Scraps

After each project I sew, I'm left with all these little fabric scraps. I always told myself to wait until I have a billion more scraps then I would sit and sew them all together, arranging them with the most appropriate colors.


Well, that just might take too long and in the meantime the scraps are everywhere! So, I started a tiny bit and I think I'll start adding to it over time and see what happens. This might be the quilt that takes me my entire life to finish (but knowing me, I'll probably get really ansy one day and finish it in a few months... but I'm going to try not to).

Long Overdue Mending

I didn't have much time for crafting this weekend, but I did catch up on a little dress mending.


I have a nice size collecction of vintage dresses and after the 25+ years of washings they have endured, the thread is weak on a lot of them. I used some of this weekend to catch up and re-sew a lot of them. I also had time to visit Ikea and get some more ideas for my future bedroom makeover. All I know at this point is that I want simple and clean lines and colors. I'm actually considering white to be the main color of my new room, but that may be impossible with all of the colorful stuff I have around. I was about to buy the book shelf I've been wanting, but they were on backorder. I'm keeping an eye out for the restock.

Pink Cake

I had to redeem myself for the horrible cookies I made last time Brian came over. So I went with this pink cake.




Much better. Brian brought me a bottle of Reed's Cherry Ginger Brew that he bought at Galco's Soda Pop Stop, in Highland Park. He was sure I'd love it, but eh... not so much. It was one spicy soda! I did love the sentiment though!

Sleevey Dress

I've had this dress for a while now. I've worn it once, but always avoided it because of the long sleeves. I don't generally mind long sleeves, but these were baggy and unflattering.


So I finally decided to chop them off. I cut them at an angle.


Pinned them around, then sewed.


New sleeves! I could definitely see me wearing this dress more now.

The Slow Project or How I Got Rid Of My Big Blue Skein Of Yarn

I've been making some progress on my shawl. It's only been about 2 weeks since I started here.


I told myself this was the project that I would let myself be slow about, so here she is. I just want it finished by winter or so. I can't start my new quilt until I wash the fabrics and I'm not going to wash them unless I have a full load of laundry to do (costs $2.50 each wash), so in the meantime, I'll be knitting away.

New Quilt

Fabrics for a crib size quilt for my new niece, Annabelle.


This one is either going to be really simple, or kinda complicated. Not sure yet, but I'm leaning towards the complicated.

Snow Day

Yesterday we drove up to the snow. More pictures here.



After lots of nature walking, snowball fighting, snow angeling, snowman making, and sunburn getting hours later, we decided to leave. I pulled out my camera to see all the pictures we took during our adventures, only to find that my little camera was broken. I've had my little Canon Powershot SD200 for about 4 years now and it's been so good to me. That little guy has been with me every one of those days, without a case, thrown around in my purse. He had a few scratches here and there, but he was a tough little guy! I guess I'm a bit sentimental when it comes to certain things, and this camera is one of them. Maybe it's because my camera has been with me and helped me capture some of my most happy and sad memories of the past 4 years. No matter what changes around me, this little camera has been there! For the past year or so, I've been talking about upgrading my little camera, but I never did. I always blamed it on money, but I think part of it was because I loved my little camera (now that I'm admitting to it, I think I feel the same way about my 10 year old little car too). Well, I can only go so long without a camera, so this morning I purchased the Canon Powershot SD750. I do have to admit, I'm already in love with it. This time, I am going to go the extra mile and purchase a case for him. Time to go read more of the manual! I love non-fiction (seriously)!

Rainy Day

California finally got some rain today. I'm not really a fan of the rain, but it was desperately needed around here. Thanks to the cold weather, I woke up with a soar throat and cough. So all of the day was spent snuggling in my quilt, trying to feel better. Tomorrow might start with a trip to the snow, if I'm feeling better.

Are There Nuts In Here?

Yesterday was a bit busy. When I got home, I wrapped a gift for a co-worker who is leaving. Originally, my plan was to put the items in a bag and call it a day! See, I'm extremely troubled in the gift wrapping department. My mom and sister are expert wrappers, but somehow I got left out with the gift wrapping gene. Looks harmless so far....

But where was I going with this? I have no idea, but this is it. Believe it or not, it took me about an hour to do this. I tried really hard, but this is all I've got. It's so unfortunate.


Wrapping gifts isn't the only thing I messed up on last night! There's more, oh yes! Brian was coming over after work, so I decided (15 minutes before he arrived) that I should probably make cookies or something. Problem was, I had very little ingredients. I got a recipe of one of my favorite recipe sites, www.allrecipes.com that included the bare minimum, something like this...

Butter Cookies II
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Roll dough into little balls and bake until brown

Not so good. The dough was weird.


The taste was a bit off too. Brian asked me, "What kind of nuts did you use in these cookies?" (see recipe... no nuts! How did that happen?)


In total, I think we ate about 3 cookies before I threw them out and made chocolate pudding.


We watched the movie Quinceañera, ate some pudding, and had a good night.

Problems In The Bedroom

I've always wanted to do something really neat with my bedroom, but instead of doing anything, I've just been thinking about what to do for the past 1.5 years. I made my quilt thinking that would give me a better idea or direction, but instead it just confused me more (the quilt now has it's home folded up on my couch, in the living room). My room now has no organization or style.


