carrie girl

*cough* *cough*

what better time is there to be hit with a raging case of bronchitis than the week before a huge craft fair, right? this week has been absolutely nuts. there has been sewing, gatorade drinking, napping, whining, freaking out, napping some more and a little more sewing. i didn't finish nearly enough inventory, but i have what i have and that will just have to be enough. on top of everything i'm ridiculously nervous about the whole thing, but i've got pandora set to motown christmas songs and i'm trying to remain calm.

if any of you readers are planning on attending renegade i'll be in room 200, so stop by and say hello--i'd love to meet you! 
 

mad about plaid

i was looking for something small and quick to make for renegade so that i'd have a range of price points. i found a quilt top that was made up of 4x4 wool and polyester plaid squares at the thrift store and bought it without knowing what i'd do with it...i really can't turn down that much plaid. i brought it out the other night and remembered i had a button maker so i thought i'd give it a go. while watching season 1 of felicity (total comfort tv) i cranked out over 30 of these. it was a bit of a challenge with the thicker fabric, but i think they'd look really great on a winter coat or bag.

moving right along

41 jewelry wallets finished! i think know i've reached my tiny pocket limit! i hope this is enough for renegade because i don't think i have it in me to make any more of the little guys. i'm moving on to clementines next.

i'm heading to kansas city on wednesday for a super quick thanksgiving trip. while eating leftovers and watching football i will be covering 400 buttons for thumbtacks. i ordered flat back buttons, so that should cut back on production time, but my fingers hurt just thinking about it!

i'm here--just buried under a pile of scraps and half-finished projects. this is going to be a crazy weekend of sewing and cutting and more sewing and more cutting. i honestly couldn't be happier!

 

i'm also loving this iphone app.

 

just because

my new "in between" coat. i've been searching for something heavier than a jacket but lighter than my down parka for those chilly days that don't require sub-zero outerwear. i found this coat over on ruche and absolutely love it.

i preordered this from cicada studio. i love this design, and can't wait to start 2010 off right with the perfect calendar.
 

after a weekend of sniffles, body aches and a sore throat i'm just now getting back to normal. somehow in between doses of dayquil and nyquil i managed to cut out another 27 jewelry wallets. i want to have 40 finished to bring to renegade, so that means 120 little pockets...that is a lot of little pockets.

 

i don't think i've ever been so creatively motivated--partly, i know, it is because if i don't keep busy i sort of feel like the earth might stop spinning, but the other part is that it genuinely makes me feel good--makes me feel content and happy to be working so completely in the creative process. i just have to remember to come up for air every once in a while. 

bags!

 

since finishing up the first batch of the penelopes i've moved on to some three pleat bags using this blue fabric that i absolutely love. i actually made up a calendar to keep me on track with my inventory production. it is dorky, i know, but it has been working pretty well so far. i turned in all my info to renegade--my boothmate, jessica, got into another fair closer to home, so i'm flying solo this time. i'm really nervous, but i have a good friend in chicago who agreed to be my number one sales girl and moral support (thanks, kate!)

penelope

november, i love you dearly but i'm not ready for turkey and stuffing and snow just yet. i'm hoping the leaves hang on a bit longer, and i can still have some jacket weather before i bust out the shovel and down parka. keeping my fingers crossed...

i finished my first batch of wool clutches over the weekend--i'm calling these the penelope clutch. i think it has a nice ring to it, no?

just popping in to say have a great weekend!

moving right along.

 

 

i thought i'd take a break from clutches and re-visit the three pleat bag (i need to come up with a proper name for it...any suggestions?) it really is a huge bag that holds just about anything, so i added a bigger pocket on the inside that is divided in two as opposed to just the single pocket on my first version.  the inside canvas is this amazing print i found at that quilter's guild garage sale--i have enough of it for about 3 or 4 bags. the outside of the bag was looking a bit too brown, so i made the strap with the contrasting pattern on the reverse side.