My birthday is coming up (hint, hint)

I'm a little disappointed this year. I usually get a parade but this year my birthday falls closer to the end of the week. No matter, I am not one to make a big deal out of my birthday. But since I very rarely buy them for myself, this is one of the two days a year where I end up getting a lot of craft books (the other day being Christmas). This is what is on my wish list:

I read that there are a lot of errors and such in this book but I still want it. I've seen the projects being created around crafty-blog-land and they look so simple and beautiful.

[ETA: Check out the video of author Heather Ross on Martha making the super simple smocked summer dress.]


Who doesn't love Martha? OK, a lot of people. But she has impeccable taste so you know a craft encyclopedia from her is going to be first class.


Judge a book by it's cover? Yes, I do. I also liked this part of the book's description, "...encourage quilters to use bold patterns and unusual color combinations, and to trust their instincts rather than follow rigid rules." I need a bit of that.



I have been a fan of the blog I Heart Linen for a couple of years. And now Rashida has a book, I Love Patchwork. Her projects are so beautiful and creative. Unfortunately I'm going to have to wait for this one. It isn't being released until November.

Kimono

There have been a bunch of great sewing books released over the past year and I've been perusing them online and in book stores trying to decide which ones to buy. When I saw In Stitches and counted three, four, five projects in it I wanted to make, I bought it.

One of the projects I counted was this cool kimono bath robe:


And when I spied this fantastic Japanese print at the fabric store, I knew what I would make with it...a short summery skirt. Duh! Then I remembered the kimono. Yes!

I'd love to have this made for our vacation in early May but I also promised Sean (husband) that I'd have his pajama pants done by then and April is flying by! And I wanted some more Built By Wendy tops by then too! I think I need a prioritized list of projects to complete by then. Buying a new bathing suit is number one though.

Mini Post: Gifts to Make

Sew Stylish's Gifts to Make was out before Christmas but I was on my unintentional blogging break. I just pulled it out of the magazine pile because I need to make some of these slippers. In crazy, funky, colorful fabrics too.

Lots of little crafty projects in here but I'm really looking forward to February when they are publishing Quick Stuff to Sew (keyword: quick).

Denyse Schmidt's Quilt-It Kit in Borders bargain bin

The projects in this kit are mostly a repeat of her other book, Denyse Schmidt Quilts. But at $4.99 it seemed worth it in order to get the few other projects. The kit came with fabric for the pillow on the front, a needle and some thread, and four new projects: All the Trimmings Scrap Balls, Run with it Table Runner, I Can See Clearly Now Eyeglass Case, and Back to Square One Pillow.

These projects and items come with the kit but aren't included in the book:

The well-made kit would make a very nice gift for someone who is newly interested in quilting or a Denyse Schmidt fan. Or if you find it for five bucks!

Bad blogger!

I have been a very bad blogger. Can I even call myself that any longer?

Well, I will be posting some of the projects I have been working on over the last few months. Hopefully this evening and/or tomorrow. Some are holiday decorations and others were for holiday gifts...all inspired by the many, many, many craft/sewing/quilting blogs I have been reading.

I received two wonderful new sewing books for Christmas:

Denyse Schmidt Quilts (have the fabric all picked out for the pot holders)

Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts (so many items I want to make but I really adore the baby elephant)

Still on my wish list:
Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy
Make Your Own Contemporary Quilts by Paola Pieroni

Any one have an opinion on these? I've seen mixed reviews.

Today I purchased lots of fabric to make my husband a quilt. I made two quilts for Christmas gifts and he wondered allowed when I might make him something. I honestly didn't think he would be interested! Nice surprise. So I'll also be posting about the design and progress on this new project.

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.

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.