I finished this quilt on Monday night… finally!

It has been a pain trying to get a picture of it because the sun hasn’t come out since I can’t remember when, and it doesn’t look like it intends to until next week. Sorry the picture is so dark, I had to try and photograph it anyway. I might set up more lights and try to get some detail shots later… or not. I haven’t been very motivated lately to do all that extra stuff. Anyway….

My son saw it sitting folded on the back of the of the sofa in my studio. I hadn’t realized how much he was picking up being a new reader and reading everything he can get his hands on, but here is the evidence. As he ran his hands over the new quilt, this conversation ensued:

Boy: Did you finish this?

Me: Yes, I made a new quilt!

Boy: Cool! Made in the S______’s house…. NOT made in China!

I found this bag at the Goodwill. I immediately picked it up, because I loved it, but it was funny because I couldn’t figure out why I thought it was so great. I have no other explanation for why I like this bag, except that it makes my heart happy and it makes me smile. I love it!

Here is a close up of that wonderful texture and patterned fabric. It was in absolutely pristine condition until my son insisted on carrying it to the car for me on the wet and soggy day that we happened to be out. I am not sure how many cars he rubbed the dirt off of with it, but it still looks good. I plan to use it and get it dirty anyway!

I got it home and explained to the man that I wasn’t exactly sure why I liked it so much. He took one look at it and said, “Because it’s funky!” Oh, yeah. Man what would I do without him to explain myself to me!

We have needed a new toiletries bag for a while now. I keep using a giant ziploc bag since I had not gotten around to making one yet. But this bag inspired me and so I made this:

It was the first time I used iron on vinyl (which I lined the inside with)… I am not sure I even knew it existed until I found it on clearance for 70% off. But I think I will use some when I start making more lunch bags. I cut the applique out of another sweet corduroy fabric that I am dying to use for something. Oh, if I the world would just stop so I could tinker in the studio.

I also lined it with this calico that my mom passed on to me from my great aunt. She gave me a whole stack of solids (which is what is missing from my stash) and this print. It went perfectly with the thrifted orange velour and leftover binding that I used.

So, this toiletries bag will work for us, but it could use a little tweaking before I could make a pattern that would be useful to anyone else. The zipper is too small… that is what I get for using a thrifted zipper instead of choosing one that was appropriate for this project. I also ended up having to rip out a lot of seams, since I tried to put on the binding the easy way, and it didn’t work! So a lot of seam ripping and hand sewing later, I am all ready to go with no place to go, and truth be told no inclination to go anywhere at the moment anyway! So it will be here waiting until the time is right.

So I decided to post something that is actually finished. I finished this quilt about 18 months ago… but it took about 7 years to complete it.

I like the stripes in different sizes, but the effect would have been better if I didn’t do some strange experimentation right in the middle. Oh, well… live and learn. The other thing I learned is that when it takes 7 years to complete, it is a pretty good bet that you won’t even like the fabric you bought when you started. It makes it a little hard to feel motivated to complete it, but I didn’t want to put it in a closet for another generation to finish. Though, like this talented woman, I wouldn’t mind if something my grandmother started, suddenly showed up for me to complete!

Homeschooling the first grader is actually going pretty well, besides adjusting my schedule and learning (once again) to reduce my expectations of what I can actually accomplish with my own work time. So I am trying to slow down and try to enjoy the mundane things in life. It is hard. I get most of my kicks from making (completing) things… and there isn’t as much time, brain power, or motivation left to actually do that. But, I do get to play lots of games, like the Dinosaur game (encourages reading and there is a little science in there, too), and Five-State Rummy (ooh, fun… social studies, reading, AND geography!) The great thing about first grade is that someone else already taught him the basics of nearly every subject. The kid just absorbs information and I love that he can watch a video about rocks and minerals, and the next morning while reading the cereal box, make the connection between minerals from the video and the “vitamins and minerals” that are in his cereal. It starts an avalanche of questions about how it all works and which minerals, and all I can say is: Thank heavens for Google!!! It’s a life saver… good grief, I can’t remember all that stuff off the top of my head. I wish I was a walking encyclopedia (and so does my son) but I’m not. So then I take a minute to record it on a Lesson Record form that I created and keep handy, and drop it in the file of proof that this kid (and his mother) are getting educated! And after being quite a little stinker this summer, he has gone back to being his sweet self when he is home. It is only when his sister gets home from school that he turns back into that boy that makes me crazy! Hmmm, we might need to crack down on some of that sibling rivalry.

Big projects don’t lend themselves to frequent posting.

I am just starting on the binding… FINALLY! My sister asked me to help make her a quilt a year and a half ago. She was getting tired of the bedspread she had, but still liked the fabric. So we livened things up with some deep red and added a few other elements by using similar styles of cloth napkins purchased from Ten Thousand Villages. This project all started before she was dating her now husband of ten months. It is funny to think back to the little debate we had about whether to make it twin size or big enough for a double bed. Little did she know she was about to be swept of her feet. So I guess that procrastinating can be good sometimes. I was able to add a little to the edges and turn it into a queen size. And I am hoping to get it finished very soon… soon enough for them to take with them when they move into there little cabin in the woods sometime in the next few weeks.

