August
2004
Tuesday,
August 31, 2004
Sunny Disposition
Today I made 5 suns. Pretty godlike, eh? Okay, so they are just
soft, cuddly suns made out of felt and fringe and fabric paint,
7" in diameter. Originally, I had intended to make pointy, triangular
noses for these. I thought some folks may want to use these
as baby-entertainment. The point noses felt like a bad idea
- besides, I got used to looking at their cute faces, sans nose.
Therefore, no nose.
I'm on the downward slope gaining momentum for the season of
craft shows til the end of the year [*gulp*] So, I've
been surveying the apartment for unfinished projects like this
one. So, 5 made and the materials for maybe 10 more. But first
I'll see if any sell at the first two shows. If you're keen
on having a sun of your very own, they are $15 + S/H. Contact
me if you're interested!
posted
on 8/31/2004 10:31:42 AM
Headband in Action
Here I am post-tea at Russian Tea Time with Larisa. Today
was my first day wearing the headband. At lunch earlier, Steve
said the handband wasn't queeny b/c it'd have to be brighter
and shinier. Larisa laughed and clapped when she saw what
I had done with the fabric - she said I looked like a biker
babe who just was very happy to just get a Harley!
posted
on 8/31/2004 06:54:56 AM
Sunday,
August 29, 2004
Foam
Rubber Cutting
I needed rubber bolsters from Ikea to make Jim's belated birthday
gift pillows. The intent was to make him a version of my chenille
bolsters that could work as arms for his futon.
The foam forms needed to be cut down to 22". The best tool for
cutting foam rubber - an electric carving knife.
I was in a quandry. I needed a knife for one job. I certainly
didn't need to own one. But where to borrow one? Then I thought
that my aunt and uncle who were coming to visit might have one.
I emailed only, "Do you own an electric carving knife?"
Their response, "Yes, do you want to borrow it?"
I said, "Yes, please!" I didn't explain the reason.
Carl and Kathy's friend Don was joining them and was very thrown
off, when Kathy produced an electric carving knife from her
bag. He thought he better sleep with one eye open in the hotel
room!
At our first dinner, we played twenty questions about what I
was going to do with the knife. Kathy guessed it!
It turns out few people are keen on the news that an electric
carving knife is perfect for cutting foam rubber. I feel like
I've know that forever. It works so great because the
blade is long and moves fast. Imagine trying to cut squishy,
elastic foam rubber with a short utility knife blade. You'd
be hacking at it with lots of curved short cuts.
So, remember:
cutting foam rubber = electric carving knife.
This afternoon they were over, and I cut the two foam bolsters
down to size. Kathy took my picture.
I cracked myself up when I said, "This is as close as I get
to being a lumberjack!
posted
on 8/29/2004 10:50:40 PM
Sunday,
August 22, 2004
Headbandmaking
Last week, when Larisa and I were shopping for Square pants
fabric, we picked up some very shiny, super unsubtle, cheap
black fabric. It's a barely stretchy thick knit with shiny black
squares bonded to it. We both dug the fabric, though it wasn't
going to fly as square pants.
We grabbed a yard to split. I knew I wanted to make a headband
out of it, so I took a strip of it before Larisa left.
A couple days ago, I picked up the fabric and started on a headband.
Because of the square tiles, it was easy to turn the fabric
under twice (two squares worth) to make a clean hem. With the
tiles, I handsewed the edges, so I could keep in the "grout"
space of the fabric, not puncturing the square tiles.
Once I had the sides done, I cut it to a good headband length.
I knew I wanted to gather the headband in the back, so it would
fit under my commonly worn pony tails. A clasp would be nice.
I wandered over to the local fabric store and got a clasp:
So, I handsewed the ends into a sort of gathered pleat. Then
I machine sewed the clasp to the headband.
Ta da!
A shiny, wide, black headband. I like it, but I can't tell if
it's too drag queeny or if I look like a domineering and flamboyant
dance instructor. We'll see...
posted
on 8/22/2004 05:44:49 PM
Tuesday,
August 17, 2004
Andrew has been added to the Friends
Gallery.
posted
on 8/17/2004 04:43:56 PM
Sunday,
August 15, 2004
Big
Square Pants!
