Creativity + Sewing = Smiles and Success

Thought I'd share with you the great work my students at The Grove did in their classes over the last few months. It's always fun to see someone move from "how do I thread this thing?" to "what's the next project you're teaching?" And I have to say, I've met some very talented students who just needed to have a little help in the "land of sewing"!

The first hour or so is often filled with doubt on whether the seam is sewn right or the gathers are puckered in the right places, and I notice lots of "breath holding - even though the Yoga studio is down the street". Once that's worked through, we start to relax and laugh and see something actually take shape before our eyes!

And here are the results!

Lee, in the Stella Strip Skirt she made standing next to her Mom
with the Stash and Dash Bags they made!

Liz with her colorful Needle Case and Jan putting the "pedal to the metal" on her Case!

Lisa and Michelle, almost done with their Dharma Eco Friendly Bags!


And Stephanie DONE!

Katie, Susan, Rita and Lee proudly showing off their awesome Market Bags!

Come and visit The Grove and sign up for a class...May will have drop in and work on your project classes for those that are "stuck" and in June we'll be having a Twinkle Sews Sundress class, a Summer Top class that combines crocheting with sewing (the crocheting part offered in May) and a Joy Bag class!

Whatever you do, wherever you are....explore your creativity!

Roll It and Stash It!

Class is coming up this Saturday at The Grove to make this fun Knitting Needle Case. It's BIG and lets you store a ton of needles! The pattern is from the book Stitch 'N Bitch and is quite easy to follow.

The most fun is picking out the 3 to 4 different fabrics and then it's all "freeway" stitching! That's my term for "put the pedal to the metal" and sew straight! No curves...ALL straight, couldn't be simpler!

Those of you who knit and haven't dusted off your sewing machine for a while, will enjoy "getting back on the bike" and sewing the handy take along roll up!

The Needle Case if folded in half in this shot....

If you're in the San Diego area and are open on Saturday, call The Grove and sign up - a few spaces are still available. They also have copies of the book to purchase. If you're not in the area, pick up the book and get some fun fabrics and sew away!

Iris the Gormet Monster

In January I saw this adorable pattern by Rebecca Danger of Dangercrafts and couldn't resist it. Mind you I've never, I repeat never, knitted an animal before and I don't have any little ones around that would enjoy it. But I just had the feeling that I HAD to get it and knit it.

It was combined in a kit with Lorna's Laces Revelation, and although it was displayed in many color choices, I chose the blue one.
I tell you all of this because 3 months later, my daughter tells me she's expecting and her and hubby are "thinking blue". Was it Mama's intuition? A mother/daughter telepathy? Did all the stars line up and drag me to the table at the TNNA (knitting and needlework conference) and say "buy me"? I'll never know, and won't question why it was so easy to make and so timely.
So here's some pictures of my latest (non-sewing) project...

Iris had a ball at my house, she posed like a good little monster and then went
crazy with the antics!

Standing on her head...

Looking "Cool"!

And trying to look fashionable when sitting in her carrying case for her trip to her new family.


Yes....she's now with her new mommy and daddy, waiting for a new little one to join the family!


By the way, there's a sweet story that Rebecca writes about Iris. Iris evidently adores food...all the tastes and colors of food. She cooks everyday and is a BIG lover of cheeses! According to Rebecca, Iris will do anything for a nice gourmet meal and would walk through fire for some good cheese!

A Monster after my own Heart!