Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sewing Room - The Sewing Wall



The Sewing Wall, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

A place for everything and everything in its place.

This is where I do most of my work. I had wanted the machines to be facing the window but this layout turned out soooo much better. I love my notions wall. When I'm sewing I can just reach up for scissors, a zipper or needles. Plus it allows me to display some of my favorite things.

The sewing table was my maternal grandmother's and still houses her old, working Singer. I recovered the seat with Denyse Schmidt upholstery weight fabric. The serger is set-up on an old bedside table I picked up at a thrift store in Pittsburgh. I keep the serger thread in the top drawer. The little drawing above my serger is from my beloved great-aunt. It says "yeah Marisa" and was given to me when I graduated from midwifery school. Above that is one of those neat removable chalk boards - I use it to keep track of works in progress, of which there are many. Prints on the left are Bad Bird and Sarah Jane Studios.

Overall, I think the room turned out pretty great. I certainly like hanging out in here!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Tough day - Happy Thoughts: My Sewing Room


Lucy has been up since about 3:30 am with a horrid stomach virus. I just stumbled downstairs to take a break and found myself at the computer looking for happy things, which are clearly not in the news, when I remembered that I hadn't posted a pic of the entire sewing room. So here it is. I try to keep it nice and neat when not in use so that when I am inspired to come in here I can jump right into a project without having to clean up first. Most of the time that works but quite often this room is covered in a sea of fabric, cutting rulers and yarn!

Here's to wishing for a brighter tomorrow!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Favorite Fabrics 2009





Ok.  So over at this site there's a little thing going to list your favorite fabrics.  I have so many but have done my best to narrow it down!  What were your favorites?

Favorite Home Decor Weight Fabric or Collection


Favorite New Designer


Favorite Floral Print






Favorite New Fabric You Worked With in 2009



Wildcard Category
 


Favorite Overall Designer: Heather Bailey
Favorite Fabric Shop: Pennington Quiltworks

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Last photo of 2009


Nutcracker Ballet camp, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is the last picture that I took in 2009. Lucy participated in an adorable Nutcracker ballet camp through the local Y. All the girls and boys danced fabulously and appeared to have a wonderful time. This picture of Lucy seemed to capture the spirit of it all: pink, glitter and trees. To me she looks both grown-up and young: one foot in the future and one in the now.

So here's to twirling into 2010!

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Sewing Closet



The Sewing Closet, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I figured that it was about time to blog about the sewing room. I will post pictures every few days and provide details. This picture is of the actual closet. I removed the doors and painted the closet the same color as the room walls. The curtains are hung on a tension wire though I wish they were a bit higher. I used fabric from this designer to make them. I cheated and just serged the edges and then folded the top over. This way I didn't have to commit to a length.  I love that I can just close the "curtains" and tidy up the room when guests are staying or when I just want to curl up with a book and not be tempted by fabric!

The shelving unit is from The Container Store. It was a labor of love. The right side is all of the fabric somewhat organized by style. Unfortunately it's not as organized as I would like but that's because I'm constantly digging through it looking for just the right fabric for a project.  Underneath the fabric are the extra sewing machines: my mother's Singer from the '60's and Dorothy's featherweight. Above the fabric is one long shelf that holds batting and stuffing, etc.

The shelves above the dresser mostly contain books and embroidery tools. I also have three cases of old patterns. I've been going through them and have kept my faves and plan to post the remainder on etsy. I use the dresser for sewing notions/tools. The bottom 4 drawers are empty for guests.

The TV is not hooked up to cable so for the most part I don't watch it. I've found that I make mistakes if I sew and watch old Gilmore Girls or Masterpiece Theater DVDs. I do watch Martha when I can - I don't make as many mistakes with her on in the background! ha ha!

Oh and to the very left of the closet I left space for wrapping paper and I plan to hang a grid on that wall for ribbon, etc.

For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Any suggestions?

My lovely friend Sandy just sent me this link from BHG about craft rooms.  Great ideas!  Thanks Sandy!

Friday, January 08, 2010

Cheap Shot - Making Fun of Scorpios.



Scorpios, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.
My brother found this inside a Butterfinger wrapper years (1991) ago and gave it to me. I think it pretty well sums up his experience of having a Scorpio as a sister: "You see yourself as forceful, compelling and passionate.  Others see you as an abusive, self-righteous psycho."

Monday, January 04, 2010

And, at last, the finished house



front of finished house., originally uploaded by stitchingpink.
This is the front of Lucy's house. The marshmallows are supposed to be snow drifts. Turned out much better than I expected, mostly due to the fact the Lucy did the decorating! Next year I want to make one from scratch, not using one of those Wilton kits. We'll see if that actually happens!

And here's the back:
back of finished house

Twittering

Ok, I gave in.  Now I'm on twitter as stitchingpink.  Thought I should try it out before I judge....