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Look what I found

2010-03-09T15:16:11Z

A basket of quilt squares and cut out pieces that I started in 2006. I gave up on it because it wasn't looking as perfect as I wanted. The points weren't as pointy as they could be and the blocks just ended up being all kinds of crazy sizes, no matter what I did. (And by crazy I mean, slightly off. I suffer from random bouts of perfectionism.)

I even began to think that it needed some additional colors, so I made up a couple of blocks in these other fabrics. I never really liked the look of all the colors together, though. Not sure what to do with them now.

Maybe some more yellow would be nice though?

Looking at everything again, I realize that I don't really care as much about the imperfections now. I probably would care if I was giving it to someone else, but it's just for me. I love the quilt for so many other reasons (the yellow & white combo and the old school pattern) and it doesn't deserve to sit in a bin for another four years.

So there you go. Another quilt to work on. I know I've been doing a lot of talking lately and not much doing. I hope that can change soon and I'll have more to show here. I have two orders right now for baby quilts, so I'm sure that will get me going.

Reversible Belt for my Pink Dress

2010-02-18T02:38:37Z

Made this little reversible belt this weekend. I've been thinking about making it since June, which was the last time I wore the pink dress. The dress has one of those weird elastic waists and I really don't own many belts that worked with it.

While I was at it, I shortened the sleeves of the dress, which were between the wrist and a 3/4 length. It looks and feels so much better now.

The belt is an easy thing to make, but for one reason or another I just never got around to it. It feels good to actually do something that you've been thinking about for so long.

Ice Pack

2010-02-15T23:01:52Z

I finally got back to sewing this weekend by making an ice pack for the boy. He's been training for his 6th marathon and hurt his ankle a week ago. He's been icing it up every night, but would only put the bare ice pack on his leg. The suggestion of using a towel with the ice pack was shot down immediately. But I wanted to make an ice pack for him anyway. I knew it would be more comfortable.

Yesterday, I cut into an old towel (one that didn't match the rest of our gray set) and based the size off of the ice pack we had in the freezer. I happened to get some red velcro at the Crafty Swap & Beer from the previous week, so it was perfect. I put the velcro on both sides of the wrap so that you could just put it on without looking. It's just easier that way.

And... he uses it! Good.

Mini Update

2010-02-11T18:13:37Z

A little update: I made the blueberry crisp last week.

1. I think the oven temp was too high. It looked like it was boiling.

2. I think this caused the "crisp" part to sink to the bottom.

3. But... it was delicious. And that's all that really matters.

p.s. I've also been sick all this week. At first you might think... no work, home alone, lots of time to do stuff. But no. It really just means lots of time to be sick and do nothing. Not even eat the rest of those mini pies because you have no appetite and it would be wasteful to eat them when you can't taste the deliciousness with a stuffy nose.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get some sewing done this weekend.

Hopping on the Mini Bandwagon

2010-02-01T16:04:08Z

I am joining the mini-pie craze.

Well... sort of. I'm starting a mini-crisp craze instead. I like pie, but just not as much as I like sugar and fruit and crumbly bits.

There's been a lot of talk lately about mini pies. Jean & Sarah inspired and contributed to most of that talk and I've decided to join them on their mini bandwagon.

Just imagine: Tiny baby pies (or crisps) that you can freeze and cook whenever the craving hits. Now, this kind of thing is so me. I love cooking in bulk. Remember this? I still have oatmeal cookies in the freezer right now and I've added chili and these delicious cheddar puffs, too. There's always room for more dessert, though.

I bought myself some wide mouth 1/2 pint canning jars and used this recipe. I knew I would need to eat one of the crisps right away (and so would Etienne), so I baked two in ramekins.

And you can't leave those two extra jars empty, so I winged it and made a blueberry version. I have no idea how those will turn out, but how bad can it really taste in the end? As you can see, I really poured on the topping. Fingers crossed that that works out, too.

They were delicious. Especially after I topped mine with vanilla ice cream.

The only thing that could have been better was the crisp topping. I wish I had read the directions correctly because I think my crumbly top could have been crispier if I had done so. The pear juices made what Etienne called a "pear toffee" around the edges of the crumble. Mmmm. I can't wait to eat the rest of them.

