artsy-crafty babe

glamor girl

My little imp is into something new...my make-up.  Ever since her dance pictures last weekend, I can't keep her out of my make-up bag.  Her favorite thing is lipstick, of course.  She likes to wear it on her lips AND her eyes (well, only one of them this time).  I really shouldn't complain, I'll take lipstick over scissors any day!!

moving on...what's in the works

Sorry, I can't leave that negativity hanging out there as the first post you read on my blog, so lets look at something pretty, shall we? 

I've been working on a new pattern.  Well, revisiting is more like it.  Last summer I made 2 new patterns, but for some reason I got them both near completion then didn't do a thing with them.  Why?  Who knows!  I even got as far as making a sample for the cover image.  Yes, I'm a dork.  When I revently opened the files I was surprised at how close to competion they were - one was actually done.  Anyway, I've been working on tweaks and making new samples.

I'm kind of in love with that yellow.  Yes, it is a thrift store sheet score.  LOVE it.  See that pretty vintage pillowcase there?  I've been thinking of using it as the base of a mini-quilt.  Something with my hand stitched applique.  I had to throw the yellow in, just to see.

Speaking of that applique, I'm still quite involved.   Another butterfly in the works (on my fav yellow print!).  I haven't lost my love of hand sewing and vintage sheets just yet.  In fact, I seem to be seeking out projects to make with them.  Fabric roses?  Of course!

With all these 'in the works' projects going on, I'm sure I'll have something completed to show you soon :) 

 

stealing is BAD

 

It's really REALLY annoying when you do something nice and someone takes advantage of you.  I learned earlier today that someone is selling my FREE Phoebe bag download on their website.  Yes, selling my pattern.  Which is already free. To say I'm pissed about it is an understatement.  I just don't understand how these people think they can get away with something like that?  I've already emailed them with no response.  I suppose I can complain to blogger - you can too, if you'd like. 

I'm not the only one.  Go check if out for yourself: http://lacreationdujour.blogspot.com/p/grilles-broderie-1-euro.html

Pretty disgusting, eh?

If you translate what they have on the sidebar is says something to the effect of their getting patterns from all over the world and if you want to know who the designers are then send them am email.  WTH?  They seem to have translated the directions in the patterns to French, but no matter, I state clearly that my patterns are not to be altered.  In my book, translating and republishing is altering.  Of course this is above and beyond the fact that they are STEALING.

 

Thanks to all of you who emailed me to let me know.  I"m glad that y'all have my back :)

**Update - the site has been taken down and the owner emailed me offering to pay for the patterns that were sold.

hooray for the weekend!

Can I tell you how happy I am to not think about work this weekend?  After having spent two Fridays in a row at the office until the wee hours of the morning, I appreciate being able to go home during rush hour traffic with the rest of the working folk.  Well the rush hour traffic does suck, but it’s better than being at work on a Friday evening, that’s for sure!!  (I'm sure the man up there is glad to have me help out with the kids, too!)

Got any fun plans this weekend?  We’re up to the usual -  kid sports practices and games with dance photos thrown in for some extra flavor.  The weather has been so nice lately, I wish we were able to do something fun (I’m probably the only one in the family who thinks these events are NOT fun – ha!), like take a trip to the zoo or something.  We do have Saturday afternoon free, so maybe we’ll fit something in.  Or maybe we’ll just throw something on the grill and hang in the backyard, which I’m totally fine with.  Alex has requested some board game playing, so I’m sure we’ll find some time for that. 

Something I really want to do this weekend is paint with the kids.  You know, go out in the backyard with some canvases and paint then let them go to town!  It's been a while since we've done that.  Our family art gallery wall is in need of some new additions, or maybe they can just make something for their rooms.  I think I may even get in on the action. 

If our painting adventure doesn't take shape, I'll settle for a bit of time in my sewing studio. It's a bit of a mess right now.  

I really need to tackle that stack of stuff on my table.  I spy some linens that need to be put back in their place, some bag parts, and a dress that has been cut out.  Hmm, that seems like a lot to accomplish, maybe I'll just take a nap.  Weekends - gotta love 'em!

blooming bags

Little by little…over the past month or so I’ve been working on these bags.  A little appliqué here, some stitching there, picking out the colorful floral prints to mix and match.  I love this kind of process, really. 

 
My in-progress appliqué and bag of scraps have been my constant companion.  I had to stop myself from making any more appliqués before I got too ahead of myself.  I tend to go a bit overboard when I first fall in love with a project. 

 
I chose to turn these blooms into bags – two in the new style that I’ve been working on and another in a modified Nanette tote.  They’re super soft and comfy, they type of bag you want to grab on your way out the door to hold something good to read, your wallet, your water bottle, and maybe a little knitting project.  I’ve been using my butterfly bag for just that – a supplement to my purse for the fun stuff. 

