lunchin' in style.

These swanky lunch bags put my black "Cool Chiller" insulated lunch bag (or plastic safeway bag, I admit) to shame.

Guess I need to update my look!

(Martha)

Simon's Woodland Friends

My friend is expecting her first baby - a boy named Simon - and although I contemplated making something OTHER than a baby blanket, which has been my staple, I got inspired after talking to her on the phone before her shower. She has always been naturally creative and decorating her son's room has proven to be no different. She took a bunch of her husband's old flannels and cut them up to make a big wall hanging, and to go along with the flannel patterns added a "woodland creatures" theme. Her husband grew up in a small forest/country community about 20 minutes from town, and as I spent most of my time out there as a teenager (we went to the same youth group and had the same friends), I knew almost exactly what she was envisioning.

I went to Fabric Depot and picked out some earth-toned flannels to make a patchwork blanket, and decided to add some embroidered woodland creatures. Everything came together seamlessly, except for a bobbin emergency at the last minute, which threatened to keep me from even going to the shower. Procrastinators will know this feeling.

That brings me to a funny story.

It was about an hour or so before the shower when I needed to put some more thread on the bobbin. For some reason, it just wouldn't take, and the zig-zag pattern turned funky and loose; I could not figure out why! I unthreaded and rethreaded, looked frantically for the manual, troubleshooted online, but to no avail. So I called Mom and got straight to the point, no chit chat. "Mom, I have a huge problem, you know the blanket...." and I explained my issue. She listened attentively, and apparently, had a look of concern and worry on her face, because my Dad and Caitlin were sitting with her and thought something terrible had happened. They stopped what they were doing to see what the bad news was, and when my mom finally said, "Well, did you rethread the needle?" They looked at each other and went "awhhhh!!!!" They thought somebody had been in an accident, died, etc.

But it was an emergency!

I had threaded the bobbin the wrong way. I fixed it, and was not the last one to get to the shower - a win in my book.

rock & roll, baby!

This is what I'm currently up to for my sister-in-law's upcoming baby boy, due end of October. Pattern is from Sublime Stitching, bibs in a five pack from Ikea, supplies from Fabric Depot. I hope to be done soon. The project started out roughly; I didn't really know how to embroider at all! To my rescue came my aunts, mom, and cousin Stefi, who during their visit last weekend helped me salvage it by teaching me some real stitches. Thank goodness for family.

patchwork quilt and a garden party

I finished this patchwork blanket tonight to give to my friend Jess, who just had her first baby, an adorable little guy named Mason. For her shower, I cut a bunch of squares and asked the attendees to write a little message using a fabric pen. It was fun! Everyone came up with inspiring and sweet messages. I patched them together yesterday afternoon, and today I stitched it to its flannel backing and finished it off with a satin binding. I'm excited to give it to her.

Unfortunately I don't have a good spot set up for sewing at our new place just yet, so I attempted it on the floor. Although I couldn't do it for hours on end because it starts to give me a backache, it works out great for small batches or projects done in increments.


Speaking of Mason, here he is. Isn't he precious! I had to leave the hospital early before I got to hold him, but I'm going home on Wednesday and then I'll get in some high-quality-baby-cuddling time. I can't wait.

Last night we attended a small garden party at a beautiful southeast home where a friend was housesitting. It was basically our dream house, everything about it was just amazing. Very tastefully and thoughtfully decorated, but when I learned that the owner was part-French, it all made sense.

I want a garden like this some day! We were also invited to "share" their keg of IPA and uncork some ex-cellent wine. We all brought dishes to share; hummus with soft pita, chips and salsa, brazilian cheesy bread (I forget the real name), fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from just a few steps away, tiny grapes grabbed from the arbor above our table, and a roasted chicken. The chicken was our contribution, as it has been for the last few get-togethers. Everyone loves it, so I think chicken is going to be our "thing".

happy feet.

This Martha Stewart craft makes my feet tingle with anticipation.

