On Why There Probably Won't Be a Crafty Post This Week

I walk back to desk. Sit down. Hand reaches to right, grasps.... AIR?? Oh please God no. My COFFEE?!?!?!? Did I FINISH IT already?!?!

Eyes dart to left, right, front, underneath chair. Garbage? A flash of brown cardboard cozy -

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

If I concentrate hard enough it almost feels like my lips are touching the sweet white plastic of a cup top and then the warm hazelnutty delicious rolls onto my tongue. Why can I not savor every drop, holding on with both hands, instead of WASTING it away and not even remembering that last glorious gulp of goodness? ::choke - SOB::

A Masterpiece!

Solo
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

So I used the same jagged scarf pattern to make one for my dad in this very manly navy. Arrr matey I spots me some manliness starboard! It's almost like I'm a real sailor. The only thing I'm missing is a parrot, and scurvy. That was my little play on the color navy and the group, the Navy. Try to keep up, we move a bit fast over here, port-side. (I have no idea what that means, just go with it.)

I finished the entire scarf only to realize I accidentally counted about 50 stitches short of what I should have. Oopsie daisy. And here's where my ravelry.com experience helped me out! YEA! I made my first post on the forums asking if I should just add on a swatch at the end or undo the entire thing. Well, one of my fellow ravelers (you are just foaming at the mouth you're so jealous that you're not on ravelry yet, aren't you? That's what I tell myself so I feel special.) gave me the advice to add a little sumpthin different at the end and make it look like I meant to do that. So taa-daaa! SCIENCE! I added some perpendicular stripes (I aced Geometry fyi) and then a navy border to kind of keep it all together. Joe said it looked good without the border, but I think it'll keep it from stretching out in all kinds of directions and look be-a-u-tee-full - I mean MANLY, unbelievably MANLY, arrrrr, anyone seen my electric drill? Oy I forgot to put the toilet seat down AGAIN.

The double scarf, perfect for winters in Chicago, and avoiding eye contact on the transit system. Chic and incognito.

I love both of the scarves together. If only I could accessorize like this all the time. These are the days I worship the cold weather in Chicago, right before the blasting cold winds come my way. Then I hide inside and drink cocoa.

BONUS KITTY PIC!

Shnuggily cowl

Shnuggily cowl
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I bought some amazing yarn at Loopy Yarns on Friday. It's a blend between silk and mohair. The pictures don't really do it justice. I just want to bury my face in it. I have a bit left that I think I'm going to try and make into a hat.

Here's a bit of the close up on the pattern. It's a ripple pattern I got from an afghan. I may give this one to my mom instead of the green one, I don't know. Still debating.

Check out my shmancy 'paint' border. Then get jealous.

R E S P E C T

Detail on the throw
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

At lunch I started practicing my knitting; I am an excellent student if you didn't already know. It took me about 45 min. to get two inches of scarf using super bulky yarn. Sigh. I have a new-found respect for knitting.

Tonight I pulled out a throw my mom made me when I moved into my new place. And I was kind of overwhelmed with how long this must have taken her to make. The throw she made is from two different types of yarn and it's in a diagnol rib pattern with purl borders. My yarn is even bulkier than this and it's having a hard start.

It's shnuggily shoft

Isn't this beautiful? You should know it's folded in half in the picture above. It's huge! I love this blanket which is why it rarely leaves the closet. Kitties have a sixth sense about these things, "Oh you love this? ME TOO ::stretch, yawn, CLAWS KNEAD::" After having to weave in some snags a couple times I called it a day. Still, it's nice that since it's put away, when I take it out it is cat hair free! A rarity in these parts. Someone please tell me there's a magic spray I can just cover everything, including myself in, that will repel cat hair naturally. I will give you my first born, I promise.

I know you're saying to yourself, "didn't she just go through a mom-bashing rant in the other post?" Yah, I know, I just like to keep you guessing. What am I going to do next? You don't even know. Just try, just try and guess, you can't, you can't even do it. The only thing you're guaranteed is that it will include the use of caps lock, multiple vowels in a row and the vocabulary of a five-year old, cowabunga! Ha ha! I made another funny!

k1 p1 vs. sc

After my knitting class I've been looking around at the forums and things to get a general idea about the attitude out there about knitting and crochet. It ranges from the very strong: "I HATE crochet." to the very vague, "If you like crossword puzzles or math games, reading and such, knitting is the way to go." Wait, why, what?? Well I like Candyland so ::sticks out tongue::.

