tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168796584860876502024-03-05T02:03:07.650-08:00hiumahiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-80255092596028306062008-11-14T05:44:00.001-08:002008-11-14T05:56:35.550-08:00Thinking holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3024528855_c58ecfc03a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/3024528855_c58ecfc03a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm not usually someone who plans ahead and is all organized for the holidays (in fact, I have been guilty of doing lots of shopping on Dec 24th on more occasions than I would like to admit). However, I now live in Germany while my friends & fam remain in Canada. Shipping packages (using the affordable cheap rate) takes 6 weeks, which essentially means, I'm already very late on the gift front. All of that is a long-winded way to explain why I have actually been thinking about the holidays in November.<br /><br />This isn't even a gift - this was a 5 minute project to use up some felt scraps. But I like it. Simple but with potential. May require a glue gun to keep it all together (but that would mean I would have to go and buy a glue gun - I know, what kind of crafter doesn't own a glue gun?).<br /><br />To make the 3D tree, all you have to do is cut out two 2D trees and slit one from the top & one from the bottom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/3024529561_238d82c213_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/3024529561_238d82c213_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now I must get going on those gifts....hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-59505856127596477592008-11-13T10:24:00.000-08:002008-11-13T12:21:08.147-08:00The matching pouchWith my leftover fabric from the <a href="http://hiuma.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-big-project-weekender-bag.html">Weekender Bag</a>, I made a matching Straight Sided Triangular Cosmetic Bag using <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=176509.0">this tutorial</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3025338024_d4ab625e72_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3025338024_d4ab625e72_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The tutorial was great (I really appreciate the people who take the time to tutorialize their creations!) but I would suggest a small modification for future versions. I found that the raw edges of the zipper were exposed on the inside due the addition of the exterior fabric squares (which does look great from the outside). See what I mean here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/3024511583_6e9823229c_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/3024511583_6e9823229c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, I admit a bit picky, but I felt the need to cover these raw ends of the zipper. In this case I hand stitched a little patch over the ends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3025339566_0b82627b11_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3025339566_0b82627b11_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For future pouches, it would be simple to add a square of the lining material to ends of the zipper at the same time as squares of exterior fabric.<br /><br />I also referred to twelve22's <a href="http://www.twelve22.org/2006/07/zipper_tutorial.html">zip pouch tutorial</a> for additional zipper installation confidence boosting (her tip that you fold the zipper toward the lining when sewing the side seams was very helpful - but probably makes no sense unless you are actually making a pouch!).<br /><br />Oh, and I also added little loops in the side seam - I like having something to hang onto while zipping!hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-41873106700679757602008-10-23T08:23:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:34:33.643-07:00The first big project - - The Weekender Bag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2966608069_ce0e633b75_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2966608069_ce0e633b75_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I have admired the <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_display.php?id=22">Weekender Travel Bag</a> for ages, owned the pattern for more than a year, and finally got my hands on some fabric I considered worthy (and I'm not the only one who <a href="http://treefalldesign.typepad.com/tree_fall/2008/08/oh-how-i-long-to-sew-anything-at-all-but-first-of-all-i-would-have-to-find-the-time-and-then-i-would-have-to-have-a-sewin.html">loved this fabric</a>). I was first inspired by <a href="http://www.elliphantom.com/2006/05/finished_weekender_travel_bag.html">this </a>beautiful version. And finally, it is finished!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2966608821_c74bc16a7c_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2966608821_c74bc16a7c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After doing some thorough research <a href="http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/2008/07/travellin-bag.html">of</a> <a href="http://craftoholic.blogspot.com/2006/05/my-weekender-bag.html">those</a> <a href="http://needlebook.blogspot.com/search/label/weekender">who</a> <a href="http://knitlint.wordpress.com/2007/07/14/finished-object-amy-butler-weekender-bag/">had</a> <a href="http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings/?p=143">gone</a> <a href="http://allbuttonedup.typepad.com/all_buttoned_up/2006/08/the_weekender_i.html">before</a>, here are my notes & modifications:<br />- I took all buttoned up's <a href="http://allbuttonedup.typepad.com/all_buttoned_up/2006/08/the_weekender_i.html">advice </a>and used fusible tape to seal the cording.<br />- You can get away with 4.5 m of cording (if like me, you don't do a very good job of mental unit conversion from imperial to metric while the lady in the fabric store is waiting to cut the cord for you).<br />- I lengthened the handles slightly - I tested different lengths until I found the minimal length needed to fit the bag comfortably over my shoulder. In the end I only extended the handles to 49.5" (from 48"), but, hey, it was an important 1.5".<br />- I used lining & exterior fabric for the handles (cut 1 strip of each 2" wide, sewed together with a 1/2" seam allowance, and presto, now you have the equivalent of the single 3" wide piece specified in the pattern.