Adjusting

It’s been a while since I posted, but I am not giving up on blogging yet. The past few weeks have been about adjusting: adjusting to school, to the shift in weather, to life after triathlon, to more work responsibility. The first on that list has been the biggest adjustment. My free time has drastically been cut short as I pour my nose into articles, research, and homework. I have moments where I wonder why I am doing this, wondering if it’s worth it. But I think it is. One more year. One more year and I’ll finally have my masters and all the options that go along with it.

In between juggling school and work, my list of crafting to do’s continues to grow. Last week I completed seven bridesmaids bags for a soon to be bride. The bride to be picked out a different fabric for each girl and was genuinely happy with how they turned out. I really put a lot of work into these babies, making sure to pay attention to all the details. I was pleased they were so well received. (You can see more of the bags at flickr.)

With this commission order out of the way, there are so many things I want to try for myself now. Creative Little Daisy posted a similar a thought recently and I couldn’t agree more with how she is feeling. Especially now that my time is limited I am feeling the need to say ‘no’ more often to outside requests so that I can say ‘yes’ more often to my own little creative endeavors. I create things because I want to, and the more I have to, the less creative energy I have.

With that said, I have a bunch of projects in the works that I am very excited about: Moki’s letter swap and stamp swap, a new fall bag (or two!), and redecorating my living room (currently in progress) and bedroom. I promise to try harder to blog more often about these (and other) projects.

Thrift Running

Have I ever told you how much I love my neighborhood in DC? I live on a beautiful street lined of old classic rowhouses that is close to many parks, restaurants, etc. When I started training for my triathlon, I would normally run through the park but I quickly grew tired of this route and so I now enjoy my runs through the neighborhood streets. This not only allows me to get in some hill workouts, but it also gives me an opportunity to gawk at all the beautiful houses in this area.

Early into my run this morning I saw a sign for a neighborhood garage sale. Seeing all the beautiful things that craft bloggers have scored from garage sales and thrift shops, I decided on my way back from my run to stop by and see what kind of goodies I could find.

At one stand I found this vintage 1968 McCall's Sewing Book. I've been trying to increase my severely lacking craft book collection and was really excited to find this. The book is in pretty good condition. It mainly gives instructions on how to sew clothes. I don't currently sew any clothes but I know that someday in the (near?) future I plan to and think this will be a good reference to have on hand.

Tucked into the front cover of the book was this hip vintage sewing pattern.

I like the shirt style, so maybe I'll try out this pattern next summer. I'm thinking the shirt would look great with an Amy Butler style fabric.

I also found this wonderful little 1973 PlantCraft book. I don't have much of a green thumb. Somehow I have inhereted/been given/given refuge to a few left behind plants over the years. Until I got cats, the plants managed to somehow stay alive. The cats killed two plants (did you know cats enjoy eating spider plants?). Now I have two large plants left. I'm not saying that I'm a terrible plant owner, I just tend to forget more often than remember to water the plants. Also, I'm not sure that I give the plants the best environment to thrive. Our sunniest room in the apartment is also the smallest, so the plants would crowd the place if we gave them shelter there. I hope that this book will give me some good tips on how to be a better plant owner.

However, truth be told, I am more excited about the fun illustrations that adorn the inside pages. Check out these funky snails!

These little guys are giving me inspiration for my much needed blog banner.

WIP

I love long weekends, but tell me really, who doesn't?

I'm working on a commission order for seven bridesmaids bags. The bride picked out fabric to suit the individual tastes of each of her bridesmaids. What a fabulous idea! It's been a while since I've sewn any bags. Before the summer I was cranking them out every other day. Summer classes, working, and training for the triathlon really took away any time to be creative. It feels good to be sewing again.

Another work in progress is a little space to call my own. Since we have never used the dining area for its intended purpose of dining, I have decided to convert the space into my own studio. When you live in an apartment in the city, you really don't have a lot of space to work with. Peter and I are lucky to even have a dining area. We both agree that the space will be much more useful as a studio rather than a dining room. I'm trying to make the space more cozy than it is currently without putting a lot of work into it (we rent). Stay tuned for updates.

Off to Joann now for some much needed, and some not so needed, supplies!