I read this really wonderful article about DIYers and the difference they are making in the world. They aren’t screaming from their soap boxes, they are just doing. Quietly, they are changing the world, one project at a time using found items, re-purposed items and making things new again (I can’t seem to find the article, if you know which one I’m talking about – let me know so I can link to it).
I think if I try to change everything in my life at the same time, I would go crazy, so I try to change at least one thing a week. Once it was switching to phosphate free laundry detergent, then fabric softner, then not using the dryer. I’m using Happy-Sacks instead of plastic bags. I bring my own bags to shop with, even to stores that aren’t selling groceries. I use old clothing and bed linens for sewing projects. And I read blogs and learn about other ideas.
My favorite today, and OH-SO-OBVIOUS!!! On – there’s a . Of course, why are we buying plastic? I’ll never buy another plastic shower curtain. Bad.
So – another small step today. And this has another thing brewing in my mind…
Is anyone in the Western Ma area interested in participating in a ? I’m going to see if we can get one started here. I’m looking for interested folks who can volunteer to help sort, lead workshops and organize. Email me – zannestar(at)luckystitches(dot)com if you are interested in learning more or want to help out.
I noticed these little almost a year ago, but put off buying them as I still had my bulk purchase (from Costco) of re-sealable plastic bags. But now my bag stash is out, and well, you should by now know of my love for recycling and re-using, so I’ve started buying these wonderful, lovely, fabulous Happy-Sacks. I use them for snacks and sandwiches. They are lined with a heavy nylon making them easy to clean. They come in (aka eye candy). And what I love even more, they come from a . Cool moms doing cool things. I love that.
Wool is good. Felt is good. Blankets are good. Lists are good. This is going on my project list. I found this picture of a felted wool blanket in progress by . I can’t tell you how much I LOVE it.
I love it for many reasons. Using found materials is high on my list and finding things at thrift stores is not only fun, it’s good for our environment.
I love that wool is such an amazing medium. I learn more and more about wool all the time. Needle felting is something that’s on my list of things to learn this year.
And I love blankets. Maybe it’s the drafty and sometimes chilly house we live in, or maybe it’s the comfort of being wrapped in a warm blanket.
It could be a big project. But nice and warm. Maybe I’ll start with a small one, one for Iz to keep in the car.
Iz has been working on some of her Christmas presents. Here’s a sneak peek:
I’ve been busy with my AWESOME HomeSchool Sewing Series Class. It started on Wednesday. We spent a good half of the class learning about the sewing machines, how to wind a bobbin, how to thread the machine and what all the lines and numbers mean and what happens when you move them all around. Then we made soft trees. We made our own patterns (because you know I like to do that…), but it was all inspired by . Check out what these creative and super talented kids made and their wonderful personal touches of beads, stitches and embroidery:
Check out the
Later that night there was another Bag Sew :: Sew-cial at :
Bag Sews will be happening at least once a month at , and they happen at other times too, at other places around the Valley and Hilltowns. Sew-cials happen almost every other Wednesday at .
And then, I just have to share the most wonderful note I received just a few hours after a class:
Original art card:
It’s been super cold at my house. There is no insulation in the crawlspace under our 200+ year old holey-frickin-moley farm house, so perhaps you know or can imagine what the floor may feel like. It took me a year to realize that was the reason Iz always wanted uppies in the winter time. So today at we made wool felt slippers:
We drafted our own patterns from our own feet. I didn’t used to be a pattern person. When I was in , I’d make my own clothes and clothes for my before we’d go out. I’d cut bodices, sleeves, pants, skirts, all without a pattern. Then, after several years of intensive patternmaking, I’ve come to LOVE making patterns for things. I love it when things look good and have a great fit!
The orange and pink slippers were made with wonderful thick wool felt. They are comfy and warm. I think these will be the first of many. I think family members and friends will be knocking down the door…
These are mine (note the stars):
I don’t think you know this about me (except for those of you that have gone shoe shopping with me), but I have EEE wide feet. What this really means is that NONE OF MY SHOES FIT. ever. IT SUCKS! Shoe shopping is, while I try to keep a chin up and hopeful, one of the most devastating things I’ve ever done. I can literally leave a shoe store in tears because NOTHING FITS, not even the ugly shoes. sad, but so true.
