Over the last two months I’ve been crafty crazy. I have felt the need to sew and knit like nobody’s business. My hands must be creating something at all times or I get a little jittery. The downside to this–there are many actually, but this is the most critical–is that I am a perfectionist.
You’d never know it to look at me, but I have a high standard of production for myself. I need to have things produced juuuussst right or I have a conniption fit. This doesn’t usually hold true for my evaluation of others, but when I evaluate myself I am my worst critic.
This is a problem because with the knitted bags I actually ended up tearing them out and starting over. Oh yes. I did.
With the sewn tote bags I didn’t have to rip too many seams, but figuring out how to line them without directions was a bear for me and I didn’t like the way one of the bags turned out and promptly went back to the fabric store and re-bought the same fabric so I could re-make the bag correctly. However, I used an iron that was too hot and melted the fabric as I was pressing a crease.
I quit after that. I said I was a perfectionist, not stupid. Why keep knocking my head against the wall?
Here are the fruits of my labor.
Last month I worked on felting four purses:
The first one turned out a) too big, b) too ugly, and c) too misshapen to use.
The second one turned out to be felted fine, shaped fine, but I just didn’t like it. I’m done making those purses. Bleh.
The third one turned out great! I thought it wasn’t going to felt correctly because of the yarns I chose to use together (realizing it, of course, after I’d made the darn thing), but it turned out great! Now I just need to sew on the strap and she’s ready to go! I’m currently knitting a green version of this purse. It’s looking great!
The fourth purse just wasn’t big enough. I knitted and knitted and knitted and after I felted it, it was a teeny little thing. I think I’ll use it as scrap material to make some catnip toys from this book.
Wild Thing was bored the other day and looking for some excitement. As you can see from the pictures I asked her to add some dazzle to the bags with her beading machine. I was hoping for a little more bling, but I guess she was going for subtle. Who knew?
This month I moved on to sewing bags. I haven’t been able to make as many as I would like because I’m swamped with, you know, life and stuff, but I plan to sew some more soon.
I made the for the kids’ teachers. This week is Teacher Appreciation week. The one on the left is for Wild Thing’s teacher and the one on the right is for Max’s teacher. We’re filling them with desk supplies for each teacher.
And they’re even lined!
I just love making these. Well, I’m off to help the kids make catnip toys for Oscar. Pictures to come!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are so gorgeous! Please send me one! I have been searching high and low for EXACTLY, and I am so NOT kidding you, I am begging, on hands and knees, ok that’s preety lame, I know. I hate shopping, butr that design, is ME, it’s exacly what I want. you have no idea, well, you actually have exactly the same taste. my sister. just send me one. please. It matches my new bathroom. ok, I’ll stop beggin
Would LOVE to see instructions for the teacher bags. Those are adorable! And, good for you for recognizing your babies’ teachers!
You are amazing! I had no idea how talented you are. And, I love the color schemes you chose.
Oh my gosh–those look FANTASTIC. I want one just like Wild Thing’s teacher’s!
The bags look great! Lucky teachers, for sure!
I really like those bags you sewed for the teachers! Very cute! I wish I could think of something creative to do lol.
Nicely done, Chili. I’m a crocheter, myself, and I’m getting the itch again. It goes with the Camping Itch, as my favorite activity is to sit in a folding chair and crochet while my husband and I try to predict which of the children we’ll have to take to the ER this time. You just can’t have fun like that at home!
Oh my lands those are beautiful Chili! That pink one is adorable and your sewing bags are the bomb…
You amaze me yet again, Chili. I’m in awe.
Sweet! These would make great gift ideas for my annual Christmas edition of Homemade with Love! Save the idea, crafty chicky!
I’m always impressed and amazed when people start and finish crafts. I can’t seem to do it. I think I have a mental block.
I’m so inspired! I just started my first felting project — a bag — and I hope it turns out although I know it might not. I’m making up the pattern myself (a giant rectangle). Wish me luck.
Those are the cutest! Sell the bags on Ebay as diaper bags. I am not kidding- it is really hard to find cute diaper bags that aren’t $150. Good job!
Those are the cutest! Sell the bags on Ebay as diaper bags. I am not kidding- it is really hard to find cute diaper bags that aren’t $150. Good job!
Those bags are darlin’. It’s TAW here and I wish I had something like that to give her!
I love the Toile bags!!!!! Where did you get the blue toile? Do you have a name for the fabric. Did I say I love toile!!!!
Do you know how to knit I-cord? That goes really fast, I make those or buy handles.
I need to stop making so many felted bags and move on to something else, like a hat maybe.
When I move to your town, will you teach me to knit! that’s going to be my retirement hobby. Those bags are great!
They all look just great! Good for you! The quilting bug found me this past winter. I made 7 quilts (6 baby and one big one for me) and 12 burp rags.
I LOVE THOSE BAGS! LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM! I’m inspired. I WILL learn to sew. What a GREAT idea for gifts! I bet all your recipients just ooh and aah. Superb!