sewing machine cover?

Um, so I don't have a cover for my sewing machine. it's bad, I know, but I've just never bothered.... SO, I grabbed some of this quilters grid from the remnant bin at Joann, and cut up some teeny tiny squares.
I just finished sewing up all the seams one way....

I have to use the weights to hold down the corner for the picture, or this happens:

but it looks pretty cool from the back, too, right?

and I've cut up 7 more yards of Kona Expresso, and a new ironing template, so I can make more windows.

insane, right?

PBNS apron

the older kids at D's nursery school are called Red Birds...

D's class are the Yellow Birds...

I made this apron as a thank you gift for the current Board President...

The Bean really liked it, and kept asking it if I made it for HER school, or D's school.

helicopter BOOK

So, I saw THESE
and fell in LOVE.
I decided to try my hand at making a journal...

I need to improve my binding technique, but all in all...

it's pretty cool, right?

DONE. DONE DONE DONE!

Prepare yourself for the another of MANY posts on this quilt. (with more to come, I'm sure. Clearly I need some close ups. and pics of the back. and it's in the washing machine right now, so we'll need post-washing pics too, right?)

here it is laying on a hill at the duck park....

it totally reminds me of the light through the leaves....

here it is lying IN that mottled light, through the leaves...

and here's my photography assistant, "helping" me smooth it out.
(edited to add: it measures 54" x 72")

Expedition Dress, part 2

I wanted to try this dress in another size, so I made it in a size 4, and gave it to an adorable little friend of D's...

I'm having lots of fun with piping and puffed sleeves.

and these bees really make me smile.

and I will NEVER tire of these collars. EVER.
I finished this dress 2 weeks ago, but it took me until today to take pics, and send it off. not sure why...

my new cowl!

I finished it yesterday... pics this morning. I need to block it, but I've been wearing it non-stop since I finished it....

the wool is from my friend Lori, started last weekend at the retreat... It's Malabrigo worsted.

my appologies for looking so blah, I think I had a toddler climbing me while I was urging C to get the shot

the pattern is free on Ravelry, called the Tiger Lily Cowl.

The Bean likes playing hide n seek in it with Papa, but I'm not giving it up, 'cause it's SOOOOO soft and cosy!

Wordless Monday

Because I have a very sore throat. Am slowly recovering from being sick, and now playing catch-up. Must finish an apron tonight, quilt by wednesday, plus I want to make my new bag....

VOILA! best bag ever?

Are you ready for the big reveal?

 isn't it amazing that just yesterday there was utter hideousness? (gotta love old sheets donated by my gram. big and free)

(baby feet added for scale)

I totally need to add a buckle or snap to the outer pocket, but I didn't want to waste hardware on a tester....

see how well a phone fits in the pocket?

I could use this side pocket instead. It's got an elasticized top, so the phone won't fall out....
I accidentally cut the elastic really short, so it's a TIGHT pocket.

here's the inside of the bag, from the side. see the roominess? see the zip pocket? 

here's a view of the inside of the bag with a large pocket (for cell phone? pens? and a key fob (with caribiner instead, since I didn't want to waste hardware)

and the other side, with zip pocket. the pocket is a little too close to the top, so I'll move it for next time.

There's plenty of room for all my stuff (wallet, notebook, knitting, trailmix) plus the inevitable doll or small cars...

but it's NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR DIAPERS (ok, beanie?). LOOOOOVE it.

I'm so excited! I actually dreamed about this bag last night.
I'm just gonna use this one for a few days so I can make sure I don't have any other changes, and then... (dun dun DUN....) LEATHER time!

Full contact bag-making

My helper stole my pieces, and is instructing me in the finer points of bag design.

Hideousness.

ugliest thing EVER, right?

(my little pattern-maker-in-training is helping me take notes....)

but see the side, it's gonna fold and snap at the top because of that seam

and the front has these 2 pleats....

so, now, I'm going to add a little more width to the pattern, and then, pretty soon, I'll have a super cool, handmade, personalized, IMPROVED version of this!

(you DO see the similarities, don't you?)