Weekend Crafting

I know it's only Labor Day afternoon, but I think my major craft projects for the weekend are done.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a whole lot done, because Nick's dad was visiting for a few days, limiting my time in the sewing room; fortunately, I still had time to sew!  And I picked up a new hobby along the way!

Yesterday I bought this purse from Target.  I've talked about this before, how I'm not really a bag lady, and I tend to use the same purses and bags until they literally fall apart.  My parents bought me the purse I use now two years ago for my birthday, and it is still in really good shape, despite being my go-to bag.  But something about this little guy called my name--maybe it was the fox?  Or the color?--and I stuck it in the cart.  Of course, this meant that my red wallet, which matches my current purse, would have to be replaced.

I bought the Straight Stitch Society Have it All wallet pattern last spring but never used it.  I don't know why not--it's so easy!  I cut it out and sewed it in about two hours, minus a break to run to Joann for fasteners (where are my fasteners?!).

I used two prints from Koi by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cloud9.  I also bought the It's a Plus print in voile, intending to make this scarf.  I'm wondering if it might be too much?  I love infinity scarves, and I love voile, but is it appropriate for fall?  What do you guys think?

Two things I screwed up: I banged on the spool of thread (following Dritz's directions!) too hard when securing the fastener, so the pearl side is shatterd; and my accordion pocket isn't centered.  It doesn't really affect anything, it just bothers my OCD...but not enough to fix it.

The new hobby I picked up is cross-stitching!  And dare I say it, I like it more than embroidery!  My sewing buddy Elizabeth cross-stitches and has mentioned her Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery samplers a few times (I'm familiar with the Pumpkins and love their designs.  I'm a slave to cute).  I finally decided to cave and subscribe to a sampler!  I signed up for the Halloween sampler, which starts next week on the 9th.  However, it wasn't until this weekend that I picked up supplies, as floss was $.25 at Joann and I had crazy coupons.  (Side note: did you know you can't combine coupons at Joann anymore?  This is madness.)

Before diving into the sampler border, which I need to start on!, I stitched up a cute lil' guy to frame and hang for the season:

I have one other fall-related pattern to stitch as well!  But I should probably get going on that sampler...

Finally, Elizabeth again had a great idea and suggested I make a quilt for our guest room using the new line by Leah Duncan, Tule.  I love Leah's work and bought her first line, Maya, last year.  I am also in love with her prints and asked for a couple from my brother for my birthday.  I wanted to originally buy the prints for the guest room, but wasn't sure how to tie it all in, until Elizabeth suggested the quilt!  I have it all planned out, and purchased seven coordinating solids to accompany the 20 prints in the line:

The solids should be here tomorrow, so I'll need to slice those up as well.  I'm really excited about it!  There's something about a new project, using materials you love.  It's hard to concentrate on anything else!

How was your labor day?  What'd you sew?

A Tova For Market

Last week, Michelle Engel-Bencsko from Cloud9 Fabrics  asked on Twitter if anyone had time to make her a Tova for Quilt Market (this week!).  I thought it'd be fun, but also realized there are way more talented sewers out there who would jump at the chance.  Then. about 30 minutes later, I saw the same question pop up on the Cloud9 Facebook page.  I took it as a sign and emailed her about it.

Michelle still needed someone (yay!) and she would provide the fabric from her new Simpatico line, which hasn't yet started shipping.  She would need it in New Jersey by May 15th.  I thought, sure, I can do that!  Honestly, I was so excited to sew with new, unreleased fabric and to sew for someone who is huge in the sewing community.  I use a lot of Cloud9 Fabrics and love them, so this was a dream.

I prewashed and cut the fabric last Thursday.  I knew I wanted to have it shipped by Friday, and because I work from home on Fridays, this wouldn't ordinarily be a problem, so I planned to start sewing it soon after getting up.  However, I didn't realize Friday would be such a busy work day--there were so many emails coming in and so much to take care of!  I would check email, reply with whatever was needed, sew until I hear the Outlook notification go off again, and repeat...all day.  And because Nicholas bought a new turntable and amp that were holding the kitchen table hostage, I worked from the floor of my dining room all day.  I think my thigh muscles are officially toned from all the squatting I did.

But it paid off!  I finished it Friday afternoon, showered, and ran up to the Post Office to ship it.  However, I hardly had time to take pictures.  I took only one two email to Michelle and let her know it was on its way and I wasn't making off with the fabric.

If you ever feel like stressing yourself out, just offer to sew something for Quilt Market!  I kept thinking, the thousands of people who see it aren't everyday folks--they sew and they know what a Tova's supposed to look like, so this better be good!  I'm already a ball of nerves for no reason everyday, so adding that thought on top of everything else just made me nauseous.

However, despite my anxiety, I had a good time with it!  It's fun to know that something I made will be on display at such a large tradeshow.  I've never been able to say that before!  I hope Michelle likes it too.  

(PS, I promise the hem is even.  That picture looks ridiculous.)

Friday Friday

Man, still no followers.  I'm getting a little discouraged over here.

This Friday has dragged.  If I could manually stretch out the letters there, I would.  I feel like I've been at work forever.  It's probably only because Jake and Kali are en route to BWI as I type, so I'm naturally a little anxious, but there's no need to really rush home because it'll take another hour from the airport to my apartment, and by then I'll be home even if I leave late.  Which I won't.

I'll keep it light, because I'd like to get back to my blogs, but also because I accidentally took a picture of myself on my phone with flash and I'm temporarily blind.

• I bought these fabrics today:

Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 Collection Lattice and Cloud9's Naturewalk Collection.  Both are from Hawthorne Threads, which I love.  It bums me out that DC's seriously lacking in the fabric store department (StitchDC will never see my pretty little face again) but then I remember that I have great online fabric stores to sift through until I'm back home in the textile-rich South.

• Is anyone else dying to get out of town?  I think the cold snap has given me cabin fever.  Too bad gas is practically the price of gold or I'd hoof it to Philly or Charlottesville for the weekend.
• I can't sew again until the middle of next week because of the wonderful visit.  I love Jake and Kali; please don't get me wrong!  But I miss my sewing.
• I think I've eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every single day this week.  I'm eleven.

So that's that.  I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend, and I'll see everyone on Tuesday!