Getting in to Sewing Again!

I'll be the first to admit that I have a short attention span, especially when it comes to projects.  For instance, I got tickets to a great play in Phoenix for Christmas, and some lovely lace yarn.  So I decided that I would (finally!) get around to making myself a shawl and wear it to the playhouse.  I crocheted like crazy for a week strait, but didn't manage to finish.  I was so focused on getting it done in time for the play and now....well, I have like half of the edging rows done and haven't touched it in 2 or 3 weeks.

So after making about 2 dozen little amigurumi animals for my shop, stuffing them, embroidering them, embellishing them.....I'm a little burnt out on crocheting.  I'm finally at a point where the horrors of trying to use my very basic Brother sewing machine to make cloth diapers while I was pregnant have faded in to my memory, and I'm starting to get the itch to sew again.  But did I mention that my sewing machine is buried somewhere in the 3rd parking space of my garage, which is still stacked five feet high with boxes from moving?  Oi vey.

I did brush up my hand-sewing skills on the head of a little vintage-inspired teddy bear pattern, but so far only his head is done.  It brought a lot of lovely sewing memories back, and also the memory that plastic safety eyes are a little difficult to place on a sewn item unless you use your measuring tape.  (The result--slightly demented looking crooked-eyed dismembered bear head....but I digress.)

In my quest for a few simple patterns to brush up my machine sewing skills (once said machine is either found in the bowels of my garage, or I simply buy a new one), I came across this great article on Craftster that I had to share.  Nine Great Sewing Projects for Beginners by jungrrl.

I will admit that I did very little studying before I first started to sew in my late teens.  I simply asked for a machine and went at it.  Needless to say, I never learned the proper way to do a few simple tricks, and since it's been nearly 2 years since I touched my machine, I figure now is as good a time as any to start sewing the right way.  Hopefully I will be able to share with you a few little projects and tips on sewing very soon.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear what kind of sewing machine y'all use and love, since this little Brother (if it can be found) will probably be destroyed a la Office Space after the 100th time I have to rewind the bobbin because it ate/snapped my thread.  ;)

Don't judge too harshly....he's a little special.

Treasury Wednesday 4: Hoot Hoot!

Happy Wednesday Evening!  A beautiful day in Arizona, away from the snow and rain.  ;)  Not very productive on the crafting front--a 17-month-old boy with grabby hands is not conducive to knitting!  I am slowly creating knitted amigurumi patterns, and am very happy with how they are turning out.  I am hoping to streamline my amigurumi line, and have picked 3 (o.k., maybe 4) "themes" to stick with.  Hopefully this will help me in creating more items on a regular basis, instead of spending so much of my time trying to create new patterns.

On to the Treasury!  This week's theme: owls!  This week I was thinking about how much I missed the woodland areas of Michigan (where I was born and raised), and the sounds of birds both day and night.  Owls are an uncommon thing in this part of the country, even more so when you live in the city.  So to celebrate the owl, here are a few owl-themed items!

Hoot Hoot! on Etsy

Micro Gray Owl by Su Ami

Almost unbearably adorable, and totally mind boggling!  I squee involuntarily every time I try and look at this little guy.  He measures less than 1cm tall!  The very fact that someone has the time and patience to crochet these tiny animals is amazing to me.  His perfect little details makes him that much more amazing!

Owls & Hearts - Valentine Cookies - 2 Dozen by Sweet Art Sweets
Adorable and delicious!  These little cookies are wonderfully detailed and sweetly petite.  These would make such a creative Valentine's Day gift.  Because let's be honest, roses are romantic, but you can't eat them.  ;)

Owl Art - Spotted Owl by amber alexander
Amber Alexander has been a member of Etsy since 2007, and has sold a staggering number of original paintings and prints.  When someone has 100% feedback after over having 9,000 sales, you know that she must be doing something right!  This owl print is a beautiful contrast; the detailed face with  wonderfully smudgy feathers; his charcoal back fades to soft tan, surrounded by stark whiteness.  So often in paintings, the eyes of the subject lack liveliness; in this painting, they draw you in.  They're fixed, yet softly staring, as if he's daydreaming.  It all adds up to something lovely and wonderful.

Life Sized Needle Felted Barn Owl by Handmade by November
When I showed this photo to my husband, he thought it was a real barn owl.  It's amazing to me what someone can do with raw wool and a simple barbed needle.  I love needle felting, and with my somewhat limited experience I can appreciate the time and care is put in to a large piece like this.