hermione j. schwartz

Plans...

2011-04-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

Fabric + Elmers Glue + First Graders = A whole lotta fun

2011-04-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

I teach first grade. I love it. Each month a book is chosen for a school-wide "Book of the Month". We read it several times, do an activity and display it in the classroom. This month was my class's turn to display in the main hallway. I know...exciting! This month's book is Abuela by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Elisa Kleven.

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the illustrator used fabric and trims in her pictures. The grandmother's purse is a piece of lace, the top of the building on the lower right is ribbon, etc. Scraps of fabrics...be still my heart! I know where to get a few (bazillion) fabric scraps.

It took 3 fabric loving sessions, but the kids made pictures of themselves and their grandmas (Abuela in Spanish) or grandpas doing something special.

I present the masterpieces:

FO: Simplicity 2591 Dress

2011-04-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

I made this dress: I wear it with these shoes: I freaking love this outfit. I would wear it everyday if it weren't 90 degrees *or* if I didn't sweat like a pig. =] PS: You can read my review of the pattern here.

NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Knit Beanie Free Pattern

2011-01-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

Several months ago one of the members of the Knit Black and Gold group on Ravelry posted a photo this beanie. She had seen it at a game, but knew it could be handmade for far less than the $20+ price tag. I worked on reverse engineering it off and on and, with a little help from other Steelers fans, we got it all worked out.

*~*~*~*~*~*

This pattern was reverse engineered with the help of Ellisha (ish174), Annie (trainergirl15 and Liz (steelerbear). The original beanie was sold during the NFL’s 2010 “A Crucial Catch” Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Proceeds from merchandise sales benefited the America Cancer Society and other team charities. If you choose to knit this hat, please consider knitting another and donating it to your local chapter of the America Cancer Society, a local breast cancer treatment facility or one of your favorite team’s charities.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in 3 different colors
US 8 needles – 16” circulars and/or dpns
Gauge: 6 sts/inch in pattern on US 8

Abbrivations

K-Knit
P-Purl
p2tog - purl 2 stitches together
k2tog - knit 2 sts together
ssk – slip 2 sts knitwise then knit them together
C1 over 2 right - Slip 2 sts to cable needle holding in back, K1, P2 from cable needle (needleless-hold yarn in front when slipping)
C1 over 2 left - Slip 1 stitch to cable needle holding in front, P2, K1 from cable needle (needleless-hold yarn in back when slipping)
MC – main color of yarn
CC1 – contrasting color 1
CC2 – contrasting color 2

Tackling Dummy Stitch Pattern

Round 1: *C1 over 2 left, C1 over 2 right* to end
Rounds 2-7: *P2, K2, P2* to end
Rounds 8: *C1 over 2 right, C1 over 2 left* to end
Rounds 9-14: *K1, P4, K1* to end

Instructions
CO 108 (120) sts with MC, join in the round

Work *K2, P1* for about 1-1/2"

Set up row: *K1, P4, K1* to end of round

Work rounds 1-8 of Tackling Dummy Stitch Pattern once in MC

Rounds 9-13: *K1 with MC, K4 with CC1, K1 with MC* to end

Round 14: With MC *K1, P4, K1* to end

Round 15: With MC *C1 over 2 left, C1 over 2 right* to end

Round 16-20: *K2 with CC2, K2 with MC, K2 with CC2* to end

Round 21: With MC *P2, K2, P2* to end

Continue working Tackling Dummy Stitch Pattern with round 8 using just the MC.

Complete a total of 5 pattern repeats before decreases (1MC, 1 CC1, 1CC2, 2 MC)

Work just round 1 of Tackling Dummy stitch pattern before starting decreases.

**Decreases for 108 sts ONLY**
Decrease row 1 (D1): Move last stitch in previous row to be first stitch of decrease round. *p2tog, p1, k2, p1* (90 stitches remain)
D2: *P3, K2* to end
D3: *p2tog, K2, P1* (72 sts remain)
D4: *p1, K2, P1* to last stitch
D5: move last of round to first stitch of this round, *p2tog, k2* (54 sts remain)
D6: *ssk, k2tog* (18 sts remain)
D7: k2tog to end (9 sts remain)

** Decreases for 120 sts ONLY **
D1: move last st to be first stitch of the round, *p2tog, p1, k2, p1* (90 st)
D2: knit pattern as established *p3, k2*
D3: *p2tog, k2, p1* around (72 st)
D4: knit pattern as established *p2, k2*
D5: move last st to be first st of the round, *p2tog, k2* (54 st)
D6: knit pattern as established *p1, k2*
D7: *k2tog, k1* around (36 st)
D8: k all stitches
D9: *k4, k2tog* around (30 st)
D10: *k3, k2tog* around (24 st)
D11: *k2, k2tog* around (18 st)
D12: *k1, k2tog* around (12 st)
D13: k2tog (6 sts)

** Finishing **
Cut the yarn leaving enough to thread through the remaining sts. Sinch live sts together and weave in all ends. =]

do.Good Stitches - September - Trees

2010-10-07T14:52:00.001-07:00

Love ~ September ~ Trees
Originally uploaded by Clicky the Moose

*Sigh* I really don't know how I get so behind. I don't think Midge and I have sat down together in over a month! I have been knitting a lot...and working more...and actually keeping the house clean. I guess sewing was the one that had to give.

September's theme for do.Good Stitches was trees. I so loved making houses for other bees. These trees were just as fun and a nice little tweak to a popular new quilt.

I think the tree to the left is a nice climbing tree and has a great place for a bird to make a nest. The pine tree on the right is silly and slightly wonky and interesting to look at with all the different fabrics.

Dress Plans

2010-09-25T05:51:00.001-07:00

I was running a few minutes early for work one day so I stopped by the Goodwill that is on the way. Only having a limited so I headed straight for the linens. This plaid fabric caught my eye right away. I got about 4 yards for $1.99! And it matches my new favorite shoes (which I also got new from a different Goodwill, but they are also sold at Target).

{Photo from Target.com}

My plan is to make Simplicity 2591 version C. I like the retro look, full-ish skirt and coverage on the top. The fabric is fairly light-weight and should be good in warmer weather. I plan to get some fun, bright tights to wear under the dress in the fall and winter. I have already been thinking of knitting this cardigan in yellow or pink to go with some other dresses and it should work with this dress, too.

Hopefully I will have the time to make this dress this weekend. But that will have to be after mowing the lawn, sweeping the floor (dang these dogs shed!) and staking our tomato plants. =]

It's been handled

2010-08-19T03:52:00.000-07:00

{Mouse needs a better look}

This bag is about 10 months in the making. The handles and fabric were part of the haul from Roger's Flea Market last August. I matched the fabrics and handles then pinned out a rough design last October. It promptly got "cleaned up" and put in a box, put on a shelf and forgotten about with two or three of its friends.

{Camera 1}

I discovered it again while looking through my WIPs box. Over the past couple days it was sewn together, ripped apart and resewn. Standard for this visual/tactile learner.

{Camera 2}

This one is mine, but I think I will utilize the other handles I have and make more of these bags for my Etsy shop. Maybe even a tutorial. We'll see if I can remember to take photos during the next construction. And I think I will make the handle casings a little bigger. And maybe a constrasting fabric. Or some fancy trim. And maybe not sew down the pleats. And maybe a little taper in on the opening to finish off the hexagon shape. Hmmm.

{All the crap I lug around}

It is large enough to hold my cell phone, keys (on a little leash ala Anne), wallet, notepad, two pens, two Sharpies (actually Shoupies, but I digress), cash (now gone), chap stick and multitude of change in the bottom. All that without looking bulky when closed.

{RTG}

do. Good Stitches ~ August

2010-08-18T15:47:00.001-07:00

Love ~ August aqua and red triangles
Originally uploaded by Clicky the Moose

This block started very differently. I had planned to use this tutorial from the Purl Bee blog, but I couldn't make it fit into the correct size requested in the bee. I did the math wrong.

I ended up just playing with the triangles and squares until I got something I liked. In order to get to the correct 12" x 12" size I added a thin border of red and a thicker border of aqua.

Find out more about this online charity bee on the flickr page. I believe Rachel is still looking for members for spin off circles. =]

FO: Frock Camisole

2010-08-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

{Frock Camisole aka Flowy racer back tank}

The other day I finished my Frock in Violet. This is the first garment I have ever knitted and I think it turned out pretty dang good! Racer back tops aren't usually that flattering on me, but I went for it anyway and I am glad I did.

I used nearly 3 whole skeins of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Violet for the medium size. One of the skeins is actually one of my first yarn purchases from when I first learned to knit a few years ago. I knew I liked the color, but never knew what to make with it.

{The back}

I only made two alterations to the pattern. I used 12 stitches for the straps instead of 8. Then I only made them 10" long instead of the 11-3/4" as in the instructions. I needed shorter straps to pull up the armholes. They hung too low and showed my undergarment. Eek!

Next time I would only cast off 4 stitches for the armhole and use them in the straps. I had to use some of the neckline stitches for the straps and I think it would look a little better with a wider neckline.

My Ravelry link, if you're interested. =]

50 cents + Flea Market = Happiness

2010-08-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

{Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book}

{Inside cover...in all it's 1960s glory}

This little gem cost me 50 cents and I have already gotten return on my investment. I must have spent an hour flipping through this book smiling at the sketches, giggling at the swimsuits and marveling at how far sewing has come and how much it has stayed the same.

{Convenient sizing charts}

The sizing carts measurements may be the same, but we all know the size number has changed. This is still really useful, of course for vintage patterns, but also for sizing items I make for my nieces who live far, far away.

{She is so happy with her striped skirt}

The sketches throughout the book kill me. The ladies all have different looks. They are demur, classy and sophisticated. Project Runway would judge them as: She looks fun and like the kind of girl that everybody wants to know.

{Oh, no!}

{Ahh, that's it}

In the cutting section the authors discuss how to layout pattern pieces to get check, plaids and stripes to line up at the seams. These cute ladies show wrong and right examples. I love the wrong girl's expression. =O

{The only brunette!}

I didn't realize it until I saw this little girl, but she is the only brunette in all 360 pages!

{Wardrobe planning ideas}

I am also loving the sportswear section. The garments considered sportswear are hilarious to me. A shift dress is sportswear. Women's and men's trousers are sportswear. Pleated skirts and halter tops are sportswear. Halter tops! I still giggle at that.

{Swim suit construction}

I do have plans on making a swim suit for myself, but I promise, it won't have a zipper. =]

Do you have a good vintage sewing guide book?

Frock by Friday ~ Anda

2010-08-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

{Frock by Friday ~ Summer Edition}

About a week ago I decided to join this month's Frock by Friday at Grosgrain. The pattern is available from BurdaStyle for $3.50. The pattern is so simple, but it is nice to just cut and sew.

{Anda dress}

The pattern is really great. I had to take 1-1/2" off each side because, even with the tie, it looked like I cut arm holes in a potato sack. Not the pattern's fault, I just needed it thinner. I also had to cut off about 6" at the hem, which is not a usual thing for me. I am the same height at the pattern specs, but if I had just hemmed the bottom it would have hit about 2" below my knees. Not flattering for me, and not how the other photos showed the length. The only other alteration I made was to put the tie casing on the inside of the dress. No way was I going to be able to line up the pattern with the casing on the outside like the pattern instructed. I added a 1/4" button hole in the middle of the front piece for the ties to exit.

{Little better view of the fabric}

The fabric was in a bag I bought at a thrift store. (They just put random cuts of yardage in a plastic bag, slap on a price tag and staple it closed. Guaranteed to have some "scary" pieces, but most of the time it is worth the $2-3.) Back to the fabric--no information on the selvage, but I think it is a double knit in polyster. I know, sounds gross, but it is comfortable. It has a tiny pattern of square tiles in black, red, yellow, brown and light blue.

I do recommend the pattern. So, so fast and so, so cute. If I made it again (and I think I will) I would use either a satiny fabric with a big design or a plain old solid knit. And elastic around the waist, not tie. =]

Another Thrift Store Save

2010-08-02T05:03:00.000-07:00

What a nice, little logo. The first time I was this logo was at a St. Vincent's de Paul in PA when Dirty and I were visiting family. The price tag read $2. WHAT?!? $2 for an awesome *PURPLE* suitcase! I had to have it.

{Bad color in the photo, but still shows off how nice it is}

I slid it out from between the other suitcases, set down my 50 cent throwback Nikes and $1 kick-butt boots and went to open the latches to check out the inside, but...

{Was this all I was to see of the purple suitcase of loveliness?}

...the latches wouldn't turn. Locked up tight. Neither of the other American Tourister suitcases at the store had keys. What was a girl to do?

We took it to the counter to see if maybe, *maybe* they had extra keys. Nope. But the super nice ladies at the checkout counter said I could have the suitcase--no charge. WAHOO! I figured, worse case I could either try to buy keys on eBay or take it to a locksmith.

Amazingly, at a Goodwill here in town I found another American Tourister (bigger and gray, but still very nice) that had 2 keys. Not 1, but 2. Fingers crossed,I bought it for $4 in the hopes the keys would open my beautiful, purple suitcase.

Well, I couldn't get the key to fit. Dirty's dad tried, his girlfriend tried and still no luck. I gave into the fact we got another nice suitcase for $4. Not a bad deal. Then my Dirty tried...and OPENED the purple suitcase of loveliness!

{Pretty and pink}

The interior is gorgeous and pink without any weird smells. It looks like it was barely used, but had 6 or 8 straight pins in it, which I found odd.

{Zippered side pocket and elastic back pocket}

Now I just need somewhere to go! =]

Spiderwebs for Nichole

2010-07-31T04:38:00.000-07:00

Nichole in the Quilter Bees group asked for spiderweb blocks this month. This was another I-always-wanted-to-make-this block for me. Honestly, I was a little intimidated by spiderwebs, but the tutorial at Quiltville was awesome, again.

Thrift Store Save

2010-07-30T15:54:00.001-07:00

{$2 from Salvation Army. It is handmade by someone else}

Inspired by Kathleen's Thrift Store Thursdays at Grosgrain, I went to the local Salvation Army store on 50% off day and scooped up three great pieces of clothing. Two are dresses I plan to alter and one brand new top that doesn't need anything but the tag removed. Grand total $6. Love it.

{The back of Granny's house dress}

The first dress I found was Granny's house dress. It is handmade by someone else. I never know why these are donated to thrift stores. It is the second handmade garment I have found while thrifting. (I just realized I never posted about the other super cute handmade dress I found at Goodwill. I will do that soon.) It had a good rough shape, but is way too big and I do like the vintagey fabric. Kind of looks like the 30's repro fabrics.

{*Gasp* I know!}

I took in the side seams about two inches on each side. I didn't have to alter the hem. I think it hits at a good spot. I tried hard to save the sleeves, even trying to add an otherwise cute elastic gathering, but it looked bad. The sleeves didn't make the cut...or maybe they did. ;]

{Bad model posing commences}

I also added a 1/4" elastic to the waist line. I zig zag stitched over the elastic and pulled it tight as I was stitching. I really like the gathering around the waist. Very comfortable and better than a tied belt, which always moves on me.

{Out of order, but marked and pinned for altering}

It would have been a much easier project with a dress form. *hint, hint, Santa* But it worked out all right after a few tries.

{Pea approves, or is just looking for some love, you be the judge}

I didn't get a good photo, but I covered the sleeve opening with binding made from the side seam castaways. My binding foot made this easy. Part of the collection I got about a year ago.

{Gratuitous dog photo}

{New back detail}

After all the alterations, the bodice still wasn't sitting right and the back had even more excess fabric than it does now. With a pie cut into the back neck line, commercial bias tape, a made-by-me fabric button and small piece of elastic, even the back got a new look.

