I made those tiny shoes today ( yes there is a second one). I used this tutorial and found it much easier in practice than on paper. I was inspired by this great pair. She uses a different tutorial which make much smaller booties. So if your interested choose accordingly!
The fabric for those is extra-special to my heart because Karin sent it to me a long time ago. Just two little pieces to make Finn something. This project is perfect to use up very precious scraps.
I have been procrastinating for a while, looking everyday with disgust at the vomitous state of my Ironing Board Cover (IBC). I knew this tutorial was around and finally gave it a try. I started the project on Monday and finished on Saturday...not because it's a long one but because nothing happens fast in this house anymore, everything is very laboriously stretched on for days ( some days I just look towards things with a blank stare). In the end it's a wrap and it fits OK. I am saying just OK because I think the end result depends greatly on the quality of the original ( you have to keep the ties and casing). Mine was very primitive/cheap and the finished product although cute is not my finest work. It doesn't really matter I guess because it will be vomitous again in no time!
I was totally inspired to make this bread the moment I laid eyes on this post at Two Little Banshee. It's the best crust by far I have ever achieved and the texture of the 'mie' ( inside white part) is exceptional. I still can detect a faint yeast taste that never fails to drive me nuts. ( After cooling, the bread tastes great). I am so pleased with the rest of the recipe that I am determined to try a new batch tonight. By the way, do start it at night because it needs 18 hours to rise! If all goes well maybe I could add some blue cheese and nuts, yum.
Link to the recipe.I also recommend reading this companion article in the NY Times that will give you a lot of inside on why the dough is so stinking runny!
The shop quilt is taking shape despite Finn's chaotic new self. I just learned that as soon as you believe you know your baby quite well and can predict his routine, said baby quickly switches everything around in case you were becoming too comfortable. The vocalizations are most unusual, ranging from cute tiny chirps to slaughter of the swine.
Despite the deafening soundtrack I have made some progress in my sewing and today. All the (140) blocks are laid down on the kitchen floor minus two rows because that won't fit. I am going for a queen size which was a bad decision when the blocks are only 8" by 8". What was I thinking...I wasn't as usual. So now I am stuck having to put all those together and feeling tired just looking at it:
The second most time consuming/ least exciting thing to sew after button holes could possibly be narrow hems. They take for ever or so I though and if you cut corners it shows. Having said that I anticipated much pain from that mysterious project above being concocted for The Sewing Republic. But I was mistaken again, a common theme these days have you noticed? I followed the same technique I described in the narrow hem tutorial and wow! did it go fast. All because of this:
possibly the best notion in the Universe.
Speaking of Berninorials here is one I came up with a while ago (most enhanced on the website). I grew up with those( those what you ask?). It's a tube to store grocery bags. You can stuff it full of plastic and get one out at a time. hang it behind a closet door and voila! no more mess.
I am working ( you read it w.o.r.k.i.n.g.) on some new tutorials for the Sewing Republic lately, the privilege of sewing on the Aurora has some minor draw back...like you actually have to come up with new ideas and m.a.k.e them. Well it has to be done, and pronto, so today as my wonderful son was peacefully napping (LOL!) I started a little something that closes. Usually I think ahead and stop right there: closed things need button holes, button holes= evil. But not so when using the automatic button hole maker/thingy. It worked on the first try...I just wasn't ready for that kind of success but it's just as well because I find myself somewhat stretched these days.
I have been slacking lately, not blogging as much as I should. Not reading my favorite blogs either. It's crazy what a baby will do to you. Like ground your brain up into powder and blow it all in your face. Cough!
I forgot to go to work on Saturday morning.
Instead I went to have a blissful pancake breakfast with the two most important people in my life at a local vegan joint. It didn't even cross my mind that I should be somewhere else, teaching people how to make bamboo handled bags. Anyhow, it came back to me real quickly as I listened to the worried voice of my supervisor carefully recorded on the answering machine. (expletive!) Feeling bad about myself, I went directly to bed to recover ( in a psychological way).
Today is much better oddly. My worried supervisor forgave me ( i.e. I am not fired), and I have been working on the work/shop quilt. The guilt of seeing it sitting there became to much to handle. I was going to take a picture to show off but instead I decided to show you this:
Take a look at my youngest student ! Isn't she adorable? I think so. Sav' is ten-almost-eleven and enjoy sewing anything, needlepoint, beading, cooking (without peanuts) and much more I have yet to hear about. Right now we are working on a little dress for her, next we'll make a matching bag and then it's back to quilting. Sav' enjoys sewing with Berninas. At my house she uses the Aurora 440, children with experience are as gentle as adults on nice equipment. Maybe even gentler because they don't take it personally when things go wrong. They stop immediately, pull on nothing and occasionally put their arm up: priceless! At home she also uses a Bernina ( 220 quilt edition). Very nice!
I have witnessed it, (if you can afford it) buy nice tools for your child and she will progress so fast she might teach you something before she turns twelve...I can't wait !
Thanks to all 36 members of the Food Group for joining me this June. I had a great time spying in your kitchens!
I have an idea for a simple swap that I will share with you as soon as I can manufacture a button...mysterious woman.
placemats
narrow hem
Roller Coaster
Tree Skirt
Fabric Pinwheels
Crochet Basket 
Diaper Burp Cloths
Infant Bibs 
Baby Blanket Set
Birthing Quilt 