A Sick Household

We all came down with a cold.  I’m not sure where we picked it up – but it must have been somewhere along the way home from California.  I’m kind of anal about not encountering germs since Brice was born.  Not that I'm against him getting dirty or anything like that, but because I choose not to vaccinate him until he’s a little older, I just try and avoid them best as I can when out.  I’m that mom with the travel Clorox wipes in her purse, wiping down the grocery cart before my kid gets in.  Now that he’s older I don’t worry as much, but those first few months of his life engrained it into me.  Well, since I've been sick this whole week, not a whole lot has gotten done.  But I did start a knitting project last night since I needed SOMETHING to do.  I didn’t feel good enough to sit at the computer or sewing machine, but I had to do something.  I don’t like to just sit.  Hopefully I wont screw this up.  I’m good at screwing things up when it comes to knitting.  I’m just getting ready to start some cables now.  Think good thoughts for me! 

Getting Crafty

You know I've missed my machine when I cranked multiple projects out over the weekend.  First up :: pot holders.  These are two of a planned set of four.  I did the embroidery while in the car on the way home – drawing on the fabric and all.  The designs were from the A Rainbow of Stitches book my husband “got” me for Christmas (read :: I bought and wrapped and put his name on the package to me from him).  I totally L-O-V-E this book.  I was going to work on crocheting in the car, but since I forgot it at my dads…  I’m glad I thought to bring my embroidery along. 

While I was on the computer very, very little while out of town, I did happen to get on Flickr and see Erin’s potholders she finished up.  I knew I wanted to create some little patchwork potholder’s myself, but didn’t know the embroidery would be at the center until I decided I wanted to stitch these designs on the way home. 

Maybe I'll get the other two done this week and be able to share them with you.  I’m still debating on whether I'll be keeping them or selling them…

But, before I could actually work on these, I had to get my scraps under control.  My small scraps, up until this point, were kept in a set of three small fabric scrap baskets, but they were overflowing those and getting out of control so it was time to make myself a big storage container.

Enter the HUMOUNGOUS fabric scrap basket.  I created a base on the computer, printed it off and then went to town sewing it up.  I know someone is going to ask me for the dimensions, so I went and measured :: diameter 9 3/4” x 11 1/2” tall + another 3” for the folded over part.  I have room to grow that way.  Since I didn’t have a pattern, I wasn’t realizing how tall it would actually be in comparison to the base, but it worked out great.  I love having the folded over part for a contrast in fabrics.  So this is all made with IKEA fabrics and then some mid-weight interfacing ironed on to the exterior fabric.  I also used the cream fabric on the pot holders since I had some scraps of it.  The red and white fabric is only in stock as you find it now, so if you want some, I would hurry to IKEA now before it’s gone.  I need to go get another yard myself.  They are a nice decorator weight and I can’t say enough about the cream fabric.  I think I need a bolt of it.

Back To Work

At least that’s what it feels like.  A week of no email, no blogs, no Flickr.  I’ve spent time responding to emails, editing photos and uploading them to the various sites.  Now it’s on to blog updates.  Why does coming home feel like going back to work?  It was very nice to have a blog break – in a “I should probably cut back a little” kind of way.  We’ll just have to see how that pans out. 

It is my hope to be having some photography talks here in the next week or two.  I’ve got my outlines, and my “guests” lined up, now to write my bits and get it all ready to go.  It’s mostly going to be along the lines of some basic camera functions and how to get more from your camera.  And then some talk on editing and some of the free sites out there for editing.  I also will talk about what it is that I do for most of my photography – how I set up my camera, what I think about as I compose photos, my most common edits and where I have found information on editing.  For the most part it will be directed to SLR cameras and Photoshop editing, but I want to make sure and include stuff about point-and-shoot cameras and how to get a better photo.  Which means I have to play with the dreaded point-and-shoot camera…we are not friends, the two of us. 

