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.

Behold!

My new partner in crime!

Click the photo for plenty of photos of accessories.

Typhoid Mary up in here.

Okay so I've had a cold since the end of October...of last year. It's not the same cold. It was swine flu and the regular flu and a sinus infection and then another cold and another one and perhaps allergies that I'd never had before but really some terrible sinusitis something or other that never seems to end. I've started referring to myself as Plaguebearer and Typhoid Mary because all the people who work at the company that makes Nyquil? Huge Xmas bonuses this year thanks to how much Nyquil I've been taking for the past year. Thank goodness I can actually stay awake and function on Nyquil because otherwise I'd also be referring to myself as Rip Van Winkle. I hate Nyquil so much at this point that I'm now back to tactics of childhood to avoid taking it. I'm all better! I'll take it later. I'll take it after I destroy all my tastebuds so I don't have to taste something that awful all the way up to my eyeballs any more. MOM NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I've been through the entire cold and flu aisle trying to find ANYTHING else that works, and I now have nasal steroids (that don't work) and an inhaler (which I'll defend to the death if someone tries to take it) as my new best friends.

I've been sick so long I don't even complain about being sick any more. I thought that was impossible. Instead I complain that I can't leave the house because I'll just get something else atop what I already have. I feel like that kid at school who never gets to play with all the other kids because they're too sickly and all the other kids make fun of them, and the doctors I've seen so far have been more disappointing than helpful. I quit smoking, which didn't help. I started smoking again, which didn't make it worse. I'm a hopeless mess at this point.

All of that is to say: I don't post much because I spend much of my time blinking slowly thanks to the Nyquil I have to take to breathe. And crocheting. Seriously.



That's only the first of two afghans I've been tearing through.

Since I'm spending so much time in the house, I've started focusing more on proper storage solutions and organization, and making it a nicer, more functional place to live.



The bookcase is from IKEA, and it's perfect for yarn storage. I debated between my fabrics and my yarn, but I have so many fabric scraps that wouldn't look nice if stored this way that I decided to go with yarn storage. Emptied out a bookcase and 3 large plastic storage tubs that were taking up space for something that displays my yarns in an accessible way, and I just love it. My craft room looks like a yarn shop, and I'm looking forward to finding the perfect solutions for other areas of the room. I still have to get the drawers for the bottom row. I can't put yarn on the bottom row because Chuck would think it was Christmas.

Pets are fun :)

Today I'm getting one of my long-term goals completed. In like an hour, an antique treadle sewing machine is being delivered. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it yet for it to be a functional display piece, but since I don't have to plug it in anywhere, my options increase drastically.

I'm really excited about the machine. I've wanted one for years, and while I haven't seen this one yet, I have it on good authority that it's functional, well maintained, and comes with tons of accessories. There will be photos, and while the cost wasn't unreasonable, the joy it will bring me for years is likely to make any cost an utter steal.

My grandmother (a quilter) found it in a local antique shop she sometimes works in. It's from a local museum. She knows how bad I've wanted one and contacted me straight away to give me the heads up. I'm unbelievably excited and she's excited for me, which is always fun. I'm sure we'll cause tons of trouble with it.

Causing trouble with my grandma usually involves finding great deals and/or quilting.

I have the best grandma ever.

So excited!

I'm really excited. Gleeful! You can't tell from type whether something is sarcasm, so I shall add exclamation points: !!!!!

Why the glee? 3 of my tutorials just got published. Now you're gleeful (hopefully)! I love spreading joy!

I also love spreading knowledge, soooooo...if you're up for a new project, you have three to choose from!



First up is chiffon flowers. Just a cute, easy little summer project. They're a decoration that can be used in so many ways. If you give it a try, let me know!

Summer Projects: How to make chiffon flowers



For people who've read my blog for a while, you might remember this fabric. You might also recall me saying I was making a tutorial...



Well, now it's done, and this is seriously the most durable, most practical thing. I take it with me every time I'll need to iron somewhere else because it's so easy to pack. It's stylish, too!

You know you want to make your own, and one for each of your friends. Get the tutorial: Organization/Space Saving Crafts: Make your own ironing pad!

Last but certainly not least, people who follow my flickr or follow me on ravelry will know that I made a custom liner for a bag I knitted so I can safely store 4 small projects (namely, socks I'm knitting). If you follow my flickr, you'll also know that I made a giant custom knitting needle/crochet hook roll-up last year using black corduroy and batik. Well, I made one just for my socks supplies that matches the interior of my knitting bag.



Better pictures? Ask and you shall receive:





Be the envy of YOUR knit night and head for the tutorial here: Custom Organizers: Make Your Own Knitting Needle Roll-Up

Speaking of socks...



Just finished these...



And one of these, the Skew sock from knitty.com Knit on the diagonal!

I've been busy. Just not posting. It's not that I don't love you. I didn't have internet, which explains the productivity no?

Sewing and Quilting

Taught Knitting 101 today. It was quite a bit of fun. I teach quilting again tomorrow so I had to get my homework done...



Not done. I still have to baste the layers together and start quilting. I also have to start cutting the bias tape. In the meantime, Chuck is doing his quilt inspection.



