Mini me

I know that I will sound like a little brat but my Etsy shop is taking more time than expected on my daily schedule! I'm not complaining but soon I might beg my husband to needle felt acorns with me ;) Do you have the feeling that sometimes you just bite off more than you can chew? It happens to me all the time! Do you realise that I dropped out of yoga class because it was making me nervous to miss on some crucial craft time/blog time/photo time/pets time/ oh yes, husband time!!!

Anyway, I took a break and made a "mini me" from a Inside a Black Apple pattern. And why make things simple when you can make them complicated...stitch the entire doll and then realised that the face embroideries are not done yet!!! Oups ;)

Making lines

October was supposed to be a month of I-need-to-use-my-fabric-scrap. So far, October has been a month of "blip"-I poked- my-finger-again-with-my-felting-needle!!!. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the fact that my etsy shop is doing great. It's just that if I don't get a thimble I will soon get a skin infection ;)

Today, I went back to my beloved fabric stash for the first time in days and I made a little patchwork scarf. Since it was a little boring looking, I decided to try free quilting for the first time. OH JOY! Free quilting is like therapy. It is so satisfying to push the pedal to the metal (my husband taught me that expression...I find it funny!) and move the fabric by following your instinct. Go ahead...try it! You won't regret it!

Note: I know I know...the little owl fabric is totally cute! I ordered it from Miko Design a few months ago. Take a look, she has beautiful things :)

Let the balls begin

First of all, I want to thank you for your nice answers to my "fundamental" questions about selling my crafts. After considerations, I'm sad but also relieved to cancel that project! I realized that it was (1) not financially worth it, (2) a huge time investment, (3) a cause of additional stress and (4) a risk of turning my kitchen table into a permanent craft area...that means eating on the sofa everyday (is it really a bad thing?). I know that it's silly but once in a while I want to "fit in" and since most bloggers have an Etsy shop I felt like a reject. Don't you think that it sounded cool: "Hi, my name is Claudia and sell my indie crafts online. I know, I know...I'm awesome"?

To compensate this temporary let down I took my super sharp felt needle and poked, poked, poked, poked and poked wool into little balls. This easy therapy lead to colorful felted acorns and a thin chance of getting tetanus. Sharp...so sharp ;)

A month of fabric scraps

I started sewing when I wrote my first blog post...last November. I remember ordering Japanese fabric from superbuzzy and spending some (!) money in a few fabric stores. After almost a year, I have a lot of fabric scraps and it's driving me crazy. So I decided that October would be a month of fabric scrap projects. The plan is obvious: make more room for new fabric!

Project n.1 - The patchwork bag
I saw this bag in blogland/Flickr and I immediatly fell in love with the idea. The concept is from a Japanese book that I don't have but with the help of a little tutorial I added another purse to my collection! Strangly enough, it's the only project that I could see myself doing a few time (5-10 bags) without getting bored.

So I will conclude this post with 3 questions:
1. Is it legal to sell/swap products made from a pattern book?
2. What value would you give to this bag?
3. Do you think that somebody would like a bag like this?

Thank you and if you have any ideas on how to use my fabric scrap, please, let me know!

10 weeks

I just started a sewing class at a community center. I didn't know but community center rhymes with omg-are-you-kidding-me-2$-an-hour-for-the-most-wonderful-teacher-ever!!!!! Obviously, it's a deal that I couldn't refuse. The teacher is a costume designer for tv productions, films and theater plays....and he wears high heels!!! Well, it was to be expected from a community center in the Montreal gay village! But that's a detail!

For the next 10 weeks, I have to bring pictures of designs that I like, create the patterns and sew until I get the teacher's approval ;) To start my creative process (um...and spending money process) I ordered a japanese book called Stylish Dress. Until I receive it, I need a project for the next class or two. I could maybe work on a little vest...something in tweed or in wool plaid!

You are doing what?

I don't know if you get the same reaction but when I tell people that I love to craft they always have that obvious "question mark" look like if I was a freak from another era! I must admit that except for scrapbooking (sorry but I don't really get it...why use so much paper!?!) and jewelery making the wonderful world of craft is pretty limited amongst Montrealers! However, after some research I discovered a few extremely talented people that live in a 25km radius from my little loft ;) One of those artists is Janick from Nea. She makes the most beautiful embroiderie "wall art". Ok, I'm slightly ashamed but I totally copied her idea and I made a cross stitch (friend: " you must be joking...my grand-mother does cross stitch!?!") bunny hoop frame. My plan is to make a few and gather them on a small wall...just like that! Do you like that idea?

I wanna be a squirrel!!!

Today, when I was supposed to work from home and/or to take a well deserved nap, I started to play around with a little mouse softie pattern from Sewing Stars. The point of the exercise was to see how I could eventually transform it (the pattern) into a squirrel...my favorite rodent! So I'm asking you, creative crafters, to pppllleeeaaasssseeee give me technical advise on how to make this little rat (how come my mice always end up looking like rats???) into a "cute" squirrel! And if you wonder why my softie doesn't have a felt tail like on the pattern, well, I kinda forgot that part! To solve that little negligence, I wrapped wool aroung a metal wire and suck it up its...hum...you all know where a tail goes ;)

Have a lovely weekend!