Tools and Materials Large basin or bucket Liquid fabric dye Salt (if needed; check dye directions) White canvas sneakers, laces removed.

Dyed Sneakers How-To

1. Fill basin with hot water. Add dye, and salt if specified, to water, following manufacturer's instructions for sink or bucket dyeing.
2. Wet sneakers with hot water, and place in dye bath.
3. Stir for amount of time stated on dye bottle. Rinse as directed.
4. Air-dry shoes, or place in dryer.
5. Clean basin immediately to avoid staining.

Idea and instructions courtesy of the creative team at Martha Stewart, delivered to my inbox daily as the "Martha Stewart Craft of the Day". She also offers "Cookie of the Day" and "Organizing Tip of the Day". You should subscribe if you want to.(http://www.marthastewart.com/craft-of-the-day)

Next on my list...

This project is next on my list, AFTER I finish unpacking our house. Yes, we've moved again. And I'm so thankful. We love our new place! Hardwood, high ceilings, big bathroom, huge windows, and lots of light.

In Spokane the cafe had a basket of coffee cup cozies for sale for $8, and I really wanted one. I chose not to because I have a basket of fabric scraps sitting at home and a lonely sewing machine that has been neglected lately. I also didn't want to have to explain to Andy why I spent 8 bones on a scrap of fabric. So after things are *mostly* put away, I'm totally going to make this. I have always admired Erin's House on Hill Road blog and her amazing quilted creations. I want to get excited about sewing again, and I think this project might do it for me.

The link below will take you to House on Hill Road's post for a French Press Cozy:

http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/big-button-challenge.html

By the way. I went to Fabric Depot today on SE 122nd, and pardon my valley-girl french, but OMG. It was so overwhelming! I think it might be as big as Costco! I'm doing a special project right now and I needed some specific fabric, and unfortunately neither Bolt nor Cool Cottons had what I needed. I ventured into Fabric Depot and I emerged an hour later completely exhausted, but I got what I needed - ONE yard!

when the student surpasses the master.

My husband's hidden talent. How is it that his "Happy Birthday" cutout was so much neater and in better cursive than mine? Our mom's birthdays are within a week of each other an we decided to send them handmade cards. There he sat, for about an hour, carefully and precisely planning and cutting and snipping his card. I think I'll recruit him.

Birthdays are the Best...

What do you do when you have a ton of pretty paper and a very special friend's birthday breakfast?

Making a handmade card is one of the most enjoyable things on the planet...for both the giver and the receiver.

Making placecards are also very fulfilling...and EVERYONE likes to feel special!
And homemade ice cream pie/cake is probably the BEST thing you will ever eat. Tiff Noel's masterpiece!

Revenge of the Little Mermaid!

My friend's birthday was coming up and I wanted to make her something special, something that captured her love for the Little Mermaid but was also functional and fun. What could be better than an apron? This is the first apron I have attempted, and I don't believe I've ever swore so much in my life. I thought it would be semi-easy but it turned out to be more difficult for a sewing newbie like me - seriously, it's a big piece of fabric with 3 strips, how hard could it be?

Luckily, I had my mom to help me out with making the bias tape and reading the pattern. I bought a Little Mermaid pillow case, cut out Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder, then turned them into iron-on decals using transfer paper bought at Craft Warehouse. It was my first time using the iron-on transfer paper and accidentally put it upside down on the ironing board, so now my ironing board is covered in a shiny sheer coating that has been almost impossible to wash off, whoops! I also had a little meltdown making the pocket and time was running short before her birthday party, so I cheated and bought some Stitch Witchery to help me finish, which I will keep on hand now every time I do some sort of craft sewing. I've heard some people call that cheating but I call it a tiny miracle worker!

The little embellishments that I added at the end were to sew a little red heart button on the top left hand seam where the top strap and apron meet, and also make a ruffle with my leftover pink bias tape and attached that across the top of the apron.

The pattern I used was a Simplicity "Sew Easy" design. I think the next one I do will take me half as long because I now know what to expect. Happy Birthday, Alex!