The crooked sewing project

At long last, even though I haven't QUITE finished, here is what I have been working on with the new sewing machine. I didn't have a pattern. I just kind of made these up. So you know they are pretty rough. I have had fun with them though! This fabric was leftover from some pillows I had made years ago. I have moved this fabric from Colorado to Hawaii, back to Colorado, and finally to California. So I guess you could say it was time I did something with it!!! It is such cute fabric, and that is why it survived so many moves. That, plus the fact that I am an incurable pack rat. Two of the purses have inside pockets, and the third one, without the inside pocket has that cute little fabric covered button. That button is so cute, I may have to go find more of those kinds of buttons so I can do the other two that way. Or maybe not. Maybe I just make a couple more of them, and put fabric buttons on the new ones! Better plan.

I am wanting to put this leftover dark blue trim on one purse for a shoulder strap, but when I tried to sew it on with my machine, the machine didn't go anywhere. I think that means the trim is too thick for the machine. So does that mean I sew it on by hand??? I suppose. I'd rather let the machine do it, but I don't know how to make it sew such thick stuff. I only have that little bit of trim left, so I am experimenting with other straps, as you can see one has. Anyway, what do you think? Not too awful, for a first project on the new sewing machine. At least, I like them!

New paintings are slowly developing, but it is too soon to post any of them. They are works in progress.

Sewing and the storm

I have been busy with my new sewing machine. I am sure this is going to take me some time to figure out. I have been working on a creative project with it. I needed a break from hemming pants. I am not done with the creative thing, so you have to wait a bit! I will share some photos of the crooked project, but not until my vision has been realized. Sorry to make you wait. All good things take time. (is that how the saying goes?)

In the meantime, I have a photo of a venus flytrap for you. My mother-in-law generously bestowed it upon me, when she saw how intrigued I was with it. Now it sits on the windowsill in my oh-so-organized studio. If anyone can give me advice on how to keep it alive, I would greatly appreciate it. I mean, do I have to feed it flies or anything??? It's cool, anyway.

We did get a bit of rain, about two nights ago. Since then, there has been only wind, and lots of it. Not my favorite. Oh well. The color of the sky, and the quality of the light has made up for it. Here it is.

Painting in an organized space

Today, I spent most of the day in the studio, painting. At last! The newly organized studio. It is nice, to have more space, without all the piles of boxes and clutter. You know I will make it messy again, but maybe I can make a point to organize once a month or something like that. (Hey, it's good to be opimistic about this, I know what you are thinking! Leave me to my hopes and illusions about this, okay?) Here are a couple of photos, just to give an idea.

Oh, and I took photos of my first sewing project: Curtains!!! Okay, so it is one drape, and it isn't lined, but still - I am pretty happy! I know it isn't the best drape in the world, but for the first thing I've ever done on a sewing machine all by myself, I think it is awesome. The best part is the button on the tie back, in my humble opinion.

I want to highlight one of my favorite artists today. I used to sell Carla Sonheim's art in my gallery, in Colorado. I guess I must be missing sharing her work with others. She has recently been doing animals, and I think they are to die for. Take a look at her etsy store, if you are interested: Art by Carla Sonheim
Here is a small sampling of her work:


That's all for now!

Happy Happy New Year!

It is good to be home. Yesterday, the Great Studio Organization Project made large strides, and Pretty Soon, you will see photos of the finished product. I received a sewing machine for Christmas (thank you, Mama and Papa Recker!!!) and last night I practiced some sewing. There was a piece of fabric pinned to a curtain rod in my studio. I am hemming it and finishing the edges, so it looks a little more official. I decided this was a good thing to practice on, because if it doesn't work, I can always buy more cheap fabric (which is what this is) to try again. I am not a seamstress, and it is NOT my mother's fault. She tried very hard to teach me how to sew when I was younger, and I just didn't have the patience. I don't know what makes me think I have the patience now, ...optimism?? Wish me peaceful sewing moments, please.

Happy New Year, all you lovely readers of my blog. I am grateful to you, for reading, for commenting, for everything!!! I leave you with some delightful yellow desert blooms, which Matthias and I discovered not too far from home. Best wishes for all of you in this New Year!