InStitches Project for March

Finally! I started (and finished) my clutch handbag for the March InStitches project. And just a quick bit of bragging: the materials cost me less than $5.

Amy's pattern called for this clutch to be a monstrous 17 1/2 inches wide. A bit too large to be accurately (or ergonomically) described as a clutch, no? After battling some moderate anxiety, I trimmed down the pattern to make this polka dot sensation that measures in at slightly over 12 inches wide. Much more appropriate I think. Continuing the "make it your own" theme, I added a single handle to make it more of an oversized wristlet that's also long enough to throw over your shoulder on a walk.

Somewhere in the pattern alteration/measuring/cutting stages I made the inside divider too big for the bag, so it kinda scrunches up and looks a little wonky inside. Next time I will probably leave out the divider altogether, because you really can't fit enough inside this tiny bag to necessitate a divider or any other form of organization. I would also keep the tab closure at its original size, for both style and practical purposes. Check out other projects from 'round the country here.

I just happened to have those DARLING pink polka dot mirror iron-on appliques left over from some craft project of old. The coordination with the inside lining gets me every time.  Speaking of coordination... is this too much??

I affectionately call this bag "The Susan" because something about the navy and white polka/hot pink combination reminds me of my mom.

do it by hand

Ii made use of my embroidery hand-me-downs a little while ago but had forgotten to post the finished project: a jazzed-up version of my faithful brown hoodie. I did the embroidery by hand and it turned out a little wonky, but I'll get better as time goes on. It never ocurred to me to learn machine embroidery, but maybe it is worth learning. Any tips? Leads on where to find easy directions?

the front:

the back:

We are getting another snowstorm this weekend. Well, it is actually happening as I write this. We had a Valentine's Day blizzard and then a week of bitter cold and then a few days this week with temperatures in the low 60s. How is this possible? Tuesday: 66 degrees (fast-forward) Friday: 15-20 inches of snow.

I really want to get started on my navy polka dot clutch, but I haven't picked up the fabric yet and, more importantly, I should really be working on either: my development project for reducing maternal mortality in Chiapas, Mexico or reading this book for class or studying for the economics midterm or working on my cost-benefit analysis paper. Anyone who is familiar with this particular workload, however, will laugh at the idea that I would actually be working on these things. As my med school roommate wisely noted, if I indeed am complaining about how much work I have... wouldn't it be prudent to ACTUALLY DO IT? Astute observation, Pete, very astute.

remnants of an evening

We filled ourselves with enough ratatouille, baked ziti, carrot ginger soup, sangria, shrimp cocktail, berry pie, biscotti, brownies, margaritas, wine, banana bread, mango salsa, taco dip, strawberries and a light and fluffy dessert (whose name I forget, but which sounds like "zamboni") to live off of for days.

To have all of our friends from all different corners come over and share in food, wine and conversation in our home was so very nice. I hope to have many repeats of this night.

I've temporarily traded in seamstress work for graduate work, but I plan to pick up the latest In Stitches Sew-A-Long project and get serious. Mom and I were thinking: (anticipation) ... navy and white polka dot fabric. I know, it will be incredible if I ever get going with it. Stay tuned.

Tonight's Forecast

Mostly clear. Low: 1 degree F.

A few passing clouds. Very cold.
Wind chills may approach -10 degrees F.

Average low: 22 degrees F.

This is absolutely terrible. Venturing outside automatically results in:

1. A pink, nay red, windburned face.
2. Numbing of the ears to the point of panic.
3. Quick, short strides (due to loss of warmth in legs and joints) in the style of Willy Wonka's Oompa Loompas.
4. Sometimes, just sometimes, I've seen other people with leaky noses. Never mine.
5. General misery expressed by streaming foul language.