My tawdry love affair with the Kobo eReader

It’s official. I am in love with the Kobo eReader. I never thought it would happen. I’ve always said I love real books. I love the feel; I love the smell; I love the pretty covers; I love browsing the library to pick them up. But I now have a new love and it’s a little magical tablet that holds all my favorite books in a pretty little case that I can read anywhere.

The funny thing is I don’t even have one of my own. My mom lent me hers and I can’t get enough of it. It’s so easy to read it anywhere! While you walk, at the gym, lying in bed. I don’t get dizzy or lose my place or have my fingers cramp up. And I don’t even feel like I’m looking at a screen. It’s madness! If you have yet to experience its glory – you simply must – whether you have to beg, borrow or steal!

New cardigan & a pattern review

I just completed the finishing touches on a new cardigan. I used McCall’s M5978.

The pattern was quite easy to follow and it offers some cute alternatives such as hand-made flowers and 3/4 length sleeves. I had some slight challenges on the button holes as it was my first time doing them with this machine but they turned out great in the end. The sweater is actually purple but it looks blue in the picture. In any case, I’m really happy with the result and you should definitely give the pattern a try if you are in need of a new cardigan!

Doing New Things – Item #1: Highland Dancing

I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to finally put some well earned money aside and sign up for highland dancing classes. Well tonight was my first day and it was awesome! The teacher is so helpful, the other students are absolutely lovely and it’s so nice to feel like you’re learning something totally new. And if all that isn’t enough awesomeness for one day – I paid for my 5 month enrollment with my tips from the restaurant so as far as my bank account is concerned – that money never even existed! And I haven’t even mentioned the best part yet…There’s a recital! Yes that’s right folks, a recital. You know that thing you got forced into doing at the end of months of choir practice in the 3rd grade? That’s what I’m going to be doing! It will be slightly nerve wracking but I’m sure my skills will have greatly advanced by then (fingers crossed).

I hope your new years resolutions (or even just general motivation) lead you to some cool new activities this year! And if you have any pass-times to recommend – please let me know as I am always in the market for something cool to do!

Day Zero Project

I have to tell you all about the awesomeness that is Day Zero Project. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s about creating a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. I love the whole concept because it’s so much better than a bucket list or things to do before you’re thirty. It’s immediate. It gives you just under three years to accomplish 1001 things that you’ve been putting off. I made my list 100 things in 1000 days because I guess I like even numbers better or something. I started knocking things off the list on Halloween day last year so the fact that the anniversary of my project is just around the corner has me a little worried.

I got so excited about working through my list that I never actually finished it. I currently have 19 more items to add to the list, I’ve only completed 7 so far and a year has elapsed. Yikes! So if you have any suggestions of what should be added to the list – please share! I have plenty of things on the list – from baking a souffle to jumping out of an airplane – but I still need lots more ideas!

I really hope you start your own Day Zero Project because it really does help you think of all the things you want to accomplish in the immediate future…now I just have to accomplish them!

Gathered Clutch DIY

I have previously used Skip to My Lou‘s incredible tutorials to create an easy clutch and that diy project has sinced served me daily as my hold-everything-I-can’t-leave-the-house-without clutch. I have wanted to make a birthday present for my friend for a while and finally decided onthis gathered clutch.

I started this post with the plan of laying out a step by step guide of how I created the purse. But I found I couldn’t find the right words and didn’t have the most visually explanatory photos. So instead I invite you to visit the original tutorial because it even provides a pattern and an excellent guideline to help you create this:

There are always little kinks to work out but on the whole I am very proud of the project and excited to present it to my friend for her birthday. I hope you get a chance to make your very own!

Taking a Class

I think it’s so important to keep learning new things and picking up different skills. And even though my jobs allow me to be constantly learning, sometimes I feel work-related learning isn’t quite enough. Sometimes I want to do something totally random and challenging in a completely different way. So here is a list of all the classes I want to try and take over the next year:

- Art classes (painting, pottery)

- Cooking classes (specialty baking…maybe how to make fancy cupcakes!?, cultural cooking – I would love to learn how to make really authentic Indian food)

- Dance classes (of every style imaginable!)

- Language classes (Start with Spanish and knock the rest down one by one)

If you’ve taken any other good kinds of classes that you’d recommend please let me know! I am always in search of new ways to broaden my horizons!

Fancy Gold Shirt

I had left over fabric from a dress I made that I really wanted to make use of. I bought that pattern and got started a while ago but got overwhelmed by the complexities and gave up for a bit. I am proud to say that it is finally finished! I used Butterick pattern #5497

I am very pleased with the results so if you’re up for the challenge of a lot of ruching and slightly complicated instructions then give this pattern a whirl. Here’s a look at the finished front and back

I’m just so happy it’s finally done! And now I can get started on some Fall and Winter wear…

Off the Shoulder Shirt

I made a 3/4 sleeve, off the shoulder shirt years ago and then somehow managed to lose the pattern. But recently I discovered that I am severely lacking in comfortable, fall shirts and decided to make one. I refused to let a lost pattern stand in my way so I used my old shirt as a model for creating a new shirt. Here’s how I did it:

Requirements:

- 1 yard of fabric

- matching thread

- sewing machine

- pins

 

Directions:

1. Fold fabric in half and cut shirt shape like the following (you can use an old shirt as a model if you need to – and then just leave half an inch around to allow for sewing and make sure to leave room for a wide neck):

 

2. Cut two equal sized rectangles like to following for bottom trim (the trim should be equal to the length of the bottom of the shirt so that they match up perfectly):

3.Pin good sides of fabric together down the sides and along the shoulders and arms. Then sew together.

4. Zig-zag stitch along cuffs and neck to prevent fraying.

5. Pin cuffs and neck then stitch in place.

6. Pin good sides of two rectangles together and then sew in place (do not sew long sides together):

7. Press seams on rectangular trim and fold in half lengthwise so good sides of fabric are facing out. Pin this trim to good side of bottom of the shirt and sew in place. When complete the inside of the bottom of the shirt should look like this:

8. And here is the final product!

My directions aren’t the easiest to follow so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. The shirt is so comfortable so I really hope you get a chance to create your own!

My Etsy Shop!

I have been sewing and crafting since I was very young and have always enjoyed it. But my collection of handmade goodies has increased significantly since getting a sewing machine. I am constantly making things and decided it was finally time to try turning my hobbies into more of a fun side-job. I have always had a lot of admiration for the website Etsy so I opened my very own shop. So far I just have a few hairbands but I made them with lots of care so I would be honored if you took a quick look. I hope you get a chance to take a look at my shop!

Vibrant Print Shirt

Every time I go into my favorite fabric store there’s this vibrant purple print that always catches my eye. I couldn’t think of what I wanted to make with it and it was so pretty I assumed it would cost a small fortune and therefore could not be wasted. So imagine my surprise when the lady told me it was 5.99$ a yard! I only need 3/4 of a yard for my favorite flowy shirt pattern so I was sold. And here is my beautiful creation:

It looks best worn slightly on an angle so it slouches off the shoulder. I definitely think I want to buy a couple more yards and make a dress with this fabric. It’s just so vibrant and unique!