Today I Tried

Today I Tried

An ongoing effort to try something new, different or challenging each day.

  • The Stache on Etsy
  • Patriotic & Romantic
  • The So So Sewist

  • Lots of sewing going on

    • 28 Mar 2011
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    Crafting_-_199

    And so as to not bore you with all those details in case you're just not into that kind of stuff, it's all on my sewing blog.  New & challenging things of late (all sewing related, sorry!) - zippers, oil cloth, using my imagination, rolling with the mistakes and sewing with Zach.  Those last two are related, but since what we're working on is a surprise for someone we'll have to tell that story later.  

    I'm headed on the road for work to Kotzebue and Nome.  I'll be back by the weekend, hopefully not too frozen.  It's still full tilt winter up there with temps dropping below zero overnight.

  • Figuring it out, finally

    • 3 Mar 2011
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    Library_-_23777

    Front view.  I love the kimono sleeves.

    I started sewing a little crafter's smock from this book last May just after the successful completion of a few projects.  I was overly ambitious in trying this one at the time since when I was sewing the sleeves I didn't understand the instructions and sewed the arm hole shut. Frustrated and not sure how to fix it, I folded up the project and stuck it on a shelf.  It wasn't until just last week that my sewing skills caught up enough to fix this and not just let all that cute fabric go to waste. 

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  • Turning a shirt into a pillow

    • 15 Feb 2011
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    Dsc09284

    While the project originally started out with this in mind, when it went wrong, Zach's old shirt I had cut up for the skirt turned into a bolster pillow.  I added some vintage ribbon embellishment where the pocket is, some blue seam tape around the opposite end and a yellow flower from some scraps and a button.   

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    What I love about the pillow is that I could just unbutton the shirt's buttons to stuff it.  I took the pillow to work today and used it on my tweaked lower back and it was nice.  I love it when my crafty projects are useful.  Also, I'm happy that I was able to turn a disaster into something that I like.

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  • Sewing a little something for my husband

    • 31 Jan 2011
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    Dsc09171

    Whilst sewing for future baby this evening, it dawned on me that I have failed to ever sew anything for my husband.  Over the holidays most family members got something either hand sewn or at least machine sewn and I owe Zach a shirt, but for now, at least he has something.  

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    I was piecing together this bowling themed material for one of the baby projects I'm working on and thought it would make a nice little handkerchief, especially since I could hear Zach sniffling while I was sewing.  Plus, its a little something he can carry with him on his upcoming travels to remind him of me.  It's certainly not perfect, but then he won't have to hesitate to snot all over it.  That is the purpose of the hanky after all.  

    Dsc09172

  • Making glove animals

    • 22 Nov 2010
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    (download)
    Click here to download:
    making-glove-animals-CqmxIzzxwfcAylFDcjto.zip (1.29 MB)

    I made the these last night from this book.  The dog is for my sister's kid for Christmas.  I figure its safe to post a picture since the kid is too young to be on the computer.  

    The pig is still a work in progress.  It may just be a prototype.  

    These were lots of fun to make.  Only a few things left to make and my stint as an elf will be over.

  • Tying one on

    • 21 Nov 2010
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    Dsc08568

    No, I didn't go on a drinking bender.  Instead while cleaning up my sewing/craft area yesterday I decided to embellish a tea towel with some left over fabric and rick a rack.  When I showed Zach he suggested making it into an apron; a stroke of genius.  I had more left over fabric and some hem tape so making ties was no problem.  Even better the entire project was no sew.

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     I think I'll make a couple of quick holiday themed ones using left over felt for the embellishments.  They'll be fun to wear while making Christmas cookies and candies.

  • Getting a jump on Christmas

    • 14 Nov 2010
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    Yep, you read that right.  I've already got a box or two ready to send out in the mail.  Since we decided to do a combination of store bought and homemade gifts, we had to start early.  Of course, I can't post too much here in terms of what's being made since it would ruin the surprise.  But, unless the cats are regularly reading this blog, I think these pictures are safe to post.  I made these just about a week ago.  They're stuffed with catnip and hopefully the cats will like them.

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    getting-a-jump-on-christmas-dstcGupsHEItEkBeAqiw.zip (1.33 MB)

    I also have started my first quilt, which if its done in time will be another Christmas gift.  Here's a sneak peek, which shouldn't give away too much.

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    And finally, I'm working on some embroidery for a gift.  Again, I don't think this picture gives away too much.

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  • Making it up

    • 25 Jul 2010
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    Our friend's birthday was this past weekend and I wanted to do something homemade for a gift.  In looking through my sewing books I ran across a grocery tote, but after going to the fabric store and found this mod floral print, I decided to go with a shoulder bag.  

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    making-it-up-IvEeHdnlkoiulyEbipar.zip (2.35 MB)

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