It took *way* longer than I anticipated, but I think it was worth it. It can be worn now, as is and be worn into the fall and again in the spring with a little cardigan. Perfect to throw on for work or play when I am running late (which is most of the time). =]

Black-Eye Pea's Polamalu Spirit Leg Warmers: FREE Knitting Pattern

2010-07-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

{aka Pea is for Polamalu ~ Ravelry pattern link}

Pea's sister Mouse received the first pair in the series of Pittsburgh Steelers Spirit Leg Warmers. By no means could Pea be left out. No, no. Not Miss Jealousy herself.

{Checking the offensive set}

Pea's favorite football player is the Steelers Troy Polamalu. She says they have a lot in common. They are both really smart. They are both really fast. They both have to be wherever the ball is and take it away from the other person/dog. If they don't get to the ball first, that other person/dog deserves to be tackled. And if the quarterback/mama/papa throwing the ball is too slow, it can be taken away then, too.

{The blitz is on!}

This set of leg warmers was constructed a little differently. I chose to go from the bottom cuff up and use intarsia for the numbers. I suck at intarsia and it looked all warped. I frogged them and decided to just do the entire section between the cuffs in gold stockinette then use a duplicate stitch in black for each number. It went together so much faster for me that way. However, if you are better at intarsia than me, I included the charts for that.

{Prepare to be sacked!}

Again, the do-it-yourself formula for gauge, yarn and needle size can be found here with some tips within the pattern in red. My pattern for "Pea is for Polamalu" in Pea's size (medium dog) is below.

{Time out}

Steelers Striped Leg Warmers (for dogs)

Ravelry pattern link

Suggested Yarn: I Love This Yarn! (available at Hobby Lobby) or other aran/worested weight yarn (2 colors, Black and Yellow in this project*)
Yardage needed: Specifically, not much. I don't have the exact yardage calculated. Again, I am a slacker.
Materials: US 7 dpns (or size needed to obtain gauge), tapestry needle
Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows over 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Finished dimensions: 8" around top cuff tapering to 6" around bottom cuff and about 9" in length

{Pea is for Polamalu}

Abbreviations: k-knit, p-purl, M1B-make 1 back, M1F-make 1 front (See knittinghelp.com for instructions and video of the increase stitches. They explain it way better than me.)

If doing the color work in intarsia, the numbers start at row 7. The charts at the end of the pattern have all the color work directions and a different way to divide stitches per needle.

Loosely cast on 24 stitches in color A (black). Divide evenly between 3 dpns (8 sts per needle). Place marker and join in the round. P.S. Don't twist the stitches.

Rows 1-4 (Color A): *K2, P2* to end

Rows 5-35 (Color B for rows 3-45): Knit all stitches

Row 36 and all increase rounds: k1, M1B, k until 1 stitch before end of round, M1F, k1 (26 total stitches)

Rows 37-38: knit all stitches

Row 39: increase round (28 total stitches)

Rows 40-41: knit all stitches

Row 42: increase round (30 total stitches)

Rows 43-44: knit all stitches

Row 45: increase round (32 total stitches)

Row 46 (Color A): knit all stitches

Rows 47-54: *k2, p2* to end

Finishing: Loosely bind off all stitches. Use the charts and duplicate stitch (Color A) to create the numbers on each leg warmer. One number per leg warmer.

{Click each image enlarge. Charts for intarsia and duplicate stitch}

Please let me know if you make these leg warmers! (Or if you have any problem with the pattern.) Leave a comment or message me on Ravelry. I am drizzle and design as Hermione J. Schwartz.

*Colors and jersey numbers can be swapped, but let's not tell Pea. =]

SSS2 - Wonky Stars for Rebecca

2010-07-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am shockingly on time with this month's SSS2 block for Rebecca. Putting together her wonky maverick stars required purchasing a new tool. Three cuts into the first block, this happened:

{Not helpful}

My bionic hand strength snapped my rotary cutter in two. I've had it for several (5?) years so I guess I got all I could from it. Armed with a 40% off coupon, I ran out to the store to get a new one.

{Very helpful}

Judging from the new handle design, I am probably not the only one to destroy her Fiskars rotary cutter. I do really like the new one. First, a new blade is always heavenly. I also like the safety lock. Press the larger button on top to engage blade. Press the little button on the side to shoosh it back up. Fancy.

{Also helpful}

With my new rotary cutter and one of my trusty sidekicks, I was ready to punch out some quilt blocks.

{Happy and summery wonky stars}

I used the tutorial from Quiltville. Three of the blocks are 10" and one (the first) got a little skimpy at 9.5" square. I am sending it anyway, just in case it can be used. Loved, loved, loved making these blocks. They have been on my "to stitch" list for ages, but I made one until today. I know there will be more of these babies in my future.

My next to-do block is a spider web from Quiltville, too. Should do those tomorrow-ish. =]

Mr. T Starter Kit

2010-07-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

Nicknames are just a part of life in our house. Pets and people both get multiple nicknames, just to confuse everyone. For example, Dirty and his buddies call everyone Johnny. Instead of man or dude you are Johnny...or Papa...or Mama. They call me Drizzle, Driz, A-drizzle, Squaw, Pip, etc. Dirty has a friend we call Lou, Louie, Uncle Louie or Grandpa, along with occasionally calling him by his real name (which is actually his middle name, but whatever).

Clicky the Moose (he's a dog) was originally named One Time, but then got Clicky the Moose, Moose, Moosey, Moosey-Moose, Clicky the Goose, Clicky the Goat, etc. He comes to all of them but One Time.

{Jeffery T always requires a pillow}

One of Jeffery T's nicknames is Mr. T (as in the original A*Team). I decided that he needed a gold color. Dirty calls it his Mr. T starter set.

{Before--mostly for the hardware}

{Mr. T starter kit}

I had a FQ of a gold fabric with shiny gold threads weaved through it. Pretty ugly by itself, but perfect for the starter kit.

{Sporting his Mr. T starter kit and watching a bird}

I cut a strip about 1" thick, folded it like bias tape and stitched the long side closed. I looped it through the break-away clip and snapped it on T.

{I pity the fool!}

T loves it. =]

Retirement Quilt Redo

2010-07-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

{Lady of Crafts}

My mom retired last month. For the last 15 years or so she was an Extended Day teacher. Extended Day is what our local school districts call the before and after school care held at the school. At her retirement party they gave her a satin sash with "Lady of Crafts" in glittery letters. And she is the First Lady of Crafts in my book. She has an entire room *filled* with different crafts, craft materials, craft supplies, craft books, etc., etc., etc. Tubs and tubs, shelves and shelves all meticulously organized. Need 500 safety pins? She's got them and won't even feel like they are gone. Need an I-can't-find-it-anywhere color of embroidery floss? She has 3 spools of it and you can have it. She's a crafter and a giver. They do go hand-in-hand.

{Before}

As a retirement gift, her Extended Day family made her a wonderful quilt on which each of the 200 or so kids traced their hand print and wrote their name. Really a great gift. However, it was kind of a last minute idea and her friend didn't have the time (because it needed to be done in 3 days) to make it the way she would have with an appropriate amount of time. (After they gave it to my mom, her friend whispered, "See if your daughter can fix it.")

It may be hard to tell from the photos, but this quilt was about 10' by 3'. Wonderful, but not really practical. My mom and I sat on the floor and picked out the seam around the outside and split the quilt in half. I restitched it together side-by-side resulting in a usable 60" x 60" large lap/perfect picnic quilt.

{After}

The back is blue and yellow square patches. Really cute, but I didn't get a picture of that side.

{Quilted}

I just made some simple quilted grids to keep everything in order. It was pretty fun to transform this quilt to super long and skinny to big and square. =]

Mini Quilt Wall Hangings in the Shop

2010-07-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

{Island Clothesline Wall Hanging}

{K Wall Hanging}

{A Wall Hanging}

I should have another shop update soon! =]

Schwartzy in the Shop

2010-07-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

{Available here}

Schwartzy bags are now available in my Etsy shop! I found two great vintage (or vintage-y) fabrics and was able to produce two bags. Both are listed now.

{Available here}

I also have just the pattern for sale here.

Anne of Film and Thread won the last giveaway for the pattern. She made a super cute Schwartzy of her own--including some great alterations. See it here.

SSS ~ June for Anne

2010-07-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

I'm still catching up on my over due bee blocks. Anne asked us to make a map block for her month in Snip.Sew.Send. and that was about it. I really enjoy the general directions as it allows every one's creativity to show through a little.

My map is a road trip route from my house to visit all the other bee members. A little more of the design and inspiration details are here.

This was the last block for the first round of SSS. The second go round has already begun and I plan to actually keep up on them now. Famous last words. =]

http://snipsewsend.blogspot.com/2010/07/sss-road-trip.html

Mouse's Steelers Striped Leg Warmers: Knit Pattern

2010-07-15T03:35:00.001-07:00

{Mouse's Steelers Gear}

Living in a warm weather climate, my dogs find it difficult to show their team spirit (Steelers spirit, that is) during the football season. The season starts in August (it is hot here) and continues through September (hot), October (still hot), November (warm to not that hot) and into December and January (sort of cool, except that one week that is it pretty cold). Needless to say, those cute doggie sweaters are out and a simple little collar and leash combo just doesn't cut it.

Mouse --she's a dog--requested a pair of Steelers striped leg warmers she can wear during the games and on walks when it starts to get chilly. Who am I to deny my dog Steelers gear?

{She says, what other colors are there?}

Thus the Steelers Striped Leg Warmers pattern was created. We (Mouse and I) decided on a classic black and gold stripe with 2x2 ribbing at the cuffs. Mouse says she supposes that the leg warmers could be made in other colors, but she doesn't know why you'd want to do that. ;]

{I'm ready for some football!}

The leg warmers are made from two colors of acrylic yarn for the washablity and longevity acrylic supplies. Additionally, our climate doesn't necessitate wool or wool blends for 99% of the year and I didn't want to cause overheating issues. Sweaty paws, yuck! If we lived in say...Pittsburgh...I would definitely make another pair in a superwash wool. I used size US7 dpns to get a nice fabric.

{Mesmerized by the game}

The pattern was written specifically for Mouse's legs. They measure 8" in circumference just under her elbow joint and taper down to 6" in circumference at her wrist. The total length is about 10". Mouse is what I consider to be a medium size dog bordering on largish. She's a 65 pound American Bulldog. I say medium because she isn't the largest or smallest dog we've had. The pattern (below) discusses gauge and has an equation for customizing the size to different leg circumferences.

{Steelers Striped Leg Warmer}

Steelers Striped Leg Warmers (for dogs)

Ravelry Pattern Page Link

Suggested Yarn: I Love This Yarn! (available at Hobby Lobby) or other aran/worested weight yarn (2 colors)
Yardage needed: Specifically, not much. I don't have the exact yardage calculated. I'm a slacker.
Materials: US 7 dpns (or size needed to obtain gauge), tapestry needle
Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows over 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Finished dimensions: 8" around top cuff tapering to 6" around bottom cuff and about 9" in length

The written pattern is for the measurements listed above. However, this equation should help you resize the pattern for other sized pets.

Customizable Equation

From your gauge swatch: ____ stitches per inch _____ rows per inch

From your pet: _____ circumference of leg just under the elbow joint (I'll call it upper leg)

_____ circumference of lower leg just above wrist (above the side nail thing)

_____ length of arm from elbow to wrist

Cast on amount:

___(stitches per inch) x ___(circumference of upper leg) = ____* Make the total a multiple of 4

Number of decreases needed:

___(stitches per inch) x ___(circumference of lower leg) = ____* Make the total a multiple of 4
(upper leg total) - (lower leg total) = ____ number of decrease stitches / 2 = ___ number of decrease rounds Space the decrease rounds between 2-4 rounds of stockinette depending on the length of the leg and how drastically it tapers.

Pattern

Loosely cast on 32 sts in color A. Separate over 3 dpns. Needle 1 has 8 sts, needle 2 has 16 sts, needle 3 has 8 stitches. Customized sizing instructions in (red). Divide cast on stitches over 3 dpns with 1/4 of the total stitches on needle 1, 1/2 on needle 2, and 1/4 on needle 3. I decrease at the beginning and end of needle 2 thus the extra stitches on that needle.

Rows 1-6: (Color A) *k2, p2*

Rows 7, 8, 9: (Color B) Knit all stitches

Row 10: k8 (all of needle 1), ssk, k12 (to last 2 stitches on needle 2), k2tog, k8 (to end of round)

Rows 11, 12: Knit all stitches

Row 13: (Color A) Knit all stitches

Rows 14: k8 (all of needle 1), ssk, k10 (to last 2 stitches on needle 2), k2tog, k8 (to end of round)

Rows 15, 16, 17: Knit all stitches

Row 18: k8 (all of needle 1), ssk, k8 (to last 2 stitches on needle 2), k2tog, k8 (to end of round)

Rows 19, 20, 21: (Color B) Knit all stitches

Row 22: k8 (all of needle 1), ssk, k6 (to last 2 stitches on needle 2), k2tog, k8 (to end of round)

Rows 23, 24: Knit all stitches

Rows 25-30: (Color A) Knit

Rows 31-36: (Color B) Knit

Rows 37-42: (Color A) Knit

Rows 43-48: (Color B) Knit

Row 49: (Color A) Knit

Rows 50-54: *k2, p2*

Bind off loosely. Weave in ends

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As expected, Clicky the Moose and Black-Eye Pea have asked for leg warmers of their own. Moose has requested leg warmers to replicate the socks from the team's throwback jerseys, while Pea wants to represent for her favorite player Troy Polamalu. The patterns to those designs will be added as they are completed. =]

FO: Charity Cowls

2010-07-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

{Cowl'd and Frosting Morning by Kelly Herdrich}

{My Ravelry project}

The Knit Black and Gold Ravelry group I belong to is centered around Steeler football and knitting (obviously). During the off season we've had monthly knit-a-longs (KAL) for different projects. Hats, socks, pet stuff, etc. June was charity knitting. One of the members is collecting cold weather wear for the homeless and suggested we make items for that. I thought cowls would work perfectly for this. So I made two. Cowls may be my new favorite thing to knit.

{I love seed stitch}

This was knit from left over Lion Brand Jiffy in Indigo. It is knit on US 13 which made it go super quick! Started and finished in the same day. This cowl looks much better on Dirty. It is a little on the big side for me. His beard really sets it off.

{The Guy Next Door by Devin Fredrickson}

{My Ravelry link}

Poor color accuracy, but the stitch pattern shows much better in this photo. This is leftover Caron Simply Soft in Autumn from the Lacy Hat knit as a gift for one of our nieces. See, more knitting stuff I made and happily gave to others!

{Better color accuracy here}

I had to put on an a t-shirt for the photo shoot. I tried with the tank top I was wearing but it looked ridiculous. In case you were wondering:

t-shirt + cowl = roasting

The things we do for good photos. =]

FO: Shelves Upon Shelves Socks

2010-07-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

{Shelves Upon Shelves sock pattern by Erica Lueder aka Dreams in Fiber}

{Ravelry link to my project}

Whew! What I thought would take 2 weeks and would make a great birthday gift for my friend Susan actually took 2 months and won't be on any feet but mine. I know, I am awful. I'll make her something pretty soon!

{With Eye of Partridge heel. Love it.}

I just can't give them up. And, I think they are a little to out there for her. She is more classic and subtle. Sure, I can spin it a million ways, but I am still awful. I have made socks for other people and happily gave them away, but I didn't like them near as much as these. Just awful. Shameful!

{Side by side}

Anyway, when we were kids she pushed my down while roller skating because I wouldn't share my ice cream cone. I have a scar on my knee to prove it. Now were even. =]

{Pea agrees with me. See, she's guarding them.}

Turtles, Gators and a Tipped Canoe

2010-07-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Deciding the encounter with the sting ray wasn't quite close enough to nature we went canoeing down Juniper Spring. It is part of the spring system in the national forest near us. The river has constant current, crystal clear water, lazy meandering, tight curves and wildlife abound.