It seems everyone has a pretty narrow notion of what either technique produces. All knitting is floaty and easy and there are loads of patterns and all crochet is bulky and structured and old, etc. Not so. I'm not going to argue about which patterns are cooler or more modern because it all comes down to personal taste. Both techniques just feel different, it's a preference. What kind of irks me though is that people who have strong opinions about either technique have experience in only one of them. I know, I know, you tried one pattern five years ago and it was tedious, well hellooooo it's a new skill, it's going to be hard!

I admit, my reaction to knitting is an immediate, "Change? NO!" And I kind of like searching through the internet for crochet patterns, it's like a treasure hunt. I got over it though, I think there are going to be certain things that I am going to want to knit, ::ahem:: legwarmers ::ahem::, and others that I'll want to crochet, hats, blankets, as God is my witness I will get to that hexagon blanket!

To the point: I'm trying to keep an open mind! Trying different stitches with different yarns is half the fun. And I get automatic bragging rights for being able to do either technique. Oooo look at meeeee, I'm so CRAFTY. I made a hat by knitting AND crocheting wooooo! Look how clever I am!

Onto trying new things with a new attitude. Because it's hella cold in my office dang it. And I want pretty leg warmers, edged in lace. Because I can. Just like how I wear my wedding veil blusher around while ironing: because I CAN.

Yo-seph

"Look babe! I finished the scarf for my mom!"
"ooOO! AAAND it can be worn as a belt!"
"No one likes a smartass, Joe."

Mom's Christmas Gift

Mom's Christmas Gift
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

Definitely click on the picture for a closer look. I didn't strain my wrist on those teeny tiny shells for nuttin'!

It's another scarf from my Vogue Knitting on the Go book. This is the third pattern I've done from that book! I highly recommend it. There's still a couple more I want to try.

I had some reservations about doing this thing since the yarn was so tiny and so was the hook. They recommended an E but I crochet so loosely I wound up using a D. The ribbing was really tedious, but after I got through that the shells were a lot easier. The bigger stitch was faster to make and I crocheted in spaces instead of stitches so it went a lot faster.

I hired a professional model to show of the scarf's natural beauty. HAHA, oh God I am hi-LAR-ious. Oh stop! Aw man I am good. No seriously, I should really think about doing this professionally, you know, being witty. It's like my job. My J-O-B, yah you know me, and there I go AGAIN. Most people mistake me for obnoxious, but truly, it's all natural brilliance. Much like my rack. ...of spices.

In line to be crocheted: Dad's scarf, another sawtooth in gray and navy, and a hat for my brother Ross in dark green. He's doing this rastafarian dread lock thing that I've got to support just because it annoys the hell out of my mom. Then I think I'm going to take a break from the crochet projects and do some sewing.

Confession time: I caved and went to my first knitting class today. Lauren talked me into it and I didn't have a good enough reason not to go. We'll see how long that goes. In the meantime, fiber news wise I'll be heading to Loopy Yarns downtown after work on Friday for their holiday celebration! 20% off yarn that is red, green, white or blue, refreshments and help on projects. Looking forward to it.

Update: Is it sad that I'm in my 20s and I still get pleasure when I get a rise out of my mother? I'm thinking on a level yes... but you would too if you saw her reaction, namely, she has one.

"Ni-COLE! I cannot believe you did that! ::eyeroll + grimmace:: Just look at his dreads. ::grimmace:: Why are you letting him DO this to himself? ROSS! RO-OSS! You really need to cut those off. You look DIRTY. ::grimmace+groan+sigh+choked-up-fake-crying-sound:: I just don't understand why you're DOING this."

Patchwork Pears

Patchwork Pears
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I made some pears for my partridges. The pattern is from a Japanese craft book called Patchwork Quilt for Interior. My red one came out a little thin on top. Actually they're both thin all around. Such are the downsides to not speaking Japanese. Oh well, I think they're fun.


I really like the alpaca yarn I got for this scarf. The pattern was from Vogue Knitting: Crochet Scarves and it was really easy. I already bought some more yarn to make it again in a different color.

