Giddy

This morning during playgroup I went to M&L fabric in the Anaheim/Cypress area, and came home skipping like a schoolgirl! I have to share my excitement with you all because my poor husband, while definitely encouraging and supportive, will probably never skip with me about fabric. M&L is amazing... seriously huge selection, and it's a warehouse, so the prices are phenomenal!

I chose this dark teal corduroy to make my diaper bag, and the striped one next to it for the lining. I like a bright lining so you can actually FIND things, but it's nice to have some variegation to minimize stains and spots. I thought of posting the design I'm going to use, but I will wait until you can see the finished product. It's got just enough frill so it's not too industrial looking, but still works for a boy.



I chose these 3 flannels to dress up my burp cloths. Had to get new ones because my old ones have all become cleaning rags. =) Here's the awesomest thing about buying these... they were displayed for almost 8 bucks a yard at the front, but I dug around in their $2.97 section and found the SAME PRINTS! Had to be careful not to do the fabric jig in the store. The off-white/tan behind there is terry cloth for my changing pad, since I only have one changing pad cover and it's actually a little too small for the pad I've got. Again, choices were $8.00/a yard and found this for under $3!
And now for some home decor. Remember this fabric I was coveting awhile back? It was something like $12 on-line. Then I couldn't find it on-line. Then I found it today for less than $4 a yard!! This will become a fabric board to replace this sort of camouflaged wreath above the fireplace.

This isn't new fabric, but I got it at the same place awhile ago for $2 a yard. I finally got around to re-covering my pillows to incorporate the brown of Steve's leather chair into the room. The quilt over the back there was my sister's contribution. It's really gorgeous and totally original! I should lay it out so you can see the whole thing.
And lastly, one more pillow to round out my love of the blue and brown in my living room.

Okay, thanks for letting me vent all that... I was pretty beside myself. =)

It's a good thing this isn't a craft blog

If it were, I'd be in trouble (with whom, I know not) for so rarely posting on what I'm making! But since I know the Ry-bear reads, I don't feel so bad keeping my fabric-y side a little more sparse. =)

These are some of the projects I've been working on since July. I've had so many gifts for Fall birthdays as well as prepping for Christmas that I've been pumping them out faster than I can take pictures. Missing from these photos are the cute little bbq-chef aprons I made for two little boys. They were gray with bright yellow bias-tape trim, and a little flame-print fabric for the front slanted pocket. I've been pairing the aprons (boy and girl) with a spatula, spoon, or rolling pin (made for kids, of course), and adding a Betty Crocker Warm Delights mix in. It's basically a pop-it-in-the-microwave dessert, and is a just-add-water deal, so minimal mess, but the kid feels like he or she is cooking. The girl version of the apron... this is for my niece, Abby.
In the background, the Warm Delights that will go in with the aprons. I actually got one of these free, thanks to moneysavingmom.com... she pointed out a deal where I could sign up for a freebie!
A little red smock that will be paired with paints and brushes for a birthday party. A duplicate is going to my niece, Ava.

A backpack for my solitary nephew. =) It's a one-strap, drawstring top backpack with a large square bottom. Inside is a lego kit and a lego magazine (which came free!).
Up next? Hard to say. Depends on what I get done after our little forray out to the desert this week.

Bibbity Bobbity Boo

Part of the mad sewing I've been doing...

Camo and stripes, 3 ways...

For the new son of one of my high school best friends...
For the new son-to-be of my former co-worker...

For the son of a co-worker of Steve's...


Many more sewing projects coming together... pictures soon...

Hookin' Bigtime

So there's this crochet idea I've wanted to try forever, but just haven't gotten around to it. I wanted to make a rag rug with thrifted sheets and a big fat crochet hook. Look at how enormous this hook is! It's like crocheting with a baseball bat! But it's almost too small for the rags I'm doing. I think I will go 1/2 or 3/4 inch next time around. And with this much faster method of cutting yarn strips.

