SHIM + SONS

work in progress 08

Work in progress 08 + other news:

1. More patchwork wallpockets.

More WIP here.

2. Yesterday was a super good day for me. My hubby spent the morning with Big J, while I went into the city to meet up with Eireann. She is as sweet and lovely as one would expect and one of the most gifted people I've ever met. Have you seen her work? Amazing. She brought me this lovely bundle of goodies--everything is so pretty I didn't want touch it. [Sorry for the poor photo quality, I snapped this shot while the sun was going down.] I hope our paths cross again, I could spend all day chatting with Eireann.

 

3. After my time with Eireann, I drove around the corner to meet up with Melissa + Sam for lunch. Note to self: If you agree to meet up at the Laughing Planet on N. Mississippi Avenue, you shouldn't be waiting at the Laughing Planet on Belmont for 45 minutes. Not good. After having a "OH MY GOSH WHAT WAS I THINKING" moment, I made it to the other location for a lovely lunch with my oh-so-gracious friend. [Sorry again Melissa!]. And she even brought me some of this cute fabric. Yes, I'm lucky she's still my friend.

4. We've been having some light showers here in Portland. I noticed Portlanders rarely/never use umbrellas. So a hooded jacket or hat is essential. Here's a photograph of Baby J while we were waiting at the wrong restaurant yesterday.

5. After lunch I went to the airport to pick up my sister, brother-in-law and nephew. They'll be staying with us for the rest of the week so that means a lot of cuddling and kisses for my nephew. Its funny how Baby J looks like a giant compared to his 7-month-old cousin.

6. We'll be celebrating my hubby's birthday this week [already ordered his favorite tres leches cake from Pambiche], taking a trip to the beach and enjoying some good ol' family time. Then I have several freelance projects to finish up before we take a little road trip to the bay area. The hubby has a conference to attend in SF, so we're tagging along. This may be our first and last road trip with both boys. Although I lived in the bay area for six years, I haven't been back for three. If you have any recommendations for good restaurants or shops [I'll definitely be visiting Britex], please leave your suggestions in the comments section. [Thanks in advance!]

7. If you made it this far in the post, give yourself a pat on the back.

patchwork with a purpose

I have been making more patchwork wallpockets. The design possibilities are really endless. The first wallpocket design was 12"x24" with three rows of pockets. My new design is a simple 9"x12" with one pocket.   

A few people asked about the brown card sticking out of my first patchwork wallpocket. It is actually a fabric + paper postcard I designed for Nichola's postcard swap back in April. I somehow completely forgot to post photographs from the swap. Here are some of the lovely postcards I received in return.   

I receive a lot of inquiries regarding where I purchase my fabric. I know there are some wonderful online retailers out there, but I buy almost all my fabric from local shops. [I like to see and feel the fabric up close.] But after receiving my package of fabric from superbuzzy last week, I think I may have to make an exception. All the fabric is SO cute and excellent quality and the service is superb [Mariko, love the little candies!].

work in progress 07

The cooler weather around here has put me in the mood for fall. I love fall clothes--sweaters, jeans, skirts with tights, boots, boots + boots [oh, how I love boots!]. I'm hoping to make some nice fall pants for the boys using patterns from this book. Six of the twenty-six patterns are for boy's bottoms. I'm thinking corduroy, wool + denim.

ISBN4-418-06120-7 :: Everyday Bottoms

[I just love how they designate each pattern with a "letter" from the alphabet. So cute!]

More WIP here.

P.S. Thanks for all the nice comments regarding my patchwork wallpocket. Another one is in the works.

i *heart* wallpockets

I've been wanting to make a wall organizer out of fabric for a long time and when I saw this, I was inspired to give it a go. Of course since everything coming out of my studio is patchwork, it had to be a patchwork wallpocket. After sewing up three rows of pockets on to a piece of linen, I stretched it over a canvas I had lying around in my studio. Its perfect for holding bills, stationery, sewing tools, you name it! I think next time around I will make the patchwork bands narrower, so it looks less "busy". But other than that, I'm happy with my first attempt. I foresee many patchwork wallpockets in the near future.

I'll leave you with a photograph of my little one. He's talking a lot now and just started walking. He's growing up way too quickly for this mama.

goodness all around

Goodness all around:

1. Mariko + Kelly's new venture :: Superbuzzy :: THE cutest Japanese fabrics :: waiting patiently for my little package

2. THE fluffliest banana bread recipe :: so fluffy :: so moist :: so good :: devoured in one day :: thank you, Myra!

3. some "just because" mail goodness

* from marybeth :: vintage french teacup + bowl + linens

* from becky s. :: marie claire idees magazine :: ed embereley drawing book :: fabric :: fabric charms

* from melissa s. :: button bouquet :: knitting patterns [she designed herself!] :: tea :: softies for the boys

patchwork projects :: part two

After completing a few projects and cleaning the house this weekend I rewarded myself with some sewing time. I know I said I wouldn't start any new projects, but today I went a bit patchwork crazy again. I couldn't resist diving into this stack of fabric. I think the deeper blue and orange are the perfect summer to fall transition palette. I wanted to make a little pouch that could hold a Japanese craft book, notebook + pen.

But this quickly turned into making little holders for my cell phone and business + calling cards.

And then I had some leftover fabric to make my first zippered pouch [not sure why I was ever hesistant to make one, the zipper foot is my friend!].

I know, this patchwork obsession is getting out of hand!

work in progress 06

working on orders :: mailing out packages :: cutting fabric for patchwork project :: resisting the urge to start new projects :: more blackberry picking :: watching Big J take a nap :: looking forward to a relaxing weekend

More WIP here.

sugar + spice :: part 2

How many cute Japanese craft books can there be? Apparently there is no end to the number of cute craft books published in Japan! Now, I thought this was my favorite little girl's clothing book, but then I found these two books. [Oh, and have you seen Alison's latest acquisitions? So cute!]

ISBN4-579-11100-1

[This is my favorite book of the two, I want to make everything in here! And I love the choice of neutral fabrics!]

 

ISBN4-418-06410-9

More photographs here.

she's trying to stay focused

It has been a little quiet on the crafting front. I'm trying really hard to cross things off my "to do" list before I start any new projects. I have the super-ambitious goal of finishing up all my orders and swap packages this week. Wish me luck! In other news, two weeks ago I went to my first estate sale. There was a barn full of goods, ranging from vintage patterns to antique furniture. I found a few goodies:

* vintage mel-mac bowl

* vintage wooden blocks [the book isn't from the estate sale, but have you seen these blank Little Golden books? so great!]

* vintage buttons

summer lovin' :: part four

blackberry picking with Big J [neighborhood blackberry bushes] :: wildflowers from Big J :: holding hands with Big J :: hearing him say, "Mommy, you're funny!" :: enjoying my time with my oldest son