December 31, 2010

Things Are Getting a Little Out of Control

I'm not even going to show you pictures of my craft space. And definitely not how I store materials. It's much too unorganized and ridiculous. Not messy, really, just completely impractical. {Let's just say it involves two separate rooms, a drawer in my dining room hutch, the attic, lots of Rubbermaid bins, dozens of drawstring bags, and some book shelves.}

And since it's New Year's Eve, I think a little resolution is in order. I'm sure I could imagine plenty of more worthy resolutions, but this isn't a terrible place to start. So, here it is: I resolve to get my act together. Craft-wise, that is.

And possibly the very best part of getting one's act together is drumming up inspiration for how to do that. Which is what I've been doing. So fun.

From Good Housekeeping
From Craftzine
From Scrap Studio
From Umla

From Elsie Cake

From Jenny B. Allsorts
As lovely as all these ideas are, I feel like I've just gotten started and I'd love to prolong the planning stage a bit. So if you know of any super cool craft room organizing ideas, would you send them my way? Thanks!

Happy crafting! Oh! And Happy New Year!

December 30, 2010

Running a Little Late...

But still, I have something lovely for you today. So that's good!

It's a new pattern in the shop: the very lovely, Just Enough Ruffles Scarf by Cosmicpluto Knits.

Just Enough Ruffles Scarf

Just Enough Ruffles Scarf
Aren't ruffles just like that—there needs to be just enough, not too few, and certainly not too many. I think she nailed it with this pattern, don't you?

Happy knitting!

December 29, 2010

Feeling Inspired!

Well that was fun! I'll have to do that again in the future... Thanks to everyone who commented. You should get your pattern via email sometime today (but please let me know if you don't!).

And now, a little fashion inspiration, to keep in the spirit and all...
Ruffled Shirt tutorial on Tea Rose Home
Back by Popular Demand Dress from Mod Cloth
Really lovely neckline on Enthusiasm Documented
Newsom Dress at Curator
Megha top silk barrette on Layla

Embellish Knit Month Day 30 Tutorial from Grosgrain
Happy sewing everyone!

December 28, 2010

Oh happy, happy!

I hope everyone had a lovely, relaxing, fun-filled, or otherwise fabulous holiday!

Of course there's still more celebrating to come—for those of you who can stay up past ten o'clock, that is (that's often a challenge over here!). For our little Happy New Year celebration, Magpie Patterns style, I thought I'd offer everyone a free pattern. Might as well start the year off right, right?
Meghan Peasant Dress by Sis Boom

Meghan Peasant Dress by Sis Boom

Meghan Peasant Dress by Sis Boom

Meghan Peasant Dress by Sis Boom
Why not make yourself something new to celebrate in? The Meghan Peasant Dress is a super versatile pattern and it's easy enough to whip up before New Years.

All you need to do is leave a comment here with your email address and I'll send you a copy! Simple!

{Oh, and it would be really great if you know someone else who might like this pattern too, if you would let them know about the giveaway and send them over to get their own copy, rather than sharing yours. You can click the little "M" below this post for a super quick way to email friends and link directly to this post. Thanks!}

*One more thing that I forgot to include earlier: this offer is good until noon PST today.*

Happy sewing everyone!

December 22, 2010

Feeling Inspired! + Warm Wishes to You and Yours

Well, I think I'm going to sign off for this week, but before I do I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season! I hope it's full of love and joy!

I also wanted to leave everyone with a little wintery inspiration so I browsed my new favorite place: Pinterest. (I highly recommend a visit if you haven't done so already.)

{From the gorgeous blog, A Field Journal}
{Crochet snowflake tutorial by Sarah London}
{Completely awesome felt garlands on Pretty Little Things}
{Penny Polar Bear at Anthropologie}
{Little City Hoop—Littlest Red House by LittlePinkHouse}
See you all back here next week!
Happy holidays and happy crafting!

December 20, 2010

Stitching Patterns for the Last Minute

Well, there may not be a lot of time left before the big winter holidays, but there is a little. Which is all you really need to do one (or more) of these sweet stitching designs.
Festive Flock by SeptemberHouse
Christmas Cookies by Sweetie Pie Bakery

NOM by Aimee Ray

Scoot by Comfort Stitching

Castle Peeps Royal Sampler by Lizzie House

Follow Me by Nicole Vos van Avezathe

Bramble Blooms by Polka + Bloom

Joy by Three Kitchen Fairies
Joyful stitching everyone!

December 15, 2010

Feeling Inspired!

