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Sewing Republic Projects


  • "grab-it-and-go" wallet

  • two-tone apron

  • summer serendipity bag

June 21, 2008

i really do have the best of intentions

But all I can manage to do is snooze on a sofa that looks like this:

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At least all of the past projects look quite nice squished up together.

What you don't see are all of the cat-fur tumbleweeds rolling by because my vacuum conked out last week, and you can't see the piles of laundry lined up and waiting their turn for the washer because we can now wash them legally.  Yet I doze.  

I think when our lift pump for the basement/laundry/darkroom plumbing quit on us and the flood ensued two weeks ago, well, it was just more than I wanted to deal with.   My job's busiest time falls during the summer months, and dang it, I need clean clothes, not to have to deal with drying out a basement, new flooring and plumbers!  My dear husband came up with a rather comical solution until the replacement motor for the pump arrived; I think, in direct response to my mini-meltdown. (Well, it made me laugh anyway!)  The clear hose that snaked from the washer, discharging the gray water to a outside drain looked like we were running a meth lab.  Really, it was a bit reminiscent of Cousin Eddie. ("shitter's full!)  All is fixed now, except that I have a mountain of laundry to catch up. 

And the vacuum cleaner?  I'm open to suggestions.  I've bought two machines in the last 4 years and I have no idea which brand to try next. I don't want another one whose motor burns out as soon as the warranty expires.  Miss M and I looked at several models this morning, but I'm not thrilled with any of them.  I'm trying to work up enough nerve to buy this one because I have some sort of belief that if I spend this kind of money, the old gal will last as long as my parents'  classic Electrolux.  But I just don't know.  I'm frozen because I dread the panic attack that comes for me after a big purchase.   

We've been working hard finishing up the lake house these last few weeks, too, trying to have it ready for a few mini vacations in before the summer is over.  So all of my sewing plans have kinda just been sitting there for the last couple of weeks. 

So here's what the sewing queue looks like these days:

DSC_0007There are plans for a dress for Miss M, a few work skirts, a new purse, PJs, and a gingham dress.

I have been working on another birthday quilt, too, in between all of the chaos.  This time it's a summer quilt for a summer birthday.  I hope I'll have a finished photo or two to share next week.

And there are some really awesome projects (that Bloglines completely failed to notify me of) over at The Sewing Republic.  I feel like they deserve a post of their own...  Tomorrow, hopefully!


November 16, 2007

more of near-'bout the same

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Linen patchwork coasters made from this tutorial found here.  (again!)  I'll be packaging them with a couple of handmade pottery mugs, hot cocoa mix, and a couple of peppermint sticks.  Ignore the silly cards--they feel quite vain to me--but maybe they will fool the recipient into thinking it's quite something special :)

On an un-crafty note, we've had such a gorgeous fall here.  If we had such a long wait for the fall to finally arrive, it has most certainly been made up in all of the beautiful colors this week.  So I set out this morning when I took the children to school with my camera in hand, determined to photograph some of the glorious scenes along the way.  Really, I have to catch my breath as I'm driving along.  Picturesque can't even come close.

But when I arrived home, my photos really couldn't convey what I see. So frustrating.  I'm slowing learning to appreciate my husband's quest for perfect landscape photography using the 'old Deardorff.  It is so hard to duplicate what our eyes see into a photograph.  (Perhaps a wide-angle lens would help.  Hint, hint, Santa!)  Anyway, it turns out that the only decent shot was from my very own yard.

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An ancient old dogwood with flame-red leaves.

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I'm wondering what all of your plans will be during one of the few weekends before winter settles in.  How will you all enjoy this last fling of color?   I have a brief interruption from all of the gift crafting planned (They may well turn into gifts--but, well, not likely.  I do love those little gnomes!)  And I have to finish up putting down the remaining cork flooring in the albatross otherwise-known-as-the Lake House.  Gorgeous views up there, though!
 

I hope you all have a colorful and warm and wonderful weekend!   

June 27, 2007

birds and flowers and another Jane...

