Sewing project #2

This is project bag number two. I have done more sewing in the past few days than I have in a long time. I am clearing up my table for a few days and getting back to the books. It was MUCH quicker the second time around!!! This one is for me!

Here's the inside of the bag.... The fabrics were fat quarters, I want more! They only had fat quarters though...

Knitting projects coming soon! I am amazed at how much I have accomplished in the past few weeks, in projects especially with how busy I have been with the kids and school. It is GREAT to be so productive and the weather is warming up and I can see my compost pile again. I bought a bin I will put up this year, I love the sunshine and warmer days!

My first REAL sewing project

I can't express how excited I am that I have completed this bag! I have been a beyond beggining sewer for as long as I have owned a sewing machine, today I ventured out to make this cute little knitting tote for my daughter! She's 8 and picked the fabrics herself. Cheeta on the inside and birds on the out! This is the first time that I have sewn anything that was any other shape than a basic rectangle and it looks pretty good. I learned a few things about the project and now I can make my own without to much of a hitch! She's gone to bed so she won't see it complete until the morning!

Inside the bag has a small pocket for your pattern, counter or markers, and a divider (complicate to sew but I got it) in the center of the bag for knitting two socks at once or two small projects and even yarn feeder loops. Most knitters will understand that last thing.

A Challenge To Myself

In the past few weeks I have been trying to get myself back on a schedule, time for family, time for self, including a more rigorous exercise schedule, and some crafting.. Really the blog should be called Cook, Study and Dream of Being Crafty! Ha... My blog address is fitncrafty, another ha fit!

One thing I am doing is beefing up my fitness program. I had a goal before leaving WA and moving the NY that I wanted to do a triathlon before turning 40, and unless cooking, cleaning and studying fit the bill, I missed out on that goal. I miss the training group I had in WA and have found no such group here. (please don't get the idea that I should start one, I am clueless about how to train for one) Perhaps that will still come in time. Maybe with increased training I will still finish that triatholon.

Another thing is to finish my produce bags (sewing) that I have been so slowly working on. I am almost there, at least with the gift ones. Then I just have to make a few for myself. Also, on the crafty side I am knitting yoga mat bag (that will be felted). I am not loving the color combo that is going on and I am afraid that I am going to have to FROG it (rip it out) bummer, what's a girl to? I can't see felting this beautiful yarn(brown sheep) and not liking it.. too much investment here.

The truth is I am avoiding reviewing my notes for my conference with my instructor tonight. Imagine that, I just really want to be done with that class (you know the research one that you all helped me do the nutrition study for) Research methods is just not my favorite topic.

So my challenge to myself is. Making it through my review tonight, finish my sewing and knitting, and run, and then run some more. Without neglecting my yoga practice and weights. I would like to force myself back into the pool to do some swimming (gotta get new goggles my current ones are leaking) I will report back on how things are going. I am hoping to feel accomplished with some things really soon!

How about you all, what are you challenging yourself to accomplish???

Crafty and Eco-Friendly

Bye Bye, little plastic bags at the grocery store and farmers markets(yeah it's summer time!), a new guy has moved in to replace you. It's the reusable produce bag! I did something crafty and useful. It's amazing that I did it with a sewing machine and it is actually fairly straight. This crafty little bag was made from tulle and double fold bias tape. I must say that it was a little tough to get the bias tape pinned on at first, but once I got going I just pinned away. The sewing part was actually fairly easy in comparison. I am not to good with patterns(or recipes) I always tend to add my own touch. I had some directions, but they were a bit hard to follow so all I really did was look at the one a friend had made and copied it. The tutorial that she used is no longer online which is too bad, or I would link you all too it. I for one am really happy to rid myself of those little bags, because of the many times the bags have torn and I had to waste another bag just to get my veggies home in one piece. Plus, there is nothing more embarrassing then having your produce rolling all over the place which has happened to me more than once!

I have plans to make several more in various sizes. The one shown here is really big even in my produce world. It will be great for corn on the cob and other large produce. So today, the Earth has something else to smile about and me, I get to take a break and do something relaxing. Plus no little plastic baggies to throw away! Appears to me that everyone wins!