Tasha’s Adventures in sewing…

September was an exciting month, wasn’t it? Full of back-to-school, Hobbit Day, the Autumnal Equinox, Mabon Feasts, the yearly Fall closet cleaning (ahem), and oh! so much more! But the most interesting thing that happened was all the sewing Tasha got done:

These new grocery bags are the perfect size for me momma!

 

I want one of these pretty skirts for me, momma…

I’m going back to work with daddy- he needs my help there, too!

It was a busy month indeed- and October is looking to be just as busy as well! Back soon with and update on all that has found it’s way across my sewing table- hey, you Faeries get outta that scissors drawer!

Summer’s End

This summer turned out to be a magical time for us this year, spent outside, with friends and family, sprinkled with a few good movies, lots of yummy food, and a moderate amount of…lounging.

We went traveling!

There is a tiny little community about 2 hours NorthEast of San Diego, up in the mountains of San Bernadino called Oak Glen. Beautiful high country villages, pine trees, and LOTS of Apple Farms. We visited Riley’s Farm last week, they do U-Pick fruits, berries, pumpkins- and Colonial America Recreation Tours, with the cutest little Public House you’ve ever seen:

Real Pewter Mugs and Tableware! (That mug got so cold I had to use a napkin to pick it up!)

It wasn’t all fun and games this summer though- I spent some time cataloging all the crafting I do, drafting lists and getting everything in order for the grand opening next month of the Workshop:

This is just a cross section of some of the bags I’ve been making over the last few years. I’m particularly excited by the latest grocery bag design I’ve worked out:

Yep- I’ve decided to start production on Yule presents a month early this year- I’ve had some really good ideas this summer!

Hey, you Faeries better stop moving that lamp outta frame!

It’s a September thing…

September! How I do love it’s familiar scents, sounds, colours and routines. I’ve been working hard these last couple of weeks:

I tried a new idea this time around, and cut out enough fabric for 6 bags at once. It took way too long! I spent three days alone just washing, ironing and cutting it all out.

This is the inside of the bags I make right now. See all those pockets? Lovely! And I am loving the colours on these. So perfect for Fall right now!

I’ve made two so far- I know! Weeks of work and only two bags! But I learned a lot while making them: I tried a new process; practiced a whole new schedule; worked with an entirely new colour palette; and even gave myself a deadline! It was an eye-opening experience. And the good news is I have a whole new design worked out for something new, which I can’t wait to get started on!

And yes, that is a very patient kitty-girl waitin’ on her momma to come play up in that first picture up there. She’s been my personal assistant these last few weeks- she makes sure I don’t get sidetracked by the computer, gets me to take lunch breaks, and she even gets me up on time in the mornings! Must be all the Tuna and Kitty-Salad she’s been getting lately…

Discovering my Process…

I’ve started a new project this week, and it’s making me so happy! I’ve gathered some of my favorite colours and fabrics and started a new round of bags. The prep work has never gone very smoothly with these, so I sat down and did some math calculations.

Jump right in

Normally when I start a new project, I just read the directions and start cutting. Oh sure, I wash and iron my fabrics, true them up and slice off the ragged edges. And yes, I’ve done some research, poured over the internet and books for inspiration, and dug through my notes for ideas. But I don’t really think about what the end product will look like, and sometimes it seems I do more math calculations than I do sewing on some projects. So this time, I sat down at my work table (yes- the dining table! It’s a great big surface I can pile all my yummy fabrics on…) and made a list of all the dimensions. And that got me thinking of how new dimensions would look- but that’s another project, for another day (Tote bags! Shopping bags! Book bags!).

The Crafting Machine at work… lots of new bags up there- just you wait! Oh, and here’s an update on the Faery’s House, I’ve gotten some work done on the paint job this summer:

New window frames, and got the trim on the attic painted out- I’m liking, but not loving, the orange/green colourway at the moment, but I’ve no idea what colour to paint the patio/balcony railings. The Faeries haven't’ been very helpful- they’ve taken to camping out in the garden to escape the heat. I know because they’ve been having loud midnight pool parties in the pond!

Looks so cool and inviting! So glad I made a “pond” for the garden- all the hummers come by for a sip, and Tasha likes to splash around in there, too!