Oh, and my GOODNESS my face looks ROUND! I've always had a really round, Danish face, but my hair or something makes me look like a circle today!


Here's the progress so far...
The outside is navy, and that white strip actually has these cute little tiny polka dots. Lucy has been enamored with carpets lately, presumably because of church and story hour, so I figured I'd make this one for her, as I'm sort of just learning anyway. Then I thought, hey, this can also be her "Naughty Mat." Mwaaah ha ha ha! Crafting for punishment! Is that evil crafting?

Finished and Work in Progress

Well, hello there Pleated Beauty! This is from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing, which is, of course, the best book ever.

I'd purchased the linen fabric awhile ago to make a cover for this gigantic body pillow, but then found a pre-made one and didn't use the fabric. It's been calling to me in my closet. Sew me! Sew me!
I can't seem to get a cute picture which really tells you how much fun it is to walk around with this bag!
I broke 3 needles while edge stitching the top. Learning lessons on fabric thicknesses! Some of my favorite things about it are the straps with their little peek-through linings, and then I added two extra inside pockets for wallet, keys and cell-phone. I actually stuck my old purse inside this monster bag and then put the "essentials" in their pockets. I'm not much good at purse changing because I hate moving everything back and forth. But Hark! I have a plan! I am going to make little zipper pouches with things categorized so that I can move 3 things instead of 32.

And the work in progress. This is Lucy's paint smock, again from Bend the Rules. I ran out of blue bias tape, so I will have to finish it later, but since it looks mostly done here, thought I would share it. I lined it with thin plastic so that it could be wiped clean. Still deciding if that was a good idea. I've been thinking about making one for each of the kids in Lucy's upcoming pre-school play group. I think once I get the hang of it, it shouldn't be too bad. One here, one there... There are only 5 kids total, so I think I could do it.

Tell me the truth, though, you know you totally want to have one that's grown-up sized, don't you. =) Okay, maybe not you, Wry-bear. You're always the foil to this blog.

For sale!

In my efforts to clean a few things out, I thought I'm posting a few of the sweaters I have for sale. Still deciding whether or not to go with an etsy shop, so for now, enjoy browsing. I'm eager to get these to cute babies and girls, so I am marking my prices down! These are perfect baby shower gifts... just make sure that the baby will be that size in the winter!

*Cue Muzak version of "The Girl from Ipenema.* Doo..... dah dooo doo, doo dooo dah dooo doo.

Girl's Navy Round Neck Sweater
Size: 12-24 months
Adapted from from "Crochet for Babies & Toddlers" by Barnden
Originally $35, Selling for $25

Sweet Ruffly Sweater
Size: 3-6 months
Originally $25, selling for $18!


Wee Green Sweater
Size: Brand Spankin' Newborn
Adapted from http://www.sandiangels.com/pattern-page.html
Price: Everyday low price of $25!



Sweet Navy Shrug
Size: 24 months
Originally $30, selling for $25
(Dress for display only)White Cotton Shrug
Size: 4T
Originally $30 - Selling for $25
(Dress for display only)

Fuzzy Shrug
Size 2T to 3T
Everyday low price: $20
(Dress for display only)

Little White Outing Coat
Adapted from http://www.sandiangels.com/pattern-page.html
Originally $35, Selling for $25


All sales done friend-to-friend. I do not own a business, as presently I don't have the capacity for any sort of volume to justify it. Details arranged through email when interest is expressed via the comments section. Domestic postage included, international postage assumed by buyer.

HUH???

I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE LOUDNESS OF THE BAG!

Actually this picture softens it quite a bit. But believe me, it's loud. Some church friends are the new official parents of a sweet 8-year-old girl from Taiwan, and I couldn't stand it--I ha to make something for her! She likes Dora, but I thought making an all Dora bag would be too obnoxious, so I came up with my own brand of obnoxious. Inspired a bit my two of my nieces in one way or another. That and Fruit Stripes gum, I suppose.