{Building thunderstorm}

Rushing, the river can be run in about 3 hours. We took our time putting in about 10:30 am and finishing just in time for the final pick up at 4:30 pm, stopping now and then for photo opts, eating lunch and to ponder whether that rumbling was jets (Dirty's dad's hopeful guess) or a building thunderstorm (reality).

{Beautiful view from the canoe}

Near the origin of the spring the water is pretty shallow, maybe shin deep. The little fish dart around the canoe tempting us to race them down the river.

{Before this camera went for a swim}

Dirty and I took the lead down the river and his dad and A followed us. You can't see it yet, but trouble is around the bend. Dirty's dad didn't quite bend back in time to get under a tree. He mistakenly grabbed the trunk to push past it but turned ever so slightly. The canoe overturned sending he and A splashing into the water. They must not have believed Dirty when he said 90% of what you put in the canoe will get wet. Cell phone, camera and two tourist soaked to the bone! Thankfully the phone was off. It and the camera dried out in a few days without any glitches.

{Turtle with a nice reflection in the water under the log}

All the photos are courtesy of A. I didn't dare take a camera, but she chanced it for us. Some of the photos are from her camera, pre-soaking. The others are from Dirty's dad's camera that also got dumped in the water, but was in a resealable bag.

{Palms dancing the tango}

{Percy! What are you doing here?}

{Smallish black butterfly with yellow spots}

{This butterfly is clearly a Steelers fan, too}

Now for the scary photos. These jokers (Dirty's dad and A, that is) obviously do not appreciate or respect how quickly gators can move when they are pissed. I wanted to smooth on past the gators pretending not to notice them or disturb them in any way, but the wacky tourists needed photos. I got more and more frightened each time A said, "Get closer. No, closer. I need to get a good picture." Honey, that's what the zoom is for.

{Baby gator back in the weeds}

The first gator we saw was just a baby, maybe 3-4' long. He was chillin' back in the cut. He wasn't too impressive so we smoothed on by him.

{Thankfully this gator decided that sunning himself was better than eating us}

The second gator we saw looked familiar and I was not interested in revisiting the experience from our last trip here. What? You don't know what happened last time? Dirty and I usually take our kayaks to the springs, which is what we did last time. It was Memorial Day a couple years ago. Our friends Dave and Christy came with us and rented a canoe. It was a great trip! Not too hot, no chance of rain and the river wasn't too difficult to navigate. We saw deer, birds, butterflies, turtles, fish, snakes in trees and a couple little baby gators.

{Another big gator cooling off in the river}

Towards the end of the river we turned this big bend which opened onto a big, bright grassy clearing along the river. Dirty was in the front in his kayak. Dave and Christy were in the middle in the canoe. I was at the end in my kayak. Keep in mind it is a sit on top kayak that-at best- is about 6" out of the water.

As soon as Dave sees the clearing he says, "This looks like gator heaven!" Hearing this a GIGANTIC gator that had been pleasantly sitting on the bank sunning herself turns her head and looks at us. She is pissed that we disturbed her nap and decides to slide into the water to tell us off. With the current pushing him, Dirty was already past the gator. Dave and Christy start freaking out and can't decided if they want to go fast forward or try and back up. They chose back up and nearly hit and tip my kayak. Then they get in gear and race past the gator.

At this point the gator is swimming towards me all alone at the back of the line. Dirty yells back, "If he starts to lunge at you hit him in the head with your oar!" I am thinking, if this thing comes close enough to touch with my oar I'm going to have a heart attack.

{Keeping to herself}

The GIGANTIC gator swims past me eye-balling me the whole way. All I could do was hold my breath and ready my oar. Astonishingly the gator swam on past, apparently deciding I would be to grisly to taste any good. We figured that once in the water right next to me that I looked more threatening then I felt. My kayak is about 14' long and with me sitting on top I was much taller out of the water than the gator even though she was a good 2' longer than my kayak. Suffice it to say I have a very healthy fear and respect for gators now.

Thankfully all the gators we saw on this latest trip were too bored to pay us any mind. Oh, and the rain held off until we loaded the canoes on the trailer and were on the way back to the start. =]

What a Sewing Teacher Would NOT Say About Me...

2010-07-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

She measures acurately.
She cuts accurately.
She sews beautiful 1/4" seams.
She completes projects in a timely manner.
She prefers to press seams open.

However, that same sewing teacher may say...

She shows great persistance.
She learns from her mistakes (after she makes them 3 times).
She is definitely not afraid of a seam ripper!
She gives it the "old college try".
She sure can drink beer!

For the Quilter Bees in May, Dorrie asked for this great scrappy block. She sent all the scraps and gray border strips. All we had to do was trim down the scraps to be 1.5" square (two sides were already done) and sew them up. She shared Little Miss Shabby's tutorial. The first part makes it perfectly clear that acurate seams are vitally imporant. Crap.

I joined quilting bees for the challenge of learning new techniques and skills. I would not let this block beat me. Oh, it tried, but I put up a fairly good fight.

{All the 1.5" square scraps. Don't they look happy in there?}

{Randomly chosen squares for the center}

{Chain pieces for speed and ease. Ha!}

{I even pressed the seams open like Dorrie asked}

{These helped A LOT}

Isn't it scraptastic? This should be an awesome quilt, Dorrie! =]

The Penderwicks

2010-07-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

{A summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits and a very interesting boy}

{by Jeanne Birdsall}

Always being in search of a good book that doesn't make me sad through the entire thing*, I borrowed this book on the recommendation of my mom. I was picking through her library and pulled this out. She told me that I should read it. I would love it. Mama knows best. (Who do you think bought all my The Baby-sitters Club books back in the day?)

The Penderwicks is wonderful! Maybe the Newberry award medal should have given it away. I am only about half way through and I find myself laughing out loud, gasping and covering my mouth, and talking to the characters. I would have adored this book when I was in third or fourth grade needing to stay up late to read and begging to go to the library or book store to get the other books in the series. If you are looking for a book to read to your kids or just want an easy, fun, summer read I highly recommend The Penderwicks, even if you are out of its target audience.

Do you have any recommendations for me after I finish this? =]

-----

*I once asked a librarian to help me find a book that wasn't sad all the way through. She kind of looked at me quizzically. I explained that I read for enjoyment and I don't enjoy feeling sorrow for the tragically melancholy characters all the way through the book, especially if there was not a super happy ending. I think I stumped her for a moment. After pulling several different books from the shelf (somewhat like Mr. Ollivander does with the wands in Harry Potter) she offered me the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, which at the time only had 4 or 5 books but now is up to 16. I think I stopped at 3. ;]

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ Rebecca

2010-07-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Very late, but very fun. Rebecca asked for a monochromatic log cabin around a pinwheel square. All the blocks look cute and I am interested to see her final quilt. I was able to get 2 1/2 blocks out of the fabric Rebecca sent.

Orange is one of my favorite colors. Working on these was a lot of fun and I like how they look. I love how happy and cheery the colors are.

Rebecca is also first up for SSS2. I have the fabrics, too. I should get to the orange and aqua wonky maverick stars later this week. Talk about excited! I can't wait to get stitching on those! =]

We had company!

2010-07-06T04:02:00.000-07:00

I love company. I love having people stay with us and showing them about our town. Now, I am not overly in love with the city where we live. Don't get me wrong, I like it but that's about as far as it goes. Every now and then all the pieces come together to make for a great day. Luckily we had a few of those when Dirty's dad and his girlfriend came to visit. (By the way, thanks for the game suggestions. We didn't end up needing them, but I bought Blokus for my dad and it is great. I am getting one for us to. Boy, do we get the smack talk flying on that game...)

{A great day for the beach}

Lately it has been hot here. Not only hot, but humid, too. The weather people like to tell us the "feels like" temperature. The "feels like" temperature in the summer is similar to a wind chill factor in the winter. For example, growing up I would hear, "... 28 degrees but with the wind chill it is 15 degrees." Here, we get to hear, "...and a high of 98 degrees with a 'feels like' temperature of 105 degrees. 100% humidity and a UV rating of 11." That means it takes about 5 minutes for fair skin to sunburn if no protection is worn.

{Sea Gull, you may not eat our bait}

We were a little worried that our guests would be too hot to be outside longer than it takes to walk to the car. They were troopers and I think they were still unthawing from the winter and didn't notice quite how hot it was.

{Random lady wading under the pier}

Dirty, his dad and I have traditions when we visit each other. We go to flea markets (the more the better), hole-in-the-wall breakfast joints, Asian buffets with crab legs and sushi and delicious homemade dinners. It was a really great visit and we like the new girlfriend (I'm teaching her to knit!).

{Fishing and wading in the water}

We went to the beach a couple of times. First to the shell-y beach for sharks' teeth and shell hunting then to the fishing/swimming beach for fishing and swimming. Amazingly the water was very calm and clear. Usually our water is a little more murky. We could walk out to shoulder deep water and still see our feet. Which was good, because on one ill fated cast I lost my whole rig but was able to find it thanks to the clear water, diligent searching and bright orange beads.

{Surf fishing}

We didn't have so much as a bite on our lines, but we saw an osprey catch a fish so big he couldn't hold on to it in flight and nearly got attached by sting rays. I saw one swimming in the water by Dirty and warned him about it. He saw it and said there was a school of them swimming towards him. He is always cool, calm and collected so he just stood still and they all swam around him. One swam towards me and I freaked out! I screamed and tried to run away (not easy in waist deep water). Then I threw my fishing pole at it like an idiot. Dirty laughed hysterically at me and I heard his dad and his girlfriend laughing from the shore. I must have looked ridiculous! =]

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

2010-06-26T19:31:00.001-07:00

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}
Originally uploaded by StitchedInColor

I am beyond excited to be a member of this new quilting bee. More information is available on the flickr group, but the quilts made from this bee will be donated to Wrap Them in Love. I had been mulling over a similar idea and I stumbled upon Rachel of Stitched in Color who had also been mulling it over. Not so shockingly, she actually got something with great substance started. Thank you, Rachel, for including me in this wonderful, heart-warming bee. =]

Gaming Advice Needed

2010-06-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

We are expecting company starting next weekend. Dirty's dad and his new girlfriend are staying with us for a week. I *love* having company and I love Dirty's dad so we are excited. We have some things planned--flea market hopping, a trip to the local art market, a day at the beach, etc. I am a little worried about the evenings. The four of us sitting around the TV all night is not too fun. Do you have any card games, board games or party games you suggest we play? I've heard Apples to Apples is fun, but I've never played it. Any reviews? Do you and your family and friends have a game night? What do you play?

I have always liked playing games. Growing up we played them all the time. Dirty...not so much. I think I could rope him into a couple if they are fun.

Snip.Sew.Send. March for Tina

2010-03-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

Snip.Sew.Send. March ~Tina
Originally uploaded by Clicky the Moose

Watch out! I may be catching up on items from the to do list!

Tina's block for March's Snip.Sew.Send. is finished and *should* be in the mail tomorrow.

Tina is using the blocks to make a quilt for her daughter's bed. I am sure it will be sweet and well loved.
Cross posted at Snip.Sew.Send.

Got a yard?

2010-03-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, the authors of One Yard Wonders are looking for submission for their next one yard wonder book. All the information is found here.

The concept of the next book is what projects can be made with a yard of a specific kind of fabric. Submit your idea online by April 1.

{Crafty Carry-Along Bag holding my sock yarn while I soak up the last bit of sun}

I put my submission in today. I made three Crafty Carry-Along bags out of lavender voile. They are all different sizes and have a loop and clip for easy transport. I hang the clip from my belt loop and the yarn slides right out the top. These were made because I got tired of sporting a nice, handmade tote bag but carried my knitting in old resealable bags. Now I have cute bags for my knitting projects, too. =]

Keeping warm(er)

2010-03-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

{My Ravelry project}

I have also been knitting a lot lately. The proof.

As I mentioned I also cast on for an Odessa Hat with a Bamboo Wool bend from Moda Dea in Chili Pepper Red. It is the first time I have knit with beads and I really like it. The hat fits well and keeps my head warm with out being itchy.

On it's first trip out of the house on my head it got a compliment from the lady behind me in the checkout line. She asked where I bought it. When I told her I made it her eyes popped out of her head and she said it was beautiful. I don't know about beautiful, of course there are mistakes, but I sure do like it.

{My Ravelry project}

I was also able to finish my French Press Slippers for the Ravelympics. For the first thing I made to be felted it's not too bad. I made the seams too bulky which made the toes a bit bumpy, but they work just the same. They are cute, pretty easy to knit and warm.

{Gigantic pre-felted slippers}

The felting was a trip. Your supposed to use your washing machine with the hottest water possible. Our hottest water is quite chilly since we don't have the washer connected to the water heater. I boiled pots of water on the stove, dumped them into a 5 gallon bucket and hauled it to the washer. I also learned that if you turn off the water line to the washer it won't start agitating no matter where you set the dial. I had to add a small load of cold water to get it going but it didn't seem to hurt the felting process.

{Slippers in action}

I used a pair of fabric covered buttons I received last year in a swap package from Erika. I was waiting for just the right project for the buttons and these slippers are it. I wear them all day everyday when I am home. This pattern will definitely be knit again. =]

Quilter Bees ~ February Drunk Love

2010-03-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

I've had my eye on the Drunk Love quilts and blocks since I saw them a couple years ago but never truly tried to make them until Sharon of Quilter Bee's asked for them. Why do I do that? I know I can do it. I know I will love doing it. But I still put it off. Silly me.

She sent darker and lighter gray fabrics to everyone and each of us got a different bright color for the pop. I loved how bright the yellow is against the cool grays. Again, only one got to be the full 12.5" but I made two other starters for you, Sharon. I hope you don't mind finishing them. I had a lot of enjoyment in making them. =]

Quilter Bees ~ January Jewel Squares

2010-03-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

Again, catching up on bee blocks that are due. The second set I stitched together on Tuesday were for Theresa of the Quilter Bees group. My camera couldn't quite capture the colors of the fabrics. It's pretty unfortunate because they were lovely-vivid but mellow and comforting.

I managed to make one 12.5", three 6.5" and three 3.5" after the learning curve I got from Gretchen's in the November round of Snip.Sew.Send. This time I was able to maximize the use of fabric a little better. =]

Snip.Sew.Send. February Houses

2010-03-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing catch up with all my to do quilting bee blocks. First up was Kris's February Houses. She provided the sand colored solid and we used our scraps/stash for the rest. Making wonky little houses and trees makes me happy so I was looking forward to making these blocks.

I first made this purple house. I saw Kris likes purple and so do I. Every girl should live in a house painted her favorite color. A fat, little gray kitty is poking his head through the striped curtains. The curtain fabric is from a pair of capri pants I loved, but Dirty said looked like curtains. Now they are. This is the only one I could get to 12.5".

Next was this little wonky building. I imagine it as the local fabric shop. I hope it is bright and mellow enough. I am a little iffy on the mellow part of it.

It needs a little greenscape so there are two trees, too. The one on the left reminds me of a little kid's drawing. The right one is good for having a picnic under on a warm summer day.

They are late (again) but on the way to you, Kris! =]

Knitted hats for Christmas

2010-02-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I'm going to talk about Christmas gifts in February. I've been busy. ;]

Last Christmas was going to be the year of gifting knitted hats. I had plans to make eleven hats. Five got finished and only three before Christmas, but I have been forgiven.

For budget and both the mamas' sanity I chose acrylic yarn for all the hats. I didn't want to taint the gifts by adding a bunch of washing/drying stipulations causing the hats to either not get worn or ruined in the wash. Or have the mamas dread getting knitted gifts.

{My Ravelry link}

First up was the Button Tab Hat for our 6 year old niece. It is the second time I used this pattern. It is so quick to knit, easy and customizable. Three of my favorite aspects of a knitted object. I had to reduce the number of cast on stitches by 10 to make it fit a child's head, but that was easy. The brim is (my favorite) seed stitch and the button is a cute little lime green flower. The yarn is Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand in Purple Mist on US 6 dpns.

