space and allow me a visit to theirs. thank you, Iris!


the rules are:

1. put the logo on your blog or post.
2. nominate blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. link to your nominees within your post.
4. let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

i could name a few, of course, but i'd like to begin with these wonderfully happy and good women: a friend to knit with, a source of wonder, audreypawdrey, jonquils and ladybugs, my feed dogs are down, and quilted simple

the shopper is here!

pattern: betty shopper by amy butler
fabric: amy butler daisy chain. exterior: wildflowers - navy; lining: mosaic river
other materials/notions: canvas for interfacing, peltex 70 stabilizer for bottom and interior pockets, extra large eyelets
modifications: n/a
date completed: 11March2009
a gift for: maria. oldest sister

i'm whooped. i took it nice and slow on this bag. i had to read through the modified directions i downloaded three times. something just wasn't clicking the first time through. and the peltex 70, it just feels cumbersome to me, especially when you're trying to stitch on a very long seam with pins sticking you in your thighs.

i love this bag...the shape, the size...but working it through the machine to topstitch gave me a fit! i had the same problem with the madison bag for the same reasons. this design. augh! hard as i tried, i couldn't feed it evenly to get a nice topstitch. it was just bad, for anyone, not just someone who wants it super straight right. after three times of RIPPING, i decided to use a simple star embroidery stitch.


it's not perfect, but i can pretend it's freehand and THAT i can live with it! :D

if i were to make this bag again, i would definitely divid the interior pockets with a topstitch down the middle or in threes. they lay open for the peltex that is heavy given the length and height. you could easily put something bulky in the pocket, rather then in the center without knowing you were. and i'm not wild about the handles...turning under the ends then folding...for the bulk. i want something neater, daintier?! but i have to admit, once through the eyelets, and with a nice knot, doesn't look too bad!

am i just complaining? i really do like the bag! it's just my sewing that can be so frustrating!

you can't tell how big this large shopper is as i've no person on which to model, but it's 28 inches long. yeah, that rocks!

you know, i'll probably sew this same pattern again. in time. LOL!

eyelets...

...extra large. that's all that's missing before i wind up this baby of a sewing project that i've been working on so I can post a picture. hope to be back soon!

priority mail

the little wolf flannels are done. i worked on them yesterday, start to finish, from the cutting to stitching, serging & ironing, purposefully staying away from cyberworld to do so. i don't like to keep children waiting. they'll go in the mail this am.

thank you all so much who share this space with me. your comments on my previous post are most dear and mean more then you know. your support & presence, even should some time have passed between posts, make me feel always welcome and as I've a place here among friends. it's a safety net, a quiet corner where i may come any time i need interaction of creatives that centers me. rock out! peace out!

boy things

pattern: main panel - McCall's M5551; ties - Simplicity 2824
fabric: six color desert camo twill & moose country - designed & produced for jo-ann's
other materials/notions: none
date completed: 24February2009
a gift for: robert. 9 year old nephew

a reversible little chef's apron!

i had a pattern piece cut out on my own, but decided i wanted a designed pattern to compare sizes as i've no children with whom to work with in person. i was pretty darn close in what i thought should be the measurements, mine just a bit more narrow. wow!

i intended the camo to be the "front" but like the novelty print, moose country & wildlife trek, a whole lot. it's nice that he can use either. robert likes to help when you're cooking, frying and flipping the pancakes or waffles, always has since he was a wee one and had to stand on a chair. i made a messenger bag & apron for his sister. thankfully my sib finally sent me the measurements (yes, i asked over a year ago, but we won't fuss about that!) so i can now send him his own special package of homemade goodness. i'm a bit more comfortable with girl things as that's what i know best, being all sisters in my family. but, this was fun & i hope he'll like it. he's sweet & sentimental that way.

there's also to be a pair of pj pants for him...


...from this soft & warm wolf themed flannel. i'll start on these next to have things in the mail asap.

and the pieces are all cut out, including the canvas & peltex 70, for the large betty shopper by amy butler i've mentioned before for my other sib.


balance. i'm having to learn balance for what are now life's circumstances. making time for my sewing is super important. maybe i can sneak up here in the darkness of night when i can't sleep? if i close the door, no one will hear the machine chirp, chirping? :D

playing with color. practical bag

pattern: practical bag by grand revival
fabric: solé by valori wells for free spirit. paisley. cornsilk & agapantha. key lime
other materials/notions: none
modifications: none other then alternating fabric & panels

a fun, easy-to-make bag to get you back in the sewing swing of things should you need to do so like i did. roomie & uncluttered, perfect for a quick run to the bakery, grocery for light, bulk items or to carry extra towels and a change of clothes to the beach or the pool (i've had beach on the mind lately!).

because this bag is not cut on the fold for a full front & back panel...you cut 4 separate (8 total for exterior & lining) giving you center as well as side seams...i decided to alternate my coordinating fabric, front to back, inside and out. pretty cool! if i were more inspired & focused on sewing time, not on the bazillion other things going on i should be worrying about, i would have chosen four fabrics, total, to do a different lining.

but, i like it as is. it's super lightweight, has no canvas, yet is sturdy with 1/2 inch seams. super easy to carry around. you could use a home dec if you needed to carry heavier objects, but nothing too thick for the corners and turns that could get bulky.

and as most of us carry individual zippered bags and such, you could use it as a purse without worrying about those small items getting lost. i really like it, me who likes pockets and folds, each thing in its place. it could be the vibrant color. i'm also not a paisley person, but when its retro like this, i can be!

nope, it's not my four seasons. spring bag. it's just a practical play bag!

the weekend is almost here and valentine's day. do more then celebrate another hallmark occasion. laugh & love, giggle & skip. life is good for the people & beauty surrounding us!

stashed. a few of my favorite things

i've not had a chance to sew or continue with my lap quilt these past days, preoccupied with life circumstances and occasions. to soothe the soul, i need but browse my stash, feel some fabric to put things back into perspective, those things that are creative abilities that defines a being.

and as i've self-imposed a ban on all fabric and book buying in observance of these dismal economic times, i'm so grateful for what i've accumulated in my stash and on my bookshelves that I may continue to live my sewing dreams and read to my heart's content.

these fabrics, i believe, i have not shared with you before. they'll look familiar, however, as i think you've come to understand something of my character and person :D

and lest you think i have disappeared from blogland, i knew i needed and wanted to post today, this brilliant blue sky, glowing sun friday.

some michael miller. kiwi. pod vine & ditz


marcus brothers. al fresco by michele d'amore. big bold flowers on green & scribbles on aqua


michael miller. orchid. dot-tastic, purple. carnival bloom & huevos


michael miller. clementine. boho blossom & far out floral


prints charming for marcus brothers. two young street. hugs and kisses black and blue & red


alexander henry. cinzia. chocolate, black, soft pink & prints charming for free spirit. follow your imagination


happy weekend to all. and there will be some sewing next week if i have no clue what it is!

lap quilt. thank you!

a quick note...thanks to all who have so kindly commented and given me your preference and suggestions regarding my lap quilt border. it looks like i'm back to "square one" as tee wasn't wild about either pattern or the fabric combination, wanting something brighter and with more contrast. funny guy. no sweat. i have another idea. nothing wasted, nothing wanted as i can always use the squares and triangles in another project. such is the beauty of piecework and quilting!

enjoy your super bowl sunday, whatever your preferred activities may be today.