some sewing

My nesting continues.  However, it has become necessary that it take on a more sedentary nature.  Sitting still is hard for me.  I've never been much good at it.  I'm trying to listen to my body (and the sweet baby inside) while they are asking nicely... to slow down.

My sewing machine has seen very little action lately.  It sits in my little corner, sadly collecting dust.  I thought it could use a good cleaning.  Indeed it did!

With a fresh machine, a pastry, some coffee, an ipod loaded with thought-provoking material,

even a serious sewing hair-do....who knows what can happen!?!

I hope to have some finished projects to share soon. Stay tuned.

given away

This year I really had to come to grips with the fact that I simply could not make and do what I have in years past.  It was okay really, and I learned something. Sometimes I try to do it all and do it poorly. Things are rushed, slapped together, and I don't enjoy the process.  When I am more selective with what I take on- my projects are well-finished, well-wrapped, and well-enjoyed. Am I the last one to figure this out?

 
Sugar cookies.  A quadruple batch. Precisely mixed, patiently chilled, skillfully cut out, carefully baked, kid frosted (here's where I had to do some letting go: neon colors, tons of sprinkles, less than perfect). These cookies have been a tradition in my family since I was a little girl.  Oddly, I don't really like them, but that is good because my recipe calls for at least 2 cups of butter!!

 

I like practical gifts to be pretty as well.  Last year I made natural cleaning kits for my friends.  This year, I made them Jane Market Bags. The pattern is so simple and fairly quick once you get going.  I made a few and I think the best way to go about it is to do an assembly line sort of thing.  I cut all the fabric and then I made each bag simultaneously as I moved through the steps of sewing it together.  In the front pocket I tucked in one of my favorite note pads.  A perforated menu planner/grocery list from MomAgenda.

My Mother-in-Law is the famous "lunch lady" at the high school where she lives.  For some time now she has been asking me to make her an apron.  I have gotten great use out of my Emmaline Apron so I decided to make one for her as well.  Because I was familiar with this project I was able to really take my time cutting, pinning, stitching, and pressing.  I had a decaf latte nearby and listened to my ipod. I love sewing when my brain is not puzzled by the pattern. Thank you to Alicia and Meg (creators of these patterns) for making them so simple!

We kept up with our school work for most of the week.  Anticipating a baby this Spring is great motivation for keeping up- even getting ahead a bit.  The girls have done so well to keep up.  There hasn't been much complaining. We also hosted two family dinners to celebrate Christmas.

With a Mama who scaled back her efforts, a Husband who generously filled in the gaps (big praise for being self-employed and the ability to work from home if need be), and Daughters who are growing up and able to help- really help (like cleaning the bathrooms, folding laundry, and mopping floors) we even had some time to enjoy our favorite sledding hill.

 

Laurel says, "cheers to simple things, done well, and enjoyed by all."

Camille's Annual September Birthday Bag

My friend Camille's birthday is September 7th.  Every year I make her a bag. The last bag I made her was from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing Book.  It met her needs so well (she is a busy lady!!), that I thought I would use the same pattern this year, just changing the look of it.

I used a polka-dot denim for the outside, and a striped seer-sucker for the lining.  I made a few yo-yos for the front using my handy-dandy yo-yo maker.  The pattern doesn't call for bias trim on the side and back pocket, but I added it and liked the way it looked.

This bag whips up in an afternoon.  I had just enough time to cut it, sew it, iron it, photograph it, and wrap it in 4 hours!! As I was giving it to her, I worried that it looked a bit juvenile- what with all the polka-dots, yo-yos, and all. 

Thankfully she didn't agree. She loved it.  She then went on to totally annihilate all of us in a fierce round of bowling.  I was the BIG loser, setting a shameful record with a score 57!  What?!? Too bad we weren't golfing.  Lots of laughter (mostly at my expense).  Happy Birthday Friend!