The trip was pretty uneventful.  Which is a good thing.  We had planned on being home sooner, but some storms in northern California prevented us from leaving as I-5 was shut down and requiring chains.  When the roads require chains I think it is safer for us to stay put, rather than deal with the other people on the road that don’t have a clue.  It’s kind of like driving in California in the rain…like our whole visit.  I don’t think California’s understand driving in the rain like we in the Pacific Northwest do.  It can be a little scary being around some of them at times. 

I ordered this little package of goodies a few weeks back from My Happy Store and Buttons and Such – same seller with two shops.  She was so kind as to combine shipping for me.  I can’t wait to sew something with the cute mushroom fabric!  I just love buying pens from overseas because of how fine a tip I can get.  I like to do very small and detailed drawings sometimes.  All of the colored markers are perfect for just this.  Ok, off to finish laundry and thinking about sewing – I missed my sewing machine terribly.

Gone For A Few

We leave tonight for California.  It’s an 11 hour drive with stops.  One that I've done many times in recent years.  It gets a little boring – but maybe I'll be able to sleep a little since my husband prefers to drive.  I just hope that Brice does sleep.  That’s the point of our evening drive.

I probably wont blog while we’re gone, nor will photos be posted to Flickr.  So it will be a little quiet in my spaces until sometime next week. 

Two of my little sisters have birthdays this month…I think I mentioned that already.  I did get around to making them both gifts yesterday.  This is one of their gifts. 

I got the inspiration from one of my new books Simple Stitch Life (ISBN978-4-579-11103-9) 

While I ended up throwing their measurements and sewing directions out of the window and made up my own as I went along, I did take the stitchery pattern from the book.   I’m loving this little bag and think I might need to make my own when I return.

The bag is unlined and the top is the selvage edge of the linen.  I pinked the edges of the fabric before sewing and then zig-zag stitched the edge as well so that it would not come undone.  I hope this is enough and that it holds up well with use.  I also put a light weight interfacing over top the stitchery on the inside of the bag. 

Tootles for now and see you all next week.  Those photography posts I promised will be coming up at the end of the month.  Yesterdays 365 photo was an awful shot and I had to edit the hell out of it and whenever I do that, it gets me thinking more about the posts to come.

Block Printing FYI

So many of you asked me in the comments if there was anything I couldn’t do.  Julia asked me this very question when I posted the photos to Flickr before blogging.  My answer to this was…well, why don’t you read for yourself on Julia’s post.  And then you might read my response to the post in her comments.  It will tell you why I do so much.

I am so happy to have sparked such an interest!  Believe me when I say that you can do this!  It is really VERY simple and is not a very big investment to try.  When I first thought of doing this I had done very little research on the topic.  But thanks to an awesome birthday present from Liz, I got a little more info on the topic before I took the plunge.  It always makes me feel a little better to read up on something.

I’m not sure where my knowledge came from before the book Printing By Hand by Lena Corwin (my birthday present), but I found myself referring back to a lot of the things I read in the block printing chapter these last two days.  I had carved some small stamps this summer, but hadn’t put the fabric printing aspect into it until yesterday.  So you see, it can’t be that hard if I got results like I did on my first go-round.

The basic supplies you need are linoleum or other carving material, carving tools, printing ink, a brayer and some fabric.  I bought most of my supplies at a local specialty art store, Art Media.  They have an online store should you find you have to order supplies for yourself.  I found that the prices were all very reasonable for this hobby.

I think the hardest part of block printing is thinking of a design to carve.  I happen to doodle all the time and so I made myself pick some of my stuff.  On this occasion it happened to be things that I “drew” in Illustrator. 

I know there are some of you thinking – but I can’t draw.  Yes you can!  I am no artist, trust me, when it comes to drawing.  My chicken scratch is just that.  But I finally came to a place where I appreciate my drawing.  It’s not perfect, slightly better than a toddlers, but I have found over the last few years that it is exactly the type of drawing I am drawn to by other artists.  So stop telling yourself you can’t do it, or that your not talented enough, because you are!  Now get to work doing some block printing. 

