NaBloPoMo: Day 9

Finny and Donk, you are going to be SO proud of me. I am finished with the Nov/Dec In Stitches Challenge! I made the Patchwork Throw.

Now I did not like making this throw. Basically, you get a big piece of muslin, and then applique pieces on top of it. A lot of unnecessary ironing and sewing, if you ask me. And then comes the quilting. Oy vey, that's a lot of lines!

But I do like the quilt. I was a little meh on it until I grabbed it from the dryer. I love the wrinkles, I love the fishy fabric on the back, and I love how the binding is wider (about an inch wide). Look at all this wrinkly goodness!!

And here is the bad photo of most of the quilt.

Happy New Year!

Wow, that was a nice break. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! Sorry for the lack of blogging, but with all the last minute frantic gift making I've been a little crafted out and too tired to blog. Another reason too, but that will have to wait for the (maybe) next post. Now that I'm back... lets go over my 2007 resolutions, shall we? I've been to scared to look at them until now.




1. Get an awesome calendar - I got two awesome calendars last year. Nikki McClure's and Lotta Jansdotter's
2. Take a photo everyday, and post it on flickr - Well, I started out well, but then I petered out. I don't think I have any after August. Still, that's 8 months. Pretty good! :)
3. Finish reading Moneyball - Uh, no. Did not finish this.
4. Make a quilted coaster - No, but I got a coaster when I suscribed to the sampler. So I didn't really need to make one after that. I'd still like to make a set though.
5. Finish Sampler Afghan - Hmm, that didn't happen either. But I am much further along. Out of 99 squares, I have probably around 80 of them complete.
6. Take my GREs - No, but I decided to go to SJSU instead, so I didn't need to take them
7. Finish making duro dress - Complete!
8. Join a ________-a-long - Joined many -alongs, but my favorite was the In Stitches Sew Along. Thanks Finny and Donk!
9. Go to a Sharks game - Check!
10. Do a mystery quilt - I started at least two, finished none.
11. Organize Closet - Done, but figured out that it's too small!
12. Go to Japan!! - So fun. Need to go back when it's not so hot and swelter-y
13. Knit a sweater - Didn't even come close on this one. I bought yarn to make a baby sweater... picked out a pattern, but that's about it.
14. Get new glasses - I did get new glasses, they're blue!
15. Improve my posture - Can't tell. I'm going to say probably not.
16. Apply to Grad School - I applied to SJSU, and I am now in their Aerospace Engineering Masters Program. Hurray!

So sorry, this was kind of boring for you all, and there are no new photos. Honestly it's because this is a cheater post because I still don't have my act together yet. Oh well. New Year Resolutions for 2008: 10 sit ups a day, and use less plastic. I ordered some reusable bags from reusablebags.com, so hopefully this will help when I go to grocery stores and other stores in general. I'm also going to make some bags, maybe with this pattern or this one or this one. I'm going to stick them in everything (cars, all my purses, etc) so I have no excuse. Maybe a few more resolutions coming too.



Oh! Since I'm posting, I should mention that the In Stitches Sew Along was GREAT, and that you should join the next sewing adventure. The book is Simple Gifts to Stitch, and details can be found here or here.

In Stitches Sew Along: Sept/Oct Patchwork Bag

This bag is the original reason why I bought this book. When flipping through the book, I immediately noticed this bag. What's not to love? There's patchwork, quilting and it's big enough to fit everything I carry around everyday. I was so excited when it was announced as the Sept/Oct project. Like usual, I procrastinated and waited until the last 2 weeks of October to start the project. To my surprise, I finished it in one weekend. I think making the Weekender Bag prepared me for how many steps these Amy Butler bags can take.

Since it took me so long to start, I got to see what all the other bloggers said about this bag. Everyone seemed to like how it was turning out, and that it was actually looked like the bag in the book. No wonky corners or stuffing the bag with clothes to get a boxy shape.

I decided that this bag was going to be loved. I went out and got Amy Butler's Nigella prints to make this bag. And I really do love this bag. I made the patchwork the same as the suggested sample in the book. I love the fabric and I really like how it turned out.

Of course, bags are meant to have pockets. So I added one.

Even better, I've already used it twice! :)

In Stitches: August + a forgotten Japanese Goody

So after totally falling off the wagon for July's In Stitches project (I promise I'll get it done someday!!) I've finished August's a couple days early! Woohoo! Good thing it's probably the easiest project in the entire book. Anyway, here it is.

It's the square potholder. Can't decide if I really like it or not. Like June, I used insulbrite instead of the batting. Haven't tested it out yet, but I've used insulbrite for other potholders and it keeps the hands much cooler than regular old batting.

