Birthday Bag

 Here is my birthday bag! I finished sewing this bag last night, just in time for me to carry around on my birthday today! I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of this sewing project since I'm not very experienced with a sewing machine.
Sewing projects are often a source of great frustration for me. Thankfully I have found a way to help me keep my temper... music! I am proud to say that Bob Marley, Sigur Ros, and Robin Mark all contributed to making this bag nearly as much as I did...well, kind of. Without their sweet-action tunes I wouldn't have kept going through those times of bunching fabric, bobbins running out, and fabric slipping out of place.
I used the same type of fabric as my pillow - swatches torn out of a fabric display book. I also managed to pick up the linen for free. Its a sturdy little thing complete with a functioning pocket. I hope to use it for many years to come!

Baby feet

One day, I received a knitting book through the post from a friend of mine. She said that she happened to see it in the shop and thought I would enjoy it. The surprise sure brightened my day! 

The book is made up of many different baby sock patterns. I have only had a chance to try one pattern at this point but I have many more I would like to try. 

These three pairs of socks are for my new nephew Ezra. I hope they fit!

All for nothing

A borrowed sewing machine, free fabric, stuffing nicked out of a pillow and a little bit of my time resulted in a brand new cushion. 

I found an old fabric demo book with some cute, county patterned pieces. I ripped out the fabric and scrubbed off the glue (it took many hours of soaking and scrubbing) and matched a piece with a bit of velvet (also free) to make the cushion. So, I guess you could say that it was all for nothing!

Andy thinks it is the comfiest pillow he has ever laid his head on.  

Just in time for summer

My very first cardigan is finished! 

It took a lot of figuring out on my own but I have to say I am very happy with the end product. I do hope it will serve me well for many years to come. The only problem now is that the weather has turned lovely and warm! 

I have recently been thinking about the impact advertising has on my life. Too often I buy something in the shop that I like but don't need. I am not a big shopper by any means, but I do wonder at the excess of clothes in my wardrobe that I don't wear. If I don't wear everything I own than why do I buy more? 

 For the past two seasons of lent a friend of mine has refrained from buying herself unnecessary things including clothing. With my friend's example and my increasing awareness of the influence of consumerism in the world in mind I have decided not to buy myself any new clothes (including things from charity/thrift stores) for three months. I have plenty of clothes for all seasons, including my new jumper, and all of them are in great condition. We'll see what happens!