This and That

I'm not too focused on any one crafting thing lately - I've been doing a little of this and a little of that.  And I'm really finding some cool blogs out there with a million patterns and instructions for things I really want to make.  Sewing, crocheting, tatting, even woodworking . . .  Problem is, there are more things that I want to do than there is time for me to do them.  I wish there were about 72 hours in each day! 

I have a start on a doily I've been wanting to tat . . .

. . . but just a start.  I am using my prize of Yarnplayer's Summer Trail HDT for the Starlight Doily from  the book The Tatters Treasure Chest.  I noticed that this book is one of the very first ones I bought - back in 1997!  I now (13 years later) feel confident enough to tackle one of the patterns.  This is my project for the evenings - only a couple more rounds, so hopefully I will get it done in the next week or two. 

Otherwise, I've been sewing like a madwoman again.  I seem to go in spurts.  Once I get a bug to make something, I go full-speed and cannot focus on anything else.  (Who wants to do laundry anyway?)  Last weekend and the previous week I made several sets of chenille potholders.  I gave a set to a coworker for her birthday, and had some requests for more.

The potholders/hotpads each end up to be 8 layers of fabric thick - 4 layers for each side.  After stitching diagonal lines through all four layers for each side, all you have to do is slash 3 of the 4 layers with either a slash cutter or a scissors, sew the two halves together with a loop in the corner, wash & dry and voila!  

I was experimenting with flannel (black on the left above) and homespun (on the right) and adding or not adding a binding.  The homespun plaids are so much brighter and have nice varieties of color, while the flannel I could find (without spending a fortune) was in limited prints.  The flannel makes a nicer, softer, thicker potholder, and I like the more finished look with the binding best.  I will make some more of these - they take some time, but they make a great gift.

Then LAST week, my coworker gave me her stash of fabric from a past purse-making business.  "Spring Cleaning" she said.  (I should probably be doing that too, but I really have a hard time getting rid of fabric!)  This fabric is a little different though, as it's more canvas and upholstery and not regular quilting cotton fabric.   I can now re-upholster my sewing room chair.  Well, when I figure out how to do that and have some spare time - LOL.  

Yesterday I decided to try & make a little wallet with some of that canvas.  The binding got a little too thick for my sewing machine, and I didn't cut it on the bias, so it isn't pretty.  Functional, but not my best work.

Upon inspection of the wallet, the English Major declared she could use a small travel/money/passport purse for her upcoming travels.  So, today I was hell-bent on that project.  Since I am a pattern hoarder collector, I just happened to have a perfect pattern for a little travel bag.  (BB Bags by Mickey Beebe)  

I got that completed today - it's just the right size to fit a passport in, and has a few pockets and two zipped pockets.  She thinks it will be just perfect!  That was kind of a fun one to make.

Now that I have spent the entire weekend playing, I should probably get the laundry done and get organized for the work week.  Ugh.  Back to reality!