Pattern Progress - Coming soon!

I'm well on my way to reaching one of my 2009 goals - make a pattern for my Barcelona Bag. The pattern pieces are ready and the instructions are coming along well.

If only this little guy would quit looking so darn cute getting in the way.

Any volunteers to test the pattern when it's ready?

Kimberly Bag

Sewers talk about fabric stashes a lot, but I don't hear a lot of talk about pattern stashes. Well, ladies and gents, I am a stasher of both fabric and patterns and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Fabric stashes are essential for those spur of the moments when you just must-make-something-right-this-instant. Pattern stashes serve the same purpose with the added bonus of actually giving you a little bit of direction. Call me an enabler of stashing if you must.

After I bought my new machine, I had a must-make-a-bag-with-lots-of-interfacing-and-test-this-baby kind of moment. So I pulled Amy Butler's Kimberly Bag out of my pattern stash and some Nigella out of my fabric stash and got to work. I couldn't have been happier with the results of the Bernina or of the pattern.

I recommend this pattern for intermediate to advanced sewers. Although the pattern pieces are accurate and the instructions are clear, I would not recommend this pattern for beginner sewers. New sewers will probably find the zipper, pleats, and heavy interfacing challenging to sew.

The bag style may not be for everyone, I realize, but I like it. I do feel a little like I'm carrying a clarinet case, but it sure is one cool clarinet case, isn't it?

Pattern: Kimberly Bag by Amy Butler
Fabric: Nigella in Lime Primrose by Amy Butler
Modifications: I glued an extra panel of Timtex at the bottom between the lining and outer pieces after turning the bag inside out. I added purse feet, hoping to protect the bottom panel from dirt. I also added a simple slip pocket to the lining.

Toast

It's pretty chilly on the east coast these days. I'm always cold, especially my hands and feet, and in winter that just translates to freezing. I had to do something about that. So I knit a pair of Toast. This pattern is called Toast for a reason. They keep your hands and arms nice and toasty. But they could be called Cake, because they were a piece of cake to make.

P.S. It's awfully hard to take pictures of gloves while you're wearing them.

Pattern: Toast by a Friend to knit with
Needles: Size 7 dpn's
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Grey Mix

Eye Candy

Flickr is the best , especially when it's dark out and you can't take a proper picture of what you've been working on. This flickr mosaic was created by 100% Philistine Made. Click on the photo for credits.

Good Folks

You all are good folks. You've confirmed that I'm not completely crazy and made me even more excited about making all of the wedding napkins. If anyone ever questioned what my addiction is, the current focus of my wedding planning - fabric napkins - may provide the answer. Hello, my name is Stephanie and I am a fabric junkie. I'm exaggerating slightly - I'm also focused on hiring a photographer, choosing a vendor, choosing a dress, etc etc, but I digress. The good news is that I don't have to make 120 napkins all by myself. You see, some wonderful friends and family have stepped in and offered to help share in my craziness sew the napkins.

Even Anna Maria Horner has unknowingly offered some help. Remember how I said I might have a little trouble finding coordinating fabrics to match this one?

Anna Maria must have some how predicted I would ask this question when she was designing her latest line, Good Folks. She's a mind reader, and apparently a psychic one at that!


Absolutely gorgeous. Check out more of the Good Folks line on Anna Maria's blog.

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ummm, if I don't win this blouse, I want to try to at least recreate it. Kathleen makes the most gorgeous kids' clothes, then gives them away on her blog. Now she's making adult size clothing, and giving it away. I don't think I could part with such beautiful creations, especially this blouse! I can't get over those cute embroidered ruffles, not to mention that adorable headband. Click on the link to check it out:

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Martha and my wedding

I don't know whether to love her or hate her. Ok, I love her. But seriously, every time I look at her website or magazine, the list of things I want to make or do for the wedding continues to grow. For example, has anyone seen the latest issue of MS Weddings, particularly the article about Jen's (one of the owners of Purl Patchwork) wedding? You know, the awesome wedding for which Jen made different napkins for each table from quilting cotton and then made them into a quilt after the wedding? Yeah, guess who now must make about one hundred and twenty napkins for her wedding? That's right, me.