I'm thinking no, but it's mostly because he disapproves of everything. He's a VERY disapproving rabbit.

Also got another store sample done and I dropped that off today.



Reusable gift bag. That was easy...

There just aren't enough hours in the day today, so I have to do tons more tomorrow. Atop that, I have to get up early to do some running around. Since it's 3am, I should probably try to get this done and get to bed...like 2 hours ago ;)

You'll excuse me for the abrupt end to the post, considering...right?

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.

Influx

My craft room is overflowing with new supplies. It's going to take days to reorganize all of this stuff. Most of it is for work or gifts in some fashion, sometimes both. They're pretty much coming in from every direction. It's a good thing I just organized everything? Now I get to do it all again.

First off:



Organization. I wrote an article on how popular bags are becoming for storage, outlining the uses and bonuses of using bags to make projects portable, as well as tips on what you'll need in the bag if you incorporate them into your crafting.



A recent finish, (actually, two finishes but I suppose it counts as one?) a pair of socks. I've got single socks done, which doesn't do me a bit of good, but this is actually my first pair ever. They're a wee bit loose, but I'll wash them up and I'm sure they'll shrink a bit. As a side note, however, I have to say I'm quickly becoming addicted to knitting socks for many reasons.

If you want a good recommendation on a sock book, I learned with this one, and it is AWESOME.





A couple things I was waiting for from Amazon.com (thanks, swagbucks for being my enabler) showed up but with some recent finishes I was starting to relax a bit and start some Christmas presents.

This just goes to show the fool I am because then this arrived:



and then this:



These are the rest of my square rulers that make quilting so much easier. I now have all the ones I currently need, thanks to swagbucks and amazon.com. Unfortunately, getting these tools in means I have to start working again...and I'm gearing up for a BUNCH of stuff for November through February.

Bunches and bunches and bunches, which led to the craftsplosion currently taking over my desk.



Money shows up, money leaves again. This stuff is for the fleece fringe classes...



NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have to learn to make jewelry???



What?



You might call these tools, but they are actually torture devices for wire. One of these is 'all of the tools in one', which is why it has a different handle. If the first ones look slightly bizarre and painful, the 'all in one' is obviously from a fevered mind.

Back into more familiar territory, which probably looks like torture to some.



JoAnn's is having their Columbus Day sale this weekend and Simplicity patterns are only 99 cents apiece (limit 10), so I stocked up. I like to stockpile patterns for when I need an idea or have some time, so I did just that...



Cute little gift ideas...some Christmas-specific...



Bags of many types/sizes and other organizational goods. These will DEFINITELY come in handy.



These serve no purpose at all. However, I rarely collect anything that could be considered 'cute' but baby shoes? I could see myself stitching and keeping some baby shoes. Not for actual babies, but because I can't think of a cuter canvas for some awesome embellishment.

The one on the right is a vintage reprint. Look at the back!



They don't make pattern requirement lists like THAT any more! Nowadays you practically need a degree in pattern reading to even make sense of the thing. I can do it, but only because I've been doing it for years. My students have a lot of problems trying to decipher them though.

Most of these patterns will be going into the ideas bin, basically...but they'll see he light of day again I'm sure. Some perhaps sooner rather than later.

Man...I start to breathe a little easier because I'm getting on top of things and life senses a disturbance in the force and fixes it by swamping me in one fashion or another. Good thing I've learned to thrive in chaos. It's much easier when the chaos is of my own choosing, but as Gibran says, much of our pain is self-chosen.

Some people start even earlier!

Scream with me. Christmas showed up on my desk.

Not convinced?



What about now?

The joys of feeding consumer hunger...I have to start early. On the plus side, making tremendous amounts of stuff makes gift-giving a bit easier. If they like Xmas stuff.

In less horrifying news...



Picked up the fabric to teach the huge quilting class at JoAnn's. I hope these prints will go together. We shall see.



This picture announces an upcoming tutorial. If you can't figure out what it's for, the anticipation will be over soon.

The Orts Pile is Growing

I had a paper piecing class today. This is my ugly, ugly house.

This is technically from the summer paper piecing class from JoAnn's, but the student wanted to do this one instead of the fall pumpkin. I gave her the pumpkin pattern anyway for more practice.

In other news:



I'm up to my eyeballs in socks. One of those is completed, and you've already seen it. The other Knitpicks sock is almost done.

The stuffed sock (orange/purple/blue/yellow) is ready for class on Sunday, where I teach the students to make heels and gussets, and the other one in the same colorway is started so I can knit up my 8 inches by Thursday to teach another socks class to make heels and gussets.

Hopefully my 2nd knitpicks sock will be done by Sunday so I can wear my socks to class. I wish I could do all the socks in this pattern, but with how many issues my students are having with plain socks, I can imagine how the class would implode with a more difficult pattern.

It's not the students' fault. Some of them have no experience with DPNs. Some have no experience with circulars. All of this is fine, except that I'm teaching people to knit in the round on DPNs with tiny needles (size 2) and tiny yarn so they're all kind of losing it. I feel for them. I was in their shoes a few months ago when I learned to make socks.

