Summertime yellow napkins and pouches
In celebration of summer I have finally listed a few items that are as bright as the sun and as cheery as a summer day without all the humidity!
A few months ago, I purchased some fabric that I had been eye-ing for some time. It is one of my all-time favorites: Alexander Henry’s Juicy Lemon print. This is one that has the ability to conjure hints of summer in all it’s glory and splendor on even the iciest of days. I made a few items for my own home, including a runner for my coffee and tea bar and a hand towel, but I also decided to share the summer love in my shop. So I made napkins. You can find them by clicking on this link.
Also just in time for summer and its mid-year resolutions, I made a semi-pact with myself that I am not buying any new fabric (unless I really need it!) until I go through the piles I have at home that are just sitting around waiting to be made useful. One of those fabrics happens to be this bright yellow daisy squared print that is also perfect for summer. Daisy Squared has been turned into a zipper pouch and seem to be much happier now. There’s even a little surprise on the inside of the pouch (see the matching ribbon–that’s from Brandon’s great-aunt)! This super-functional little bag is also up in my shop now.
I hope you all have a great weekend and don’t get too much sunshine! I plan to work on some paintings to hang in the baby’s room and maybe a little sewing.
The Diaper Bag
When Brandon left for work yesterday, I told him that my goal was to have the bag finished by 7pm. Sure enough, by 7pm I had washed and dried my hair, carried various dishes to the sink, and oh yes, finished my diaper bag! I gave myself a few pats on the back, took some photos of the bag, and added them to my facebook page for the world to see (of course).
Now, to give credit where it is due, I used this pattern from Craft Apple, who has one other bag pattern I may like to try at some point. (Remember, I am by no means good at following directions, so for me to have finished a project like this based on someone else’s directions is quite a feat not only for me but for the pattern writer!) About mid-way through this project, I told Brandon that I would not be making this bag again. It was taking way too long, and I just couldn’t figure out how to box the corners at the bottom of the bag. However, I feel differently now. I can now box the bottom corners with ease and I think that making the bag a second time would take me about half as long as it did this time–in other words, I would not need a three day weekend to complete the project!
If you’re thinking of making this bag, here are a few notes from my experience:
I pretty much stuck to the rules, with the exception of adding a key hook at the opposite end of the cell phone pocket. To do this I cut a piece of fabric 2″widex5″long. I folded in a 1/2″ crease on each long side then folded it in half lengthwise to enclose the long raw edges (using an iron to keep folds in place). At this point, it measured 1/2″widex5″long. I sewed a 1/8″ top seam on both long sides. I put a lobster hook on the piece of fabric and just sewed the raw edges into the middle seam when it was time. (Does all of that make sense??)
I used regular quilting-weight cotton fabrics rather than the heavier weight fabrics suggested on the pattern. The bag does not stand perfectly upright on its own, but that is not a big deal to me.
Rather than placing the interfacing on the fabric prior to cutting, I chose to cut the pieces and interface them separately because I knew I would have left-over fabric (I bought 1 yard of each of the three I used). I didn’t want to have interfacing on my left-overs. The problem is that is it took me at least twice as long to do the initial preparation phase as it would have if I had just interfaced the whole fabric piece…I would not recommend doing what I did.
Also, I found that I needed 3 1/2 yards of interfacing and 1/2 yard of the Peltex 70.
Definitely take the extra 30 seconds to mark each piece with masking tape so you know which is which…there are a lot of pieces to this pattern, and it’s much simpler to be able to pick up a piece and see the corresponding letter on it rather than guessing if you have the right one or not.
I really like that this bag has several varieties of pocket sizes for keeping all those weird things babies and mommies (or daddies!) need like pacifiers, bottles, diapers, and cell phones! My iPhone fits perfectly into the enclosed pocket on the side of the bag. The pockets are very sturdy because the fabric pieces get folded in half and are interfaced, so they don’t seem flimsy even with using a lighter-weight cotton than called for in the pattern.
