Sunday, March 22, 2015

Tomorrow is Another Day!

I know it's been a while!  I'm still out there reading your blogs and being inspired.  I'm just getting a slow start to the year.  Thank you for hanging in there with me!

One of my goals for the year is to have more handmade ornaments for our Christmas tree this year.  It's a sad state of affairs here as there are presently only two in our "collection".   There are times at work where I do get to take a full lunch hour.  It doesn't take an hour to eat so I've put together a little kit so I'll have something to stitch on when I do have that extra bit of time.  

Here's my kit - this is actually what I'm working on presently.  Fabric, pattern, thread, QSnaps, and a cute little handcrafted needle holder that Annette made for me at the holidays (I love it so much, perfect for a couple of spare needles).  
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It fits nicely in this zippered bag.  It looks huge here but in reality it is just a bit bigger than a paperback book and fits nicely in my lunch tote. 
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It's amazing how much progress can be made on a ornament with little bits of time here and there.  I've actually finished stitching two ornaments and the one in the kit above is more than 1/2 done.  The one below is the first one I finished this year and the kit was gifted to me by a good friend Teresa.  It definitely started off my year on the right foot!  Thank you T!
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Erica Michaels
Quiet Night
JCS Christmas Edition 2007
It's no secret that my sewing mojo has been on a field trip.  I haven't even been going into my sewing room.  A few weeks ago I did get in there and re-organized my scraps.  Today I went in there and told myself to  "just sew anything".  So I pulled out some scraps and ended up making a little zippered pouch.  As you all know, I'm pretty new to zippers.  My first experience wasn't that bad though.  It feels like it's been downhill from there.  I'm not happy at all with today's pouch.  It didn't help that my machine was being cranky as all get out and I felt like I had to fight it to get through this and it shows in the end result.  But that is OK, because I'm going to try again and do better.  And in order to do that, I need to get in there and sew on a more regular basis - improve my skills instead of getting rusty!  

I do love those rounded bottom corners though!  
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Even though today was a bit  frustrating, I am grateful that I don't do everything well on the first (or even the 5th try) as I do find joy in learning!  Wouldn't it be boring to master every new skill on the first try?  I think so!  

I'm off to watch some YouTube videos or at least I will be after I finish watching Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Ha! 


24 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

Good for you on getting some stitching in during your lunch break! I like your 1st ornament finish quite a lot. Awesome first attempt on a zippered bag!

Enjoy the coming week!

Robin in Virginia

Margaret said...

Love your ornie finish! I'm glad you are managing to find a bit of time at lunch to stitch! Your bag looks great to me! I've lost my quilting and sewing mojo altogether. lol! I still drool over fabric though, which isn't good!

Cindy's Stitching said...

The ornie is cute. I think the zipper bag is bright and cheery.

Annette-California said...

You are so cute Jackie! Darling stitching kit you made up for on the go! WOOHOO! You finished a Christmas ornie!!! Love it! SUPER cute zipper pouch you made. Looks fantastic with the rounded corners. We would never know your sewing machine was in a bad mood - LOL!
love Annette

Brigitte said...

This little ornament is so lovely. It's amazing what can be done even when there is only little time.
I also love your little zippered pouch with all the red and pink scraps. I have also been away from sewing during the whole winter because I just felt like stitching, only stitching. But maybe I should also start with something small to get back into my sewing mood again.

Mariela Alethia said...

I like your idea concerning working on your project at lunch time. Sewing mojo? Mine is hiding out with yours!

Vickie said...

What a great plan to get Christmas ornaments done on work lunch time. Looking great!

Brenda said...

I love your lunch/ornament idea! And seems it's already working. Your little zipper bag is adorable. Don't fret, your mojo will return with gusto, it's the waiting that sucks. Post pics for finished ornaments when you can...I'd love to see them.

Annie said...

What a nice compact stitching for lunch kit! Your Erica Michaels ornament is very pretty. That one will make a great finish to add to your collection.

The pouch looks great to me. My zippers sometimes work out better than others. They often have a mind of their own. I just don't worry about it.

And I always try to do a little stitching every day even it's just a few stitches. Has a nice calming effect. Crafting mojo, like zippers, comes and goes though. Another thing I wouldn't worry about.

Karen said...

You are going to have some mighty fine ornaments this next Christmas. I never need a whole hour to eat either, great way to spend the time. Your zipped pouch is cute, I hop your machine is nicer to you next time.

Ranae said...

The ornie is looking good .
Good job on getting in there and making a fantastic zippered pouch, keep it going, you can do it,

Dani - tkdchick said...

Good for you!!! I keep carrying around stitching but then I just sit there at lunch.... I really should stitch!

I really like your finish! I've added it to my to stitch list! Thanks!

Mylene said...

Lovely zipper pouch, Jackie and very cute ornament.
My stitching mojo disappeared elsewhere too and can't seem to get it back...thought of stitching an easter ornament but till now is nothing started...
Have a good week.

Carla said...

Cute pouch! I love a handmade Christmas too

Carol said...

I'm so excited to read that you're working on more ornaments for your Christmas tree this year, Jackie--I just love the one with the dotted fabric :) It is amazing how much you can get stitched even if it is just 15 minutes here or there...

And your pouch looks great! I have no idea how to put in a zipper any more. I used to sew a bit in high school, but that was back in the dark ages :)

Hope your March is going well--it must be heating up down your way (wish I could say the same thing about up here!).

woolwoman said...

that is such a cool ornament you finished Jackie YGG !!!! I did the same thing you did - put together a little ornament kit to keep in my car in a lower count linen so I don't need extra light.
Now if I could just find time to get it out and work on it - I should bring my lunch and then take time to walk and stitch - yeah right ! like I am going to do any of that. Love the little zippered bag - you are such a talent. Enjoy Mel

Sally said...

Love your ornament and I'm looking forward to seeing the LHN one. I have just finished that one and love it.

The zippered pouch looks great.

Andrea said...

Love the ornament, going to have to look back at that edition. The zippered pouch is great. We all have days like those, when absolutely nothing goes right!

Barb said...

Oh....I would like for things to go smoothly just once but unfortunately....I make a ton of mistakes and just keep on going. Hope your sewing mojo comes back.

ruthsplace said...

Funny you should talk about using your lunch hour. I decided today that I would use my lunch hour to catch up on Ravelry, thus leaving my evenings free to do more stitching. Since I walk home for lunch I'm not using work's internet. But the walk home is only 10 minutes and it doesn't take me 40 minutes to eat lunch...

Melanie said...

Just stitching a little at lunch here and there and you will have at least a few ornaments done in no time. They go quick! I love smalls like that for when my mojo is gone.

I like the rounded corners too. :)

Hazel said...

It's amazing how much you can get done when you just do even a small amount of stitching at any time. Good for you. xx

Anonymous said...

Love the little kit. And your instant sewing pouch is delightful. My mojo has been down lately, but your pouch inspires me! Hugs.

Sheryl said...

Pretty zippered pouch and good idea to has your stitching with you just in case you have five minutes