compose

Wow.  Having finally been diagnosed (bronchitis and the flu) and properly medicated, I am finally starting to feel better - on this, my 12th day of being sick.  I'm really looking forward to feeling like myself and returning to my usual level of multi-tasking busy-ness.

I've been able to put a little bit of work in on some sewing projects during my rest time spent at home.  It's been nearly impossible to stay seated on the couch, so I'd periodically cut fabric and move to a new seat at the sewing machine.

First, here's the project I was working on before my departure for Arizona.  It was my "travel tote" that I packed full of supplies and carried with me through airports.  I liked the size and strength of the bag and the deep side pocket I installed on the inside.  I was flattered to be asked once on my trip if I was selling the bags - to which I answered, "Not yet."  The deer stencil is from this cool book, which Jesse got me for Christmas.

Next is a little pincushion; the directions, by Heather Baily, can be found here.  I thought the pincushions I found at sewing supply shops were pretty horrendous, so I found this cute template and used some fabric from my first shopping spree at Mill End.  Next time I would stuff the cushion to be a bit firmer - and my slip-stitching skills (which close the final small opening by hand) really need some work.

Last is a "rice heat therapy bag" - the template can be found here - that I made as a birthday gift for my coworker.  This project includes an inner muslin bag which holds two pounds of rice, and a patchwork slipcover with a Velcro closure.  The recipient can microwave the whole bag for 2-3 minutes and apply it to "aches and pains."  I'm pretty pleased with the result and am excited to deliver this gift when I return to work tomorrow.  I found that a pre-assembled "fat quarter" pack from Joanne's provided a nice array of complimentary fabrics that I completed with some carefully chosen solids (Jesse helped with this!).

I've got to make note of yet another contest I've won!  Let me tell you that entering every contest you come across - and firmly believing that you're bound to win - is a winning combination!  This time I won two tickets to a concert that Jesse really, really wanted to attend, so I'm thrilled!  The artist is Citizen Cope, a singer we've seen several times before and who puts on a great show every time.  I just got the email this afternoon, and the show is Wednesday night, so I'm really hoping to be up and running by then.

skillful

Since the money trees haven't finished their spring bloom yet, I've turned to locating sewing tutorials online.  My honest preference would be to print my well-crafted wish list from Powells.com and head to the Burnside location, but it turns out searching the Interweb (as my husband likes to call it) is a lot more affordable.

So I thought I'd share some of the clever tutorials I've come across and may experiment with in the near future.

Quilted Door Stop
I love the quilted panel on this - I was thinking of incorporating the same basic idea on a handbag or a cute dress for Chloe.

Stackable Boxes
This are so practical!  What a great way to keep organized.

Simple Party Clutch
This is a smaller bag than I would normally use, but just perfect for spending an evening running around downtown Portland.

Spring Ruffle Top
I haven't made any garments yet - this may be my first one!  I'm actually partial to the version without any ruffles.

take a leap

Now that my mother's special non-birthday birthday has passed (she was born on the leap year - there was a noticeable lack of a February 29th this year), I can post photos of the two gift projects I was working on for her!

First up was a canvas "All-Day Tote" from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing.  This was my second try with this pattern and I felt a lot more confident - knowing where to make allowances and how to incorporate small changes.

I lengthened the handles and tried out a more solid, sturdy quilted bottom panel to lend the bag some additional form.  I was very pleased with the results!  The lining of the tote was my favorite component - it featured a lovely, slightly metallic sheen on the floral elements of the fabric.

Next up, I made a set of quilted coasters using this tutorial from Martha Stewart online.  I chose a subdued Southwestern pattern that will fit in perfectly at my parents' Arizona home. 

I don't know that I'll ever become a successful, crafty business person because I find it most enjoyable to give the items I make as gifts.  Which reminds me of one more project I conquered!