Finally, if you’re wondering about the great fabrics I used, I got those from Above All Fabrics. The exterior side fabric is Sorbet Twist Watermelon from Moda Fabrics. The middle exterior fabric and pocket fabric is Cocoa Rings Circle Dot from Robert Kaufman fabrics, and the interior fabric is Spring Stones, also a Robert Kaufman fabric.
I’m really happy with how this bag turned out and can’t wait to be able to use it (I have just about 7 weeks left!!) This is a pattern I will definitely be saving in hopes of making again.
(If you are interested in having a similar bag made for you or as a gift, feel free to contact me via my Etsy Shop).
Happy July 3rd!
Some people love the Fourth of July. Mainly it’s the junior high boys who live across the street from us…they have been able to light things on fire and blow things up all week, and no one tries to stop them. I don’t mind that so much, but when I was younger I was the junior high girl hiding in the house wishing the night would just end so I would not have to hear the endless succession of explosions. It’s not so bad now; at least I can get through the night without crying! However, this is still on the bottom of my list of favorite holidays. I will in fact say this is my very least favorite holiday–not for what it stands for (don’t get me wrong, folks!) but because I just plain hate fireworks, or any other loud noise for that matter.
On the bright side, I do have a three day weekend, which entirely makes up for the fireworks in my book. This weekend I am doing all sorts of fun things like sewing and swimming. Oh right, I do that most weekends. But I get an extra day of those activities plus more time with the hubby and friends–it’s a long weekend, remember?
Fabric for the diaper bag I am making came in yesterday.
Zipper pouch I listed tonight in the shop.
I hope you all enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations, especially if you are the type that likes to play with pyrotechnics. Stay safe out there, friends!
on being productive
Having the sewing machine out of the sewing room seems to help me focus a little! Rather than being distracted by all the possibilities, I can spend my mental capacity on the one project I have at hand. This weekend it was a custom set of four zipper pouches. Check out the beautiful interior fabric! I love the richness of that brown.
I also worked on some new burp cloths. Although I really like the ones I have already made, I wanted to make something a little different. So rather than sew a strip of fabric down the center, I made some appliques and sewed them on the sides. This way the center panel is still clear to catch all that spit-up, but the sides keep things interesting. I used the zig-zag stitch around the edges of the flowers, and let me tell you, it took a long time! There was a lot of sewing 5 stitches, turn the fabric, sew three stitches, turn the fabric…you get the idea! I am really pleased with the outcome though and have put these up in the ID Shop! (The zipper pouch is there as well!)
In other news, some of my friends had a babyshower for me over the weekend, and I felt so loved and celebrated (well, my baby was celebrated!). I am now under the “two months to go” mark, and getting very excited. I’m tired and have a hard time breathing–when I’m sitting down!–but still enjoying being pregnant.
This coming week is a busy one, but I am hoping to start working on that diaper bag this weekend! I even have an extra day for it!
moving on
My sewing machine has a new home in a plastic bin under the kitchen table. I have had the luxury of having an entire room to store all of my sewing supplies and have learned to really spread out and use the space (i.e. make a big mess!). However between the summer heat and my own “oven” baking away, it is just too hot to sew in my upstairs sewing room sans air conditioning. So I packed up the essentials in order to avoid 10 trips up and down the stairs–although that would probably be really good for me!–and am trying to re-learn how to sew without making a giant mess everywhere. Thankfully I have a patient hubby.
Remember the zipper pouches I made right before the holidays? Well, I just took a custom order for four of the ones with sparrows on the front. I also learned that particular fabric is now incredibly difficult to find, but I did eventually find it. Sadly by the time I finish up with those bags, it will probably be much closer to extinction. Why won’t companies reprint those fabrics when they are so popular??