I came across this image in the January 2007 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and it really got me. I immediately went to the fabric store and bought swatches to see if it would work.


The problem is, my entire apartment has this olive green, orange, brown, yellow, retro-ey thing going on, I'm not sure where red and blue would fit. I also have a green dresser which would probably have to be re-painted with these colors (maybe blue?). I'm still not convinced. Before I sew any more blankets or duvet covers for my bed, I think I need to get a little more organized. My next purchase will be this bookcase (in Birch-effect, 72 7/8x72 7/8"). And once I get all my stuff in there, I'll start sewing a duvet cover.

Martha's Got A Hold On Me

I couldn't resist anymore.


I had to buy a subscription to Blueprint, I just had to.

From The Parent's Library

It seems like each time I visit my parents, I find an old gem. Whether it be clothes, plates, picture, etc.. I always find something. Lately, it has been books. My parents are cleaning out their library and I found this book tucked away. I haven't got a chance to really go through it yet, but I know it's a poem book by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and that I'm totally in love with the Art Deco cover.

I'm a huge sucker for books with neat covers. I'm quite possibly the most backwards librarian-in-training (judging books by their covers and all), but the art school girl in me comes out when I see stuff like this.

Clouds Will Clear

I really have a thing for umbrellas. I'm playing with this whole card thing right now - it's fun, simple, and you get results quickly!

Greeting Cards

Took a mini break this week, but I'm back with a crafty vengeance. New cards featuring icons of today's craft world - a skein of yarn and a cupcake.



Blank inside. For sale $2.00 each, just email me at apedrosian@gmail.com

Craft Cozy

Inspired by Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing, I made a project similar to one she had in the book. I'm not really patient enough to follow directions or measure, so I just eyeballed it and came out with a slightly messy, but functional craft cozy. First I pressed the fabric.



Then I pinned and sewed.




Here she is with empty pockets.


And full pockets. I don't think I'm going to keep the cozy in this spot or with that pink ribbon either. I'm still trying to figure out where to put it and how to attach it on to the wall or desk it will be on.

Nerdy Crafter

I never got to do anything with those hollowed out eggs, but ideas are formulating. Recently, I've been acquainting myself with 2 books. For the nerdy side:


Digitizing Collections: Strategic Issues for the Information Manager

And for the crafty side:


Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects

And when time permits, I've been knitting.

Trifles and Greetings From Tokyo

Since the recipe was such a hit last time, I thought I'd make the same trifle for my sister's tea party today. Angel Food Cake Trifle with Strawberries, Blueberries, and Cream Cheese whip.



Making an Angel Food Cake uses lots of egg whites. So, while cracking the eggs, I decided to keep the shells for a future project. Possibly something for easter tomorrow!


Junko sent much love from Tokyo yesterday. I got the most wonderful package from her!

Each item is something I was drooling over when she was here. The brown socks for example, They're little mary jane socks! How adorable is that?

Also, Junko had a little froggy on her key when she was here and I just went crazy each time she brought it out. I am loving my little sheep key now!

And cupcake chopsticks!!! This girl knows me too well...

Easy Easter Basket

Brian is visiting me at work today and since I might not get to see him this weekend, I decided to give him his Easter Basket early. To make it, I used foil and fabric scraps. First, I shaped some foil into a bowl shape.


I put that aside and sewed strips of fabric together to make a nice rectangle of fabric.


Then, I bunched the fabric around the foil and sewed it on, using my machine. I added some green fabric on the inside to give it a Easter grass illusion. Since it was a big awkward running a bowl shape of fabric and foil through a machine, I decided to get a little creative with the stitches. I sewed it around and around with wavy motions to give it an intentional messy look.


For the handle, I folded over some of the fabric a few times and sewed it up and onto the basket.


Put the chocolates inside, and you have a cute little basket!

Cold Flashes

The temperature at my work is pretty random. It's usually cold, but then sometimes hot and always clammy. Considering we're a conservation library, I guess that's not a good thing. Not only is it bad for our books and journals, but it's not easy on me either. That's why I decided to knit me a shawl last night.

It was either a shawl or a blanket and I decided the shawl would be the more professional, subtle choice. I'm also choosing this project, because it's kind of a big one and I'm a slow knitter and after rushing through my quilt, I wanted something that would slow me down. Plus, it will be nice to use the million skeins of yarn I have laying around.

Flea Market Finds

Some organizing was done last night. After going to the Pasadena Flea Market on Sunday, I found this great case for all my sewing bits and pieces.


I love the small details on the handle. The glitter and the shape of the handle, itself. I was so lucky that this was in such good condition and a deal at $10!


It's a nice addition to my little sewing desk. It's coming together nicely.


My other flea market purchase was this pink purse. I had seen one at another booth for $65 and fell in love with it. As I sadly walked away from the purse, minutes later I spotted this identical purse for only $15! I immediately bought it, without noticing the slight tear on the handle. This is one of my biggest problems with vintage purses, they always seem to tear at the same spot. I'm going to try to mend it myself, but if that doesn't work, I might take it in to a repair shop.

Vanilla Puddding

I forgot to post this yesterday...

Vanilla pudding with papaya and pineapple. Yesterday, I went to the Pasadena Flea Market and got a few good finds. Those will be posted tomorrow!