Essie Sews...

Goodbye...Finally!

2012-09-29T11:09:00.002-07:00

Hi all or whoever reads this blog. I have decided not to post any longer on this blog. Maybe in the future, when I have time to make, photograph, edit, and write, I can then dedicate time to blogging. But for now it is not the season to be contributing to the blogosphere. The main reason for not blogging is that I have accepted an engineering position about 45 minutes away from where I live. So with the 10 1/2 hours that I will be away from home, cooking, cleaning and sewing for fun, I don't want to make the time to write. Thanks to those of who have read this wierd little blog.

Peace out,
~ Leslie

Miss Sock Monkey

2012-08-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Fall is coming early...I am not complaining...I love fall...probably because my birthday is in the fall...and maybe some other reasons. I had plans to settle down this summer and sew, but trips took the place of sewing. Fun road trips to visit family and friends. Pictures are coming soon.

I always wonder if my homemade presents will last (ahem...insecurity), and seeing this sock monkey years after it was given is very encouraging. This is Monkey and I made her for my niece's 2nd birthday 5 1/2 years ago. Monkey has been repaired a few times, but she is still being enjoyed by her owner. I have seen Monkey sleep in, twirl and dance, use a hammer, and be lovingly carried around by her best friend. A couple of weeks ago the pretty little owner asked for new clothes for Monkey so that Monkey can dress up a bit. I will have to see if I can make that happen.

I want to encourage those of you who like to make presents: One, When you make a gift for someone you not only create something for a person, but you actually think about that person while you are making the gift. Two, Making a gift allows you to put your personality into the gift...a little bit of what you have to offer is shared with someone else. Three, You enjoy yourself when making the gift. So, with these little pieces of advice...Christmas is in less than three months, so start making your gifts now. Trust me.

~Leslie

Hello...Is Anyone There???

2012-06-29T12:49:00.003-07:00

Bye Bye Boo

Hey all! Sorry I have been absent as of late. I am trying to come to some sort of balance in my life...you know...cooking, cleaning, painting, working, then sewing. I love blogging, but I need to figure out the priorities of the blog and what exactly I want to write about. Also, I kind of need projects to write about and those projects have come to a complete halt. Since we met last:

I passed my Professional Engineer's Exam! Yes, I am a licensed engineer. Passing the exam is Insane, Crazy, Surreal, and yet nothing has changed. Eight years of hard work and I am done with that season of my life. I am excited for what comes next...I don't know what is coming next...but it will be something new.

I painted most of my kitchen. I am the slowest painter in the world...and I don't enjoy painting.

I have acquired a Serger. A wonderful lady totally blessed me with a Serger; but unfortunately it has to visit the Serger doctor for servicing. I started making a 10 minute bag (that took me well over an hour) and I broke two needles. Grrr...

My dog died...Sad. (Yes, that is true...my life is not a country song).

I had my second running injury running this year (the first I landed on my knee when I slipped on ice and was out for 3 weeks). This time I sprained my ankle which turned out to be a more serious sprain that I first thought. Hopefully by week 6 I will be out running again...with an ankle brace.

We went camping for a few days just below Mt. Whitney. No hiking for me (see above), but we hung out in nature, ate lots of food and saw a spaghetti western at the Lone Pine Film History Museum.

I learned how to spin wool with a drop spindle. Did you know that you can spin dog fur into yarn? My first thought...that's disgusting...I hardly ever bathe my dog.

Shelves have been added to the Make Space, but I am still trying to figure out the layout, storage options and how to make room for Hubby because we have to share the room.

How are you all? Let me know...good or bad.

~Leslie

My Name Is Leslie and I Am A....

2012-05-10T15:39:00.002-07:00

PROJECT HOARDER. I have a terrible habit of starting projects, putting them down when I make a mistake, walk away to think a while, forget about the project and start another project. Basically I see something shiny, which in this case is anything fabric, paper, scissor, marker or glue related, and I abandon my harder projects for something easier. Then the easier project becomes harder and then...well...you know the rest. To date (and that is what I can see in the piles of crap on the floor, table, chair and ironing board), I have 12 unfinished projects. These are the projects that I actually want to finish. I guess this is where a list of priority projects would come in handy...which is defined as organization. Everything comes back to organization. I can't help myself.