Once classes aren't so busy (though part of me hopes they're always this busy) I'm going to learn to make socks toe-up. I kind of know the magic loop method already, so that won't be much of an issue. Two socks at once though? That'd be nice for personal use :D

Maybe someday I could do a class on it. Once I and everyone else are all less twitchy.

I honestly wish they'd taught the class with worsted weight yarn and larger DPNs. The students would have their socks knitted up faster and they wouldn't have to learn so many things at once.

Of course, I don't write the curriculum (though I sometimes fix it), so we get what we get.

What am I going to do with all these socks? I guess I'm going to have to find a ton of people with size 9 feet. The knitpicks socks though...those are mine.

My finger is still messed up from stabbing it with a sewing machine yesterday. It hurts pretty badly so I must have nicked a nerve in there somewhere. I also managed to roll over my own ankle in the parking lot with my rolling sewing tote (with a steel sewing machine in it). The sewing machine is fine. My ankle will heal. The tote will NOT. I broke off one of the plastic legs. I just bought this tote (on clearance...now I know why) so I'm going to have to see what I can do to reinforce it. I'm thinking metal, since obviously the lightweight wood and plastic aren't working out. It'll be heavier, but I mentioned there's a steel sewing machine in it right? How much heavier can it get?

I guess I'll find out. I don't know metalworking/welding, but I know someone who does. Hopefully we'll have this thing fixed up soon. I NEED it.

Talk of quilts...

I may inadvertently become a good hand-quilter. Three things can be blamed for this. The first is obvious...I embroider by hand and have for years. I trust my hands. Then come the second two points.

The first of these points is that I'm lazy. Since I'm dragging my sewing machine to work several times per week and my other 2 sewing machines need parts, I don't want to pull out and set up my sewing machine every time I want to use it. The 'punishment' for this kind of lazy is that I have to do things by hand. You can see how this punishment pains me...I mentioned years of embroidery by hand right?

The second is odd. I don't trust sewing machines. I've used them since I was 14. Almost all the women in my family use them. My grandmother's a quilter, my mother's a seamstress...and yet I lack the natural talent with a sewing machine and inevitably it goes haywire on me and I can't troubleshoot. Combine this with the fact that I use old machines (they break down), my fear of the new machines (a computer? In my machine? After years of experience with Windows, I know better than to trust a computer.) The irony of course is that I use Windows, and I'm on my PC all the time, and I trust it more than I trust "one of them new-fangled computerized sewing machines". Honestly, if I can't troubleshoot an old-style machine (I lack the magic touch), how on earth would I handle a new machine? The ones at work keep beeping at me. They can tell I don't appreciate them like I should...

In fact, the only reason I'm using a thimble (I NEVER use a thimble!) is because a sewing machine attacked my finger yesterday when I was trying to move threads under the foot (it wasn't even sewing) and everything was fine and dandy today until I pushed the needle into my quilt top and the back end went right in the hole created yesterday by the sewing machine needle. Do you know how many nerves must be connected straight to the pad of that finger? I'm guessing "all of them".

Now that you know about my crippling fear of motorized needles, I should probably let you see what I'm stitching together, huh?



This is the Drunkard's Path. Did you know that this quilt square was used by the women of the Temperance movement? I didn't either until I started googling to figure out how to lay out these blocks to put them together (there are many variations, but I'm stuck with the traditional I think...I'm too lazy to undo the center square to do something different). I had no idea why it was called the drunkard's path before today, though I'd guessed it was due to the way it looked assembled.



I'm also putting this together for a class I'm teaching. Of course, the center strip is crooked and the bottom strip isn't much better, but if you'd seen how these fat quarters started, you'd realize I at least tried. They were crooked as all get-out. I don't know how that happens...oh wait, yes I do. There's no selvage edge on these fat quarters. I don't know how they were cutting them, but wow. Just wow. I imagine there's a lot of very crooked wasted fabric on that cutting room floor.

In less lazy and/or fail news...



Almost done with my homework for Sunday. I need 8 inches of sock so I can teach students how to make heels and gussets. I have 7 inches, so it looks like I'll be done in time. WHEW. Considering everything else I've had going on this week, it's a miracle I got it done and I'll have to do it all over again for Thursday's class.

Also, I taught a granny square class. They've changed the yarn requirements for the class several times but I had the materials for the old class, so...



This is Lion Brand's new Wool Ease Thick & Quick. I have to say I'm not a fan.

My opinion can be taken with a grain of salt, however. I'm not a fan of chunky yarn to begin with. It doesn't help that I had one color so I had to pick colors that went with it, and I don't like any of the colors. It also doesn't help that the colors look like insulation (what with all the flecks of other color in them), so I'm all itchy just looking at it.

I'm not a real fan of all the new colors I'm seeing though. The mustard yellows and weird oranges...it's all too 70s. I'm all for 'natural' colors but it can be done well...and it can be done in a way that leaves emotional scars. I was born in the 70s. It left emotional scars, okay? That's all I'm saying...

I haven't really been updating but I have been working on craft stuff every day. It's kind of cheaty because I get paid to work on craft stuff every day, but I am throwing in my own colors and ideas as well.