{My Ravelry Link}

Next was the Lacy Rib Hat by Heather J. Spellman for our 10 year old niece. When it's stretched out a bit on her head you can see the lace pattern better. This was fun to knit. The pattern had just enough challenge to it to keep it interesting without being too trying. I did make some mistakes, but they blend in pretty well. This time I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Seaspray Mist on US 6 dpns.

I actually had to do the picot edging twice. It was the first time I tried to make one and I didn't pick up the stitches from the cast on edge evenly and it got all wonky. Wonky can be great in quilt blocks, not so much in hat edging. The second go round was much better. I used stitch markers to keep me on track.

{My Ravelry Link}

For our final niece I made the Lacy Hat. (Non-Ravelry link to pattern) The recipient is 8 years old and her favorite colors are red and black. I think this is may favorite of the three hats for our nieces. Again, the lace pattern is shown better when it's worn, but it is so cute. The picot edge for this was a breeze applying lessons learned. I got into a nice flow with the gull wing lace pattern. The yarn in Caron's Simply Soft in red (Scarlet, I think, is the correct color name). The ribbon is simple black satin which keeps the hat from looking too cutesy. She is 8 after all. ;]

{My Ravelry Link for the blue and the yellow hat for my friends' 5 and 3 year old boys}

I've had this hat in my queue for over a year. I loved it from the first time I saw it, but didn't have the skills (or balls) to make it before now. (On a not-completely-unrelated topic I have decided to take more risks knitting. There is really nothing to lose. I don't consider the time lost as I am learning either how-to or how-not-to do something. The project can always be frogged and the yarn saved for another project unlike sewing where if you cut wrong it can really screw things up. I cut it twice and it's still too short comes to mind. That doesn't happen with knitting. Love it. Back on topic.)

I didn't have a great handle on the Kitchener stitch for seaming the top and had no idea how to make the i-cord for the ties. Have several socks completed I was getting there with the Kitchener stitch (it's used to seam up the toes) and I pulled up the instructions for making an i-cord on knittinghelp.com and got to work.

I made the older boy's hat first. Yet again it was made with Lion Brand Vanna's Choice yarn but in Denim Mist this time. Blue has been his favorite color since I asked him for the first time when he was three.

I was so excited to get them both finished and in the mail I forgot to take pictures of the hats. Their mama took an appreciation photo for me. He's got the hat on backwards in the photo which is why the ear flaps are covering part of his face. However, it kind of shows why this is called Triceratops hat. It comes to three points at the top.

His little brother wanted a yellow hat, but it is hard to find yellow that isn't overtly baby yellow or traffic sign/day-glo yellow. Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Baby in Ducky seemed like a good shade of yellow. As I got stitching though I thought it was leaning towards being too baby-ish. I pulled out some light blue Lion Brand yarn from my stash and used it to make a 1-1/2" wide stripe on the top, the ear flaps and ties. It think it brought it back to kid-style.

Since then I have cast on a dish washing cloth in a pattern from the Vogue Stitchionary called Tiny Bamboo, the Odessa hat (with beads, see risk taking above) for me in an awesome Bamboo Wool from Moda Dea and have to cast on at least 3 of those other hats which are now intended as birthday gifts (in February, why do I keep doing that?).

Oh, yeah, and I joined Team Sasquach in the Ravelympics (Ravelry + Olympics = Ravelympics) starting when the official Olympic torch lights tomorrow. Planning to make my first felted project. Some super cute slippers. Gotta get stitching. =]

Quilter Bees blocks catch up

2010-02-11T16:00:00.001-08:00

In an effort to catch up with all the behind blocks I owe, I pumped out these two for Quilter Bees Heidi and Lisa.

In December Lisa asked us all to make stars from Amanda Jean's tutorial. I was pretty nervous about this block. I had used Amanda Jean's tutorials before and didn't have any issues with that, I am just not that great at straight lines. Drawing, cutting, walking, driving...I don't do any of these straight. I wanted to wait until I had the time and attention to put into doing this block right.

Unfortunately that didn't come until last weekend. (Life got a little hairy and my sewing machine was inaccessible for about 6 weeks.) When we got my new sewing space situated and Midge back from her hiatus this was the first on the to do list. By the way, I recently decided my sewing machine is a Midge. I've had her for about two years and didn't have any inclination to name her until the new sewing space was made.

I didn't have any trouble with the individual blocks that went to the construction of the whole block, but after sewing everything together I was about 1/4" short of 12.5" So I ripped the seams and shrunk the seams to about 1/8"-3/8" to make up for it. I hope that doesn't create any problems. I don't think it will, they are secure. Minus the scant seam allowance I surprised myself with this block. And it taught me a lesson for Lisa's block.

Lisa chose another Amanda Jean block tutorial and I was able to kick this baby out fairly easily. And I measured as I pieced each section. No ripping this time. It's not perfect, but again I hope it is C.E. (close enough).

Neither of these are blocks I imagined myself choosing to make, which is the whole point of joining quilting bees. I forces me (nudges me?) to create outside my comfort zone. If nothing else these two blocks are getting me into the habit of slowing down and concentrating on what I am sewing. I appreciate that to no end. =]

Snip.Sew.Send. January Log Cabins

2010-02-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

Robin's idea for January's installment for Snip.Sew.Send. was awesome and right up my alley. I get into a kind of zen meditation when making log cabins. That was a welcome feeling with all the craziness lately. (Nothing bad, get life amping itself up.)

I got to make the green and pink blocks. The goal was to make one straight log cabin and one wonky. For the straight green cabin I laid out the fabrics on my ironing board and tried to put the fabrics in shade groups light, medium, bright and dark. The middle block is a faint-ish floral that I really liked. It had all the shades in it and was perfect for the center square. Then I spiraled out using one strip of each shade as I went around. I put a star on the fabrics from my stash.

When I was happy with it I snapped a quick photo and labeled each strip with a piece of tape and a tag for the order 1L (first log on the left), 1B (first log on the bottom, 1R (first on the right) and 1T (first on the top), etc. I had read about this somewhere else and never tried it until now. It was great, especially since I got called away during the construction. It made it much easier to get back in to the flow when I returned.

Here's the final block. I am pretty pleased with the result. The final strip on the right is a fabric Chen sent me at the beginning of this bee. I thought it was a good addition.

Next, I worked on the pink block. This one was going to be wonky and as soon as I opened the package from Robin I knew the bunnies were going to steal the spotlight of this one. They are so flippin' cute. I LOVE making wonky log cabins and I hope Robin likes this one. I just kind of went on a wing and a prayer with this block. Didn't really plan much other than the bunny in the center. The dark pink stripes are from my stash. I didn't notice them jumping out quite as much until I cropped the picture. I hope it settles in.

Robin~Although I made these last weekend they are still in the envelope addressed and ready to go. I kept forgetting to take them to the post office with me. They are now in my bag and (as long as I don't space out again) they will be on the way to you tomorrow. I'm not blonde, but I sure can act like it sometimes. =]

Simplicity Patterns for $1.99 each

2009-12-18T06:31:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note on the go. Hobby Lobby has in stock Simplicity patterns on sale for $1.99 each (limit 10). I picked up a Project Runway coat pattern (2812) normally $15.95 for a little over two bucks with tax. As far as I know the sale is good through Saturday the 19th.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ November for Gretchen

2009-12-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

Gretchen, these are on the way to you. Gretchen had asked for 2". 3.5", 6.5" and 9.5" blocks to make her own quilt like these. Like everyone else in the bee has said these were addictively fun. My measuring sucks, apparently, because I tried to make a 9.5" block, but couldn't work it out. Also the bottom right one is only 6" (I didn't have strips long enough to go around to make it large enough). Maybe she can use it as a base for a 9.5" block? I also tried twice to make a 2" block. Disastrous.

Surprisingly I really liked how the fabrics worked together. Surprising because if Gretchen had just told me about the color palette I would have thought she was crazy. I think the brown, orange and teal look so cozy and inviting together. My favorite is the top left and the small brown and teal one. This will be an awesome quilt.

I have had my Snip.Sew.Send. quilt top and back finished for about two months but just haven't put aside the hours I'll need to baste it. It will be a full/queen sized. Yikes! =]

Socks and a cat...but not a cat named Socks

2009-12-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

That title may not be true. I don't know what the cat's name is, but I saw this on the way home last week. I was stopped at a red light downtown and saw the cat watching traffic from the window. Amazingly I had the camera with me and was able to zoom enough to see it clearly.

{Kitty watching the traffic below}

I finished my Through the Loops Mystery Socks. Although they are far from perfect I *love* them. They are the first pair of socks I ever finished. I used an alpaca/wool blend yarn that is delicious feeling on my feet.

{Pair doesn't have to mean the look the same}

With these socks I learned how to properly make yarn overs and read from a chart (love that too). Since I hadn't learned to make yarn overs I took for granted that all knitting books would explain it correctly. Not so. That's why the legs look different. The right one (in the photo) was made with incorrect yarn overs and that's why the ribs don't line up. It just looked wrong and after seeing progress photos on Ravelry I found out it was. After more research I learned how to yarn over properly so the foot looked better. Since I don't wear socks and shorts, they will look good under my pants.

{Much better}

My project link on Ravelry.

Mystery Sock pattern as a free Ravelry download which is from Kirsten Kapur (her website).

Now to find cute shoes to show them off. =]

Better Than a Box aka my pattern in One Yard Wonders

2009-10-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Jeffery T. loves a box. As soon as he sees an open box he is in it without regard to whether or not the box is empty or about to be used for something other than holding a fat cat. Here are some examples.

{We call this the luxury box, notice the flap over lid for extra lounging space all of which is being utilized.}

{The creases is from Jeffery T. forcing himself in a too small box.}

In an effort to save our boxes I made Jeffery T. a comfy, cosy bed. It was a hit and better than a box.

{Perfect for watching lizards run around outside}

{A view with out T. He was most likely eating.}

{One day when I was leaving for work, I thought he looked all cute laying in his bed}

{And it is just were I found him 10 hours later when I got home from work}

Since T. likes it so much, I thought other kitties might like it too. I read about a new book looking for submissions for sewing patterns using only one yard of fabric on Sew, Mama, Sew! The pattern was submitted and, much to my surprise, Rebecca and Trish chose it as part of their book One Yard Wonders. Yea!

Flash forward about a year and the book has been printed and was shipped yesterday! I haven't seen it in the flesh yet, but I can't wait. Of course I want to see the Better Than a Box pet bed, but also the other projects. Just in time for Christmas gift making. Couldn't be better.

After the pattern was chosen, I was sent a yard of fabric to remake the pet bed for the photography in the book and the trunk show, etc. Jeffery T. approved of it, too.

{He tried to claim it for his own.}

{I say, "No, Jeffery T. This is not for you." Jeffery T. says "I can't hear you. I am sleeping."}

Apparently, dogs think it is Better Than a Box, too. Sure, small dogs will like it, but big dogs, too. Proof?

{Pea, thinking thin and jamming herself into the bed.}

{And Beeker called dibs on his friend's.}

Rebecca and Trish are having a release party on November 6 at Crafty Planet in Minneapolis. Click the link for more details. The Flickr group is up and ready for photos. Now, go get the book and start cutting that coveted yard of fabric you've saved for just the right project. You'll find it in there. =]

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ October for Nichole

2009-10-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

First, the purple shot cotton Nichole of Indie House sent us for October's Snip.Sew.Send. is delicious. It is my favorite shade of purple (which is my favorite color). I think she said the color name is Thunder. The fabric has a deep purple base with threads of dark blue and almost a warm burgundy.

Nichole's instructions were to make a 16.5" square block pulling in 1-3 flowers from our stash. The final quilt will look like a field of flowers. Lovely idea.

I didn't think I had a lot of flowers in my stash, but I was able to find several. These three looked best in the Thunder field.

Amazingly, the block when smoothly and that scares me. I checked and double checked the instructions so I think I am good on that end. It was fun to arrange and rearrange the flower placement. I decided on this so that the flowers were further from the center, but still kind of balanced. I am really interested in seeing Nichole's finished quilt. The block should be in the mail tomorrow! =]

It's a Win-Win

2009-10-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

Yea! The Steelers handed the Vikings their first loss of the season with a 27-17 win.

And...

Random.org chose Anne's number to win the Schwartzy pattern!

Yea for Anne and the Steelers! =]

Handmade and Giveaway Goodness

2009-10-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

I've listed a few new handbags for sale in my Etsy shop. Here is a little peek:

{My classic trapezoid show bag stenciled with a hand cut stencil of (Dirty's) Single Cab}

{And a new take on the classic (the binding) with a hand cut stencil of a panel bus}

{New handbag design made from a tapestry. soft and textured}

{Handbag with velvety and embroidered outer fabric}

{Pretty tan paisley handbag with snap closures and decorative (not functional) buttons}

{And my favorite new bag}

It is a slightly larger version of the previous handbags that started out as this skirt:

{And I thought I was through with you...}

After all this Etsy talk, how about a giveaway? If you would like to win a PDF copy of the Schwartzy messenger bag pattern, just leave a comment and make sure there is a way for me to contact you. I will use a random method to choose the winner Sunday afternoon after the Steelers game. =]

I Like Having More Crafty Time

2009-10-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

For anyone who cares: Later in this post I am going to show a picture of my cuff from the
Through the Loops 2009 Mystery Sock. It will be directly after the part about my Snip.Sew.Send. quilt. You've been warned. ;]

My work schedule has changed a bit and I now have more free time which means more time to sew and knit and clean our house. Oh, yes, it is usually in that order.

{Dirty's first sock}

I started this sock in January. It is the first sock I have tried to knit and I am glad that I finally finished it. Although I didn't work on it very consistently it did seem to take forever to get enough length in the foot. I did a little searching online and learned that I was not knitting properly. Instead of inserting the needle left to right in the front, I was going right to left in the back resulting in every stitch being twisted and tight.

{What you can't see is that my foot is turning purple}

Due to that, this sock has NO stretch and barely fit my foot and started to cut of circulation in my foot after wearing it for about 2 minutes. No way is it going to fit Dirty's foot.

{Sock 2 is going much better}

I cast on for the second sock with US 4 dpns instead of the 3s I was using before. I also adjusted my knitting technique which is making a huge difference. This one has stretch and potential. Not to mention I am using about half as much yarn and about a third of the time I spent on the first. I will frog the whole first sock and make a matching pair for him.

Ravelry info here and the pattern tutorial is great and is here.

{Rainbow Button Tab Hat}

OK, so it is 90 degrees today with 100% humidity and I really won't need a winter hat for about 4 months I couldn't help but cast on for the Button Tab hat by Marcie Nishioka. (Thanks for sharing yours, Heather.)

I am using gifted acrylic yarn for this so it won't be super fancy, but I am hard on my hats when I do get to wear them. It will be permanently fixed to my head for about 3 months and will no doubt get grass clippings, concrete dust and who knows what else on it. I prefer to just throw it in the washer rather than having to hand wash and air dry a hat. I think it will be OK. I am not much of a fabric or yarn snob. I just use what I have for the most part. My Ravelry info is here.

{The layout for a stacked books baby quilt}

Thank you for all your suggestions on how to showcase a fabric in a quilt. I really liked Anne's suggest of a coin quilt, but uniform straight lines scare me. And the fright makes me sew crooked. So I took Anne's suggestion and tweaked it a little with my style and decided to make a stacked book quilt. I took inspiration from this quilt and although I think there is a written pattern for this I am winging it.

{Left stack sewn and needing a good trim}

I am using a mix of new (Heather Ross VW buses on blue and Amy Butler Full Moon in the light blue/gray colorway), scraps and thrifted/flea market find fabrics. The white is from a twin-size sheet. I am loving how this is turning out. I construction is going smoothly and I get more and more happy with it as I go. Thankfully, the baby isn't due for a few more weeks and I may get this finished before the birth.

