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A Series of Extremes

25 days. Has it really been that long? I'm not really sure what happened in the whirlwind that has been the last 25 days or so, but I'm certain of one thing, and that it's been a series of extremes.

I can't go into it much here, but basically my days have been filled with the most extreme of every emotion + feeling you can think of. Anger, fun, sadness, irritation, exercise, travel, fatigue, energy + happiness. All packed into a few short weeks. Fun (can you sense the sarcasm?). Needless to say, blogging + design work has taken a back seat. Interesting how the tough times inspire us to abandon the things that keep us grounded. Life is funny that way.

I'm slowly jumping back into things. Very slowly. And my first project "back" was this here diaper bag + changing pad. Remember when I first mentioned it? And how bad do I feel that the babe made it to the world before the diaper bag did?

Horrible, I feel absolutely terrible about that. I had dreams of the proud new parents happily skipping out of the hospital with their sweet little thing in tow along with their new custom diaper bag spilling over with baby this n' thats.

It didn't quite happen that way, but the good news is that the little babe is in the world, she's safe + happy and her parents couldn't be more excited. I couldn't ask for anything more. Welcome to the world baby Satya!

Artsy Clutch

Weekends always prove to be a little challenging when it comes to keeping up any new exercise mantras + my newly added LifeStyle diet. I'm happy to say that the indulgences this weekend were kept in check + to a minimum. AND i even found myself sweatin' to the oldies on Saturday pumping some iron at the gym. Loving this new energy.

Yes yes, creative energy was flexed to. Have you had a chance to glance through Bend the Rules Sewing  by Amy Karol, yet? Let's get serious for a second here, I can say with all my heart, that if it was possible to marry a book, I would marry this one and be it's devoted wife forever. For reals.

This is an Artsy Clutch that I made for my babysitter. Yes, I still have a babysitter (see why I laugh when people try to pressure me to have a baby? How can I possibly have a baby, when I still have a babysitter?). I'm kidding, you know that. She doesn't babysit me anymore, but she'll always be my babysitter. Mostly because she's so sweet and I act like a big brat when I'm around her. It's the relationship we have and it seems work for both of us.

I made a few modifications including completely neglecting to open the book to read the instructions much less cut the correct measurements. You can't tell though, can you? That's the whole message of the book, having fun + not taking your sewing so seriously. I also added in that outside pocket (that's the wool plaid you see there) as well as some pretty stiff interfacing that makes this much more of a "clutch" then a "pouch". I'm loving the play between wool + linen + happy cotton.

Things I would do differently...

• Be more precise when measuring +ironing
• Take more time (I was rushing to run out and meet up with my babysitter)
• Do something about that obnoxious puckering in the front
• Make a 2nd one for myself!

1 :: Track :: Mind

Do you have one too? All this organizing + lifestyle dieting is taking over in a way that is so ridiculously familiar to me. The spurts, you know, of creative energy - in a single mindedness sort of way. Which is why you've seen less and less making around these parts and more and more talk of cooking...and exercising...and other this n' thats.

It's okay to be focused, right? Focused or Obsessive, you be the judge. It's times like this, times where I've found myself without a new made item or book read in over a week when a little dash of inspiration to this giant stew of creativity is in order.

So today will be a day on inspiration...shall we take a walk over to the craft section of my little neighborhood library? Let's see what's in store...

I imagine part of this might be that awkward transitional phase I seem to go through towards the end of summer (but, it's not the end yet, is it?)...the process of spending less and less hours...then days at the sewing machine, as my twitchy little fingers find their way to the thing that comforts me most when the sun begins to set + the leaves turn to gold. Knitting. Perhaps, we're nearing that time. And books. Yes, books, time to tee up the autumn line-up. Tea in hand, I'm ready.

...but until it's official, enjoy the eye-candy inspiration.

