Craft Domination

I guess I operate under the expectation that there will usually be problems in making the vision in my head manifest in the world. I mean, why should that be easy? Usually the creative process involves angst, so I have come to expect it now. There's always a row that needs ripping out. Or a seam that the machine goes wonky on. Or some error in my understanding of the pattern that means I sew the handles of the bag totally the wrong way in, so that they are encased between the two layers of the fabric and not poking up and out, like you need them to be. Usually whatever it is, it's fixable. We're talking about craft, not organ surgery.

or in this case, snow jump creation:

realizing that the jump was placed too high on the hill,

not enough momentum to get over it.

Remember how I was tentative about sewing with wool? My concerns were about how it would iron, sew, how hems would feel, would it be bulky, etc. Clever Joanie suggested I make a small project to test it out. Her exact words were: "I think you'll find the wool to be a willing participant."

I liked the idea that wool would be a willing participant. And Joanie always has good advice.

So, driving home yesterday, I thought of a Keyka Lou little modified pouchlet (one pocket only), like these. Except not with a magnet closure because I need a carrying pouch for my little device; I have been concerned about the health of the device longterm in the pouch I made for myself with the magnet (because of magnets and electronics not being friends).

Nice aqua wool exterior and a little hedgie appliqué for practice.

The wool was indeed a willing participant. Hello? Dream to iron (with press cloth)! Like, one second with the iron and zoopzoop---as though it had never thought of a wrinkle! Love that.

The wool was easy to cut and easy to sew. It looked adorable with a little zigzagging edge stitching.

OK, but the button hole. I have maybe done 2 before, and it always makes me hold my breath. How does this thing weird attachment for my sewing machine work again? Did I measure my button properly? What is the appropriate amount of "ease" in a button hole, i.e. not too loose, not too tight???

I did a tester and it worked. This felt like a big accomplishment. Rocking the buttonholer!

The best part was knowing the Keyka Lou pattern well enough to modify it, when to sew in the button, and now, being a good enough sewist now to try something new, eyeball that button placement, do the button hole, and ----voila---little pouchlet!

I'm proud of myself.

And here is what happens if you lay the chia paste on too thickly on your Chia Obama:

Check out those hot eyebrows! And the hardened chia crust afro, with the little green shoots coming out!

Gratitude

Treasures from across the Sea
Erna, of Blij als Mij, sent me a few of her handmade items! I have enjoyed reading her blog and sent a few ATCs her way, in thanks for the inspiration. Erna has a shop that you can visit---especially helpful if you speak Dutch! Now I am the proud owner of two of her tiny handstitched hedgehogs (or "hedgenogs" as Sylvan used to call them) that she created for a spring fair at her children's school---bestill my heart, they are precious! Here they are pictured on my kitchen sink windowsill:
Also in the picture above you will notice my seashell ATC display stand, which shows the ATC of the moment. Recently some Playmobil has made it onto my little altar. The little red mushrooms that delight me, as well as my Playmobil avatar, Boadicea (a warrior queen of Celtic origin, AD 60 or so; my girl has her mace in one hand, bouquet in another, with keys on her belt). She kind of looks like me, I guess. I spend a lot of time looking at this kitchen sink view.

And also a lovely bookmark, with ribbon that says "happy." How could she know that my before-bed reading time is such a happy time of my day?
Finally, a little swatch of Delft tile patterned fabric. Adorable.
Thank you, Erna!

In other news...
This is what happens when you get carried away blogging/housecleaning/laundry-folding and your bread rises for a bit too long: the tops come out a little funky. But the loaves are still delicious. When will the Internet allow you to attach an Aroma to a blog post?
This is what happens when you're taking off your sweatshirt and your hand touches the hot loaf pan: you get a little burn and need some comfort.