{My Snip. Sew. Send. Quilt: the front}

This new schedule also gave me a little time to work on my Snip. Sew. Send. quilt. I have the top finished (except for trimming it it size) and am working on the back.

{A closer view of the blocks}

I am very happy with this quilt so far. It will be the biggest quilt I have made so far and I really want to get it finished and start using it.

{Probably layout for the back}

The back will be something like this. Probably three strips breaking up the purple on the back. The strips will go all the way across, I think. Kris and Gretchen both sent back two blocks so they have one on the front and one in the strips on the back. So, so happy with this.

***SPOILER ALERT***

If you don't want to see my cuff for the Through The Loops 2009 Mystery Sock stop scrolling now.

{The mystery cuff}

I am so happy that I decided to participate in the Through The Loops 2009 Mystery Sock. Each Thursday Kirsten posts a portion of the sock pattern. First was the cuff, pictured above and last Thursday was the leg, which I am working on. I like having the pattern in sections. It makes it easy to manage and very exciting. When I was younger I loved grab bags and those games where you close your eyes and stick your hand into something that feels gross (like peeled grapes or cold pasta). I would have been horrible on Let's Make a Deal. But Mystery Socks are a win-win.

I am using Alpaca with a Twist yarn in a really pretty green/purple colorway that I did buy special for this project. I validate it because I did not have fingering weight yarn in my stash. My Ravelery info is here.

So far the sock looks pretty good to me. It is the first project where I have to do yarn overs and thanks to my trusty Stitch n' Bitch by Debbie Stoller I've got that technique in my knitting bag now.

So that was a couple of pretty productive weeks. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get some things finished. =]

Quilter Bees - October - Houses for Anna

2009-10-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

For the October installment of Quilter Bees Anna asked each of us to make 9.5" square blocks with little (3-4") houses on a light gray background (to mimic the cloudy skies of the Pacific Northwest).

I am really angry at Anna for requesting these. Although she did warn us that the house blocks are addicting, she has really started an obsession on my end. As soon as I started the first block I wanted to make more. Addictive doesn't even begin to describe how fun these blocks are.

{I didn't have enough gray left over to finish out this block, but Anna does have more gray, so don't worry.}

Living in the warm, beach area of the south I decided to make a pink house taking inspiration from 1950s Miami. Jeffery T. (my cat) is peeking out the window. I appliqued him on the window sill so that the edges frayed a little for his fur.

{Pea sitting by her house}

I had some fabric left over so I made a dog house. Again, I appliqued on one of our dogs Black-Eye Pea. She can't fit inside the dog house because the door is tiny, but that's OK, she wouldn't go in there anyway. She would rather be outside chasing squirrels.

As Anna suggested I looked over the tutorial on Quiltville. It is very good and was very helpful to me since I had not made a block like this.

I already have a sketch for a quilt using little houses and all of our pets. Like the "To Do" list needed another member... =]

Local Quilt Show

2009-10-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I attended the local quilt show...and I still don't know how I feel about it. As many modern quilters have noted, I didn't see many quilts that I could really relate to. There were several that I really liked and will take inspiration from, but sadly I got bored quickly and that's not like me.

Too many quilts were the same pattern, just with different fabrics. And not even really different kinds of fabric, just different colors or color schemes. I imagine that may be partly trends/fads and maybe what quilt groups/guilds worked on throughout the year, but seriously, 4-5 "One Block Wonder" hexagons in every row is just not all that interesting.

Fear not, dear quilty friends! I did see several quilts that spoke to me and beckoned me down each and every aisle. Some are modern. Some are traditional. Here is a smattering of those lovely quilts, the descriptions from the ID placard and some personal commentary in purple: (And please forgive some of the fuzzy pictures. My camera is on the fritz. The quilts were so pretty, I didn't want to exclude them for fuzziness.)

{No Postage Due by Shirley Pope}
Each square in the quilt was individually cut and sewn. Many of the 1-1/2" squares were fussy cut. This was so much fun to make. I really want to make another. Quilted by Betty O'Neil.

{Close up of the above quilt. Shirley Pope was one of the shining stars of the quilt show, in my eyes. She submitted several quilts and I liked all of them. You can tell by looking at her quilts that she really enjoys quilting and has fun doing it. I was amazed at how big this quilt is. It has to be 8' x 8'. There were embroidered messages such as the makers name, the quilters name, a thank you to her quilt guild and a note that read: Bunny, Thanks for looking past all the quilt droppings. Your the best. Love always, Rose.

{Ring around the Rosie by Teresa Megna}

I started this for our 50th wedding anniversary - Feb 2008. Finished it in our 51st! Quilted by Dell Dunman.

Really nice mix of black and white and yellow. The yellow is actually a little more vibrant than what came out in the photo. It also had interesting swirly quilting in yellow thread.

{Hexagon Beauty by Shirley Pope}

I love scrappy quilts so this one really taled to me. I did not duplicate any fabrics in this quilt. The hexagons told me that they wanted spiral quilting and I loved it.

Me, too.

{My Dear Jane by Louise Flowers}

Dear Jane - hand pieced and hand quilted.

Freaking A M A Z I N G. This is the first Dear Jane I have seen in real life and saying it was stunning doesn't even begin to describe it. I don't know that I would ever have the patience. Two thimbles up to all of those who make one.

{Zack by Klonda Holt}

Zack is from the pattern "Zag: by Linda Hibbert of Silver Linings Originals, a pattern company in Colorado. The pattern was enlarged 150% and is totally paper pieced.

Zack was awarded a Judge's Honorable Mention. Each of the stripes is a different white or black background fabric. Many of the black stripes were from different prints. I am really mad that it is fuzzy. =[

{Hawaii Wedding Wish for my Son by Theresa Lee}

Colors of this hand dyed fabric remind me of Hawaii. The one continuous circle design symbolized harmony and happiness. Orgids and Philodendroa leaves depict love, life and peace.

There were several Hawaii style quilts, but this was my favorite.

{Misty Mountain Flowers by The Quilting Sisters Guild entered by Barbara Meunier}

This is an original design from our member Kitty Gonzalez. It was put together by members of our guild.

{Details of the quilt. Lovely colors and interesting quilting. The flowers and leaves have soft dimension. It deservingly won the Collaborative Quilt catergory.

{Pollination by Rue Hawkins}

I love painting, so in designing this quilt I choose to paint the extreme center block. The border is pieced. The insect in the center is also hand painted. Quilted by Ivette Mitchem.

I like the idea of painting with thread and thought that the verigated brown/yellow of the center of the daisy was perfect.

{Lazy Log Cabin by Nan Moore}

Top and binding made completely from plaid shirts.

My camera is about to get chucked to the weeds. The colors on this quilt are much better in the next photo. Thought this was a great idea.

Better coloring on the plaid shirts and a nice detail of the quilting.

{Girls Just Want to Have Fun!! by Nancy Matthews}

Bikini Quilt pattern by Ami Simms. Obviously, these are the only bikinis I own! "Fannie" is having fun on the beach. Her "book" is audio!! Quilted by Cheri Edmonds

Fannie building a sandcastle. I really liked the quilting on the sandy area.

{Celestial Celebration by Nancy Martinez}

The meythological Queen of Orange celebrates in the night sky. Original design; fused and pieced applique, machine quilted, painted, dimensional. Created as a challenge for Kumquat Festival. Won Best of Show.

The oranges and rings have dimensional qualities. I am disappointed that this photos is fuzzy. The quilt is so vibrant and with fabulous movement. This was one of my favorites.

{Checkerboard Stars by Judy Wheeless}
Pattern by "Fig Tree Quilts"

{Dot-Dot-Dash by Joyce Grande}
This quilt is machine pieced, machine quilted, embellished with yo-yo's [the dots] and rick-rack[bordering the scallop edge]. It was inspired by a pattern by Mary Mashuta.

{What Were We Thinking! by Janet S. Walker}
This is the ultimate in Recycling! Only the ugliest ties made the cut for this baby! The background is Oxford cloth highlighted by butterlies fashioned from only the ugliest of double knits!

I laughed out loud at this quilt. I noticed it was different when I approached it. After reading the description it instantly won my heart. The triangles around the outside are the points of collared shirts and the ring around the Dresden Plate is made from manufacturers' labels. Love, love, love this quilt.

{From a Different Perspective by Jane Hamrock}
Original design, machine quilted, machine thread painted, hand beaded, machine pieced and machine appliqued, hand embellished.

The long hanging vines are stuffed and hanging off the quilt to give it great dimension.

{Pledge to Earth by Gretchen Jolles}

Using fabrics from my scrap box, I pieced a portion of the EArth Day pledge to demonstrate the idea that we can all "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" to hlep preserve and conserve our natural resources. Quilted by Joyce Snyder

{Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make Do, Do Without by Mary Ann Leonard}
Unfortunately my photo of the label is too fuzzy to read the description, but this was a Challenge Quilt from the show. It was made with help from the Day Quilters group. I like the saying stitched around the outside. The ladies said it is a saying that their grandmothers used, and they find themselves using now, too.

{Log Cabins by Billie McCray}

Ms. McCray is a local fiber artist. She said she doesn't use a rotary cutter and she never throws a scrap away. This quilt was made from Nigerian fabrics gifted to her by a friend. I had never seen such skinny log cabins. I love the design and the "use it all" attitude.

{Paradise in Black and White by Melanie Jensen}

Mismatched block backgrounds and appliqued palm trees. Saw similar pattern in magazine and loved the color comvinations. The quilting is unique, look for the palm trees in the border. Quilted by Shirley Robinson.

{Like Grandma's Quilt by Helen Anne Roesler}

I inherited a quilt made by my grandmother before she got married in 1980. The quilt has been used and is worn and dirty and faded into muted colors and yellow whites (I assume). I decided to see what the quilt would look like after a centruy. I chose fabrics similar to the orginal ones and friends helped me piece and quilt this including some of her mistakes!

Thanks for making it through my review of our local quilt show. I saw that Park City Girl is hostessing another online quilt show. Check that out, too. The spring show was excellent. =]

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ September

2009-09-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

{Snip.Sew.Send. September Scrappy Star Square}

For this month's Snip.Sew.Send. my favorite (and most stylish) chemist, Lisa, sent 9 different fabrics and asked for a 10.5" square quilt block. The other requirements were very open--use at least a little bit of all the fabrics and include a star somewhere on the block. After brainstorming different blocks, I settled on a version of the Galaxy block in the book(let) Miss Jump's Favorites by Linda Brannock. None of the pieces were intended to meet up exactly or be perfectly symmetrical which really plays to my strengths.

The outer squares and quarter circles were stitched together by machine. The star and inner two circles were stitched by reverse applique. Then the two sections were stitched to each other with reverse applique again.

The block is a little wonky, a little scrappy and a lot hand-stitched. I hope it looks quirky and fun rather than sloppy. I really liked using all the different fabrics and found this to be a really creative and fun challenge. Thanks, Lisa! =]

Meagan's Quilter Bees Block

2009-09-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

Meagan of Quilter Bees started us out with a great challenge. She sent an array of rich, solid colored fabrics and asked for a 12.5" square block with the theme "Them's a lot of squares".

[Them's is a lot of squares!}

Again, this block ended up a little different then I initially planned, but I am pretty happy with it. Another member had commented that squares are hard, and they really are. At least little squares are hard. Meagan had asked for squares 1" to 3" in size. I was able to stick with that, but I had to add the red fabric when I ran out of gray.

I'd like to make a whole quilt like this, but I think it would be one of those quilt tops that take years to finish, just adding squares here and there with scraps. And with larger squares.

Meagan, thanks for such a great block challenge! =]

Schwartzy: the messenger bag

2009-09-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

I really like messenger bags. I find them very versatile, useful and comfortable. They've carried my school stuff, the work stuff, my crafty stuff, my picnic stuff, etc.

The messenger bag I was using is about 10 years old and was bought at Target (most likely on clearance). He's more then earned retirement status.

I put together Schwartzy taking into account the features I liked and wanted in my other messenger bags.

Schwartzy has a simple and clean overall look. Great for women, men, teenagers and adults.

Several pockets in various sizes including handy side pockets...

concealed, but easy to access pockets for pens, pencils and my list-taking notebooks...

and a full sized pocket inside for files, papers, books/magazines, etc. (And a key fob so your keys don't get lost in the land of no return.

The front flap has lots of space for personalization such as applique and/or other embellishments.

Schwartzy is 12" x 14" x 4" (h x w x d) which is more than enough room to carry your laptop, files, cell phone and notebooks; or your crafty projects; or your quilt and picnic snacks.

The Schwartzy pattern is available in my Etsy shop. The pattern should be e-mailed to you within 24 hours of purchase.

How do you to showcase a fabric?

2009-09-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

{Happy Campers}

Happy news! Friends of ours are having a baby boy in November! We know them from the Volkswagen community and their baby is due very near to one of the biggest VW weekends on the East Coast. (It's not these friends, but they are due again in March so I have some time before that one.) I am planning to make him a crib sized quilt featuring Heather Ross's Happy Campers but I was only able to find one fat quarter. (OK, I found more and some yardage, but I am not paying $30-45 per yard. I don't care how cute the fabric is or how much I like our friends. I think it's extreme price gouging. I'll pay extra because the fabric is hard to find and out of print, but $45 per yard?)

Question for all my quilty friends: What pattern/style do you think will show off the fabric the best considering the limited amount I have? Log cabins? Squares? Some combination of patterns? I would really appreciate any input so I can get started.

Thanks! =]

P.S. Don't be afraid to link to blog posts, flickr photos, etc. I'm visual.

Enough feet to fit a catepillar

2009-09-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Dirty's dad was visiting this weekend and we decided to check out a local flea market. We went fairly early and apparently that's where the deals are. As Dirty's dad was buying a ceramic bowl from the set he collects I spotted a little collection of sewing stuff. Kenmore caught my eye since that is the brand of machine I use. As I opened the little case I found all these attachment feet for $5!

{More attachments than I know what to do with}

Honestly, I didn't know what half of them were for, but I figured I couldn't go wrong since it had how-to cards inside. The vendor offered to sell us the other kit and small box of notions (thread, needles, beads, buttons, etc.) for $4. Um, yeah.

The attachment kit is really awesome. It has several feet for instant hemming from 1/4" to 7/8", gathering, narrow hemming, cording, overcast, applique, edge stitching, binding and zippers. It also has a quilter guide, cutting gauge for scissors, cloth guide, stiletto and the Q-set with one foot and 5 needles. The second kit isn't complete, but is only missing two or three of the feet. I am so excited with this flea market find.

Along with that, I also found a copy of Vickie Howell's New Knits on the Block for a buck. Dirty scored a very cool vintage men's travel kit with several glass containers with sterling silver lids, a wooden brush, trimming scissors, tweezers, mirror, etc. all wrapped in a leather zipper wallet. Wahoo! =]

Zonnah has curves

2009-08-30T15:25:00.001-07:00

{Plan A, which didn't come to be}

August is Zonnah's month for Snip.Sew.Send. She asked for 7.5" square blocks with curves and circle featuring the floral print and the red as an accent. Zonnah is putting the blocks together in a quilt for her sister. I sketched out several blocks, but decided on this half flower. It was inspired by a magazine ad for a spa in Savannah.

{The block that is}

Somehow the block ended up 7.5" tall but only 6.5" wide, thus the orange strips flanking the flower. This was my first flat work with curves. I've sewn curves in garments, but this was a lot different. Zonnah, you really stretched my skill on this block and I was very happy for it. I hope you like it!

Rogers' Rocks

2009-08-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned last post, when we were on our road trip we went to Rogers' Flea Market in Rogers, OH. If you are ever in the area (Eastern/Northeastern Ohio) you MUST go to this flea market. It is only open on Fridays, but it is huge I tell you. Great vendors, very reasonable prices, Amish baked goods, fresh from the farm produce. It's awesome.

