32 Minute Messenger Bag Love

I found this simple pattern through the DesignMom blog for a "32-Minute Messenger Bag". The full and free tutorial can be found here. I admit that it took me a little longer than 32 minutes, but it always takes me a long time to cut my pieces as I don't have a large cutting mat and have to really take time to make sure everything is squares up.

Here's the finished piece.




You'll have to forgive the next photos. We don't have a full length mirror in the house so, naturally, i had ti get up on the side of the bathtub and try to take a picture. I'm glad I have good balance because it's trickier than you'd think...


I realized that the straps are long enough that I could even wear it as a pack is I were trying to ride my bike or take a walk and don't want all the weight on one shoulder.


And finally, a cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall" song by Ryan Adams that I really like. It isn't a music video - someone just stuck a photo of Ryan Adams on it, but I couldn't find another good place to link to it. I listen to it on slacker.com on one of my custom radio stations, but all the other version on youtube were live and the fans I gotta say just don't sound as good.

The Dandelion Wars

In the timeless tradition of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, the Roadrunner and the Coyote, and arch enemies everywhere, we bring you a new television show sure to keep you on the edge of your seats and wondering what happens next. Welcome to The Dandelion Wars.

It happened when a certain peson...let's call him "J"...was born with an innate and very strong hatred of dandelions. And worked hard to make his yard look like this:




He is pleased to find that most of his neighbors have well manicured and weed free lawns. However, a certain lawn on the corner and one RIGHT NEXT DOOR have seen fit to amass a large army of weeds that successfully took over many parts of J's domain last year. See exhibit A below and do not be fooled by it's seemingly beautiful appearance. Those weeds are dangerous and can strike at any moment. (And besides...the other lawn with the dandelions just looks unkempt rather than mountain meadow-ish...)


And thus began, the Dandelion Wars. Currently, J is strengthening his defenses with a rigorous fertilizer campaign including a weed and dandelion blocker, and has purchased a special gun (which is attached to a canister of weed killing spray). He has enlisted the help of "M", an incognito assassin, to aid in the fight against the Weedy Army. In fact...M completed her first mission this morning.

How will this bloody fight end? Will the wily weeds win? Will the frantic fertilizers defeat them? Holy dratted dandelions, batman! I can't wait to find out! Stay tuned next week for another exciting episode of...dun dun dun....The Dandelion Wars!

Signs of Life

I find that holding down a hobby is much harder than holding down a job, but here's a little proof that my current hobbies miraculously still manage to hold my attention.

It's a bug! It's a MONSTER!
No wait! It's a pre-shoe...


And now it's a the real deal. A Kimono Shoe from ithinksew.com. As you can see, the first pair is what I like to call the "Quasimodo" pair since only someone with a seriously deformed foot could wear one of the shoes...but the second shoe came out well and the second pair a little better. I still have to tweak things to get it looking the way I want, but a shoemake is not born overnight I guess.


And finally, the Flower Girl Dress from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. It also has it's own issues, but who doesn't, right? It is very long, although it is meant to be an ankle length dress, but I guess you are supposed to measure the child and determine length.


While it may appear the I have stopped knitting, this is not the case. I admit, it has taken a bit of a back seat to sewing as I break in my new machine, but I am still cranking away at J's sweater and the striped baby dress. Hopefully they'll start looking like something soon so I can post some photos.