Ransacked Goods

Finally... a Work in Progress

Wonder of wonders, I actually have a new sewing project in progress. I can't believe it took me nearly 3 days of patched up free time to cut out this pattern. Such is the life of a working Mom with a toddler. The drudgery of cutting patterns is always my downfall with a project but once it's cut, my spirits are lifted and I'm good to go. But I'm really excited about putting a few of these pretty buckets together. I love utilitarian patterns and I am so sick of baskets filled with toys around the house. Plus it gave me an excuse to use some fabulous Japanese fabric I've been hording. I just ditched 2 big bags of fabric from my stash this week and it felt great to get rid of the clutter. But I get really flustered with myself when I hold on to fabric for so long that all the initial love is gone and I'm really not that interested in it anymore. What a loss - or in this case someone else on craigslist's gain. Lesson learned (again) seize the present.

Also, this upcoming weekend excitement is the Renegade Craft Fair in SF!!! I can't wait to head over there on Saturday with two of my crafting buddies. Dads will babysit (yes you are good, good men) and Moms will shop and ogle at all the crafty imagination out there in this world, and perhaps do a little vegetarian feasting nearby.

T-shirt Toddler Dress

I've had this t-shirt a friend of mine made in my drawer for too long now. Even though it doesn't fit me anymore, I can't bare to toss that cute little nest illustration into the Goodwill bag. But what do I do with it? So while I was browsing the bookstore this weekend I saw a solution in this book. I used the existing neckline and hem, sewed it into a narrower A-line shape, and just cut the sleeves off using another one of Chickpea's dresses as a template. I snipped the top to tie adjustable straps. It's a little too rough with the "toddler rocker" look for me. I usually prefer things a little more finished but it will work for play clothes this summer. My husband said it looked like peasant wear... But I've got a little more room in my dresser now.

Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt

Birthday Bunting

A little work in progress for the Chickpea's upcoming birthday celebration. I'd like to be able to use this string of birthday flags for her every year to decorate her room or outside for a party. They are cut from scraps in my one of my favorite color combos for girls, pink, orange and brown. The cutting went quickly but the sewing is going a little slower than I'd hoped. I'm resisting the urge to go full-tilt Martha for her party. Not that I don't want to, I'm simply too exhausted by the end of the day and you know what, that's just fine. We'll have tasty food, hopefully plenty of sunshine and our good friends for company and that in itself will be an amazing day for her.

Lazy Days Skirt

I have had this simple skirt pattern on my to-do list for quite a while now. This week I made 2 as Easter presents, one for my daughter and another for a friend's. I have so many small cuts of fabric in my stash (prints that I just couldn't leave the store without) that don't lend themselves well to big projects. This pattern is so simple that it's not even a pattern and it uses up a 1/3 yard so well, that I might just make a few more for gifts and summer play. I can't say enough about a project that is so basic you don't need to look at the instructions a second time, just my speed.

There are some great folks posting tutorials but I always loose track of them, sad to say. Here's one post that fortunately catalogs a bunch of them in one place.

 

Tidy Sewing

I was out on a mental health errand at our local JoAnn's mega-store when I spotted this too cute sewing basket. Don't you love that apple print! I also saw it used in a quilt here. Obviously the basket was needed and on sale, so I had to pick it up. What's not on sale these days? I think it's all a lesson in restraint when I'm shopping now. Do I need it or do I just want it? The "want-me-give-me" vibe is strong with me.

But there is such a sense of satisfaction in being organized. I keep telling myself that if I was only more organized that I would get more done. That's simply not true, any mom will tell you that you get an insane amount of "stuff" done in one day. But with things scattered about the house I feel like I can't get any thing finished. So I'll just take it step-by-step, reclaiming the chaos of my life that is now working motherhood. And a tidy sewing box is a good step, replacing the heap of sewing and missing tools on my mantle. There's no rush to hide and catalogue away all the clutter but it does feel good.

There's one Chinese proverb that I always remind myself of when I'm getting overwhelmed by too many details and projects in my life. A [woman] who chases two rabbits catches none. Take a deep breath, slow down, do one thing well and then move on to the next.

Crafting with Felt: Make-a-long with Mike

So here's a little glimpse of a project I started with felt over the weekend. Then I saw that Meet Me at Mike's was having a felt make-a-long so I thought I'd join the fun too. I cut out the rough felt flowers but they weren't working for what I had first intended but I'm pretty happy with how things are shaping up now. I'm not sure where it's headed (well actually it's going to be a pillow) in terms of how much detail I'll put into it but we'll see. I'm determined to just use what I have hanging around my sewing nook to finish it up. Stay tuned....