KP Wishlist!

Here I am sharing my wishlist to Knit Picks for their Wishlist giveaway!!! Wish me luck!

My Knit Picks Wishlist!!!!

Soaked Grab n' Go Tote

I started a quilt from Connecting Threads Soaked collection... (still wip-waiting for CLEAR open toe for quilting....) & bought some of their cordinating laminate & a layer cake pack to cut into charms. I had a bit extra fabric from the quilt kit, so i cut some 4.5" squares from that & cut some from the 10" pack. i could of just bought a charm pack, i guess, but i planned on about 2-3 of each. i overcut some, so i ended up with 3-4 of some & just 1 of a couple. Anyways, i had recently bought 'Fast & Furious: Family' by G.E. Designs (didn't realize she is from Iceland until i saw the cover!) & LOVED the Grab N' Go Carrying Tote (pg. 22) & had to make it!! It's a quilt as you go book, which i had never done. As i started cutting the material i realized how BIG this bag was!! yikes! But, that's okay, because i plan on leaving the quilt & bag in the trunk for day trips, etc.

At first, it was SO frustrating to work with!!!! it was so bulky & i have a cheapy lightweight Brother..... (i want to buy a new one... but have no idea how to shop the current selection!). i immediately tried all the suggestions for working with laminate....painters tape on the feed? (worthless!), tissue paper (how do you follow your line?? & it popped some of my stitches up too)... when in the end it was best to just increase the stitch length & sew normally & i had no problems. well, the biggest problem was marking my sewing line.... chalk didn't stick, marker wiped off.... desperate for a 'i-want-to-work-on-this-now' approach, i just used a ball-point pen.... i know... it's probably permanent, but it only shows a little if you inspect the bottom. i probably should have felt the edges from the lining side & flipped it over, huh? oh well. Once i was able to cut the extra fabric around, it was so much easier to work with. i'm a newbie in bag making, but i'm quickly going through some patterns. :) every pucker & whatnot was making me crazy. i'm not a perfectionist, but i think i am in my head, so every little thing was eating me!! it finished quickly enough & i love the side seam trick (i think i knew this once before, but forgot...?), but i love how it easily hides the edges!! once i had it together the imperfections aren't a big deal... they are lost on the inside & i'll use a little fray check on part of a side seam that didn't get caught in. I am SO happy with this project, i felt so accomplished all day after finishing it!!! can't wait to make another!! i threw it out in the living room & my toddlers climbed in!! ... it's THAT big! a bonus 'travel bed' for my littlest one!! :)

the modifications i made:
1. the handles, instead of using regular fabric as called for, i used laminate for that too... i figure all those dirty hands or scuffing the floor. now the handles can wipe clean too!!
2. i couldn't find the recommended interface/batting Bosal, so i substituted with Pellon 70. the package (multiple unopened at the store, verified by store clerk) all said width 22"... it was not. more like 19"... so i cut short the dimensions by 2".

(of course, this fabric ALL went on sale 40% off

about a week and a half after i bought it... as usual.)

2013 Resolution Wishes

It's far from the 1st of the year, but not yet February..!! So I've been thinking of what kind of crafty goals I could have for this new year.... as i overestimate myself usually, then i can see what i do not accomplish in December! ;) in no particular order...

1. make a cardi for me.. or anything for MYSELF.... i tend to gift it all away.
2. sell something... anything... a dishcloth, a stitch marker...  whatever, it would feel *nice*.
3. first handspun.. i have roving... i have a drop spindle... ;)
4. first hand dye... i have been wanting to try this for years, easy really, i just need to remember to carve out time for it.
5. stash bust as much as possible... don't make it seem i am buying so much yarn for NO reason... USE IT! (because by then i will find more i HAVE to have).
6. sew more.. i love it, but my craft space is limited that it has hibernated to the basement & i have so many projects in line for it & some wips, particularly decor & pillows for my son's room to be done this year & new curtains & decor for my room, also slated to be done this year!!

i would like to say this will all be a snap & i will accomplish even more than this!! now THAT is positive wishful thinking!