What I asked for for Mother's Day

Because I think I'm the only one remotely crafty who doesn't have these two books... and because the my libraries carry neither of them.

Tutorial: Cutifying Re-usable Grocery Bags

I'd been wanting to bring my own grocery bags to the store, but knew I wouldn't get around to making the kind I really wanted from scratch. I thought about buying bags from the store, but couldn't bring myself to sport around the lovely grocery store logo. So here is my compromise: Purchase grocery store re-usable bags, and use fabric to cover the logo, between the handle straps. This is a great way to use medium-sized fabric scraps.

I've made bags two ways. The easiest is to use one piece of fabric to cover up the logo area on the bag and top-stitch it all the way around. This tutorial will show how to make a pocket. I used a piece of non-fraying, stiff linen (salvaged from our extra window shade fabric from Ikea!) for the inside piece of the pocket, but you could use any fabric and simply press a seam allowance under.

Okay, here we go:
Cut out the piece of non-fraying fabric to fit the space between the handle straps. I made a template out of cardstock so that I could trace it on future fabric.

Cut out a piece of patterned fabric with a 5/8" seam allowance added. Press 5/8" seams under. Open seams, and clip each corner off, right at the point that's created where the two pressed seams intersect. Fold and press seam allowance under twice so that the raw edge is tucked underneath (so tuck 5/16" under).
*Note you can also cut out a second piece of fabric to the size of your template, put the patterned fabric wrong sides together, so that the seam allowance hides the raw edges of the inside fabric.
Top stitch top edge of patterned fabric.

Stitch top edge of linen fabric to grocery bag toward top edge of bag, fitting fabric into the space created by the straps. I used a zigzag stitch to "finish" the edge a bit.
Fit patterned fabric on top of linen fabric in space created by handle straps. Pin into place. Top stitch down the side. Be careful not to catch the other side of the grocery bag under the seam. Check frequently, and ease out any excess fabric.

At bottom corner, stitch to the edge of patterned fabric, leaving same amount of space as your side seam allowance. Leave needle in fabric, lift your presser foot, and turn 90 degrees. Continue to stitch along the bottom, again checking for excess fabric.

Turn again at corner, and stitch up the side of the bag.
Hooray! It's a pocket!
Repeat steps for opposite side of bag.

Grocery store, here I come! And library... and Grammie's house...
By the way, Albertson's gives you 5 cents off your purchase for every bag you bring with you. My bags were purchased from Stater Brothers, Target, and Albertson's.

Too lazy for real pictures

Okay, Ryan, this post is not for you. It's all crafty, crafty.

This is a bad picture of a little yellow sweater that my sister bought from me to give as a baby gift. I looove this sweater and decided to learn from my mistake, and make it again with navy blue yarn. Problem? I am about 1/128th of a skein short on the navy yarn. This is ironic, as I originally chose navy blue to get rid of the navy yarn that I had. Ah well. Hopefully I can sell the navy one when it is done.



And one example of my new obsession with little draw-string bags. They take about 10 min. a pop, they use up scraps, and they are super useful. This one was for my sister to hold crayons in her purse. My dear brother was trying to figure out my obsession with bags, and really it boils down to modular organization. To demonstrate: Lucy's going out bag might need the following when packed to the hilt: Diaper, wipes, bag to toss the diaper in, hand sanitizer.; books; crayons; small toys; snacks. if they're individually bagged in cute bags, you can grab which modules you need for each occasion. Sensible, no?

I'm doing another craft boutique in April, so I'm trying to get a few things stockpiled. I'll get a few pictures when I get off my duff.