Anyway, I made these slippers, and they fit. I added stars to remind me of the left and right.
I added a layer of fleece to the sole. They are warmer than I could have imagined.
With a few dabs of fabric paint, I added grippers to my slippers.
I might have to add a few pairs to my list for Christmas presents. They are fun, and would work with old sweaters and blankets too. I think my next pair will have even another layer for the sole, just for a bit more cushy-ness.
On another note, tonight was the first part of the Christmas Tree Skirt class. Below is the winner of the BostonMamas.com LuckyStitches certificate, using her dollars wisely. She’s starting this really great business around her ideas and sewing (maybe more on that later…), so we talked about that for a while, then got busy working on our skirts.
What I came to realize from our talk about Christmas Tree Skirts, is that they are so much more than the 2 pieces of hot pink satin I’ve been draping around our trees for years. Rather, they are an opportunity for family tradition and memories. While they are displayed for just a few weeks, they can come to mean so much in a lifetime.
Years ago, I started making my own Christmas cards (I can’t believe I don’t have any pictures!!! argh). It started out of necessity really, I was a college student, completely broke, but wanting all my family and friends to know that I have been thinking of them throughout the year. Being in , I had tons of supplies, and my beau at the time (now my husband) was handy with the paint and paper, and he helped me make the cards. I think we made 30 that year. So every year since (barring the year I was pregnant, and the past 2 years), we’ve made our cards.
We’ve always used things from our stash, but sometimes complemented them with tin and velvet and beads and cellophane. I would start thinking about cards after every new year, try to get started during the summer, but never really start until mid-December. For the few years while this has been on hiatus (due in large part to becoming a mom and figuring life out again), I so wanted to make cards. I think about family and friends all the time, but I’m not as fabulous at keeping in touch, and I always feel like these cards are my way of saying, “I’ve been thinking about you all year long…”
It’s been on my little to start again this year. So, now that it is after Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a good time to start. It’s a family affair. We’re making cards, working on them after dinner. The list has grown to well over 100. Tonight we started prepping, cutting and painting cardboard stars. Everything is from around the house. The only thing we’re buying this year are the stamps.
It was a lot of fun. I think Iz is about the age where memories stick around. I love that we can do things like this as a family. Family traditions are so important and can be loads of fun. I get pretty giddy thinking about the memories we are making as a family and wonder what Iz will remember and cherish. I love the holiday season. I love taking the time to make things that will let our family and friends know that we are thinking of them. I can’t wait to do more tomorrow night.
I love it when creative people publish their own patterns. I think before you shop at Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, etc – look for something cool from an independent creative.
I am thrilled about for the that . Makes me want to run to , again, and buy the chair, just so I can try out the pattern and make my own cover.
I’ve been making a few of ‘ . I love this pattern. Super versatile.
I’m thinking I’m going to make the , in (plum?) velvet, for the holidays. Love the shape.
This is cute. The pattern is available on , as well as finished garments all by .
And who needs a skirt pattern when you have a pillowcase and ?
I love this from .
I think I might just have to make one of these from .
has some cute patterns. I like , it’s such a pretty shape.
I’m always on the lookout for patterns like these – have you found any? I’d love to add them to my list.
It’s been a strange switch going from the 10-12 hour days at the office to staying home and raising our Iz. I remember when Iz was just 8 weeks old, and I had to go back to work. Ugh. I remember crying as I would leave the house, and once I got to the subway, I felt this unbelievable relief. This crazy lightness. I’d get to work and was so sad about missing Iz, I’d throw myself into the day (stopping to pump in the closet twice a day, and crying again, in the closet, while the rest of the office was outside joking about the pump…sigh..). I remember thinking what’s wrong with me, this going to work thing is SO EASY compared to the 24/7 momhood, why would I want to give that up?
But I did. It was important to me to be with Iz. To spend our days together. I planned on doing freelance or something, but it had to be from home, so I had the flexibility I need for playgroups and adventures. It sure isn’t easy, and some days, it’s just not fun, but all the good times make up for it. We have tons of fun together.