...Austen shirt, that is
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hmmm.  this is a rather blurry picture, isn't it? 

Oh well, maybe if I described it for you?  It's from the same pattern as this shirt using this Alexander Henry fabric purchased from Sew Mama, Sew.  The fabric is a wonderful cotton, almost like a sheeting or crisp cotton lawn, and I'm still in love with the pattern

And while I was over at the Sew Mama, Sew blog , I spied this great shirt by Bess.  Oh dear, I think I've found a new pattern to try out.  And maybe a small fabric order, too?   Good times these days, revisiting Regency fashions.  What a blessing not to have to constantly remember to suck in the post baby(s) stomach!

I'm finally getting settled into my new job, but honestly, I'm not really happy there.  It is supposed to be a stepping stone to a much bigger plan and dream that I have.  I'm having a hard time keeping that focus, though, because where I work is perhaps the furthest from an artistic, creative community that you could be.  (and how would that be a stepping stone, you ask?  I'll explain one day, but right now I'm kinda shaky taking these first few steps!)  I think I'm just questioning my decision and the route that I'm going about all of this, so please forgive all of this complaining. I'm not an artist by any means, but I've realized just how very, very much I have to create and make things and just be around that kind of creativity, and 8 to 10 hours away from it is too long.  So if that is all that I glean from all of this, I guess it is an important lesson.  Meanwhile like Beki, I'm getting my crafty in where I can.

And this band has been on almost continuous rotation on my iPod, and more specifically, this CD.  Take a listen to that first song--it is my strength right now.  Yep, I'm one of those people who can play a song to death.  Whatever gets you through, I say!  Oh yeah, I've recently discovered these guys, too.  They are figuring in heavily in my playlists right now, too.  (my goodness, when did this turn into a music blog?) I'm just so proud of Raleigh's own creative class.  Oh, how I could blog on about all of that goodness!

So now that I've shared a little of my sewing, my woes, and my passions, I'll sign off for this post. And I'd love to hear more about the passions that drive all of you, and the little thing that help to keep you going!

(Hopefully my posts will come a little more regularly now that (I think) I have my equilibrium back!)

    

March 26, 2007

skirting the issue...

A few quick projects made over a gloriously warm weekend:

Some new napkins made from a $2/yard fabric find. Surprisingly, it was fairly decent 100% cotton, and woven pretty tightly.  (Not like the "homespun" type stuff of questionable content normally found at that price.)

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I couldn't leave Clara Belle kitty out, either.  From the leftover napkin scraps, some canvas, and a lot of Scotchguard, I made a new spat-mat for her food dishes.  Poor kitty, she hasn't been too thrilled with her food choices these days.  We're not giving her any moist food at all because of the recent pet food scare.  Maybe the new splat-mat will make her feel better?.

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Finally, you guessed it--another skirt for me.  Bias-tape casing and elastic waist, of course.  Kinda-boring fabric, but it is ever-so-soft

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I think I'm going to join a few others in taking a blog break for a while, probably until the end of April.  I hardly feel entitled to do so after only 4 months of blogging, but I really need some time to sort through a few things that need some serious attention.   I am going to set my sewing aside during this time, as well, so I can focus with out any distraction (wonderful distraction that it is).   It's time for a little spring cleaning around here, but just between my two ears!

I'll still be posting photos on Flickr and checking in (and commenting) on my usual blog reads.  I enjoy you guys so much! 

February 01, 2007

a light dusting of happiness

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We had such beautiful big snowflakes this morning.  I was just as excited as the children.  Because when we have a snow day, that means I don't have to go to my "it-pays-the-bills" job.  I get to stay home with my kids and do fun stuff. 

Snowball fights, ruddy-cheeked children, cold noses, a lunch of hot macaroni and cheese, a game of chess, comfy-cozy blankets.   *Smile*

   

January 13, 2007

saturday morning

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December 29, 2006

after a little christmas break...

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Somebody's hanging out, just waiting for some sewing to get started...

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