Junie Moon

Monday, April 29, 2013

Under the Sea Projects To Go Tote

I told you I’d been sewing up a storm—and I have. Here’s another result of my efforts—a Projects To Go Tote with tons of pockets to hold all my stuff when I go to creative workshops.

This tote holds a lot and is very useful as it has pockets all around the outside and inside. The drawstring component is optional, but I quite like it.

I can see using this not only for sewing or quilting workshops but also for knitting projects.

My friend Carol is president of the Silver Threads Quilt Guild. We had an all-day Saturday guild workshop and the two of us helped the 25 attendees make this tote—no one used the same fabrics which made me want to make more bags as there were so many great ideas.

Resources

The pattern is from Whistlepig Creek Productions.
I used solid fabric for the bottom and outside pocket lining/trim. It was leftover fabric by Fig Tree & Co for Moda Patisserie I used to make my Paris Traveler’s Bag.
The main part of the bag was created using Hoffman California’s Avalon Stained Glass fabrics in Kelp Garden Pacific, Mermaids Pacific, and Ocean Waves Ocean. These were purchased at Lynn's Sewing Center.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Amy Butler Weekender Bag

Sewing up a storm—that’s what I’ve been doing lately. Along with a number of sewing projects and despite my thinking, “Oh no, I cannot face another Weekender Bag sewing project,” I seem to find myself making more.

A couple of months ago, I was asked by Lynn’s Sewing Center to teach a class in making these bags. I designed a 2-day workshop and everyone actually completed their Weekender. It was so much fun seeing all the different fabrics used and watching everyone’s bag come together.

Along with another class (for which I’ll share later) I will be teaching in May, I’ve been asked to teach the Weekender again the same month. If you’re in the Fort Walton Beach area and want to join the fun, give the shop a call at 850-864-4555.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Sweet Baby Blanket

Now that I’m officially considered a senior, my opportunities to give baby gifts have diminished. My peers are past the baby-making years and my own babies are done with family building. In a way, it’s somewhat like my reaching towards the end time in life and being cut off from the beginning of life—a demarcation which makes me feel odd.

So, I was excited when one of my friends had the blessing of welcoming her first grandchild in the world—a little girl named Savannah.

Using an idea from my friend Sara at Unwind the Yarn Shop in Fort Walton Beach, FL, I cast on 150 stitches using U.S. size 6 needles and knitted one ball of yarn for 26 rows (13 ridges) before switching to the next color. This is simply knitting of every row.

After finishing the last color, the color scheme was reversed. The yarn is Rowan Handknit Cotton. The first set of blocks color order (in parentheses are the number of skeins I purchased for the entire blanket):

Slick (3)
Mist (2)
Shell (2)
Celery (2)
Ecru (3)

Second set of blocks:

Ecru
Celery
Shell
Mist
Slick

Blanket done, I started thinking about creative ways to embellish it. I crocheted a simple scallop edging in Ecru around the blanket. After the edging was done, the blanket was washed and blocked.

Next, I decided to add the baby’s monogram in the center of the middle section (the wider Ecru-colored portion).

The monogram was made by braiding the Slick (hot pink) color of yarn and forming the three letters which I’ve hand-stitched to the blanket.

Here is Savannah’s completed blanket.

The blanket was carefully packaged in a pretty box and shipped off to Atlanta in time for the baby shower.

I loved making this gift and feel it connects me back to the beginning of the life cycle—nature’s own creative project.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Going to the Dogs

Do you sometimes peruse Ravelry just for fun? I do and discover lots of fun patterns to try. One such pattern is the Renaissance Felted Dog Leash by Leigh Radford which is offered for free at Classic Elite Yarns.

I made two of the leashes for my son’s very sweet black Labradors, Ninja and Cammy. This was an easy project and my first effort in felting. The metal swivel-head snap-hook thingie was purchased at Ace Hardware.

The leases are very strong, something I was concerned about as Ninja and Cammy are not lap-dog size. My son reports the leashes work very well.

Needles: Size 9 U.S.
Yarn: Noro Kureyon (purchased at Unwind the Yarn Shop in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Resources

Monday, April 1, 2013

Quilt Ahoy, Mateys!

One of Silver Threads Quilt Guild’s programs is making items for children in need. We have a lot of donated fabric and batting we can use, but I opted to do my own thing.

I used Michael Miller’s free Making Waves Quilt pattern and his Ahoy Matey fabrics. This pattern was straightforward and made up in no time.

The backing is the same fabric as used for the first inner border.

Our guild also participates in the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge, so I made one to match the quilt. It was simple to make using the tutorial by Michele Bilyeu of With Heart and Hands.

The result was a fun project for me and a cute set to donate to a little boy in need.

Resources

· Burrito or Magic Pillowcase Tutorial

· 1Million Pillowcase Challenge

· Making Waves Quilt free pattern

· Michael Miller’s Ahoy Matey fabrics

· Silver Threads Quilt Guild blog

· With Heart and Hands blog

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Sajou Le Petite Monstre

My embroidery scissors proved too convenient to stash in my knitting accessory bag. When working on a hand-embroidery project, I’d have to dig out the knitting project de jour to find my scissors which meant I then forgot to put them back in the knitting bag. That was frequently inconvenient at Sit-and-Stitch Night downtown when my scissors were missing.

I decided to get a pair of scissors to devote to just my embroidery and opted for Sajou’s Le Petite Monstre (Little Monster). At the time I wanted to buy them, they were out of stock at most shops in the U.S., so off to France I went—a virtual online shopping adventure to Sajou itself.

The scissors are only 4.8 cm. While the blades are very short, the handles are large enough to fit over your fingers. They are perfect for embroidery.

When ordering the Little Monster, I also ordered a scissors sheath to fit. It came with an embroidery chart for personalizing the case. Suitably personalized, my embroidery kit is complete. Thank you, Sajou!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Non-whirling Dervish Blogging

When I thought about returning to blogging, one important decision I had to make is how to fit it in my crazy life. Do I craft, sew, knit, cook, bake, and whatever like some whirling dervish in order to have wonderfully-clever posts to put on my blog? Or, do I just go about my life and share what I do?

I have opted for the latter—a simple sharing of experiences when I feel like it sounds more fun for me.

Aren’t our tees cute with our personal inscription? When we moved here, I found a bag of these tees in our storage bin. The tees are leftovers from our wedding day golf tournament in 1998.

Today is the ladies golf league at the golf club my husband and I joined. It’s kind of an odd situation for me. For years, I played with my husband and his guy friends every weekend. Rarely did another wife join us.

Since moving here, I decided joining a women’s league would enable me to meet new people and make more friends. Playing golf with women is definitely different than playing with guys.

One difference is that I actually get to tee off first once in awhile and don't have to wait until all the men get done. An important variance is that the women take their game much more seriously than the fellows I've been on the course with over the years. Another difference is that the golf outfits are much cuter.

My ball marker honors my alma mater. Okay, I'm off to play--think positive I hit 'em straight down the fairway.