Special thanks to Liz for letting me photograph and use her hands…I hope you don’t mind!

Block Printing

If you saw my Flickr photostream yesterday you saw this photo.  It was the beginnings of my carving a stamp for block printing.  I’ve made a few of my own little stamps, but I haven’t tried carving a big block like this yet.  It was fun. 

  
I draw a lot of my sketches and then scan them into the computer and alter them in Illustrator to use in embroidery, sewing and in this case for block printing.  Actually, this wasn’t really a drawing.  I had a sketch I was going off of, but this is really a graphic I created in Illustrator using circles, ovals and lines.  I made him while I was messing around a few months back and forgot about him until yesterday.

This little guy is printed using Speedball block printing inks on linen.  I also printed him on canvas, white denim and muslin.  But the linen was my favorite.  The ink is not really intended for printing on fabric, but with heat setting before washing, he did just fine.  Of course some of the ink came off, but I think that is to be expected (especially since I didn’t let it sit for more than a couple hours).  I don’t mind that it’s faded, I actually like that and think it would probably have looked like this no matter what with block printing.  From what I can gather, only with screen printing do you get a full coverage, especially when printing on textured fabric.

I started working on another carving – this time of a pine cone.  I’m anxious to get printing with it.

Dear DQS8 Partner

I have one request and one request only – do something that YOU want to do.  I am that person that loves everything that has ever been made for me simply because I know it came from the heart.  I know how hard it is to get yourself motivated to sew some days and to even come up with an idea.  If there is some technique you’ve just been dying to try – then do that!  Is there some tutorial out there on making a block you’ve always wanted to do, but feared how it would turn out?  Well this is your push to do it!  I love all colors, all fabrics, all patterns – modern or traditional.  Anything I am given will be treasured.  But, should you want more than that, I think my Flickr favorites are a fairly good representation of what I'm drawn towards (which is pretty much everything).  I know that it is every swappers greatest desire to hear their recipient say “I love it!  It’s just what I wanted!” and you will have nothing to worry about there.  Make it as small or as big as you want – my only request is that you make a doll quilt that puts something of yourself into it. (Click the mosaic for more info on each photo.)

While we’re on the topic of likes – isn’t this just the best!  Green Ink made it using my fabric scrap basket tutorial and I am loving the little lemon appliquéd on the front.  I have been thinking of revisiting these fabric baskets and doing some more things with them (like embroidery maybe?) and I think this was the kick in the pants I needed.  As soon as I have the time to work on a few, I'll be sure to share them.  Also, I’ve been making these a slightly different way by leaving an opening in the lining and pulling it through there instead of at the top…so I will update you all on that in the future.  In the mean time, take a peek at Green Inks photostream, as it is full of all sorts of goodness!

Another Bench Monday

I did another Bench Monday photo today.  Although this isn’t it.  I liked this one, too and decided it needed to be shared somewhere.  The one I actually used for my Bench Monday is in my Flickr stream.  I have fun with this kind of photography.  Thinking about how to compose the shot and then playing around with editing.  Next Monday should find me on a bench somewhere in San Francisco.  Those plans aren’t set in stone, but plans for California are.  Two of my three younger sisters have birthday’s this month – Andrea #16 and Bethany #19 (she’s the one that had the baby in the fall).  I know what I'll be doing for Andrea (have to get my butt in the sewing room) but haven’t a clue for Bethany.  Andrea requested a day trip to San Fran with our dad, my stepmom and her friends and I think Aaron, Brice and I will head there ourselves to visit one of my friends.  It’s only about a 40 minute drive from my dads, so it makes for an easy trip.  Now to plan a few {fabric} stops while we’re there…

Gift Return

I made this for a friend for Christmas as a gag gift.  They really don’t like yo-yo’s.  I wasn’t really a fan of them until I made this project and started looking for yo-yo stuff to make.  Then I started finding all of this cute stuff.  So now, of course, I like yo-yo’s.  To said friend’s dismay.  It’s all her fault.  If she hadn’t said she didn’t like them, I would never have hunted down all the yo-yo things I could find to make her a gift I knew she wouldn’t like. 

