My sweet boy, I love you so much

Garden Girl

My camera batteries were zapped so I grabbed my phone to capture pie-pie out in the garden a couple weeks ago. She set out our planting grid and put most of our seeds in all by herself. She has become so vested in the results that the appearance of little slugs has motivated her to catch and smash them herself. We are off today to get some animal and kid safe pesticide or barrier method to protect our plants long-term.

Also on our list today is a quick trip (is there ever one) to the fabric store to retrieve more paint-by-number fabric, ribbon and zippers. More sewing sewing sewing too!

Housecleaning, cat cuddling, bill paying (ugh) and then maybe some time to play.

Sugared Fruit is up!

My handbags are now almost all done and up for viewing on their own site: Sugared Fruit. I am really excited to have sold two already and hope to have the others fly off the shelf (or out of the feline-protected box they in for safe-keeping)! I am still contemplating Etsy . . . there are so many purses for sale up there. I'll check out last Thursday this week to see if that would be a go, and there is a art/craft sale happening every Sunday this summer downtown but I'm not sure this is my crowd or venue. Or maybe I'll get really tired of sewing bags by then and be too busy playing in the sun . . .

Slough, Snails and Sewing

I haven't posted for a bit, by the end of the day I am exhausted and excited all at the same time and I can't keep up with all the ideas swirling in my head. A couple of exciting moments: Eagles. Phillip and I saw two eagles at the "slough" last week. It was pretty amazing. We are sure there was an adult and a juvenile. There was some mock fighting occurring between the two as they soared above us, dove, flew away and then circled around again to sit in the trees along the banks. These moments along with others, like the time we saw a beaver, walks with Piehead, and the endless sightings of heron, make living so far north worth it. The slough, along with Smith and Bybee lakes a bit further, are great places for a short or longer bike or hike into nature.

Speaking of Smith and Bybee Lakes, we were there over the weekend where we saw a pretty neat snail on the trail. Phillip has the pics, I'll snag one soon to add to the post. I was a bit worried Slopee (he had to be named!) would be crushed by a shoe but have been reassured that despite being a snail he was pretty fast.

Sewing. Sewing sewing sewing. I haven't time to crochet I am too busy sewing! I have decided to dive into making purses to sell, or at least 8 or so to start. Piehead caught the bug too. She was pretty adamant regarding the independence she now had and was soon listing of all the items she wanted to make! Hmmm. . . Maybe she should have this machine and I'll get a new one . . . One of may things to be determined from my purse experiment along with the need for a larger cutting mat.

Then there is professional organizing. I am officially starting the journey I figure will take at least 2 years to get to where I want to be with the profession. My goal is to have some jobs (albeit some for free) under my belt by the end of the year, part-time client work by this time next year, full time in 2 years. Will I still be organized by then though?

Paint by numbers, sewing in circles

I had been waiting for this fabric to show up some day. I knew it would make the perfect bag. I used Amy Butler's swing bag as a start. The pattern gave me good idea of yardage requirements and in what order to assemble the pieces. I altered the pattern in several ways: added 2 inches to the width and depth, added a zipper insert and a row of pockets for sunglasses, phone, pencils, etc. In total it took about 4 hours, spread over two days to finish. I am glad I spread the sewing over two days, the zipper insert had me stumped. A phone call from Phillip was the needed interruption to get me to stop before I winged it. After some quick research I found a super-helpful tutorial at Creative Little Daisy. Patience paid off and if anything has helped my sewing it has been the practice of taking my time!
I am super pleased with the results and have received many compliments and inquiries. At open knit night I was asked to make one for purchase. I had been turning the idea around in my head for quite some time. I jump forward pretty quick to money, profit, time? How much would it take? Would they sell? Where? Considering smaller steps, I could make half a dozen and try my luck at Last Thursday. Wisely put by a knitter- "You wouldn't pay $65 for the bag because you can make one AND enjoy the process. People out there have the money and will spend it." Hmm, I need to muddle this more, or maybe I muddle to much- mucho muddle.

Orange Russian Ballet

Astrid had been on the table in the craft room just standing there for quite some time, standing there in need of a new dress and 'do. Sunday was her day. I did a no pattern, no planning dress for her from some scraps and orange ribbon. I covered my goofs with sparkly beads on the bodice. The background is a promotional poster for the Russian Ballet. I'll get more details, date, place, etc, the book is out of reach. She enjoyed the attention and is ready for Spring!

Yarn!

I got yarn! After a hazy-brain morning with a bit of a hangover I went out Saturday afternoon to run some errands and get my yarn on so to speak. I chose these lovely colors:





Here is a close-up of one of the pillows in my living room I used as a starting point for my palette. I wanted the lovely dark blue and a lighter blue to mix with a chocolaty brown. Orange has been a favorite color of late along with green which I could not get to work with this mix at all.







After Close Knit I had to pop over to Bolt to look at purse patterns and some fabric for one. After organizing my craft room at the beginning of the year I stated that I could buy fabric for a purse. The problem is I saw lots of fabric for skirts and dresses too! I chose this Moda piant-by-number bird design for one side of the purse and a strip pattern for the reversible side. I decided on Amy Butler's Swing Bag for the pattern. I might increase the size by a couple 2" to get more room for my stuff.







Speaking of stuff there was the neatest mini-softie book I came across called the Cute Book by Aranzi Aronzo. Amazon

Not just a book on making adorable softies, it also has pretty wacky humor included throughout and some of the wall creatures to create.