greenclogs

Christmas crafting roundup - part one

It was a whirlwind of activity around here in the last few weeks before Christmas. I spent a lot of time knitting in my spot on the couch because, frankly, that's the only place I wanted to be. However, some things just can't be knit, so I dragged my basketball belly to the sewing machine. 

About half of my Christmas sewing was inspired by the adorable pages of I Love Patchwork which arrived on my doorstep just in the nick of time. I *ahem* forgot to take a photo of my table runner, but it was red and white and linen and truly adorable. I'll need to make another for my own home. Also from the book were the stamped placemats. 

These were a group project - I sewed and the kids stamped. These were for Jeff's brother and his family. They have a 4 year old, so we thought this was ideal for him as he learns to set the table. They were really fun to sew. One caution - there is a cutting error in the pattern. The center piece should be 12.5" x 12.5" rather than the 10x12.5 that is in the instructions. We ended up making them a little smaller than originally intended, but they still worked out just fine. If you have or buy the book, do make that change before you make them. Rashida has notified the publisher, so future editions will be correct. This was a great way to use those little scraps of favorite fabrics that you can't bear to toss. A set of these will definitely be gracing our table soon. 

We also made a cosmetics bag for Lindsay. The kids filled it with goodies - fancy soaps and lip balm, nail polish and nail files, lotion. That kind of thing. 

I love this little pouch. It's just the right size and was really fun to put together. Again, it'll be a repeat project. Who doesn't need a sweet little bag to carry treasures in?

I really love working from this book - the projects are both fun and practical, and use up those small bits of stash that clutter up my space. I'm sure we'll be seeing lots more from it in the future. 

Up next: Christmas knitting

moving on to patchwork

A couple of weeks ago, Ansley emailed me to ask if I could make oven mitts for her, in exchange for some of her beautiful soap. I've been playing around with them, so I was excited to make a pair for her. 

I had already traced a mitt pattern, so I added a patchwork strip to the bottom. These ended up being quite long - they go midway up the forearm. I like that for reaching into the oven, but I may shorten them a bit in the next iteration. I chose the patchwork fabrics to coordinate with the mitt print, which is from Alexander Henry's Everything but the Kitchen Sink line. I found it in the clearance section at the fabric store in Cannon Beach, and sadly have had no luck in finding it anywhere else. I think it's perfect for this kind of project, so I'm sure the rest of it will be popping up here and there. 

The mitts are reversible - here is a shot of one side. 

And the other. 

I hope she likes them. If not, she can send them back to me and I'll happily put them to use. 

a gift for baby Chloe

I've been waiting to share this one for a while. My friend Jade had her third child, little Chloe, at the end of September. Courtney and I got several of our blog friends together to send her a baby shower in a box. After several delays due to recovery or illnesses, she opened the box yesterday, so I now I can share what I made. 

I've shared the hat before, since I made a matching one for our upcoming little one. the sweater is the Debbie Bliss Ribbed Baby Sweater, which is a really fun little knit. It's knit all in one piece, and then stitches are picked up around the fronts and collar for the ribbing. I used Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton yarn. It was from the stash, and had been wound and partially knit in an abandoned project, so I don't know precise yardage. I'd guess that I used slightly less than 2 skeins. Hopefully it'll get some good wear in the cool Austin fall and winter. 

Welcome to the world little Chloe! We're so glad you're here. 

quilted and mailed

The birthday quilt is done. It should arrive today, along with a few dozen cinnamon rolls for her to stick in the freezer, and a surprise gift. I'm a little nervous, since I don't know how she'll react. 

This is the first big project that I've done on my new machine, and it has definitely been a learning process. I had a lot of trouble maintaining a standard stitch length as I was muscling the quilt through the machine. I think this issue will be much improved once I get a walking foot - I'm very used to having one and I noticed a major difference without it. I had no problems with the fabric shifting around, but the stitch length was a big issue. My old machine was definitely grippier, if that makes sense. 

I quilted it with diagonal lines that went through the corners of the squares in both directions, and then I filled in with more lines, but only in one direction. This was partly a time issue, but I also liked how it looked once I finished what I had done. It's bound in Alexander Henry's Sunny Side Up, which is an adorable house print that added some graphic interest to the binding without competing with the squares. Had I thought about it, this print would probably have been one of the squares too. Oh well. 

The backing is a white sheet that was missing its partner. I meant to just cut off that piece on the right, but my brain was turned off when I sliced it, and I took out two strips. So, I cut my patchwork strip into two lengths, flipped one upside down, and called it a design feature. The back is really soft and cuddly. 

Ta da! It ended up being 48x63 - just right for a couch quilt. I decided not to do the embroidery yet because she may not want it. I can ask her and add it later if she wants it. I like that blank blue square anyway. Overall, I'm very happy in spite of the issues I had while quilting. Mainly, I'm happy that everything is straight on the front and the back and that I didn't bunch anything up. Now that this is crossed off the list, I'm going to work more on learning the rhythm of the Bernina and play with some free motion quilting. It's time to drop the feed dogs and get away from straight lines. Oh, and I have to say that after cutting and ironing 28 feet of binding tape, this looks a whole lot less frivolous a purchase. I saw one in action this summer and it was full of the awesome. Christmas, anyone?

parade of quilt blocks and random musings

Twelve Square blocks

For Beki (an extra, since someone dropped out and I took her Oct. and Nov. fabric). Her theme was stripes. 

Today, when Annika was avoiding cleaning her room, she said "Mom! It's like I'm a rainforest creature and you're trying to destroy my habitat!" I'm trying to figure out which rainforest creature needs 6 inches deep of clothes, books, and Littlest Pet Shop animals on its floor.