I located instructions for a boxy zippered pouch while searching for free online sewing tutorials.  It looked a lot easier than I had imagined this kind of project, so I set to making two - out of an amazing Dia de los Muertos style fabric I found.  As with the market tote, my first try was slightly flawed, but still functional.  With some experience under my belt, I managed to make a more skilled version, which I gave to a friend of mine who has some mega-Mexican style.  Here's a less-than-perfect cell phone shot of my less-than-perfect first try.

What do you think?  Is there more pleasure in giving gifts than receiving them?  I've received several today and it's wonderful to know that someone was thinking of you - but I think it's even better to share that sentiment with someone else!

symphony

It feels like spring is just around the corner – the subtle fresh smell in the air and the increasingly frequent appearance of the sun and tiny green buds on tree branches. This is likely just an illusion, one to be replaced with a damp, gray reality, but it’s fun while it lasts!

I just started reading Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink. I spotted this book on the Powell’s Calendar of Events, but the reading/author visit didn’t fit into my schedule well. Instead, I requested a copy from the library and I picked it up this weekend. It’s been great reading material for my daily commute on the MAX – and it’s a topic of particular interest to me because I find that my own motivation waxes and wanes due to...the phases of the moon...or something.

Overall, I’ve felt a lot more motivated this first month of 2010 and I attribute it to our new home environment and a sense of being more settled since getting married. Life is good and today’s sunshine is streaming through a magnifying glass and setting that belief on fire.

I spent the early part of the week working and continuing my first sewing project, which is now almost complete. Working from a pattern and instructions in Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing has proven very helpful to me. I’m good at following directions, which zaps good techniques straight into your brain. On the other hand, you can take note of elements that aren’t quite pleasing to you, and change them the next time around. I plan on making another tote bag to give as a gift this month, and there are a couple of changes I plan on implementing.



On Saturday, Lindsey and I ventured out to Forest Grove (much more of a “venture” for me than for her) for a knitting and crochet class. I already knew the basics of knitting, but I wanted my skills to be verified as accurate. When we arrived, we learned that a reporter and photographer from the Forest Grove newspaper would be present. (Hopefully a link to that article is forthcoming.) Lindsey decided to learn crocheting, while I breezed through casting on and the knit stitch. We were interviewed by the reporter while we stitched away. I was eventually taught the proper way to “purl” and lo and behold, it is a heck of a lot easier than I was making it out to be. I ended up with some new bamboo needles and a pretty skein of burnt orange yarn with which to make a lace-like scarf.

I stopped at home briefly, then drove in the opposite direction to SCRAP on the east side. I wanted to pick up some, well, scraps – of fabric – for two birthday projects I’m working on. I managed to find several, along with two balls of yarn, a few greeting cards, a knitting book, and a football trophy (long story), all for $9.


Next I stopped by the Mill End fabric store in Beaverton, which I’d been told was amazing. Turns out “amazing” is an understatement. I couldn’t believe the fabric selection – and the prices seemed very reasonable to my untrained eye. I selected some batting, canvas, and lighter cottons for my projects and spent a lot of time browsing the unimaginable array of fabrics. Several retro patterns caught my eye, including vintage Mexican prints that will someday live in our eclectically decorated home. Not to mention the gorgeous nature-inspired fabrics. Oooh, the possibilities. I have most certainly found a new passion.

Audubon on Sunday – not much needs to be said on that, as my shift was somewhat depressing. After that, however, Jesse and I headed downtown with Clara and the long-lost Danny. We hit up the Backstage Bar, which is hidden behind the Baghdad Theater on Hawthorne. This narrow, dimly lit space houses a restaurant, bar, free (yes – free) pool, and the all-important jukebox. We hung out for a few hours, playing generally not-very-good pool and choosing awesome songs to hear. It was a nice, low key way to end the weekend.

Then of course, back to work. It’s another very busy week into which I’ll try to squeeze an ounce of creativity. And several ounces of motivation for good measure.

