A Few for Friday - #15

Ahoy ahoy! Pretty quiet week here. The weather was in the eighties for a couple days (I know I wanted warmer weather, but I didn't want sweat weather just yet) but now it's dropped way down and is quite chilly outside. Outside it looks like nature hit the snooze button for the last time and realized just how late it was and it was going to need to get a move on if it was going to provide bloggers with obligatory springtime flower photos :) But seriously--almost overnight it went from bare, leafless trees to all kinds of greenery and blossoms, and I mean that literally. Anyway--I've got very little to share this week. I know you're all making such sad faces right now :)

I love soft pink blossoms. I wish trees had those all the time.

 I took this one mostly because I loved the yellow against the gray wall (the gray wall that I normally abhor, but in this case will tolerate).

 Lots of pinning and pressing and stitching and ruffling to make a pretty kitchen curtain for my sister. This is one of my favorite fabric combos ever. I'm trying to think how I'm going to get a good picture for you to see all the ruffly goodness...

And that's it for now. Don't forget--the sew along starts Monday!!! And the giveaway ends tomorrow! Check out both posts for more info. And now I must tappety-tap on my keyboard to write up a certain set of instructions for a certain lovely group of people :)

Pick a Peck of Pickled Purses

OK, it's not a peck. I don't even know how much a peck is. I think it's half a bushel. So when you love someone a bushel and a peck I think you love them one and a half bushels worth. Of what, I don't know. But I don't have to worry, I don't have a peck--I just have one.

A few weeks ago I got a message on Facebook requesting a cosmetic bag made of pickles fabric. I verified that the asker was NOT under the influence of anything and told them I would, contingent upon me finding the fabric. I found it, not so far away (which is weird, because for odd things I usually have to have it shipped half a world away and pay a gazillion dollars in shipping charges). The bag itself was simple--a larger-than-usual makeup bag, with some pockets on the inside. I whipped it up the other night, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I like it, but I am surprised that I do. I thought it would be weird, but it's so quirky that it's fun.

That's quite the love of the humble pickle. It's so bizarre that it's pretty nifty.

 Flat bottom, sides even with the edge of the purse.

 

I had a really long zipper I shortened for the top, and used the remainder for a zip pocket on the inside, along with a dash of pickles for a cell phone pocket.

 Obligatory hardware close-up.

I do enjoy quick little projects using fabric that are quite different than anyone's norm. I sent a message back saying "I have something for you....." and without even seeing a picture she was all "Gah!! Yes, I'm excited!" (or something akin to that). I'd be curious to see people's faces when she pulls this one out.

The "I Love" Giveaway

I love when you give your mom a hug and her perfume gets on you a little and you can still smell it later on and it reminds you of her. I also love when you hold a baby, and baby scent gets on you and you can still smell that, too. I love when you're looking for a certain thing and you find something else instead--something you had given up on finding. I love when the wind is blowing just right so that you can drive with the windows down and not eat your hair. I love when your eleven year old nephew still likes to sneak a snuggle on the couch while you're watching TV (well, MY nephew, not yours, because that could be weird). I love when you forgot your coupon, and someone in Michael's gives you theirs that they didn't use. I love the smell of gravy simmering on the stove, and the prospect of gooey, cheesy stuffed shells for dinner. All simple things, all things that make up life.

I also love:

Red and white polka dot anything (in this case--notecards).

 Useful things made pretty.

 Frivolous things you need to have because the packaging is cute.

 A pen that 'means it' when you write with it.

 And a delightful book to jot your thoughts down in.

This happy little bundle could be all yours. All you have to do is leave an "I love..." comment. It can be a simple pleasure, a guilty pleasure, a luxury, anything that makes your heart grin. Please leave a way to contact you, because if I can't I'll have to pick another winner. I'll use the cold and impersonal random number generator to pick a winner on Friday, April 12th. I'll ship these goodies anywhere, as I'm feeling like supporting the post office :)

Ta for now, and good luck!  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Let's Get Ready to Sew Along

When I make promises to have a tutorial/sew-along for you guys, let's assume a lengthy lead time will be involved. I thought I'd have this done for you a while ago, but time flies and life happens and here we are in April already. But I made the bag and took the photos today, so now I just have to write up the instructions and we'll be all set to make one of these:

The version we're making is the above, but if you want to make yours patchworky--

--I'll tell you how big to cut your squares so the measurements work out the same.

In this sew-along (which I'll break into manageable parts, posted every other day) you'll learn:

• how to insert a magnetic snap securely
• how to insert grommets
• how to use rings for your purse straps
• how to insert a bag bottom to give your bag some support, and
• how to insert an internal zipper pocket

The best part is that this bag is indeed quite simple and will give you some skills you can incorporate into other creations. Also--no pattern pieces. We're working with all rectangles and squares. So that I have time to write everything up and you have time to get things together I'm going to give you the supply list now so we'll be all ready to go (but of course everything will be available to you if you can't join us right now but still want to sew the bag--all the info will be on the sew-along page).