Here are some of my unfinished projects:

Overnight Bag that I thought I could finish on a Sunday afternoon.

A Vest made out of lace and knit.

Two Skirts that I have taken upon my self to refashion.

A Wreath that needs more flowers.

My other projects include the Crescent Skirt and Renfrew Top that I have sewn once and unpicked once, an Embroidered Creation, the Sorbetto top that I am currently dismantling, a pair of shorts that I started at least 2 years ago, and of course Organizing my Sewing Area.

Are you a project hoarder? What type of projects have you left unfinished? Maybe you should try and finish them... ☺

~Leslie

10 Week Craft Marathon Projects

2012-05-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you Katie of Punk Projects for hosting the Craft Marathon. It was fun to participate in a group where I had to create something different on a weekly basis.

Here are all of the projects that I submitted for the 10 week Craft Marathon.

Apple Green, Lemon Yellow, Eggplant Purple, Tangerine Orange, Chocolate Brown,

Aqua Blue, Fire Engine Red, Barbie Pink, Royal Blue, Mint Green

Congratulations to all of the Winners!

~Leslie

May Is For...

2012-05-01T09:24:00.002-07:00

What in the world happened to April? I know it was here, but it went way too fast. So I guess it is on to May without a say (that rhymed). Here is my list:

I still have not finished the Crescent Skirt and Renfrew Top and I still have not started a new Sorbetto Top, so those three items are still on the list.

Fixing and finishing this blanket for my niece. She was only born 4 months ago.

Painting my house. I have been dragging my feet on this one. Want to help?

Finishing a bag that I started on Sunday. It is based on this and this.

Sketching, painting or drawing...one of these. This will be a new endeavor.

Lots of projects I want to at least think about and plan for. I have a rather long and continually growing list.

Enjoy the beautiful weather because it is pretty nice.

Keep running. I am up to 3 miles 3 days a week.

Putting some thought and effort into planning a Craft/Sewing/Cooking/Do Whatever You Want To Group with the ladies in my area.

What are you looking forward to this month?

~Leslie

Lace Bookmark Tutorial

2012-04-28T08:53:00.001-07:00

For the last week of the Craft Marathon I made a bookmark because it was easy and I had a big exam to take at the end of the week so the craft had to be quick. This bookmark is an easy and if you don't use a Kindle, then you will be able to enjoy its use. The bookmark is a combination of paper and lace, both of which are painted (I used a marker with a brush end).

1. Supplies: Cardstock, pens, lace, glue, scissors; 2. Make a design with the pens; 3. Glue the lace to the

cardstock; 4. Trim the excess lace; 5. Use the same colors to make the same design on the lace.

Here are a couple of other ideas. Make color blocks, attach the lace, and then use the same colors to paint the lace. Or make a design on the cardstock, add a shear fabric, and then paint the fabric.

You can give this tucked inside of a book for Mother's Day (unless your Mom has a Kindle, in which case she just messed up your plans), or have bookmarks on hand to give as quick gifts inside a hand written letter to your friends.

I am off to go for a run. Enjoy your weekend!

~Leslie

Things I Like

2012-04-26T09:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday! It has been a while since I have done a post like this. But, it is raining, I don't want to be at work, and I feel like being at home making something. Here are some Things I Like.

Pillow Headboard by BHG

Hanging Planters by Song and Dance

Crocheted Edge To Tea Towel by One Sheepish Girl

Painted Bracelet by Between the Lines

Updated Wooden Tray by Poppytalk

Wooden Cookie Canisters by You Are My Fave

Lace and Jersey Knit Vest by Sincerely, Kinsey

California Bird-Tree-Flower Print by Lucy Engleman

Painted Can Lights by Lowes

Have a Great Day!

