tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53110043298390107942011-11-27T18:47:59.583-05:00Detroiter. Crafter. Small businesser. This is a showcase for my crafty wares, and the stories behind them.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-56600614651125572392011-04-13T21:46:00.002-04:002011-04-13T21:46:46.356-04:00

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-42228944208159563502010-10-31T16:40:00.000-04:002010-10-31T16:40:12.917-04:00

I participated in my first Mystery Knitalong at Through the Loops, and finished these Socktoberfest socks not a moment too soon!   

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-59406685133558998992010-07-18T21:01:00.000-04:002010-07-18T21:01:15.727-04:00

I've acquired quite a few knitting needles lately, and aside from keeping track of what sizes I've got, I want to mitigate heartbreak by trying to curb my habit of...well, loosing things.  I've seen knitting needle rolls all over the internet, and while I can already tell it's not going to solve my problems, it's at least a step in the right direction.  All my needles are in the same place,

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-2002720845405164972010-05-30T22:29:00.000-04:002010-05-30T22:29:42.628-04:00

In my new place I have a fireplace.  I don't really know what the heck to do with it, and I'm pretty certain I'll never have the nerve to actually light a fire, but with a fireplace comes a mantel.  Since I'm still a few months away from hanging stockings, the only thing I really know that is required of a mantel, I dressed it up with some bunting.  I saw a tutorial on Saltwater Kids this

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-60246850747072537902010-05-20T23:35:00.000-04:002010-05-20T23:35:43.156-04:00

It's 11:34, so it IS still May 20, and I'm skidding in to end this thing right at the deadline.  I had to watch Grey's Anatomy.  And I'm still not sure if it was worth it.  Whatever. The winner of the totes and scraps is Breanna, who, when I looked at her profile, introduced me to freezer cooking.  At first glance it looks like cooking once a month or so and freezing everything so that it can

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-30801826110264591832010-05-16T23:31:00.001-04:002010-05-20T22:59:48.230-04:00

Well, hello! I'm stopping in to brush the dust off this blog to participate in the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway day.  Since last posting I've moved, finished unpacking, hooked up the wireless and have even managed to sew a few things.  And, I can't think of a better day than Giveaway Day to start this thing back up.   I've got a tote bag full of fabric scraps and some other sewing related

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com259tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-75733629182467517532010-04-04T11:06:00.008-04:002010-04-08T23:02:47.113-04:00

ETA: Wha? I scheduled this to post last weekend.  It was not 80 degrees yesterday, but the universe decided to kick my in the behind today, and I am sad, and I can't be bothered to change it.  My mom bought this yarn at Jo-Ann a month or so back.  For being a cheap inexpensive acrylic, this yarn has a beautiful color (way more so than you can tell in my crappy photos), it's super bulky and

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-56693352048473547192010-03-25T21:31:00.000-04:002010-03-25T21:31:27.236-04:00

I'm heading up north this weekend for a friends mini-reunion, and one of the girls will be running in a charity fun run.  This is a charity that's pretty near and dear to her, and helped her with some problems in the past, so I wanted to get a Congratulations card.  Congrats on finishing the foot race, and for getting across the finish line and tackling her problem head on. I'm leaving early

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-24245982055760903352010-03-16T21:55:00.001-04:002010-03-16T21:56:10.981-04:00

Hello.  Me again.  Long time no see.  The short story is home (not so sweet) home is still where the sewing machine is, and still not where I've spent a lot of time.  Plus, I've actually been busy with other things.  Who knew? I was able to fit in two sewing projects last week, but I will only show you one.  The other was an experiement that I made up as I went along.  Which went about as well

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-64069111434686105362010-03-04T22:17:00.000-05:002010-03-04T22:17:01.239-05:00

I know I said I hadn't been able to make anything lately, but that's not entirely true.  I haven't been able to sew much of anything, but I've been knitting a bit.  A few things that are just to horrendous to show the universe, a few things that I've actually taken out in public.  The beauty of knitting is that it's portable, which means when stuff gets sticky, I can take it with me.  Right

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-50771091043253458552010-03-03T21:32:00.000-05:002010-03-03T21:32:50.822-05:00

I've totally slacked on not only updating, but on actually making things.  I really hate it, not even not being able to post, but being able to hang out and relax by the sewing machine.  Problem is, not that the Internet much cares about the details, my sewing machine is at home, and home...home sucks right now.  I've made a few quick projects here and there, but still on my camera card are

