artsy-crafty babe

pleated again

Can you tell that I'm being totally inspired by spring?  It's happening!  These past couple of days we've been having gorgeous weather.  All this sunshine is doing me good.  Have you noticed that the days are getting a little longer?  It isn't complete darkness when I leave the house anymore.  Also, around here I'm starting to see some new little green leaves.  Oh, I love this time of year!

Never mind that I have another stack of "short & sassy" pleated bags half way assembled, last night I decided to make a pleated wristlet.  I've made them before, but I was never completely in love with the design.  But this one, this one I love!  I'm not particularly a wristlet user, but I want to use one of these.  It's just so cute I can't stop looking at it!  Y'all are gonna think I'm silly, but I brought it to work with me today so that I could critique look at it.  Once I get this batch of bags made, I have a feeling that a batch of pleated wristlets will be on the way.

I'm having so much fun putting all these springy fabrics together - I can't stand it!

bouton de fleurs

Happy, cheery button flowers :) Ooo la la, these little guys are so fun to make!

My last crop is just about gone, so it was time to replinish.  I work on these at night while watching trash TV.  This is the perfect project for that.

These make cute little gifts and are the perfect addition to my purse orders.  With Easter and Mother's Day on the horizon I figure I had better get busy on them now.  You know how it goes, you blink and a month has passed...

P.S. I'm pretty sure these little pretties quickly transitioned me from February Funk to Spring Fever! Yep, spring is happening all around me - thank goodness!!!! 

Yum

When I saw the guy selling  Louisiana Berries on the side of the road, I couldn't resist.  I bought half a flat. 

I've already eaten a pint all by myself.  I don't think these will last too long in this house.

buttons

Months ago I won a big lot of vintage buttons on ebay.  When they arrived, I was quite disappointed in what I had won.  I quickly went through them, throwing the more interesting ones in a pile.

This morning I finally took a look at the interesting ones.  They were filthy.

As I soaked and gently scrubbed them, I discovered that I had some real jewels.  Some of these old buttons are stunning.  I wonder what garments they once adorned?

Now that they're all cleaned up, I need to come up with something to do with them.  I'm sure I'll figure something out...

obsessing

Do you ever obsess over the little things?  Work yourself up into a frenzy about something that no one will probably notice?  I do.  Often.  I'm doing that now.  It usually happens with bags that I'm going to list on etsy. 

I'm not going to mention my funk again, but I've been trying to keep my spirits up by focusing in on some craft projects (in pretty colors).  It's been helping.  The other night I was almost blissful as I was sewing along on my latest batch of bags, so pleased with how everything was coming together so nicely - all my seams met, there were no puckers - I love when that happens.  I was starting to think that I was something!

But then last night I finished 3 of my bags.  That final topstitch got me.  It just didn't come out as perfect as I thought it should be.  I pressed and steamed, but it still didn't look *perfect*.  So, I was bummed.  And I started obsessing about how to get that top edge of my bags PERFECT.  All morning I've been reconstructing and deconstructing in my mind how I could do things differently.  I've been looking on etsy and flickr, examining other bags, looking closely at their top edges.  And you know what?  Not many of those are perfect.  Theirs looked just like mine, but theirs didn't bother me one bit.  I didn't see theirs as an imperfection, I saw it as 'that's how handmade fabric bags look'.  *sigh*  I need to get over myself.  Hopefully I won't obsess too much and these three bags will make it into the shop this weekend.

P.S. The sunshine came out this afternoon, now those obsessions don't seem like such a big deal.  Yeah, these bags are just fine.  Happy Weekend :-)

just hangin'

::working on a school project

::making lily pads out of the sofa cushions

We ordered take out, so there were no dirty dishes.  Yes, it has been a good night.

uninspired, sort of

I haven't been uninspired to create, but I have been uninspired to take photos, blog, and answer email. What's up with that? Just last week I deleted over 300 messages, and now I'm already back over 100. I feel bad deleting, really I do. I'd love to respond to every one of them (most are your lovely comments), thanking you for your kind words, but there isn't enough time in the day.  Having said that, if you asked me something, please email me again, I promise I'll answer!! 

