Sunday, February 17, 2013

Take Note

Hi, guys! I'm wrapping up my weekend with Z-Man, snuggled on the couch watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He's nodding off but hanging in there--I fear he's taking mental notes for when he's in high school. I'm not helping because I'm pointing out the success of Ferris' plan is due to the fact that he's very good at covering all the bases. He cracks me up--when Cameron's dad's car goes flying out of the garage in reverse he turns to me and says "Insurance should cover that, so it's not like it's a total loss." Where the hell is he learning about insurance?

Anyway, if he wanted to take real notes I've got just the thing for him (how's that for a segue?). I came home from some errands yesterday and raced upstairs to do a fabric pull. I finally had some inspiration and motivation! Sometimes I get tired of making bags--not totes, but more complicated bags. So many pieces, so many steps. Sometimes I need a break. So I sewed up something fairly quick and easy--a cute little note-taker. I have a few more tweaks to make and then I'm thinking of putting a few of these in the shop.


Isn't that typewriter too cute? And the lovely positive thoughts flowing from the keys? Sweet! I fused the typewriter to some Heat 'n Bond and trimmed the shape. I then fused that to my text print and top-stitched it down. 


The first version I made was a little large without much sturdiness. With this one I shrunk it up a bit and I'm pretty pleased with the size. I inserted some cardboard in between the layers so it's pretty rigid. It closes with an elastic strap and is lined with a delightful-to-work-with linen/cotton blend.


There are a few slight measurement and construction bits I want to fiddle with a bit, but overall I like it! In the larger version a Kindle would fit in the left pocket. BUT I decided to make it smaller and leave that out. I don't know that I'd feel secure putting mine in there (great marketing, Bee!) and my general feeling is that people already have cases for their e-readers and tablets (every time I hear someone talking about getting one someone ALWAYS chimes in "Make sure you get a case for it!"). So I made this smaller so it's a true note-taker. Book club, PTA meetings, shopping lists, party planning, gift lists, whatever--it's a cute little place to take a note, keep coupons, whatever.

I know that in this digital age something like this seems very 'what's the point?' But sometimes I (and I know I'm not alone here) just want to write something. I don't want to figure out something on my phone or fire up my laptop just to do something as simple and quick as writing a note. I feel a little sad that a lot of kids today don't learn handwriting in school (the nephew asked me what the point of cursive is). While technology is marvelous, sometimes I want to unplug and go analog. I don't want to write the next great American novel in cursive or anything, but a to-do list with all my coupons/notes/receipts whatever? Just perfect.

I'm keeping this one for moi as there are a few wee kinks that I want to iron out in the final version, but I already know what I'm doing with it. I'm taking it to work--for my daily notes and jottings and to-dos, and also to store notes that are currently in scrap form on my desk and pinned to the wall that I don't always use but still need.


I had so much fun making this one and pulled out a stack of fabrics that inspired me to make more. Hopefully I can have some up in my shop by next week.


Side note: I'm in LOVE with these text prints that have been coming out. I try to snag them as I see them, even if it's in little bits. They get to be pretty hard to find after a bit. They're the one thing I'll add to my stash without a reason. Everyone needs a fabric guilty pleasure.

Linking up here this week:

Under the Table and Dreaming*** Skip to My Lou *** Pinkapotamus *** Sew Can Do *** Craftomaniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** C.R.A.F.T. *** Sarahndipities *** Today's Creative Blog***  Funky Polkadot Giraffe ***Chef in Training *** My Girlish Whims *** Sew Much Ado *** Free Pretty Things for You *** Tea Rose Home *** Someday Crafts*** Somewhat Simple *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom  *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love *** Craftionary **

22 comments:

  1. So so good! I love everything about this project and I cannot wait to see other fun things you'll make with those yummy fabrics.

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  2. Mentioned this post on my Facebook page and a friend said that this looks like a perfect Kindle cover. FYI. :D

    Instant market research, eh? :D

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  3. That is so cleve, I adore that fabric!

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous!Love the fabric! Thanks so much for sharing.
    Have a fabulous day!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  5. That is such a cute book. I love the typewriter, it's superb. I love the text prints too. I just got a charm pack of Architextures which is fun too.

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  6. it is so lovely! I couldn't be without my notebooks and diary. I have notebooks for everything, I can't be doing with keeping my calendar or notes on a computer or my phone.

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  7. I love notebooks, even when I make a shopping list I do it in a notebook because I had this habit of losing the piece of paper, much harder to with a notebook. Oh and I love the typewriter takes me right back (showing my age now)

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  8. The art of handwriting is becoming a lost art! I love all of those fabrics, you always find the neatest fabrics... so jealous! :)

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  9. I love this! The fabric is adorable. I think this would also make a great kindle cover.

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  10. I love those typewriters so much, and that texty fabric! I love notepads, in fact post it notes are my vice at work, to the extent that I once got a birthday card from a colleague of an elephant covered in post it notes (I'm not sure what she was trying to say about the size of me ;o) )

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  11. That is SO cute! I'm always looking for something to scribble notes on, but I usually just end up with the back of my daughter's drawings or something like that! I love the text prints too. =)

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  12. This is wonderful!! Wow. Would love to have you share this at What to do Weekends on my blog. Take care, Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/welcome-to-what-to-do-weekends-party.html

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  13. This is adorable!!! I love the fabrics you used, that typewriter is too cute! I always keep a notebook on hand because I'm better at remembering something if I actually write it down.

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  14. Thanks so much for coming over and linking to what to do weekends. I so appreciate it and love your projects!!! Take care, Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/welcome-to-what-to-do-weekends-party.html

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  15. These are fabulous! I also love the text fabric but must admit that I haven't bought any yet - seeing what you did with yours has inspired me though so I will stay on the look out!

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  16. Love the print as the notebook cover! Great idea =)

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  17. Love the word art idea, you know you could make your own design at spoon flower. Fabric vice - everyone needs to hoard something

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  18. That is fabulous! Thanks for linking with me :)

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  19. Cute! I love the typewriter! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!

    T'onna

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  20. Fabulous fabric! So adorable! Thanks for linking up to my Pin Me Party!

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  21. Those text fabrics are amazingly cool!

    I have a weekend Link party if you'd care to join:
    http://www.bobijensen.com

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