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-53725908339351674882010-02-20T16:42:00.001-05:002010-02-20T16:42:01.070-05:00

Since I'm going out of town this weekend I was going to cut major corners on this project and just show pictures of other bags I've got laying around, but the casing instructions on this bag were different than any I've made before, so I decided to give it a try.  The original is over at Pink Penguin.  The casing pieces are folded in half and then attached to the bag after the outer bag pieces

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-14913751860800867962010-02-18T16:42:00.000-05:002010-02-18T16:42:50.613-05:00

Oh, HAI! The thing about this card is that it was actually finished on time (the site it's originally from, http://www.diynamite.com/, appears to be dead).  My camera battery was dead, so I put in on the charger and came back upstairs to do something (cook? gather laundry? sit on the couch?) for a few minutes while it got a lil' juice.  And then three days passed.  Whatev. This ended up being

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-66049890967171989182010-02-11T14:48:00.000-05:002010-02-11T14:48:44.265-05:00

I've had My Spare Time in my Google Reader for awhile, and even though I've noticed this tutorial before, I've never tried it. I've also had this tea towel in my linen closet (since 2006, apparently) but it doesn't get much use because the colors don't fit my kitchen and there is a big stain on the front.  (No, I'm not sure why I kept an unmatching and stained towel, either, but I'm glad I did.)

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-43476273979813346442010-02-07T23:25:00.000-05:002010-02-07T23:25:05.942-05:00

This one is a simple pillowcase from Rachael Rabbit. I made this one for Christmas, so I'll be copping out here and just showing that one.  I'm still not feeling great, I'm tired and I'm in kind of a mood. 

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-48562058716291164242010-02-03T21:44:00.000-05:002010-02-03T21:44:39.032-05:00

Until the last minute I thought this matryoshka doll pillow by Lauren Brandy was this weekends project.  Luckily, she sews up really fast, so I'm still on schedule!  I think the trickiest part was typing matryoshka right.  (For the record, I typed it matryoski twice in a row.  At least I'm consistent.) Plus, she's absolutely adorable.  (As is the rest of Lauren's googy-goody handmade blog.  I

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-10090671679523526902010-01-31T22:12:00.000-05:002010-01-31T22:12:23.213-05:00

To make this project, the tin can cover from elsie marley, I first had to track down a 28 oz tin can.  Since I don't often have them laying around, and don't trust most foods that come in cans anyway, I had to dig pretty deep into the storage rack of various creamed soups and emergency vegetables to find a huge, dusty can of sauerkraut.  I hesitated to dump it out and use it (even though I can't

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-91321517792887857022010-01-29T20:59:00.000-05:002010-01-29T20:59:20.541-05:00

Oh, look.  A Wednesday project.  On a Friday.  How very, well, me...of me. I've totally got an excuse good reason for being a bit late.  See, I have a stuffy nose.  And sore throat.  And itchy ears.  Also, I'm sick.  In all honesty, though, if I'd have taken the time to read what this project was, I would totally have made it while I was lazing around on my sickbed.  It didn't even take a full

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-2740946156367520882010-01-25T23:06:00.001-05:002010-01-25T23:15:00.380-05:00

A drawstring bag is really simple to put together, there are a whole slew of ways to construct them, and there are a million uses for such a bag.  This version is reversible, lined so that there are no raw edges visible, and the casing is reinforced to that there isn't fraying when the cords are cinched or pulled open. Tutorial: Assumptions (unless noted): Seams are 1/4", sewing is done with

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-74710126292559208562010-01-24T23:16:00.000-05:002010-01-24T23:16:12.382-05:00

The project for January 21-24 is a pet bed from Lori Marie I debated not even doing this project, because it was a fabric hogger and I have no pets.  I spent two days trying to figure out what I could make that would drastically shrink this down and still be at least a little bit useful.  Also I wanted to lay on the couch and eat guacamole. I didn't want to fail and quit making the projects

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-73715559510490436712010-01-21T14:48:00.000-05:002010-01-21T14:48:26.586-05:00

The project for January 18-20 is a lunch sack with a wristlet strap from IS*LY. I made a lot of changes to this tutorial, and I will tell you why.  Because I am NUTS, and, again, I will tell you why. When I first saw this lunch bag, I was really excited to make it.  I have a job, I eat food, I always get a occasionally get a lunch break -- perfect bag to tote back and forth to the office.  I