The Dark Side

My crafty friend Lauren is going to take knitting classes and she invited me along. She even said we could carpool. Dilemma time. I finally get to learn how to make decent legwarmers and I don't have to drive? What's holding me back? I equate knitters with the dark side. They're taking over the world! Everyone knits. Every pattern is for knitting. Blast you knitters thinking you're all that just because you use more than one stick! In my grand tradition of always doing things the hard way I scour the internet for crochet patterns that don't look like something my great-grandmother was buried in. (Sorry stutamama.) I toil away using only one utensil and minimal food and water, slaving, to make something that doesn't stretch and is hardly form-fitting. I raise my nose snooty-like in your general direction you knitting fiends! You will not turn me!

Yes I am posting for the sole reason of not working! Leave me alone, I just got back from vacation... ::grumbles and hobbles back to hole that is work pod::

While I Was Watching Elf

Ornaments
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I got the pattern for these from Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. I love this book. It has a lot of great ideas plus it has it split up into chapters of how long it takes to make them. These took me all through Elf plus a Law and Order mostly because I had to seam-rip on the second one. I used some twill tape for the loops because I don't have a bias tape maker. I think they still look pretty cute. I have plans for making either more of those or the same idea with a pear pattern I have in a Japanese craft book.

I also finished my puff scarf quite a while ago. Here it is! I am so happy with how it turned out. It's just long enough to go around the neck and then in a knot. I really hope my sister-in-law likes it.

Poofy and fun

I've finished some other items, but I'll save them for later. I'm pooped. In the meantime, here's a work in progress. If I like how it turns out I'm going to try and make a bunch. My debate is whether or not I want to add a band of fabric above the pleats. I think it would give the bag a bit more depth and stability, but... I think it'd look sleaker without it. Any opinions?

Looks like candy stripes


BONUS KITTY PIC!
It took ten minutes for Bear to realize he was being followed. His pursuers were cunning, intelligent, knew his every move. Even spinning circles was to no avail. Finally, after threatening to go the litter box, the rascallians ceased their endless torment.

I'm an Elf

I haven't posted in way way too long. My excuse is I can't find the charger for my camera, and I'm stickin' to it!

Okay that's a poor excuse for my two-camera plus cell phone camera household. I have been crafting. The hard part about the holidays is I don't want to share too much in case the people I'm making it for see it! But since I have only one real fan, I'll just have to hide her family's presents. Which I actually haven't started yet, BUT! BUT! have all the materials for! See what I did there? I am thinking of you, eh? EH?

This loverly turkey weekend I am determined to craft like nobody's be-zizzle-ness. Booya. Foo'. I'm making myself sew because I've been crocheting a lot lately and my checkbook could use a break on buying yarn since I already have all the sewing materials I need. Anything I don't have I can get on sale with my mountains of coupons from JoAnn's. Check back this weekend and I promise I will post pictures.

Hubby

I like showing Joe what I make so I can get my gold star for the night.

"Look what I made tonight!"
"Oooo a tie?"
"No! It's a belt/scarf thingie. See? I can wear it like a belt, or like a scarf..."
"Can you wear it naked?"
"::Sigh:: Yes I can wear it naked."
"It looks great babe! Good job!"

I should just lead off with, "Look what I can wear naked!"

Design by Me

patchwork
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

This is one of the first sewing projects that was one of my own patchwork designs. I was inspired by Amy Butler's sequin scarf from her book In Stitches. But I had a pile of really fun fat quarters in tones of blue. So I thought it would be fun to make a diagonal patchwork belt/scarf. I also went a bit thinner than Amy's. Mine's about 2 and a half inches wide. I have the same fabrics back to back on either side. I like that touch, makes me feel like there's some kind of harmony about it.

I must confess, I did a sloppy sloppy job. It's a first draft! While I was making this thing I told myself I would never make another one, but I like it so much now even with all its flaws, I may make another attempt. The next time around I'll be using a different method entirely. I'd tell you how I tried this one but it is so sad and so wrong I think I'll spare you the frustration. I imagine an experienced sewer watching me while thumping her hands on a desk, "IDIOT! Nooo!! You just do it this way. NO! NOT THAT WAY!!"

Scarf-a-licious

I am notorious for going about things the hard way. Honestly, in any Math/Engineering class I took when we got the tests back and we would go through the answers the professor would say, "There's an easy way to do this and the hard way." Guaranteed, every single stinking time I took the harder way. I did get it right though, ::pats self on back::. Aaaah the simple times.