At the first booth, Dirty's dad got me (and himself) a Steelers hat. I was very grateful for it. I put it on right away and it saved my face from getting a sun burn while walking around the market for the next 5 hours. Yeah, it is that big.

{Zip it! Zip it good}

I stopped at the zipper guy and picked up 20 metal zippers in assorted colors for $10. And as he told me 6 times, you can't get zippers like that for $5 a piece, let alone 10 for $5.

{Are you joking me?}

Dirty's dad and his girlfriend, Phyllis, get the liberty to go to the market frequently so they kind of zoom through it. Dirty and I were always lagging behind looking at everything. On one of the many occasions that they were way ahead of us Phyllis spotted a box of fabric under a table and pointed it out to Dirty's dad who asked how much it was. By the time we got there he was pulling the box out saying, "Gimme $3. You just bought this." Dirty handed over the cash and we were half way down the aisle before I realized what happened. All that stuff in the picture was in that box. Eight sets of purse handles and 43 pieces of fabric ranging from fat quarters to 3 full yard cuts. There are quilting cottons, tapestries, corduroy, satin, polyester and home dec weights. I am a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities.

{More for the stash}

On top of all that, Phyllis gave me all these fabrics, too. She is getting ready to move and needs to clean out her basement. Last time we were there she gave me 4 big bags of yarn. This time it's fabric. Each of these is between 2 and 2-1/2 yard cuts. My head is spinning.

At Rogers' we also got a cool vintage aluminum double basin wash tub that "works with your automatic washer" according to the label on the back. That had to stay there since we couldn't fit it in the car.

{Cookies or cake?}

$3 seemed to be the magic price tag. This super cool mixer was negotiated down to $3, too. It works like a dream and looks like the Enterprise from Star Trek. I would love to have a whole kitchen of killer appliances like this.

What are some of your best thrift store/flea market'garage sale scores?

Ruffleless Ruffle Top

2009-08-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

{My version of the Ruffle Top}

Several months ago Sew, Mama, Sew! posted a Ruffle Top tutorial by Rae of Made by Rae. Right away I liked the top and had the fabrics all picked out for it. Then, probably because it was all ready to go, I put it on the back burner. Last weekend we drove to Dirty's dad's house so I finally had a solid reason to make it. Road trip = cute road trip clothes to brag about

The tutorial was really easy to follow and the top turned out better than I expected. I used about a half yard of Alexander Henry's Lola fabric from my stash for the main part of the top and a thrifted bed sheet for the top band and straps. I would have added the ruffles, but cut fabrics for the pockets first and ran out of fabric. The pockets never did make it on the top, but that's OK.

I skipped the armpit divots, but did do the shaping on the sides. That made a big difference. The top is still flowy, but not frumpy.

I am striking a pose at Ohiopyle State Park in PA. We just love it there. Dirty and I were able to slip away for about an hour or so right before dusk to walk around at the falls. We ate a few crab apples and played catch and release with the lightning bugs. Something we can't do here. It was a great weekend. We also went to a FABULOUS flea market in Ohio were we both made some stellar scores, but more about that soon. Well, soon to soonish. =]

Utterly Inspired

2009-08-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was able to visit a local museum displaying an exhibit of Gee's Bend Quilts. All I can say is those ladies are amazing. Overcoming so much adversity and forever humble. A looping video of some of the quilters played in the back corner and could be heard throughout the gallery. So many of them had wonderful senses of humor.

{Gee's Bend Quilts Exhibit}

The quilts were quite amazing. This picture was snapped with a cell phone and I really debated whether or not to post it. It doesn't even come close to capturing the colors in the quilts. If you ever get a chance to see these quilts in person, go. Don't hesitate, just go.

Some of the other visitors would point out fabrics in some of the older quilts and say things like "My daughter had a dress with that fabric" or, "I have an apron with that print." Even one of the younger (my age-ish) ladies said that she remembered a lot of clothes and bed sheets she had with fabrics used in the quilts. I just love that the quilters happily grabbed up every stitch of fabric to make the quilts. And they are big! I would guess queen sized and larger. It was quite inspiring.

In semi-related quilting news, I am participating in another quilting bee. She is still looking for 7 members. If you know of anyone looking for a bee send them here.

Tomatoes to the Wind

2009-07-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

{Handmade tomato hangers soaking up the sun}

Dirty has a pretty green thumb. See all the pretty green stuff in the yard. That's Dirty's deal. Me, I am more yellow-green to brownish-green. But I found a way to help, even if I can't plant, water, trim or harvest. I can make spiffy little tomato hanger baskets!

{Only one plant survived the transplant on this one}

Several weeks ago we transplanted the tomato seedlings we bought several months ago. Yeah. At first we made a big 24"x 24"x24" hanging box for 9 plants. We hung it on a rope from a tree. Then we had a classic summer thunderstorm and it started to swing. It had to weight 40 pounds. 40 pounds swinging in 35 mph winds near a screen door is not really a good combination. Not to mention 40 pounds turns into super heavy when saturated with rain. Not recommended.

{This baby is rockin'}

After the too huge tomato hanger debacle, we made five small ones instead. Dirty made the wire hangers out of a roll of fencing and wire. I made the basket liners out of cheap-o burlap and pre-made bias tape to finish the fold over edges and make the corner ties. (The ginormous one had Velcro instead of longer ties, it didn't work out.)

{Our wet dog bath towel is hanging in the back to kind of help the tomato plants show up better in the picture}

These baskets are about 6" x 8" x 12" and are perfect for 4-5 plants. I cut two strips of canvas: one strip 9" x 32" and one strip 7" x 34" (width+1" x depth+bottom+depth+2" for fold over). I laid them out to cross in the middle. Using a zigzag stitched, I stitched a rectangle and X where the strips overlapped. Then I stitched up the sides, stopping about 2" from the top.

{More wet dog bath towel, but this basket is growing like crazy}

While the bag is inside-out, put it in the basket to make sure it fits and that the tops fold over about an 1" or so. I used a Sharpie to mark where to mark the hole for the plants. (It can be seen better in the first and second picture.) I made these about 1/2" x 1/2". That makes them large enough for the stem to grow, but not large enough for a bunch of soil to spill out when it rains 4" in one day or when I over water them--see yellow-green thumb mentioned above.

I stitch around the marked opening three times with a zigzag stitch, then cut out the section. After all the sections where reinforced with the stitching and cut it out, I attached the bias tape around the raw edges leaving about 4-5 inches on each end to tie the corners together. I started by stitching the bias tape to the two short edges that make the corner seam, then adding the bias to the long straight edges with the extra to tie. All of this was done with a zigzag stitch, too.

Dirty filled the baskets with compost and soil to the lowest openings, threaded through the plants, filled to the next opening, repeat with the plants and filled up the rest of the basket. Some of the baskets have a plant in the top, too.

We hung these cute little tomato hangers from the fallen tree that also holds my clothesline. We can remove them if it rains too much or gets too windy. That's also why we didn't put any plants out the bottom. They don't have any blossoms yet, which is not a big surprise since they were planted so late. Luckily we have an extended growing season. They've tripled in size so far, so I think we'll be fine.

The idea is that tomato plants are pretty much vines. We spent the last two summers staking and re-staking our plants in the regular garden, just to watch them get drowned by a tropical storm. The hangers can easily be brought indoors if/when another tropical storm sits and spins over us for a week dropping 22" of rain and blowing her little heart out. Oh, it'll happen and we'll be ready. =]

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ July

2009-07-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Since the first month of our Snip.Sew.Send. quilting bee was my month to send fabrics, July is the first month I am able to use someone else's fabrics and instructions. The fine maiden of Mushyhed's Sweatshop sent us all different pieces of Anna Maria Horner's Chocolate Lollipops collection and requested a 12.5" square blocks. The rest was up to each member and her (may I say quite astounding) creativity. Need proof? Just check out the blocks already posted.

{Chocolate Lollipops with a chewy strawberry nougat center}

At first I thought I would slightly alter a pattern I found in a quilting book, but once I received the fabrics I had to rethink things. I agree with much of my hive in that the patterns and colors really called for bigger swatches of fabric. With my first choice I would have cut fairly small pieces and I think it would have taken too much away from the fabric themselves. However, I will use that idea in the future mainly because I thought of two or three hilariously ridiculous names for the pattern. Forget about that now.

In the end I chose to steal a design I saw in another quilting bee. It is based off a classic quilt block, Kansas Dugouts. Going with the theme, I think they look like donuts or high class chocolates with chewy strawberry nougat centers.

{Measure twice, cut once is totally lost on me}

OK, I am a very "fly by the seat of my pants" girl and didn't really plan and check everything out the way my Girl Scout Leaders probably taught me a million years ago, but this lets the brain work and clean up the cobwebs that have collected in the nooks and crannies.

I had the other three print fabrics traced and cut when I tried the template on this last print. It didn't fit. I thought about cutting the strip in half, in using it as the little triangles, of searching for more of this fabric, but in the end I just made up the difference with what was available and I am glad to say that every last thread of this print was used to make this portion of the block. Hopefully the pieces blend in with the print. Is it bad etiquette to point out blunders? But is this really even a blunder? Honey, I hope you don't think so because I think its frugal and resourceful.

Mod Sampler Quilt for Sue

2009-07-05T13:17:00.001-07:00

{Mod Sampler Quilt}

Finally. And only 3 weeks late. But the Mod Sampler Quilt (pattern by Oh, Fransson!) I made for my friend Sue's 30th birthday is finally pieced, quilted, binded (or is it bound?), washed and folded up for mailing tomorrow. Her birthday was 3 weeks ago and I really should have finished it way before that, but, it wouldn't be truly a gift from my heart if it weren't fashionably late.

{The rear view}

I like it a lot. I could have gone a little darker on the sashing, but it's OK. Sue has two young boys and I hope that she makes this her grab and go quilt for ball games and trips to the beach and picnics in the park and forts in the living room and good movies on TV.

{The three-quarter shot always makes you look thinner}

Overall, the pattern is great. Very easy to follow, sectioned well for both quick sits at the machine and longer stays, too. Elizabeth (pattern author) recommend pressing all the seams open, which was fine for the first two blocks (side-by-side and side-by-side-by-side-by-side) but when it got to piecing the third block (4x4) I got way too impatient with that. I just started pressing the seams to the side. I figured I gave an alternative method a try, found out it's not for me and went about my merry way.

{Example of the 4x4 which most likely has seams pressed to the side}

{One of my favorite blocks, both style and fabric combo}

{Another fav block style, but you see how the solid brown is too close in color to the sashing?}

Elizabeth has fantastic tutorials on sandwiching, quilting and binding. My mitered corners are becoming more and more like actual corners rather than round-a-bouts.

{Nearly 90 degrees, nearly}

I am still working on free motion quilting. I've got areas that are really dense and other spots that could have held a few more stitches, but again, overall I am pleased.

{Free motion quilting on the back}

Somewhere on the Flickr group pool I saw someone stitched a fabric flap for the label. I completely copied them and probably will again. It is so much easier to baste the label on before sewing the binding to the back. I like hand sewing but it takes so long that I aways put off attaching the label. This way it'll already be done.

{Wishing us 30 more years of friendship... on the back side of the label flap}

Sue is a thrifty gal. She keeps all gift bags, ribbon and tissue paper from presents. I am so glad because I don't like adding all that mess. I know she'll appreciate the thriftiness and simplicity of a folded up the quilt with a bow made from a strip of fabric that got trimmed when squaring up the back.

{RTG = ready to go}

If I make this quilt again, which is a good possibility since Dirty liked this one so much, I will probably swap the 4x4 block for a 9 patch. I just do not have the patience for that 4x4 block.

Next up is the July block for Snip.Sew.Send., then I plan to start a Bento Box style quilt for the bed.

Zig Zag quilt for a new baby boy

2009-06-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Another of my friends gave birth to a baby boy about a month ago. I had started his quilt well before he was born, but didn't get it finished until yesterday. Well, technically I finished it about a week ago, but didn't sew the label on until yesterday.

{Colton's Zig Zag Quilt: Front}

I quilted by outlining both sides of the zig zags and by following the center of each zig zag, too. I think it was a bit too much.

{Close up of quilting on front}

On the front it looks OK, but I think the back looks like a moving blanket. If I had used blue thread for the back it wouldn't have shown as much. My concern at quilting time was that if I used blue on the back it would have been too plain. Now I think it would have been better.

{Close up quilting on back}

This quilt isn't the most favorite I've ever made. Don't get me wrong. I like it. I am OK with it. The things I don't care for just scream at me. First, I have never been a big fan of blue and yellow. Growing up as a Michigan State Spartan fan, it's just in may nature to despise maise and blue (the colors of our rival University of Michigan). The back and binding are too bright. Together in the picture above they look alright, but on the full front of the quilt my attention is drawn to the binding and I don't want it to be.

{Full back view}

{The new boy's name is Colton}

Thanks to the binding tutorial on Oh, Fransson!http://www.ohfransson.com/ my mitered corners on this quilt look pretty good. Not perfect yet, but pretty good.

{Corners are getting more and more square}

I used the zig zag quilt tutorial by AmandaJean posted on the Bee Square blog. I altered it a little to switch between different patterned fabrics rather than pattern/solid as in the tutorial. It wasn't difficult. I used six fat quarters plus the back and binding.

{All folded and ready for ribbon and sending off to my new friend}

My friend Susan's birthday was last week. I had planned to have the Mod Quilt Sampler quilt finished and mailed well before her birthday, but that didn't (and hasn't) happened. I have the quilt top and back finished. I just need to sandwich, quilt, bind and label. Almost done, right?

Who will be sporting a new concrete ring?

2009-06-01T03:58:00.000-07:00

JungleWife, that's who! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. Dirty liked hearing your comments and has some new ideas for rings, colors and styles. We try to list new rings weekly, so be sure to keep checking ConcreteRing for updates.

Robinson's Racing Pigs

2009-05-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

*giveaway post is below*

{The future of racing pigs}

If you haven't experienced Robinson's Racing Pigs you haven't lived! OK, maybe they weren't that great but they were pretty dern fun.

On the way home from a Saturday road trip we came across a semi-local blue crab festival and decided to stop and walk through the vendor sections. Pretty typical stuff. Nothing to get too excited about, but we did pick up 5 plumeria cuttings. I can't wait for them to grow and flower.

Towards the end of the vendors we came upon a little wood chip laden race track that looked intriguing. The sign read "Robinson's Racing Pigs" and "Robinson's Paddling Porkers". The clock said the next race was only 15 minutes away so we snagged an awesome spot facing turn 3 and waited for the festivities.

I ran down to get some fresh squeezed lemonade and Dirty held our spots. He said that the little boy next to was getting impatient and kept saying, "Let's get it on!" like a wraslin' announcer. And I am fairly certain that he would pronounce wrestling as wraslin'.

The pig racing announcer explained that the state fair was looking for interesting event during the fair in the '70s and the Robinsons came up with this and history was made. I think he said the pigs are Phillipeno pot belly pigs and they start training around 8 weeks old. The pigs are trained using Oreo cookies. One in each of the starting gates and several crumbled up at the finish line. Pretty sneaky, who wouldn't race for Oreos?

{Robinson's Racing Pigs: The Big Guys}

First, the huge older pigs raced. They were named Hammy Fay Bacon, Lindsay Loham, Britney Spare-Rib and Hillary Rodham Clintham. Lindsay Loham won. That's her in the photo.

{Robinson's Racing Pigs: Junior league}

Next, the 9 week old trainees took to the track. They were named Dale Oinkhart, Jr.,
Arnold Schwartzenhogger, Jeff Gordham and Barack-o-ribs Obama. Jeff Gordham won, which about half the crowd loved.

