Is it Fall already?

I've managed to get nothing done for National Sewing Month. This picture, like the cake, is a lie. I actually got these book covers done LAST month, and am just getting around to sharing them. So what am I doing this month instead?

**sigh**



I'm getting really sick of looking at graph paper. I'm designing hardanger patterns because I have the stitching bug and not the sewing bug. On the plus side, I've made progress. On the downside, it's mixed progress...



I made this pattern, and then borked it. I'm sure it'll be reappearing at some point as something else, but I tried an outer border (after trying 5 different ones) and the results were not what I anticipated, and I've already cut so I can't undo it. I'm sure the pieces of it will be recycled into something else but if you're eager to try it, let me know and I'll try to get it into pattern form faster.

On the plus side, I DID get this done, and the pattern and the finished piece itself are both listed in my etsy store.


Do you read my blog? A winner is you! Get 20% off anything in my store through October with the code: RABIDBLOGGER :) You should probably tell your friends though because I'm too busy reading quilting books for an upcoming fall project to track them all down.

In the works?



I'm tackling fall crafts because I live in Michigan and it's cold here. I've moved and have a room just for sewing and quilting, so the machines are in good working order and I'm perusing fall fabrics to inject a bit of steampunk into my wardrobe, and I'm in the middle of donating yards and yards of Waverly fabric for my rabbit to shed on and devour because he's too special to walk on hardwood floors and I have to make a rug. A dry clean only rug. Logic was not my strong suit in this endeavor.

Been AWOL

Wow...I had no idea it'd been this long since I posted.

I've been crazy busy at work, and then I managed to slice off the tip of my finger during a quilting class, making typing nearly impossible. It's all better now :)

On the plus side:



Making serious progress on this quilt top. I'm adding borders and then I'll be ready to make my quilt sandwich. I have to get all of that done by the next class, which is on Friday. It's the last class.



I also started a table runner/placemats. They were supposed to be for a class but my student had to cancel. On the plus side, I was also making them as a Christmas present, so they'll still be useful :)



All of the supplies are in for the two biscornu patterns I'm trying to find time to stitch. I also got some 40 count linen for a side project I'm doing. I'm trying some projects from Trish Burr's book. I'll let you know about the book and how it goes.

Speaking of embroidery:



The hardanger ornaments are done for the classes I'll be teaching this Winter. I made an extra tag as a side project. It'll also come in handy when I crank out a ton of them this winter for adding to presents.



Isn't it cute?

In other picture news, both bad and good:



I can't learn loom weaving to save my life. It can't be complicated...I just can't read instructions because I have ADHD so I try snippets here and there and get hopelessly lost. I tried videos too but don't have one that makes a hat from beginning to end. URGH. Any advice?

In better news:





I have a new cutting table. Of course, for the moment it's covered with stuff so I need better organization, but it'll come. Some of those patterns I picked up will come in handy when it comes to organizing. I'm excited though. I really needed the space.

In less picture-heavy news...

Urban Threads, one of my favorite embroidery pattern companies, posted a picture of my rabbit on their blog as a craft mascot. He doesn't know he's internet famous yet, because it'd go straight to his head.

Speaking of Urban Threads, they're featured in another article of mine, which lists crafty projects and volunteer opportunities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but don't let October's end be the end of helping others. Get out there and make a difference for someone who needs some handmade love.

Randomness and the Stash Guardian

Went to Outback tonight and picked up some coasters. I'm hoping I'll be able to use them for tablet weaving, which I'd like to take up when I have time. By my current schedule, I'm estimating I'll finally have time to learn tablet weaving in 2035. It never hurts to be prepared though!



Got some leftover supplies through the local craft network. I'm sure I'll be able to put these to good use. This is all yarn, of course.



This is Chuck...my stash guardian and yarn thief. He's a 10 lb Californian from a local rescue. He's been a member of the family for over a year, and no one will ever open my quilting fabrics drawer without his permission. You can count on it.

He's probably one of the most awesome pets ever. Not very needy, extremely lazy, and hilarious. Litter box trained, makes no noise...except for the shedding and destruction of property he's pretty much the perfect pet. Not that hair tumbleweeds and eating of the furniture aren't problems. He's just that worth it.

If you have any knit or crochet gauge swatches, he would like to add them to his growing collection so he can pile them up and lay on them like a dragon lays atop their pile of gold. If he sees you making gauge swatches, he will rip them right off your hook or needles, cut the yarn with his teeth, and run off with them. There's no arguing with a rabbit this big because he can stand on his hind legs to reach your lap. They are his and you will hand them over. One does not argue with Chuck (Norris).

In other news I just ordered $60 in quilting supplies for my fall classes from amazon.com. Rulers and rotary cutters and tailor's pencils, oh my! Best part of it all, aside from the free shipping, is that I didn't have to pay one red cent for it. I get amazon gift cards when I collect enough swagbucks, input them on amazon.com when I get the code, and then when I want to place an order I can use all the cards I've saved up at once to pay for my purchase and shipping. I get whatever I want, and it's all free. Swagbucks has lots of other prizes too, but I haven't bought every single item on my amazon wishlist yet.

It actually works, and all I have to do is search using their firefox plug in instead of google. It uses google to bring me results, and sometimes I win swagbucks. I win 1-3 per day, and an amazon gift card costs 45 swagbucks. It's no effort past setting it up and getting used to using it. It's free. It works. I've gotten almost $200 in amazon gift cards in less than a year and I still can't believe it.

You can sign up using this link. You don't have to, but FREE CRAFT SUPPLIES AND BOOKS. With all the scams I've seen...the programs/clubs, the 'pay to get information on how to get free stuff' that turns out to be cheap, tacky goods that you wouldn't want, I'm so relieved that I stumbled upon something that's actually legit.

When I get my order (it's not the first I've gotten), I'll post the video of me opening my shiny new craft stuff :D