Tough day - Happy Thoughts: My Sewing Room

Sewing Room - View from Door, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

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!

Let us pause

Please take a moment and donate to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief and Development.

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

Vicky Payne For Your Home Collection from Free Spirit

Favorite New Designer

Jay McCarroll Woodland Wonderland for Free Spirit

Favorite Floral Print

Amy Butler Love for Westminster Fibers

Favorite New Fabric You Worked With in 2009

Kaffe Fasset Russian Rose Laminated Fabric

Wildcard Category

 

Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile for Free Spirit

Favorite Overall Designer: Heather Bailey

Favorite Fabric Shop: Pennington Quiltworks

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!

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!

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."

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:

Twittering

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

Gratuitous Lucy Photo

As I mentioned in a previous post, Mitch bought himself a new Mac and has been in the process of transferring photos to this computer. Lucy and I have spent countless hours going through early photos of her to which she usually replies "Oh, I was so cute," which of course, she was. So I thought I would post one of my favorites. It's not a great picture of me but it really captures the moment. I think that this was later in the day after I gave birth to her.

What an angel.

Fast and easy notions bags

Fun and easy bags, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I loved making these - super cute and easy. Quick as 1-2-3. The pattern is from Quilts and More Winter 2009 and uses the new Westminster Fibers laminated fabric. I finished my edges with a serger but you could just use pinking shears. Had I not been on a coffee cozy craze, I would have given these as gifts but I think I'll start sewing a bunch of them in the New Year to give out as gifts. They would work well as reusable snack bags!

It is unbelievably cold here which inspired me to make beef stew from this book. Yum yum.

And I just finished Cleaving. Still trying to get my head around this book. Julie Powell is a truly gifted writer with a clever way of describing her experiences with food. This book though is less about food and more about her struggles to not just to find her life passion but how she lost it. Complicated. I myself am not a great writer so I would never do her book justice by writing a synopsis here. Let me just sum it up with this: S & M, butchery, goat's blood, Buffy, world travels, alcoholism, adultery, narcissism and soul mates. If that doesn't peak your interest then I don't know what will.

Glittering Nature

Mitch bought himself a new Mac and I haven't figured out how to upload photos yet so an updated photo of the gingerbread house will have to wait. For now, please enjoy Lucy's glittered woodland collection. We gathered the bark, acorns and pine cones on a recent nature walk and then came home and glittered to our hearts' content. There's no better path to a happy day than with Martha Stewart glitter. I'm not kidding. One problem- it gets everywhere. It's not a big problem but it is a bit embarrassing to be at work and see red and pink glitter sparkling in your hairline! Oh well, it comes with the territory if you have a crafty girl (or two) in your house!

BTW, over at Martha Stewart you can enter your glittered projects into a photo contest. You can find our photo there amidst some seriously crazy glittered photos and other projects. I don't think we have the slightest chance of winning but it's worth a shot plus Lucy loves to see the photo of her project on the MSL website!

Hope everyone is getting ready for the holidays. The snow has certainly added to the Christmas spirit. My pink decorations look even cuter against a white background. Ha ha!

Keep warm!

Hmm.

Mitch's attempt at gingerbread house, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is what happens when you go to work and leave your husband in charge of assembling the gingerbread house....

'Tis The Season

Urban Outfitters tinsel tree, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Well, it's getting closer each day. I'm feeling very sparkly this year, in fact I just added two more strands of twinkle lights to my holiday decor and I feel like I need more! It's just that kind of year. Plus all that Martha Stewart glitter has made me super-giddy about sparkles.

This tree I picked up at Urban Outfitters 7 or 8 years ago. I love how sparse the branches are as well as their length. It's the perfect tree to display my collection of homemade ornaments. My mother sewed the felt ones and my great-aunt did the tatting as well as the sequined styrofoam balls. I have a few sets of these felt patterns that my mother never made but to be honest they're just too much work! I can't believe that she had the patience to do all of these - my brother has another dozen or so. But it was the 70's which were all about craft, kind of like now but using less glue. ha ha!

Keep warm.

Amy Butler Field Bag

Amy Butler Field Bag, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

So here it is. At last. The Amy Butler Field Bag. It was a challenge as expected but well worth it. There are four large side pockets plus I added a small pocket for a cell phone or ipod. I put together 10 kits which are available at the shop plus I plan to teach a class in the spring.