For Jessica - 2 blocks. Mine and the extra. Her theme was autumn. 

We planted lots of herbs and veggies and are watering like mad while they establish in this little heat wave we're having. The garden chart paper is sitting here waiting for the rainforest creature to finish cleaning her habitat. 

for Kristena - she requested scrappy log cabin

I tried out my new linocutter last week and promptly sliced into my index finger. Screw-on blade + left handed person = loose blade that jumps. I cut a nerve and the tip of my finger is still numb. Ouch. Guess I need to get the right tool for a leftie. 

For Leslie - a block for her daughter's quilt. I did 4 mini blocks pieced together. 

I bought really beautiful tiny zucchini and yellow squash at the farmer's market for $1.50 per lb. They'll be part of our dinner tonight. 

Busy Little Quilting Bee blocks:

Julia - she wanted red crosses on a green background. Most people got really creative, so I figured she needed a plain one (and I was having performance anxiety after seeing the others).

Gunnar's birthday is next month and we're figuring out a party theme. I keep suggesting a kissing party because it makes him giggle and turn red. 

Stephanie also wanted crosses. I think the 2 crosses in a row gave me a serious mental block to get over.

Lindsay was home on Friday night with 6 of her friends. I had forgotten how much 18 year old girls have to say. And how loudly they say it. At least they appreciated the home cooked meal and the use of my van for their trip to CA.  

Cathy - a block for each of her girls. Same fabrics, different placement. 

I think I need to attach the roof to the chicken coop this weekend so I can put away the tools and have a prettier view out the french door from the dining room. Drills and sawhorses do not say serenity to me. 

And Sarah Day - a rainbow block for a wedding quilt

I turn 40 next month and am finding myself ruminating on what it all means. Hmm....

Now back to work on a few more blocks. I'm committed to being finished with what I have before the weekend is up. 

We would get a lot more fun stuff done if Annika would just clean her room. 

cute bag, not so cute photos

You know, taking photos of a solid  color bag is not easy to do. Not at all. We'll all have to suffer with crappy photos and use our imaginations. 

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I spied this bag on Flickr, made by the lovely and tremendously talented Sarah. She mentioned that she had enough fabric for one more. Being the kind of gal who sees a great opportunity when it whacks her in the face, I sent a quick email and offered to do a swap before someone else got the same clever idea. Luckily for me, she agreed. 

The bag is made from a heavier weight cotton that has a burlap kind of look to it. It's 15" across and about 15" in length. It's modeled loosely on my favorite bag that I carry most days. The strap is long enough to be worn across your body, but not too long to be a one shoulder bag. There's a handy little pocket on the back side for a phone that is easily accessed without digging. Inside, it looks like this. 

The lining is a fun Japanese inspired Alexander Henry print. There are two pockets on the interior for more stuff so that not everything drops to the bottom. It's big enough to carry a magazine, a knitting project and whatever else she needs for her day. I hope she likes it and I can't wait to get mine. I'll show it off when it arrives. 

Other quick thoughts....

On the purple fabric conversation - I just want to clarify that I do like purple, especially eggplant-y purple and have quite a lot of it in the yarn stash. I've even made a lilac sweater. It's just not in the fabric stash - I think because the fabric designers I gravitate to don't usually use it (or if they do, it's a weird purple. Heather Ross, I'm talking to you). I see a great opportunity for some smart designer to do a really modern, cool fabric in an aubergine colorway.

Also on fabric - did you know that you can buy Kona cotton for $3.89 per yard at Fabric Depot? Just thought I'd share - it's a great opportunity to stock up on some purple. Of the eggplant variety, of course. 

The mystery rainbow project is complete. Here's another peek - I'll show the rest of it once I have been given permission to do so by the designer, who is releasing a reworked pattern. 

We've also been baking up a storm around here. Cardamom bread, cinnamon cookies (thanks to Stefani and Leslie), pita, homemade corn tortillas with fresh masa from the Phoenix Ranch Market. I love that place a little too much. 

Last, but not least, the bike riding to school is going well. After a less than stellar first ride, Annika has shown amazing improvement in both speed and attitude. Yay! We're well on the way to no car driving during the week. 

random sickly thoughts

I'm coming down with a bit of a cold, so I don't have much to say. I feel full of The Stupid with the cold medicine. I haven't done much other than fold laundry and lay on the couch catching up on Weeds and Project Runway. I'm starting the big studio reorganization so that it can really be called a studio instead of a hodgepodge of a craft room. I'm juicing a lot of limes. 

I've been working on a photography project and I can't share the pictures, which is really hard. I'm excited to tell you about it once it's all wrapped up though! 

Okay, back to playing with paint chips, finding places for things and finishing, finishing, finishing. 

One thing is finished and out the door. Grandpa Paul, avert your eyes. 

The kids made this for their grandpa's birthday. He likes crab. A lot. We hope he likes the shirt a lot too. 

Time to order new tie dye stuff. I think we'll branch out from rainbow this time and see what else we can do. 

Hopefully I'll be less stuffy and more interesting tomorrow. Crossing fingers....

clear the decks

My swap packages are out the door, as are some overdue and soon due birthday gifts, which makes me so very happy. This week is "clear the decks" week - I'm wrapping up much of the partially finished stuff that is cluttering up my space so that I can reorganize it. Now that I've been in here for a month, I know what's working and what isn't and can reorder things in a way that I can be most productive. 

Painting the room (the aquas) as well as my bedroom (the purples) has landed on the list. I'm just not loving the colors in this room, so it's going to be repainted while I have everything out of the way. 

All this deck clearing is happening so I can focus on beginning a new creative endeavor next week. Stay tuned.