The good news is that I was also able to get my fabric for the diaper bag I plan to make sometime soon. Thanks to the ever-helpful Melanie over at Above All Fabrics, I decided not to use the Lime Green Trellis fabric and just stick with the other three. Buying fabric online can sometimes be tricky (when you can’t see if those greens really go together or not!), but I have found that –almost– all of the Etsy sellers are incredibly helpful in that department. They also tend to have the best prices on the “designer” fabrics….just a little hint to all you seamstresses out there.
The one problem is that the …addiction… I have to fabrics is really difficult to supress when I am buying fabric. So many great prints out there and so little money (ok, and aso little time as well). Maybe in some other life I will own a fabric shop…oh dear, let the scheming begin!
diaper bag
After searching high and low for a pattern I like for a diaper bag, I think I have finally made up my mind. I am going to make this bag, designed by Linda of Craft Apple:
I have been looking at fabrics for the past few days and have settled on this combination.
For the outside sides, it will be MODA Fabrics Sorbet Twist in Watermelon
For the outside center piece and maybe the handles, it will be this Lime Green Trellis designed by Paula Prass for Michael Miller fabrics
For the interior, I will use a Monaluna/Robert Kaufman fabric, Cocoa Rings Circle Dot
Finally, for the inside pockets and a key fob, I will use another Monaluna/RK fabric, Spring Stones
What do you think? Anybody having a boy? I have a great blue combination that I would love to use! For now I am off to sell some burp cloths so I can buy the fabric…
Just Listed!
While gearing up for my own little mess maker, I have had the chance to make some new items for the ID shop! I have a little stash going at home next to the “nursing chair” and am happy to be able to share the love and cleaning around! I have given burp cloth sets to friends as gifts, and have heard nothing but good things about them (would they really tell me if they hated it?!)
As if all of this is not enough, here is a sneak peak at one more set I am working on: 
I hope you all have a great day!
Expectations
For any readers out there who might be expecting a baby soon or who know some lucky pregnant-in-the-summer lady, let me be the first to to tell you to quit wasting your time and head over to EmmalineDesign for this maternity top. It it a.ma.zing. Emmaline is actually my incredibly talented sister, and this top was originally made for me. It’s my new favorite. I’ve already ordered two more. The mannequin isn’t pregnant, but I am, and I can attest that this top fits perfectly, is super light-weight, and makes me look really good. I get lots of complements whenever I wear it–which is often.
As if sewing clothes that don’t have that “handmade in a bad way” look isn’t enough, Emmaline also makes gorgeous blankets. My baby is the lucky recipient of this beauty and now it’s being offered to yours!
Speaking of expecting, one of the reasons I haven’t updated much the last few weeks is because I have been trying to keep myself busy while my hubby was away for a few weeks. He is on his way home right now and I can not wait to see him! While he was gone, I was able to take a trip to see family in California (including this talented sister), had some friends visit for a week, and even got crafty (a little). But I don’t have any pictures to show you because my hubby has had our camera with him on his grand adventure. I am so excited for him to be home, and at some point I’ll snag the camera and give you a glimpse of my own handy work from the last few weeks!
freedom
I just finished making eleven zipper pouches for my hair stylist. She is getting married in a few months, and she bought those as part of her bridesmaid/flower girl gifts. I enjoyed making the bags, but it feels like it took forever. I had to buy 11 matching zippers but could only buy them 2-3 at a time. Then this weekend I realized that I could not find the first three pouches I made two months ago, so I ended up buying 14 matching zippers. I still haven’t found the original set of pouches, but I do have 11 now that are ready to go with me to my appointment Wednesday night and three floating around somewhere for me to find in a few weeks or months or years!
To celebrate being finished with the pouches, I finally made something for me. Well, for my baby. A good friend sent me a bunch of fabric pieces she was no longer using, and one of them comes to me via 1973. I love the flowers on here as well as the colors, so I used some of it to make a set of burp cloths. I actually plan to make several more with other fabrics she sent, but these two had already been washed. 
