One thing I love about the web-craft-universe is that when you are in need of a project, there is always a meme for a crutch. Tonight I felt like crafting something small and immediate gratification. But what? Ah, last day for the pincushion challenge is it? I used red felt and the same cherry fabric as for my ironing board cover, so I’m all matchy matchy now. My favorite part is how the little button tufting the center just happened to fall in the spray of leaves so it looks like a cherry too. It would be perfect if only I had thought to put white thread in my bobbin, which I didn’t think to do until I was sewing on a white button for the back. Hmm, maybe I’ll have to make another one to give to my friend who just got a sewing machine….

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These are for the Gocco swap organized by head full of pixies. Pine needles, printed with 2 screens, each of which I screwed up in a different way. Together, though, they are surprisingly good. This was my first foray into using multiple screens, and my first time mixing custom colors. You would think with all this ink, I could find a color to use, but you would be wrong. It’s a silvery-green on top of silver on grey card stock. Each one is different, and the scan doesn’t do them justice.

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I’ve been neglecting poor Margeaux lately, so when Wendy suggested a doll clothes-along, I thought it would be good motivation to make some new outfits. This circle skirt was super easy. I might have to make myself one now that I know how easy they are. This is my own “pattern,” but there’s a real pattern by orriettacat if you’d prefer. The binding is vintage and really lovely to work with. It’s some sort of synthetic instead of cotton, so it hugs the curve a little better I think. The top is from her Christmas dress I made a while back, which is also serving as a nice underskirt.

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A little something for the trimswap: embroidered twill tape, ala this Japanese craft book (and this inspiring picture in particular). Bella Dia also posted her version a while back, which made me think it was actually do-able, rather than totally insane, to embroider a whole yard of ribbon. I originally planned to change colors for each letter, but the red looked so nice that I’m sticking with it for the whole bit.

Geeky confession: it bugs the hell out of me that the thick side of the A is on the wrong leg, which I only noticed when I consulted an actual font for advice on the little a. I am trying to tamp down my OCD about it and not unpick it.

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Wow, 3 weeks without a post. That must be a craftlog record. I’ve mainly been un-crafting, that is, ripping out all the horrible horrible machine quilting on the baby quilt. I’ve also been doing lots of craft-free traveling. I did get a chance to do some craft shopping in New York, though, Disdressed’s New York crafting guide in hand. Got a bunch of ribbon at M&J Trimming, which totally lives up to the high expectations I had for it. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring myself to part with some of it for the trimswap Bara is running. I was too overwhelmed both by the selection and by the price of the fabric stores to actually get anything. The main place I missed that I want to hit on my next trip is purl patchwork. I consoled myself with a few Japanese craft books, though. I’m sure the new books and the new trim will show up here sooner or later.

To get back into the swing of things, I finally made a necklace with the plastic flowers I bought from Snapcrafty a while back, old buttons, and Murano glass beads I got in Italy last summer. I’ve gushed before about Snapcrafty’s jewelry, and this is definitely very inspired by her designs. (Looks like I’m not her only fan; she’s a Fred Flare Next Big Thing.) It was fun to rummage around for bits to include. I like it OK, although it’s kind of a big mess. It actually works as a bracelet almost better than as a necklace.

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