I've been having a frustrating time at work. After being back on my old college campus (or rather newly-refurbished?!) last weekend, I have a hankering for the times where a 70% meant C, 80% a B and 90% an A. Things have seemed more blurred lately. If only things in the corporate world worked on such a black and white scale. Not so much. So crafting is nice turn from that where I can look at a crochet pattern and know that when I chain 28, I'm going to get 28. And when I do a sloppy job of pinning, I'm going to get a sloppy patchwork. Nobody to blame but myself.

Enough of that! Oh woe is me bullshiat is not what this is for. I leave you with:

Kitty in 5 yards of Joel Dewberry!

Yes, FIVE YARDS. I bit the bullet. Now, to finish enough of my presents for the holidays that I feel I can devote time to redoing my duvet cover with my new ripples of fabric.

Fall

IMG_0029
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

How is it October and 90 degrees outside?? Even with this odd weather I still have a hankering for crocheting my brains out. I'm starting with this fun scarf that will be a Christmas present for someone I know who has a vintage fabric purse to match. This pattern eats yarn for breakfast, but it's going to look so great when I'm finished. I got the pattern from Vogue Knitting: Crochet Scarves. This book is full of inspiring patterns, I'm already lining up yarn for two more patterns.

Another fun thing about doing crocheting is that I can take it anywhere. So I took a break from the crocheting today and decided to make myself some new pillows for the couch. Another good thing about this project is that I can scrap the old pillows and repair some over-zealous kitty love marks on the couch legs.

How do you like the bird theme continuing?

I kind of made up the pattern for the pillows. It took me about 2 and a half hours to finish them mostly because I spent a lot of time squaring up the circle patterns. I really wanted to make sure they wouldn't be off on a diagonal when I sewed them together. I think I did a pretty good job! I love love love the wood grain fabric. I have loads leftover and I'm thinking of using it for someone else's Christmas present.

Really liking it with the yellow chair

I have to say, I think this is the first sewing project I've made for myself! It feels good! I like walking into the living room and seeing something I put together, I know nobody else has it.

Back to crocheting and snuggling kitties for tonight!

Renegade Craft Fair

Before I launch into my overdue craft fair review, first I must say:

CONGRATULATIONS DALE!!!!!

I had my doubts, but I had a hunch that if you had some time off to recollect yourself and come up with a new game plan you'd kick some major arse! YES!

To craftier things...

The Renegade Craft Fair was a lot of fun. There were so many things to choose from it was hard to decide. I settled on buying a tote bag from Holly Hue, an ipod holder with shmancy headphone winder thing from Mr. Poncho (lovin the name) mine has the L system printed on it. I wanted something from Boy Girl Party, but all the fun cards I saw I knew I would just keep for myself and not send to anybody. So I got some nifty buttons instead.

Along with finding some fun items at the fair, I successfully freaked out many of the crafters who also participate on our good ole internet. Apparently when I 'whisper' "HeyIloveyourblog!" it comes off mildly stalkerish. My b. But look at this one!! I could spend all day at decorating blogs. Surprisingly to you I'm sure, I have tested this theory and I have concluded it is indeed true: I can spend all day at decorating blogs.

Speaking of... here's what you really came for, some of my favorites that were at the fair:

Three Sheets 2 the wind
I love the pillows and the prints

Soda by amy
She had pillows at the fair that I don't see on the site. Joe's sister and I also really liked her mugs, they're so organic! Coincidentally, I saw something similar at Crate and Barrel or CB2 or one of those. But seriously, when people ask you where you got your cute pottery from do you want to say "Crate and Barrel," or do you want to say "it was handmade by amy?" Hint: one of these options is boring.

fernworks
Some very beautiful pendants, I wouldn't know if people are checking out my jewelry or my rack. The thing I use to carry around my guns that is, har har har. ::tears:: ho! ANYway...

There were two more vendors that I really liked that I don't have cards or websites for. Sob. One made amazing screen prints, Joe's sister got one with geese. The other vendor took used books and rebound them with recycled paper. So you'd get a journal filled with pages from other books, people's homework, fun stuff.

