My Creative Space

Few people have seen my sewing space. Maybe it's because I don't have many "real" friends with hobbies. Maybe it's because I'm embarrassed to tell people that I sew; or maybe still it's because I like to sew alone.  Whatever the reason, even fewer people have seen my space in the middle of a project.

Yes, this really is how I sew. I want to be one of those people with a perfectly clear sewing area, lots of light, and organized sets of fabric.  But I'm not. And I think I've come to terms with the fact that I'll never be *that* person.

I'm the person who has had to stop a project for no other reason than not being able to find it. I am the person who competes for space with bicycles and bicycle parts. The person who hangs her design "wall" over the closet then complains when her husband lifts the wall and knocks off half the blocks.

But I am also a lucky person.  I am lucky to have the time and resources to sew when I want. I am lucky to have a husband who will give up his workspace so I can have sewing space. I am lucky to use the start/stop button by choice, not necessity. And I am lucky, as my husband pointed out, to have grown up in a home where creativity was never stifled by the need for organization, tidiness, or a clear workspace.

Although it would be nice to have a place for everything and everything in its place, I'm grateful to my parents for not stifling my creativity in the name of organization.

And the winner is...

#2, Angela! Congratulations. I know that you're moving soon so I can hold on to this until you're settled, if it will make things easier.

Does anyone know how to post a picture of the number generator? I just did a screen shot but I've seen images on other blogs that lead me to believe I can download or link it somehow. Not a big deal, just curious.

Also, it turns out that I'm not kookoo, I actually came down with a stomach bug last night!

Have a great weekend.

Longest.Week.Ever

It shouldn't be. I haven't had to work late one night this week. In fact, I've left early 3 out of 4 days. I'm not driving, so there's no commuting headache. I'm getting lots of exercise from taking my bike. We broke the daily monotony with a Cinco de Mayo day at work. I have eaten home-made most days - so, in theory, I should *feel* healthier and more energetic.  But I don't.  I also went from feeling a renewed sense of creativity on Sunday to feeling like death today.

This week feels like Ground Hog Day.

My mind wants to sew but my body just wants to lay on the couch and watch Gray's. Even this fun fabric isn't enough to inspire me to create something tonight.

A half yard of vintage Campbell's soup fabric. The other day, I mentioned wanting Campbell's soup fabric. Who knows why? It just kinda popped into my head. When I got home I decided to check eBay. What are the odds that someone on eBay was selling this? The scale is a little larger than I would normally find useful but I think I can do something fun with it.

Next, a set of cute vintage mugs from Etsy. There was so much crap in my kitchen that I couldn't find a spot big enough to take a picture of both mugs (the recipe box is hiding junk behind it) so here's one mug. Cute, right? Well, it is if you like thrifty finds.

It's kinda small. By today's standards, it would probably be considered a large shot glass but I'm pretty sure it was full size - back in the day :)

Hopefully this weekend I will have something more crafty to show. Here's to almost making it through the week! Have a great night and don't forget that you still have time to enter my little give away.

Thanks for stopping by.

Little Successes Give Away

Oh ya, took my lunch to work today. Woke up late and still took the train. Didn't buy dinner (but did buy bubble tea on my walk home). Got some sewing done tonight. Make it in May is off to a good start.

Tonight I made this little pouch based on Malka's formula in Stitch Magazine (and book). I like her's so much more.

Apparently I need to start wearing my glasses because I was sure that the thread I used was orange! Seriously. I looked at it under light. It's not orange. What was I on when I bought it?

It's my first time using variegated thread and I like it but I think it belongs on solids, not prints. But then I also think that dark linen belongs on darker fabrics too. It's all about getting outside the comfort zone.

So, in the name of experimentation and little successes, this week's Make it in May give away is a copy of Stitch Magazine from April 2010 and a few strips of fabric so that you can play around with a scrap-busting pouch of your own (if you want). 

I know the magazine is old but it was a really good issue. It has Ayumi's super cute plastic bag dispenser and apple coasters (still need to make those) and Kevin Kosbab's awesome Hello My Name is placemats (also on the to-do list).  And, I accidentally bought two because I have short term memory problems. I'm even going to give you the copy that I didn't drop in the pool!

So, if you don't have it yet leave a comment and tell me what month of the year (if any), inspires change in you. You have until Friday May 6 at 5pm to leave a comment - and I bet your odds of winning are really good! Really really good!  Please make sure that I have a way to contact you.

Thanks for reading.

Make it in May

There's something about May. The days are longer, everyone in my department pledges to leave the car at home for the entire month, we often have our first heat wave of the year, and my allergies make me feel like I have the worst cold of my life - everyday. But the biggest thing about May is my overwhelming desire for change.

It never fails. I'm usually desperate for a spring vacation because I've (almost) stuck out the long dry spell between winter vacation and summer vacation. I also have the urge to purge - the closets, fabric, clothes, dishes. You name it, I'm ready to use it or lose it. May is my January 1.

Enter Make it in May - my chance to get a little focus and change things up in a public forum. It's sort of like telling people you're on a diet. Once it's out there you need to stick to it. As with any successful change, you should really have specific, measurable, attainable goals. These are mine:

Creating - Sew/craft/knit/create at least three times a week. And no, fabric shopping doesn't count. Neither does looking at fantastic items on Flickr.

Eating - I will make my lunch and dinner 3 times a week. I used to cook all the time but somewhere between work and living walking distance to everything, we fell into a bad habit. Currently, I make lunch approximately 0 times a week. My dinner record is far superior coming in at about 2 times a week. Although my blood pressure isn't high (yet) I imagine that it's only a matter of time given how much sodium I consume. It will also help me get ready for Warrior Dash. And think about all the extra money that will be available should my craft fund need a boost! I will not, however, give up my morning soy chai latte. It's my guilty pleasure, makes me immeasurably happy, and starts my day just right.

Blogging - And, because things are better in threes, I will blog. More.

So, why do you care? Because, I figure that this is the perfect time to do my first blog give away (I don't think the Japan one counts). Tune in tomorrow to find out what you can win by helping to keep me on track!

Today's success? I made a casserole to have for lunch and dinner for the next few days. Now i just need to remember to pack it! Doesn't everything look better in pyrex? even 9pm photos.

I also tried making some Japanese + and x quilt blocks for the QAL (not starting until June). I love the center block in the top row, not so keen on the others. But, I'm experimenting with colour, so it's all good. Love them or not, the quilt will be awesome. When I first saw the original quilt back in January, it never crossed my mind to copy it! What a novel idea ;) I thought drooling was the only option. Here's hoping that my experimentation with colour will eventually pay off.