CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

Pomplamoose Cheer

I found this on youtube last night, I always snoop around to see it those guys have anything fresh on there and sure enough, they must be in the holiday spirit:

Super Cute don't you think? It's great that they are giving away the song for free to anyone that purchases an animal through World Vision for Christmas. I myself am a vegetarian, so I don't on principle donate animals because I have the sick feeling that it is going to end up eaten someday. BUT I have been lending money through KIVA for years and years and let me tell you people: it's super fun. I have so far made 15 loans to women that sew, yep! you can be that specific in your lending if you want to. Everyone of those women has paid me back and I have been able to re-loan the money over and over. So if you don't have a ton to spare but want to make a difference all you need with Kiva is 25 dollars. Of course you can make many loans at once too. It all started when Thomas started my first Kiva loan one Christmas, since them I have been adding loans to my 'portfolio' all on my own, big girl! 

And let me add this: If I don't come back around here before Thursday night...

Merry Christmas Everybody!

I have a cold

Yep, I have a cold, just like you I bet.

Isn't it completely miserable? I think so. Sitting on the couch I contemplate the two skeins of cascade 109 I dyed last night (with what energy? I wonder).

 

They are meant to become this interesting textured scarf . Not today. Today, I am just going to stay on the couch and take some pictures of the scenery, vacuum cleaner and all . Then it's down to the wire trying to finish a pair of Phenomenon (Bella's Mitten fancy version) before seeing New Moon tomorrow. By the way, Kristen Stewart wears the mittens again in this one, I am not telling how I know that, just trust me!

pamplemousse

Pamplemousse, they spell it Pomplamoose which is of course a lot cuter. I just found them via Swallowfield, a fantastic art blog that always makes me feel completely insignificant... Why does typepad host my blog when there are people like her around? Wait, I pay them to, that's why. But back to the music, those guys are brilliant! I love all their covers (which are free to download here) and need to now explore the original tunes. The song below is my favorite so far, not just because it's so sweet but also because when I typed 'Makin Out' to look for the original I got making-out tips as a google option. That amuses to no end!

Fashion re-make

Meet my strapless-dress-no-more. It's from the after Christmas sale rack at the Gap. Blue silk and all ruffly. Love at first sight. Unfortunately I was mistaken once again ( this has happened before) in thinking I can pull it off, wearing something strapless. I have the shoulders for it but lack the most important detail, the things between the neck and the belly button. So here you have it, it wasn't staying up and frustration ensued.
I had been thinking about Fashion Remake a lot, without acting on it. But after this great success (I think) I am looking at everything I own with scissors in my eyes, dangerous times!

In short, I removed a row of ruffles, cut through both the dress and the lining. With the dress/skirt right side facing and the lining on top wrong side facing I sewed a 1/2" seam at the top. I flipped the lining back inside. Ironed the new waist neatly and sewed a 3/4" from it creating a casing. You have to leave an opening for the elastic (woven 1/2"). Once the elastic is in place sew it ( no knots please!). Hand stitch the opening shut and voila!

The ruffle I took out became a flower for the waist and the two remaining ruffles on the top will definitely be picked out soon! Here is a vintag-ed picture of the skirt on the animal:

Forgive me for the grimy white Tee, it was late and very poorly lit in the room.

On the Coin Quilt front, I am overjoyed that so many of you want to join us, this is going to be wonderful! For the quilting newbies this is the ideal project, don't be scared and maybe use that tutorial from Moda I talked about yesterday.
I have been changing my mind on the colorway for the quilt many time over. I am staying with the original idea of the Last minute patchwork quilt, but with straight coins. Instead of Mendocino in blue and brown I switched to pinks and consequently had to order a lot more from Etsy this morning, poor me. This seller and this seller.

Ok I know this is the longest post ever but I must add that this book is terrific! I just can't put it down. It's french, we really made endless cakes like those with my mom growing up.

Finally, I promise, did you know The Fray has a new album out. Which I am ashamed to say I have been listening to on youtube. Tonight I will go to a coinstar and exchange our stash of coins for an Itunes voucher, best thing those coins ever did for me.