I'm back!

...I was never really gone, still working, just waiting for pictures to post. Many things to report on! First, I woke up two weekends ago and decided I needed to make a hat.

I found a tutorial on threadbanger. I learned a lot about hat construction, though I'm not so sure that I'll actually be wearing this one...it's a cycling hat, meant to be worn under a bike helmet. Too bad I haven't ridden a bike since I was 13! Still, I learned a lot, and made it out of an old pair of pants from salvation army that I had in my crazy "large fabric" box.

Then Adrienne and I went on a crafternoon field trip to the Garment District in Boston. As you can see, we waded through the masses of clothing for useful fabric, and came home with a bag full. Not bad for $1.50/lb!

Then we tried to visit the area of fabric stores right next to Chinatown. After looking for parking for about an hour, we discovered that all but two of those stores no longer exist. And the two remaining closed at 5. Now we know!

Last weekend was SO gorgeous and hot, and I saw that rhubarb has returned to the produce section at Eastside Market. Yay! I was inspired to make my favorite ridiculously easy strawberry-rhubarb pie. Delish.

Then I took on a very ambitious project on Sunday. I was inspired by Made by Rae's Spring Top Week, and her tutorial on Sew Mama Sew! With the help of my amazing new ruffler attachment (which doubles as a torture device), I made...

This adorable top! It was hard, but I did it! I'm learning about making clothes, and I think I could make another quite easily. I just might - it is so cool and perhaps a little too adorable. Thanks to Beth for being my handy assistant and motivational coach!

Until next week, happy crafting!

Delayed...

I've been fighting with my blog for the past two nights, but it finally let me upload some photos this morning. So, a quick post before I jet to work!

Easter baskets for E, Steffi, M&D, and I&L.

I was on such a sugar high after making these (some sampling, of course) that I had to go for a walk at 10pm for an hour!

Finally took down the St. Patrick's Day decorations after my friend Mike in Australia gave me hell for it over skype. Things are looking a bit more springy around here, with some fabric flowers...

...a garland made from all of the Tazo tea tabs that I've been saving up since Christmas, some pastel thread, and some of E's crazy albums. My favorite is "April in Paris."

Then I decided to make an apron for my new friend Joanna. But I didn't have enough fabric! Luckily, Adrienne was here for crafternoon, and pointed out that I could transform this old skirt that doesn't fit.

Ta da!!! So pretty, so springy! I gave it to Joanna yesterday and she said it just made her want to bake brownies.

And then my first quilt. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. In fact, it was quite easy. Got some pointers here. These are squares of all of my favorite fabrics. It's going to hang at the head of my bed like a head board.

What a big week! Off to work!

Happy crafting!

Milk Carton Coin Purses

A great week - good times at the NUA Hats Off Auction (the mayor saw/touched my work!), and a very, very relaxing weekend. There's a project underway that I'll be posting as soon as it's complete (so close tonight, but have to go to sleep). In the meantime, I'll link to my online tutorial for making milk carton coin purses.

It was one of the Top 10 projects of 2008 on cutoutandkeep!

I'm leading a workshop at the NUA art lock-in on how to make these - can't wait!

Happy crafting!