I don't know why I'm not in the mood to take photos.  I was really getting into it, participating in a 365 self portrait challenge, but that has fallen by the wayside.  I just don't feel like it anymore.  Maybe I'll pick it back up with a 52 weeks challenge.  Right now that sounds much more manageable, or maybe I'll just turn it into a 365 anything goes challenge.  Yeah, I've got it together...

Since Monday I've been trying to come up with something to blog about.  I think this may be one of the first time I've had blogger's block (is that what it's called?).  I've not come up with anything interesting, so I just decided to pick up the camera and take a few photos of the things that have been keeping me busy and blather on about nothing.

Even though I haven't been feeling "right", I have accomplished the major feat of having all my laundry washed, folded, and put away, I am all caught up on the dishes, the house is fairly neat, AND I've been sewing for at least an hour every night.  What???  Where is the Beki I used to know?  Oh wait, take a look at that sewing room...

One more random tidbit - I think people use the word amazing too much.  If you've made it this far, I think you're amazing.

**more buttons

**the easter egg themed short & sassy pleated bags

**my messy sewing room

on the mend

Sorry to have disappeared for a bit, but I haven't felt much like blogging.  I blame it on the winter funk and the lingering illness that's been plaguing my little family.  On Friday afternoon I finally drug my stubborn butt to the Dr's office (after much persuading) to get some help.  I really didn't want to spend another weekend sick.  Turns out I really was sick (in my mind I thought the Dr. would laugh at me and tell me that it was all in my head).  He gave me some antibiotics, prednisone, and a good cough medicine.  After about 24 hours I felt better than I had in weeks!  Now I wish I had gone weeks ago when this all started.  Lesson learned.

Saturday was a fabulous day.  We had wonderful weather.  Lily and I were able to get out for some girl time.  We grabbed lunch at a deli then hit Anthropologie and a few other cool stores that recently opened up.  It was nice spending time with her, she's growing up so fast.

We spent the rest of the weekend just handing out, playing in the yard.  Lily finally learned to ride her bike without training wheels, so that's all she wants to do now.  Too bad we live on a busy street with crazy drivers and no sidewalks.

And look, pigtails!  Little Ava's hair is finally long enough to do something with it.  Now if only she'd leave them alone and not pull them out!!

Sunday I got a little time to myself to sew and this is what I came up with.  I have no idea what version this is, but I feel like I've beaten the "pleated" style to death!  But I don't care, I like it.  I have this one listed in the shop, if you're interested.  Being inspired by spring, I cut out a bunch more (well, 4) in this style - they look like bunch of easter eggs.  I'm hoping to have them finished and in the shop by next weekend.

Happy Monday!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope your day is filled with lots of love, smooches, and chocolate!!!

Above are the Valentines we made for Sarah's swap.  I think they all turned out great, but Alex's cracks me up - his is the one on the far left.  I cut out the heart and he did the rest.  I love his explanation - "this guy is bouncing with three pickles in his hands".  I love that kid!! 

Lily made the two at the top, Ava decorated the one in the middle, and I made the one on the right.  It was fun, I only wish that we were all well enough to make more. Hopefully next year we won't be sick and will be up to making many more! 

3835

I'm probably the last person on the planet to make this top, but here it is.  I chose to make the view c top, with the view a sleeves and the ties.  I also added in the back darts to take up some of the body fullness.  Of course I didn't make it as is, I scooped out the neck a little bit because I think this looks better on me.  As I was making this top, I have to be honest, I was NOT liking it.  I think the fabric had everything to do with it.  I made it using some cheap fabric I'm not crazy about because I was afraid of waisting my good fabric on a flop.  I think it's a keeper.  Next time, I plan to use some fabric that I'm in love with!