I'm back!

Have I been away for so long? I guess I have. A few weeks ago I started looking for a job, and that led to a whirlwind of interviews. I was lucky to meet many interesting people and workplaces, and I was also lucky to receive (and accept!) a job offer at the place I felt most suited me. Seven months of vacation time are coming to an end. That's okay, it couldn't last forever, and I like new beginnings :-)

Here's hoping for the best!

Meet Mitzy, the cat I am taking care of for a month for a friend.
As you can see, Mitzy leads a very busy and action-packed lifestyle.

Sewing wise, I've been attending and thoroughly enjoying my pattern making classes. I'll write a separate post with pictures of what we've learned. I am in the process of sewing a 6-gore maxi skirt with a hip yoke and pockets which I drafted myself. Oh, and did I mention I decided to use plaid for this skirt? Matching up the plaid among all these pieces nearly drove me crazy.

plaid maxi skirt in progress

As a consolation I will be making a simple A-line skirt out of this gorgeous plaid fabric, with patch pockets cut on the bias. Won't it be cute?

I bought this fabric to make a skirt slip hemmed with elastic lace, to be worn under my unlined skirts, which tend to stick to pantyhose and bunch up.

knit fabric for skirt slip and elastic lace for hem

I also bought some fabric to try to use as lining for future skirt projects. All of these fabrics were very cheap, from Nachalat Binyamin street - only 10 NIS (2.50 USD) per meter. I got two bobbin holder boxes as well which I love:

box for bobbins

Oh and I finally finished the fabric baggies project for my sewing supplies - my Dad hung up the wooden strips needed for hanging them up on the wall. Thank you, Dad! It came out gorgeous!!! Here's a sneak peek:

fabric baggies completed!

And last but not least the Naughty Notions Challenge begins in three days, this Sunday!!! Yay! It's not too late to join, if you haven't already done so :-)

Look what I got in the mail!

Today I got a package in the mail from my talented friend Gray. We met on BurdaStyle about two years ago, emailed back and forth, and even met up when I spent a few days in Berlin in January this year.

Would you imagine that Gray had the time to send me this package even though she's only recently become a Mom? It was heartwarming and exciting to get the package. I literally said "wow" out loud on the street when I saw what was inside!

Here's what I got:

Package full of goodies from Gray:
Fabric scraps, chocolate, cookies, decorations, and a lovely card.

Yummy stuff! Some have already been eaten.

Look at all these gorgeous pieces of fabric

The fabric scraps can be used to highlight a project - trim, ruffle, pocket, etc - they are so colorful and unique. Some of them are even large enough to make a small bag, or part of a bag. I love them!!!

Thank you, Gray! You made me smile. I appreciate it very much! Hugs!!

I also got Becky's (The Barefoot Seamstress) thoughtful gift recently in the mail as well - two quality quilting cotton fat quarters, that will definitely be used for future quilting / applique projects for my newborn niece. I was chosen randomly out of 25 gals in a giveaway that Becky hosted, asking us what we were thankful for.

fat quarters from Becky (The Barefoot Seamstress)

Thank you, Becky! This fabric made me happy. I appreciate the gift!! Hugs!

A few months back I received this gorgeous knit fabric (missioni DIY skirt kit) as part of a giveaway hosted by Passiona Cottie (Le Coutureve). Would you believe that Passiona gave away this fabric to everyone who participated in the giveaway, rather than choose just one winner?

missioni fabric, from Passiona (Le Coutureve)

Thank you, Passiona! I love this fabric and I will surely make a skirt out of it. Lots of hugs!

Would you believe these lovely gifts made their way from three different continents (Germany - Europe, Australia, USA - North America) to arrive at my home? Wow. It feels great to be a part of a warm community of talented sewing gals from around the world.

I send you all my virtual hugs!

Do You Use Google Reader?

Google Reader is a great tool for keeping up with your favorite blogs. Rather than going to each blog once in a while and seeing if there's anything new, you subscribe to your favorite blog(s) through Google Reader. It shows you the new (unread) posts from all your favorite blogs in one place. You can read the posts directly in Google Reader, or open them in a new window / browser tab. It makes life a lot easier, especially if there are a ton of excellent sewing blogs you love to read!