~Leslie

Not Your Average Sock Monkey

2012-04-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sock Monkeys are special little gifts to the little girls in our family. I usually give them around the first or second birthdays. And now I wish I had pictures because they turned out pretty cute. My sister gave me a book called Stray Sock Sewing by Daniel (just his first name...kind of like Cher or Moby). The author turned his love of creativity into a business by making sock creatures, teaching classes and writing a book. Here are some views from the book:

The author has a whole section on how to make the socks creatures, what type of socks to use and different tecniques to shape the bodies. The pigs are my favorite.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

~Leslie

Summer is Coming! And this is about food.

2012-04-19T18:08:00.001-07:00

In an effort to inject a little personality into this blog, I am writing about something other than sewing, cutting, and gluing.

I was walking around Trader Joe's the other day with an incomplete food list...very dangerous. But, like the nerd that I am I was calculating the price of everything being tossed into the cart to stay within my $62.35 budget. Unfortunately, I went over the budget by $0.70 (dang you CRV tax and bad math) but I wasn't so bummed out because I bought some seasonal items for tasty summer dishes.

Potato, Squash and Goat Cheese Gratin courtesy of The Kitchn

Classic Basil Pesto by Sunset Magazine

Sauteed Beets with Mustard and Lemon Juice from 5 Spices 50 Dishes by Ruta Kahate

All of these look SOOOOOO good. (I own 5 Spices 50 Dishes, and I really like the book. It is an easy way to cook Indian food...5 spices is all you need. The dishes are quick, easy and delish.)

Here is a quick dish I prepared last night. I am all about quick, one bowl dishes. It makes my life easy and I don't have to be in the kitchen for hours. And, Hubby actually told me he liked the dinner, so it must have been good.

Asparagus and Sausage Rice (super creative name)
(Serves two, or one very hungry person)

Time: 15 minutes (if the rice is already cooked)

Olive oil
10 Asparagus stems cut into one inch pieces (smaller, thinner asparagus)
2 Garlic cloves minced
2 Chicken Apple Gouda sausages (or whatever precooked sausages you like) sliced in half and then in 1/4
inch pieces
Cilantro minced - as little or as much as you like
1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of Brown Rice
Soy Sauce to taste
Pepper to taste
Sriracha to taste

In a skillet over medium heat sautee asparagus in oil until just before your prefered tenderness. Add the garlic and continue sauteeing until garlic is golden brown and/or until the asparagus is tender. Drizzle soy sauce to season (I made one drizzle pass across the pan). Add the sausage and cilantro and heat through. Add the rice and mix all of the ingredients until heated through. Add pepper and Sriracha to taste. Perform a taste test and adjust flavors as necessary. Place into two bowls and enjoy!

~Leslie

Covered Button Earrings Tutorial

2012-04-16T19:22:00.001-07:00

I have a story to go along with this post. If you don't want to read it, skip to the tutorial below.

I have been wearing my Green Covered Button Earrings lately...I like them. The day before we had our taxes done, I finally put together everything for taxes...yes, I had a year to get this stuff done and I did it in one afternoon and evening. I pulled out some file folders from our desk (you can see it the background here), and there were spider webs along one side of the file folders. These are not just any spider webs...they are black widow webs. Last summer a black widow, or two, or three, or four...invaded the desk and proceeded to have its children all over the desk...(this give me the chills just writing it). We took care of the beasties, but there were still webs left in and around the drawers. I mentioned something to Hubby about cleaning up the black widow webs and continued pulling the webs off of the files, making sure that there were no spiders. As I was doing this, something moved in my hair. I screamed, jumped up, proceeded to go crazy shaking my hair with my hand, asked Hubby to check my hair, he said "No Way, just shake your head some more." I walked back to where I was working and saw my new Green Covered Button Earring on the floor...The spider was my earring. I freaked for nothing.

Me to Hubby, "I can't believe you wouldn't check my hair."
Him, "Why?"
Me, "What if that thing bit my head?"
Him "What if a rattlesnake was in my sleeping bag, would you pull it out?"
Me, "I don't even think that compares, but I would at least try to beat it to death."

Apparantly, when it comes to black widows, my safety DOES NOT come first. Spider chivalry is dead in my house.

Here is how you can make your own Covered Button Earrings. Enjoy!

