Monday, March 14, 2011

Tutorial Round Up: In the Kitchen - Aprons

Welcome to week 2 of our In the Kitchen tutorial roundup theme! This week the focus is on aprons. Add a little sass to your cooking and baking time with these cute numbers.














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Sunday, March 13, 2011

episode 26: small plates


What I'm Working On
Finished Olivia's Helena Baby Sweater!!!
Working on a baby sweater from Itty Bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson
Pincushion from Scandinavian Stitches

Bad Stitches Happen to Good People
How not to add ribbon embellishments to projects and how fussy-cutting plans can go awry.

Podcasts to Try

Blogs I'm Loving


Shop update - Swell Cloth: Enjoy 10% off bundles this week (through March 18) using discount code MARCH10. Feel free to use the discount on pre-assorted bundles or customize your own fabric ensemble. 

Coming soon: Kumari Garden by Dena Designs. I'm so excited to receive this line - it's full of gorgeous prints and delicious colors.  

Thank you to Erica for sharing this beautiful project with us. Check out her new blog full of beautiful projects and stories of her quilting and sewing adventures.

 

Download episodes of Stash Resolution for free on iTunes. Feel free to email comments or questions to stashresolution@yahoo.com




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Saturday, March 12, 2011

New Pincushion and Winner of Schnibbles Pattern Giveaway

I was obsessed with getting the book Scandinavian Stitches after seeing this blog post by Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts. That pincushion haunted my crafting dreams and just HAD to be made. You know the feeling, right?


I poured over the book after it arrived and promptly pulled out my scrap bin to select the perfect fabrics. Liking the look of the book project, I tried to simulate the fabrics somewhat closely, choosing a polka-dot for the center, a stripe for the top, and a feature fabric for the bottom. Unfortunately, my feature fabric got chopped a little at the bottom by the time I added seams. :-(


Using a darning foot, stitching the copy was amazingly simple. 


The extra touch of adding a ribbon is an adorable kitchy idea (in the original pattern), but I wish my ribbon collection was more extensive and cuter. Solid grosgrain ribbon is the extent of my stash. Will need to work on that. 


The backing was fussy cut to show of a little birdie. All in all, fantastic pattern and a quick project. Run - don't walk! - out and get a copy of the book right away - this project only scratches the surface the darling ideas in it. 

Now for the winner of the Schnibbles pattern giveaway, celebrating the 25th episode of the Stash Resolution podcast. And the winner is ... 
Lucky number 14 is Sunnybec who said: Thanks for the giveaway. I think Domino for me please. Linda
Congratulations, Linda! I'll be in touch to coordinate mailing your prize.
Stash Resolution episode 26 should get recorded tomorrow, baring unforeseen circumstances. Until then, I plan to park it on the couch and do some knitting tonight. What crafting are you working on this weekend?



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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Cat's out of the Bag

Well, the super-secret project I was working on in January is now officially public - my pattern, the Reversible Spring Table Runner, is in the latest issue of CraftSanity magazine! I'm incredibly excited and thankful that crafting extraordinaire Jennifer Akerman-Haywood gave me this amazing opportunity - my first published piece.


Jennifer was also kind enough to spare a few minutes of her busy schedule to answer some questions about this latest issue (isn't the cover gorgeous!?).

1. After the success of CraftSanity Magazine Issue 1, how does it feel to have Issue 2 in hand? Is it just as exciting this time around?
Ignorance was bliss when I was putting together issue 1. I had no idea how challenging it was going to be to start a magazine, so I just plowed ahead and did it. Going into issue 2 I was well aware of the challenges, so at certain points it was more daunting. But, yes, it is exciting to have completed issue 2. The most exciting thing is to have such supportive readers. 

2. What can readers expect to find in this latest issue?
We cover a lot in issue 2. From rug hooking, basket weaving and hairpin lace to knitting, crocheting, quilting and sewing  -- there's something in this issue for every crafter. There's also an excellent pita bread recipe written by an skilled baker and a tooth fairy pouch project to do with the kids. We have another super cute paper doll in this issue and a darling wool felt bunny pattern, too. 
3. Is there a theme running through the patterns and articles?
We have a basic Spring theme running through this issue. From a woven bike tote to tie to the front of your bike to a recycled fabric cap to sew and wear under your helmet, there are projects for those who like to spend time outside. The crochet basket and egg cozy projects are designed to get readers ready for Easter. And the hairpin lace "Picnic Mitts" pattern is a great entry level project for those who like to slip on fingerless gloves on cool spring evenings. 
4. You interviewed crafting legend Carol Duvall for this issue. What was that experience like? 
I had previously met and interviewed Carol for my CraftSanity podcast, so it was fun to catch up with her and see what she's been up to. She's a wonderful storyteller with has an interesting perspective on the craft world. During my visit I got to see her craft room for the first time. It's fantastic with a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan, proving that Carol Duvall truly knows how to craft in style. :  ) 
5. If someone is interested in submitting a project idea, what is the best way to go about it?

