of the weekend

Read Full Post »

1/52

Sewing has been happening today, or cutting fabric, which comes before the sewing. But I wanted to share my new project – 52 weeks – where one is supposed to take 52 self-portraits, one per week.  I’ve finally started it yesterday morning, on the balcony!

Read Full Post »

4 months in short

I knew it had been ages since I posted something here, but only today did I realise how long it’d really been. There is a reason, of course, and it’s called time, or lack of. My hands have not been that busy with crafty things because the rest of me (and my hands too, really) have had very little time to dedicate to said things. I also have a new hobby, photography. The reason why it goes unnoticed is because I’m really not that good at it, in spite of my efforts. I’ll get better.

Anyways, over the past 4 months, I’ve finished knitting all the parts of my first jumper which is now sitting patiently waiting for me to put all the pieces together. (no photos of that)

I’ve sewn another clutch for myself, quite a posh one too, to take with me to Ascot (yes, I have been to Ascot, wearing a fascinator and all, oh so very British!). (there is one photo of the clutch, but not very good)

I’ve started a woolly hat. For Christmas last year, I gave my little brother (who’s not so little anymore) a knitted hat (ravelry link). He lost it a few weeks ago and wrote me the saddest email telling me how he wore it all the time and now it was lost. I didn’t really mind he had lost it, things happen after all, but the thought that he wore my hat all the time filled me with happiness. Of course I promised to replace it with one just like it. Turns out that now I’m supposed to knit two, one just like it and another one in grey – I asked which colour he would prefer, now he could pick; simple, he said, you’ll knit both! Yes, I felt proud that he wanted me to knit him two hats 🙂 a little flattering will take you a long way! (oh, and no photo of the finished lost hat either!)

Judging by the *photo* comment at the end of each paragraph I can safely say my new hobby is in need of some TLC.

P.S. – Truth be told, I must admit it’s been difficult to keep two alter egos going (the Cientista in me is pretty demanding elsewhere) and this one is the one I ignore the most *blush*

Read Full Post »

another clutch

One more clutch, this time in a vintage woolly fabric my Mum has given me ages ago. This was a friend’s request and I have to admit it’s my best clutch so far… maybe it’s because it has a bit of my Mum’s touch…!

Read Full Post »

of beginnings and continuation…

January is nearly over and I have only now found something to say from the beach I don’t live in. The Christmas presents below were finished just after Christmas but still in time to be enjoyed by the people I have worked so hard to please. It was a great feeling to see them wearing the things I had made for them – much better than I had imagined, so I intend to do it in future years! Unfortunately, pictures of said items have not yet been taken, but my wee brother will provide them soon… he says!

Time for craftings of any sort is incredibly short at the moment and although my list of wish-to-do is growing by the minute, I’m only slowly concentrating on one scarf from the Christmas aftermaths…! For this year, I have planned two knitted sweaters, two baby booties, and several sewing projects. I’m determined to use more of my stash so I can renew the collection.

I’m not much of a new year’s resolutionS kind of person – I prefer to pick a couple of things to focus on during the year and work on those. This year, I have selected photography has my main topic. I’m determined to learn as much as I can about it and improve my photographs dramatically! Please feel free to opinate and give advice on this over on Flickr 🙂

I’m really looking forward to this year! Trying to keep a positive attitude amidst the doom and gloom of world news.

This week I will also be selecting my second Kiva loan – something that I should have done in December – and I know a great struggle awaits… The upside is that Hawa is doing really well and that inspires me to do more!

Read Full Post »

for Mum

Mum’s very special heat bag for Christmas, with owls for wisdom and red because Mum loves red (and owls!).

Read Full Post »

heat bags – WIP

In preparation for Xmas…

Read Full Post »

red messenger bag

I had been looking for a messenger bag pattern for ages when I came across the Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag, by Sew Liberated, at Concha‘s blog. The thing with patterns is that what the photos show might not be what I am able to achieve, so I like to read people’s comments on things they have used and enjoyed; reading Concha’s post and seeing her photos of the bag really did it for me.

I am very pleased with it and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a messenger bag or something of the sort. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and it even teaches you (or me, anyway!) to sew an inside pocket with zip! How cool is that?

The bag itself is also brilliant! A bit bigger than what I’d normally go for, but great nonetheless. It has two front pockets, a bigger back pocket and the mentioned inside pocket.

Now, the adventure of sewing it. I have never ever tried iron-on interfacing. I knew this bag needed sturdiness, so I used heavy-weight canvas for the interlining. The lining is also from a mid-weight cotton and the outside linen is fairly sturdy as well. While this achieves the sturdiness goal, it was a bit tricky to sew! A lot of patience and plenty of machine needle changing ended up doing the trick!

Finally, I now own a red bag, yay!

Read Full Post »

scraps

Read Full Post »

I said that I would try this pattern in a bigger size; now I have. This one is 120% and it has been finished for a while now, but today I had the perfect excuse to post about it – Keyka Lou is having a pattern sale at her shop! It’s a fantastic any two patterns for 10 USD, definitely worth it! I haven’t used it myself because I’m trying to hold back on this kind of thing *blush*!

About the clutch – 120%, Amy Butler Trailing Cherry Blossom Cotton Fabric, no strap. The reason for the no strap option was an involuntary one – I simply forgot to attach the strap foot thingy. Such is life! Size wise, I’m quite pleased with this one and probably won’t make it any bigger!

Read Full Post »