I got this great piece of Alexander Henry fabric in a swap with craftopia. It’s a long skinny piece, so I was initially at a loss for what to do with it. The big flowers are so great, though, and I have this great applique book out from the library. Plus, I’m into the red/pink combo these days and had a plain pink shirt hanging around. Once I had the idea, it took less than an hour to whip the whole thing up.

Instructions: cut out the flowers with about an eighth of an inch margin. Position them on the shirt and place a layer of stabilizer underneath the shirt and behind the flowers. The stabilizer makes the sewing *so much easier.* Sewing on knits is usually a disaster for me, and it turns out that stabilizer is totally the solution. Pin the three layers together and satin stitch around the edge. Tear off the stabilizer and you’re done! My satin stitching leaves a little bit to be desired, but if you stay at a normal viewing distance, it’s fine.

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I made a new blouse for Margeaux at craft night this week. I got the pattern from tweebot, who was nice enough to send it to me after I remarked on her cutie Bettina. The wonderful flowery fabric is from Abby (my end of the swap going out soon, Abby, I promise!), with the pleats and cuffs from yet more of the Most Useful Ikea Sheets Ever. The jeans are Bratz, I think, and the awesome orange boots that you only get a peek of are Barbie, both from my sister. (Did you know she has her very own thrift store?) Tip for anybody trying to put Barbie boots on Blythe: slit them down the back and they go on fine.

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Craftypod interviewed me for her nifty podcast! We talked mainly about Japanese craft books, but ended up ranging into bloggy territory as well. I haven’t mustered up the courage to listen to it yet. :)

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These things are everywhere lately and looked pretty easy. 2 circles, sewed together and stuffed, then tied with embroidery thread to make the petals and a button to cover the knot. I wasn’t very happy with my circle-sewing (I blame it on the slippery silk), but the tying step masks most of it. It’s a little too puffy to make a good pin, so I’m thinking pin cushion.

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I’ve been meaning to make the mumsy pattern from an old issue of Crochet Me, and the olympics is perfect crochet time. Plus, who doesn’t need something pink to pin to her coat when it’s so cold outside?

I’m disappointed with the pattern, though. I had a hard time with it and ended up just more or less following it. The back round of petals in particular doesn’t seem right. I’m not even posting my first attempt, where I tried this really soft slightly furry reddish-orange yarn my sister got me for Christmas. It ended up looking like something one of my cats would cough up. Ick. This pink acrylic was definitely easier to work with, and the end result is passable, but I have a feeling I’m not going to wear it for very long before I make something else.

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We have this nice French press for making coffee, but by the time you want a second cup, it’s gone cold. Just the job for a cozy. I got the idea from a Good Thing in the Sept 1997 Martha Stewart Living (thanks Marthadex!) but modified it to be reversible and to fasten with ties instead of velcro. The flowery side is quilted to a layer of thin batting for extra insulation. The towel for the reverse I bought solely for its zakka-ness, with no intention of using it as a kitchen towel.

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Hooray! I got a subscription to Angry Chicken’s new mail order club! Get over there quick if you want to learn the secret handshake too!

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Look what the best husband ever got me for our anniversary. One tube of every color Gocco ink + enough screens and bulbs to keep me in business for quite a while. All from the good people at Think Ink.

AND, he got me the scissors charm necklace I wanted. :)

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