Netsuke phone charm
When I was driving to the sewing workshop early in this morning, I asked myself if it was going to be worth it. I’ve been feeling excessively tired lately and could have used an extra hour of zzz’s. But I needn’t have worried. It was totally worth it and I met some really nice people, too.
We used chirimen (a type of kimono crepe fabric that’s a little stretchy) to make these netsuke. Really pretty, and although I was late, I still got to choose my favourite colours to work with.
And I learnt a new technique today: how to wrap a piece of fabric around a flat circle (like a button) in 30 seconds (maybe less). I was surprised at how crazy easy it was once I knew how it worked. I’ve got to make a video of it so I don’t forget.
My first attempt (the plum netsuke on the right) was a bit lopsided. Because the circle wasn’t perfect, one petal is larger than the others. It’s also not as plump as my 2nd netsuke (maybe it just needed a bit more batting). If I could get my hands on more chirimen, I might make more since it’s so easy.
Yay for sewing. Sewing satisfaction is the best kind there is!
Brush holder in Pretty Paradise
Necessity pushed me into making this on the fly, sans pattern. In my mind I had planned something a little more complicated but I’m travelling in a day’s time and don’t have the luxury of sitting down and planning. This was quick and semi-easy, just the way I like my projects.
Can’t believe it’s been more than a year since I made something. Oh! How life (and my MA!) doth interferes!
Book bag in Black and Bird-on-Branch
2010 was a great year for me. I had stumbled upon the greatest adventure of my life — teaching. And I love it not just because I get to use stationery like there’s no tomorrow. (Although I do love that I get to do that.)
And so my old book bag took a real beating. The bamboo handles were a real trooper, though. It carried the weight of a ton of books (plus huge laptop) — without groaning — for the better part of the year. Then one of them decided it’s had enough and let loose its binding. So I couldn’t carry a ton of books without it splitting open. It’s repairable, though.
But the fabric of the bag hasn’t held up as well. The lining, which is a bit paper-like, pretty much started tearing halfway through the year. The outer fabric has suffered some pretty serious damage. Huge holes appeared in the corners of the bag, where I assume the corners of my books have strained.
So, I made myself a new bag. A present for 2011. A wish for an even better year. A pretty bag for a pretty bright year ahead. This one’s quite sturdy, and should see me through many years. I hope.
Happy new year, everyone!
Bottle bag in Blue and White Daisies
After a year of no crafting whatsoever, I finally got round to sewing this little one up. It was so quick to make I thought halfway that I might be making a terrible mistake somewhere. Turns out i did pretty well; didn’t have to unpick any thread! (That’s a first!)
So, revelling in my bottle bag in blue. I think I’m going to be making a couple more bags in the next few days.
Next project will be a (hopefully) sturdy book bag. Should be another quick one, as long as I don’t take forever to cut the fabrics. I never look forward to cutting….
Obsession obsmession
“This happened when I went for a massage after finishing the drafts for the manga. Because I was really sleepy, I was thinking drowsily about “How should the next chapter develop?”, when the masseuse suddenly commented: “Your right shoulder is really tight.” I unwittingly answered “That’s because it’s automail.” Getting confused between the manga and reality…!” – Arakawa Hiromu, creator of Fullmetal Alchemist.
I understand that feeling, that crazy can’t-think-about-anything-else kind of feeling, but sometimes I wonder how good it is for you. When something is so fun that it becomes an object of obsession, is that good or bad? I like to think that it’s a good thing, but then again, we all know that saying about having too much of something good, don’t we?
I guess the simplistic answer would be: if it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s fine and dandy, so have a nice day.
*Photo thanks to Rhj44 on neoseeker.
Honey & Daisy : sewing and other lovely things 