There's been a lot of creating goin' on around here recently. Not of the knitting variety though, which is surprising seeing as that's what most of the handwork I've done in the past year has consisted of. Nope, my sewing machine has gotten quite a work out...

It started with Lindsey's turtle (and I so want to make one for myself, he's so soft and cuddly and a lot of fun to make.














Another big project I knew I really needed to get started on is my dress for my sister's wedding. She's having black brides maid's dresses with purple sashes, but I hadn't been able to find a modest black dress that met all her specifications and would work with a sash that was under $300, so I decided to make one. When e was up here one afternoon we tackled the beginning of the project which has turned out to be, not making a dress from scratch, but, modifying another dress, making it longer and adding a sheer layer over part of it. I think its gonna turn out really cute. I'll be sure to post pictures when I've finished it. At this point all I have left to do on it is attach the sheer part and hem it up.
The next project, which is also still not finished, was coordinating skirts that Lindsey and I were going to wear on the day we had our Religions presentation together. (Mine is variegated purple and her's is variegated aqua.) But alas, I had tried to cram too much in an unreasonable amount of time, and I had forgotten that I need to figure out a way to make a lining. Any ideas from those of you who sew???

And of course after all this sewing it dawned on me that I definitely need to stitch a pretty cover for my sewing machine since it sits out on my table all the time. This was so much fun to make with my new favorite green and brown fabric that I bought having no clue what I would make with it ;) It fits into my room so perfectly. Pictures to follow when I've finished a bit of embroidery on the corner. And along the way it occurred to me that sewing would be much easier if I had a pincushion and since I had no clue what had happened to the one I had years ago, of course I had to make one ;)

(And no, that's not grass growing out of my machine, its my latest batch zinnia seeds ;) )

I thought my last sewing project for a while would be making the bag I'd promised Lindsey...We'd gone and gotten the fabric weeks before and I was hoping to have it finished in time for her to take it on her trip to DC. I got it finished, but it turned out quite differently that I'd thought it would. It turned out to be almost a combination of the bag I was intending to make, and the green and brown one that I've carried every day for the last year. But combining the two patterns turned out to be absolutely perfect and even allowed for adding some cool little things like a special pocket in just the right spot and a ring to clip your keys to. In fact, after making hers, I liked it so much I just had to ask if she'd mind if I made one like it for myself ;) And so instead of giving the sewing machine a rest, I made one for myself this week!

And I doubt its likely to get a rest any time soon. Summer classes start tomorrow, but I think I can still squeeze in some time to finish my dress and the skirts and make my turtle, and whatever else I dream up in the meantime ;)