All in all, everyone had a really great time at the fair and I can't wait til next year. This came at the right time of year to get charged to make presents for people! Although I am very very tempted to fulfill my dream of making a hexagon granny blanket for myself, I must postpone and start making things for others. This means finishing some other things I have half-started. A shrug, a crochet purse, bunny slippers, I cleaned out my closet and found a lot of things I haven't finished yet mixed in with my yarn. I also have some really fun fat quarters to play with. Now I just have to choose what to make next!

Recipes

I'm always trying to cook more at home, mostly for money reasons. The biggest problem being, my hubby tends to be a critic. So I've been trying to find recipes for things he probably wouldn't make on a whim. In my internet search, I stumbled on a great blog called Smitten Kitchen. This site definitely appeals to me.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting, really, is that through that site people have posted some very very horrible recipes. Check it out:

The Kwanzaa Celebration Cake

Mmmm nothin says Kwanzaa like a middle class white woman with corn nuts.

And

Peanut Butter Cheese Fudge

"Because of the amount of butter in this recipe, pat with paper towel to remove excess oil."

YUM!

Reversible

Reversible
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

Sorry for the huge hiatus. I have been crafty I promise, just around the house, not really anything to brag about. But tonight I finally finished a purse. I apologize, I'd really like to site where I got this pattern from but I honestly don't remember! I got it from a tutorial on the internet, and then I added two inches on the width and put in the pleats.

I will tell you now, I hate twill tape. Hate it. What a pain! I seam ripped twice before deciding to hand-baste the tape to the purse. It's still not as perfect as I'd like. If I do this purse again, which is doubtful, I'd also round out the bottom corners. I'd like more of a hobo bag look than boxy. Maybe if I put in two darts instead of one? I'll have to play with it.

I really love these Amy Butler fabrics. The busy pattern is not really my regular style, I'm trying to push my limits a little bit. The blue and cream is really more my speed and I'm debating on whether or not to put a punchy graphic appliqué on it.

The Other Side

Check out my new fat quarters too! I'm really excited about these. I really love the Joel Dewberry with the Denise Schmidt. I'm thinking about using those to make some pillows. We'll see...

In the meantime... BONUS KITTY PIC!

Don't even think about taking my post.

UPDATE:
I hate posting without giving the source of the pattern, and I was very happy to find it again! Here you go.

Birthday Dinner

Steamed Clams
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

Joe made me the best birthday dinner ever! My husband's so much better than yours neener neener neener! For our first course we had steamed clams with a lemon clam sauce. Our entree was chilean sea bass with bok choy and radishes with a lemony rosemary sauce yum! Finally, he got me a chocolate cake with real buttercream frosting. It was amazing!

Joe made me a delicious bass.

BONUS KITTY PICS!

We must unite to eat the sheets!! Before...

They eat us...

It could happen to you! or you!

OR YOU.

New Tote

better focus
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

This bag was based on the tutorial at Mizutamago. I changed some things, like made the straps thicker. I also changed the size of the lining so it fit better into the tote bag. I think she also just top-stitched all pieces together, and I sewed the handles to the lining, then the lining to the outer part, turned it right side out and then top-stitched. I like doing it this way because I don't have to worry about things shifting around. I wasn't going to add the buttons but the front looked lonely! If I do this pattern again, I'd make the top panel a little narrower, it looks a bit wide, I also want to try this guy with interfacing and make the pleats a little more defined.

I used Amy Butler lotus fabric for the exterior and white linen for the interior.

Currently listening to - Daft Punk - Discovery

Currently watching (TV) - Confessions of a Matchmaker, oh my gosh hilarious, my new favorite trash TV show

Currently watching (movies) - The Birdcage, I love me some Hank Azaria

Currently reading - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I am so pumped for the next book!

I heart Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was a guest blogger on Tom Colicchio's Bravo blog, which I am addicted to. I love hearing his opinion on whether or not he would actually work with these chefs. Also, other than repeating my exact opinion of using tuna and filet mignon in a tasting menu (boooooooooooooooooring), he references Heat, the book I gave Joe for his birthday.

Conclusion: I am the best wife ever for a chef to have.

Sometimes I feel like we were made for each other or something... weird...

Work in Progress

Work in Progress
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't finished anything yet! This lovely work in progress will be a 'Short n' Sweet' shrug (pattern from Happy Hooker). I'm a little worried it'll be too big. I made a size large because I have a ::ahem:: larger upper body. But now I'm not so sure. Right now it looks like a tangle of knots. Gotta love my artsy Anthropologie bowl, I know I do!