1. Supplies: Buttons (like these), 2" diamater circle template (usually on the back of the button package), Fabric Scraps, Pen, Scissors, Wire snips (not shown in the supplies photo), Hot glue gun (with a glue stick), and Earring posts and backs. 2. With your circle template, trace out on the fabric and cut the fabric into two circles. 3. Place the button top "teeth up" on the back side of the fabric circle. 4. Fold the fabric over the teeth making sure that the fabric stays. Work this well so that you don't end up with corners on your earrings. 5. Place the back on the button. 6. Use a spool of thread to smash the button back onto the button front. 7. Snip of the loop. If you snip off one side, then you should be able to pull the other side out. Or just cut both sides. 8. Glue on the earring post.

I bought the earring posts and backs at Joann's. Here is my review...they kind of stink. The reason my earring fell off was because the back slipped off. Make sure to buy earrings and backs that are some what tight. This may be difficult since the pieces are normally in a package, but you can buy loose pieces at a bead store so you can test them. Or, just take your chances...it's not like you are breaking the bank with these earrings.

~Leslie

Mint and Jane

2012-04-10T07:52:00.001-07:00

Hello All! This Friday I endure a grueling 8 hour exam for my Professional Engineer's License so I am taking it easy this week. Easy means that I still have to work, but not stress about my exam. It means that I need to relax so that going into my exam I am not a freak who has to go to the bathroom 34 times (I know...maybe a little too much information). Easy also means that I am going to feed my current obsession of Jane Austen and continue reading Sense and Sensibility, and finish up the final miles of the Craft Marathon with this mint green bookmark.

And I made the bookmark while watching Pride and Prejudice. Told you I have a small obsession. I will post a tutorial soon.

Do you have any current obsessions?

Have a fantastic week!

~Leslie

Quickie Necklace

2012-04-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

So...I moved my sewing area A.G.A.I.N. I kind of like the new layout, but there is a pile on the floor, a pile in my bedroom and more stuff in my closet. I have too much stuff. As soon as I can make the room presentable (and act like I don't live like a craft slob), then pictures I will share some pictures.

This week's Craft Marathon challenge is Royal Blue. Once again I walked to my baskets of fabric to look for royal blue fabric. There were bits of royal blue in other pieces fabric, but nothing that I really wanted to use. As I was walking around the pile on the floor, I noticed a small square of royal blue fabric that I had cut from a piece that will one day be a Crescent skirt (I am working on the muslin right now, so this is your teaser for the skirt that I will be sewing). That little piece of fabric turned into a necklace...an easy necklace...as in I stood at my ironing board making the necklace...easy.

I fused the fabric to wooden disks with Heat N Bond, glued them together, added emboridery thread, and added a bead and tied loop on the ends for the closure.

What do you think? Anyone interested in a tutorial? Let me know.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Leslie

April Is For...

2012-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Not playing in April Fool's gags because of this.
I am going to say blogging again because last month I did not do too well.
Studying for another week and a half - this is the main reason why I have not been blogging too much.
Taking my Professional Engineer's Exam - this is the last exam I have to pass.
Easter
Women's Retreat
Hopefully enjoying the beautiful weather sans wind - I can dream can't I?
Altering the work on two patterns: the Crescent Skirt and Renfrew Top. Both turned out too big.
Making a Sorbetto Top - I just found some fabric at the thrift store yesterday that will work nicely. And, I might add sleeves.
Finishing the Craft Marathon.

What are you looking forward to this month?

Little Heart

2012-03-31T14:11:00.001-07:00

This week Craft Marathon challenge is Barbie Pink. I am not really a pink person..I hardly ever wear pink and I don't own that many pink things (I used pink paper for this card, but I think a new project would be better). So this week was a bit of a challenge. I started looking at my baskets of fabric for anything pink and found a couple pieces of pink fabric...I was kind of shocked and stoked (because it meant I did not have to buy anything). I saw a onesie that my sister gave me to embellish and then put pink fabric and a onesie together. Prego season is upon us so I am sure that I will be able to give this someone in the next 9 months.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Leslie

Furry Fox Toy

2012-03-24T20:32:00.003-07:00

Little Mister's first birthday was a couple of days ago and today we are celebrating. I cannot believe it has been a year already. Little boy presents are not my specialty. I asked my sister what I should get him and being the very practical woman she is said "He needs a hooded towel." Therefore I made him a towel, but I wanted to make him something fun (and help with my Craft Marathon entry...this week is fire engine red). Earlier this week I saw the Plush Fox tutorial from the ladies over at A Beautiful Mess. I found some red flannel fabric for the body and then started searching for fabric for the snout and belly....I found a fur collar that I took off of a jacket a thousand years ago.