But seriously, how cool is that idea? I wanted to add a personal touch to our wedding and I really love this idea. I'm thinking about a warm purple/pink/golden yellow (is that just gold?) palette for the decorations:

So far I've found one fabric that fits in with these colors (from my stash!): Kaffe Fassett's Verbena Trees in Brown. This is such beautiful fabric. I don't think they are making it anymore. I think it will be a slight challenge to find nine to ten other coordinating fabrics. Any ideas?


So when I'm pulling my hair out trying to make 120 napkins, I'm going to blame Martha. I really must stop looking at Martha Stewart before she has me wanting to whittle all of the tables and chairs next. It's just so fun. Sigh.

Gift Post 2008

Two thousand eight was definitely the year of giving aprons for me. Since both of my nieces enjoy baking with their moms and grandma, I made them child aprons out of some Ginger Bliss fabric. I gave each apron with a copy of a kid's baking book.

I also made an apron for my mom, who desperately needed a cute apron (sorry, Mom, I only speak the truth!). I used the Emmeline apron pattern and some Garden Party fabric.


Though it was much more work than a simple apron, I really like how it turned out. I especially love the fabric on this side. I've already dreamed up a summer dress I'd like to make with this gorgeous Climbing Vines fabric.


Last, but not least, I made some pajamas for my nephews. How cute is that alien flannel? The pants were easy to whip up. I appliqued some of the fabric onto shirts I bought from Target.

As soon as Ryan opened these, he immediately demanded to take off his Christmas outfit and put these on. I can't tell you how satisfying that felt. It was reported to me that my other nephew, Nathan, also wanted to wear his pjs right away. Success!

Possibilities

Click on the image for photo credits.

I almost hate to say this as I am sure it may be hard for many of you to be sympathetic of my current situation. I even hesitated telling my sister during our daily phone call how I'm feeling, knowing full well that with two kids tugging away at her leg she simply could not relate. However, I feel the need to say it. Today I'm feeling a little, well, bored. It's not that I don't have a ton of things to do. (Hello, can anyone say ''wedding"? Let's not go there just yet though.) I'm just feeling a little uninspired. Thank God for Flickr. Strolling through my favorites has given me some motivation and direction that I'm hoping will last for the rest of the day

Tomorrow, the Christmas gift post.

Two Thousand Eight Review

Barcelona Bag
Originally uploaded by CreativeReveries

Happy 2009! If what you do on January 1st is an indication of what you're doing for the rest of the year, then I'm going to be parked on the couch and knitting all year. Maybe I shouldn't have had the last glass of champagne last night...

Before I jump into 2009, let's look back at 2008 for a moment. Here are my sewing goals from 2008 and the outcome of each:

1. Sew a quilt. I've been wanting to do this for a while but couldn't decide on a pattern. I've finally decided. - I made not one, but TWO quilts this year. Yippee!

2. Sew pants. I shouldn't be scared to do this. Finding pants that fit well is probably a lot more difficult than sewing well fitted pants. Right (she asks nervously)??? - Nope, didn't do this.

3. Finish what I start (or else don't start it at all). Enough said. - I think for the most part I was pretty successful with this goal. I don't have a lot of UFOs lying around (only three - two of these are sweaters that just need buttons).

4. Sew with a plan. I am completely guilty of sewing random items that don't coordinate well with other pieces in my wardrobe. This is a shame on many levels but especially so because I don't end up wearing the garment that often. - Again, for the most part I was successful at this.

5. Make at least one pattern on my own. This will be challenging but I am very excited and optimistic about the experience. - I didn't do this.

For 2009, I want to complete my goals for 2008 (sew pants, make my own clothing pattern). I also want to sew better garments. I am guilty of not wearing everything I make. If it's not worth wearing, I don't want to make it.

Another goal for 2009 is to finally finish the pattern that I've been slowly working on for the Barcelona Bag. This bag is my favorite and most used item that I've made all year. I'm hoping with the pattern, others can make it and love it just as much as I do.

I wish you all a wonderful year.