Sew Happy Geek - Wall Hanging Swap sent

I am shocked how quick time flies as an adult.  And it picks up speed each and every year. 

Le'sigh!

I signed up for the Sew Happy Geek's Wall Hanging Swap, way back, at the end of September.   

I'm happy to report that I meet the required mailing deadline {November 14}.  I so almost didn't because of my day job.

I was lucky enough to sew for Jenna of Sew Happy Geek! But because of that . . . the pressure was ON!  Jenna is super sweet, uber talented, responsive to comments on her blog, but she also tweets. Where does this woman find the time?

I wanted to keep my ideas simple.  No need to break new ground when the deadline was quickly approaching.  I somehow turned these fabrics . . .

Into this. . .

I {heart} Dresden Plates!

I did add some hand-stitching!  You know something I've never done until this project.  

I added a spash of different fabric into binding ohhhh!  I felt like it was such a contrast but you have to look really hard to find it!  :)

To hang this I added these super triangles that I wouldn't have thought of on my own as a wall hanger {tute found here}. I added these to all four corners  for dearest Jenna to a) decide which way to hang this and to b) be able to change things up.  I think it feels like a different wall hanging depending on which direction you hang it.  Yeah that might be just me - sigh.

I am a little anxious to receive my wall hanging - just ask my fella!     But once I do - I'll let ya'll know!

Where have you been?

I've been stuck traveling for 30 hours round-trip to attend a conference in Baltimore.

Was it worth it? It was a great time with people that I don't see often. Being away from home for 6 days, away from my routine, away from my fam, and away from my sewing. SIGH

What did I do while I was out of state? I walked around so much that my calves and feet are paying the price.  I think my hips are off kilter too.

I went to the National Aquarium. Here's a photo from the dolphin show.  I sat crying during most of this show.  My fella says it is because I know these animal are slaves.  For some reason it really was sad to me. Overall this was a great aquarium.  For the record I didn't cry at any of the other exhibits.

I also had a tour of the baseball stadium.  This was kinda lost on me because this is not my fav pastime sport. But it was fun.

I kept telling myself to go and do things as I more than likely will never be back in Baltimore.

Food was the best part of this trip. . as it usually is for me.  I found two great places.  I ventured into Little Italy for a place called Cafe Gias I had the homemade pasta and some lovely wine I was SO happy.  The other place was a busy place called Miss Shirley's there were people taking photos of their food before they ate anything - oh I laughed!  How many of those people blog? 

So being back home is so wonderful!  I've cleaned and re-arranged my sewing room {again} Thankfully I'm the queen bee for two bee's this month so I'm not too behind.  Also thankful that many of the bee's are taking a break this next month - ahhhhhh!

I still have some recovering to do. Getting back into a routine.  It doesn't help that a lot of tasks have to be accomplished in a short time.  Cleaning and Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. My fella and I brine our turkey and it's AMAZING!  And then to sewing!  I'll share some of my new creations soon! Happy Thanksgiving peeps! ♥

New Look - looking good

Did you see?  I have a new banner!  I finally broke down to pay for a real image.  

Luckily I have a talented friend, Kristin, from grade school.  She's not only one of the sweetest people I know but she is uber talented.  She's starting to grow an amazing portfolio. 

If you are interested in contacting Kristin for personalized web, button, badge, pretty cool looking things, she can be found at:  Modjeska Designs or email Kristin(at)ModjeskaDesigns(dot)com

{That's right I have a siggy block too}

Handstiching

Handstiching, a photo by h2ogirl76 on Flickr.

A sneak peek at the swap package I finished up today. Oh and then frantically packed for my week-long work trip.

A finish for little ol' me

During a trip down to Bend, Oregon I picked up a pattern for Amy Butler's Birdie Sling.  I saw one in real life and fell in la-la-love and knew that I needed one.

Yeah that trip was over 6 months ago.  I slowly started gathering the fabrics.  Finally 2 weeks ago I cut into these fabrics.  And this my wonderful past Tuesday I finished this baby!



Joel Dewberry fabrics make me giddy.


Look at that top-stitching.  I did all the finishing touches!  Ahhhh!

I loved adding all of these fabrics. I had brief moments of frustration so I consulted this lovely tutorial with lots o' photos. ♥

I even added buttonholes for the magnetic strips as found here in this tutorial.  My first attempt at a machine buttonhole on this machine and they are lovely.  You just have to trust me :)



I pretty much followed the directions on all of this except the large pocket. I created a HUGE pocket instead of the divided pocket.



This lovely bag is huge. Can you believe that I couldn't find it at lunch.  I kept asking my fella if he could see my bag.  He didn't realize what I as asking for.  Finally as I found it he said oh "YOUR GIANT BAG"  Yeah honey, my giant bag.

It's perfect.  Especially for my two trips coming up.  My first trip is this weekend to show off my mad sewing skills with my girlfriends.  And my next trip is to Baltimore.  Do you know how many knitting projects can fit in this giant bag!  Whoop!

Carefree Cowl Knit Along progress

Progress report - working it!

This KAL deadline is November 9

As my friend, Jovanna, would say - I'm giving myself homework.  Pfft you would think I would learn! NOPE

Well happened that today I took a few photos of the progress I've been making.  It's coming along - but I'm not done yet.

I'm knitting the Infinitude Scarf found on Ravelry.♥    This is a pattern by Jeni.

 

 I'm using ~400 yards of local handspun BFL Wool.  I bought this at my "local" yarn store Knot Another Hat.  LOVE it!  Go check out the KAH's blog by the owner, Sarah . . . I heart it!

 

 I'm heading out for a relaxing weekend. . maybe I'll finish it with my lovely girlfriends.  What a grand time to share what we've been doing this past year. 

What can a sick girl do in a month

What can a sick girl do in a month.  Yeah I'm officially behind in some of my bee blocks.  But I'm putting it all in perspective.  What did I actually do this past month?

This . . .

17  blocks isn't too shabby! 

If you are interested in any of these blocks click on the photo to direct you to my flickr photos where all these live.  Or some previous posts. 

And I'm not sick anymore. . let's get to sewing!

I'm linking up to It's Fresh Sewing Day at Lynne's  go check out the other's that are in the Fresh Sewing Day but ALSO the Small Blogger Meet up. 

Happy November 1 peeps!