I've been cyber-visiting Dottie Angel this week, and aside from making me absolutely gleeful, I have the urge to call her up and ask if my family could just move in. Can I tell you how much I love, love, love her house? Just look at all this lovely handmade goodness:
Gleeful little jars wrapped in knit jackets
That link below the first image {all images compliments of Dottie and her lovely, lovely blog, by the way} sends you to a tutorial for how to make these little lovelies yourself, which is happy.
A lovely cushion and a garland I want to go make right now
So sweet holiday garland
And speaking of awesome garlands, how about this holiday version Dottie made for her tree? I mean really, could it be sweeter? She offers a simple explanation for how to make your very own in this post. Where she also treats us to these very inspiring and seasonally-appropriate photos:

Hopefully you're all very inspired, but before you head off to make some lovely thing for your house, read Dottie Angel's humorous bio. And then go make something lovely!

Happy Wednesday!

December 14, 2010

Not a Last-Minute Gift

Nope. Not this one. But that's alright because it will probably be for you anyway.
Wispy Cardigan
I've just added this pattern to the shop, but I've actually been working on this sweater for awhile — for myself. It's not a difficult knit, but the yarn is pretty skinny, so it's not a quick knit either.
Wispy Cardigans

But oh is it ever scrumptious. I haven't even finished it yet and I know it'll be one of my favorites. As the name implies, it's lightweight, making it perfect for spring or fall, and even in some places, cool summer evenings. Actually, it would also be great in the winter here, where it doesn't get super cold. Bulky sweaters can be too much indoors, where I tend to hang when it's so wet out there.
So think of it as a little reward for yourself. You've worked really hard making (or finding) all those awesome gifts for your friends and family. You've made dozens of cookies and decorated the house. You've even hosted a fabulous holiday party. You're a holiday rock star! You certainly deserve a little time to slow down and knit something lovely for yourself! Don you think?

Happy knitting!

December 13, 2010

Wrappin' Them Up & Shippin' Them Off

Sadly, we don't live near our extended family, so holiday gifts have to be mailed to anyone who isn't coming to visit, which is nearly everyone. So I have to be on my game and get these little packages in the mail already or they'll end up being New Year's gifts.

Among other goodies, we're sending homemade hot cocoa mix (which I basically made up: equal parts really good cocoa and organic sugar, with a dash of vanilla powder) and homemade peppermint marshmallows (Martha Stewart's recipe). Both were super easy to make, so that was good. And they're mostly sugar, so we know they'll be popular.
{That yarn-ribbon thing around the neck of the jar actually looks cooler in real life than it does here. Since I'm hoping that Santa will bring me a new camera this year, I'll blame the poor old, busted up thing I use now.}

So here's the best part: the sewing. I made a whole bunch of gift bags, kinda like this one, in various sizes and various combinations of fabrics (all of them drawstring, except this one) in the hopes that they'll be reused (yay eco-Christmas!). You know what's funny, I made a lot of bags because every time I finished one I'd think, oooh, I like that one. Maybe I'll keep it... So like 40 bags later, I found a few I could part with. {Ahem.}

Ok, so here's to getting those holiday gifts in the mail to your far-flung relatives!
Happy sewing!

December 10, 2010

New Knitting Patterns from Cotton & Cloud

Ok, so I have some really lovely new patterns for you, by one of the sweetest knitwear designers out there (which is quite an accomplishment because they're all so nice!).
Ruffled Bolero

Flower Girl Bolero

Raindrop Shawl

Men's Saddle Shoulder Sweater
I love Cotton & Cloud's pretty, classic style. And you should see the amazing patterns. They're so thorough! And if you get stuck there's no doubt a video link provided to help you through. I love that!

Happy knitting!

December 9, 2010

Sorry, nothing today

I've become one with my sewing machine. Which is making typing a bit tricky.

Oh dear, still a bit giddy from staying up too late sewing it seems. Sorry about that! I don't have anything to show for all that work, yet. But I do have this cute little illustration as a placeholder (until I get my wits back, I suppose) which some of you with young children might recognize.
I picked it out for the sewing machine, but really, the humor of the book (Bunny Days by Tao Nyeu, in case you're wondering) is a perfect match for my mood today too. Silly and a little strange.

And I just love the illustration.

Happy sewing! (But not too much! Make sure you get enough sleep!)

December 8, 2010

Feeling Inspired!

I am a big fan of classic kids' clothes. I like peter pan collars and gingham. I like rich colors and high quality fabrics. (All of these are, of course, some of the reasons I started sewing.) And so I'm also a big fan of Olive Juice, the really fabulous and totally awesome clothing company.

I love practically everything on their website, but some of my very favorites are:
Daria Frock
Monroe Topper
Antonia Blouse
Corduroy Shift
Bailey Top
I love coming here for inspiration. If I can keep a picture like that in my mind when I go to the fabric store, I'm so much more likely to come home with blue gingham (rather than being seduced by the big, bold, fabulous prints that always win my heart but definitely make a different kind of kid shirt). It's the little tricks that keep me in line...

Happy Wednesday everyone!