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-82920019070199899122010-01-18T21:20:00.001-05:002010-01-19T07:46:20.918-05:00

I'm behind in the calendar projects again.  In my defense, I had until Sunday to finish this tutorial, and since I had today off, I thought that today was Sunday.  It is not. The January 14-17 feature was a mini oven mitt from My Longest Year.  BUT! since I had a need for a big person sized oven mitt I modified the pattern to make a full sized mitt.  Instead of putting an unbatted (word?  not

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-22968106708237676052010-01-13T20:33:00.000-05:002010-01-13T20:33:40.848-05:00

I furiously sewed my last few projects to get up to speed with the projects in the calendar, but I was able to take some time in the past couple of days to sew some bags that I just adore.  I love each of these bags, but I've decided to update the shop a bit and put them all out there.  Sure, it's not that I couldn't come up with reasons to fill each of these bags, but I do get the urge to

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-68138863714567429452010-01-12T21:04:00.001-05:002010-01-12T21:09:34.497-05:00

I was all set to cry about how this egg thing was the third project in a row that I didn't have much use for, but by the time I was done this little fella was so damn cute that it doesn't even matter that I'm still not really sure what an egg cozy is. This project was the the owl egg cozy from LucyKate Crafts. I've discerned that it is a sleeve to keep boiled eggs hot?  I'm used to eating

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-37397839082005949872010-01-11T21:58:00.000-05:002010-01-11T21:58:29.217-05:00

The project for January 7-10 was, again, something that I just wouldn't get much use out of.  It's not that I don't have a messy car, because BOY DO I!, but I just couldn't picture myself actually placing my junk in pockets hanging on the back of my seat.  I do see the usefulness, though, and if I ever get the urge I can think of a few people that might really like one of these.  Anyway. 

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-43832977795202363812010-01-10T22:16:00.000-05:002010-01-10T22:16:22.015-05:00

I can think of hundreds of reasons to make a bag.  I can think of hundreds of things that I could put into a bag.  A yoga mat, for me at least, is not one of those things.  But of course, the project for January 4-6 was from Bored and Crafty and was originally designed to carry a yoga mat. I wanted to follow the directions pretty closely and have my end result be similar to the original project

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-18764972267077150032010-01-10T12:31:00.000-05:002010-01-10T12:31:39.837-05:00

Better late than never.  It's January 10, and I just sewed the project for January 1-3.  Whatever. I like quilted coasters around the house, because it's an easy way to sneak a little pattern or add a little color to a room.  These coasters, originally from The Long Thread, small versions of a pinwheel quilt block.  The write up also says that they're good practice for quilting, which is true.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-3458317630694566822010-01-09T23:34:00.000-05:002010-01-09T23:34:23.555-05:00

Some of my best presents this year were sewing related.  Among gift cards to my local quilt shop and Jo-Ann, which are sure to keep on giving, I scored some accoutrements that will (hopefully) find their way into some really great projects.  My family gifted me a walking foot, a few yards of fabric, a sewing book, and a new cutting mat and rotary cutter. I gifted myself this: It's sure to

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-88574604158893059232010-01-08T23:02:00.000-05:002010-01-08T23:02:34.098-05:00

I was working browsing the archives of sewing blogs last week and found out that one of my favorite creative bloggers Creative Little Daisy had written a pattern for Simplicity!  Even better, it was a pattern I had picked up during a JoAnn 99-cent sale a few weeks before.  Huzzah! Now, I'm not excellent at following bag patterns, and most of the time I feel like commerical patterns are written

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-41149553614152527512010-01-05T23:34:00.000-05:002010-01-05T23:34:06.815-05:00

Love fabric?  Cheesing over all of the new prints have come out this year?  Head over to True Up to check out what other are crushing on this year.  You can even play along yourself! - Favorite Quilting Weight Cotton Collection: Good Folks, Anna Maria Horner - Favorite Home Decor Weight Fabric or Collection: Deer Valley, Joel Dewberry - Favorite Trend (Colors): Oranges, deep purples and

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-1198287019148462552010-01-01T18:36:00.001-05:002010-01-01T18:41:31.286-05:00

A few weekends ago I saw this pillow at Pottery Barn.  The great thing about Pottery Barn pillows or covers is not only that they're gorgeous, but they're primarily linens and really great prints, and can be reproduced at home. It was the pocket on this pillow that really caught my eye.  I didn't really groove on the words embroidered on the pillow because they don't fit in with the rest of

