Year of Making Stuff: Week 26

I found this tutorial on My Little Mochi to make a wrist pincushion.  Usually I love my magnetic pin keeper, but sometimes I need just a few and they are never very handy.  This wrist pincushion was super easy and quick, and I had all the materials on hand, including beverage cap, hair tie, polyfil, and a 6″ circle of fabric.  Oh, and a hot glue gun.  I love it and I know it will get a lot of use!

I also got some beautiful yarn this week delivered…project must remain under wraps though, because it will be a Christmas gift.  Yes, you read that right.  It may just take me that long, but I am excited about knitting again!

Year of Making Stuff: Week 24 and 25

Between 12 Hour Comic Book Day and the two other programs, last week was a bit of a blur.  And now I can’t believe that tomorrow is Friday and this week is almost over, and that July starts next week.  Crazy!  I love summers here, but it is going too fast.  Last weekend was Taste of Bloomington and a fun night out with the girls.  And tomorrow I get to see Steph who will be down from Indy!

So this was finished somewhere between last week and this week, but it is a gift to be delivered next week for Cyn (very late Birthday), so here is a sneak peak.  I bought the lemon fabric while we were in Chicago.  So cute!

And since last week was running so late, I am ahead of the game for this week.  Sharpie Tie Dye!  Ok, so it was a program that I did with some teens at Ellettsville, but I love the way it came out and  I was in desperate need of a new night shirt.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 23

A quickie for a short week, but Week 23 is a little embellishment on this $3 dollar shirt I got at Old Navy.  I was considering doing some sort of red embroidery on the yoke or maybe collar, but it might be one of those things that is cooler in my head than in real life.  That sort of shit happens all the time. This shirt has been worn and washed, so I think it does hold up pretty well.

Chicago photos are up on flickr!

Chicago Birthday Weekend

So it was a little rainy and chilly, but we had a fantastic weekend in Chicago in part for Tim’s birthday and in part for the hell of it.  Andrew flew in to meet us and we went to the aquarium, the lake front, Millennium Park, Blues Fest, Cubs game, shopped on Michigan Ave., architecture cruise and in general had a blast.  It was really nice to get away.

I had big plans to upload all my photos this morning, but our power was out for a little bit, so I am behind.

I also have my Week 23 finished item around here somewhere….and I am busy on Week 24, but that will have to be a surprise for a little bit (even though it is already late for a May birthday).  Pictures hopefully will follow tomorrow.

50 Blocks

Update: 50 out of the 320 blocks are sewn together, leaving 270 to go.  Not too bad!

Also, come and join the Cutters Craft Brigade’s Facebook group!  Residency in Btown not required, only a love of crafts.

Summertime

Lest you think it is all crafts and gardens, gardens and crafts around here, I did go and watch Tim’s softball team tonight.  It was a lovely night to be out though they did lose.  And lest you think I would waste an opportunity to work on some handcrafts, I brought some knitting.

I also love the Big Picture section from boston.com (you can subscribe to their rss), but I ESPECIALLY love this set from the Cheese Rolling Tournament.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 20

I decided to make a flash tattoo t-shirt after being inspired by someone at work.  I originally had other plans in my head, but I am happy with the results and would like to play around with this a little more.  I didn’t have tracing paper (my favorite marking tool wouldn’t show up on the black) or stabilizer for embroidering on a tshirt, but think the “winging it” method actually worked best. Swallow tattoos are traditional for sailors (no really!) indicating both long voyages and returning home.

Memorial Day weekend starts early for me, but I will be interrupted with work on Sunday.  Tomorrow, though it is off to Bedford!  Yes, because we are fancy.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 19

From the book Zakka Sewing: 25 Japanese Projects for the Household by Therese Laskey, Chika Mori, and Yoko Inoue, a Christmas gift from Thiên.  Due to space constraints, we don’t have night stands, but some cube shelves that do hold books, alarms, water glasses and whatnot.  It is the whatnot that was looking a little messy.  This fabric basket came together in about an hour and was really easy to make.  It is really deep, so I may play around with the dimensions in the future, but is just right for my little space!

Tim and I bought plants today to fill in the rest of the garden.  Sunshine is in the forecast for tomorrow!

Reflection

Me in sunnier days last weekend in Louisville.

I am thrilled with the amount of lush greenery around these parts, but really?  With all the rain?  I could use some sunshine.  I don’t want to use the phrase brick wall, but I am needing some inspiration for new things for the Year of Making Stuff.  Maybe its time to pull out the craft books and the post-its.  Or maybe I should make a list of things I want to make.  I also have a hard time sometimes thinking that people want handmade stuff.  Anyone want anything?  (well, you know within reason)

Year of Making Stuff: Week 18

I was probably 10 when I read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes and wanted to make my own origami paper cranes.  I never learned.  Fast forward 20+ years, I finally founds some instructions that made sense in a book (go figure!) and now I am a wicked paper crane maker.  These doorways lead to my sewing room and Tim’s office and until earlier today still had a snowflake garland hanging up.  Spring is here, and it was time for new decor.  It took a few tries to figure out best how to hang these suckers (fishing line, finally), but they look colorful and well, spring like.  Week 18: Paper Crane garland.

Also, for week 16:  A bookmark for Regina, complete with her favorite Simpson’s quote.

Tim and I also got to visit Ashley and  her sister in Louisville on Saturday which was a great little road trip after Tim finished his finals on Friday.  The students have (mostly) left and I am in love with Bloomington all over again.  I think it was that first summer I lived here that I truly loved this town.  And tonight a meeting about a new craft group…details to come, but I am really excited!

Also?  My sewing machine cozy ended up on the Sublime Stitching blog…check me out!

Happy Mother’s Day too!