This may be my last bag for a while only because there are so many things that I want to sew: baby blankets, pajamas, doll clothes.... And I need to figure out how to do more stuff on my serger - I'm just not taking advantage of its full potential.

I did manage to make an Eagles fleece poncho for my father-in-law. He's in a wheel chair so it's much easier to drape a poncho over him than a coat. It was fabulous! I gave it to him on game day when he was decked out in his oh-so-retro Eagles sweat suit from the 70's. I'll post a pic later this week. (My plan had been to make everyone pajama bottoms but that plan came to a grinding halt when I realized that I cut them a bit too short!)

Lots to do for the holidays. I decided to make fabric gift bags instead of wrap everything. The serger makes it super-easy plus it gives me an excuse to play with my stash!

Keep warm.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Pink Christmas, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is my pink tree and decorations collection. It's taken about 6 years to collect all of this stuff. I decided to display them together this year so that there could be a mass effect. What do you think? All I can say is that I grin each time I walk down the stairs and see all this PINK.

This ornament we found at Lord and Taylor. Lucy has shoes that match!

My great-aunt tatted the two following ornaments. Each year she would send us a box filled with tatted Christmas trees, candy canes and snowflakes. I have about 4 dozen of them now!

Lucy and I are way into Martha Stewart glitter. It's everywhere - in our hair, on our face, imbedded into the carpet. But that's ok. Everyone needs a little sparkle this time of year!

Mitch got this book for me as a belated birthday present. Actually, the exchange went something like this:

Me "I have coupons at Barnes and Noble that need to be used today if you want to buy some presents for your dad."

Mitch "OK. I can get him a couple of bestsellers."

Me "That's a good idea. One of the coupons is for any book in the store."

Mitch "Is there anything that you want?"

Me "Yes, I would like a copy of The Sartorialist."

Later:

Mitch "You know, this book is just a bunch of pictures."

Me "Yes, I know that. His blog is essentially a display of people wearing clothes."

Mitch "OK, as long as you know what it is."

Even later:

Mitch "Here's the book you wanted. Happy Birthday."

Me "Thanks. How thoughtful of you."

The book is FABULOUS beyond belief. I am going to pour over it for hours and hours just studying the outfits, hair, shoes, bags - basically everything. If it's not already on your

holiday wish list you need to add it. But if you'd rather not have another book in your house that will collect dust, then just visit the blog.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

And She Sews!

Minnie Mouse Sewing Machine, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I'm fresh off the plane from Disney World. Whew. That was an exhausting trip though it was tons of fun. Lucy loved meeting all of her favorite characters and princesses. As I scanned through my pics today this one stuck out - Minnie's Sewing Machine. Minnie's house was adorable and included an entire craft room. There in the corner was this little pink beauty. Who wouldn't want to sew on a machine like that? And you can't see it in this pic, but off to the side is a bowl of yarn. Minnie is one crafty chic.

American Girl Sewing

Chrissa's Maxi Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy got this doll for her birthday last month and since then she has been busy making clothing requests. I made this maxi dress inspired by the one in Weekend Sewing. Lucy and I have the same one. I also made a nightgown and another summer outfit using Kaffe Fasset/Brandon Mably fabrics (below). I have to admit that it is quite fun to sew for a doll and my serger makes it sooo easy!

I took Lucy to the shop to pick out fabric for coordinating outfits and she wasy so funny about it. She new exactly which fabrics she wanted and she also had strong opinions about how much we needed. In the queue are the following: coordinating Holiday Pajamas, sundresses and another skirt.

Oh, and did you know that this doll, Chrissa, is a crafty girl? She even has a sewing table and machine. So of course, I had to get that for Lucy. Lucy already decorated it with stickers from craft pudding like the ones I have on my machine.

Girls are just awesome.

I have been busy

Instead of blogging, I have been busy...

1. Selling unused yarn and patterns on ebay
2. Planning Lucy's 5th Birthday Party
3. Decorating the sewing room
4. Recovering from a cold that turned into a sinus infection
5. Finishing the Field Bag kit for the quilt store
6. Sewing clothes for Lucy's new American Girl Doll, Chrissa
7. Buying stuff on etsy using money made from the first thing on this list

I will post pics of numbers 3 , 5, 6 and 7 soon.

Happy Fall!

Bento Boxes

Other lunch ideas can be found in this article from the NY Times. I did some of this for Lucy last year but have to admit that there are many days where I just peel an apple, throw in a hard-boiled egg, some carrots and milk.