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-20399069338654971302009-12-31T11:50:00.000-05:002009-12-31T11:50:57.547-05:00

I love that the crafty blogosphere gives us all the opportunity to share our projects and our thoughts and inspiration and missteps and our favorite things.  I also love the awesome bloggers that host swaps that allow us to exchange actual THINGS.  Things that you can feel and use and get for free can share with other lovely ladies who craft. I've done three swaps this year, two for supplies and

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-43737132030725192412009-12-28T21:26:00.001-05:002009-12-28T22:09:52.985-05:00

I hope that everyone has been able to celebrate a fantastic Holiday season so far.  Less than a week to go until 2010! My last holiday project was thought up, stitched up and given away all in under an hour.  When I was in San Francisco a few months ago my friend was searching in all of the jewelry shops for a leather bracelet.  She was on her way over this weekend for a girls night and I

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-53292616159061864012009-12-22T22:14:00.000-05:002009-12-22T22:14:38.857-05:00

So, you've got this cousin who likes purple and likes pigs and just moved to a new house.  Plus, there's a pretty big holiday coming up where the tradition of gift giving is pretty prominent.  If only there was something that seemed made for a situation like this.  Enter Pig Let by Echino. Then, add some sand colored sueduecloth and two 16"x16" pillow forms bought on a super sale at Jo-Ann,

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-28584690620768501902009-12-20T21:57:00.000-05:002009-12-20T21:57:07.834-05:00

This is not one of them. I've made tote bags similar to this before, including the one that I carry almost everyday, but this one was causing me so much stress that I kept putting it to the side to finish other projects instead.  Even so, I'm really psyched about the way this turned out.  I'm having such a problem letting it go that I see a olive green linen and brown gingham sibling in my

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-84783527218961852522009-12-16T21:34:00.000-05:002009-12-16T21:34:12.536-05:00

I like this game over at Fat Quarter Shop!  Dear Santa, For Christmas I would very much like anything in the whole wide world by Anna Maria Horner, because I think her fabric is just the knees of a bee.  Mostly, though, I want these two things because this here Folksy Flannels line looks super soft and super colorful and just...super. For some odd reason, I think because between my skin and

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-14309311744762886082009-12-14T22:28:00.000-05:002009-12-14T22:28:16.571-05:00

Internet, Christmas is (technically) eleven days away. (Even though it is approaching 11:00PM, so I clearly only say eleven to make myself feel better because let's face it Christmas is ten days away.) (And Christmas Eve is pretty much out of the question, because really, that's when Christmas actually begins, right.  Let's just call it what it is.  Christmas is nine days away.) Before that

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-42140380033544937742009-12-11T22:43:00.000-05:002009-12-11T22:43:45.191-05:00

I've been sewing quite a bit for Christmas, but not much to be shown until after the Holiday is over.  I'm trying to fight off a itchy ear stuff nose type thing, which is putting a bit of a crimp in my plans.  I also can't seem to tear myself away from The Secret Life of Tiger Woods long enough to get everything done.  Now for a project I can show, because it is a Christmas gift, I'm just not

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-16218836788862335442009-12-07T22:12:00.000-05:002009-12-07T22:12:03.210-05:00

I cannot even believe there were over 200 comments on the giveaway post!  I'm so happy that so many people participated.  I wish that everyone single person could win, but I'm not so much there with fundage and all, so...two winners.  And, they are: For the Buttercup bag...#42, EmileeHope!   (If this isn't you, a Buttercup is still totally in the cards.  They are such fun to make, and come

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-12540438352824780212009-12-06T00:24:00.000-05:002009-12-06T00:24:34.719-05:00

I decided to officially start my Christmas shopping today, far, far too late in the season if the traffic leading up to the mall was any indication.  There were security guards directing traffic into the various parking lots.  I nearly turned around right then. While I was shopping for others, I decided to pop into Anthropologie for myself, not to buy anything (not that I wouldn't love to buy up

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-77711816981752164052009-12-03T21:11:00.000-05:002009-12-03T21:11:54.291-05:00

First things first.  I am totally floored by the comments on the last post!  You all are far, far too kind.  If it's the Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day post you're looking for, head here.  You're more than welcome to stick around and read on, though. ***** The latest bag of the Holiday Season Of Non-stop Sewing is for my mom's book club gift swap.  Just a simple flat-bottomed tote, but with

