Saturday, May 30, 2009

What I've Been Doing

I have been sewing quite a lot and enjoying my new serger. Pillowcases, bags, curtains and gifts. But I'm also busy training for a triathlon, the Philly Women's Triathlon to be exact. It seemed like a good idea a few months ago - a way to motivate (scare) me into getting to the gym. Now that it's coming up in 6 weeks I'm a bit terrified and spending most of my free time swimming, biking or running. The process of training has been inspiring. Each day I am a bit surprised at what I am able to do and how much stronger I seem. My amazing trainer has really helped in this process as well. My body seems to be doing what it wants to do - work and work hard. One day he told me that the human body is one of the few things that will actually breakdown from lack of use. We were meant to walk, reach, carry, jump, run.

I wish that I could report that my body has turned into some version of Sarah Conner from Terminator but that hasn't happened and I'm ok with it. I'm doing this not to look like an amazonian women, but rather to better myself for now and going forward. I have a lot of things I want to do in the coming years and I need to take better care of myself in order to make that happen. Plus, I have to get in better shape to keep up with Lucy! I swear, at four, that she can run faster than I can.

So, I will be back with pictures and knitting and sewing projects. After the tri, if I survive, I will write more. Plus, I want to get a jump on my holiday projects and not wait until the very last minute.....

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Latest Book Obsession




I love this book! Especially the cover quilt though I'm pretty sure that I don't have the time or patience to make it right now. Still this is a great book - full of inspiration and ideas based on classic quilt designs. The quilters are based in Australia though one of them, Kathy Doughty, hales from Ohio! And Kaffe Fasset wrote the intro so you know it has to be interesting.
And while we're on the topic of reading material, check out the latest issue of "Stitch" from Quilting Arts. I have to admit that I wasn't too impressed with the first issue last Winter but this one is better - great colors and a range of projects. In fact, I'm heading to the quilt store on Monday to purchase materials to make one of the bags.
Anything else, hmm. I did make this cute little project as a shop sample. Great for recessionista lunches. I used Anna Maria Horner's oilcloth version of her latest collection. Perfect. My friend Jess recommended that I make a coordinating reusable sandwich wrap and placement like this. I'd like to design something I can make with my lovely new serger.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Serger Love

The serger is here. In my house. Threaded and ready for use. I promise to post projects and updates soon. The sewing room is nearly complete - I just need to finish and hang the curtains as well as buy a simple bed frame for the daybed. This one from West Elm is the primary contender.

The little one is upstairs in bed sick so I need to get back to her. More in the coming weeks....