BEAUTIFUL BAG

Beautiful ! from V&Co.  http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/05/new-pattern-favorite-bag.html

LONG LOST SWEETHEARTS

Sorry, my non-Portuguese speaking readers, but this text, by a well known Brazilian author, was published in a "our local" sort of Newsweek and it is sheer poetry. He writes about long lost sweethearts in a very nostalgic but so true way. I will try to translate it tomorrow and post it in English. It is definitely worthwhile reading.

For those of us, Brazilian native (or non-native) speakers, a delightful inspiration.

Antigas namoradas - Edição 2166 - VEJA SP

FINISHED PAINTING

The colors on my last painting are definitely my painting palette. The reds and some grafitti black just make me very happy

.

MUG RUG

A LITTLE IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION

I needed a "quick fix" to compensate for all the frustrations I have been going through while tackling (still) difficult projects for me. So this is what came out of it. A little quilted "something" 24x24cm. I love watching it on my side table. Just for the sake of beautiful things.

DON'T YOU LOVE RENOVATING?

I just love BHG (Better Homes and Gardens). Especially their renovating articles with the before and after pictures. (Who doesn't love before and afters?). Their crafts sections are also great. Be sure to also check http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/colors/welcome-to-color-a-room/ . A great tool for adding COLOR to walls, furniture and other stuff. I could spend hours just playing with it.

{MAKE}  A BAG SEW ALONG

This is a very exciting week. Kelly from Em Ay Kay Ee http://kellyrachel.com/blog/2010/05/25/make-a-bag-sew-along-introduction/

is starting her sew along, and from the images she posted, it is going to be a great project. It's quite a challenge for me but I am willing to try it. By the way, Kelly's tutorials are great and very easy to understand. Check it out.

Isn't this just beautiful?

PINK CARDIE

Now it's finished

STARTING THE DIAPER CHANGING MAT

So far so good. Of course, the fabric also helps... Hunky Dory from Moda.

It is going to be three-folded. Here you see the inside part on the left and the outside on the right.

I have lined two-thirds of it with a vinyl sheet, which I've left open in the upper part, so that it can be used for diaper carry-ons, or other items. Still want to figure out how to adapt some sort of straps, or snap buttons to close it. My idea is also to, somehow, attach a small pillow to it for baby's comfort. Let's see how it works out. Will let your know !

TRIMINGS, BUTTONS AND RIBBONS

Having a hard time deciding which to use

iPOD CASE

Another iPOD case finished

I'm getting the hang of it. This time it took me only some 5 hours to make, which, I understand, is still a long time, but it beat last time.

The best part of it is choosing the fabrics. It's almost like painting !

And the pink cardie is also (almost) ready. I am preparing fabric ribbons to make the fasteners.

More pictures next chapter.

NEW STUFF

Yesterday I finished the outer side of the sewing machine cover I was planning on making for a long time.

I used Moda's Momo fabric which I think is fun and whimsy, especially the little scissors piece. Very appropriate... he he

I tried to make a "soft" patchwork, and this is why I use the word "soft":

I measured the sewing machine, cut the batting first and arranged the fabrics in a way that would please me, taking into consideration which sides of it I would be seeing most of the time.

As you can see, it is not completely finished, since I still have to line it. But, the fat quarter set I bought was not sufficient, so I am still debating which fabric would look nice with it, although I won't be seeing much of it. Actually, hardly ever, but it's still a nice feeling to know that the lining is as important as the rest of the project, and to give it that extra bit of special attention as well.

These two cuts are the ones that I think would match most, out of all fabrics I have in my stash. Humm... still debating...

And since knitting is my leisure, while I was in pain, laboring through the best way to make the cover work (I actually haven't found a good pattern or tutorial that would fit my measurement needs) I rested with some very gratifying knit work:

I had the parts of this little princess cardie ready in two knitting evenings, but now I want to make it very precious by adding extra touches to it. I am thinking of adding a ribbon around the opening and collar from this very lovely fabric I have. I also started knitting a pair of pants or overalls (still don't know which) that would go with it. This yarn from Lang has the right coloring to go with the cardie and the fabric. Not sure yet how I will combine these four elements, but they just seem right together.

IPOD-CASE in the make:

So this is my new challenge. I wanted to make an IPOD-case and I thought, no big deal. Yes, it seems simple enough, but oh... the details you have to think about and the thinking ahead...

Well, for starters I sewed the handle inside the lining. How did I manage to do this? Don't ask. I wouldn't know how to reproduce it.

Also the magnet closing button took up so much time that while I was fidgeting with it, I recited to myself repeatedly the mantra: "this is to teach me patience and serenity"... over and over again.

Next, it took me a lot of time to figure out how I was going to insert the batting, since I wanted it to be padded and soft, sort of a pillowy touch.
After sewing wrong sides together several times, I finally figured out and WROTE IT DOWN, so that I won't forget it for the next time.

I had hopes of finishing it this afternoon, but that is all I accomplished today:

Almost done, but...

needs to be sewn together.

Well... tomorrow is another day.

And I have been working...

A lot !

But it's sure paying off

My quilt is almost ready. All I have to do now is assemble, bat it, back it and sew it. (For the non-initiated, translation: batting is the warm fuzzy layer that goes in the middle of the sandwich, backing is the back fabric of the quilt).

I am finally starting to apply the lining in the Baby Bunty.

Isn't this fabric just adorable?

Also, the fabrics I ordered from Pink Chalk are in. Some very cheerful and bright colored ones, since all the fabrics I had are all in beautiful pastels.

So, here are some of my storage places for the fabrics.