Make it

It finally snowed on late Sunday afternoon ! It felt so nice to see the snow falling down in the city. It was not even an inch, but enough joy for me! Although the snow melted away from the Monday rain then the temperature kept in the low 40's, but snow was here!  I really miss the bitter cold and shoveling snow days; making a snow bank or two by the garage or sidewalk then sit in the kitchen watching snow falling. Isn't that the best part of the Winter season?

The zipper finally installed onto the little pouch. It is such a nice cute little pouch to make. Most of assembling is done by hand and really little machine stitching!  It is hard to believe this pattern was made in my first sewing lesson that I took 14 years ago. I was learning to draft out simple pattern at that time, I didn't have a sewing machine. 

I love how each time it turns out differently as I always change designs within. It is the type of pouch pattern that never gets old on me and just love to make it whenever I can. I plan to make a few patchwork editions and few more embroidery works soon. The little pouch is all wrapped and ready to post. I put it in a {french seam style drawstring bag} and you can find the tutorial {here}.

Last Thursday night, I stay in the workroom till quiet late, maybe past 11p.m.  I started pulling off some fabrics from the shelves that I knew I'll never use it, but for keepsake.  For last two years, I have been procrastinating about the idea of letting go some of these long collected fabrics. Each time, when I am about to do so then a few days later I put them back to shelves and that repeated for a few tries.  There is always a though of, "what if I need them later?" (smile). The truth is there hasn't been a what if moment since then. Finally, I talked into myself, let's do this; really think about what works and what no then this time was a success! It was hard and difficult for first few prints pull then after few more prints pull out I knew I am in the right track! (I plan on a destash over quarterinchmark_destash Instagram account in January).  

I've found myself search for more specific fabrics these days rather than getting new prints most of the time. I still collect my very favorite designers' prints, but set up a fine line of what to and what not. It is alike collecting music records for others and for me is fabric per se (and maybe it is an excuse for me actually getting few prints from time to time, oh well!) 

As always that I am going to be late for getting things in the mail. I have been making greeting cards after dinner time, a few cards a night and eventually I'll have enough cards to send.  The watercolor supplies sitting on one of the chair, so once table is clean I bring them right up. I've added a little touch on top of envelopes with watercolor and wondered how well they will be travelling? fingers crossed!

Hope you'll find time in your busy day; knit a row, sew few lines, read a page, even have a cup of coffee/tea time to yourself! It is important that we can all try to decompress a little from the busy time of the year! 

xxc  

p.s. The apron is over-sized after put it on! I checked the draft pattern and realized I followed the wrong size guild line! It will be another time to take seams apart then remake it! I love how this mustard yellow linen turns out! Oh! I do love yellows! 

aren't we so beautiful?!

Going through every tins, boxes, envelopes, and bags in the studio might have been the best packing job that I have had. Discovering letters, cards from friends over the years and drawings made by S ; from scraps paper or little craft art pieces that she made with me when she was a toddler. That somewhat are so beautiful to see again and thank goodness that was the first time, I feel great about being a hoarder of anything!

I love the ironing board she made me when she was 4! Somehow objects are bigger and wider at that age; more colorful and free in style! There are also a couple of letters that I found; she used to spelled "when" as "wen" and I also reread the great story that she wrote back then it was about four goggly monsters facing a crocodile and yes a drawing was in the back of the story. I have promised her not to share here, so do apologize not being able to share more.  As I read out loud the story, she was so shy to hear what she has written in back, when she was so little, she said!  Well, I am guessing it is the age that she is turning into. I shall keep them till when she is old enough and ready to have a good smile and laugh with me someday!

The container is full with handmade gifts from the corners of the world that over the years. I love have them displayed in the studio place, actually some of them were in a vintage sewing drawer and a some in a little doll house that hung on the wall. I like how they came to me with same patchwork loving that friends and I shared!  The container contains with lots friendships that extended to me and the encouragements within.  Thank you for all the beautiful friendships!

After sorting through the studio, I gather a box full of fabrics, notions, and patterns to my friend who lives cross-town. After gave her a few sewing lessons, I think she is ready to be on her own and to start some patchworking. We made a few tote bags together and lessons on how to adjust sewing machine stitch lengths, how to properly thread the machine and how to attach zippers. We also went for fabric shopping and now she knows that she actually could get 1/8" cut in the store, no need to purchase a full yard for each print! I hope she will enjoy that box full of fabrics I sent her home with.  That is a three-cheers for a new sewer and new maker!