70s Go-Go dancer

After the tweed vest disaster, a few weeks ago, I was now ready to tackle another sewing project. You know, one that comes in an envelop that contains difficult to work with sheets of thin brown silk paper! Anyway, I purchased McCall's 5555 (a mix of A and D) but it turned out that I looked like a 70s Go-Go dancer. So I "tried" to alter the sleeves, the back, the length, the neck line...well, too many things to call that pattern a success story! I must say that I start to feel a little discouraged about my ability to sew clothes. But good news! I will take a sewing class this fall and hopefully create something nice and one day...maybe one day...manage to make a dress out of an awesome japanese sewing book!

Staying clean!

I know that I will never be a domesticity queen because I'm really not into cooking. And just to make everything clear I'm also not into cleaning and ironing! However, my sweet tooth gives me just enough motivation to bake some cupcakes or muffins once in a while. And because I'm also not into doing laundry that much I thought that keeping my clothes stain free would be a good idea. So I decided to make the reversible apron from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. And one last thing...as much as I would love a linen apron with beautiful embroideries and/or appliqués (like the book suggests) I don't think that it would look good with spaghetti sauce on it ;)

And the winners are.....

...well first of all I want to thank you for all the wonderful comments that Mr. Tweeder and Mr. Tweedy Bun got over the past few days. That sure boosted their self-esteem ;) And now ladies and...hum...gentlemen...if there are any reading my blog!?!

Mr. Tweeder will fly its way to Stephanie's house!
Stephanie said...
Mr. Tweeter and Mr. Tweedy Bun are adorable! I wouldn't mind either one keeping me company.

Mr. Tweedy Bun will hop its way to Rebecca's house!
Rebecca said...
Both babies are adorable, but since the bunny has ears and mr tweedy doesn't have wings, i have to go with the most intact one being my favorite: Mr. Tweedy Bun.

On another subject, I need to clear up my fabric stash that is now taking over our little walk-in closet. So this morning, between a cup of hot cocoa and a bowl of blackberry yogurt, I made this simple grocery tote from Spool Sewing. My new rule: no more fabric purchase until I can actually walk into my closet...and not jump over piles of fabric ;)

A little giveaway!

Me? Obsessive and compulsive? No! Where did you get that?

If you feel like adopting a pet but are scared of responsibilities I strongly advise you to enter this giveaway and you might become the proud owner of a very low maintenance bunny or bird (and other things that I will sneak into your package...like a piece of that fabric )! Leave me a little comment and next Sunday (August 17th) I will draw one name! Don't forget to tell me which one is your favorite pet: Mr. Tweeder or Mr. Tweedy Bun.

And Dan wants to add: "In the words of Bob Barker from the Price is Right please remember to spay and neuter your pets ;)

A (silly) love story

Some people believe in love at first sight. Some people think that love only happens when two people share a connection on an emotional level. Well, let me tell you the story of Mr. Tweeder ('cause he's made out of tweed, duh!), the proof that love at first sight really exists! Mr. Tweeder was lonely...living a life that he didn't like (as a tweed vest!). One day, while "surfing" Das Kaninchen's blog, Mr. Tweeder layed eyes on the most beautiful creature he has ever seen. Feminine, delicate, sophisticated and extremely fashionable...it was love at first sight. His life suddenly had a new meaning, he was happy! But like Romeo and Juliet, their destiny had a tragic ending...they had no wings and lived in different countries! So the moral of this story, birds softies should have wings.

UPDATE: Oh, the wings are on the sides and we don't see them because he his sitting! Knowing that, Mr. Tweeder is now waiting for his Canadian passport :) The end!!!

Note: the author of this story is tired and therefore silly!

It's ok to fail...

but it sucks! So far, I have been a very lucky self proclaimed crafter. I accomplished a lot of projects with not that many difficulties and the final results were always, to my opinion, impressive. Well, today I failed and it hurts! I know, I'm a drama queen but when you reach the point of no return, when you know that there is nothing you can do to save it...well it hurts! It hurts to see that beautiful Irish tweed that finally won't serve any purpose in life...ok, I must calm down ;) And the worst part, I failed because I wanted to go too fast. I wanted to tell you: "I'm getting pretty good at that sewing thing! Look at my cute tweed vest that I made during my day off!" Well, instead I will tell you: "Yep, I didn't read the instructions carefully and now it's too late! This is what happens when you want to show off!!!"

Better late than never!