Currently Listening to - Paul McCartney Ever Present Past

Currently Watching (TV) - Top Chef (Dale you better be careful, I love you you risk-taking hunk a foodie, but tone it down!) side note: I wonder how Joe would look with that spikey mohawk hmm...

Currently Watching (movies) - Pan's Labyrinth, I loved David Bowie in his labyrinth and now one in Spain?? My obsession with the Spanish culture builds.

Currently Reading - Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix. Totally forgot Dumbledore had a brother. Gotta finish this one and The Half-Blood Prince before I get my pre-ordered book on the 21st. (I just started last night and am currently on page 313 of the paperback.)

Current Obsessions - Chicken Tikka Masala, Ratatouille (movie and the food), Crochet (obvs), Elliptical machine now that I've figured out how to read my Harry Potter at the same time (I love multi-tasking!)

BONUS KITTY PIC!
Oh hi, we were keeping your seat warm.

UPDATE: Forgot to say how Lauren loved her new apron that I made for her! I knew I had struck gold when I walked into her house-warming party and saw a three-tier muffin display and Funny Face playing on the TV. Oh yes, and how can I forget the choice of tap water, lemon water or cucumber water? She's such a little home-maker.

Pictures Finally!

IMG_0014
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

Last night I was a machine and made Lauren's house-warming present! I love it! I think these are my favorite Amy Butler fabrics. The pattern is from her book In Stitches.

Even though I measured like four times, I messed up the width of the ties and had to adjust the waistband accordingly, it should be thicker, but Lauren will never know that ;).

"Joe take a picture of me in my apron!"

"It's not for yooooou."

"Dang it."

I'm attached.

Berfdays!

Last night we had our birthday celebration for Joe's mom and sister. We went to Brasserie Jo's on Hubbard and Clark. After a very interesting cab ride in which the cabbie babbled on about politics in Chicago, blah blah blah and Joe entertained him by agreeing with him, we got out of the cab and the cabbie said to Joe, "If you see me again, don't get in my cab." ??? I was thoroughly confused after Joe had a 15min. bonding experience with this whack-a-do. Guess he was expecting more of a tip? Chalking it up to the cabbie crazies gods.

Brassier Jo's is a French classic Cafe style up-scale restaurant. We had a great time there. On the whole, the entrees were mildly disappointing. The shrimp bag? A novelty. Joe's dad got the best one, the skate wing with brown butter. Nobody does brown butter like the French mmmm... If you go there I recommend the appetizers and most definitely the DECADENT desserts. I had chocolate overload after one bite, but I have a sensitive sweet tooth. Chocolate tends to taste bitter to me if it's really rich.

And my presents were big hits! I was so glad! Joe's sister really liked her pinboard and the best part-the fabric covered button push pins. She even said she was going to take it to work and use it there! I was so flattered. Joe's mom seemed really thrilled with her needle case too.

Presents!

Although I haven't blogged all last week, I have been crafting it up. Unfortunately, I have already given away or wrapped everything I made!!! Sorry, I really need to be better about taking more photos.

I embroidered five onesies for a baby shower my mom's going to on Friday. The expectant mother is an accomplished violin player who we've known for several years. Her father was my teacher and a friend. I don't know her very well so I made some that were more girly/typical and then some that were more unusual. I finished them up on Sunday morning and my fingers definitely hurt today!

I also finished birthday presents for Joe's mom and sister. His sister's pin board came out looking awesome, but what a pain in the butt! Staple guns = no fun. I will be thinking twice before deciding to do another one of those. Her tote bag came out looking spec-tac-ular. I have the ladies at Quiltology to thank for that. Their Berninas spoiled me rotten. I think she'll like her gifts if only for the fact that I used Heather Bailey and Amy Butler fabrics and she's very into textile designers. I was actually thinking of just getting her some fat quarters for her birthday, but this was more fun. Maybe I'll do that for Christmas.

For Joe's mom I tried out some of Amy Butler's patterns from her sewing book that I've been eying, a needle case and a drawstring bag. I made them out of this orange Belle Amy Butler fabric.


My final verdict: twill tape sucks. In the future I will avoid it or find some higher quality tape. The only kind I could find was polyester and I think cotton would look so much better. The drawstring bag I will definitely make again. It was so easy and who doesn't need a little bag to tote things to the beach or to go work-out?


