I left with four good fabric finds.

These two are especially pretty.
I’m not sure if they’re truly vintage or not.
But I liked the patterns alot.
Now - what to do with them?

(Pot holder backing? Decoration for tea towels?)

Any suggestions for this kitchen-y cotton?

I had to run some errands over in Ballard,
while I was there I visited The Quilting Loft.
They have beautiful fabrics.

The solids I already have plans for…
we’ll see what the future holds for the patterns.

Right now I’m really enjoying * this * cd while I work.

What are you listening to these days?

Thank you everybody for your well wishes!
I am sure that your positive energy has helped me to start feeling better.

Saturday was rough. I was in bed all day. The cats took turns curling up next to me. Sunday started off the same, but as the day went on I started to perk up a bit, and by the early evening I was back in my studio! Whoo hoo!

I’ve noticed over the years that I definitely have creative highs and lows.
I am right in the middle of one of these highs (which made being sick even more frustrating). I have more ideas than time to create them. I’ve been doing alot of sketching and planning.

I’ve had an idea in the back of my mind for another kind of sewing organizer that I’d like to try making. Last night I got out my muslin and made up a prototype.

This is a folding “book” style organizer.

Inside, on the first panel are ribbon loops to hold embroidery thread, on the second panel I’ve made a pocket that closes - to hold buttons and little bits and bobs
(I’ve decided that this could be bigger, to hold more.)

and on the third panel there’s a flap of felt that can hold pins (the photo shows it closed - the flap lifts up and there is another layer of felt beneath it.)

Along the bottom are pockets in various widths to hold pens, floss, cloth - you name it. And I even made a little pincushion that will match the fabric of the organizer. Oh - and one of my favorite features - between the 1st and 2nd panel is a button and cord. You can put the cord through the hole of a spool of thread, then wind the end of the cord around the button and keep the thread safe and snug inside the organizer! So clever! (I wish I could take credit for thinking that up… but I actually saw it in one of my Japanese craft books. It’s such a good idea, I had to include it.)

I would very much like to make more of these and put them in my shop.
What do you think of this design?
Do you like this style of organizing sewing supplies?

As I’m writing this, I’m trying out something new.
I would love any feedback you all could give me on what fabric colors and styles you prefer. I’m creating a very short pop-up survey and I would be grateful to any of you who would take a moment to answer two questions. : ) Thanks in advance!
(This survey should pop-up when you load this page.
If it doesn’t come up, then you may have a pop-up blocker working.)

Now I’m off to the post office.
Then back to my studio to work on bath mitts! Yay!

Have a great day!

** Rebecca **

All of the entries were great, but our judge was particularly fond of Rebecca’s because he could imagine hearing that caption in (and this is a direct quote) “the John Ratzenberger voice!!”

So, I’ll get your delicious Hello Panda goodness in the mail in the next few days, Rebecca. And thanks to everyone who left a comment : )

********************************************************************

In other news…

I’ve made another prototype of my bath mitt. This one is kid sized and I’m doing some market research - one of Josh’s co-workers has a 5 yr. old and an 8 yr. old and they are going to test it out and give me some feedback after the weekend. Mostly I’m curious about the size. If they say the size is good - then I’ll be able to get to work on the final sets.

So far I’ve done pretty well on my “Use What You Have” commitment.
I’ve bought a few supplies, but only what I’ve needed to finish projects,
and some trim for a customer who is interested in business card wallets.

Today was an exception to my Use What You Have commitment, though. Today I went to a special sale at a local clothing design shop. Folks who’ve read my blog before know that this sale is pretty important to me, and it only happens a few times during the year. I originally found out about these sales by accident and because of them I discovered a world of high end materials that have changed my entire business.

Want to see what I got?

I did very well this time… keep in mind I do not shop like this every day ; )

Three new colors of wool.
I’m esp. excited about the one on the bottom, it’s a pale grey, really lovely.

Leafy green linen on the left and two vintage trims.

There were also a few vintage linens there. too.
This pretty piece cost all of $3.
I’m going to decorate our dining room table with it.

Here’s a close up of little French knot details.

This is a pretty tea towel, wait ’til you see the dainty details on this…

…. look at those tiny stitches!

And then there were the buttons……..!

: D

*************************************************************

On Thursday, both our kitties; Lucy and Poe,
had to have some unexpected surgery.
It was pretty rough on them and emotionally rough on Josh and I.
So, we are staying in this weekend to nurse our girls back to health.
I expect it will be very quiet here. I may embroider some hedgehogs.

Wishing you a happy and creative weekend : )

Things have been super busy over here.

My sewing machine has been getting alot of use lately
… and so have my poor hands.
(I’ve got the beginnings of two blisters on my right hand from scissor use!)

This is a custom order bookmark that I recently made,
for a girl who loves little grey cats and reading : )

I’m working on new needle books, pincushions
and sewing sets (tasket-pincushion-needlebook) for the shop.

I’m especially excited about the sets.
I’ve got bunny and hedgehog and puppy sets in the works.

Here’s a sneak peek at one of the hedgie taskets
(love that Japanese fabric and trim!)

Don’t forget that the newest installment of
Lake Resort Nurse will be posted tomorrow.

And here’s a little something that might make you chuckle:

What Not To Crochet.

Enjoy!