I am working on getting the nursery set up this week and next. I still have three months until B-day, but I like to have all my ducks in a row. It’s been fun dreaming of things to make for the baby and getting some of her clothes and blankets washed and ready for her arrival.
gardening
It sprinkled a little last night but stopped just in time for me to walk to the library and pharmacy after work. I love days like that. The rain refreshes the earth, and as the sun peaks out from behind the clouds everything has a very lively glow.
I planted a pot garden several weeks ago…wait, that doesn’t sound right! I planted a garden in clay pots several weeks ago. (Much better.) When I came home from the library, I stopped to check on my little plants and found to my delight that one of my banana peppers is coming in! You can see it there in the pink pot. I also have tomatoes and five different herbs. Some of them are on my porch. I wasn’t sure if these would make it or not because several days after transplanting, they were not looking so good. The little guys are strong though, and now all of my plants are looking healthy and green!
While at the library, I picked up my book for Book Club–Saturday by Ian McEwan. I haven’t started yet, so I have nothing to say for the book. I also picked up two books by Wendell Berry. He’s a Kentucky author I have been wanting to read for some time. His works include novels, essay collections, and poetry. Here’s a little quote from Another Turn of the Crank to give you an idea of what Mr. Berry is writing of in the two books I picked up.
“The survival of farmers, then, depends upon two complementary efforts. The first is entirely up to the farmers, who must learn–or learn again–to farm in ways that minimize their dependence on industrial supplies. They must diversify, using both plants and animals. They must produce, on their farms, as much of the required fertility and energy as they can. So far as they can, they must replace purchased goods and services with natural health and diversity and with their own intelligence. . . . If farmers do not wish to cooperate any longer in their own destruction, then they will have to reduce their dependence on those global economic forces that intend and approve and profit from the destruction of farmers, and they will have to increase their dependence on local nature and local intelligence. “The second effort involves cooperation between local farmers and local consumers. If farmers hope to exercise any control over their markets, in a time when a global economy and global transportation make it possible for the products of any region to be undersold by the products of any other region, then they will have to look to local markets. The long broken connections between towns and cities and their surrounding landscapes will have to be restored.”a bit of something exciting
I just finished reading through my morning news, and I tell ya…there is some depressing stuff out there! So in an effort to bring some good news to the day, I’ll give you my news.
I’m having a little girl! That’s right. Sometime toward the end of August (hopefully not later than that!) I will officially be the mommy of a sweet little girl. My husband and I are so thrilled and have a lot of fun thinking of ways to decorate her room, what to name her (we don’t know yet), and what it will be like to have a third little human in our house.
I have not sewn anything for her yet, but I do have several small projects planned. I am not doing anything big like her bedding or her entire wardrobe, but I do plan to make some burp cloths and onesies because I know we will need those in abundant supply. I probably won’t make a blanket because I already have loads and will probably get more, but I do want to do a few room decor items. I am thinking of a fabric banner with her name that coordinates with the bedding we picked out and some painted canvases to match. That will all depend on whether my energy remains or not. It has been threatening to leave me lately, so I am just taking it one day at a time and trying not to give myself a long to-do list!
not so grand reopening
After nearly 6 months of inactivity, I reopened Irene Design today with little less than a bang (that banging sound was probably dishes falling out of the over-flowing drying rack!) Don’t let that fool you though! I am very excited to have a few items to put in my shop, and I am also glad to have the ability to only list as many as I have the energy for–just a small fraction of what I was listing 6-7 months ago!
I am really enamored with this latest work of art, my garden in a hoop you could call it. There is a small antique store up the street from my house that I enjoy perusing when I go for a walk, and I recently found a single linen napkin. Who wants just one napkin?? Well, I obviously did. I bought it not knowing exactly what would becoming of it, but I swore to myself it would never make it to the bottom of the fabric. Being true to my word, I used it to form the background for the garden. I also incorporated some of the buttons I found when our local fabric store closed down so suddenly as well as some truly vintage thread my husband’s great aunt gave me a few months ago.
