August 2004 Archive

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.

	6.5" diameter • SOLD OUT • Price: $15 Working on making more soon!

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!

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...

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Andrew has been added to the Friends Gallery.

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.

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:

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?

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.

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.