elephants never forget

This is plush elephant I created for my long distance bud, Katie. I started creating the pattern around Christmas time (with some advice from my mom) and even began to sew the pieces together at that time, but then the new semester started at my school and...well, I got very distracted. It's finally done and has arrived via USPS at it's new home in Oregon.

In case you're interested I used a combination of machine stitching and hand sewing, different colors of felt, 2 mismatched buttons for eyes, and polyfill to create my elephant. My next project is a creature for my cousin Kira. The idea is to make something to fit a mini Nebraska Corn Huskers helmet she loves and already owns. Wish me luck!

things I love: purses, cute babies, and snow days (not in any specific order)

Even before I got my sewing machine I dreamed of making purses. Once I even hand sewed a purse out of scraps of fabric and it had a definite hippie charm to it, but my hand stitching didn't hold up and it fell apart in record time. My latest mini-tote/purse is much more successful, but I'm still learning. I used some beautiful IKEA fabric and modified a Lotta Jansdotter pattern
to construct it. I'm happy with how it looks, but next time I'll create a lining (with pockets) and use a magnetic clasp (instead of the old school one I used) or maybe a zipper.

I've been less crafty and arty since the holidays, so I need to get back on track. I've been doing some graphic design work lately and that has been a fun challenge, so that's been taking over my freetime lately. Maybe I'll post up a few pictures of my finished designs next week.

This morning I got a nice surprise--school was canceled due to overnight snow showers (8"ish I think-the paper says a foot). Lucky me didn't have to shovel off the car (yet) and slip and slide to work, instead I went right back to sleep. :) Later I got up, watched a little online tv and worked on graphic design work for a few hours. This adorable picture from the paper makes me smile. Snow is so pretty when you don't have to go out it too much.



Another beyond cute picture showed up in my email box yesterday. My dad sent me a picture of one my far flung and far removed South African cousins today, Ciara. She is so so CUTE and check out the stylish bathroom!

Magnetic Personality

I went magnet crafting crazy this Christmas, making 5 total sets of magnets for gifts this year. I also recycled 2 mint tins to hold the sets I gave to my mother in law and sister in law. Overall a really fun to make project, requires inexpensive materials, and everyone truly seemed to like their personalized set. The most time was spent searching through magazines for small images that each person would like (sounds silly, but it was agonizing at times).

Creature from the green sweater

Last weekend I put the finishing touches on this little guy. He's made of part of an arm of one of J's sweaters and two striped socks. This is my first attempt at creating a plush toy completely without a pattern, so while it's far from perfect I'm still pretty happy with it's quirky handmade quality. My favorite part is the arm that wraps around the entire body in one long striped band and ends in front with two pink hands. B the cat was not too sure about as of yet unnamed creature, but she didn't attack it, so all in all a pretty good response.