I still busy most of the day, but still trying to find time to finish last bit of everything. The scrappy log cabin mini took a few days, but it is bounded and pile up with other minis in the room.  I ran upstair and downstair quiet frequently; bring full boxes down and bring empty boxes up. Now, the studio is almost empty and the last shelve was taken down a few days ago. So that means I still stay downstair making stitches as I can! There are not much self time that fits into the day now. When I have some moments to myself likely early mornings before all the daily schedule starts and when the downstair is only occupied by me! Little by little I got most of the stitches made for the mini, however few larger scale pieces will take longer time to accomplish now! Oh, summer projects?

Do you remember your 6th grade? Did you have a gradation? Growing up I have had three formal graduations. We wore school uniforms and stood up for the awards and handshake with the school principle, it was a big big deal as a child. I remembered when I graduated from elementary school we wore "the graduate pin"  and walked around the campus for the last time and farewell to teachers and peers. We sang the graduation song and cried! Oh, yes! Pink eyes, pink nose and pink face and lots tissues! I tried to find time to prepared  little gifts for S as she finished her 6th grade last week and actually wanted to make the exact pin for her, but the time was running short for me. So, I used wool felt and made her number 1 pin and took some memorable photos to keep for someday when we look back together! I secretly that she might or will remember this afternoon we spent together; put the pin up and unwrapped the gifts!

Wrapping up the last bit of things is challenging, but there are still few orders to make before turning the machine off and packing supplies away, few thank-you gifts to make for the music teachers and a house warming gift to prepare and a trip to make within all. The last day for checking out handmade items from the {shop} is June 11th. After June 11th, all handmade items will be discontinued!  Thank you being such beautiful supporters and readers to this space that means much much to me!


xxc

Simplistic

Do you like the little change of the logo that I made? Back in February, I took a graphic design job and worked with an oversea company. After the project was done, I went ahead and work on the quarter inch mark new logo. It took a few weeks and couple pages of sketches. It was surely a fun experiences that conferencing during midnight and getting back to the design jobs.  

Oh, I have lots promises to fill still, but here we go! 

The Light Box: 

It is such an inexpensive spending for me to make this light box! The battery operated light was found in the hardware store and cost around 6 dollars. It has 4 double A battery. I placed it under the placement of the sewing machine then lay on a plastic acrylic sheet {also can be found in the hard ware store}. I keep the space pretty dark and the result is very nice! Shortly after finish tracing. I can put everything back! You can simply find a box that's stable and will work the same! Hope this little tip help out!  

Kale Chip: 

The newest kale chip batch was the most delicious one that I have had made! Here is a little newest tip that i like to share. Preheat oven at 400; at the time, assumed the Kale has been washed, dry with towel and tear in the smaller pieces. Toss with olive oil and salt. A great way to make sure all the nicely coated is toss them by hands. Place the Kale into the oven the set the timing to 10 minutes. In between time, gently use the spatula stir up the kale. Once the timer comes up, check in the Kale, it needs to be dark green, if still hear the sizzle sound, set another 5 minutes. Then turn the oven off after the last timer setting. I let the kale set in the over for other 5 minutes. So it actually is 20 minutes. 

Plain Scone: 

Still in search! 

It was a much need to make a big tote to carry things around. Something really simple, no pockets and zippers. Sometimes, I just preferred totes without zippers and pockets, since I carried so many little pouches. It seems just nice to bring out the pouch out instead of looking things in the pockets!  I might be the person who carries lots pouches with or maybe you are the same {smile}!  The tote is so simple. it is finished at 18"x16"x 4", just a nice size for me. The first one was made with two side handles,which allows a little privacy and the second one was made with one large cotton swab and I just love how the second one turned out. I added a little extra fancy leather embellishment and hardware on the second tote.  

The long hoard collected County Fair prints {in home decor weight} finally are being used! Both tote was lined with linen without cotton batting. It is super light and perfect for all the pouches and me!  I laughed at myself, why I waited so long? Indeed, I'll make the third one with much similar and simple design! Then I think fourth one... maybe?  

I get a little carry away with life sometimes, but learning to focus and find time for myself. The FW blocks are 81/99 and the challenge for myself is finish all 99 blocks by the end of the month. The last 18 blocks are actually slightly complex compared to 71-80, but I love how I've polished up the machine paper piecing skills and managed to find a great way to approach the not so wasteful precut fabrics! 

Finally, I am getting back to Glitter quilt! Oh.. There are four Y seams to accomplish for one block! I walked away after I made 4 blocks a few months back. It really required perfect cutting and perfect 1/4" seam sewing. I debated if I should order acrylic templates then I did! It has been such helpful tools with perfect cutting and nice dot placement for 1/4" seam. All the blocks turns out pretty nicely together! 

With two new totes, I think I need few more new pouches, what do you think? 

xxc