I did it. I made a tea cozy. It is made from some light canvas material with batting and felt lining. I’m not thrilled with it, but I did come by the design organically. I measured my teapot and sort of shaped it from there. The end result it not as thrilling as I was hoping for (yes, I want a thrilling tea cozy, is that so wrong?), but it is a couple of magnitudes better than the dish towel I usually wrap around the tea pot.
( I do seem a bit obsessed with the pink stripes lately).
Tagged as: sewing, tea cozy
I finally had some time to play with my new toy. I picked some fabric from my stash and whipped up an apron. I followed the “pattern” for a vintage apron in Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing.
The no-foot-pedal thing was freaky at first. I felt off-balance and rushed. And then I realized that I was trying too hard — that this machine doesn’t need as much guidance as my old one. Once I realized that and relaxed, it got easier. I don’t know if I will stick with the no pedal configuration but it is interesting.
Here is D. modeling the final product:
I like the pocket best:
Tagged as: angry chicken, bend the rules sewing, no foot pedal, sewing, sewing machine
Tonight, my Santa (aka D.) decided to surprise me… with a spanking new sewing machine!! Apparently, he has been contemplating this gift for weeks and after consulting with the little old sewing ladies at the store where he bought it, decided it would be better to give it to me now to use in my Christmas crafting (thank you, ladies).
It’s a Baby Lock and fancy with a screen and you don’t even need to use the foot pedal (I don’t know what to think about that yet). This will be replacing the trusty Brother that my mom gave to me about 10 years ago.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the Brother has served me well. It’s like your first car in high school: the no frills, get you from point A to point B ride. It strains under the weight when you volunteer to give your friend a ride to the mall. But you love it because it’s your first car and it means freedom. Beep beep…
But, oh, the new machine. She is like the car you get in your thirties: pretty, with leather seats and V6, and room to grow. The engine purrs along effortlessly even under the weight of 5 full size adults. And while your first car meant freedom, this car means your world is expanding. Zoom zoom…
Tagged as: christmas, Dan, gifts, new love, santa, sewing machine
I’m still in holiday planning mode. Trying to think of what to give to my friends and families. Last year, I made a decision to have a less materialistic Christmas and it was probably the best Christmas I can remember from an emotional well-being point of view. I made “relax and indulge” packets for my friends. I enjoyed baking and sewing for the weeks leading up to Christmas and I enjoyed giving my friends something they could use (I mean, who can’t use cookies? Seriously. I could use a cookie now). And since it was successful last year, I am here trying to plan a similar success for this year…
Here are some of the Ideas for crafty presents I’ve been looking at for my friends and family:
For D. from the boys…
- Soaps? This could be a fun project to make with the kids
For the kids…
- What every little boy needs: a holster for their light sabers
For my girl friends…
- Quilted Pot Holders
- Wavy scarf
- Homemade bath salts or herbal bath tea or bath bombs
- A reusable grocery bag like this one from morsbags
- I had a thought about buying simple tea pots and making tea cozies (I really want a tea cozy for myself) and adding some tea bags and cookies to the package as a gift pack.
- A “green pack” — like some cloth napkins or knitted dish or face clothes, reusable bags, other green stuff
- Other cute gift ideas from Sew, Mama, Sew
And on a selfish note: I love these flasks from Moxie and Oliver on Etsy –
Tagged as: christmas, crafts, gifts, ideas, plans, todo