Tomorrow I will be photographing the other items to go in the shop and listing those. Then the fun will be a bit better known to the rest of the world!
I have also been busy redecorating my own kitchen one small project at a time as well as making a few items for some friends. Next up, a baby update.
vulgar sugars
Last week I treated myself to a bag of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to keep in my desk at work. The intention was to have some little sweet bite during the day since I work so hard (sometimes). The intention was to practice a little self control. The reality however is that I overdosed on peanut butter cups nearly every day last week, and I no longer have any peanut butter cups left to provide myself with some form of afternoon delight. The reality is that I am addicted to sugar.
I think I’ve talked about going on a hiatus from eating refined sugars in the past, but this time it is real. I decided two nights ago that I would try to stick it out for the rest of the month.
So, how has it been going? Well yesterday I bought a 24 oz. Coke with my lunch. I rarely buy soda but for some reason decided I really wanted one. When I got back to my office with my coke and salad, I remembered the hiatus. So, it is sitting in the frig until I decide to take it home to the hubby or drink it myself. My salad was delicious even without it. Day one: a big fat sugar-free check mark.
Today is not over, so I can only tell you how it is going this far. Oh Today. Today a nice gal from one of the local hotels dropped off some information along with some delicious looking white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I say delicious LOOKING because my wonderful BFF, Jenn, told me ever so sternly that I was NOT to eat a cookie. So, I have not eaten a cookie. I want to. But I won’t. Not today anyways. Oh, and did I mention that this is the very first time in over a year of working here that anyone has ever brought in cookies on a whim like that? Well, my boss brought cookies one day and we’ve had cake, but not anyone like that.
Don’t worry…I’m not going to bore you every day with stories of my attempt to go without refined sugars (I say “refined” because I still plan to have some sugar and some sweets, but am going for some “healthy” options). On a side note, I think they should actually be called vulgar sugars for all of the same variety of reasons that I have embarked on this mission.
Finally, let’s all celebrate tonight because it is the LAST day of winter!!! I’ll gladly raise a sugar-free, alcohol-free (remember the whole baby thing?) glass of some delicious beverage to the passing of winter!
a poem for the almost-spring time
Oh you brave ones
have come so suddenly
sprouting colors onto gray backdrops
infusing All with hope and joy
expressions of spring yet to come
dazzling the senses
The first signs
of life beneath the barren ground
getting back into it
For any of you who have read my blog in the past two months, you know that it is a big deal when I say that I began and completed a sewing project this weekend. Of course I completely forgot about pictures until this morning, so I will try to get some up in the next few days. I made two throw pillows for a friend who has impecable taste and a knack for finding absolutely gorgeous and posh fabrics. Pictures to come.
I also took on another project. My hair stylist is getting married in a few months, and as part of the gift she’ll be giving to her bridesmaids, I am going to be making some cosmetic bags. Nothing really fancy, just some simple zipper pouches that incorporate her wedding colors (pink, green and yellow). I am using the three fabrics on the left for the outer fabrics of the pouches and the wavy fabric on the right for the interior lining of each pouch. I ordered the fabric this weekend, so once it comes in I will pick up some coordinating zippers and start sewing this one! I really enjoy making these little pouches, and am excited to have a “large” order (12) to work on.
Finally, I am going to attempt to make some more napkins–my other favorite sewing projects. Joann’s had a sale over the weekend, and I picked up several fabrics. This lemon print by Alexander Henry is by far my favorite. I wish I had purchased the entire roll! The original intention was to use half for my own napkins and half for a gift set, but now I’m backing down on the second half of that. I may just keep all of it and make a new table runner for my table to go with the napkins. It needs some sunshine and lemons!
Who are you?!