You're going to need:

•  1/2 yard of focus fabric for the outside panel and the inside pockets (because contrast is fun). If you're making it patchworky, you will need a total of 42 pieces that are 3 inches square, plus some larger pieces to use for the inside pockets. I'm using quilt-weight cotton.
• 1 yard of contrast fabric for the lining, straps, drawstring, and the contrast pieces on the top and bottom of the outside of the bag. Again, I'm using quilt-weight cotton.
• 2/3 yard of 45 inch wide fusible fleece (I use Thermolam Fusible, but use what you can get your mitts on)
• 1 yard of 20 inch wide woven fusible interfacing. If you can only get the craft weight of interfacing that will work OK too--just don't get one that's too heavy. Also--if you're using a heavier weight fabric you can omit this.
• a nine inch zipper to match the lining (or to contrast with it, because that's nifty looking)
• four rings that will hold a 1 1/4 inch strap 
• one magnetic snap
• #8 3/8" inch grommets and tools to insert them. I am using a pair of grommet pliers, but the grommet tool that you whack with a hammer works just as well. I don't have that so I won't be able to show you but everything else will apply, and the directions are usually on the package.
• a gridded bag bottom (I use a piece of plastic canvas--you can get a couple bottoms from one piece).
• basic sewing stuff: coordinating thread, scissors, pins, hand sewing needle, something to mark with, seam ripper, ruler 

UPDATE: I bought everything at Joann's, so if you've got that or a Hobby Lobby near you, you should be able to find what you need.

UPDATE #2: What, you want finished measurements too? :) It finishes up at about 12 inches wide, about 10 inches high, and 5 inches deep.

I have two simple rules before we start. First--don't laugh at the sad state of my pressing surface. You'd never believe it was sparkling clean a few weeks ago, but it's all discolored now. Second, you have to accept my apology for the sorry state of my nails. I didn't realize how badly they need tending to until I was looking at the photos. Also, the pictures aren't as grand as I thought they'd be in my head. My sewing area does not have good lighting (even when the sun is shining, which is the lighting I was waiting for to take these photos), so while the pics may not be pretty they're totally functional and show everything you need to know.

Now, get going! The first set of directions will be up Monday, April 15th. Please join in the fun, and spread the word. See you then! Thought I won't complain if you come back and visit before then :)

A Few for Friday - #14

'Allo! Can I just say that I am LOVING your comments in the last post? It seems that the consensus is that we all love designer fabrics but few of us can really justify the expense of just using those (but Katy's right in her comment--if you're a sleuth about it you can score some great deals online). I adore designer fabrics, don't get me wrong. I often pimp some out here on my blog. But I don't view them as a 'must' or a 'should,' but more of a 'wishful thinking' sort of thing. I guess what it comes down to is that no one wants to be judged for something as superficial as a fabric choice, especially when we're all in it for the same thing--the calming motion of needle and thread, piecing together tiny parts into a big beautiful whole whether it cost a small fortune or was bought on a budget.

OK, I'm climbing down off my soapbox now as I feel I'm about to cross the line into judging people who DO love and use designer fabrics exclusively as though that's wrong. It's not. It's just that no one should feel bad about something that is kind of silly in the grand scheme of this crazy crazy world. OK, NOW I'm climbing down and sharing some pics :)

This was on the cutting table this week. I'll never tire of that striped piping. I also hemmed and mended a couple pairs of pants but who wants a pic of that?

Not quite sure what the hell, but it feels more like winter is on the way instead of spring being here.

I took Z-man to baseball practice tonight. He reminds me more and more of my brother as time marches on. He dwarfs some of the kids on his team, and I fear it won't be long until I'm looking up into his gray eyes instead of down into them. It was stinkin' cold!!! I felt like I was shoveling snow instead of sitting at a practice field.

There are no green things to be found unless you look indoors for the store-bought variety. I've seen a few crocuses, but that's it. Usually by now the trees are budding and everything is just beautiful. It still looks like the bleak midwinter outside.

We hid this picture in my sister's bed last week. She gets freaked out by weird stuff like this, and Isaac from 'Children of the Corn' is definitely weird.

Z-man is spending the night tonight and his main goal was to scare the crap out of Alicia. We convinced her he wasn't here, he hid himself in her room, and then she spent the night on the sofa. He eventually got bored and crept into the living room and scared her there. Gee...I wonder where he gets it from :)

Musings on Fabric Snobbery

I happened across a link that shows where Joann's is going to be opening new stores. It's right here if you're interested in seeing if one is coming to your area. There just so happens to be one opening about ten minutes from my house. This same store is five minutes from my work. I foresee a problem with cash flow--too much of it is going to flow away from my wallet and towards their cash registers. But then I'll be saving on gas as it won't be about forty miles round trip like it is now. I should just get a part-time job there so at least I'd score an employee discount.

