Ack! (Or What I've Been Working On.) Belatedly.

How many times can you rip something out before it's ruined? This bag nearly made me cry. Really. It's not even a hard pattern, I know that. I've seen hard bag patterns and this isn't one. It just wouldn't work for me. I had some sorta brain block where I just couldn't get it together. Some nonsense about not sewing the handles inside the lining. :) So, here it is finally done. It's for my MIL's birthday, of course I sewed it the night before in my usual procrastinating manner - and I hope to whoever in the universe is listening that she likes it. And that it doesn't fall apart.

I also worked on some preemie caps for a charity "unswap" they did over at Craftster for an infant loss organization. Again, the old hands wouldn't cooperate so I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. I am proud that I got some done, however, and actually mailed them. I've been wanting to do a project like this forever. They were also my first knitted caps, so yay me. In all seriousness though, I do hope they bless the families who receive them. I am so thankful for the woman who took the time to sew a gown and crochet a little cap and blanket for my little boy when he died. I'll never know who she was, but I thank her for the few things I have that were his.

That's what I'm up to. I should be scrapbooking. I have a commissioned scrapbook to finish by June and I really need to get going. I have to be inspired to sit down and create though. And I have to be not homeschooling, or working, or teaching co-op, or falling over from being tired. :) Inspiration will come, I have faith in it.

Christmas Crazy

For Christmas, I decided to be a crazy person. We had no money, even with me working a second job, so I had to sew. A lot. Did I get done everything I wanted to? Nope, not close. Here are some things I did finish... and please, forgive the photography, I was tired. I didn't get photos of everything, unfortunately. I also did a cool "Here There Be Monsters" stitched piece from Urban Threads, a penguin ornament from a Bad Bird design, BareRoots mini-stockings, a little knitted pouch for our Christmas Child box, and a pair of Pirate towels from designs by Urban Threads.




Quite an interesting array, eh? I've got a family of varied interests! It seems like there was more, but honestly, it's all a blur. Ask my husband about the Christmas money some time. That story will tell you all you need to know about my mental status at Christmas. :)

I also finally started my boys' quilts that I have wanted to do forever. E.'s is a "modified" Turning 20 using a book panel called "Meet the Moonbeamers" and is totally pieced, just needs a border and finishing. N.'s is a paper pieced bug jar quilt that I have literally had for oh, 8 years or so. I got going on it really well, then realized I made a mistake somewhere on the jar lids. Ugh. My friend, Barb, is such a good cheerleader and has gotten me going on these. She's a huge lifesaver (in more than just quilty ways)!

So, that's what I did during December. I had more I wanted to do, but had to accept defeat. I met my goal of everyone getting one thing at least.

Today, while E. did school, I stitched up my mom's birthday present - 2 weeks late. It's a Halloween penny rug by Wooden Spool. I think she'll like it. And yes, it's a Halloween piece for a December birthday - we like Halloween, what can I say. My camera was not liking the woolfelt and kept glaring on it. It's much cuter IRL. Really. :)



I hope to keep on this creativity streak. I've got a scrapbook I was commissioned to do that I really need to get started on. With working retail, hours get cut a lot so I've got a little more time on my hands. My house is a disaster but frankly, it overwhelms me so I'd rather do something creative. I' m no domestic diva that's for sure.

Aliens Have Invaded!

Please say hello to our newest friends... Duopony & Lyle, straight from the book "Invasion of the Plush Monsters". They're the first furry creatures I've made and they came out pretty okay, if I do say! :) I had a bit of a learning curve with the fur, but they didn't take very long to make. Like the fool I am, I tried to sew Lyle on the machine with all my big thick layers of fur, horns, and fleece. Luckily, it occurred to me before I broke my machine that hand sewing would be the proper course of action. Another first was using clear, poly thread. Ah-hem. I have bad eyes.

Speaking of eyes, it's impossible to find good eyes around here. Joann's had 1 set of just brown eyes that worked, but weren't exactly what I wanted. I used buttons for Duopony's eyes instead. And the faux fur choices were slim pickin's. So, we worked with what we found (and was on sale)! I've got one more alien cut and ready to sew. (That sounds weird.) The invasion begins!

Changing My Libra Mind...

So, I changed my blog name. I did love the other, but I'm going to be working on selling some creations and my etsy shop is - okay, will be when I'm actually ready - Spirit Rising. I thought I should have names that go together. Anyway, I'm a Libra and being indecisive and changing my mind a billion times fits the bill!

On a sad note, my 12 y.o. son N.'s pet frog died yesterday and we had a little burial for her today. I sewed a little pouch for her out of froggy fabric and we buried her in the front yard. We're going to head out to find a little garden statue to mark her place. N.'s handling it as well as can be expected. It's hard for him to open up but, thankfully, he will come to me when it's too much and we'll talk and cry a bit. One thing I've learned over the years is how to deal with grief. There's a lesson I'd gladly give back.