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January 26, 2007
I Need To Work On This
So remember the other day when I said I was going to post the details of my crafting and baking during the week? Yeah well that didn't happen. I clearly need to work on the consistency of my blog posting. I don't really know what the problem is, but I just haven't felt like sitting down to write. I think a lot of it is that I haven't knit much this week, so I feel like I'm in a funk, but some of it is just that general feeling of blah. The good news is that it's Friday. So, I'm putting my happy face on and I'm going to try to do better next week. I actually find that if I sit down and take pictures and write in the evenings I do a much better job of posting regularly. If I leave it to do in the morning, it just doesn't get done. I suppose that's a good lesson. Don't wait until the last minute.
Last weekend I actually sat down at the sewing machine. I was going to sew a pair of pajama pants, but I decided that I should start small and see how the sewing vibe was. So, I chose the Simple Leather-Handled Shoulder Bag from Amy Butler's In Stitches that Angela gave me for my birthday. I used some scrap fabric I had left over from Cyndi's apron and this is what I came up with.
I shortened the bag. The pattern has you cut a piece of fabric 14" x 32" but I didn't have that much fabric and I knew I wanted a shorter bag so I cut my fabric 14" x 22" and it's just about right for a project bag. I made i-cord handles rather than using leather as specified in the pattern, mostly because I didn't want to buy anything for this project and I had the black yarn hanging out in the leftover bin in the craft room. The bag took about 30 minutes to sew and I'm really happy with it. The handles might be a bit too long, but that's an easy fix. I'm going to try to sew those pajama pants this weekend from some fabric I have in my stash. I really need to do something crafty or else I will have already failed on the Holiday Headstart January project.
In exciting knitting news, I'm working on a project for Kristi - I'm test knitting her latest pattern and having a lot of fun with it. I decided to use the Bearfoot I had in my stash and it is yummy. Sometimes a new project is just what the doctor ordered to get the juices flowing again. I'll have more on that later. Tonight is Friday Night Spinning and I'd love to finish the coopworth. I haven't really enjoyed spinning this fiber. It's a bit scratchy and grabby (I'm not even sure that's the right word) and drafting it has been a challenge. Oh well, every time I sit down to spin is a learning experience. I have some alpaca on tap for my next project - it shouldn't be scratchy or grabby at all (although I hear it's kind of slippery). Have a great weekend. Happy crafting.
Comments
What a cute bag! I want to get back into sewing, but I'm drowning in yarn as it is -- so I'll just enjoy yours vicariously!
Posted by: Sarah at January 26, 2007 10:48 AM
The bag is darling and so bright and cheerful. That should help the mood. Of course a little warmer weather would be very nice for us both. January is just the pits.
I'll be spinning tonight (before Smith gets home) and the roving I'm using is grabby (that's a perfect term!) and scratchy. Alpaca is a bit slippery but so nice to spin. You'll love it after the coopworth!
Posted by: margene at January 26, 2007 10:54 AM
How cute. I just discovered Amy Butler the other day and ordered the Madison bag pattern :)
Posted by: Jen at January 26, 2007 11:32 AM
I'm test knitting that pattern, too!
Posted by: Carole at January 26, 2007 11:50 AM
cute bag! i know what you mean about posting.. sometimes i thoroughly intend to post more than twice a week and never get around to it. it's tough to get in the swing of things!
Posted by: gleek at January 26, 2007 12:20 PM
The bag is really cute!
It's hard for me to post regularly as well -- sometimes posting once a week is all I can do!
Posted by: caitlyn at January 26, 2007 12:30 PM
Love the bag! As for the blahs, I think it's common around the second year. At least, I've been having the same problem for a while now! After the novelty wore off, I realized what a time drain it was, between the photos and the actual writing. I'm lucky now if I get inspired once or twice a week, so you are doing better than I am!
Posted by: Marcia at January 26, 2007 12:45 PM
Great bag! Looks like the perfect size for your knitting. Have fun spinning tonight (and I'm very curious about the alpaca you have waiting in the wings). :)
Posted by: brooke at January 26, 2007 12:53 PM
That's supercute. Maybe I should make something small like that. I was thinking of placemats, though. Or is that too many straight lines?
Posted by: Theresa at January 26, 2007 1:18 PM
Your bag is lovely! I have that book too so I'll have to check out the pattern. I know what you mean about the blahs - a new pattern (or craft!) seems to get me going.
Posted by: mari at January 26, 2007 1:24 PM
Hey... I recognize that fabric! :) It makes a cute bag.
How do you like the AB book? Someone had a copy of it at SnB last week, and I took a quick look. Seems like there are some cute patterns in it.
Don't stress about not posting as often as you like - if it becomes a chore, you won't want to do it at all, and none of us would be happy about that!
Posted by: Cyndi at January 26, 2007 2:22 PM
Cute bag. I've missed your regular posts, but understand how busy life can be and how blogging isn't exactly a top priority in our lives.
I'm really looking forward to spinning tonight, and winding down.
Posted by: Rebekah at January 26, 2007 3:11 PM
hey sweetie-
we all get the blahs in january. i rack it up to post christmas depression! after the tree and trimmings come down and life is back to normal the blahs set in. but then the valentines day colors revive me- even though i am currently anti-cupid i love all the reds and pinks! maybe knit yourself a little pick me up project or a little baking. maybe a mani or pedi. something a little special just for you!
enjoy the spinning!
Posted by: kaetlyn at January 26, 2007 4:08 PM
sometimes it takes a new project to get you jump started! The bag came out really cute, and I think I like the I cord handles better than leather ones - they match the fabric perfectly! The weather around here is a great reason for the blahs - no sun and cold!
Posted by: stacey at January 26, 2007 4:36 PM
Very cute bag, I like thw way you made it shorter than in the book. I need to make one of these myself. There is an Amy Butler In Stitches Sew Along if you're interested http://flickr.com/groups/55337276@N00/
We work on one new Amy Butler pattern a month. Slow and steady wins the race right... Good luck with your sewing, knitting and blogging.
Posted by: Melanie Taylor at January 27, 2007 4:07 AM
The bag is great-haven't tried that one yet, but I unexpectedly have a day off and just got new Amy Butler fabric in the mail so maybe I'll whip it up. I also ordered the Chelsea bag and the Weekender bag patterns - so I'll let you know how it goes!
Posted by: Heidi at January 27, 2007 5:38 AM
What a gorgeous little bag! I too am looking forward to this alpaca you mention ;)
Posted by: Lolly at January 29, 2007 6:25 AM
