A few things done.

A couple of things for January. First, I've been working out with a personal trainer, at LifeTime Fitness in Dublin, and have been going three- four times a week, including those workouts and while I'm sore, I'm enjoying it, it is really exhilarating (once you get there and get started!).

Two things sewn in the last month. First a very easy long cowl, from some mauve burned out velvet bought at Santa Fe Fabrics last June.  An incredible fabric store, why doesn't Columbus have more fabric stores?  But anyway, I'm pleased, as this stayed in my sewing studio less than a year and it is sewn up.

 
A few years ago, I took a gift bag class at Joann's with a good friend. I loved the camaraderie  but the class was sadly lacking.  No handouts what so ever, or instructions were given, we had a huge list of things to buy, and then didn't know what to do with them. During the class, we were interrupted a few times by customers, who wandered into the classroom as they couldn't find anyone on the floor to help. This would have been slightly acceptable, if the instructor had told them that this was a class, she was teaching and did not work for the store, and then closed the door. However, she immediately went out of the room to help though, though she didn't work for Joann's either, she was teaching the class.  Granted, I've helped people at that store, because they can't find adequate help there, but seriously, she was supposed to be teaching our class. So we left with lots of fabric, and not sure what the instructions etc are. Now, I can figure most things out myself, but if you are paying for a class, I expect a class.

Anyway, this weekend, I was thoroughly sick of the pile of fleece from that class, and it just brought back the irritation i felt. So I finished one up, not sure if looks like the class sample, which she didn't bring into class, they stayed out on the floor, in hopes of snagging more people perhaps? but here is the first one. A gift bag for Christmas 2013! 

There is a snowflake designed cut into the fleece with a white fleece behind it.

2013 A start

One of my goals that didn't quite make it all the way through 2012, was to not only get a new camera, but really master how to use it to the fullest extent.  I did get the new camera, a Nikon D50 that I really like. To really conquer the second part, I am taking an online workshop through Squam Art Workshops, one by Thea Coughlin.

I have lots of plans for 2013, and one of them is to consistently share them on the blog!  

Spent the afternoon doing some canning (cherries in Port wine sauce), making basil pesto and a cherry crisp. Next weekend the Mid Ohio Fiber Fair, I'll be taking the Felted Bead Bracelet class. I had signed up for the Polymer clay bead class, but alas that was cancelled. 

I do need to blog about my trip to New Mexico, what an amazing place!  Here is one shot, this was the bed and breakfast in Taos. Beautiful!

Ahhh, the collective sigh that indicates we made it to the weekend. I always did not want to have a job that made me feel like I lived for the weekends, because work can feel so productive, I love the feeling of accomplishment etc and wishing away 5 days every week of your life seems so pointless, but I can understand now the feeling.  I am going to find a job that I will love. Period.

So off to Chili Verde for dinner, a margarita and then grocery shopping. With luck, this weekend will see the completion of the kitchen backsplash and painting, new clothes for the upcoming trip to Santa Fe and some other projects accomplished.  Maybe throw in a movie?

Some weekend sewing!

The weekend is almost over, and I am jealous when I think of the Dowager Dutchess in Downton Abbey, asking "what is a weekend? Ah, to not know and have every day to just create, and enjoy.

Well anyway, enough of that, since I do work full time. This weekend though, I was able to get a fair amount of sewing accomplished.  We have been remodeling our kitchen and every weekend, it seems I work on some aspect of that project, this weekend being no exception. I did get all of the backsplash tile in place, no grout yet though.  Too sore honestly, after putting sheets of marble penny tile up.  They weight more than you would think.  So I sewed.

First done was a lightweight denim skirt, Simplicity Pattern 1887.  A really easy, comfortable and nice skirt. I did not put in the front ties, that are optional.

I also made a purse, from The Quilt Company pattern Three Pocket Tote, using batiks from Quilt Trends . It has a clever construction, where you start with an 18" square, and it folds over on itself to form the three separate pockets. I added velcroe dot closures and decorative buttons.  Definitely will make another one.

So overall, though I did not get the grout done as I had hoped, I do have a new purse and skirt!

Pinterest and other recent projects

Pinterest is a wonderful website, a sort of online design board, but you also can view other people that you follow as they "pin" inspiration ranging from clothing, to fiber arts, to antiques, to DYI, and recipes. I absolutely love it!  On Ravelry, there is a new group dedicated to 2012 and using all this inspiration that we are finding on the site, so to start out, here is the photo of the Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub recipe that I found on Pinterest, and then bottled, labeled and decorated as little gifts for Christmas for my co-workers.  

holiday craft along

holiday craft along

Ok, the leaves are starting to change, a few Christmas catalogs and magazines are sneaking in. I want to be ready for Christmas and to creatively enjoy it too this year.