Larisa and I were eating Ethiopian food when she said, "Come
with me to the bathroom. You need to see my pants."
I obeyed. In the bathroom, she showed me the wraparound pants
she was given by her boyfriend's mother. Superb pants. She said,
"We've got to make some!"
Today was the day for pants making. We went to Vogue in Evanston
and to my local store. I ended up making mine out of fabric
I already had, Larisa got a gorgeous raw silk in a natural off-white
color with an embroidered patterns over it. Plus a basic black
fabric for a second pair.
Man, these pants are simple! Imagine a two big identical rectangles.
Larisa's were 39" square. Mine 45" wide, 37" long, because I'm
shorter and fatter. Then imagine cutting out a big U from the
middle of the top of the rectangles. Sew those two pieces together,
right sides together along the U. Hem the left, right and bottom
edges. Sew a long waistband/tie to the front and back top edges.
Viola! Comfy, classy pants. Not to be worn on a windy day, but
super comfy. With fabric with a nice hang and drape, these turn
into very snazzy wide leg pants - surprisingly dressy.
posted
on 8/15/2004 08:45:15 PM
Friday,
August 13, 2004
My
Friday night plans fell through, giving me a long evening sprawling
out in front of me. So, I finished my Queen of Diamonds portrait:
and made a Robot-O-Love:
posted
on 8/13/2004 11:38:18 PM
Thursday,
August 12, 2004
Fifth
Finished Quilt!
1 = Jim's
quilt (see 11.29.03), 2 = Aaron
& Rebecca's wedding quilt, 3 = Max's
baby quilt, 4 = Burgundy
& Mike's wedding quilt, 5 = The super-cute, very
soft flannel quilt.
In May
2003, I finished a flannel quilt top. My first finished
top. Made from 4 pairs of adorable Old Navy flannel pj's for
Christmastime (bought on clearance post-holidays two consecutive
years); balanced out with solids squares and plus sign blocks
that reference the gifts in the baby blue print.
It hung on my wall. I would stare at it, seeing that I did A-
job of arranging the blocks. Not too shabby. Finally bought
red polar fleece to back the quilt with.
I did have to nix the the border along the two long sides to
fit the top to the width of the fleece. Something to keep in
mind in the future, since I love using fleece and I hate piecing
together backing.
The unseasonably cool weather and other sewing projects waiting
in line, made me pick up the quilt and finish it.
I love, love, love backing quilts with polar fleece. Why?
1. Cheap
2. Soft
3. Washable
4. No binding needed - Sew right sides together,
turn right side out and finish
5. Less quilting needed - since no batting
too move around.
6. Not bulky. I like thin quilts, not thick
puffy 'uns.
Done. I love the quilt, but I don't think I need to own it.
Super cute, super soft lap quilt. I'm thinking of selling it
by selling raffle tickets on the site and at a couple craft
shows this fall.
Whatcha think?
posted
on 8/12/2004 12:36:20 AM
Monday,
August 09, 2004
Stripey
Legged Brandipotumus
I got back from Minnesota today. Vacation was good and full
of visiting. The only downside, not enough solitude to recharge
my batteries. I watched some Law
& Order: Criminal Intent on DVD. After a couple episodes,
I instinctively scanned the apartment for something to make.
So, I made pants:
Great, garish woven fabric I picked up last year. Pants. While
I sewed, I hate to admit I half-watched the finale of For
Love or Money. I think Rachel is a whack job. I really
hate to admit how many episodes I watched, given that I'm usually
home on Mondays. The network tv options are slim pickin's. Anyhow...
Feels good to make something. The sewing appetite is not satiated,
so I'm going to work on a flannel quilt, who's top was finished
May
2003.
Making stuff feels good.
posted
on 8/9/2004 11:12:21 PM
Bag
Bag Progress
Here's how far I got on the Bag O' Bags on vacation:
More info here.
posted
on 8/9/2004 05:42:31 PM
Sunday,
August 01, 2004
I'll being sketching, resting and reading in Minnesota with
family until August 10th. Might blog, might not.
posted
on 8/1/2004 02:47:04
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