This morning I woke up just after 7:00 a.m. and decided to make some blueberry muffins for breakfast. As I waited for the muffins to bake, I managed to wash the dishes, get a pot of coffee going, sweep and mop my kitchen floor, and fold a small load of laundry. All of that would have taken me an entire week at any other point this far in my pregnancy! Oh, and did I mention that I even made it to work…nearly on time?.
I would say it’s because the temperature finally broke 70, but that was yesterday. Today we’ll be lucky to get 45! I would say it’s because of the birds chirping outside of my window, but that is only partially true (I do not actually remember hearing them this particular morning since the window was closed tight against the cold air). I would say it’s because I’m such a great house keeper, but that would just be a lie. The fact is that I have spent so many many hours laying around on my couch that it actually felt good to get up and do something! So thank you, Second Trimester, for the extra energy, and please don’t go anywhere any time soon!
old friends
You know that feeling of deep contentment when you sit down over a cup of coffee (or tea in my case) to catch up with an old friend? Or that refreshing when you finally sit down on the couch with a cold popsicle or ice cream after a long day of cleaning the house? Or that feeling of thankfulness when you’ve been away from home for a while and you come back and get to sleep in your own bed and use your own shower?
That was me last night, minus the old friend, the ice cream and the vacation. I finally sat down and spent a little time with my sewing machine. Not much, mind you, as I am still insanely tired, but enough to make me remember why I love to sew. I love to create something that someone can look at and see beauty as well as purpose. Last night it was a simple project. Just a few burp cloths for a friend who has a beautiful 1-month old baby girl. But it was enough to remember that feeling when my hands have created something that another person will be able to treasure.
I hope that doesn’t come across as arogant. I don’t feel it that way at all. It is less a sense of pride than it is a sense of accomplishment and joy at being able to give another person a gift that is meaningful.
And of course I have been wanting to start stocking up for my own little baby that has brought on all of this fatigue and lack of sewing, so it was nice to have a reason to get back upstairs, dust off the supplies, and get to work! Now I remember that I certainly can do it, even if only a little at a time.
New study on cancer prevention
I don’t think I would be making a false assumption if I said that many people these days are interested in cancer prevention. The BBC news just posted an interesting article about a report that shows that many cases of cancer could be prevented with a change in diet and excercise. The article is not very long, and I would encourage you to check it out!
Anticipation
The last few mornings when I have woken up, I have sensed it. The anticipation is in the air. In fact, the air seems a little lighter, maybe a little less dry from my heater not being on all night. There are birds chirping, welcoming the change.
Spring is almost here! It’s official, folks. I went on a walk yesterday afternoon because it was actually “warm” outside (43 degrees!). Of course, I was still bundled up in my winter coat, favorite mitten-gloves and the ultra-warm and soft scarf my sister knit for my Christmas gift. But, I was warm. And the the sun was shining. It was on this walk that I saw the first tell-tale sign of spring.
There are flowers poking through the thawing ground in my neighbors’ yards! Mind you, they are not in my yard because I don’t have the foresight to actually plant the bulbs in the fall with the intention of being the lucky one to herald in the good news of spring to the rest of the neighborhood.
I love spring for sooo many reasons, but one of the reasons I really love it is the new birth it reminds me of. After the long winter of skeletal trees and winds that make you wonder why humans don’t follow the bears into hibernation, spring comes.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the day when Christians mark the beginning of the season of Lent. I’ll spare you from my vain attempts at explaining Lent, because as a “good Protestant” I had no clue what Lent was until a few years ago! I’ll just say that it is meant to be a season of anticipation in whatever form you choose–anticipation of the celebration of what Christianity is founded on. The death of a man named Jesus who was from a small Israeli town called Nazareth. Not only his death, but his own rebirth—three days after he was executed, he came back to life in order to give life to many! It is this rebirth that Spring ultimately reminds me of, and I am so thankful for it! Now I can have hope that in the death and decay of the winter, there will be a spring more glorious than I can ever imagine!