But other things have changed too. My wardrobe. I know, trivial in comparison to everything else, but important none the less. My changed body would certainly benefit from regular visits to the gym, less carbs (hell, eliminate them all together…) and a much better bra (maybe 10 of them…at once). I wear jeans all the time (I’m grateful I don’t have sweats, while they would be perfect for bending down and running around, and oh so comfy, I just can’t bring myself to do it, I would surely then be the girl in the don’t picture with the black tape across my eyes), I have a handful of knit shirts (v-neck is so much more flattering on me), some lovely sweaters. You know…all the basics. But I’m really ready to expand my wardrobe.
I regulary check for inspiration. The outfits are spectacular. The colors are really amazing. As I sit looking this morning, I find myself wanting more color in my closet. I have a lot of black. A lot of black. And I love it, but I’d love to throw together some blue and orange, or aqua and red, or pink and green. Red and Purple.
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I’m a big holiday fan. It’s not that I go all out, but rather I really, really enjoy the Holidays. I love the thought put into everything, from the food, the the clothing, to the decorations and so much more. It’s a fun time to be creative and expressive. Imaginations run wild with the possibilities.
Now, as a mom to a 2 year old, it’s kind of giggly fun. Everything is new through her eyes. I find myself wanting to try things I haven’t done for years, just because Iz will get to experience it.
Here’s a sneak peak into our decorating for Halloween this year (more as we get closer):
I wish I had found *cuter* skulls. These are kind of gross in their mean-ness. She still loved them. Has anyone found *cute* skulls? Oh do tell!
This is part of Iz’s costume. We are all going to be pirates. I’m making a little apron-ish thing for her to wear as part of her costume. One of the rules this year is to use only what we have (it’s a great rule, might just as well be a standing one forever, makes it more fun!)
These are all the pieces. All rectangles. I had envisioned something a little different than what I sketched below, but as I’m working on it, I’m in love with it.
This is what most of my flat sketches look like. Actually, they have a lot more writing on them with different colors and numbers crossed out and re-written over and over again. (I keep all of them, in little books and folders – great for referring to later.)
I showed it to Iz this morning in progress, explaining that it was for her pirate costume, and she said, ” No, it’s too bling”. I kid you not. I’ve never said the word bling to her, except for when she was just a few months old and in love with the bling someone was wearing in the office I was working in.
There’s lots of great costume inspiration out there:
And if you are nearby – don’t forget out getting some help with your costume at this weekend:
Costume Night (a and )
Skill Level – ALL WELCOME!
$35 plus the cost of any supplies
Session A – Wednesday, Oct 17 6pm-9pm
Session B – Wednesday, Oct 24 6pm-9pm
Are you putting together your costume and need a little help? Starting from a commercial pattern? Making it up as you go along? Come stitch, sew, paint, glue, you name it, get help and advice.
Supplies Needed: It will vary. Are you planning on sewing? Then bring your machine and kit and all needed materials. Are you planning on using glue and paint? Then bring your base costume and the items needed for embellishing and we’ll warm up the glue guns!
Costume Emergency (a and )
Skill Level – ALL WELCOME
Suggested donations starting at $10
Session A – Saturday Oct 20 9AM-12PM
Session B – Saturday, Oct 27 9am-12pm
Come for 10 minutes or come for 3 hours. Spread out and work in the space, get advice, a helping hand, use the glue guns or a sewing machine.
Supplies Needed: Bring whatever you are working on, including embellishments
The Victoria & Albert Museum exhibit, opened yesterday. (Makes you just want to jet off to London, doesn’t it?)
The exhibit looks spectacular, with wonderful selections from innovative designers.
There are more reasons I love the exhibition. Open Source Sewing! You can for the and MAKE YOUR OWN couture inspired dress. Can it be any more fun than that?
It does get a bit more fun…you can enter the , which will be judged by Professor Jimmy Choo. And you can always pick up the .
via
While you’re visiting V&A (whether on-line or in person), be sure to check out .
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