Aspiring Artistry

Messenger Bag: Success!

I have been busy, busy, busy! Being that I am a ridiculous kind of procrastinator, I'm sort of impressed with myself that I actually decided what I wanted to accomplish, and just did it.

Continuing on my exploration of The New Handmade, I made the messenger bag...love it! It's a small bag, which is a good change from the last bag I made, which is enormous! I happened to have some of the same fabrics used for this bag in the book's illustrations, some in the same colors, some in alternate shades. I have been saving this green faux bois print for a long time, just waiting for the perfect project, and I think this was it. Somehow, it didn't seem right for a clothing project.

All in all, it was a pretty easy pattern. My big issue was attaching the bottom panel - I had a hard time getting everything lined up just so. I also had some problems with the incredibly fat seams that you end up with, and the author said to press them flat when my first instinct was to just cut them out. But I followed her directions, and all turned out well!

I arranged my inner pockets a little differently (and now know that I would also add an interior pocket set, since I always seem to have little things lurking about in the bottom of my bag), and shortened the strap after realizing the pattern strap was just too long for my 5'3" frame.

I'm pretty thrilled with this, and can't wait to break it out tomorrow as my new spring "everyday" bag.

Pattern: The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style, Birdwatcher Messenger Bag

Fabrics: Joel Dewberry, Aviary

Placemats: The New Handmade

I'm a sucker for a new book...the gorgeous pictures, the seemingly simple patterns, the beautiful finished projects. I have a whole stack of recently-new sewing books, and the number of projects I've started is minimal.

But this time, I just did it.  Cassie Barden's The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style was my inspiration, and my task, the Pocket Place mats. I chose it for a number of reasons. First being that, with two toddlers at home, the dinner table is nasty messy after a meal. Thus, we have plastic and laminated place mats for them. But I am tired of looking at them: why shouldn't we have something pretty?

Plus, I'd love for them to learn to set the table, and what could be easier than a pocket created just for that use? No question about where the napkin and silverware go now!

I've never done any quilting, beyond piecing squares together for a basic blanket, so this was a learning experience. But it was simple, even though my corners are less than square. Ultimately, I think they look pretty nice. The instructions were simple, although I have a few minor suggestions.

The cutting list tells you, for example:

From the blue print, cut:

4 rectangles, 15" x 20"

4 rectangles, 14" x 15"

etc. 

From the red print

4 rectangles, 7" x 15"

Et cetera, et cetera.

Since I was not working with the same fabrics as the author did in the photographs and I arranged them a bit differently than the author did, it was a little confusing. Had the fabrics been assigned at "Fabric A, Fabric B, etc, it would've saved me a step. Similarly, the instructions for cutting the pieces didn't specify length vs. width. I unknowingly cut the main panels in the wrong proportion, but it didn't mess up my mats too much...they are just a little narrower!

With my extras, I made four frayed-edge napkins and a patched sackcloth towel. I think it makes a nice little grouping!

It's a great book, and I can't wait to do the next project...probably the Bird-Watcher Messenger Bag!

Pattern: The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style, Pocket Place Mats

Fabrics: Moda, Wonderland Collection: Rabbit Hole Dots Sugar & Tea Time Floral Tomato

Miss Madeline, Revisited

It was one of my first successful kid's sewing projects, one that is easy and clearly explained and produces a really great-looking, well-made garment. I've made a slew of them (check them out here and here).

Last night, I just had a hankering to make something cute and easy, something I could whip out in one sitting. My daughter, bless her heart, has lots of dresses, but not many cute tops. Which presents a problem when one wants to go out and play with out being more dressy.

I've had this fabric sitting around for ages, and have ruined a few projects with it, but have finally turned it into something I love! And with St. Patty's Day just around the corner, I suspect we'll be wearing it again soon!

Pattern: Miss Madeline by The Handmade Dress (shortened to shirt length and waistband not used)

Fabric: Stretch narrow wale corduroy, Marimekko (purchased at a local fabric shop)

Recent Obsessions & Ideas

Some thoughts floating around my brain, my desk, my workroom ...

Japanese Colored Masking Tape

This fabulous colored masking tape, made in Japan. It arrived in a pretty little package last week, and I'd almost forgotten I'd ordered it, since it was back ordered when I first found it. I'm brainstorming ideas for it, aside from prettying up regular daily stuff. 

I have tons of old glass bottles, teeny tiny to large, that we found during the renovation of our home (an amazing amount of large, round Lea & Perrins bottles. What's up with that?). I think I could use the tapes to make some really neat stripe patterns on the bottles, to brighten up the plain bluish green glass. 

Take a peek at some inspirational use photos here,  here,  here, and here.

Coffee Tawk

I don't know about you, but when at home, I tend to load my coffee up with sweetener and milk. Call it the Starbucks syndrome, I guess. What I use varies on what's available ... regular sugar, Equal, turbino sugar, powdered creamer, the kid's 2% milk, my skim, some whipping cream I might have on hand. I'm not real picky, and thus, the section of my kitchen dedicated to such matters is a mess.

But when I read in a magazine recently about this combo, I knew I had to try it. It's simple, it works, and requires so much fewer products!

Just a little bit, added to my coffee, makes a great cuppa.

Labelpalooza

I never thought I'd give in, but there I was at big-box office store yesterday, and I saw it. And I thought how I'd always wanted one, but enjoyed using all the lovely decorative ones that I already have.

