New Projects Coming...

A lovely new years holiday and a good start to another year of creating... I made my own Anna Maria version of The Wasp Bag. I wrestled with this bag a bit, and it took me longer than I liked - but that was partially due to a little less than enough fabric and wanting it my way ANYWAYS... so I did some piecing to use as much of this half yard of fabric (which was a lovely christmas present) as I could. Hooray!


So what comes next on my list? I've some other brand new Anna Maria cotton voile I was given for Christmas I can't wait to use - they're intended for some delves farther into clothing - a dress (using a new colette pattern - Chantilly!), a blouse, we'll see what else. I hope to start making more clothing, and to learn to construct it in a more solid way.


Which brings me to mentioning a giveaway over at Progressive Pioneer... Magpie Patterns is offering a $50 gift certificate to be used towards books, patterns, anything in their shop! If you link over, check out the last picture on the right - That's another Colette pattern I've been eyeing :) Magpie is a great shop too - I have several of the books that they stock and see several I'd like to have. Not to mention that I can't wait until it's time to start stocking up those great Oliver + S patterns... no, not an announcement, just pure excitement for our hopeful future.

Hooray for a whole new year to be filled with life!

everyone loves a good before and after

Our apartment is lovely, and just the right amount of space for us at the moment, but living organized in a small space is tough. Our kitchen was seriously lacking in storage and we'd been on the Craig's List hunt for weeks when we found this amazing vintage drawer cabinet. It's a little smaller than we originally wanted, but has tons of character and will be useful in the future.

(I lined the drawers by decoupage with patterned amy butler paper)

(during the registry process I thought a popcorn machine was an unsightly, unused, space wasting machine - but we use it a few times a week! yummy!)

productivity

The delivery man brought me a present early this morning... the order from paper source! It was only ordered on Sunday... fastest shipping ever! The envelopes for our invites were on sale, so now they're stocked up and waiting to be turned into a lovely package!

I got a lot done today, even a couple wedding projects under way...

22 inch squares for center of table -
To do: 23
Done: 2

9' table runner for our buffet table - DONE!

Now I just have to wait for the lovely package of fabric that is headed my way from fabric supplies etsy shop. They were kind enough to sell me a few fabrics in my 1.25 yard increment and I'm so excited about what they had. Fantastic prices too- on the fabric and on the shipping... I'll be watching their page.

For my dear family... my big interview is now on Friday at 11am! I wish it had been today... the weather here didn't end up as bad as they weathermen made it out to sound. I also got a call today about a temp position as a staff accountant for 4 to 6 weeks so they're presenting my resume for that. I'll update when I know more...

as it were...

I've discovered that I managed to leave the cord that blends the world between my camera and computer in Atlanta. So, until it finds it's way into an envelope and weathers the trail betwixt an old home and new, I'll have to make due with my macbook's photobooth.

I present to you, a christmas gift...


She is beautiful, is she not!? My dear boy managed to conspire with my family and make her mine.; I couldn't thank them more! She hums... oh, she hums. A fantastic machine, I will treat her well and give her plenty to do!

My first project came but a day into our relationship... I made a day-after-christmas trip to Joann Fabric near my grandparent's house and picked up a few goodies. Pictures will come... but not yet! I need to finish up and ship off before I can let the cat out of the bag.

A project you CAN see... I'll be making 21'' squares for the middle of the round tables for the wedding reception (why 21'' you say? Because I can make 4 squares per every 1.25 yards of fabric that way, most fabrics being 44 or 45 inches wide that is, and I can justify the project knowing that It will only take 10 yards or so). They're 66'' rounds, and will have 120'' ivory table cloths. I wanted something to add a little color and after realizing that making 200+ napkins was out of the question, I settled for 25 squares for the center of each table.

I'll be looking for fun fabrics to use, and the exciting part is when it's all over, I can still use the fabric for other exciting projects! 2 for 1 bonus! I've been swooning over this "wedding ring" quilt (an adaptation of the color wheel quilt in the book Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts) that another bride made using the napkins that she made for her own wedding. So here, you can sneak a peek at my first square, donned with decorative stitch (have I mentioned my new sewing machine?), and below it a picture of the quilt which has stolen my heart!

Enjoy :)

(source: the purl bee)

the old college try

I'm a bad blogger. There, I said it. I spend free time pouring over other people's crafty blogs imagining that I have the patience to write about my own endeavors. I even started this particular blog last year with those intentions.

I get distracted. I used to write in response to all sort of activities... it made them feel more whole, having the chance to sit and reflect, to tell the story of how they affected me. Perhaps making the time to think and write on these things will become a sort of centering, to keep me mindful of what it is I'm doing, of all the implications that come along with participating in the nature of creation.

I've just moved across the country (vertically). My immediate and extended family who I've been near and close to since the day I was born are all (nearly) in Atlanta, GA. I've just moved to be with my fiance and in-laws-to-be. How in the world do I keep up on the sharing of my life, my crafts, my loves of nature and beauty? I call them of course (and beg them to visit)... but I also urge myself to give time to this. A place where they can come to see what I am working on or dreaming up.

I've finally a solid reason to keep myself at this. Years ago, blogging felt selfish or at the very least, arrogant (who am I that the whole world would want to read what I have to say). More recently blogging became an amazing collaboration of admirable, crafty, thrifty, creative people who I can admire and gain inspiration from. And now, now blogging is even more, it is a chance to root myself, reflect on myself, and connect with those who helped to mould myself.

Bonus: I always forget how much I love to write... this will come in handy as I begin my career as an accountant crunching numbers five days of the week.

Once I uncover the cord to my camera... a peek at a christmas present and projects of all sorts. For now, I leave you with a picture of my very first, made from scratch, gluten free, chocolate banana bread!