I think it turned out ok. I did not participate in the theme, Happy Hands, mostly because I just remembered at this exact moment and am too lazy to get my camera out and take more photos. Lets just say that if I did Happy Hands, it would be taking a Totino's frozen pizza out of the oven. God I love those things.

I was super excited last night when I realized I forgot to share something I bought in Japan! This is the lone Japanese book I bought there. It translates to (literally, my Japanese is not good enough to catch those nuances): Adult Couture, Dress, Smock Blouse. If you're interested, the ISBN is 978-4-579-11149-7.

This is the cover. I looked at so many books, and this is the one that I liked the best every single time.

The patterns remind me of Built By Wendy, but distinctly Japanese. I even got bf to say "Oh yeah, I can imagine you in those clothes. Seems like something you'd like". This also may have been a result of standing in the craftbook section of the book store for half an hour, refusing to leave until I found a book I really really REALLY liked.

There's a lot of great patterns in here. I just have to find time to sew! If things go according to plan, I'm going back to school on Wednesday for my Masters of Science. I guess no more being a couch potato while buying more quilting books and fabric...

Hurrays and Boos

So since I am leaving for the airport in a couple hours, I decided to keep my promise of making another post before I leave. Hurray! Chris is bringing his laptop, so hopefully I will be able to post while we are on our trip. Instead of packing, this time I had a crazy urge to sew. So here are some things that I was working on in the past couple of days...

Ok, this one is a hurray. I wanted to make a little pouch, and a little pouch I made. I am so not good with these snaps though. Is there a trick to them? I'm just using a hammer...

And this one is the boos. The photos are small because I took them at 2-ish in the morning, and they're blurry. Didn't want to give you a headache. This is a great pattern by Liesl of Disdressed, one of my favorite blogs. I started this this morning, cutting out all the fabrics and sewing it all together. The construction reminded me vaguely of the weekender bag that I made before. Since it was kinda familiar, it was fairly easy. I love it. Still deciding on the fabric (too circus maybe?) but I love the bag. Here's the kicker. The last step of the bag is to use rivets to attach the straps. I have NO idea how to put rivets on. I just tried to use a hammer. Did not work. What's the trick? Sara, you must have some tricks up your sleeve... your rivets AND your snaps look fabulous...

Anyway, enough whining. Time for some last minute packing! Next time I'll be typing will be from Japan! Oooh!!

(So I will be missing In Stitches Sew Along for July and Bag Month because I was a lazy bum this month. Boo. Nothing like packing for a 2.5 week trip to jumpstart your sewing mojo.)

Oh my, it's July already?

I have been waiting for July all year. My family goes to Yosemite every Fourth of July, and I am so excited for 5 days of it this year. I am also going to Japan at the end of the month, so I am so happy that it's July!

I finished a couple projects for July, one on time and one a little late. Lets start with the on time one. Super secret project #1 was for my cousin Kel's graduation present. She came up for college orientation, so that was my deadline. I made her Modern Quilt Workshop's Redwork in Cal colors. I think she liked it... she kept saying she wished it was colder so she could use it! Here are some shots of it... More on my flickr.


My second project was the Placemats and napkins for the In Stitches Sewalong. So I guess I'm not officially done yet, but here's my excuse. Earlier in the month I had told my mom my assignment for the month and asked if she would like me to make the placemats and napkins for her. She said yes, but also added that her dining room sits 10! That's right, 10 instead of 4. So I started off, and on June 30th as it was approaching midnight, realized that I would not be able to get 10 done, and shot for 4. Really, I only got 1 set done. And here is that one photo. But I am probably 80% done with 10!! Does that count for anything?

I think it turned out pretty nicely. The placemats are huge, and the napkins are huge. The napkins are also not square, which kinda threw me for a loop. Oh well. On to July's projects!!

And the countdown for June starts.... NOW!

I can't believe it's the end of June already. Here are the things I need to get done before the end of June: Super Secret Project #1, Amy Butler Placemats and Napkins and hopefully Doll Quilt Swap #2 quilt. It's very do-able. Well, except that I do not have all the fabric for the napkins yet, but oh well. Or thread for topstitching. But who's counting?

I finally figured out what I am going to do for my doll quilt, and I'm super super excited. It will be pretty plain, but I hope that it turns out as well as I'm imagining it and I hope that my partner likes it! Here are the fabrics I chose (all from my stash):

June Gloom

Well not really in the way I normally think of it. I'm kinda sad that skirt month is over. Plus, my last ditch effort to make another skirt failed. Here it is... I don't think I'm going to finish it. Lets just say I finished 2.5 skirts. (Ick, dirty mirror)

On a happier note, here is my apron for the In Stitches Sew Along:

And here is my In-Action shot.