The best way to submit a project idea is to e-mail me (jennifer@craftsanity.com). I plan to publish a variety of projects in every issue, so I'm looking for cute embroidery, crochet, knitting and sewing patterns as well as tutorials in other craft mediums. The sky is really the limit, so if you have an idea, by all means get in touch! 
6. You are one busy lady! What's next for you - besides working on CraftSanity Magazine Issue 3? 
Besides work on upcoming CraftSanity Magazine issues and podcasts, I'd like to start writing my first book soon. :  )

I adored Issue 1 and am sure Issue 2 will be even better! CraftSanity Magazine Issue 2 can be purchased as either a PDF download or print copy in Jennifer's successful Etsy shop. Pre-order your copy today and save $1 off the cover price. Orders will begin to ship next week!


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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Portable Knitting Project Bag

This weekend, I whipped up a new portable knitting project bag. Tired of hauling my huge knitting bag full of - ahem- a lot of UFOs, I decided a solo pattern tote was in order.

Using this tutorial from Purl Bee, one of my favorite blogs (they have a TON of tutorial ideas for sewing and knitting), I started with 1/2 yard of Amy Butler LOVE fabric. Yummy!


Following the clearly written instructions, I seamed and serged (not called for but I did it successfully).



Playing with my new toy, serging added a nice clean finish to the seams. No worrying the fabric will unravel and tangle with yarn.



Gussets were added to give the bag a flat bottom. They were fairly easy to figure out once I worked through the brainteaser of which direction they are supposed to go.



Feeding the ribbon through the casing was easy-peasy using a safety pin. I used 3/8" red grossgrain ribbon - love the aqua and red together.


About 1/2 hour of work - voila!



There are so many possibilities for modifications of this base pattern. You could add hexagon motif to one side. Or you could appliqué an embroidery to it - I'm loving these patterns by Aneela Hoey of Comfort Stitching. (She is also the designer behind the highly anticipated fabric line Sherbet Pips.)

I'm looking forward to giving this portable knitting project bag a spin this week, and I can see making more of these in the future for gift bags and additional project bags.
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Monday, March 7, 2011

Tutorial Roundup: In the Kitchen - Hot Pads & Pot Holders

Something about the changing seasons puts me in the mood to get into the kitchen. I mean, let's not exaggerate here - I'm still not making dinners. That task is far better off in my husband's more capable hands. But I do like to play with baking breads, making jams, and the like - giftable concoctions.

So, for the month of March as we look forward to Spring, let's focus on sprucing up our kitchens with a few new sewn items. Today's theme is hot pads and pot holders, which I realized yesterday are sorely missing from our kitchen supplies as I pulled the banana bread out of the oven. Please feel free to send me your tutorial links to include in future kitchen-themed postings - think aprons, tea towels, table runners, etc!















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Sunday, March 6, 2011

People Just Like Me

Last Saturday, I had the good fortune of spending 5 solid hours of quilting with my new friends at the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild. Here are a few pictures of the projects worked on that day. So much talent in this group!









Additional pictures of our fabulous sewing space can be found on the CMQG website.

This week, I worked on the blocks for the March guild swap. The block theme is Kelly Green. We are allowed to choose any block we'd like as long as it finishes at 10.5" (10" pieced).

I chose the Fair and Square block and used Moda Bella Solid in Kelly Green and Bleached White plus a little Heather Bailey Welcome Road in Sky.




Finally, I let myself start a new knitting project - Never Not Knitting's Cream and Sugar Cowl - using the delectable Socks that Rock Lightweight in Lover's Leap. Oh. My. Goodness. This yarn is incredibly soft. Now I know what all the fuss is about. I'm in the early stages of knitting the ribbed edge but will keep you posted with progress shots.



Hope you had a productive week and weekend. I promise to be a better blogger next week. Thanks for hanging in there with me and for all your encouragement. :-)
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