02 September 2006
All week long (especially since I got that Japanese book, sheesh), I've been filled with crafty ideas, but I don't often feel like I have enough time to start in on them. I've got plenty of free time compared to some people, but the thought of getting everything out, measuring and cutting, sewing and ironing -- well, that's an entire evening gone. And I've got a lot of TV to watch! (There's also some running and some dinner cooking and eating in there.)
Anyway, I've been excited for the weekend to roll around so I could do some serious crafting. Starting with my 'gypsy' blanket:
I'm still working on the hand stitching, but this was very nearly the project that wasn't. I started piecing together strips and squares this morning and was just disgusted with the result. I had decided to make a throw about 44" x 60", and I just hated how the colours and prints worked together (I think this was partly due to my love of intricate, busy patchwork and the resulting disappointment with huge blocks of pattern).
I didn't want to waste any more fabric, because I do really like each bit on its own (and it wasn't particularly cheap), so I thought I'd see what it looked like folded in half. Somehow, that instantly made it better! So now I'm making a lap blanket (44" x 30"), and I'm really pleased with how it's coming together. Besides, who was I kidding -- like I really have the patience to hand stitch an entire throw?
I spent a lot of today on the sofa:
The little bag was made with some of the fabric Suzy sent and was inspired by that same old book. I needed a quick and easy machine project with no particular purpose, and this fit the bill. It will look really nice just hanging around somewhere.
Lastly, some perseverance:
There was something about that star flower that really didn't want to work out, but I just kept removing stitching and trying again, and it eventually wound up looking. . . okay. I've actually finished it now (I just did one slightly different motif instead of the repeating pattern), and the rest was nowhere as difficult as the first flower. There's just something about those shapes that boggles my mind. I shall take a picture of the finished placemat when the sun comes out again (tomorrow?).
Whew! So much craftiness for one day! I actually knit a little dish cloth the other day, and I might now go knit a back for it and turn it into a hot pad. Must craft more!
Everything is so lovely. Perfect weather for crafting!
posted by Joy at September 2, 2006 10:33 PM
What a cute little bag! Love it!
posted by Leta at September 6, 2006 09:33 PM
I LOVE that blanket - such beautiful colours.
posted by lyn at September 7, 2006 08:59 AM