CRAFT BLOG — NOVEMBER 2007
11.30.07 | A MEMORY QUILT
I spent a couple of afternoons cutting squares from a bunch of tshirts and sweatshirts that Eric and I aquired during our high school and college years. I'm hoping the quilt will be warm and snuggly, and bring back lots of good memories.
11.28.07 | A CHRISTMAS WREATH
We put together our Christmas wreath this afternoon. Of course I had helpers. I convinced them to leave the candy canes out by allowing them to eat one. Bad momma...
I was happy with how the wreath turned out though. Yes, I had intended that the bow be bigger. That's what happens when I fly by the seat of my pants. I might patchwork another one together tonight with the other leftover fabrics from my tablerunner.
We also put up lights outside and we'll get our tree on Sunday. The season is in full swing.
11.19.07 | A CHRISTMAS TABLERUNNER
It's too narrow, too short and the applique is a little bunchy, but I still like it! I couldn't stretch it out on the table to take a picture because the table is covered with other stuff. You know how it is. Don't you?
11.16.07 | A PINCHUSION
This pincushion was one of my first sewing projects. I was inspired by someone on a blog who made a similar pincushion with a crazy quilt top, but I can't find it now! I like the rainbow feel of the colors. This picture has the same funky light since it was part of my ill-fated midnight photo shoot.
Still hard at work on my first quilt and my patchwork Christmas table runner, and having lots of fun.
11.15.07 | A ZIPPER BAG
I made this zipper bag last night from this tutorial at the purl bee. My pictures have a strange tint to them because I took them in my living room at about 12 a.m. The lamplight seemed to be providing sufficient illumination at the time. Hmmmm...
Anyway, this is a fun little project, and now Eric wants me to make him a zipper bag for some of his woodworking "notions." I'll have to purchase some masculine fabric for once.
The most exciting part about this project was that I got to use some of the now re-purposed notions given to me by my in-laws. The zipper and the bias tape are both from that stash. What a joy to put things back to work that have been dormant so long.
11.14.07 | A TURKEY-PALOOZA
The girls and I had fun making these Thanksgiving turkeys yesterday from these instructions. I love how each one has its own character, just like my girls and me.
How sad for the turkey to be the symbol for a holiday during which it is eaten. I'm not ready to go to tofu-rkey yet, but I do have compassion for beings that give their lives so that I may live.
11.13.07 | A THROW PILLOW EXTREME MAKEOVER
I recovered our throw pillows last weekend in this velvety, fun black fabric...
...and this cozy brown corduroy. I prefer the black ones for the snazzy pattern and bright flowers. Eric prefers the brown ones because they are softer when you lay your head on them. The kids like to repeatedly throw all of them on the floor, even though they looks so much better on the couches.
The best part about this project was that Eric was quite impressed with my skills, even though the skills required for this project were quite minimal. Shhhh...
11.11.07 | I HAVE TO START THIS EARLY TO BE READY
I spent two hours at the fabric store yesterday. Partly because I could. And partly because I've made a committment to only buying fabrics that I LOVE. That's a big committment to uphold. I finally found this combo for a patchwork Christmas tablerunner. I'm now thinking I might applique some holly leaves out of the dark green onto the white. We'll see... I can't believe how fun this is.
11.09.07 | LEMONADE
As in, using lemons to make lemonade. I loved this color combo so much that I used my quilt mistakes to make this tote bag, again from this blog. I haven't actually toted anything in it yet. I just like hanging it on this chair and looking at it.
Here's a close-up of the funky fabric lining.
I got this trim from the stash of notions my in-laws gave me.
11.08.07 | SCRAPS AND NOTIONS
My first quilt - a lesson in patience. A pile of scraps to prove I'm a total rookie.
My mother-in-law and father-in-law bought me piles and piles of second-hand notions at yard sales this summer. I'm supposed to share them with my mom. Hmmmm... I really want to keep them all for myself.
11.06.07 | A CHEERY KITCHEN CURTAIN
This kitchen curtain was one of my first ever sewing projects. I had bought the fabric long ago and was so excited to put my newly acquired sewing machine to work making this valance. It really helps to cheer up the space.
I'm so tired of white walls! We are hoping to buy the condo we're living in soon. When that happens, watch out - the paint is going to fly! This curtain was part of my antidote to the white wall blues.
11.05.07 | CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED...AGAIN
So these are the fabrics I plan to use to make Sonja a cuddle quilt for Christmas. I sort of got started the other night, but then messed up royally by not pre-washing the fabrics. What a rookie mistake. But I'm going to make a really cute tote bag with the "mistake" and buy more fabric soon. I love this combination of pink, brown, teal and funky green. I also love the juxtaposition of country and contemporary.
