Soothing Stitches

Recently I rediscovered the soothing, meditative qualities of cross stitch. For Christmas I received a lovely quilt book that incorporates some cross stitch projects as well. Immediately I knew I wanted to make one of the projects which is an agenda cover. I got to work and last week I finished it! Now I want to start another cross stitch project despite having a "project" list going that's filled with sewing projects. I think, however, that with cross stitch I am being reminded to throw out the lists, slow down and just enjoy the process.

Pickledish Block One

Over the weekend I completed block one for my pickledish quilt. It went together surprisingly well. It is a bit wonky in spots but I know that once the whole quilt is pieced it won't be noticeable. Oh, pickledish I think I love you!

Wishing I Had Time to Sew

It has been a long week and it is only Wednesday! I have an exam tomorrow so I need to study for most of the day today. But, I wish I had time to sew! I bought this Simplicity pattern on Etsy last week and I could hardly believe my luck. I remember seeing this pattern around the internets in the past and I am so glad to finally have a copy of my own.

I always like how the patterns say Simple to Make on the cover. I am pretty sure I'll be doing a muslin of this one before sewing it up! Not-so-simple. ;) Is is summer yet?

As I was going through some of my old photos last night I came across one that I particularly like. I love the contrast is the clothing that the girls are wearing. One in saddle shoes and pants and the other in a fur coat. I wonder where they were headed together. I like how the shot was taken on a city street. I really like the back drop of cars too!

What are you looking forward to sewing? In addition to some spring/summer clothes I am determined to get started on piecing my pickledish quilt arches! Perhaps today during a study break!

Sometimes You Just Need A Cookie

Wow peeps! January is off to a busy, busy start around here. School is consuming much of my time but I have made some new goodies for spring. Yep, I'm already thinking about the spring. 16 weeks until I go cruising with my favorite boy band. (but who's counting!) ;)

Anyway, I made some little pillows with vintage embroideries. A few of them are valentine related and 1 I made with visions of bunnies hopping, and chickies dancing in my head.

They are all listed in the shop now! I have lots of ideas of things I'd like to make and I'm excited to make some of them up! I think many of us creative types would agree that finding the creative time, or rather *making* the creative time in our lives is necessary. I need to work on carving that daily creative time out my day and finding more balance in 2011.

I'm feeling tired this week and had been craving cookies all week. Last night I took the time to make up some cookies and they were delish! Chocolate chip anyone?

Thank you to all who stop by this little blog of mine and take the time to read and comment. I truly appreciate all the comments! Happy weekend to all and I hope you make the time to get your creative juices flowing!

New Year, New Start

I hope everyone's New Year is off to a fantastic start! Mine has been busy so far, and if my classes have anything to say about it, the entire semester will be that way!

I just started class this week and to say that I am feeling slightly overwhelmed would be right on target. Gosh, I went to college (the 1st time) over a decade ago. Now, I am officially aging myself! I was successful, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Then I continued on to earn a M.Ed. This is the year I start on the path to a career change, hence why General Biology 1, Nutrition and Intro to Psychology and I are fast becoming bosom buddies. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. But I digress.

I finished up the Chevron Lace Cardigan (can be found on Ravelry), and I am pleased with the results. I had this vintage-esqe button in my stash which I bought moons ago at Joann. I thought it fits perfectly with the vintagey style of the sweater.

I also finished a scarf for a dear friend who lives up in Jacksonville. I sent it out a couple days ago so she may have received it by now.

I started on some spring projects...I'm already thinking the theme is going to be Swing into Spring as I start creating things with bunnies, and the like. I'm really getting into hand embroidery lately. I love being able to sit down and in 1 evening create a special little embroidery. Nothing like instant gratification to keep those creative fires burning!

Underneath the bunny is a small stroller quilt I made last week. More on that coming soon!

No post would be complete without photos of the resident cats at Chez Swing Kitten. Here Tex is demonstrating what would be an ideal way for me to learn all that I need to know from my text books. Sit on them and become an expert instantly! If only it worked! I kinda like how the smile on his face matches the "smile" on the box. ;)

Ah, Harry. My dear Harry. Not a care in the world except for where the sun is so he can bask in it!

Hope everyone is having a great week! This weekend I do hope to start piecing the arches for my pickledish.

What projects are you excited about now that the holidays are over?

Blessed Year

As I think about 2010 I recall that though there were highs and lows, I seem to recall most vividly the highs. 2010 was good to me and I can only hope that 2011 is half as good.

:: After thinking about it, and talking about it for a couple years, I took the plunge and started the old blog here. It felt good to *finally* put my money where my mouth is and just do it!

:: I made my first full size quilt top and it wasn't too scary!

:: I spent my 34th birthday with Walt and Minnie and it was splendid.

:: I adopted *one* of the cutest dogs ever. She has definitely changed my life....for the better.

:: though Tex may never forgive me....

:: Harry just goes with it....he knows that he was the *first* pet.

:: I pinched my 14 year old self 'cause it seemed to be a dream when I got to cruise with my teen heart throb in the Bahamas....

:: And made some good friends along the way!

:: I visited NYC for the first time....and I may have left my heart there.

I am looking forward to 2011 as I embark on a new adventure. I made the decision to leave my full time job, and my first career in order to pursue school full time to train for a new career. While it is slightly daunting, it is also exciting. There is no time like the present!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Christmas Gifting

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas holiday spent in good company of family and friends. Here at chez swing kitten we all had a lovely holiday...and that includes kitties and puppy too! Puppy was showered with gifts and it was so fun watching her run around, in her Christmas jammies no less, playing with all her toys! Here she is in action!

I have to report that the eggnog bars were not my favorite. They were good but I still like the chocolate gingerbread bars the best. Martha has some good recipes for sure!

Something else that is a favorite is Amy Butler's book Style Stitches. I made a small clutch for a friend for Christmas. Now that she has received the gift I can post it here. The clutch came together pretty easily over a few sewing sessions, and I dare say I love the results!

The clutch is just big enough for the necessities for a night out and has a perfect little wrist strap attached to the back. I really like the Hunky Dory print for the main section, accented by some Heather Bailey. I love that it is a reminder of spring despite

the current winter temps in most of the nation.

For a friend out in Colorado I made an apron. I used a pattern from the book One Yard Wonders and altered it just a bit by adding a pocket. I enjoyed working with the fabric choices as they are outside of the usual color schemes I tend to be drawn to.

Now that the Christmas holiday is over I have all these ideas of things I want to make for spring! I am going to try and be better about making things in advance of the season. *Try* being the operative word here! :)

What fun things did you make for the holidays?