What I've been up to

I think it took me a full 2 weeks to recover after Christmas and travel this year. I don't know why it seemed so busy to me this year! But now I am writing lists and doing projects and anticipating the advent of family groups in late January/February. I think I've recovered sufficiently so that I am actually looking forward to our visitors. Mimi and Papa will be here to celebrate Lucy's SECOND (yikes!) birthday, then the Nord/Hofer gang will swing through on the way to Disneyland, and then Sari & co. plus Mom and Dad will be here for Emma's birthday in mid-Feb. I'm looking forward to all of it--full house, good food, lots loud, messy fun!

Here is one of my projects from this week. I have continued making my modified reusable grocery bags, sewing a cute pocket onto the sides to cover up the uggo grocery store logo. But there isn't a great place to put them, as they tend to fall open when hung, not to mention they are a bit unwieldy to just bring in at the store. So, one funky old pillow case and 20 min later, voilá!

This was so easy that I think I will have to replicate this idea now and again. Doesn't this look like this would be great for lugging toys or library books around? Thrift store, we must meet again!

P.S. Kristen, you are not allowed to look at my stitching! =) And next time, I need to renew my friendship with your serger.

Christmas a la Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sew, Mama, Sew has become a favorite new spot for me to read, especially after their 30 days of new tutorials and handmade gift ideas. It was like someone setting a whole bowl of cake batter in front of my face! Oh yes. They recently initiated a meme, and I'm going to play.

• Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
• If we're talking handmade, I love to give crocheted washcloths with other bath-related items--especially for babies. I also make baby sweaters, and they are the most fun to give! I made 4 little red sweaters for my 4 Earle nieces, and we're going to cross our fingers to get pictures of the girls this Christmas.
  

• If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making? (Post photos if you have some!)
• I made slippers for my Wall nieces, and they turned out so cute! They LOVE pink and blue, respectively.
  
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• Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
• My dear friend Kristen heard me say I was trying (and failing) to make an apron from a man's shirt (wish I could find the link for that... I forget whose idea it was, so sorry for not giving credit!). For my birthday she made me an uber cute pink one! I should post a picture sometime.
  

• Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?)
• Crocheted kitchen towels, washcloths, placemats, and trivets.
  

• Name one (NO, THREE!) thing(s) on your personal wish list (Yay for Amazon!).
• Airpot for coffee... I love having people in my home, and coffee is essential to a cozy gathering.
  
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• I love tips and tricks for making cooking/sewing/organizing/LIFE easier and more creative!
• The thing I miss the most about singing in a college choir is that more simple, beautiful blend, and doing collections of beautiful songs instead of just major works. Concordia is one of the most gorgeous choirs out there, and to have Christmas music from them would just give me goosebumps!
  
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• Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? (Link)
• I am just starting to make baby girl sweaters to sell. Here are examples, and I would love to do custom orders!
• 

More craftiness

This used to have the Stater Brothers logo on it... now it's cute. =)

The magic slippers

I have finished 3 of 4 red sweaters for the Earle-girl cousins for Christmas pictures. I'll make a matching scarf for Tanner, and we'll attempt a picture. Heavy emphasis on "attempt. =) I'm also in the middle of making slippers for the my sisters' girls. A heavenly thing to hit on a pattern that is so simple and fast, and yet makes something that people will really treasure.

I was thinking as I am working on these slippers that I learned to do this just a little too late. There are several people in my family that used to knit and crochet that are gone now, and oh how I wish that I could connect with them on these things now. My uncle used to make little toys and balls and things, and a special aunt on the other side of the family made the slippers and blankets. I wish I could just pour a cup of coffee and sit and work with them. There is something so wholesome about the idea of them. I have decided that I will be satisfied with honoring them and thinking of them and keeping their memories alive as I work. And I have an immense joy in connecting with my mom and with my mother-in-law over yarn.

The wares themselves

Tell me what you think of the prices.. too high or low? Don't be nice, be honest.

Set of blocks and ball (with a little bell in the middle!) - $20In pink... $20

Cream and roses sweater - aprox. 6 mos. - $35
Taffy pink sweater, approx 6 mos. - $35

Fluffy duckling sweater - aprox 3 mos. $35