I even made her a cute little yo-yo pin with a pearl in the center (our little inside joke).  She was a sport and kept that.  But this has come back to live at my house.  And I am very happy to have it back. 

I confess, I hoped that she would send it back my way.  Otherwise I would have given her hell for not having it hung in her living room – because that’s what good friends do.  They give each other a bad time.  My inspiration for this project is found here.

Birthday Shopping…?

It that’s what you call it when your toddler is throwing a fit, in a Japanese bookstore of all places.  The one place I feel we should show respect and be a little bit on the quiet side.  Why, oh why do I even try to shop with him?  I say “Never again!” and then do it again only to say “Never again!”…let that be a lesson.  I just can’t go anywhere with the little monster.  I am now officially stuck at home. 

We did head over to our local Kinokuniya and I found a few books to spend my birthday cash on.  While last year had the theme of “patchwork” among my purchases, this year seemed to be embroidery.  I didn’t get to look near as long as I would have liked, so I am planning on going again in a week or so…WITHOUT the kid. 

We also made a quick stop at Bolt.  I ran in by myself while kid napped in the car.  It was a quick trip but I did walk away with a little bit of fabric.  It just wouldn’t be a birthday without some fabric purchased.  Do you know, other than a quick run into Aunt Tam’s the other day after dinner (no fabric bought), I think that was my first trip to a fabric shop in about two months (maybe longer).  It was long overdue. 

As for sharing my birthday gift from my husband…well, it has to be sent back.  He bought me a 28mm f/1.8 lens for my camera, but it keeps giving us an error.  Bummer.  So back it goes and we are continuing our hunt for another. 

Thanks for your suggestions on the granny squares.  I checked out the websites suggested (they were all great!) and hope to make it to the regular bookstore sometimes soon to check out the books mentioned.  Or I'll just order them on Amazon.  Probably Amazon.  Ooohhh, speaking of Amazon, I have my Amazon France shopping cart full!  I’m hoping to purchase the books (mostly embroidery…okay, all embroidery) very soon. 

Little Project

I have been wanting to do a one color granny square afghan since I saw this photo on Flickr.  (I really like the square used in my Flickr inspiration photo, so if you know what it is, please let me know!)  I have finally started.  I was trying this block out and really like it…but I will probably try a few others, too.  I actually like this block right at this stage, but there are a few more rounds to do that I'm not sure I would do.  I’ve been on Ravelry, but does anyone have suggestions for “pretty” Granny Square patterns?

Finished Quilt

 
I finished putting the binding on my mother-in-law’s quilt this weekend.  I had to get it done.  I couldn’t do any other crafting knowing that needed to be finished.  Of course it only took me about half an hour. 

 

It was a simple quilt – but what do you expect for making it the night before gifting and quilting it the morning of!  I still love it.  This is one of my favorite quilts to make – it’s simple, but shows off the fabric beautifully.  I think I have just enough left to make another one for myself.  I’ll add it to my ever expanding list of quilts to make.

 

Thanks so much for ALL of the birthday wishes!  It really does feel great to be 30, but just a week ago I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it all once it was here.  The day was so relaxed and nothing out of the ordinary, really…but still a great birthday.  We had dinner with my mom and grandma’s and then came back to the house to relax.  My husband ran out and bought us a cheesecake to share – but I didn’t have any until breakfast today.  My birthday gift from my husband is in the mail and I'm excited for it to arrive.  I will share as soon as it’s here! 

**Edited to add ::  The fabric is Hey Sugar for Andover Fabrics.  I bought them this summer on sale…so might be hard to find now.