J. Conlon and Sons

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Great Expectations

Been a few days since my last post. Both my husband and I were really sick with this vicious cold that has been going around. And we are trying to sell our house and buy a new one. So stuff's been going on.

I did get the chance to make a few of some cute softy Christmas trees. The intention was to make them for a gift but I like the first set so much that I'm going to keep those for myself. I'll post pictures once I can take some in daylight.

You can see pictures and get the tutorial here.

Lately every day I think I'm going to come home and start a new project. Then after getting dinner ready and any other random thing that MUST be done today I end up too beat to pick up something new. So I end up watching a Sox game and calling it a night. This is one reason I am so happy we are looking for a new house. The town we're looking in is halfway between here and work. My commute will be 20 minutes or so rather than 50ish. I am really looking forward to that.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Go Sox!

As yet I have not posted a single blog entry about my beloved Red Sox. Ironic since I'm way more obsessed with the Red Sox than with sewing. Unfortunately they have been a little, tiny bit of a disappointment this week...swept by the Blue Jays...come on! And are now only 1.5 games ahead of the evil Y**kees.

Well, I am still trying to be hopeful and since trusty Becket -- 19 wins and counting -- we may have a chance.

Go Sox!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Bags, Bags, Bags

I’m looking for some things to make for holiday gifts. So here's a compilation of bag ideas and tutorials:

Martha Stewart Bias Tape Bag (pic at right)

Beach Tote from BeSewStylish.com
I've already made three of these bags...they really do only take 2 hours. Less if you do more than one at a time. I'd like to try these with a lining as well.

Roomy Shoulder Bag

Jaipur Tote Bag
(Started this one today already...about half way completed)

Cute little zippered pouch
(Plan on making a ton of these to coordinate with the other bags)

Another little zippered pouch - with zipper at front

Little girl purse

Another Bias Tape Tote

It's amazing to me how many people post tutorials for projects. Such a great sharing community. Maybe someday I'll have ideas and tutorials to share!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Inspiring jealousy

I have a terrible cold and have been home from work yesterday and today. So I have no energy to work or sew but lots of time to surf the web. I never realized how many blogs there were out there about sewing and crafts. And Oh My God, these women are amazing. And so inspiring. I have gotten so many ideas for projects including holiday gifts I don’t know where to start.

Here are a few I found that I know I’ll be reading regularly:

Angry Chicken
Shim + Sons
Molly Chicken
Soule Mama
Wee Wonderfuls

Thank you all!

And why is it that so many craft bloggers live in either Portland, OR or Portland, ME?

Sunday, September 16, 2007

My second blog post – a bit of inspiration or just a big “duh?”

Flipped through the not-so-new book Sew Subversive the other day. The styles are a bit too funky for me but it did inspire me to take a look through my wardrobe for things I don’t wear anymore but just can’t get rid of. I have a few very-long skirts that were “in” a few years ago but now they just hang in the back of the closet. So yesterday I hemmed up one of them and … viola! … I have a new knee-length skirt to wear with my tall brown boots this fall. Should have taken a before pic but here is the result:



[hemmed skirt and collection of stuff to alter]

I also pulled out a blouse that is too full in the middle that I’ll either add darts or pin tucks to fit it better. And a simple t-shirt that I haven’t worn because I ordered it online and didn’t realize it was so long.

It’s just about time to swap my wardrobe around so I’ll be looking for more items to alter. I may end up with a new fall wardrobe for the cost of thread!

You can buy Sew Subversive here or at Amazon here.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

My first blog post

Quite a few months ago I discovered a fantastic magazine: Sew Stylish from the editors/publishers of Threads. And as soon as I discovered this inspiration jackpot I also found out it was defunct. Only 3 or 4 issues made it out of the factory before they pulled the plug! I was so disappointed but still totally reinvigorated to begin sewing again…and not just crafty stuff but real clothes, made just for me, in my style.



My mom taught me to sew when I was young (I’m now 35) and it is one of the things (besides all that terrific parenting) that I’m so grateful to her for as an adult. I haven’t been a regular sewer. I mostly concentrated on curtains and this one quilt I’ve been working on for exactly 4.5 years (it isn’t even completely pieced together yet!) But I always appreciated that I COULD make my own curtains…I like simple stuff and for some reason that is the hardest thing to find in stores. Everything has ruffles. And curtains are so expensive! Also the trancelike state you find yourself in while sewing…concentrating on your stitches or pinning up a hem…it’s just so relaxing yet there’s the satisfaction of completing a task. How often do you get both in one?

So that’s my introduction to my blog. I hope to post regularly about my projects, great info I find online, and things that inspire me.

(Sew Stylish is still publishing a blog that has lots of nifty tricks and quick projects: BeSewStylish. And Threads has a web site along with their printed magazine so check them out at ThreadsMagazine.com.)

Red Sox note: Yes! They beat the Yankees this afternoon, 10-1.