I think it turned out pretty cute.

I hope you all having a great weekend!

Leslie

Fabric Lined Jar

2012-03-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Aqua Blue is the theme this week for Craft Marathon. I did not cheat this week...yay for me. As the week was ending I realized that I couldn't finish the project that I started for this week's Craft Marathon. Desperate times call for desperate measures...or in my case, start looking through the thousands (I think I found it in the first five) of ideas collected and find something that will work. I tagged this fabric lined jar tutorial from Fellow Fellow earlier this week. And then I remembered that I picked up some fabric at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago that would work. This project took me all of ten minutes (or less). Fellow Fellow used hers for tea lights, but I am going to use mine for sewing tool storage.

I hope you all are having a great weekend.

Leslie

Road Trip

2012-03-14T15:07:00.002-07:00

This past weekend Hubby and I took a short (as in time, not distance travelled) road trip. Our criteria when deciding where to go on a trip is someplace new (for me) and something to do (for him). We drove to Prescott, Arizona to camp (in March camping means freezing cold at night) and to gold pan. It was short trip, but we had a nice time and I even learned how to pan for gold. I think we found about 3 cents worth of gold. We went thrifting and I found a Pyrex bowl to add to my collection, we stopped at 3 different In-N-Out's (we have a life long goal to visit as many In-N-Out's as we can), we saw a bunch of crazy things in the desert (desert people are wierd), we slept in every morning, and met some really nice people. Here are a few pics of the weekend (I wish they were more exciting, but I am terrible at taking a bunch of pictures).

16 hours of this:

Even though I have a "No Smarts" phone, it was dead so I did alot of this:

We did some of this:

And I did some of this:

I hope your week is going well. Don't forget to subscribe to Essie Sews (see the buttons on the side).

Leslie

Fabric Rope Bracelet Redo

2012-03-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

The theme for Week 5 of the Craft Marathon is Chocolate Brown. I had every intention of participating in this challenge, but I ran out of time before I left town. I totally cheated and posted a bracelet that I made for one of my sisters-in-law for Christmas. Katie of Punk Projects, who is hosting the Craft Marathon, was very gracious and let me keep this project for Miles 11 and 12 of the Marathon.

This is the fabric rope bracelet. You can find the tutorial here and my original post here.

Enjoy your weekend. I am in the middle of a four day prospecting trip with Big Ole Nug. See you all next week.

Leslie

Awesome Patch

2012-03-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

If you know me or if you have read my blog for a while, you may have noticed that I am fairly sarcastic and have an extremely dry sense of humor. The people who know me, get it, but those who are reading me in black and white don't know that there is some color to me. So, with that being ~~said~~ typed...the title of today's post is sarcastic.

Hubby asked me to patch his down vest. I told him that it would probably look ugly and he said, "I don't care, can you fix it? My grandpa used duct tape on his, I can probably do the same thing. Don't you have a patch you can use?" Yep...a camo patch. I showed it to him and he said fine, just fix it. So, after sewing the vest to itself twice, the Man can now where his vest without feathers falling out. I mean, we have a goose, he could have just borrowed feathers from her instead of asking me to fix his vest.

This is to encourage you that not all jobs are pretty, and if your husband asks you to fix something even though it is ugly...then just do it...it will make him happy. But...he will tell everyone that you did it. He is just so good to me.

What has your man asked you to fix lately?

Leslie

Oranization: Tools

2012-03-07T09:28:00.001-08:00

I like to store my tools in the most logical, practical spot...on the table closest to my sewing machine.

My tools are in a handblown glass vase (that sounds expensive, but it was totally free from a family member). You can use just about anything. Here are a few ideas for you:

This little sewing area is awesome. Desiree at 36th Avenue made this compact space bright and organized.

