Yesterday, I gathered up some fabrics for a little project — an organizer for my sewing needles. Today, I rounded up all the stuff I wanted to store so I can get the measurements right, and I started to realize just how much organization I actually need.
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I always feel like I’ve grabbed the wrong needle for my project (if I can actually find one). When it comes to machine sewing, I have my notions in order. I like to take the time to select the right needle for my fabrics, the best threads, the right presser foot. However, my hand sewing stuff is a jumbled up mess. Nothing is more frustrating than getting started only to realize that a smaller, shorter, longer, bigger, different needle would have worked better.
So I’m thinking I may do some homework first and embroider some labels for the different types of needles I have. I found a list on wikipedia and this post at Craftystylish. I’d like to find some way to include the information about what each needle type is used for, but I haven’t figured out quite how to include that without embroidering a whole paragraph. I’d like to take the time to do this right, but not quite that much time. This was supposed to be my quick little sewing reward this week.
If you know of any other resources out there, please share! Any tips for organizing your sewing supplies?
Filed under Fabric & Sewing.
Lately it seems like everything I am working on is “behind-the-scenes,” and this month, a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff is on the computer. I am desperately in need of a little bit of instant gratification sewing. Something I can share.
I took a break this morning to round up some of my favorite scraps, and I’ve promised myself that if I work really, really hard I can take off an hour or two to sew something this week. I always feel more motivated on Tuesdays anyway, because I want to be able to watch Lost guilt-free.
Although these scraps are all about me, I’m thinking my husband may like this sewing project too since it just might help me keep my needles out of the couch. I’m afraid it won’t do anything about the straight pins in the carpet though. (Sorry dear!)
In the meantime, have you seen this tutorial over at Sew Mama Sew from Jcasa? Cute-cute. When I get some more time… I hope.
Filed under Fabric & Sewing.
Tagged with needle case.
Welcome, week. Here we go again. Time to make the bed.
All weeks begin here. Coffee time + a nice, solid to do list.
The best Mondays start with some good old-fashioned scrubbing. Gets the blood flowing, and makes everything else on the to do list seem easier. Plus housework is supposed to keep you honest,* right?
Yours truly,*
Filed under House & Home.
I’m not sure if it was all that birthday pie, but my sweet tooth is acting up lately. I am trying to get motivated to go to the grocery store today, and I think the lure of some baking supplies might just get me there.
This is my favorite cookbook of all time. Technically, it’s my mom’s. She got it when I was probably 10 or 11, and I would spend hours pouring over the recipes, begging her to let us make things like “Choco-Orange Fluff” and “Fruit-Filled Chocolate Dreams.” I can really only vouch for the recipes that sounded funny and appealing to me when I was 11. That’s why I am an expert at making “Chippy Chewy Bars” (see below). When I moved out, my mom let me take the cookbook with me. Ok, to tell you the truth, I’m not even sure I asked. Mom, I really needed it. I’m sorry.
Ok, here’s the recipe for Chippy Chewy Bars. This is one of those recipes that is simple and gooey and completely unpretentious. You make the whole thing in about 20 minutes just dumping ingredients into the pan.
Chippy Chewy Bars
The Hershey’s site has the list of ingredients right here.
My notes on the instructions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Place butter in 13 x 9 pan and set in oven until melted. Remove pan from oven; sprinkle crumbs evenly over butter and press down with fork. Layer 1 cup peanut butter chips, coconut, and then remaining 2/3 cup peanut butter chips over crust. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the top. Bake 20 minutes or until coconut is lightly browned. Remove from oven. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chip and shortening in the microwave at High for approximately 1 1/2 minutes (or until chips are melted when stirred). You could easily substitute other melted chocolate if you don’t want to use the shortening/chocolate chips. Cool completely and cut into bars. Enjoy!
Filed under In the Kitchen.
Around this time of year, I always start thinking about grassy meadows, naps under trees, and picnic baskets. We saw this Coke commercial last night on TV and I almost choked up a little bit; my longing to be on a picnic was so intense.
(Some of you will point out that I live in L.A., so I could go sit outside on a blanket right now. However, even here, it’s not quite the same until the sun is really warm and you’re wearing something sleeveless.)
Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to start my spring sewing wish list. I have visions of picnic blankets, summer dresses, and fresh table linens. I love warm weather sewing, because I can really experiment with patterns and colors and worry less about what my husband will say. I can just tell him “this is for outside, not the bed,” and he’ll be fine.
My wish list so far:
- some Spring/Summer bags: I think I need two.
- a library bag (a la Posie Gets Cozy)
- an “adventuring” bag: I want something casual that can go to the zoo and the garden, maybe even Disneyland and Hawaii. (It’s good to set goals, right?) The bag needs to hold a camera, water bottle, keys, wallet, and hand lotion. There should be room for random scraps of paper since that seems to be most of what ends up in my purse. I haven’t quite decided on a shape yet.
- And last but not least: a picnic set. I have plans to fully deck out a picnic basket with the works – a basket liner, matching napkins, drawstring pouches for the silverware. Cute little matching tins and containers. I’m not sure if I’ll get to it this year, but it’s on the list.
Anyone else with picnics on the brain? I might have forgotten some important accessories. I am torn between wanting spring to arrive and thinking I might need another few months to get my sewing list in order first. ;-)
Filed under Fabric & Sewing.
Tagged with picnic basket, picnic blanket, picnics, sewing, spring.
