A New Look

We have a new look and I hope you like it! Please tell me what you think!

I felt like the old look was too stuffy and since I am concentrating on cleaning out my life of collecting material possessions I thought that my blog could use some cleaning out too. And I really like the blues.

Oh I cant wait, here is a sneak peak at the surprise... any guesses?

Creating and Finishing

I went shopping and got some goodies today. Of course I have already washed, dried and pressed them, so I can start on my next project tomorrow. Speaking of the next project, the blues and purples are going to be a mothers day present for my Mom and I. They are also going to be a submission to a sew along and I am not going to announce which one until I submit them. Its a surprise so I cant post what they are until after Sunday. I will tell you that the blues are for me and the purples are for my mom.



Last but not least are two finished totes. Pattern by Amy Butler from her In Stitches book.

Fun in the Sun

On this beautiful May Day it was finally warm enough to break out the new pool at the neighbors. My little pumpkin had such a grand time. I took so much pleasure while sitting in the sun. I cant wait until I am on a beach every weekend watching her running from the waves and learning to catch sandcrabs.

I have been sewing a bit. I bought Amy Butler's In Stitches book and I really like it. The patterns seem simple to do. I have read through several, but so far I have only finished one.

These are the drawstring bags from the book. They still need the drawstrings and I am going to take pics of them in action. The pirate one is for my brother Sean. He is completely obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean and has been for over a year or maybe two! The other bag it probably going to stay with me unless a friend decides she has to have it.

These bags also seem to be reversible. Which is why I put some cool liners in the pirate one.

The only thing that I would say about this pattern is that it is a little confusing at first (at least for me), but after I read it over a few times and laid the pieces out it was much clearer. This is an ingenious way to make a bag but it reminds me of when I made my first lined tote. I couldn't figure out how I would pull the whole purse out that hole in the liner and it would look right. I tried it and it worked! This is the same thing. It doesn't seem right at first but it comes out great. I popped both these bags out in an afternoon and I have plans for more!

Afternoon Tea- Photo Friday

Some afternoons I want to take a quiet break and sit with a good book and a cup of tea. I did 9 loads of laundry by the time I took this break so it was well worth it.

A Great Gift

Everyone needs to go to AfricanKelli and sign up to help these orphans. We have so much luxury. We can spare $20 for some toothbrushes, soaps, and lotions.

My Photography

I have been thinking a lot about photography lately. I think my new camera is the best purchase I have made in years. I have already gotten so much pleasure out of it. Most of the pictures I have been taking have been of my family and my home. I haven't had a camera in so long I felt like I have missed documenting our lives for the past 4 years.









I think I got that out of my system. I am starting to think like a photographer again. I am itching to go out and find a great shot.












I have also been a little more artsy then I used to be.









I ran out of batteries this afternoon or I would be taking pics right now. I probably should be reading Portrait of a Lady by Henry James instead. I have to read it for my English Lit class. After reading Madame Bovary I am hoping for a different writing style from Henry James. So far, so good. I am hoping for more excitement soon though.

As for sewing, I covered a new pillow. And I think I have everything to start quilting that purple quilt

Off to flirt with Henry James!

Apartment Therapy -Week 6

I skipped week 5, the office, because I am going to do it later.

I have been working on the bathroom.
Before: The sink is a mess. There is a lot of stuff that doesn't belong and too much crap that need to get thrown away.

I am not completely finished but I did throw away all the holey torn towels and donated all the ugly blankets. I only kept my favorites and a couple of nice ones that will be replaced as I find better ones I love.

I was able to condense most of the top and bottom linen cabinets into one. Next I moved all of the bath products, brushes, etc. to the top linen cabinet. I am buying new baskets to keep them organized. Only the stuff I use everyday made it into the medicine cabinet.

I ended up putting the green plate in the outbox

I have since painted that cool mirror white.

Things are looking so much better.

Photo Friday- The Blues

She looks so blue, doesn't she?

This is my first Photo Friday, Yea!

Stuff For Sale! Knitting Books and Oil Paint

I have some knitting books for sale on Amazon.com if anyone is interested.

Click me

I am also selling 31 tubes or Winton Oil Paint, set of plastic mixing knives and a plastic palate. Everything is used but the tubes of paint are 3/4 full. Everything for $35.

Pot Handle Cozy Tutorial

This Blog has moved! Please visit me at Elemental Stitches
My very first tutorial!
This tutorial is for...








So hear it goes...
I use cast iron pans and I have burned my hand so many times by forgetting to use a potholder and grabbing the very hot handle. These have been on my list of things to do for a while.

The finished project.
Materials:
-Flame retardant fabric. I used an old felted wool sweater that still had a little of its stretch left after felting.
-Matching Thread

1. Measure the length and width of the pot handles you want to cover, mine was approx. 5.5 inches by 2 inches.

2. Next, make a template of your design. I wanted my cozies to be really snug so I didn't add any seam allowances. However if your material doesn't stretch add at least a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Have fun with the design. I made a simple design because my fabric is already so eye catching. You could make the end pointed instead of rounded, a star or some other shape.














3. Lay out your template on the fabric and cut out.









4. Pin right sides together and sew up seams as illustrated (the red line on the picture).










5. Turn right side out and enjoy!

Note: I didn't finish the edges on mine because it was felted but if you want to, you would turn the edge on the opening under and sew them down before sewing the two pieces together.

I hope you enjoy! This was fun, perhaps more tutorials will come soon.