As I walked home from the MAX station this evening, I had a moment of realization - or I remembered, rather - that I am very, very lucky and many pieces have miraculously fit together to make my life the way it is. In nearly that very same instant, I spotted a Great Blue Heron standing in the creek behind our home, so well camouflaged among trees and brush. I'm drawn to this type of bird in particular, and to see one at nightfall, sitting still and silent and hidden, made my heart jump. It was a moment of reassurance, of synchronicity - as Jesse would say. I'm on the right path and these meaningful, happy moments are my reward.

thread

My long-awaited sewing class arrived Saturday! Clara and I packed up our machines and set out for the industrial district just east of the Willamette. We met Clara’s friend, Jena, outside and ventured into the fabric swathed warehouse together.

The class was co-instructed by three individuals. We each set up our sewing machines and made sure it was threaded and the bobbin was properly wound with thread. My bobbin ran out, and we discovered that my machine has an ingenious system to fill it up again – without having to remove it from its spot in the machine! I learned that my machine is from 1963, while Jena’s was from the 70’s, and Clara’s from the 80’s. I wasn’t sure that mine would even function properly since it is so old, but it was very well taken care of by its previous owner. On top of that, one instructor explained that vintage machines are often preferable because of their durable all-metal design. The downside to this is that the machine is heavier, but so what?!

We were then given scraps of fabric and we began a series of exercises which would normalize our use of the machine and ease us into healthy habits. The first was to do a simple straight stitch, with backstitching at the start and end to really secure the line of sewing into the fabric. We moved on to corners, free form curves, and circles. We learned how to make a pillow, and then tried the seemingly random task of making a sleeve. Holy moly is it hard to get that one done correctly.

We stayed for about two and a half hours and I feel like that small amount of instruction was an instrumental breakthrough for me. I think I only needed to be shown the basics and now I can rely on books from the library and instructions on the internet to proceed.

And as if one good development wasn’t enough, I later remembered that the woman who had gifted me the sewing machine had also given me a bag full of Singer boxes. I scavenged around our house and found it. To my delighted surprise, inside was practically every attachment ever made for this kind of machine! There were a ton of special discs that can be swapped out to create a variety of decorative stitches, extra machine feet, needles, and bobbins, and a buttonhole attachment. Oh, and retro electric scissors.

I took a trip to Joanne Fabrics that evening to stock up on basic necessities like thread and straight pins. I had a specific project in mind that I wanted to select fabric for (a lined bag with pockets), but their selection of fabrics was overwhelming. I finally asked an elderly woman for help, but she was frigidly cold and mean to me! She tried to snatch my shopping list from my hand and I almost started to cry. Based on the miniscule amount of helpful information she provided, I was able to choose a thick cotton home decorating fabric for the shell of the bag, and thinner, solid cotton for the lining. Fortunately, the lady who cut the fabric for me was much, much nicer and single handedly saved my opinion of the establishment.

By Tuesday evening I had the exterior of my market tote bag finished, with only the handles and interior lining left to go. I can hardly decide what to make next!

android

I am not even going to say what time I got out of bed yesterday. It was a work holiday for me, and I'd been so busy over the traditional weekend that I never stopped to plan out a productive Monday off.

Saturday night, Jesse and I ventured downtown. I'd been hanging out at home during the day and was craving a jaunt to Portland to participate in the nightlife. Well, to be there at night. We caught the end of happy hour at Oba! and snacked on green chile mac & cheese and spicy corn fritters. By the time we were finished, it was nearing the start time for a movie I'd been eyeing at the cozy, hip Living Room Theater. We grabbed some popcorn and a big bowl of olives and watched the Coen Brothers' "A Serious Man." I had only read a brief synopsis about the film on the theater website and we'd seen a somewhat cryptic preview months ago. Jesse and I both loved it. Just go check it out.

On Sunday I had some friends over to eat, drink, chat, and check out what Scentsy products are all about. After my apartment cleared out, I was feeling tremendously lonely all of the sudden, so Clara and I grabbed some pizza and watched the white knuckle season premiere of "24" - which was new for me.

Monday arrived too soon, and before I knew it, Jesse was out the door for the first of his two shifts. I got coffee brewing (on my own - this is rare) and set my mind to not turning on the television. I cooked up some steel cut oats for the first time ever and doctored them up with a bunch of tasty ingredients from the pantry. Maybe way too many tasty ingredients? I jumped in the shower and then dressed in the most comfortable (slovenly?) clothes I could find.