It took me three months to make my very first skirt...actually my very first piece of clothing. I wrote about that project on April 20th. At that time I was up to the challenge and ready to go! Crazy how things can change once you open a pattern and start reading the instructions. So the pattern and I developed an unhealthy relationship! I would promise to spend time with it during the weekend (to figure out my size, cut the pieces, etc.). Then the poor thing would get stood up and would stay on my craft shelf gathering dust! However, last week, don't ask me what happened but I started and almost finished the skirt in an afternoon. The only problem that I had was the button hole...I just couldn't figure it out with my sewing machine. Plan B: a discrete metal snap. Now, I'm ready for another sewing challenge. Any suggestions of easy patterns but without button hole? I'm just not ready ;)

note: I used McCall's 5430 (skirt C)

Looking for happiness

For the past few months, I put a lot of energy convincing myself that I was happy at work. I would tell myself that not that many people like their job anyway and that I was being picky. However, a new opportunity presented itself and I decided to go for it! Well, guess what? Convinced happiness is not at all like real happiness!!! For the next three months, I will be the promotion/event coordinator for the nicest little public market located in one of Montreal's most underprivileged neighbourhood. The main goal of that non-profit market is to give a better access to fruits and vegetables to the less fortunate. Some people in that area haven't had fresh strawberries in years!

Anyway, my new office is near a park with a pretty fountain, many big trees and comfortable benches where I could eat my lunch on sunny days. So I made a picnic placemat from Simple Sewing. Now I just need to make myself a lunch for tomorrow ;)

Contrast

Last week I was in Iceland: walking through the trendy streets of Reykjavik, bathing in surreal Blue Lagoon, enjoying beautiful sceneries under the midnight sun and freezing my fingers because I didn't bring my mittens with me...come on we were in June! Iceland is a wonderful country that you can't visualize accurately until you see it by yourself but you can always try! Iceland has snowy volcanoes, surprising geysers, luscious green moss, powerful waterfalls, moon like fields and milky blue water. It does smell like eggs sometimes but you can't focus on a small detail like that when you are surrounded by such beauty!


This week, back to Montreal, I suffocate (35C) whenever I go outside for more than 30 minutes. To protect my pale skin against the sun I decided, even if it had bad reviews, to make the hat in Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing book. It's not complicated to make but, I warn you, the brim is outrageously big! Cut at least 1 inch or you will get hit by a car because you didn't see it coming!

Hello midnight sun!

In a few days, braving my irrational fear of plane trips, I will head to London (4 days) and Reykjavik (3 days). Why such a short trip? Simply because I don't want to leave my puppy dog for a long period! I won't cry when my mom will pick him up tomorrow (ok, maybe I will) but I don't want Brian to feel like I abandoned him. I know it's silly but what can I say!!! Oh, yes...I also have a cat but Mr. Poon is a big boy and the worst thing that can happen is that he might bite and/or claw my mother! Anyway, last summer during our trip to Sweden, I had a difficult time sleeping because the sunset would be at 11:00 pm and the sunrise at 3:00 am. To avoid the the dark circles under my eyes (don't look pretty on pictures!!!) I decided that a sleeping mask would be an important accessory to bring with me. One last thing, taking a self-portrait, without a tripod and with your eyes closed is NOT a good idea! See you in a week :) xox

A bit zen

When your life seems a little out of control (aka I need challenges in my life or I will have a nervous breakdown) , when new opportinities are making you slightly insecure (aka maybe an interview for a new job this week), when getting out of your comfort zone is almost the end of the world (aka the possibility of new people, new responsibilities, new dress code (?) etc.) ... well, it's time for a felting workshop!!!And what better way to relax than making some wool felt pebbles!!! So simple and so zen...and your hands are very soft at the end of the day ;)

Say what?

Over the past few months, I mastered my sewing machine (well, almost), I successfully identified bias tape at the fabric store, I learned a few embroidery stitches, I felted wool into small rodents, I discovered the joy of knitting and I installed a zipper. Over the past few months, I didn't understand right away the totality of a project's instructions written in a craft book! I don't know if I'm the only one but even if I understand the meaning of each words separately as soon as I look at the entire sentance I just don't get it. Fold the what where? Cut the template alongs what lines? Sew together part what and what? Peanut, the wee elephant from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts was no exception! It started well but the mamooth like creature (it has a very big head to my opinion!) made me swear at step 4...could be worst I guess! Anyway, I finished it and I was quite happy until my husband told me that Peanut looked like a kiddie version of the American Democratic party (update: OUPS...don't know much about american politics...Republican party...sorry about that..feel stupid now) symbol!?! Political softies...I'm not there yet!!!

Decisions...decisions

I wanted to make a picnic quilt that I could bring with me to the park, this summer (not next year!), during sunny afternoons...to relax, cuddle, eat, read, play and where my dog could actually chew the numerous sticks that he finds apparently everywhere! I didn't want a precious family heirloom to pass on to future generations. Knowing that, I had to make decisions that were a little difficult for the perfectionist crafter in me! My quilt is NOT perfect: the quilting (a grid) is not always at 90 degrees and the binding, done with my sewing machine and not by hand, could have a more even stitch. Feeling sloppy at first, I'm now very happy with all of my quilt's little imperfections. I have set my priorities: cute, comfortable, sturdy and ready to use as soon as possible! I didn't want a picnic quilt that would give me a heart attack if a little bit of mayonnaise from my sandwich falls on it...as long as its washable anyway ;)