Google Reader

Do you use Google Reader?
If not, how do you keep track of all the blogs you follow?

I'd love to hear in the comments, and while you're at it, please do recommend a great sewing blog! :-)

cat toys + free tutorials

I feel sewing-blocked and somewhat blog-blocked... What with all the job interviews I am attending and having made several mistakes in my self-drafted 10-gore skirt.

So I made this little cat toy for my friend's kitten, using some fabric scraps.

mouse-shaped cat toy

Here's a link to the free tutorial:

Menswear Mouse cat toy tutorial

I followed the tutorial pretty much to the letter, except for the tail. Rather than fold, stitch, and turn a piece of fabric right-side out, I zig-zag stitched a folded strip of fleece wrong sides together. That's what gave the tail that curly shape :-) I also added whiskers!

And here's another simpler cat toy that I might make as well:

Feather cat toy tutorial

The "Naughty Notions" Challenge Homepage - January 2012

The Challenge is now OPEN. It's not too late to join!

View the creations made in the previous challenges:
- Solids-Only Tote Challenge (November 2011)
- Retro Pillow Challenge (September 2011)

Mission Statement

Should you accept this challenge, you will be required to make a clutch bag (or a small handbag), using lots and lots of notions.

Why "Naughty Notions"? Because they pile up and create a huge stash, that's why!

Here's your chance to put those notions to use big time. Buttons, beads, snaps, ribbon, cord, eyelets, hooks and eyes, zippers, lace trim - - - have I left anything out? Go overboard! Make your clutch bag all about the notions.

We encourage you to use notions from your stash, because this is a good time as any to use what you have rather than buy (and stash...) more. But you can go out and buy new stuff if you really think it'll make a magnificent Naughty Notions Clutch.

Resources

Pinterest: HERE (inspiration gallery, tutorials, work in progress, finished creations)
Discussion Group: HERE
Voting Page: [Will be published on February 1, 2012]

When?

SIGN UP: You can sign up starting now. Scroll below for details.
START: January 1, 2012
LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSION: January 31, 2012
VOTING: February 1-29, 2012
WINNER ANNOUNCED: February 2012

Count me in! How do I sign up?

So are you in?? Yay!
Fill in your details below and press "Submit", or email us the answers to these questions:


I've Signed Up! What Do I Do Now?

Great to have you on board!
Here's what you need to do now.

1. Discussion Group

Go to the Discussion Group page and click on "Join this group".

2. Pinterest

Create a Pinterest account if you haven't already got one. Go to RikkaAndKeren's profile and press the "Follow All" button. We will add you as a contributor to the Challenge Pinterest Board. This board contains inspiring images and tutorials that are relevant to the challenge. Feel free to pin relevant inspirational photos or tutorials to this board! Once the challenge starts, you are encouraged to pin photos of your work in progress, as well as photos of your finished project.

3. Spread the word!

Spread the word about the challenge - tell your friends, blog about it, add the challenge button or banner on your blog, etc!

Grab the "Naughty Notions" Challenge button:

<a href="http://www.sewlavie.com/2009/12/naughty-notions-challenge-homepage-jan.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_gCemR_O5Q/Tt-oXu-yHqI/AAAAAAAAGDA/ApOtJeV68Cg/s1600/NaughtyNotionsChallengeButton.jpg"></a>

Grab the "Naughty Notions" Challenge banner:

<a href=”http://www.sewlavie.com/2009/12/naughty-notions-challenge-homepage-jan.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJrsQUejGcY/Tt-nU-uxmeI/AAAAAAAAGCw/JqKHUPDApkE/s1600/NaughtyNotionsChallengeBanner.jpg"></a>

3. Optional: Mailing List

Sign up here to be notified about future challenges.We promise we won't email often! You can easily unsubscribe at any time.

The Do's

• Do adhere to the challenge's guidelines.  
• Do be friendly and check out your fellow participants' blogs, pinterest boards, facebook pages, twitters and spread some love!
• Do grab a button for your blog.
• Do conctact one of your lovely hostesses (Keren or Rikka) if you have any questions or concerns.

