Finally, the second sock is finished:

I tried to hide my first attempt at kitchener stitch on the toes, because it’s just not so pretty, but that’s okay, these socks are for me, and will probably just be worn around the house, because, really, I don’t have a yellow, turquoise and green outfit to go with them. I really didn’t think that second sock was ever going to end, but then, suddenly, it did! I like the fun factor of this yarn. The stripes were nicely formed as I knit around the legs, but then I got the feet and they’re all weird and wide. At least they match, more or less. I do like the way the stripes narrowed at the toes.

This past weekend I gathered together my Backtack supplies:

I got some Sis Boom fabric, and lots of sparkly buttons, so I’m thinking about a very glamorous pointy kitty, a la Paris circa 1950. I’m making a softie for the one and only Super Eggplant. I can’t wait to get started. I did some other sewing this weekend, I’ll have to share that tomorrow.

The lilacs are blooming:

I’m trying to learn to use the macro on my camera. There’s a really great show in DIY Network, called The Whole Picture, I’ve been Tivo’ing, so I’m learning a bit more about photography.

Summer vacation is well over now, so hi! I’m back! I have some catching up to do. For the past few months there has been very little creative time, but I just had a 3-day weekend, and could do whatever I wanted. So I did. I knitted and sewed and cleaned the kitchen and made couscous with vegetables and played computer games and sat in the rocking chair on the porch with a cold drink and a good book, I caught up on TV viewing and cleaned up the Tivo, we ordered a pizza and there was a nap in there too, somewhere. It was so nice.

I’ve gotten some nice mail over the past few weeks. My snail mail buddy sends great packages:

Beautiful fabric postcards, beads, ribbon and a stack of fabric. I especially love the pink polka dots. The postcards are up on my inspiration wall. I just got another one from her, but I’m saving that picture for another day.

I also was surprised to receive this:

From the super talented Amy, just for leaving a comment on her blog to help her find a book. Wow, people are so nice! She also sent a big pack of her cards, which I’ve already started sending to a lucky few.

This last picture I’m a little embarrassed to share for a few reasons. Number one: this is the final bit of my backtack project and is just being mailed today. I have a lot of lame excuses, it’s been a rough few months since my father-in-law passed away suddenly, with a lot of weekends spent making the 3 hour drive to the in-laws house to either visit and help out or pick up and bring my mother-in-law to our house for the weekend. I managed to send a small package a few weeks ago, and even though I let the recipient know that I was late, and she was very understanding, I still have been feeling just awful about this. So. Now it’s done and sent, and will hopefully be used and enjoyed. Number two reason for my embarrassment: what a crappy picture! I took it early this morning and it was way too dark for picture taking. Number three: I mostly like how it turned out, but there is still something just a little bit off. Maybe it’s too busy or something? I like the shape, though and I think I’m going to make some more little bucket bags like this, but plain, using only one or two fabrics and interfaced instead of quilted.

Tune in tomorrow for better pictures of knitting projects (I hope). Oh, and Hi to all the people visiting from Pink Champagne High! Leave a comment and tell me hello! I love it when people do that! I’ve now used my exclamation point quota for the week.

My sewing machine is home all safe and sound, so I finished my apron:

It’s fairly simple, which is what I like about it. That and the chickens, of course. And it’s reversible, so if one side gets dirty, I can just turn it around. I got the fabric in Frankfurt years and years ago, and it was just waiting for the perfect project. I think I may be making aprons for gifts this year, this was a quick and satisfying project. Don’t forget to check out Tie One On for more fabulous aprons!

I was sewing away happily on an apron to share at tie one on when my sewing machine started making a very ugly clattering sound. No! I tried everything, but to no avail, it’s sick and I’ve had to take it to the nice repairman to make it better. Sad sewing machine:

And I need to work on my Backtack project as well. Gah! Ah well, I dropped it off yesterday and he said it would only take a couple of days, so I will be back in sewing machine land by the weekend. Meanwhile, here is the partially finished apron:

Linen with pintucks and a scalloped bottom in a cute print. It has chickens on it! Since I can’t sew, I guess I could work on my Scoop du jour. Or maybe I’ll just play a computer game tonight.

This weekend I got to one of those projects that I’ve been wanting to do for months and months. I had these hemp pants that I just loved, but they were worn beyond repair in the bum and inseam. They were loose and flowey, so I figured they’d be great as a skirt. First I cut out the inseam from hem to hem, then laid it flat on my ironing board. I pinned and pressed the front seam to be topstitched in place:

Then I made sure the legs were all flat, and measured the triangle they made, to be cut out of another fabric:

I sewed that in place, did something similar for the back, added a band of contrast fabric around the bottom, and voila! a skirt!

I couldn’t take a picture of it on because a) we don’t have a full length mirror and b) I didn’t want to share my fat belly with the internet. I like it, and I got lots of compliments when I wore it yesterday, so I’m going to call it a succesful project!

UPDATE: Laural is doing a little reconstruction of her own. So pretty!

UPDATE #2: Another pretty skirt (although this one isn’t recycled) .

I finished my little collage this weekend:

Close-up to show beading and quilting detail:

I really like hand quilting, but on a full sized quilt it just takes too darn long. So I’m thinking I’ll make more mini quilts, they’re so fun! I wonder if anyone would buy such things?

I also practiced a little embroidery, inspired by this charming book from the Japanese market:

Tiny Garden! Tiny Embroidery! I made my tiny practice bits into little (but bigger than tiny) cards.