I got to work at my art table, in front of our big window overlooking the pretty, pale trees and a loudly churning creek, for the first time! Nose to the proverbial grindstone, I finally finished up the first of my Pay It Forward books. I won't be posting photographs of any of these books until they are all complete and distributed, but I took a few pictures of my messy workspace. It's a lot more satisfying to have a space covered in scraps of paper and shiny smears of PVA. I have the materials for my next book, and the slightest vague concepts for the other 4. Not to mention various other book and non-book ideas that I only HOPE will be realized.

Jesse brought home a delicious lunch and sweetly said I looked pretty in my slovenly, glue-stained clothes and no-makeup. Not that I believed him, pretty sure he was joking. He turned on the tv, I thought it acceptable to relax and watch Seinfeld for a while. After he left, I dug through Chloe's to-be-bedroom for my sewing machine. I'll be using it at my first sewing class on Saturday, and I wanted to make sure it actually worked. I have an old Singer 603E that I got for free from a very generous lady on Craigslist. I knew it was serviced just before going into storage from several years. Fortunately, it seems to function, but only time will tell.

A non-sequitur note: I need to devote a lot of thought and energy into getting restful sleep. It's been a difficulty for me for years, and I know it will be a blend of several techniques and natural elixirs that help me get there. Tips are welcome. My attempt tonight will be: (a) yoga, (b) hot shower, (c) hot sleepy tea, (d) clean sheets, (e) happy thoughts.

st. christopher

This has been quite a week, including slight progress toward my overall goal of making creativity a priority and experiencing Portland to its fullest. The one hitch to note is that my pretty $1.99 plant from IKEA died because I forgot about it.

poor baby

One thing that I think I need to keep in mind is that I can’t try to be good at everything. I’m tempted to give pretty much everything (except scuba diving) a try, but even that hyper-experimentation isn’t necessary. With that said, I’m officially not adding gardening to my list of skills to improve upon.

One challenge recently arrived in my inbox out of the blue, and after very brief consideration, I decided to accept it. The job? A weekly 4-hour shift at the Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center. I have been volunteering with Audubon since September, and working in the Care Center was high on my list of long-term goals. In the meantime I had been working at individual events like art festivals and open houses, generally just once per month.

So now I’ll be at Audubon every Sunday from 1pm to 5pm! I’m not yet sure what my exact duties will be, but the Center accepts injured and orphaned birds and other wildlife and nurses them in the hopes of rehabilitation and eventual release. I hope to gain immense knowledge about the birds in this area and ideally, having a scheduled event in the middle of my Sundays will help me to use the time before and after even more wisely.

I also just registered for my first sewing class! I’ll be attending the Sewing Machine Basics course at PDX Seamsters on January 23rd. Joining me will be my friend, Clara, and her friend, Jena. (Both enviably great bloggers, I should mention.) All three of us have sewing machines that we don’t know quite how to use, but we’re very excited to learn. One order of business to be completed before the class should be getting the latch on my sewing machine case repaired… Any tips on how to accomplish that?

Lastly, I found a great deal on a book called 1000 Fonts: An Illustrated Guide to Finding the Right Typeface. I intend on using this reference as a jumping off point for my hand-lettered broadside posters. Jesse is conceptualizing one using Modest Mouse lyrics, while I’m thinking about a David Gray song. (Note: I just realized a lovely coincidence that confirms my choice of lyrics is meant to be transcribed in a gorgeous way.)

To top things off, my sweet husband is taking me out to dinner tonight. Due to divergent work schedules, we don’t have as much time together as we’d like. Now I’ll be cutting into that further with the Audubon gig. He, however, is fully supportive of my endeavors and I’ve realized that’s a valuable, valuable thing.

Hope the New Year is going well for all of you, too. If your resolutions are losing their shine and becoming hard to stick with, check out this article at Real Simple.