{oh dear, did you think I forgot about your recipe? don't you worry one bit, tomorrow will be the day where we talk about food again}

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Photo Credits:

Elephant Pouch by Myra Masuda - The Crafters Companion Ed. Anna Torborg

Scrap Wrap - Quilts by Denyse Schmidt

Mixy-Matchy Napkins - Bend-The-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Striped Rug (felted) - The Home Guide to Craft by Katherine Sorrell

Bourgeois Bag Organizer - Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy

Organizing {again}

Have you heard of the saying "the cobblers kids have no shoes"? Well I had a really low moment the other day involving "the seamstress has a crappy wallet".

It consisted of a trip to the ice-cream shop with my parents. I ordered the obligatory "Gold Metal Ribbon"...my parents with their shared sundaes (this has been their routine since I can remember, creatures of habit, I think. It's a lovely habit I must say).

When the cashier began ringing up the tab, I quickly grabbed my "wallet" and jumped up to treat. Not something they let me do, usually, so I was trying my best to be quick. My sugar-induced euphoria quickly imploded when the 16-year-old cashier scoffed, laughed and coughed "nice wallet", in her best I'm-so-cute-I-can't-stand-it teeny-bopper voice.

Offended? Sure. But let's be honest, people, the girl's got a point. It's not exactly lady-like to traipse about the city with my goods all crammed into a zip-lock bag, now is it? I'm not quite skilled enough to make my own wallet, and thank goodness for that, because I never would have found this little beauty on Etsy, if I was. Goodness gracious, I love this wallet.

It's made with the highest crafted precision, using the loveliest of vintage heavy-weight fabric, and contains just the perfect amount of pockets, including a zippered pouch for chapstick. Woot woot for the perfect wallet/clutch + another awesome Esty seller - thanks Dogwood Lane!

Midnight Fabric Shopping

I disappeared for a bit, didn't I? And without any notice, shame on me. Sometimes that needs to happen, doesn't it? Setting aside the tools we use to document + reflect on our lives - to actually live.

And live I did. This past week was an absolute flurry of happy activity - none of which were creative related. But just a generally good time connecting with friends, soaking up the sun in the South Bay and wiping myself out. Which is the states of affairs for me right now. I'm back at home, reflecting + relaxing.

And my favorite part of returning home? Besides reuniting with the hubs, well, going through the mail of course!

Hot Pockets + Beer

Well, apparently I'm not the only one that eats like crap, makes a mess + watches trashy TV when there's no one around to guide me to be a better person. I can't tell you how happy that makes me feel. Last night was a little more soul feeding. The evening involved a delectable dinner with the sis...a trip to my beloved sale section of Anthropologie (yes, "my beloved" - it's as familiar to me as my living room)...and ended with...you guessed it - another sleep-over, a bottle of wine + 'sumore trashy TV. Really, though, what's better then that?

But I didn't pop in today to go on and on again about my self-destructive behavior. I need a little help, and wondered if you could lend a hand.

I'm working on a custom order for a long-term-blog-friend (identity to be released when I get a photo of her dear little future-babe - ETA: September). This custom order is especially fun for me, partly because she has great style (I can see that through her knitting + fabric suggestions), and partly because she's given me a lot of creative freedom.

So, I'm wondering - what do you think of these fabric choices?

Outside of the bag:

Inside (a nice surprise - especially for a sweet baby girl - not that we're trying to genderize the poor babe!):

Want to be a part of the creative process? I'll blog it here. Maybe it would be fun for the little babe to someday see the journey of how her diaper bag was made. Or maybe that's just something we all think is fun. Seriously though, it's what this whole handmade movement is all about, isn't it? A re-connection to the people that lovingly take the time to make the things we use. We can't get that shoppin' at Walmart, now can we?

Totes + Hip Hop

I made a mental list of the things I can do that are a little more difficult when the hubs is hanging about the house distractin' me. The first three items on the list were related to eating (as most lists in the house are). Meal time is a big deal around these parts. Partly because we love food so much and partly because we're never organized enough to have food in the house and there's the sad sad state of affairs involving our inferior cooking skills.

 

Meal time usually involves an annoyingly drawn out negotiation of where to eat. How 'bout Thai? No, too greasy. How 'bout Mexican? No, we were just at my mom's house. How 'bout sandwiches? To which he almost always replies: "you know I like my dinners warm". Well there you go. Guess what I've been eating for dinner the past few days? Yes, sandwiches. And breakfast for dinner. Or like last night, strawberries and tea. And then some crackers. And cereal. So if there is one silver lining I can point to during the dark days of my husband's temporary absence, it's the freedom to eat like total crap.