P.S. See those cute yellow tins in the first picture? I've been looking for sugar and flour holders for some time and I found this guys at target. Love them!

Housewarming Pot Holders

2010-01-23T13:00:33Z

I have to admit that it hasn't been good these last couple of weeks. I've been feeling very down. Way down. Even during the three day weekend, I found myself unable to do anything, let alone any of the sewing tasks I had planned. Then by the end of it I felt so guilty. A weekend wasted.

Everyone keeps telling me it's the winter depression come early, but I don't remember it being this bad. Do I block it out? Why am I surprised every year when it happens?

One theory I had was that every year I blame it on a failed new years resolution to get fit. This year, though, I am actually doing really well - exercising four times a week. It's a miracle! I certainly can't place the blame there this year.

Thankfully, the feelings have slowly started to lift. I don't know why it started or why it's stopping, but perhaps forcing myself to do things have helped. I baked twice this week for our Charity bake sale at work to benefit Haiti. AND I sewed something.

I made two matching pot holders as a Housewarming present for my friend, who just bought her first home. I don't know how she decorated her kitchen yet, but hopefully it matches.

The red striped fabric is the back of each pot holder. I had exactly enough fabric left of this cute kitchen print, which I found by going through my scrap pile. Very lucky. Why did I ever put such a large scrap in there anyway?

UPDATE: Umm.... Am I psychic now? The pot holders she already had were blue, green, and then a red and white striped one. How lucky is that?

New Year. New Quilt.

2010-01-11T13:00:42Z

I have been feeling so weird lately. I've spent every weekday thinking about sewing and then every weekend not wanting to do any sewing. What is my problem? I guess I just have to jump back in.

It's time to start the Color Wheel Quilt. One of my new year's resolutions is to make a quilt for my bed, so why not start with this one since I have the book and all of the fabric. Sarah bought me the fabric bundle as a wedding present. Perfect.

Just so you know, I have completely nerded out in this endeavor and have photographed each bundle, so that I could put them back in order after washing. That's probably something you should know about me: I'm really into systems.

So, here we go...

Something for me? Aww, thanks.

2009-12-31T15:27:46Z

Made a little something for myself as well. I lost the scarf I bought in Italy on the honeymoon, so I made myself a new one. This year I have a gray coat and a sneaking suspicion that I would soon own a DrikaB bag this Christmas in yellow and gray. I already had some super soft, black & white houndstooth fabric on hand, so I bought some fabric to match with a hint of yellow.

At first, I just sewed the two pieces together without any other padding, but after the crazy winds began to blow, I added in a layer of thermolam batting. Now it's a soft, cozy, wall of fabric to protect me from these ridiculous winds.

Oh, and I was right. Here is the great bag I got for Christmas. I love it!

See how happy I am now?

Another Zoo Quilt

2009-12-29T11:00:14Z

I made yet another quilt using the Alexander Henry 2D zoo fabric. I'm not obsessed or anything. I can't help it! Everyone loves this fabric and when they see examples of it, they want one too. This is a Christmas present commissioned for a friend's daughter.

This measures about 40 x 40 and is quilted with small six inch star bursts to mimic the little flower shapes on the front. The backing is a cloud patterned fabric specially requested to match the little girl's room.

Bridle Bag: Part 2

2009-12-27T15:33:19Z

It's been a busy couple of weeks here in my sewing room. I've been finishing up gifts almost every night. Of course, this could have been avoided if I wasn't such a hopeless precrastinaor and didn't wait until the last available week to finsh out everything. When will I learn?

Anyway, I can finally show you some of the things I've been making.

First up: The finished Bridle Bag and last minute matching Pony Tail Bag.

I finally finished up the Bridle Bag. It's going to a friend's daughter for Christmas. I personalized it with her name in embroidery instead of the horse's name. That way she can use for a long time. I hope she liked it.

And then I made a coordinating Pony Tail Bag. I had no idea that some Ponys need a little extra help, so they have fake tail extensions for shows. This bag will house the fake tail when not in use.

They are going to take some pictures of the bags in use, so I'll post them whenever I get them. I'm curious to see how they hold up, considering I've never made either of these before.