 
And really, can you not think about spring with all these pretty floral prints?  This time of year all I want to create with are these vintage beauties!  I’ve had a few requests for some dresses from my girlies, so that may be next on my agenda.  We’ll see… 

If you're interested, these are available in my shop.

 

trading needles for a hook

My crafty ADD strikes again!  I suppose my reacquaintance with the needles opened the door for all things yarn related, or maybe it was my desire to finish my many works-in-progress.  No matter the cause, I picked up my crochet hook this weekend. 

It’s not quite done, but I can wear it now if I choose.  Remember when I started this?  It was only 5 months ago, but at the time I was in a crochet frenzy, up to my eyeballs in granny squares and flowers.  I decided to take on the task of adding a simple crochet border to a plain navy cardigan.  I got about half way through it, then put it aside.

This sad thing has been sitting on my bedside table for months.  Only after looking for my navy cardigan half a dozen times did I remember that this was THE cardigan.

After completing the trim I thought that it still needed something, so I pulled out my copy of Crochet Adorned and saw a top with a similar detail – perfect!  More trim was started. 

I’m still not completely sure how I’ll do it, but I think I’ll figure it out.  Hmm, maybe some of those flowers might come in handy?

back on the needles

Last week I had the urge to knit. Just like that, I wanted to KNIT! I thought it would be best if I finished one of my many (too many!) WIP's. I pulled out a summer weight Featherweight cardigan I started last summer (never finished the sleeves) only to discover that it had a hole on it. I'm pretty sure a certain little dog is to blame....grrrr. The hole reminded me of yet another sweater that she got a hold of - my Deep Breath from a few years ago.

Not really feeling the pink of the first sweater, I decided to rip out the second one, and untangle the two unused balls of yarn that the little dog also made a mess of.  My goodness, that took most of my Sunday.

And now here I am with yet another Featherweight cardigan on the needles.  What can I say?  I like the pattern and I'm always up for an easy knit.  Ideally I'd like to make one in a gold color like on the pattern, but I haven't found the yarn yet.  Until them, I'll be busy on this one...gotta keep my hands busy!

wheeee!!

I've got lessons to learn from this girl.  Joy, pure joy.

hello weekend

Hooray, the weekend is here!   It has taken me until Saturday afternoon to squeeze out a 'hooray', but I'm glad you're here.  

This weekend started off shaky with my having to stay at the office until the wee hours of the morning, but that is behind me now (and I'm choosing not to think about next weekend which promises to be much of the same).

It's hard to not let these occurrences put me in a funk, but I'm determined to get over it. After moping around much of the morning, I pulled out my camera and took a walk around my yard.

Hello happy broccoli!  Can you believe I grew that?  I'm always amazed when things grow from seeds.

I see that my zinnias are starting to sprout.  Right after I planted those we had a huge downpour, so I didn't have much hope.  The zinnias seem to have fared better than my other plantings.

I'm not sure what that is coming up in those pots.  Time will tell!

Perhaps I need to park myself right here next to this patch of clover.  Lucky four-leaf, where are you?  I sure could use you right about now!

Happy weekend friends!

*this post was brought to you by the color green - i didn't plan that, promise

butterfly bag

Here she is, my finished butterfly bag.  After making Allyson’s bag I of course had to make one for myself!  Just like the others, the appliqué is hand sewn onto a layer of vintage sheet and muslin with the lining made up of the same.  Gosh, I love how this feels! 

I must say, I’ve really gotten the hang of cutting up my sheet stash.  I don’t know what took me so long!  All I can think about now are things to make with those lovely, colorful linens.  I think Spring brings it out in me.  Now that a few bags have been made, I’m thinking that some of these appliqués might me nice made into a mini quilt or two, don’t you think?  They’d also be nice as pillows, but I have no need for any more pillows in this house. And then there are dresses....

With the warmer weather I’ve been thinking about dresses for Miss Ava.  She’s turning 5 in a few months, so I’m assuming that my window on making her sweet dresses is closing. No, not just yet, but I don’t think there will be many more years of her wanting mama made dresses.  The time now is golden, so I had better take advantage of it! 

While I was planning out the butterfly bag, I decided to play around with a new bag design.  It’s somewhat based on my first ever pattern, the Lily Beth, but different.  I like it so far, but there are still tweaks to make, like it might be just a tad too tall, and I’d like to see how it looks with a one strap option.  Hmmm…wanna know a secret?  The tweaking is my favorite part.  Maybe that’s why I can’t leave things alone.  Even after I publish a pattern I’ll go back and make changes to it when I make one for myself.  Or maybe I just have a problem coloring within the lines – ha!!!