My mom once told me that if she didn't have kids she would eat salsa and chips for dinner every night. I think I understand where she's coming from now. Although, I would add a margarita to that balanced meal. You, know, for the fruit vitamins.

The other thing is getting lost in sewing projects while blaring my most treasured hip-hop music. Common + Q-Tip were on last night. The melodies were turned up full blast and accompanied with a little off-tone back-up vocals by yours truly. Thoroughly annoying entertaining for my neighbors, I'm just sure of it.

But look what came of it. A nice little neat pile of crisp linen + denim + canvas shopping totes. I'm experimenting a bit with a new look and some applique. I love the way they turned out and I'm hoping that I don't stash these away for myself before they're whisked away from the shop. It's so interesting to see the patterns in style in print + pattern throughout time when working with some of these vintage fabrics.

The Shop is OPEN!

Wow, after a long night of on-and-off internet connection - not unlike my final days in college (glitches galore!), the shop is officially OPEN!

All of your encouraging words (you all are the best cheerleaders ever, I'm tellin' you...) is what kept me going and I'm proud to say that everything is the way that I hoped for....

Ooh! And before I forget, what's a grand opening without some fun prizes?? Of course, special treats come with every package...but the first 5 "customers" (gosh it feels really really weird to say that) will receive an extra special surprise that I whipped up last night. It's a another big fat THANK YOU for supporting me & everything I do on this blog and in the handmade crafters community.

Le Petite Boutique (trying to be fancy here): www.string.etsy.com

 

Le Boutique

If a girl  was ever scared to do anything in her life, all she would need to do is hint around it on her blog and all the encouraging words she needed to coax her out of her safe little turtle shell would pour in from all her virtual friends giving her the strength to take a risk and try something new.

I'm not really sure why "selling my stuff" is so scary to me, but it is. It might be that I'm exposing myself to criticism and the cold hard truth to be told. And really, it's more then just "stuff", isn't it? But there have been a few really lovely (and loving) things that happened to me this week giving me a renewed sense of confidence that I can do this.Some of which was all your encouraging words (and emails) in reaction to my last post.

Thank you.

We're right on schedule to open up the little Etsy shop on Friday morning. Bright and early at 8am - all the goods will be ready to go. There, I've said it. It's in print. So it must happen.

And the hubs will surely be happy too, not only because he's excited for me, but also because the "...but ...it's for the shop" excuse for the fabric disaster that is our home right now will no longer be valid. Shucks, I was hoping to ride that one out.

*Speaking of Etsy, the last couple of photos are of the most fantastic reversible headband I bought from Anne of Sugar Apple Creations. I can't tell you how much I love this thing - I wear it constantly, and secretly love the feeling of pretending to be from the 1950's*

Hyperventilating

Hyperventilating today for both good + exhausting reasons.

::Good::

Good, or goodness gracious look what Erin sent me. That woman is tres talented, I'm tellin' you - imagine the time she took to lovingly knit this for me....and it's even lined!! Look...

The most perfect little stitches ever...oh! and the Moo Cards - thank you, Erin!

::Exhausting::

I wont say what it is....but I will say that you could probably figure it based on all the clues here AND I'm super excited about it all. Exhausted too....super duper exhausted. But in a good way....okay, I can't keep a secret to save my life, so before I blurt....moving on...

::Good::

This is some patchwork goodness that I whipped up last night. Snuggly, soft goodness, perfect for the summer time + watching fireworks at the lake (if that's where you watch your fireworks, you know). It has more to do with the previous photo....and nothing to do with the coolest Sunday ever! Which was this past Sunday, spent meeting Angela + Steph. Two of the sweetest San Franciscan crafty blogger's. We had a fun filled afternoon involving delectable pastries, coffee talk with craft books + a new sandwich shop I was introduced to.  Thanks, girls, for inviting me on your crafty field trip!