Button bag

A while ago, I made this bag (promptly claimed by Sus). The project is from "Everyday Handmade: 22 Practical Projects for the Modern Sewist", and it's right on the cover. 

I added a top strap closure with an extra covered button. I had a blast making the covered buttons. Unfortunately, many (most) of them fell off fairly quickly. I don't even think Sus was too rough with the bag. It's just the brand of button kit I used had pretty weak shanks. Once the shank pulled free, that was it. Any of the buttons that weren't lost on the street, we re-purposed into magnets. 

The verdict: cute pattern, bad buttons.

Easing back in...the water's pretty cold around here

Well, hello! That's right, I haven't posted for over two years. So many things I've made that I didn't even photograph. Here is a small start, with more to come (as usual, not the most excellent picture taking):
 A make up roll (pattern by Stitched in Color), fabrics are from "Grand Bazaar" by Patty Young:

I made this for my daughter, who uses it quite a lot. In fact, it's due for a good washing. The pattern made up really nicely, and gave me a great opportunity to practice little pockets. This would make a great gift, if one were so inclined.

Cake Rock Beach

Skip this if repeat projects bore you...more wristlets! This is really about the tenth set I've made, and I loooooove them. It's true, there are a lot of pieces to this. Cutting takes for-EVAH, so I had a couple of hours of production line cutting. I have a stack of flannel lining and fusible interfacing pre-cut, plus several sets of fabric.   So I can sit down and get right to the fun part when it's time to make a new set. My friend Jen H recently had a big, fat birthday. As is our habit, a group of girlfriends in my neighborhood got together for a small celebration. These occasions are especially notable when Heidi bakes. I skipped dinner, and went straight to the perfect cheesecake with lemon curd OR (more honestly, AND) caramel sauce, washed down with a glass of prosecco. Swoon. Back to the wristlets: I wanted this set to be something Jen was sure to like and use, and to that end, I invited her to go "shopping" in my fabric stash to see what she liked. This confirmed what I already knew: Jen has amazing taste. She chose 3 fabrics from Joelle Hoverson's "Cake Rock Beach" line. Why, oh why, hasn't Joelle continued with fabric design? Anyway, this was not anything I'd looked at for this project, and it has turned out to be my favorite set so far.

Pay It Forward craftiness

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Originally uploaded by micmacker@gmail.com

Here's my first completed project for my 2011 Pay It Forward crafting whatsis from Facebook. This is for Cheryl, whom I've known since high school. Cheryl gets to be first because last year, I only completed half of my pay it forwards. Oops. I chose a lot of blue for Cheryl to match her eyes, and I just think she'll get a kick out of the owls.

Easy laptop cases

In my desperate run of pre-Christmas sewing, I needed an easy project that a guy would like.  I found this free tutorial by Elizabeth on her blog Oh, Fransson!  If you're new-ish to sewing, check out her patterns, both free and for sale.  Lots and LOTS of photographs of each step, and instructions that simply could not be clearer.  She has a new book out, too, "The Practical Guide to Patchwork" that's high on my wish list.  I don't know Elizabeth personally, nor is this a paid endorsement, I just think her work is terrific.

So I think Zachary liked his laptop sleeve, but I'll bet Elisabeth stole it from him.

 I went on to make another sleeve sized for an ipad - the pattern is customized according to measurements.  

I have a couple of panels of this Italian alphabet fabric - wish I'd gotten more.