January 09, 2005
january doldrums
I don't know what it's doing where you are, but here it has been raining for what feels like a month. Add to it that we haven't seen any real cold weather here other than a few days. Add that to the annual post-holiday low and you have the reason why I personally wish we could skip January and February and move right on through to March.
I actually accomplished so much in December craft-wise that it got ahead of me and I couldn't even tell you about it. My favorite thing that I made was one of the vintage chenille quilts that I added vintage hankies to. I spent a lot of time making hats for a children's photographer here in town out of Wool Ease for props and when I picked up some mountain colors (in Ladyslipper) to make something for my grandmother for xmas it was nearly orgasmic. Like diving into a vat of homemade whipped cream after swimming in steel wool. Like slathering chocolate pudding all over your body. Not that I have done that as of late - especially since having kids - but you know what I'm saying.
My new hero is amy butler. That's her fabric up there at the top. Don't you want to eat it? Or at the very least just lick it? Maybe smell it? (I don't know about you but I cannot help myself from smelling fabric or yarn. The husband catches me doing it all the time and will point it out. I don't even realize I do it.) I made Angel and my mom both bags for xmas. This is Angel's. It's a messenger bag made from Moda fabric with Amy Butler fabric interior. The button on the front is Angel's grandmother's out of a big bag of old buttons.
Mom's was a knitting bag. Tons of pockets, a needlecase, a pin keeper, very roomy. I want to make myself one. All Amy Butler fabric except for just some broadcloth for the main part of the bag.
Things I learned over Christmas:
1. There's no use taking your knitting on the plane if you also are taking a 1 year old and a 3 year old.
2. In-laws. That's all I can say about that really.
3. I am super good at ripping seams out now.
4. Yarn store gift certificates = best present ever.
xo
i love love love love my bag! best xmas present i got (but don't tell lee).
Posted by: angel at January 9, 2005 06:42 PMOooooooooo I see a nice beachy wrap in my future made out of that glorious fabric.
Posted by: Becky Sue at January 9, 2005 07:37 PMI'm with Angel. My bag is fabulous. And Sheila at Threaded Bliss thinks so too. Ang, there's a future in bag-making, methinks.
Love you.
Mom
Posted by: Sherrie Funk at January 10, 2005 07:14 AMOH MY I am *love love loving* your mom's bag! What do you suppose you'd charge for another one just like it? (Not that I don't have enough yarn-y bags; it's a weakness)
I redeemed my LYS gift cert this weekend and splurged on some Lorna's Laces. Mountain colors was a close contender, but in the end, too skinny for my useless hands. Same vat-of-cream feeling though. The Lorna's shall be my most expensive pair of socks ever - I can't wait to see how they turn out!
Posted by: melanie at January 10, 2005 07:52 AMnice bags! i love the amy butler fabrics. btw, found the knitters handy book of yadayada at the library and the tam pattern. grazie!
Posted by: amanda at January 10, 2005 10:11 AMhey, i thought you said you were a knitter--but it looks to me like you are a seamstress! those bags look great!
Posted by: rowena___. at January 12, 2005 12:29 PMLove the bags! I got a Repro Depot gift certificate for Xmas and might have to pick up some more Amy patterns. I sent off a couple of hats to Nibal today, so they should arrive in plenty of time.
Posted by: Nicole at January 13, 2005 02:16 AMThose bags are gorgeou., I have never seen any of her fabric in person, but I'd love to....it's just lovely.
Posted by: jen at January 13, 2005 02:40 AM