Don't Sew Angry, Baby

It's been quite a while since I posted. I'm still amazed how my creativity has sort of been frozen these past 7 months. I have had so little desire to do anything except nourish this baby, which I've been doing a lot of. I've been taking classes, reading constantly, making diapers, decorating the baby's room, eating, sleeping, and growing! Boy have I been growing. Anyway, I plan to keep Don't Sew Angry up, in case I ever feel the urge to pick up again. However, I've created a new satellite blog: Don't Sew Angry, Baby, where I'll be updating on my progress during the last few months of pregnancy, and beginning to record my journey through parenthood. I have to follow my interests, and right now, my interests lay in this amazing child we are about to bring into this world. It will be a more relaxed blog, and much more about and for our family, but you are welcome to visit, if you like. :)

Quilt for Baby-Finished!

Here's the finished quilt. I'm very happy with it. It's very small, but so is he! I used the quilt binding technique that Heather Bailey teaches. Her pdf. is free and super easy to follow. Just four more months to go!

Quilt for Baby

I've not been motivated to do much, lately. But what I have done is start a quilt for my son. I ordered the fabric from Heather Bailey. You should check out her blog, too. It is so vibrant and rich. Since we are only slightly sure its a boy (he was laying in a very odd angle and our ultrasound was only a guess), I wanted to make something that was more gender neutral (and exciting). I love the combo of yellow, aqua, and red. In fact, here's some of my favorite inspiration:

                            Source: vi.sualize.us via Amber on Pinterest

alphabet block installation by designer Jason Gomez, featured on ohsobeautifulpaper

Combined with a red cotton pattern I already had from a costume project, it makes a lovely pattern:

Now, it's time to go in and tweak a few squares so that the random pattern feels balanced, and then off to sew!

Project Baby Tee

Since I found out I was pregnant I've been documenting my bump with a photo every two weeks. The photos are far from glamorous, I'm hoping that in black and white they will look a bit more tasteful! This tee, sold by Miranda at her shop One Little Minute, is a terrific way to do it! She also posted the DIY for it (for those who are truly ambitious) over at the blog DIY Maternity.

Project Baby Tee by One Little Minute

It just turns out that, like the picture above, I am 19 weeks today. I know I haven't been on here too much, especially after such grandiose promises of posts each day and loads of innovative thread art. Sorry! I've been pleasantly surprised to find that people are still coming to visit my blog anyway, and for that I'm very glad. It's good to know that some of what I love is also fun for others. Here's to another week!

Etsy Crush: Spring Things

I love the spring because it's the one time I really let myself be sweet, sappy and overly-romantic! Here's a few things I spotted on Etsy lately that got me in the Spring mood:

1. Spring Bunting by Peony and Thistle

This Spring bunting has been upcycled from the 1906 book, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, which was written by Edith Holden and depicts in paintings the flora and fauna of the English countryside.

2. Lavender Bird Locket by Khara Ledonne

These small vintage lockets are hand painted with tiny pictures and fold up into a gold ball pendant. The pictures themselves are the same diameter as a dime!

3. Zen Garden Desktop Organizer by KarolinFelixDream

Sold from Dublin, Ireland, I love the simple design of this Organzier/ Zen Garden. Simple, clean, and fresh. Why not bring a little outside to your desk?

4. Spring Floral Charm Bracelet by Nest Pretty Things

Made by Tamar in Vermont, this bracelet has a real retro vibe, and I love the colors. It really satisfies my "frill" addiction, and the packaging is also adorable:

from Nest Pretty Things shop on Etsy

Have a great weekend!

Revamping My Desk

I've been using this desk in my sewing room. It was so cluttered and cramped I felt claustrophobic every time I sat down. For one thing, there are two shelves, which leaves little room for even my laptop to sit comfortably. The only space on the desk itself is covered with a sorting tool that doesn't really help because I can't see what's in it, anyway. I have no proper storage for my three boxes of fabric, so they just sit there stacked next to it. I was placing things on shelves I never really use, and this left no space for what I do. Plus, there's a terrific cork board behind a good part of it, too, but the third shelf makes it impossible to use! So I decided to make my own "mood board" and go about making this space a bit more "Feng Shui".

 First I unscrewed and took out the second shelf. Better already!

Then I found some awesome fabric and cut it to the exact measurements of the cork and ironed some iron-on adhesive to the back of it. Iron-on adhesive rocks. It turns anything into iron-on. Love it!

Next, I just ironed it onto the cork with no steam. If you're going to do this, I advise you to turn off the steam on your iron. And don't let the iron sit anywhere too long, and be careful not to let it sit too long on any part of the wood! I held up the fabric onto the cork board with two thumb tacks. I swept across it from top to bottom, center to the outsides. Again, take your time, don't let the iron sit anywhere too long, ok?

Next, I added a retro seam binding to the edges with a glue gun. I used a piece of paper under the glue gun when I put it down so it wouldn't get on the wood.

I also went to Target and found easy storage for my fabric that cost me only $25. Goodbye boxes! I found there was very little I really needed on the shelves I had before so I put those away in a closet. Any files I had in my sorter I put into pretty folders and stood upright in magazine holders, which gave me more space. Then I used sewing pins and old sewing needles to pin up inspiration on my mood board.

This corner of my sewing room is ready to play!

Yarnable Wednesday: Dyeing Eggs

eggs dyed with embroidery floss by Margarita

Although I am a Passover girl, I had to share these amazing egg dyeing techniques. I love Easter eggs, and to be honest, making them was a great delight when I was young. My grandparents celebrated Easter and I remember wearing the most ruffled dress imaginable, carrying my basket, and looking for eggs. I think they still have footage of me slipping and falling on my ruffle-butt undies, Mary Janes and lace-edged socks high in the air!

In the Passover Seder, an egg is placed on the Seder plate to represent the coming of spring and new life. We dyed those eggs as well (our own family tradition). Here's some terrific ways to snazz up your lawn or your Seder plate:

Eggs Dyed with Embroidery Floss

These eggs by Margarita on her Greek blog, Syntages...Apo Spiti, are so cool and they look like they've been resting in a nest of yarn! Follow the link to her blog to learn this technique. This is such a unique look, and a wonderful idea! I think I might try wrapping instead of cutting, or trying to make designs with the thread. I'm definitely inspired!

from the blog Syntages...Apo Spiti

Silk-Dyed Eggs

Sara from Ourbestbites.com posted this excellent idea of recycling silk ties and using them to dye eggs! It's so inventive, and you get the most beautiful patterns! Go here for the full tutorial.

Temporary Tattoo Eggs

Country Living just recently posted the idea of making your own temporary tattoos, which you can then apply to eggs. It's super sweet and sophisticated, for those who love a Victorian twist. Or any other images you can download!

Photo by Burcu Avsar

Happy Egg Dyeing!