Monthly Archive for November, 2008

Page 2 of 2

FABRIC MUSHROOMS

It’s so satisfying to check stuff off my crafty list of things to do. Making fabric mushrooms has been on that mental list for a very long time, so I was really inspired when I saw Mon Petit Lapin’s post that directed me to this tutorial. Thank you, Rebecca!

I find projects that use up scraps of fabric especially gratifying. They make me feel much less guilty about the boxes of fabric bits that I’ve been hoarding for so long. You might notice that two of the mushrooms bear a striking resemblance to my new lounge pants. That fabric just seemed like perfect mushroom fabric and now I’m coordinating with my room decor. The orange mini floral is a scrap from a fabric I’ve used in many many projects.

I was even more thrilled to finally find a great use for my jar of thread bits. I’ve been collecting thread at the shop, hoping to recycle it one day. It makes an ideal stuffing for these mushroom softies.

This project is really easy, the hardest part was finding the right little stones to put in the base of the stem to hold them upright. Even still they are not very stable, but as a set, they seem to hold each other up.

Next up, I’d like to tackle a few projects from the Softies book. I especially like these sweet bunnies. I hope that Perfect Bunny won’t mind a few friends. My ultimate goal is to make some birds, a giraffe and a squirrel.

I’m incredibly inspired by these talented ladies – Ashley Anna Brown, Ann Wood, Rosa Pomar, and Tamar Mogendorff.

Share

A NEW DAY

YEAH! The first thing I did this morning was watch this.

These photos were taken on my way to work yesterday on Brock. When I went home at night, they were still there. If only there was some kind of universal lost and found for mitts and gloves. I would be one of its best customers.

Share

IN MY POCKET

It’s just so lovely out today, so I decided to wear a jacket I haven’t worn in a very long time. When I reached into the pocket, I pulled out a few memories… a transfer from the TTC airport bus, a couple heart-shaped dog cookies and a pink pin from the MET in New York. These are from a trip I took two years ago! I love finding old treasures in pockets and purses.

I also wore my felt brooch by Nightjar today.

Today is one of those special Indian summer days that totally lifts your spirits. I’m making a few wishes today, one for a country and a couple for some friends who need a little extra wishing power.

Share

AMY BUTLER LOUNGE PANTS #2

There’s something about these pants, perhaps it’s in the name. I definitely have been doing more lounging these days, which is a good thing, considering my self-imposed busy schedule.

For my second pair, I did end up slimming down the pattern by 3cm on each side seam (for a total of 12cm). The pants are still wide legged, but now I think they’re perfect for me. If you’re planning on doing the same, I recommend making a first pair as the pattern suggests and making your second pair with any fit adjustments. Once you make one pair, you will at least want one more pair so that you can wear them every single day. Trust me.

The fabric is from Amy’s new line, Daisy Chain, and the print is called Dandelion Reed. I couldn’t resist the blue and grey, since it matches my bedroom and my quilt in progress. I might make one more pair, but that’s it. The Kimono Robe and Bedside Organizer are next on my list from the In Stitches book.

I was surfing around on BurdaStyle last night and found a few patterns that I’m thinking of trying out. My current winter wardrobe is very uninspiring.

  • the Esther cardigan
  • the Franzi
    vest
  • the JJ blouse
  • the Emily blouse
  • Share

    UNDER CONSTRUCTION

    Please excuse all the exposed seams and threads, I’m stitching up a new outfit for the blog and it’s a tricky one. Things might look funny or appear broken while I’m doing some testing. I’m switching back and forth between the new look and the old look while I figure it all out.

    I’m also making my first upholstered cube! the workroom was filled with the sounds of tapping hammers today as we built the wooden bases. I can’t wait to see all these little cuties finished.

    Share

    APPLE TART

    It must be abundantly clear that the way to my heart is through my sweet tooth. Lo and behold another sweet treat was hand delivered to my doorstep a couple days ago in an amazon.com box. Not books, but a homemade apple tart made by Reva. Of course the best time to enjoy such things is for breakfast. Why stop there? Why not add some cream with vanilla bean and raw sugar? Yes, thank you, I will!

    The recipe comes from Orangette and is as easy as can be. Skimming through her other recipes, I’ve marked down these ones to try out myself – Banana-Coconut Bread, French Chocolate Granola, Fresh Mint Ice Cream and Soba with Peanut-Citrus Sauce. (the last one is so that you know I eat things that are not classified as dessert too)

    I don’t know about you but once I start looking at recipes, I can’t stop. I’ll pore through cookbooks and food blogs bookmarking dozens of recipes and making myself extremely hungry. It’s a strange form of torture.

    Share