I was going to go bowling with the apron, but my bowling group decided not to go the last two weeks. In more exciting news, I'm planning on getting a polaroid camera!

A little tease...

I've finished my Amy Butler In Stitches Sew Along project. This month was the apron, and the theme was an "in action" shot. I have an idea of what I want to take a photo doing.. but it will have to be another week if I end up doing it. So we'll see. Until then, here's this photo. Of course I have a photo of the front-side, but where's the fun in that? :p

The Circus is in town!

Ok, so I finished my April In Stitches Sew Along Assignment. I actually finished most of it awhile ago, but I was so disappointed by the fit that it took me the rest of the month to hem the pants and add the finishing touches. So here they are: Amy Butler's Wide Leg Pants.

So can you see why I call them my circus pants? I feel so funny in these pants. Everyone else chose such nice and calm prints and I chose the circus. They do make me happy though. Like everyone else says, these pants are SUPER wide. Like a circus tent. I will now believe Amy Butler literally. My problem with these pants is that the waist is also super wide. I have to bunch up the waist with the drawstring, and it's just a lot of material up there. Oh and there was a lot more material on the legs too. I chopped off 4 inches before I hemmed them. But they are pants, and I can wear them, so good enough for me.

The ribbon trim gave me trouble. In retrospect, I probably should have used a walking foot. Having said that, I do like the ribbon and I think it add a little something special to the already colorful circus pants.

Every month there is a theme, and this month's theme was embroidery/fancy stitching. So my pants were so busy already that I decided that I needed to do something little. I added fancy stitching to the drawstring. All in all, an easy project, but since I'm not such a fan of the fit, I'm not sure if I'll be making these again. Who knows though, they were super easy compared to the other projects we've made so far.

Humongous Fungus

Well, technically it is finished, but it's a gift for someone, so I will wait until it's at least in the mail before I post about it. Lets just say it's a big pillow. What do people do with big pillows? It just seems big to me.

So last Saturday, I helped my sister move. Here is the truck used. The HUMONGOUS FUNGUS! Isn't that great? Literally, it was a huge Uhaul with big mushrooms painted on the side.

Here is the front of her new house that they bought. It's super cute, and the backyard is nice too. I'm very excited to see it when they're done moving in/unpacking.

Anyway, here is a WIP. It's the pattern pieces for the In Stitches Sew Along.

I am also doing the Doll Quilt Swap, and I'm a little nervous! It's my first swap! But I figure I should make the quilt as quickly as I can before I see everyone else's wonderful creations and change my mind last minute about the quilt. Hopefully I will finish most of it this weekend.

Clutch Performance

So today is the last day of March. Nothing exciting is happening, except that it is the last day to finish my March In Stitches Sew Along project. This month we are making the Clutch Handbag with Fabric Flower. After making the Weekender Bag, I had expected this bag to be pretty difficult. I was pleasantly surprised.


There is a divider on the inside. I must really stink at working with Timtex. Everytime I do something with Timtex it turns out wonky. In this case, the divider on the inside is a little bit big, so instead of being straight it bends a little. I hide this by stuffing all the excess into the corners... It doesn't stay like that for long though...


The only modifications that I did was to add the strap and to make the velcro closure a magnetic snap. Oh, and I left out the flower.


I liked how it turned out, but as a clutch, it's HUGE! I'm glad I added the straps.

Bedside Organizer Finished!

The February project for Kelli and Finny's In Stitches Sew Along was the Bedside Organizer or the Sleeping mask with the theme of embellishment. I chose the Bedside Organizer. It's super cute in the photos. Here is what it was supposed to look like:


And here is what I got:


Not quite the same huh? Taking into account that I procrastinated until the last day of February, and that there was no more sun by the time I got home, I guess it's not too bad. Lesson learned here is that I need to take photos in natural light. Here are some more photos that I took.


Ahhh much better.


Those funny little blobs are corgis that were freezer paper stencil-ed on. I'm not really one for embellishing, so corgis it was. (By the way, Chris picked all the fabrics and the corgis). No, we don't have a corgi seeing how we don't live together, but some day :). Here's a close up of my favorite corgi.


All in all, not a bad project. I did mess up and got 72 when I added 29 to 53, but that was easily fixed. All straight lines.

Freezer Paper Stencils

So in typical lynn-style, I'm getting my In Stitches Sew Along project ready for the last day of the month. I did the embellishing (freezer paper stencils) last night so it should be ready for its unveiling today. Chris picked out all the fabrics and the design to be freezer papered on.

In other news, in my Joann's email I noticed that March is National Craft Month! Who knew?