Finally, I made t-shirts to cheer on my mom as she ran in her first triathlon on Sunday! That's right, my mom is an acclaimed athlete!! She ran in the Naperville Sprint Triathlon and made it in under her goal time of two hours! I'm so proud!

I'm really going to have to update this post with some photos of at least the patters or my inspiration!

Currently working on"

-Apron and matching towels for Lauren's house-warming party. With this fabric (which will be so hard to cut because I really really love it):
-Finishing up a teeeeeeeny detail on Kate's birthday present
-Re-doing Kelly's birthday present because I broked it. booooo.
-Making a non-gay bag for Joe to tote his work stuff in
-Maybe... MAYBE something for myself???

Did you say cupcakes?

Oh my gentle Jesus!

Stand aside cupcake cupboard because now there is the CUPCAKE COURIER!!!!

Olive's Birthday Present

Olive's Birthday Present
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I mostly worked on Kate's birthday present tonight and it's almost finished!!! I think uit looks really good so far and I'm hoping the things I'm adding to it make it even better. We'll see...

Since I can't show pictures of her present, I thought I'd post what I made last night. I actually made three hair thingies with teeny bunnies on them, but the third has "mysteriously disappeared". When I got home all of them had gone missing and I had my suspicions of the culprit. Suspicions were confirmed when I found one "coincidentally" on the kitty scratching post. I'm sure that was an accident ::ahem:: MEW. Mew has a sick obsession with hair things and one of these days I will find him playing with the last hair thing.

BONUS KITTY PIC!

There was a sale at Borders

Projects!

Projects!
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I had another sewing class tonight. Here's a glimpse of my 'homework.' No Kate, it's not your birthday present. Sorry, I'm keeping that one under wraps. This one has some of my favorite Heather Bailey prints in my favorite colors. I love the modern paisley print. The wallpaper-esque print is so fun in those bright colors.

So it's official. I have way too many projects going on at one time. Let's see:

-Heather Bailey fabric project
-Kate's bday present
-Crochet hemp twine basket
-Embroidered onesies
-Pin Board for Adrienne

Seriously, I've started something for all of these. The one I finished tonight was for a friend's little girl, some hair thingies and a big pin with her first initial embroidered on it. It's really cute, I'll upload some pics later. Yes I came home from being crafty and got more crafty... while watching Top Chef, another obsession.

I promised myself I wouldn't watch this season but after seeing the article in the Red Eye this morning, how could I not?? Dale Levitski is a contestant and I just have to root for Chi Town!! Come on Dale!!! Unfortunately, he was in the bottom 3 in the first round!!! NOO!!!! I have two things to say in his defense: #1 How can blue cheese with beef be too strong a flavor for an amuse busch? And I saw that signature move with the herb utensil! Very Alinea/Moto/Trio. Going back to what you know, just stick with it man! #2 I really really hope his whole downfall in the elimination challenge was just lack of knowledge about alligator. Please please please. At least he didn't get any negative comments about the monk liver.

BONUS KITTY PIC!!

Mew was more of a fan of the sewing machine 'accessories'

New Japanese Craft Books from Mitsuwa!

New Japanese Craft Books from Mitsuwa!
Originally uploaded by nicoleballet

I went to MITSUWA JAPAN STRIP MALL!!! on Saturday and it was a gold mine! I spent over an hour there browsing. Finally I narrowed it down to five books with the things I'm most interested in now: quilting, sewing, tote bags, crochet, and embroidery. I think my favorites are the natural cord crochet book and the quilting book. There are a ton of ideas in there that I'm going to have to try.

Check 'em all out. The natural cord crochet one is one of my favorites. I love these! They're so summery when usually crochet reminds me of winter. I can totally see a beach towel poking out of them or gardening shears, or knitting. I like the bold colors next to the natural colors, they really pop. I'm definitely going to be experimenting with these guys.




























It's pretty obvious why I got the embroidery one yes? Some of the designs in here are pretty intricate, I'm not sure if I can pull them off, I guess we'll see...










Pleats! These will be so cute for summer and at work. Gotta work on those sewing skillz first though.











The quilting book is also one of my favorites.
I have a ton of ideas! Like:





































Cute handbags galore in the next book. I really like these tote bags, they're really versatile.













Time to get to work!