make something pretty: in the works

I have been in love with Tilda fabrics for several years, and so disappointed it’s not for sale in the U.S. So my lovely sister in Japan bought this charm pack for me, and even though I’m afraid to use it (because what if my project doesn’t work?), I’m going to jump in and just do it.

I doodled up a pattern.

I’m going to use the shorter version of the tulip. I wanted a pattern that doesn’t cut down the charm squares very much, so much of the fabric pattern is left whole.

 

 

 

And now I find out Tilda fabric is making its way into the U.S. market! So I ordered a yard in two colors. I’m hoping the “ginger” color will match the orange above. I’ll know for sure in a couple days.

I can’t wait to get sewing!

Tilda fabrics found here:  http://www.intrepidthread.com

and here: https://www.shabbyfabrics.com/Tilda

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make something pretty today: knit shawl (08/17/17)

I am happy with craftsy.com, I can pick out a knitting pattern AND find the right yarn to use and know I’m not buying too much or too little yarn for the project. Because I always buy too much, just in case, and I hate that.

This pattern is called Over the Sea to Sky, and it is a quick knit–like two weeks of evenings, or so. Easy, repetitive stitches, so it’s hard to make mistakes. And I love the yarn–Cloudborn pima cotton. The hand feel is just right, creating a loose and soft shawl.

Yes, the point is off-balance, so you have an extra long tail to wrap around one more time. I think this color is called “Pearl.”

 

 

 

I would make another of these, but in a brighter color.

Pattern and yarn found here: https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/kits/over-the-sea-to-skye-lace-shawl-knitting-kit/60879

 

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grand champion

Daughter won a Grand Champion ribbon at the fair for her tea towel embroidery.  She spent 3 days working on it, in a last-minute dash to have something to put in the fair.

 

Yay, she really really really wanted to win a ribbon.  🙂

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making something pretty today x3

I’ve been doing a little sewing in the background, because it’s hard not to think about making pretty things–and then make those things happen.

I bought several charm packs of Moda’s Poetry fabric, and made some zakka style curtains for the living room. They sadly don’t photograph well because of all the light behind them, but they came out perfectly and I love them. And then I found myself with an extra charm pack of squares, so I set to work on using them up.

First I made this zakka bunny tote. It’s huge!

I didn’t use those brick color squares in my living room curtains, because the color was too strong for that use. So they got used up in this tote!

I embroidered the bunny by hand, and then did some light quilting so the batting stays in place.

 

These are actually the fabric patterns in colors that I didn’t like so much. But aren’t they still pretty?

In case you haven’t checked my etsy shop lately, I will mention this tote is available for sale there. I make too many totes to keep for myself!

This next tote is also using my remaining Poetry fabrics. These were more my first-choice color/patterns, and it’s always a little sob in the heart to use them up. But there’s no purpose if they’re gathering dust on a shelf, right?

I gave this tote to a writer friend, and included the covered notebook. So she can carry around her notebook and write down all those momentary thoughts before they get away.

I thrifted the embroidered doily a long time ago, and hurray, it has finally found its purpose! I thrifted that pretty ribbon, too.

My sister (you can visit her blog, and her etsy shop–she lives in Japan!) gave me the watermelon fabric, and I knew it would end up in an apron.

That green and pink is pretty vibrant, so finding the right accent fabric could have been a challenge. But you know what? My sister had already given me the rose fabric (Lecien brand, Flower/Sugar pattern from maybe 2015).

I’m not much of a ruffle person and find making the gathers tedious because I hate pinning, and the thread always breaks, and on and on. But didn’t they turn out lovely? I probably only pricked myself with a pin twice, too.

Another thrifted doily, just sewed straight on to make a pocket. When the top edge folds naturally over, it makes its own decoration and edge. How perfect is that?

And lastly, all the apricots on the apricot tree. I swear this tree is only four years old, but it’s about 30 feet tall now. Maybe 20. But MUCH larger than I ever expected. The variety is, if I remember right (and I am pretty sure I do) called Chinese Mormon Apricot.

Even better? The apricots are not all buggy!

The branches are so loaded with fruit they are touching the ground.

 

 

And that’s my summer so far. How is yours going?

 

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give-away lunch bags

 

 

I’ve been sewing lunch bags. I used Ayumi’s free pattern available on her blog. She kindly put up a tutorial for everyone to use, but asks that the finished goods not be sold. So since I felt like sewing a whole bunch because they are fun to make, I thought I’d give some as gifts and put up 2 (two) TWO for a giveaway.

This folklore-feeling one I have already given as a gift. I love the fabric, it’s Handmade by Bonnie and Camille. So it’s not part of the giveaway, but isn’t it lovely?

Luckily I kept on sewing.

And sewing.

And sewing.

I’m using the blue one with roses for myself, so it’s not part of the giveaway, either. But isn’t it pretty?

Everything else is up for grabs.

Like this beauty. The fabric is also Handmade by Bonnie and Camille. I love this fabric line.

And this fun cowboy themed lunch bag could be yours. Leave a comment, maybe it will happen.

Or maybe you need to carry your bento box to work? I have the perfect lunch bag for that, too….

Or come Christmas time, this one will be so perfect. (I forgot to sew the drawstring closure on this one, but it will be completed if you win it!)

I love romantic roses (I’m sure you do, too), and these are a lovely fabric designed by Tanya Whelan. I love all her fabric.

 

Okay, so the rules are easy. Just leave a comment in THIS blog post, and May28th at 8PM Eastern time I will put all the commenter’s names into a lunch bag (instead of a hat!) and pick two winners. Let me know which one you’d like to win. My giveaway is available to US addresses only, because shipping to foreign countries is crazy expensive. I’m sorry about that. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you DO win.  🙂

Giveaway is now closed!

The winners are Sandy and Beverly. Thank you all for leaving a comment!  🙂

 

 

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sneak peek

I’ve been doing some sewing. Here’s a peek, but check back at the end of the week because there will be a giveaway….

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making something pretty today: knitting

I always have a million projects up in the air, but the good thing is that I actually finish them, right? So I don’t feel bad starting a new one. I’ve known lots of people who start things but never finish, then move on to something else. What’s the point of starting in the first place, if there’s no end result? Anyway. Lots of projects up in the air.

I picked up this yarn at Hobby Lobby. I wanted to make a shawl–within certain parameters. 1. Must be warm. 2. The yarn shouldn’t pill. 3. And absolutely not collect static electricity.  So that meant a natural fiber. Hobby Lobby had one in my price range, a cotton mixed with acrylic

If I would have done the test swatch (I never do the test swatch) I would have realized I should use needles a couple sizes larger than the ones I used. Larger needles would have compensated for the bulk of the yarn (it’s a dk weight) and made the drape of the shawl more fluid. So lesson learned. You’d think I would just keep notes on all my projects, but somehow I think I will remember all these details. Which of course goes right down the memory hole.

I made an error in just one of my rows, but wow does it show up. Luckily when used as a shawl or scarf, you’ll never see it.

The overall size will be 60″x18″. I wanted to be able to wrap it around my arms well, instead of wearing a sweater. I pictured this for winter use, so warm and thick.

I used this free pattern at knitty.com.

So it should be just about finished come next winter. Despite being an easy repeat pattern, it’s still slow going because of it’s size. I really should have used the larger needles.

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