{Paddling Porkers}

It was awfully steamy that day so the racing pigs got to cool off in the pool. Even though it was about 90 degrees, they really weren't feeling going for a swim. All four of them stood up on the platform and waited for someone else to jump in first. One of them kind of got pushed in and it was off the races. I don't remember all the names, but Soggy Bacon and Tsunami-Salami stuck in my head.

{Pee-wee Paddling Porkers}

Of course the piglets got to swim, too. They were a bit more fearless when it came to jumping in. Spamela Hamderson won that time.

I would gladly watch pig races again. And, as if Dirty didn't already want a pig bad enough, this has tipped him over the edge. I think I see a pig in our future. Hopefully the distant future, but probably not.

SMS Giveaway Day! Win a Concrete Ring!

2009-05-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Yea! SMS Giveaway Day is finally here! I had planned to make something for this giveaway day, but ran out of time. But wait! I (easily) convinced my guy (we call him Dirty) to offer up one of his concrete rings.

{Handmade Concrete Rings available on Etsy}

All the rings are handmade by Dirty. He chooses the colors, shapes them and seasons (waxes and/or oils) them all by hand. They are great, eco-friendly pieces of jewelry. Very modern. He has several different styles including Urban Dweller (the short tops like pictures 1, 3 and 4), High Rise (pictures 5 and 6) and Hole in a Heart (picture 2). He's got a good size range and is making more smaller rings right now. Read more about them here.

Get multiple entries for this give away! Make sure to leave a way to contact you (leave your blog or e-mail address in the comment if you don't use a Google/Typepad/URL log in when leaving a comment). Here's how:

Leave a comment here with your ring size. We'll do our best to match you up with a ring close to your size, if not exact.
Go to ConcreteRing on Etsy and look through the rings. Leave another comment with which ring is your favorite.
Heart ConcreteRing and leave another comment with your Etsy name (not that we don't trust you, but, you know.)
Leave a comment here with either a suggestion for new ring styles, who you would purchase a ring for or a shameless compliment about how awesome these concrete rings are.

That's right, up to 4 entries per person. The winner will be chosen randomly on May 31 after we eat dinner. However, Dirty's been known to be quite spontaneous and may offer a second ring to a really good, head swelling rave about his work. I'm not promising, I'm just saying it can't hurt.

Just to let you know the $19.95 price tag is for a limited time only. I don't know exactly when he's going to go back up to regular price ($49.95), but get them while their on sale. It'll make us happy and we'll love you forever! Happy Giveaway Day!

First Etsy Sale!

2009-05-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

{I love Etsy and Etsy loves me!}

Last week I got my first sale in my Etsy store! She bought three items one of which was sold earlier that day at a local VW show along with Split Beetle bag. To honor the sale, I told her I would have to make another, and due to that I asked if she wanted to alter it at all. She requested everything stay the same, except she wanted a zipper.

{The good zipper because the "bad"zipper would have broken the camera}

Now, zippers and I haven't always gotten along. I have cursed out more than my fair share over the years. This one was no different. However, I do have to beg the zipper's forgiveness, it was mostly my fault. I thought I could just attach the zipper the the outer panels of the bag. Well, I could, I did and I cursed. To say it looked like a hot mess would be a grave understatement. Pure junk. Thankfully, I took a step back, got some rest (it was 2 am) and retried the next day.

{A few zzz's helped with the zipper}

Sleep has always been my friend. Ah, sweet sleep. The next morning I started again from scratch and it turned out pretty well, if I do say so. Adding a zipper panel on the top worked much better. The zipper falls in just a little so that it can't been seen from the side.

I ripped out the handles of the first attempt, added a longer strap to make it an over-the-shoulder sling. All that is left is to add a picture to the front and it will be up in the shop soon. I am thinking of doing a bus this time.

In other happy Etsy news, my guy's concrete rings gained a little buzz over the last few weeks. He's been included in several treasuries and on the home page of Etsy three times--twice in treasuries and once as a group that was "found searching etsy categories." I am super proud of him! Etsy rocks!

Seams to Me Swap ~ My other part

2009-05-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

So, here's how today went:

Made it to work on time
Went on an estimate appointment and SOLD the job! Yea!
Got to go fabric shopping on my lunch break (which I don't normally get to leave the office for)
My guy had dinner made for us when I got home. Yum!
A gorgeous I'll Have One of Everything bag was waiting for me in the mailbox!

{I told you it was gorgeous}

I have been quite lucky in swaps lately and just when I was really considering just giving up on swaps all together. You great ladies may have changed my mind.

{I'll be hot from both sides}

As I was modeling how hot this bag is, I noticed that it works great on my shoulder, in the crux of my elbow and in my hand. Way back in February I had mentioned making a Steeler color version of this bag, but never did get to making it. Having this bag sure does heighten the motivation.

{This deserves a tropical vacation this summer, don't you agree?}

As I have mentioned, I am not usually into florals, but need to adjust that thought. I don't care for frilly florals but these brightly colored, big floral pattern is great. I would like to know what the name of the floral fabric is so I can get some for a quilt. Wouldn't it look great as a whole cloth back to a modern and bright quilt? Sudi-Laura, I absolute adore this bag. Thank you so much for making it for me!

Seams To Me Swap ~ My part

2009-05-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

{Seams to Me in Springy Style}

A few weeks ago I sent out my end of Tracey's We the People Swap: Seams to Me edition. When we signed up for the swap we got to choose which of Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me projects we would like to receive in the swap. One of my partner's choices was the Taxi Tote. She gave spring and summer, the beach and funky fabrics as inspiration. I used a thrifted sheet and some coordinating fabrics from my stash to make her tote. Mine hasn't arrived, yet, but soon I hope.

{Seams to Me Taxi Tote Front}

For the button closure I had to extend the fabric loop a lot. When I followed the instructions the loop was way too short to fit under the binding and around the button. I ripped out the seam there and doubled the loop. I used two stacked buttons, one cloudy white and one teal, for the front closure.

{The back}

The colors and watercolor like floral print struck me as nice and springy. I used a solid sea foam green for the lining and a soft yellow for the binding.

{Room for snacks, toys, keys, a book, a notepad,

knitting needles and a little take along project}

The interfacing is iron-in and pretty stiff. The bag has nice structure and is roomy enough for everything a girl needs and lots of stuff for her young son, too.

{A flattering side shot}

The pattern was great and really easy to follow, as was the other project I made from the book. Immediately after finishing a project like this, I always try it out. While modeling in front of the mirror I decided that when I make one for myself I will extend the strap a bit and make it more of a sling style. I've got a lot of this fabric left over and even though I am not usually crazy about florals, I do quite like this print.

Speaking of thrifted sheets I think I am finished gathering the necessary fabrics for my month in Snip.Sew.Send. No photos yet, I want to wait to post on the bee blog. I found a great, colorful fitted sheet and pillowcase set at Goodwill yesterday. I also grabbed a queen size white flat sheet and what I thought was a king size white flat sheet that turned out to be a king size white duvet cover. Yea! Twice the fabric for half the price. Next weekend I plan to dye the white sheets with coordinating colors since I can't find just what I am looking for. I am unnaturally excited to do this. I am sure it will be a mess, even if I decide to follow the instructions. Wish me luck!

Whirlygiggles and zigzags

2009-05-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

What better way to spend the day?

{Zigzag play quilt top}

I nearly finished the zigzag quilt top for my friend's soon-to-be-born baby boy. All that's left is to cut off the points and square it up. I used Amanda Jean's tutorial on Bee Square Fabrics' Blog. This came together so quickly. Of course, it's not nearly as big as the sample quilt, but quick none the less. I used six fat quarters I had on hand instead of the recommended fabrics. I didn't have matching solids, so I just used variations of the blue and yellow. Hopefully I will finish this play quilt later this week and get it mailed off before the baby arrives.

{Discharged Whirlygiggle}

This beauty is an experiment of two interesting techniques I have read about lately. First, I discharged one of the fat quarters I won from Sew, Mama, Sew! I used Elizabeth's method, but had to leave the fabric in longer than the 7-8 minutes she suggested. It just didn't take in that time. The half of the fat quarter I discharged soaked in the bleach solution for about an hour. You can see that was a bit too long and the discharging didn't take uniformly, but I still enjoyed doing this. I want to try overdying as well, but need supplies I don't have on hand for that. R0ssie started a flickr group for discharging and overdying which includes a getting started giveaway.

Also via Amanda Jean (I just love her blog) I found Michelle's tutorial for whirlygiggles. Isn't that a great name for this block? The name alone makes me want to make an entire quilt of them so I can tell other people they are whirlygiggles. I discharged some red fabric too but didn't get a chance to sew the pieces together, yet. Eventually they will be made into place mats, pot holders or a floor mat. We'll see which.

Seams to Me ~ Smashing Smock

2009-04-25T18:29:00.001-07:00

Rae is organizing Spring Top Week. It started yesterday with her tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! Her top is really cute and has just been added to my ever growing list of things to sew.

{Just Smashing}

My first Spring Top was made using the Smashing Smock pattern from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me. Even though I've had this book since Christmas, this is the first thing I have made from it. Actually, I thought this might be the only thing I wouldn't make. I just didn't care for smocks in general and I think the fabrics used in the sample in the book turned me off. While perusing through the flickr group I saw several people had made it from thirfted sheets and I really liked the way they turned out. Earlier this week I had some free time so I decided to make it with a recently purchased thrifted sheet.

I love this pattern. It was fairly easy to put together and it looks really cute, if I do say so myself. I like how loose and airy it is. It is perfect for the sizzling summers here.

{French seam horizontal with the bottom hem to the left}

I usually wear a size small, but I wanted to make sure this was loose so I added about 1/2" to each piece and I am glad I did. The top of the top fits nicely. I think it would have been a little too small without the extra space. I probably didn't need the extra on the sides of the main pieces, but it's OK. I don't have a serger, so I used french seams on the sides (for the first time). This seam is going to go into many more garments. It just finishes the seams so nicely.

{The back}

The fabric is an off white with a little diamond/leaf pattern made with little red dots. The button on the back is a slightly shimmery gray that I got in a sewing box that came with an old sewing machine I got for $20 at a flea market last year.

I already have plans to make another Smashing Smock from a delightfully lovely sea green sheet I bought yesterday. Next time I am going to make it into a summer dress. I can't wait!

I also finished my project for the Itching 2B Stitching Swap, but I want to make sure my partner gets it before I post pictures of it. More of those are to come, too, with one alteration, which I will share later, but can't now because it will give away what I made for her.

In other Anna Maria Horner news, we spent the day at our booth in our local arts market (like a farmer's market, but for artists and other handmade things) for the first time. I wore this top today and we made our first sale to a lovely girl who was carrying a sweet messenger bag she made from Drawing Room fabric. I complimented her on it right away, which I think cemented the deal. She bought a concrete ring!

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

2009-04-17T17:17:00.001-07:00

Amy aka Park City Girl had the incredible idea to hostess the first annual Bloggers' Quilt Festival. Entry consists of adding a blog post link to the favorite quilt you made and leave a comment. Although there aren't any "prizes" (whew), many shops are sponsoring an extensive giveaway. So far 171 people have entered and the post has only been up for a few hours. I can't wait to look through all the quilts for inspiration and admiration.

{Lily's EZ Camper Quilt}

Lily's EZ Camper Quilt is my favorite quilt that I have made so far. When I was first sketching out this quilt I was going to make it a crazy nine patch, but after sketching it a few times and considering the fabrics I was using, I decided to go for the disappearing nine patch instead. I am so glad I did. I love, love, love how it turned out.

It's not perfect, not even close, but I am proud of it. It's the first quilt I machine quilted, appliqued and hand sewn the binding. I think my favorite part of the quilt is the applique to resemble her dad's Volkswagen EZ Camper. I drew it by hand, cut it out in pieces to applique and stitched the VW logo on the nose. The back is a brown plaid to match the curtains in the bus.

{The adorable Miss Lily and her quilt}

The EZ Camper quilt was made in honor of Lily's first Bulli Brigade last November. It's a big day in the life of a VW kid.

I'll be checking in with the quilt festival post and the flickr group frequently. I can't even imagine how many entries there will be by the time it "closes".

How not to photograph bats

2009-04-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago while playing fetch with Pea in the lot next door we had a visit from some long lost friends--the bats. I don't know if bats migrate or not, but I haven't seen them since last summer. Our bug eating web-winged friends are back and we can't be happier. I tried to get some pictures of them, but bats are particularly hard to photograph. They are always dipping and diving and changing directions it is nearly impossible to get lucky enough to catch them in the frame. After about 50 attempts, I gave up and just watched them.

{Can you find the bats? Me, either.}

No pictures of the bats yet, but I got some pretty and creepy pictures of the trees against the twilight sky. The tiny orange dot in the bottom right corner of the picture above is the sun. I love twilight...

Welcome back, batty friends!

=]

Scores from the thrift store and pizza

2009-04-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

{Thrifted sheets}

Last Saturday my guy and I visited a local thrift store. It was totally packed, being Saturday afternoon and all, but we were able to find some great stuff. I easily could have spent $50 and blown the budget but I showed some self-control and rolled out with three bed sheets, two pillow cases and two 95 cent Pyrex pie plates. Total=$16.80

{Yellow flowers}

I was hoping to make this sheet into a sun dress but I was told that we needed to use it on the bed instead. A little nostalgia came over my guy when he saw it hanging on the clothes line.

{Pink floral}

Part of this queen size sheet is going to be turned into the Smashing Smock from Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me. I wasn't smitten with this particular pattern until I saw the super cute versions on the book's flickr pool. Inspiration for making a shirt for myself came from Rae and her Spring Top week. More info by clicking on the button in the sidebar.

{Stripes}

These are the pillow cases. I was hoping to us these in a quilt or as binding, but they too got re-appropriated to the bed. They actually looks good on the bed with the yellow floral sheets and our brown bed spread. I really want to make us a quilt but can't find just the right fabric/pattern combination (and courage). I also got a plain white twin size flat sheet, but it's not an interesting picture.

{Homemade Pizzas}

We put the pie plates to work Wednesday night. Homemade pizzas are one of my most favorite meals. It's a family tradition from way back. The left pizza is pepperoni, olive, onion, fresh oregano, mozzarella and the right is tomato, fresh oregano, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Mmm. The pizza dough was made from a Jiffy box (less than $1) and was surprisingly really good. All my guy had to do was add water and mix, let set, bake, top and bake some more. So, so good.

More of a splish than a splash

2009-04-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

{Etsy banner}

Even though I feel like a tiny spec of plankton in the Pacific Ocean, I jumped into the ever astonishing talent pool that is Etsy. My personal shop is hermionejschwartz.etsy.com. See the link over on the side? That goes to my stuff.

{A little snapshot of some of the handmade goodness currently awaiting purchase}

1 Blueprint Blanket 2 Split Beetle Bag 3 VW Cog Bag

4 Tiki Bar Sign 5 German Eagle Bag

6 German Eagle Sign 7 Fish Tacos Sign

Right now the shop is smallish, but hopefully not too haphazard. Since I opened it a few weeks ago I've been thinking more about what I like to create and have felt more driven to get it out of my head and into tangible states rather than just sketching it and putting it on the bottom of the to do list.

{Sneak peek}

I am almost done with this cute little item, but not quite yet. Hopefully it will be up in the shop this weekend, along with some friends.

=]

BTRSswap Charming Handbag Completed

2009-03-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

My pieces of this round of the BTRSswap is now complete. I finished the bag itself about a week ago, pushed into early motivation by the ladies behind Twin Fibers. While wasting time I saw their creations on the BTRS flickr pool. I liked both of them so much it gave me the inspiration and motivation to get sewing. I can hardly believe I am finished with days to spare. I am usually a last minute, fervent sewing to meet the deadline kind of swapper.

For this bag I used an unbleached cotton for the outer bag and a gorgeous Caribbean Blue velvet ribbon and bow. The color of the ribbon really pops against the simplicity of the bag.