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-28599438826641432462009-12-01T22:59:00.002-05:002009-12-02T18:06:55.425-05:00

It's the day we've all been waiting for!  Sew, Mama, Sew! is hosting Giveaway Day! I've got two chances to win today, one for a finished Buttercup Bag (adapted from the design by Rae Hoekstra) in a creamy white linen/rayon blend with a simple sage green cotton print lining and band.  Then!  Another reader will get a kit to follow my tutorial and make a complete cubed drawstring pouch.  5

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com240tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-20024246541281765262009-11-29T22:33:00.000-05:002009-11-29T22:33:03.733-05:00

Thanksgiving weekend absolutely flew by.  Which is surprising, really, seeing as I was awake for about 20 out of 24 hours for at least three of the Black Friday weekend days.  A few days before Thanksgiving, though, I went to a birthday party for a extra special (and extra cute) little boy that was turning one! His mom mentioned an Ugly Doll a few weeks before his birthday, so I gave softie

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-19635068843107295012009-11-24T23:27:00.000-05:002009-11-24T23:27:50.178-05:00

Better late than never, right?  Right. To get started with this pouch, you'll need: 6 squares of fabric measuring 5".  I used charm squares, so they were precut 1 16" by 5" rectangle 1 strip trim (I used cotton lace) 16" 1 5" square interfacing 2 22" strips drawstring cord (I used suede lace) (not pictured) Plus, the usual suspects: scissors/rotary cutter, thread, pins, sewing machine

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-38746234665652790302009-11-21T10:24:00.000-05:002009-11-21T10:24:57.798-05:00

I've been a woman obssessed!  I've made a whole bunch of these in the past few days, and I know it's late, but I've got a tutorial coming, hopefully by Monday.  I just need to crop the pictures and put them in order.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-41625934213048047952009-11-16T21:25:00.000-05:002009-11-16T21:25:05.244-05:00

Last week I finished up the tablecloths that I had been putting off for about a month. Today I finished a table runner that I've been putting off far longer.  I made a basket liner for my mom (she calls is a bun warmer.  hee hee!) and had a ton of material left over.  She's been asking for a table runner for a long time, so I decided to use the leftovers to make one. Reversible, even. I tried

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-88949515253968826762009-11-12T19:02:00.000-05:002009-11-12T19:02:09.802-05:00

I've acually been putting the project off for a long time, and the only excuse I have is I didn't want to cut and iron such a big square. My mom is hosting Thanksgiving this year, which involves seating more people than her kitchen table will allow, so the plan is to put card tables in the family room and eat there.  Today, about a month after the fabric was purchased, I finished the tablecloths

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-89426529431665208412009-11-09T22:54:00.000-05:002009-11-09T22:54:13.531-05:00

I noticed a huge spike in views this past weekend, and tracked them to a Brazilian blog linking to my coasters tutorial. I love how our things can travel around the craftblogosphere and be seen by so many people we'd never get to share them with otherwise. Of course, I can't speak Portugese, so her commenters could have been all "eff this girl and her stinkin' coasters" and I would be none the

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-37724055249054616392009-11-08T21:36:00.002-05:002009-11-08T21:37:37.330-05:00

...I've become one. So.  Long time no blog.  I've actually been in a sewing frenzy the past few days, however, there are next to no finished objects I can show the internet as most of them have been gifts, and inquiring minds want to peek at the blog and ruin their surprises.  Which, really, is too bad, because I'm really digging some of the projects. What I can show you are these patchwork

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-6405040914085461672009-11-02T21:34:00.000-05:002009-11-02T21:34:18.596-05:00

My vacation is over.  I took a few days off and went to visit a friend in San Francisco.  I came back and it was cold, dreary and daylight savings time, which means I now both leave for work and drive home from work in the dark.  Seasonal Affective Disorder, here I come! I at least managed to snag a few treats while I was there.  Yes, that includes chocolate, and no, it's not still around to

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-63445669866955048952009-10-26T23:28:00.001-04:002009-10-26T23:28:15.707-04:00

I'm heading off for a long weekend getaway and this time instead of going on a bag making frenzy I made just one bag.  And it's not even for me! I'll be staying with a friend who has recently learned to knit, so I used another of Terry Atkinson's tutorials and made a knitting tote as a thank you gift.  I modified the tutorial a little bit and added a lining, since I knew all those frayed ends