There I am with my project list and sewing bits :) 

I do have a question for you folks, though. Have you ever encountered...I'll call it 'fabric snobbery?' It's when you tell someone that you bought a beautiful fabric at Joann's or (gasp!) Wal-mart and their nose wrinkles and they say "Oh" with such a disappointed tone that you'd think you've told them that you like to punch babies and puppies. It's that idea that one should only buy super-expensive designer fabrics all the time and you're just cheap and tawdry if you do otherwise. My favorite interaction is when you say "I usually get my stuff at Joann's unless I need something very specific" and they chuckle and shoot glances at each other (this requires two people besides yourself to be in the conversation) and say "Hehehe...we don't buy anything there. It's junk."

 

This kind of appalls me as a person who likes to shop with coupons and as a creator of things. My personal belief is that you should buy the best you can afford. If you sew only a couple things a year designer fabrics will probably fit into your budget. But if you spend a ton of time in front of your sewing machine that adds up so quickly and can make what should be a delightful hobby worrisome. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have sponsors or affiliates who supply them with fabric goodies and extra money to turn around and buy new fabric with. Are these people (myself included) not to create because we need to keep some of our paycheck to live? Are the things we create less worthy of admiration because there's not a fancy name attached to it?

Some of the most beautiful creations have been made from scraps of fabric pulled from whatever wore out to a size too small for anything else. There was beauty in reusing, in looking at something and saying "That used to be pajamas. That was a work shirt. That was my old apron." It didn't come from quilts made of fabric so expensive you'd be afraid to use it. I think that's why I love scrap quilts so much--like this string quilt I made. I know what each fabric was used for before it ended up here.

I admit it--I splurge. I buy designer fabrics that I fall in love with. But most of my purchases are not that (and when I do spend I try to forgo something else to set my mind at ease). And I certainly don't sneer at those who say "Oh, I found this at a flea market. I don't know what it's made of but it was pretty and only cost a quarter." I kind of think that's awesome and secretly feel jealous that I never have such luck. I know that the argument for designer over 'other' is that the thread count and dye-fastness is better, but I've never really experienced negative effects with cheaper fabrics (maybe three or four times over five years and tons of fabric? It's bound to happen but it's not rampant).

Have any of you ever encountered such attitudes? I don't feel like I could be the only one. And when I do I try to think of my grandmother, in her recliner hand-stitching every single one of her quilts (usually queen sized!!!!!) and saying "Oh, no, I hardly ever buy anything at the quilt shop. Who can afford that?" I'd love to know your thoughts. This 'issue' really irks me but doesn't influence my buying habits. It makes me wish the dollar store sold fabric so I could say "See?? Haha!!!! I didn't need to spend $12/yard!!" Am I overreacting? You can be honest. I can take it.

All Good Things Must Come to an End--So They Say

I'm going to start thinking it's me. Every time I like something it gets discontinued. Like L'Oreal Quick Stick foundation makeup. My absolute favorite makeup in the history of the world, and they discontinued it. I have yet to find something that comes close to it. It's been about ten years and I'm still not over it, such was my affection. Also? Maybelline's Lash Expansion mascara. Wonderful stuff. Great brush, lush lashes. Gone. Basis Face Wash. Bye-bye. And now? Google Reader.

I'm sure you've heard by now that Google Reader will cease to exist as of July 1. I thought it was a wonderful Google product, and I cannot fathom why they would do away with it, but they are. At least they gave us plenty of time to find other reader services, as well as to alert our followers that things are changing. I don't know if this affects Google Friend Connect and thus what shows up on your Blogger dashboard. I hope not. Anybody know?

Anyhoodle--I've been on the lookout for other reader services that I like and can share with you. You can already follow me via GFC (which will hopefully stay put), or via email. I've got a way for you to follow me via LinkyTools in the sidebar, but I've never checked out that service as a reader (and to be honest I only added it as an option once GFC wasn't going to be available to non-Bloggers).  I signed up with Bloglovin' (you can follow me there via the button in the sidebar) but as a reader I'm not entirely thrilled with it. It was insanely easy to import my info from Google so everything shows up nice and tidy. I'm not crazy about the format, though.

So I've tried something else called Feedly. They also make it insanely easy to import the blogs you follow from Google. The reading format is very nice, and their mobile app is glorious (at least on my Android phone it is). Bloglovin' has an iPhone app, and I think I found it on Android but it got very low ratings so I passed on it. The only negative for me (and I'm sure they'll get to it once the mass influx to their site calms down) is that they don't offer a 'follow me' button that you can add to your blog. I like when a blog makes it easy to find a follow option, so I try to provide the same ease to my readers.

Have you been looking into new readers? Anything I haven't mentioned that you think is good?