Along with the bag we were asked to slip in a few goodies totaling about $5. I tucked in a package of tropical colored tassels, cool blue vintage buttons and a small hand knit dish washing cloth. I prefer smaller washing cloths so that the dish water doesn't go flying around while washing the dishes. (Yes, I hand wash. Partly because I like it but mostly because we don't have a dishwasher.)

The inside of the bag is an Amy Butler fabric with an aqua background and mustard yellow and white pattern. Amy Karol's pattern doesn't call for a pocket, but I really like to have pockets in my handbags so I added one. The pocket as a trim of the same outer fabric sewn across the top so the pocket blended with the inner fabric but didn't get lost. I also added a little ribbon tie for a closure. It's all packed up and ready to head to it's new home on the opposite end of the country. Pretty much as far away from here as you can get without crossing an ocean. Or Canada.

Here's a little close up of the wash cloth. It has a seed stitch border all the way around and a little knit/purl checkerboard pattern in the center. It's made from Peaches and Cream cotton yarn in yellow.

I am a really slow knitter but this was pretty quick. I may make myself one, too. After I get a sock finished...

I say she's a Swap Mama

2009-03-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Swaps are risky by nature. You may get what you always wanted but never knew it or you could get a great handmade creation that's well made, but just not you. It's a 50/50 chance at best.

I love swapping, yet I am often hesitant to sign up. I am usually a quick decision kind of girl. Swaps are one thing that slow me down. Not only am I thoughtful of the fact that the person on the other end is only going by what they read from this little blog and from my lame attempts at describing my likes and dislikes, but I am always worried that, going off of similarly little information, my creations for them are OK, but not blow-her-away spot on.

With the latest installment of the BTRSswap I definitely came out on the plus side of that 50/50 risk. (Please excuse the crappy cell phone pictures. I usually borrow my guy's camera, but he's got it and I am impatient.)

My make-it-for-me partner Erika of Inspired Mama Musings sent me the best swap package I have received. In this round swappers made the Charming Handbag from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing. Erika paired an awesome chocolate brown background and bright flowers fabric with a bright stripe fabric for the lining and handles. This bag is very me. It's already backed full of my daily necessities.

Along with the Charming Handbag, Erika made some matching fabric covered buttons that I already plan to use with the Full Contact Apron from Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me, two super cute fabric covered hair pins, several custom made tags and a rockin' fabric covered ring.

Also tucked in my new bag were these handmade tags, which I don't know if I will be able to use because that would mean they wouldn't be mine anymore.

Uncharacteristic of me, I actually have started and finished the bag I am making for my partner. I am including a few little goodies and am half way through knitting a little dish washing cloth to go along with the package. Hopefully I will finish up the knitting tonight and send the package off tomorrow.

Jeffery T. was very helpful during the sewing of the bag. He likes to help me press the fabric (aka laying all over it while I am trying to trace/cut/line up pieces). He did get a little bored of me shooing him off the fabric and amused himself by trying to measure his own head. This is difficult to do with a metal yardstick. He kept saying, "Mama, how big is my head?" or "See, Mama, my head isn't as big as you thought."

No, T, 5-1/2" inches is not too big for a cat head.

=]

Green Goodness

2009-03-16T19:26:00.001-07:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day here are a few green things that I love...

Our kitchen cabinets which I painted green two summers ago

Green recycled glass aggregate which we sell at http://www.DCsurfaces.com/

Lettuce from our garden which is growing into nice little heads

My handmade-for-about-$7-just-what-I-wanted-green dress (that needs to be ironed after sitting through the wedding ceremony, whatever)

Avocado acid stain, also sold by us at http://www.DCsurfaces.com/

Our green screen door to the back patio painted green by my guy last summer

My beloved bird of paradise that grew from a wee little 8" plant to this nearly 20 foot tall beauty

The Turkis Green 1962 VW Single Cab, aka work truck

The 1959 too fast for me VW Convertible Beetle that I LOVE to drive, but only get to sit shotgun in (see "too fast for me" above and note that "too fast for me" is should actually be quoted as "too fast for you" and be coming out of the mouth of my guy because I don't think it is too fast for me...I like going fast and letting the wind whip through my hair as I zoom down the street speedy quick because that car if FAST and oh so fun!)

Happy St. Patty's Day! Have a green beer for me! =]

Funky earrings and a giveaway you can't enter

2009-03-12T13:50:00.001-07:00

Jenn from the aforementioned baby quilt post gave me these rockin' earrings just for going to her baby shower! Can you believe it? I couldn't. I just love their funky shape and uber hip design. I don't have any gold earring, but I think these are my new favorites. Won't they make me look hot this summer when I have a nice bronze glow?

Her friend owns a shop called Panache in Gulfport, Mississippi where she sells funky stuff like these earring. Go there if you are so inclined to copy me.

In other gifting news, Jenny made a gorgeous spiderweb quilt and is donating it to her mother to giveaway on her blog. I am only posting about this so I can earn another entry. I really want this quilt, so don't go post a comment. I want it. Stop brainstorming where you would put it, it's coming to my house. And anyway, I plan on gifting it to another friend who is having a baby in May. She needs it more than you. Don't comment, I mean it.

Jackson's Quilt

2009-03-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I drove to visit life-long friends of mine. We all grew up living on the same street and amazingly kept in touch after I moved away after eighth grade. This was way back before it was easy to keep in touch either through e-mail, myspace, facebook, twitter, etc. (The only one of which I use is e-mail. I am so un-hip.)

After I *finally* left a mere three hours after I had intended and five hours after I tried starting to leave, the drive was great. We live off the same interstate, only three states to drive through. Friday night I got to hang out with my friend Susan and her family for a little before we crashed.

Saturday Susan held the baby shower at her house for her sister Jennifer. We had delicious finger foods including these amazing little tomato finger sandwiches and a fruit pizza with a sugar cookie crust. I could have eaten the entire plates of both and not been ashamed at all.

I made this quilt for Jackson (the baby due at the end of April and whose shower we were attending) using some of the gifted fat quarters and other fabrics from my stash. Actually the binding and tan fabrics on the back of the quilt was extra fabric from the place mats I made Jackson's parents for their wedding gift a year and a half ago. Nice little coincidence.

I stippled it, washed and dried it the night before I had to leave. I am a not a great time manager when it comes to sewing. I stayed up until about 2 am Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights piecing the blocks, combining the blocks and piecing the back, but it was completely worth it.

The blue section of the tag reads: May your life be wrapped in love, warmth and sunshine *heart* Me 2009.

I got a little weepy (classic me) when she opened the blanket and read the tag. I don't have a lot of friends here where I live now, and none of them are really close friends. It's hard to top 29 1/2 years of friendship when I'm only 30. Susan and Jennifer's friendship means a lot to me.

Sappiness over. I had a great weekend! Staying with Susan and her family is so fun. With two boys ages 5 and 2 and a 8-week old puppy there is never a dull moment! I think my favorite was when we were eating dinner Saturday night. The 5-year-old looked at me and said, "You look like one of those Spanish people!" I'm not Spanish, but that's not the first time I had heard that. His mom looked at him with that I-can't-believe-my-kid-just-said-that look and said to him, "I told you, God made everyone look different so we wouldn't get tired of looking at people." Awesome response. That's why we've been friends for nearly 30 years. That and we can both crack up at a statement like that.

Fat Quarters on Fat Tuesday

2009-02-24T03:31:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned, I joined the Sew, Mama, Sew! Fat Quarter Swap. The ladies said that over 400 joined the swap, which is 1800 fat quarters being mailed in the next 7 days. Wow. I think swappers are single-handedly keeping the USPS operating. This weekend I picked out the fabrics from my stash, trimmed them down if necessary and packaged them up.

The first and third quarters are a tan/cream paisley I used to make place mat and napkin sets for a life-long friend. The second and fourth (which has tiny red dots that didn't show on the picture) are from Lily's EZ Camper Quilt.

I didn't make it to the post office yesterday, but I definitely will today. I really love putting together swap packages. I was so happy with them, I forgot to take a picture of what is in the packages. Making little note cards and address labels to match gives me warm fuzzies.

Winning stuff also gives me warm fuzzies. I was a lucky winner of the Blue Mix Fat Quarter pack from the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog! All I had to do was check out their fat quarter project of the day and leave a comment. I was going to do that anyway. These came late last week and really made my day. I don't know what to do with them yet, but I think I will incorporate some of them into Jaxson's baby quilt. I should really get started on that.

The fabrics are Ocean Garden Mist~Nouvea Moda, Briquetage~Alexander Henry, All Cotton~Alexander Henry, Darla~Tonya Whelan, Woodland Wonderland~Jay McCarroll (which has the cutest little pink ants roaming the wood rings) and Rose Ocean Mist~Nouvea. All of them are beautiful and soft. I can hardly wait to transform them into new stuff.

=]

Wonky Kitchen Mat

2009-02-21T03:22:00.000-08:00

Even though my wonky log cabin bathmat didn't turn out just as I had hoped, it wouldn't get me down. Here is the end result of what I am calling my first successful result at wonky log cabins. (I actually followed some instructions...amazing.)

It is pieced together with gifted fat quarters and backed with a marbled black fabric like the dividing strip. My feet are quite pleased with their new mat, too. They only have throw a fit when we have to stand at the sink to wash dishes, not that we do that too often.

Overall I am pretty happy with it. It has nice bright colors, it's a little wonky to offset the checkerboard kitchen tiles, and I made it. What more could a girl ask for?

Well, it does need some kind of anti-slip grip on the bottom, but that will be worked out. Jeffery T sends it flying when he tries to run after laying on it all day.

Free-motion quilting is still a skill I need to work on, but I am getting much better. All the wonkiness is practice for my next project. A friend of mine in Mississippi is having a baby boy in May. Her shower is in a few weeks and I am making the baby a wonky log cabin quilt and some bibs as a present. I hope to start on that this weekend.

Wonky log cabins + Ruby = A Happy Sunday

2009-02-18T03:41:00.001-08:00

Wonky log cabin quilt blocks are a lot harder than they look. That being said, if you follow the instructions they are pretty simple and very fun.

I did not follow the instructions when making this bath mat. I had read through them earlier in the day and tried to remember what I had read. Yeah, that's not recommended. I started out wrong and couldn't really get back on track.

So many things went wrong with this, but I am still OK with it. Not super proud, but OK. It's about 2 inches smaller in each direction than I had planned. I should have added two more rounds, but the reason for that kind of goes back to starting wrong. I should have started by making a bunch of 1-1/2" strips then pieced those rather than freelancing everything and running out of usable fabric pieces. Oh, well. I have started on attempt number 2 and it is going much better. The printed directions are sitting next to my sewing machine. It really is quite amazing what happens when you do what you are supposed to.

Last Sunday, my guy and I decided to ride our bikes 8 miles (and over a big bridge) to one of our favorite neighborhoods. It is a super hip part of town with cute and/or trendy and/or hippie shops lining the street. As we were walking to the end of the block, my guy spotted this beauty sitting next to the dumpster of the old apothecary shop (which is being turned into an Asian Bistro).Instantly I regretted not bringing a motorized vehicle. To say that I wanted this treasure is an understatement. I seriously considered getting a piece of rope, tying it to my beach cruiser and towing it home 8 miles and even if we had to go up a big bridge.

When we (finally) got back home from our 16 mile round trip bike ride up and down a big bridge twice, we hopped in the Single Cab and headed back to the treasure spot. All the way there my guy kept teasing me saying that it wouldn't be there and someone else who had driven there in the first place already took it home. I'm not ashamed to say that I had my fingers crossed the whole way back. Luckily it was still there and we snatched it!

In it's past life this radiant red box was the fiberglass casing of a cooler. I like think it held ice cream treats for sick little girls and boys, or for good little girls and boys who took their medicine without throwing a tantrum.

It has some brackets on the back that would have hinged for a flip top lid. A friend of ours (The Toughest Guy in the Neighborhood, but that's a whole other story) is an electrician and said that the brand name is definitely a freezer manufacturer.

It will now be my new sewing table! I need to clean it up a bit and add a tabletop of course, but I can't wait! I'll put all my fabrics and notions in bins and stack them in the belly. It will be so pretty.

Right now I am sewing on a fold up cardboard table I bought 7 years ago to sell Princess House crystal. It has a hinge in the center so I can't cut very long pieces of fabric on it. It's a sad state. When I start to sew even remotely faster than the turtle setting on my machine, the whole table starts to jump up and down, which causes the machine to jump and all the things on the table to jump and move and go crashing onto the floor. Case in point, I sent my container of full and slightly full bobbins onto the floor. Those really aren't that fun to pick up.

Back to old red. I need to think of a name for her. A lot of sewers name their dress form, but I really feel a connection to this table. I'm bouncing a few around, but I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe Ruby. Maybe...

Please let me introduce you to Black-Eyed Pea. She was running around the yard when I was taking pictures of Ruby. The camera is Pea's cue to ham it up. She kept running in front of Ruby, or laying next to her when I was taking these pictures. I snapped one of Pea alone so she wouldn't feel left out.

Yeah, I think Ruby may fit. I'll try it out on her and see what she thinks.

=]

hermione j. schwartz

Plans...

Fabric + Elmers Glue + First Graders = A whole lotta fun

FO: Simplicity 2591 Dress

NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Knit Beanie **Free Pattern**

do.Good Stitches - September - Trees

Dress Plans

It's been handled

do. Good Stitches ~ August

FO: Frock Camisole

50 cents + Flea Market = Happiness

Frock by Friday ~ Anda

Another Thrift Store Save

Spiderwebs for Nichole

Thrift Store Save

Black-Eye Pea's Polamalu Spirit Leg Warmers: FREE Knitting Pattern

SSS2 - Wonky Stars for Rebecca

Mr. T Starter Kit

Retirement Quilt Redo

Mini Quilt Wall Hangings in the Shop

Schwartzy in the Shop

SSS ~ June for Anne

Mouse's Steelers Striped Leg Warmers: Knit Pattern

FO: Charity Cowls

FO: Shelves Upon Shelves Socks

Turtles, Gators and a Tipped Canoe

What a Sewing Teacher Would NOT Say About Me...

The Penderwicks

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ Rebecca

We had company!

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

Gaming Advice Needed

Snip.Sew.Send. March for Tina

Got a yard?

Keeping warm(er)

Quilter Bees ~ February Drunk Love

Quilter Bees ~ January Jewel Squares

Snip.Sew.Send. February Houses

Knitted hats for Christmas

Quilter Bees blocks catch up

Snip.Sew.Send. January Log Cabins

Simplicity Patterns for $1.99 each

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ November for Gretchen

Socks and a cat...but not a cat named Socks

Better Than a Box aka my pattern in One Yard Wonders

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ October for Nichole

It's a Win-Win

Handmade and Giveaway Goodness

I Like Having More Crafty Time

Quilter Bees - October - Houses for Anna

Local Quilt Show

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ September

Meagan's Quilter Bees Block

Schwartzy: the messenger bag

How do you to showcase a fabric?

Enough feet to fit a catepillar

Zonnah has curves

Rogers' Rocks

Ruffleless Ruffle Top

Utterly Inspired

Tomatoes to the Wind

Snip.Sew.Send. ~ July

Mod Sampler Quilt for Sue

Zig Zag quilt for a new baby boy

Who will be sporting a new concrete ring?

Robinson's Racing Pigs

SMS Giveaway Day! Win a Concrete Ring!

First Etsy Sale!

Seams to Me Swap ~ My other part

Seams To Me Swap ~ My part

Whirlygiggles and zigzags

Seams to Me ~ Smashing Smock

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

How not to photograph bats

Scores from the thrift store and pizza

More of a splish than a splash

BTRSswap Charming Handbag Completed

I say she's a Swap Mama

Green Goodness

Funky earrings and a giveaway you can't enter

NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Knit Beanie Free Pattern