carrie girl

work in progress

oh, man. i'm still chugging along.  barely.

so i went to the janome dealer here in iowa city today to try out some machines, and i kept coming back to the janome threadbanger 30. it isn't too fancy, but it has some nice features and would be good for what i do, but i just don't know if i can get past the cheesy exterior. i mean, it seems like the best fit from the janome brand, but i don't really want black and red decorative designs on it...and the buttons worry me.  i just envision them sticking or not working---should i be so stuck on the exterior?  also i can't find a review about it online to save my life...anyone hear anything about this model??

progress

songs for sewing

just a little mix that i've been listening to while i'm sewing away on the little singer that could.

bags...again

vintage tablecloth on top...brown canvas on the bottom with three pleats. i'm really loving the process of assembly line sewing.  there's been lots of 90210 watching and wine drinking.  i'm hoping to finish up the bags by sunday and move on to smaller, less involved items.  fingers crossed.

three pleat bag

i don't think it is humanly possible for me to make enough bags and things for the craft fair on the 6th...it just isn't going to happen.  i'm moving at a snail's pace, people! it doesn't help that it is parent/teacher conference time and i'm swimming in paperwork--that is one major downside to special education--all the graphs and data and paperwork to deal with.  so here is my pleated bag.  i'm still working on one that has the twisty pleats, but i'm running too short on time to be dinking around and had to get to work.  this is my first real pattern that i've made up and used.  the rest of the time i'm just kind of winging it, but for the purpose of mass production, i thought a pattern was in order. so far so good. i'm about finished with 4 purple bags--they have black lining and a pocket made from a vintage napkin.  i'm thinking i'll try and get 15 done--does that seem like a reasonable number or am i underestimating? i am also planning on selling a few other things (god willing) so i'm hoping 15 is a good number for the higher priced items.  i would love any craft fair advice you guys have for me...

a vintage christmas

hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend!  pop over to my store to check out some holiday vintage goodness as well as some other new items!

hello little friend

ordinary parsley? look a little closer...

this little friend narrowly missed my sub-par knife skills tonight while making mushroom pirogies from the smitten kitchen.  i underestimated how long this would take without a proper food processor, but all the chopping was worth it, and these were delicious.. rich, very rich, but delicious.

i'm almost finished with my pleated bag, but the light hasn't been decent enough to take work in progress pictures. it is certainly nice to drive to work in the daylight, but having it be near dark when i get home has been a bit of a bummer.  i'm very much looking forward to the weekend...two full days of crafting in the light of day!

everything but...

with the craft room officially cleaned--or at least with everything shoved in a drawer or on a shelf, i'm really ready to let the creativity flow...or i could just look at other craft blogs instead and marvel at their creativity. why can't i just get going?? i've done everything tonight except sew.  i designed a new little carrie girl logo to go on some moo stickers for the craft fair, i ordered some cute buttons from busy beaver, enjoyed a drink, still enjoying a drink, unpacked from the weekend trip to columbia, found this project, downloaded this, and decided i need this.  i think now it is time to put on some sufjan and curl up with a book start sewing a bag.

my new little design

feathers

here is a new gocco print to be used (as of now) for the lining of some bags--or i was thinking of making little snap wallets with these, and then adding some gold thread embroidery to accent some of the feathers.  i printed on some organic tea stained cotton from joann fabric--i really like the color, and will be going back tomorrow with another 40% off coupon to get some more...i love coupons.  hope your week is shaping up to be a good one.  they're predicting snow tomorrow...it is way too early for that. good thing we're stocked up on the bourbon...

3 years

oh, anthropologie...how i love looking at your ridiculously beautiful and equally expensive clothes.  someday i will be able to afford something in this catalog...i hope.  also pictured is my new favorite fabric from leslie over at good-ness...it is an absolute dream.

anyway, yesterday ted and i celebrated our 3 year anniversary and he got me the most wonderful gift...a serger.  what a thoughtful, generous and craft-minded boyfriend i have, no?  he wanted to get me something i would never get for myself, and also contribute to my sewing obsession/clothes-making future.  thanks, teddy...i love it...and you...a lot.