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-9578689486632989112009-10-24T09:25:00.000-04:002009-10-24T09:25:46.483-04:00

If I had to take all but a handful of blogs off my overpopulated Google Reader, I'd fight like hell to keep True Up on the list.  Quilt Market was a few weeks ago in Houston, and fabric and/or sewing bloggers have been heating up the Internets with their recaps, but True Up is making me feel like I was RIGHT THERE, MAN!  Currently I'm drooling over some of the Japanese prints they've got photos

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-72536325425612827442009-10-23T08:42:00.000-04:002009-10-23T08:42:56.687-04:00

I used random.org to pick the giveaway winner, and the 5th commenter, Amy Menges will soon be finding a scrap bag in her mailbox! Congratulations, Amy! You'll be receiving and email from me, or you can send your address to detailspecialtygoods (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks, everyone, so much for your great comments! I'm planning another giveaway soon, so stay tuned. Also, to answer the question

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-82418339405123692962009-10-21T23:31:00.000-04:002009-10-21T23:31:25.792-04:00

try a few more times until you finally have to go to bed. I snagged a yard of linen today for only $3.00 thanks to a little stain in the selvedge corner.  And, since I'm super-instant-gratification girl, I wanted to do something with it rightnowrightnowrightnow. Luckily, I thought better of it and decided on a test run using an unbleached cotton that is linen-y looking.  I came up with a pouch

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-45558708677805413252009-10-18T22:50:00.000-04:002009-10-18T22:50:01.628-04:00

A few months back I participated in a gift exchange hosted by My Mama Made It.  The gifts were full of the senders' spare trims, buttons, fabric, etc... Aside from a huge pile of buttons and a card full of ribbon from my sender, Jessica, I also got a bunch of fabric!  I've had it sitting on my sewing table for a long time waiting for an opportunity to use it and today!, well, I got impatient.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-32297354962510112902009-10-17T00:22:00.000-04:002009-10-17T00:22:53.178-04:00

Hello, Sew, Mama, Sew readers! Thanks so much for following my tutorial link. To help celebrate Scrap Busters Month just a little bit more, I'm having a giveaway of...what else? A scrap bag! One reader will get this purple charm square mini tote full of these fabric scraps plus a few more once I raid my bin. There will be enough to make a set of these coasters and then some! Applique, cover

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-90982551985669162192009-10-14T22:36:00.000-04:002009-10-14T22:36:41.636-04:00

When I was sick last week I spent quite a bit of time in bed, and noticed that both of my throw pillows are a bit dingy.  Well, fine, one has been questionable for awhile, but it's the perfect size and shape and so comfy that I just didn't want to part with it. So, since I didn't want to give them up, or pop for three new pillows, I decided to recover them. Both fabrics are from Joel

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-26857266108218648782009-10-12T22:35:00.001-04:002009-10-17T09:04:39.403-04:00

While I was sewing the other day I was listening to the CraftyPod episode called Crafting Japanese.  I visited the website and, even though I had listened to the entire podcast, was still disappointed to see that all of the books on the site weren't just about Japanese crafts, but actually Japanese.  Pretty pictures, though.  Including some of the cutest little drawstring baggies that I just

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-8803055569328407652009-10-11T20:47:00.000-04:002009-10-11T20:47:10.531-04:00

It's becoming more and more of a theme. Bags. They're just about all I've been making, except for a sleeveless top that I finally managed to drag out of my WIP bin and finish off...just as soon as the weather dipped to 40 degrees.  Eh, it'll look awfully nice under a cardigan.  As soon as my nose returns to it's normal color (or at least fades to pinkish instead of bright red) and I can be

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-88234862939226456732009-10-10T23:03:00.000-04:002009-10-10T23:03:31.876-04:00

I'm not a very good Festival goer. Still sick.  That's about all.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-19901305843539932252009-10-09T22:40:00.000-04:002009-10-09T22:40:02.415-04:00

I think I've figured out why I was so blah and yuck this week. Runny nose. Itchy eyes. Sore throat. Pluggy ears. The end.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-91036240960089657462009-10-08T20:45:00.004-04:002009-10-17T09:03:06.767-04:00

