Zakka Style Week 4

Zakka, according to my Japanese dictionary means miscellaneous (sundry) goods.  From what I understand, in the crafting world it has taken on the meaning of simple, useful handmade items.  I am really enjoying the Zakka Style sew-along.  The project for this week was a sewing kit.  I used a linen for the outside of mine, and lined it with an Amy Butler fabric.  The trim on the pockets, as well as the patch on the pin cushion is a Joel Dewberry fabric.  The designer of this project suggested using leather ties, but I didn't have any so decided to use twill tape embellished with a few beads from a broken necklace I had. This was a very easy project, and "sew" fun to make!

Opps!  I forgot to "erase" a few chalk lines mistakenly drawn on one pocket.

..."Gentle thoughts to thee from me"...

I'm all set for a take-and-go sewing project.  What shall I take, and where shall I go?

I am sharing this project at http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=147834.

Zakka Style sewing

I recently purchased a new book called Zakka Style. It is a great book, with some wonderful projects. I am excited to try many of them. This site, http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=145948 is hosting a sew-along, and I am sharing my project there.  This week's project was a pin cushion.  Here are my results.

Pieces are cut and ready to go.  Notice the half of a doily -- this is the piece left after using the other half for my recent "Cindy Apron" pocket.  I cut a strip of lace from it to use on this pincushion.

I had an old crocheted button in my button box, which came in handy for the front button.

The back

This was a great, simple project!

New sewing

I was motivated a few weeks ago to do a bit of sewing.  I made a spring top.  Making clothing for oneself can be tricky.  If you make it and it does not turn out, you can't exactly return it to the store for a refund!  I've hesitated to post about this project because I was not real happy with the fit.  I made a top with a bit of a "billowy" (if there is such a word) fit.  I thought it might work, and for some it may, but the day I wore it I felt as if I was wearing a maternity top!  But alas... I will share the good and the possible misfits here on my sewing blog...

The top bodice is lined.  I love the colors of the fabric.

Next came pleats on the bottom piece.  This part reminded me of some beautiful clothing my Grandmother had made for my Mom back in the 40s or 50s.

Tiny pleats!

More pleats -- can you tell I was impressed with the pleats? :)

One side has loops and buttons on the bottom part of the top.  This was NOT a quick project.

Ta-dah!  The finished top.  I'm still deciding about it!

Felt Easter Grass and chocolate eggs

Today while shopping at Costco, I was saw a bag of beautiful, foil-covered chocolate eggs.  Knowing they would make a great treat for the grand-nieces egg hunt, I purchased a bag.  I don't usually do much "egg"-themed decorating, but felt these were too pretty to put in the cabinet until Easter.  Here they are...

I didn't have that plastic "grass", but did have felt, so "felt grass" it is!

A crystal bowl instead of a basket

Yummy!  Will they make it until Sunday?

Oh dear... as I was filling the bowl I noticed four that had broken shells!  Wait -- one, two, three... where's #4??

I couldn't resist!

It's been so long!

It has been almost  a month since I posted anything here!  This season at school is always my busiest and most stressful -- lots of testing, reports, and IEPs to write, besides the every day teaching.  I'm sure a little sewing and blog writing would help to relieve the stress, but... I just haven't gotten much of that done. Exciting things have happened, though, since the last post.  Last weekend I attended two family weddings.  The first one was for my niece, and the second one for my Mom!  Both were lovely weddings, and both women were beautiful brides!

I left things hanging on my last post about this girl's dress.  I DID finally (on the third attempt) get it to work.  I sent it home with my sis to see if it would fit her youngest granddaughter.  I forgot to take a picture of the finish product, but it basically looks the same as in the picture above.  Spring Break is here for me, so I'm hoping to get a little sewing in along with a LITTLE spring house cleaning.  We will see which one wins out!