Gathered Clutch

My little sis had a birthday last month, and I took it as the perfect opportunity to use some of my extra fabric I had from some of my projects I did for Christmas. I made her a gathered clutch from a tutorial by Noodlehead that I’ve been meaning to try forever. This was my first time doing a gather! The tutorial is really helpful, and when I had a question, Anna e-mailed me back in a timely manner to help me out. I just love finding such talented and encouraging people online! I really like how the clutch turned out, and I hope my sister is enjoying it.

(back)Woops! Forgot to wash off the fabric pen for pictures!

I didn’t make the pockets tight for credit cards since my sister is only 14, so I doubt she carries much plastic. I put a big pocket on one side and two pockets on the other side.

Wanna know my worst crafting Achilles heel? I never get around to making things for myself/my home/my kids. I actually had enough fabric that I cut out pieces to make a slightly different one for myself. The pieces are still sitting on my dresser where I see them every day and think, “Oh yeah, I was going to make that for myself.” I think it’s hard for me to spend the time to make it when I’m doing it for myself; it feels like double selfishness (does that make any sense?). And when it comes to stuff for my house or my kids, I think the problem is that there’s no deadline. I can do it whenever I get around to it, so more important things like laundry, feeding kids, and (to be honest) loafing on the couch take priority. I do better with gifts because I know I have to finish them by a certain time. Not to mention the fact that if I don’t already have supplies for a project for myself, I have to justify spending money on myself to even get started. See? I have all sorts of hang-ups. Which is why that’s my crafting Achilles heel.

Do you have a crafting Achilles heel? Which do you make more, gifts or projects for your own home/family? Have you made anything fun lately? You’re always welcome here at the Spare Time Continuum. Feel free to join my followers. They are small in number but great in character.

I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Mine is about to become wonderful. My hubby’s on his way home from his last grad school class for the week, and my big sister is coming to visit for the weekend.

I’m sharing this post with . . .

 

*Personal note: given to Kenzie

Summer Scarf . . . in Winter

It all started last May when I made my first summer scarf or “ruffled scarf” by Dana of Made. I wore it to church a few times, receiving quite a few compliments. Well, next thing I know, one of the ladies in charge of Super Saturday (a day when the ladies at church get together to learn new crafts) said she got a “crafty vibe” from me. She asked me (me!) to teach people to make the summer scarf at Super Saturday.

I agreed to do it, even though I worried about my sewing abilities and the fact that I had only made one. For practice, and in order to have a few examples, I made a couple more scarves. One of them, from the moment I found the fabric, just seemed perfect for my sister-in-law. I recently gave it to her for her birthday, so now I can post pictures.

It would have looked better if someone was actually wearing it, but I didn’t want to model it when it was a gift.

I made another, a light blue one that I love. Maybe sometime I’ll take a picture of it. I wore it out to dinner and spilled a little, so I washed it. My spill came out just fine, but the scarf is a bit more crinkly than ruffled now. Oops.

To finish the story about Super Saturday, I didn’t bring my own sewing machine because mine is an old, heavy, relic that I wouldn’t be able to replace if anything should have happened to it. I read through the tutorial and printed up some instructions. Of course, I noticed that there were special instructions for anyone using a Brother brand sewing machine, but I didn’t read them. I had never heard of the brand, and since I’m SO up to date on knowledge of sewing machines (sarcasm), I figured there was no chance someone would bring a Brother sewing machine.

When I got there, several sewing machines were set up for us to use for various projects. As I’m sure you can guess, the sewing machine I started out with was a Brother. I was helping a lady who had to leave soon, and I didn’t realize the problem until we were trying to get the elastic thread to work. She didn’t have time to switch machines; she left with an unfinished scarf. Oh, and previous to that, my water bottle decided to pop open in my purse and soak everything inside and out. Ha! I was off to a great start!

I switched machines, and was able to help several people with their scarves. They even used knits, and I have never sewn knits. They turned out great. There were only a few people who were unable to finish during the time we had, but I sent them home with the instructions and the web address to the tutorial. Whew! I hope next time I let off a “crafty vibe,” I do it with a project with which I have more confidence!

I’m sharing this post with . . .

       

*personal note: green scarf given to Carolyn