shimandsons

linen + leaves

:: another project started months ago :: linen + leaves ::

:: linen scraps + fusible web + scissors + hot glue gun + branches ::

:: photo + branch ::

the shrinking work-in-progress pile

In between working on a few projects with deadlines right around the corner, I've been sifting through my unruly WIP pile. I would love to impose a "cannot-start-another-project-until-this-work-in-progress-pile-has-disappeared" rule, but why set myself up for failure. Sadly some of these projects may never be finished [although I trick myself into thinking I will finish them one day], but others actually benefit from spending time in "the pile". Sometimes I just get "stuck" on the design and need some time away and a fresh perspective. Last month I mentioned I was tinkering around with a new wall + pocket design--no patchwork, all linen, floating pockets. Well, I wasn't happy with my design, so it ended up being tossed in to the pile. Last week I finally rescued and finished the wall + pocket, which is the minimalist cousin to the original patchwork wall + pocket.

:: wall + pocket 12 ::

I kept the linen selvedge raw on the pockets, which has nice texture and subtle color. And I added little appliques and embroidery in neutral tones.

I think I might actually keep this wall + pocket and hang it up in our kitchen. I have a difficult time liking anything I make, well, liking it enough to display it in my house. I am my best critic, and my eyes tend to zoom in on every little flaw, which ends up driving me batty. But I know I am not alone. One of my best friends and I always talk about how we often cringe when we look back at things we made months or years ago. Let's just hope this is because our skills are improving and design eyes are continually being refined. Being critical of oneself is good, in fact, it pushes me to improve my work. But I'm seeking to find a level of contentment with my work as well, after all I want to be able to enjoy what I make.      

I'm finding great satisfaction tackling all these work-in-progress projects [mobile, patchwork + totes, new wall + pocket]. I better maintain this momemtum and get back to that pile.

i love...

:: spending the morning at the park ::

:: feeding the ducks ::

:: eating ja jang myun [black bean noodles] :: Appah's recipe ::

:: tracing bodies :: coloring life-size pictures of Big J + Baby J ::

:: this baby dress :: this pinecone :: these table linens :: this book :: this rug :: this tote :: the kind words left on this online journal [I am behind on my emails, but I'm trying to catch up!] ::

patchwork + totes

:: for a little friend :: she loves blue :: and so do I ::

 

:: for Baby J :: he loves to count :: and play with rulers ::

:: for Big J :: he loves to measure things :: and identify letters + numbers ::

two hours before the party

:: no gift in sight :: looking at my stack of WIP projects :: lightbulb :: patchwork + tote ::

:: denim + pink :: one large pocket on the outside :: lined in pink + white gingham seersucker ::

:: what to put inside? :: no time to go to the bookstore :: boys are napping :: thinking :: more thinking :: lightbulb :: a "make-a-valentine kit" [heart paper punch + stack of pretty paper + glue stick + ribbon] ::

:: happy 5-year-old girl :: fun mermaid + pirate party :: two tired + sugared-out boys ::

i love...

:: matching dinosaur pajamas [thank you, Halmuhni!] :: how Baby J says, "cheese!" while squinting his eyes :: laughing boys :: goofy grins :: funny faces ::

:: duk gook [korean rice cake soup] ::

:: patchwork [wait, that was a given, right?] ::

:: our furry friend frolicking in the snow :: having my mother, sister + nephew staying with us for a few weeks :: spending the last 3 days at home [we'll get out tomorrow!] :: this shelf :: this little quilt :: anything from here :: this interview + new work ::

Thanks for all the kind words regarding the new pin + boards. And thank you to Kim for featuring them in her post over at whip up.

no sewing required

Our house is situated on a hill and every year we get snowed in for a couple of days, this year was no exception. We didn't get any new snow today, but there was plenty left from yesterday's snowfall. For the most part I enjoy being nestled inside our home, the perfect excuse to relax and do a bit of crafting. Although my WIP [work-in-progress] pile is getting out of control--patchwork pieces strewn across stacks of fabric--I chose to start a new one, you know, to get the creative juices flowing.

After making several wall + pockets, pic + pockets and pin + pockets the past few months, I wanted to work on a new design. Meet the pin + board, cousin to the pin + pocket, minus the pocket. 

These fellas are only half the size of some of their cousins. Coming in at 6"x9", they are compact and lightweight. A plain linen covered board was a bit too simplistic, so I thought I would spruce it up with a little tree design. [Trees are my all-time favorite image.] I fused the trees on to the linen and then fused the entire piece on to cork. Cork, you say? Yes, cork, I told you these are lightweight. These pin + boards are versatile and can either be hung on the wall or stuck on your fridge [one has wall hangers and the other magnets on the backs].

:: pin + board 01 ::

:: pin + board 02 ::

One nice thing about making the pin + boards is no sewing is required. Although my head is swarming with new design ideas which will require a little sewing + a little hand embroidery. I can't wait to make some more, but for now I'm going to tackle that growing WIP pile.

snowed in

:: the view from our front steps ::

:: snow :: snow :: snow ::

 

:: eating hot homemade soup :: reading books :: playing piano :: wiping noses :: a bit of sewing during nap time :: enjoying time with halmuhni [grandma] :: missing Appah :: neighborhood children playing in the snow :: all in all, it is nice to be snowed in ::

i love...

:: Baby J's new kicks ::

:: reading to my boys ::

:: reading in silence [aka reading during nap time] ::

:: having a friend who bakes me Sprinkles red velvet cupcakes [they sell the mix here] ::

:: deng jang jigae [korean-style miso soup] ::

:: the new design blog Bloesem [found via d*s] :: this print @ Ikea [which opens in Portland summer 2007!] :: this print [also found at Bolt] ::

out + in

:: out :: mailing off my donation to the Kim Family Art + Craft Auction [thank you for supporting the auction!] :: sending a few shim + sons' packages ::

:: in :: adding to my fabric + trim stash ::