Is it check in time? Hi.  I save fabric scraps.  Bigger scraps, sure, but also small scraps.  Very small scraps. Sew, Mama, Sew! is hosting Scrap Busters Month, and along with getting some great ideas for using up my own stash, I'm sharing one of my own favorite scrap busters. Behold, the (sort of) Quilted Coaster.  These are awesome, because any little tiny bit that you've saved along the way

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-91472929003395947242009-10-07T21:46:00.001-04:002009-10-07T21:46:11.101-04:00

So.  I've been in a funk.  Top shelf, wallow in misery, want to stay in bed all day and waste away moodiness over here. Today, after 8 hours of work yuckiness (yuckyness?) I drug myself home and checked the mail. WAAAAA-HHHHOOOOOAAAOOOOO! I love the rulers, that polka dot is just dreamy, BUT!, that Lecien?  With the printed ads?  It was like I could feel the sky opening and the sun shining

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-63384308151169220742009-10-06T21:58:00.001-04:002009-10-06T21:58:08.706-04:00

If I thought Sunday was a trying day, I wasn't at all ready for the ginormous storm of horrible that would hit me today. So, for my Blogtoberfest post today, an ancient proverb that was probably said by somebody at some point in time:  Tomorrow has to be better, right?  RIGHT!??! See you then.

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-62037818993355138962009-10-05T23:02:00.001-04:002009-10-05T23:02:50.604-04:00

My aunt (the same one who dressed the dolls) came through with another request.  A 'green bag'.  Her company is asked different departments to donate prize packs to be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity.  And, no!, of course I don't remember which one... She came up with a Go Green theme for her department's donation and asked for a reusable market/grocery/tote bag.  I decided to use

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-9356136420944508922009-10-04T22:24:00.000-04:002009-10-04T22:24:46.056-04:00

I'm particpating in Blogtoberfest and I'd feel like a total-super-mega failure if I gave up on Day 4.  Four days in and you're already throwing it in?  Not me. Sunday is usually a day that I would post much anyhow, plus I've had a particularly trying day, so I'll placate the Internet by posting this picture of two sets of patchworked charm squares that will eventually become part of a

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-73565455925755580212009-10-03T11:26:00.001-04:002009-10-03T11:27:39.417-04:00

It's the big day, people.  Even my fabric is begging us all to Go Green!  Sure, they mean the 'save the Earth' from pollution and energy waste green, but it was the best I can do.  Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with something crafty.  For now, I've got football to watch and beer to drink. 

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-49759878018420447862009-10-02T23:04:00.000-04:002009-10-02T23:04:52.064-04:00

I had a real urge today to make something. Something that could be finished and used right away and preferrably hung on my dresser drawer knob so that I could look and feel better about having a sucky day because looking at pretty things I made usually makes me feel better. What didn't make me feel better was the total chaos that greeted my on my sewing desk. Scraps and castoffs from most of

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-77928683634442701482009-10-01T21:19:00.000-04:002009-10-01T21:19:20.957-04:00

A good friend of my roommate had her first baby a few weeks ago.  Before he was born, M. asked my to make a bag for the new mommy.  She specified that she didn't want a diaper bag, she wanted a mommy bag.  She planned to fill it with slippers, makeup, lotions and other pampering type things.  I'm still arguing that for a new mom any and every bag is a diaper bag, but, I do as I'm told. I was

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-61513058817480172802009-09-30T22:18:00.001-04:002009-09-30T22:18:32.867-04:00

Two days ago I woke up, freezing cold thanks to Michigan's fall making such a grand entrance, and jumped out of bed to take a hot shower.  And as quickly as I stood up, I hit the ground like a pile of bricks.  I'll say this to all of those who I might have not taken seriously in the past:  Back Pain Is NO JOKE. Like the true savvy, independant chick that I am, I smiled throught the pain grabbed

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-82295362187277783322009-09-28T22:45:00.000-04:002009-09-28T22:45:17.515-04:00

I had a super packed weekend, but with the American Sewing Expo right in my backyard (or 25 miles away) how could I pass it up. I managed to wake up earlier on Sunday morning than I do on most workdays and made it to Novi just as the show was opening.  It still took me 15 minutes to find a parking spot.  I didn't get a chance to attend any of the many seminars or classes thanks to a wedding,

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-44583205717400132332009-09-25T20:19:00.000-04:002009-09-25T20:19:50.514-04:00