But then I remembered that those great decorative ones don't always stick really well. And that I'm running out of them.

So I could justify it. Plus it only cost around $15. Of course, the cartridges are $23-ish, so it does add up. But it's so much fun! I did my whole fold-out pantry in just a few minutes, and am fully expecting that by the end of the weekend, both children, my husband, and the cats will have their names taped to their foreheads. 

Just because I can.

Mmmmmm...Risotto

I've gotten back on my clean-and-organize spurt, and attacked the pantry yesterday. Partially fueled by the new storage containers I got at the store, I spent the afternoon removing, sorting, cleaning, filling, and reorganizing. I've not yet finished the new labeling. Which I love to do!

Anywho, I was able to take stock of what excesses we had, food-wise. Rices and pastas are a big one. As are crackers and little toasts for appetizers (not sure what that's all about!). My freezer is also an abyss, full of frozen vegetables that are far past their best use date. Oh well.

Attempting to do a little clean out tonight, I whipped up a great risotto. It used to be one of my staples, but due to the amount of time that you cannot leave the stove and just have to stand there stirring, I haven't made it in a long time. 

The recipe is adapted from one in Martha Stewart Living Cookbook. Here's how I prepare it:

Lemon Mint Risotto

• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 diced shallots, and 5 minced garlic cloves. Stir frequently with wooden spoon, until soft but not brown, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in 1.5 c. arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, until the edges of the rice are translucent, about 3 minutes. 
• Add 1/2 c. dry white wine and grated lemon zest (of 2 lemons). Stir constantly until all wine is absorbed. 
• Warm 5 c. chicken stock, on stove or in microwave 
• Add salt, pepper, and about 3/4 c. stock to rice. Cook over med/high heat, stirring constantly, until all stock is absorbed.  
• Continue adding stock, about 1/2 at a time stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding next, 20-25 minutes, until rice is creamy looking and tender, but firm in the center of the grain. 
• Add frozen peas, and diced ham (or whatever leftovers you may have!) 
• Remove pan from heat. Add 3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tsp lemon juice, 9 sprigs fresh mint (finely chopped). S & P if you like. 
• Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Birthday Goodness

With the twins approaching age three, we're starting to hit the birthday party circuit. Two schoolmates, who have birthdays a week apart, are having a joint birthday party next weekend. Which, for us, means four presents!

The birthday boy is all boy ... into trucks, loud things, being loud, etc. So I'm not pushing this one, and we picked out two small toys he is sure to love. The girl, however, is a bit more gentle, and seems like a real sweetie. 

Thus, I thought we'd go the girly route: a cupcake kit. We picked out some of the silicone cupcake cups with feet, a fun mixing spoon, a bowl to put it in, and some cupcake mix and sprinkles. That will be from one of the kids, and the other will give her a sweet little apron. 

I cut it out last night, and whipped it up today during naptime. It's one of my favorite fabrics, and perfect for spring!

Pattern: Based on MakingitFun's tutorial

Fabrics: Joel Dewberry's Aviary

Skirtin' Around

I recently bought Sew What! Skirts in an effort to move my efforts along from making stuff for children to making stuff for me!

Years and years ago, I got started making a few dresses for myself, and found it easy... a few summer shifts. But as my paychecks started increasing, my sewing decreased. Why make when you can buy? 

Well, my mindset is certainly different now (ummmm, no paychecks, and a real desire to complete something tangible). My first attempt at making clothes for myself, as seen below, is okay. Not awful, not fabulous.

I tried the basic A-line skirt, with a side zipper and inside facing. I've obviously measured poorly, as it's totally gape-y around the waist (as you can see, I tried to pull my shirt down over it...poorly. I even took in the side seam in a few inches, but it's still not right. I did measure a bit below my natural waistline, as I don't love the constricting around my waist, but maybe I overdid it. The hips too. We're always our toughest body critics, aren't we!?

I did fairly well on the zipper, for a first try. I don't quite understand how to make the bottom of the zipper fit correctly with the fabric ... it sort of looks like a wound, a gash, with a pink zipper in the middle. But it's straight! And the stitching looks good!

I wonder if next time I should try to do a full-on fitted waistband and such, to make it just perfect. Or should I skip that route and go for an elastic waist? I really don't want any gathering and such, though.  I don't mind going through many incarnations in my effort to perfect the skirt skills, as I am a total skirt person ... I'd pick a skirt over pants any day, and absolutely a skirt over shorts, which are so totally unflattering.

I hit Old Navy today and got a nice handful of brightly colored t-shirts, so I'm well on my way to my summer uniform wardrobe!

Oh, speaking of skirts, do you have this monthly free mag in your city? We've just had it for a year or so, and I continue to love it! This morning, I dropped off the monkeys at preschool, hit *bucks for a cuppa coffee, and enjoyed this month's issue. In my new skirt! 

Pattern: A-Line skirt from Sew What! Skirts: 15 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics

Fabric: Amy Butler Daisy Chain collection Sweet Rose, Brown

Rosemary

A friend spent this weekend, the first sunny one we've had in months, cleaning up his garden. A big part of that was pruning the five huge rosemary bushes out front.

I was happy to help ease his burden, and came home with a big bucket full. After pulling some aside for cooking, I filled some vases:

    

Even with all that ...