The Don'ts

There is only one don't:  Don't take this too seriously. We're here to socialize, learn and have fun!


The Participants!

Caroline from Maryland Artfully Caroline	Mom, wife, geek by day and crafter by night, creating is my mental break.
Lacey from Indiana	Young happily married newlywed who loves all things crafty especially DIY crafts.
Jennifer from New York	Beadknittingcrocheting mama livin it up in NYC!
Jenni from Kansas who makes up this craft?	Single, crafty, love to learn
Julie from Indiana	I'm a 37 yr.old Home Executive ( housewife! ) I love all types of crafts!
Stephanie from India Coffee Mommy	Running, writing, sewing, mommy-ing, in India
Cindy from Virginia Raspberry Sunshine	SAHM to 3 boys with a handbag obsession!
Chanda from Arizona One Smart Kitty	An ICU nurse by night, I'm a crafty, coupon klipping, deal loving, freebie grabbing wife to a great guy by day.
Delilah from Utah Love Laugh Sew	I love to sew and crochet but I work full time so my time is so limited.
Christie from New York Describe Happy	A fabric addict, a sewing addict, a crafty nut.
Lou from Kansas	I'm a craft hobbyist in my free time.
Kei from England Unfortunately Oh!	I've always loved creating, whether it's drawing, sewing, jewellery-making or other crafts, and the cheaper I can do it, the better! (Even moreso if I can recycle or upcycle in the process!) I'm currently a volunteer for a small charity that works with disadvantaged people in Romania, but am looking for a job!
Esther from The Netherlands Happy in Red	Hi everyone! I am Esther, a journalist from The Netherlands, who recently discovered sewing and crafting (and loving it).
Jill from Australia Creating my way to Success	I love a challenge and like doing things my own way. Sewing is in our family - but I'm just rediscovering it now that I have my own kids to sew for and inspire me!
Pam from Australia Threading My Way	I've just retired after 30+ years of Teaching, so for the first time in my life, I can wake up each day and decide how I will spend all the free time that I have. Amazingly, I wonder how I had time to fit in work. The majority of my spare time is divided between sewing, gardening and spending time on my computer. I've bought a motor bike this year and am going to relearn how to ride in retirement. I haven't ridden for about 20 years.
Tanya from Thailand Craft Couture By T.C.	Hi! I'm Tanya from Bangkok, Thailand. My full-time job is a university instructor who enjoys sewing when I can find time. I love to create things. I was one of the Solids-only tote challenge participants and really enjoyed everything about it so I am up for the next challenge! :)
Kristin from Australia pritty tings	I'm fairly new to this sewing/blogging stuff but am definitely addicted! I am a wife, a mum to a very busy little boy and step mum to four (adult) children. I love to cook, craft, shop and drink red wine. I am also secretly addicted to home/lifestyle magazines, I just love those glossy pages! I work part time (wah) and spend far too much time attached to a dishcloth or vaccum ;)
Lakshmi from India Adithis Amma Sews	Aspiring freelance fashion designer planning to launch own clothing line in near future. I blog about the 2 loves of my life - Daughter and Sewing!
June from Iowa Creations By June	I am back!  I am a full time worker with a serious fabric addiction that has gone wild!
Amy from Arizona Mo Momma	Mormon Momma - Learning the ropes of all things crafty, frugal and family ;)
Gia from Greece One Perfect Day	Addicted crafter and all-round DIY enthusiast with a love of fabric and pretty notions - so this challenge is right up my alley!
Rikka from Montana Ricochet and Away!	I am a wife, a mom, and a small town girl from Montucky who loves to sew handbags.
Keren from Israel sew la vie!	I'm a software developer from Israel. I sew clothes, quilts, bags, pillows, and other stuff. I love matching fabric weight, color, texture with pattern or concept or idea, and making them all come together to a beautiful unique creation (or fail, as sometimes happens...). I love the learning process, focusing on detail and acquiring skill. It's so much fun! I love meeting other sewing enthusiasts that inspire me, and with whom I can talk about sewing. Oh: and I love cats!