I often buy fabric on a whim.  I try my best to think of a project that it will be used for, but most often, I see something I love and I just grab it.  (Especially if it's on sale.) This past weekend, I went to Joann on a mission.  I was armed with a pamphlet full of coupons, and I wanted to make a Lickety Split bag (designed, of course, buy the fabulous Rae).  I've made a few of these bags as

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-77781473153777984572009-09-24T23:42:00.000-04:002009-09-24T23:42:53.516-04:00

Each Holiday season the Detroit Goodfellows sponsor a variety of children's gift programs, one of them being dolls that are purchased, dressed and then given to thousands of little girls around Detroit.  Each Holiday season my aunt purchases a few dolls, and this year instead of buying an outfit she asked me to make one.  Her company sponsors a best dressed doll contest, and when she asked for my

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-27240538289265676282009-09-21T18:20:00.001-04:002009-09-21T18:20:57.578-04:00

I didn't get much sewing done this weekend, so much else was going on! Browsing my Google Reader this afternoon and looking at everyone's wonderful creations really made me want to rush home and whip something up!  There is a local nonprofit here in Detroit, Arts and Scraps, that uses, well, scraps, for educational craft products.  They've also got a little store full of castoffs from people

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-58028697618437018712009-09-17T19:42:00.002-04:002009-09-17T19:42:23.913-04:00

That's a Portugese proverb up there in the title line.  It's true, really, seeing as most of the gifts that you can buy in a big box store now are cheaper and less time consuming than anything we can make by hand, but it's the thought and work you put in that really makes a handmade gift worth giving.  I've been seeing cross-body bags everywhere.  Everytime I see one I think about how easy it

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-21388051655154414652009-09-14T22:22:00.002-04:002009-09-14T22:24:14.654-04:00

My trip to Toronto was an absolute blast.  With family, friends and food?  How could anything go wrong?  I love being in vibrant, lively cities like that so I didn't doubt that I'd have an amazing time.  My only twinge of sadness came when I was basking in all of the buildings, stores, people, accents, business and just...life...and realized just how far Detroit lags behind it's other big city

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-10049448466106660452009-09-10T21:37:00.005-04:002009-09-15T20:43:41.786-04:00

I've had so much fun making bags for my trip that I (almost) forgot that before I get to birthday party it up, I have to spend FIVE HOURS on a train!  I've spent a few hours madly downloading episodes of Dexter to my iPod (and mere minutes bummed that True Blood costs so much on iTunes meaning I'm STILL not going to know what the world is buzzing about) and throwing books in my tote bag. Given

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-39511889441001368822009-09-09T23:12:00.003-04:002009-09-10T21:43:19.316-04:00

I'm leaving for a birthday soiree (I had to google "party synonym" to learn the proper spelling of that word.  I could have used 'bash' or 'shindig', but I had my heart set on soiree) on Friday, and the oilcloth that I bought at Haberman's was trying to get my attention so that it could quietly remind me about the last time I put toiletries in my travel bag and they LEAKED ALL OVER MY CLOTHES. 

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-58085867064908232022009-09-07T20:36:00.003-04:002009-09-07T23:32:12.588-04:00

Alright!  I'm bringing another post over from the dearly departed blog.  Maybe I lied when I said I was too lazy to transport them to the blogspot address.  Maybe I will, just in bits at a time. Back in June one of favorite websites, Sew, Mama, Sew!, hosted sewing machine month.  They had a meme all about sewing machines (drool!) and since I said this blog was the stories behind the creations,

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-53791241081820973812009-09-07T01:11:00.000-04:002009-09-07T01:11:10.943-04:00

Sewing with zippers can be daunting. I know this, because every single one of my early projects was chosen and created simply because there was no need for a zipper. If I needed a method of closure? Iron-on velcro to the rescue. It didn't take long, though, for me to make friends with the zipper. And once I did, I learned they're pretty fun! not so bad after all. There are a few different

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311004329839010794.post-14821898491748908542009-09-07T00:48:00.000-04:002009-09-07T00:48:44.804-04:00

Well.  My blog is lost.  Not really lost, I'd guess, because most of it is archived on my laptop.  Lost, more, in the sense that I don't have the energy to move everything over.  It's a lesson that I learned trying to host my own blog, and now I'll let someone else do it for me. I've decided that I'll bring over my tutorials, little by little, and start anew with all else.  Don't we all need

A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06864884244304769159noreply@blogger.com0