Via Ucreate

Painted mason jars. I have painted two of these, but I have not put them to use yet. Try this easy tutorial from Emma at Food Coma.

By Food Coma

Check out how Jane at Borrowed Abode organized her studio.

By Borrowed Abode

How do you like to organize your tools?

I hope your week is going well. Just a reminder: I am removing Google Friend Connect, so please subscribe over on the right hand side either via feed or email. Thanks!

Leslie

A Not So Hard Seat

2012-03-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

We bought our house about four and a half years ago, and with the house came this great dining booth. We had tables made just for the booth and the previous owners left boards that fit the booth for cushions. I have looked for fabric since we have moved in, but being the cheapskate that I am I just could not fork out the dough for heavy duty fabric. One day at work I took a little stroll to deliver a package and on my way back to the office I stopped by the thrift store. I headed back to the fabric section and I found a roll of cream and black striped fabric. One of the volunteers offered to help me figure out the yardage...which totalled 8 yards. I asked how much and she said $6. Sold. I am always in awe of those who ~~steal~~ find steals at thrift stores. And now I am one.

Over the weekend I tackled these suckers. 17+ feet of boards, foam, batting and fabric. I think it took about 2.5 hours to do all of the cushions. And I used the wrong side of the fabric because I was not thinking about what I was doing. It is a subtle change but it warms up the spot nicely.

I need to add some pillows to make it cozy and add some interest to the table. It is boring, I know. Please ignore that ugly chandelier. We need a new one.

Any home decor projects going on in your home?

Leslie

My Alone Shirt

2012-03-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am not sure how, but I have the whole house to myself today. We even have company this weekend and I am by myself. It doesn't hurt that I am getting sick and no one wants to be around me. There are a bunch of projects that I want to start or finish this weekend.

First up, make something for Week 4 of the Craft Marathon. The theme: tangerine orange. Lucky for me I had this tangerine orange knit in my stash that I have been wanting to hack into. As you can see, I made this tank top. I used another shirt to roughly cut out the main pieces (like this shirt), and then kept cutting here and there until it looked decent. The tank top turned out a little too tight and the edges roll, but it was a good experience learning how to sew or how not to sew jersey knit. Maybe I can use this shirt for gardening...Oh wait...I don't garden. Weeding the flowerbeds was punishment when I was a kid...therefore I don't really appreciate yardwork or gardening. I don't know how I will wear this shirt...I suppose it could be a sewing by myself shirt.

What are you doing this weekend?

~Leslie

Pillow Envy

2012-03-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Are you harder on yourself than everyone else? I am. It is something that I have to constantly work on. Like thinking about this pillow I made...over and over and over. Its stupid to think about an inanimate object that much. Ok...here is the pep talk to myself: "the pillow is not bad at all, just put it somewhere else where you can't see it anymore and everything will be fine". Is that denial? Or deflection? Or avoidance? See how I torture myself. Here is a better pep talk: "It.Doesn't.Matter...It.Is.Just.A.Pillow!"

My sister-in-law, at amanda.grace designs, and my friend, at very much sew, made some pretty cute pillows this week. I love that both of them have different details that add visual interest.

By amanda.grace designs

By very much sew

Very nice ladies!

~Leslie

March Is For...

2012-03-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Getting back into the swing of blogging. I did not realize that not having a laptop really cuts into my writing time.
Working on two patterns: the Crescent Skirt and Renfrew Top.
Making a cushion for my dining booth. 17' of boards, foam, batting and fabric.
Continuing with the Craft Marathon.
Going on a little road trip! I am so excited. The only criteria is that it is some place new (for me) and there is something to do (for Hubby).
Get back to running. I took a nasty little spill about a week and a half ago. Ice, running shoes and knees don't work well together.
Studying. I have one final exam to pass next month.
Probably moving my sewing area again. I know, you don't have to say anything.
Finishing my organization series.
Then there is the normal. Working outside of the home 5 days a week, doing other stuff at least 2 nights a week, and hanging out with friends and family...life.

What are your plans for the month?

~Leslie