I was so glad to get this done last night so that the girl could take her new lunch bag to school today, too! I was amazed at how relaxing it was to just work without thinking, since I had already developed the pattern (in my head) for the first lunch bag.

I realized I don’t have as many colored buttons as I would like. Hmmm, must do something about that!

Ok, and my daughter paid me the ultimate compliment today when she said she wanted to be an “ARTIST” when she grew up…. just like me! Wow, me? an artist? I guess having started out my adult life as an art major has made me just jaded enough to feel like the title of “artist” is not one that a person can just claim. For some odd reason, I have this notion that it is a title that others have to choose to bestow upon an individual. I guess it comes from having encountered too many self proclaimed artists that make really crappy art. I am still not sure I would consider myself an artist, but it sure feels good that my daughter thinks of me in those terms! So here is her lunch bag! And if anyone in her class thinks it is weird, she can just say, “My mom made it. She is an ARTIST!!!” Nice!

In an effort to conserve resources by not using paper bags, and reduce my consumerism by not going out to buy something that I could make, I decided to make lunch bags for the kids to take to school. This one is for the boy. I even recycled an unused table runner for the main fabric. I was a little nervous about how he would respond. I love making stuff for the kids, but I want them to be as excited as I am and not dread the fact that they will be seen with all this handmade stuff. My concern probably comes from seeing childhood friends feel embarrassed because they felt that their handmade clothes might make people think they were poor. I hope that my kids grow up in an era where “handmade” is a good thing. So I was delighted when he responded with enthusiasm.

He had to open it up and was excited about how much lunch would fit in there!

He tried out the button closure and inspected all the buttons and the applique. Then he gave me the sweetest smile and a big “thank you, mom!” Wow, that sure makes it worth the effort!

As we were packing for our trip a few weeks ago, we were thinking about the fact that we would be “camping” for a few days in a newly purchased and still empty house. Not knowing what our accomodations would be like, we figured since we were indoors we could manage quite easily with a sleeping bag, a blanket, and a couple of small pillows. But I didn’t have another suitcase to fit that stuff into. I realized I could make a duffle bag quite easily. Having this trim on hand made it even more simple. I picked this up at the Goodwill and have no idea what it’s original purpose was. I know I can’t buy anything like this at my local fabric shop today!

So here is the finished duffle bag. Not too exciting, but it did the job. It held up just fine as checked baggage, and since it probably weighed less than 10 lbs. it was pretty easy to throw over a shoulder and be on our way.

I keep thinking of ways I could embellish it with pockets, etc. But since it will only ever hold the most basic of bedding materials, I’m not sure it is worth the effort. For now, I will just toss it up in the closet and I probably won’t see it again until our next camping adventure.

Back at home. Day 1 was wonderful… a day filled with relaxing and sweet feelings about being home with my kids and how precious they are. Day 2, the fussing and whining started again, my mental “to do” list hits, and I was overwhelmed, again. I guess, I really am home! Not crafting much as I am catching up on time with my kids, laundry, and everything else that has been left undone while I was away… I have yet to clean out my fridge, scary! I just wanted to post this little baby outfit that I finished while on my trip. It is for my baby niece, Amelia. It is late since she is over a month old already. I hope it still fits!

I like the way the satin binding worked out but, I thought better of the ribbon ties, after it was too late. Sorry, Jeff, I know those little ribbon bows might be tricky for manly hands. I used my own baby pants pattern. It is available here if anyone else wants to use it. I also did my own variation of this pattern, mostly because I don’t like following directions. Some day I will actually study those instructions and figure out what it is they are telling me to do… until then, I am afraid it will stifle my creativity. As for my new niece that lives sooooo far away, I can’t wait to lay my hands on her… I am so excited that I will get to meet her in September. I just can’t wait!!!

I may not have my sewing machine, but I couldn’t leave town without needle and thread. I picked up some fabric and I was in business. The man got this geeky bag when he registered for his conference last week.

By Friday, it looked like this!

It is always nice to have an extra bag handy when you are travelling! Sorry, I have been in Olympia, WA since Saturday with no internet access. But we have had so much fun exploring the city with my husband’s brother and sister-in-law and camping out in their new and empty house. Now, we are on our way home. I am posting from the airport. I will have to catch up on email when I get home. Thank you for all your congratulations on winning over at Whip Up! So exciting!

Last week when I was out at the thrift store I found this fun pillowcase. I was also excited that it was half off! Man, how lame when I don’t even want to pay full price at the thrift store!

I also spent this morning recreating the newborn baby pants pattern that I used last week. I had made some alterations to a larger pattern, but stupidly forgot to record my changes and couldn’t find my scrawled notes anywhere. So I started over. The problem was I had this new pattern and I hadn’t actually tested it. I kept eyeing that pillowcase and finally gave in. I am very excited about the results.

Someone is going to have a pretty funky baby! I haven’t decided who yet, since I am sure that not all of my friends who are having babies will really appreciate this groovy print. The man came home, held them up, and said, “That’s disgusting!” So I guess it isn’t for everyone, or everyone’s baby! I made my pattern and turned it into a file this time, so I don’t have to recreate it every time I want to make a pair of baby pants. Smart, huh? And I put it up for you to download here. Open and print with Acrobat Reader to make sure the sizing stays the same. And I still haven’t tested this on an actual newborn, so use at your own risk!