<br />- Hand basting (as <a href="http://allbuttonedup.typepad.com/all_buttoned_up/2006/08/the_weekender_i.html">recommended </a>and <a href="http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/2008/07/travellin-bag.html">seconded</a>) was needed for the final assembly stage.<br />- I used my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21359661@N02/2967498980/">foot treadle sewing machine</a> for all the sewing involving many layers. I could go nice and slow and that machine can go through anything without breaking a sweat.<br />- I used <a href="http://www.expertstitch.com/9291.html">Flexi Firm Fusible</a> based on <a href="http://craftapple.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/ah-the-demise-of-timtex/">craftapple's</a> review of Timtex substitutes (I didn't fuse it to the fabric, I just treated it like sew-in interfacing).<br />- Some pockets were added inside (a full-length pocket on one side with a snap, and 2 pockets on the other side) as well as a zipped pocket in the lining of the outer pocket (the idea here was that this would be secure but easily accessible for boarding passes, passports, and the like).<br /><br />Double pockets in the lining before being attached:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2967453476_3d1d02d272_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2967453476_3d1d02d272_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Zipped pocket in lining of outer pocket:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2966606539_6b52670c60_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2966606539_6b52670c60_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now, all I need is a trip!hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-83435015758169020152008-10-20T07:58:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:47:12.697-07:00Farewell to MontrealIn Old Montreal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2344441645_e433e25bd5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2344441645_e433e25bd5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Congress Centre.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2345270566_3448abc3ec_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2345270566_3448abc3ec_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On Parc Ave, just north of Sherbrooke. Home to my favourite stationary store: <a href="http://www.nota-bene.ca/">Nota Bene</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2344442339_126fe10aa8_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2344442339_126fe10aa8_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The view from the Mountain.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2344444083_daf4334eb4_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2344444083_daf4334eb4_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the mountain in summer....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2344442505_b47e5631fc_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2344442505_b47e5631fc_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and winter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2345271098_a15e9af036_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2345271098_a15e9af036_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Marlborough. Home... once upon a time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2344443977_1571acb0a6_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2344443977_1571acb0a6_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-2840937089395208792008-07-05T09:25:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:46:39.209-07:00quick bagsSince I don't own enough bags (ha!) I recently went on a little bag making kick.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegoUqsR0RLhDOAhxwerVDA0gmvcdpyFFtj5elbS_s0GoTAgjInePiEQIYD9He3S1KnJowxAnKJ0VahTXZx4ZpGCjD0v1SflSsWEERFjjXxlqGNTYmUSMEfs9-oV4PREOUgy5gRUHJ3uE/s1600-h/DSCN6259.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegoUqsR0RLhDOAhxwerVDA0gmvcdpyFFtj5elbS_s0GoTAgjInePiEQIYD9He3S1KnJowxAnKJ0VahTXZx4ZpGCjD0v1SflSsWEERFjjXxlqGNTYmUSMEfs9-oV4PREOUgy5gRUHJ3uE/s400/DSCN6259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083750586575976562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ9MyfxM_EZNUPs_hwPkBZLXxNH-HDR8CrMT2dJOYQgmKQVTER0zM7J4c7FQ7_Sgo0JTipUZPseHoLoozImjPpauHt2HXVOxvFGEZjb1YAnXgXmGfsufnOe0d_4ldK0-XfMwVEFrHlzg/s1600-h/DSCN6426.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ9MyfxM_EZNUPs_hwPkBZLXxNH-HDR8CrMT2dJOYQgmKQVTER0zM7J4c7FQ7_Sgo0JTipUZPseHoLoozImjPpauHt2HXVOxvFGEZjb1YAnXgXmGfsufnOe0d_4ldK0-XfMwVEFrHlzg/s400/DSCN6426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083750380417546338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These were inspired by <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d496330b00a22110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&lastnavigatedchannel=13fbf423088ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=taxonomylist">this bag</a> made from a pillow case. My versions were made from smaller pieces of fabric so the tied handles were replaced with a button (not even a button hole - just sewn together due to sewing laziness!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgMqEBcOMF3S82bvqlTHAIlDRlr_tTFmBnPTKDVS6I-etHsaSWSzYindkh82Zgdjh2hSk8GojzS8Csy_PdspWvfGsrL4ep1CaOeSwb2NjHLYelDsHpOnDpticsbWEptCpoJyk7iFBlp8/s1600-h/bags.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgMqEBcOMF3S82bvqlTHAIlDRlr_tTFmBnPTKDVS6I-etHsaSWSzYindkh82Zgdjh2hSk8GojzS8Csy_PdspWvfGsrL4ep1CaOeSwb2NjHLYelDsHpOnDpticsbWEptCpoJyk7iFBlp8/s400/bags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083754598075431042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not the most secure bag, but I like the size and it tucks under my arm well. Good for adding a little colour!hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-25415783051196418772008-06-15T06:42:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:47:26.191-07:00experimental jewelry?I was playing around with some wire and ended up with a wire spiral ring. It seemed a bit boring so I added some thread, woven through the wire. The end result is this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzJZn51rgpFAW4Mplcl6V4VUob8eYvop1h8GwStRt00DAlqQXiFgd80mZ_Car6NQnrUbG9YyTyL-WoiCkdAkAeKv8-u0qSAqpPUfVDDbReHSz3Zq5F84tsGuraupyseSxDmzfMeJHJR8/s1600-h/ring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzJZn51rgpFAW4Mplcl6V4VUob8eYvop1h8GwStRt00DAlqQXiFgd80mZ_Car6NQnrUbG9YyTyL-WoiCkdAkAeKv8-u0qSAqpPUfVDDbReHSz3Zq5F84tsGuraupyseSxDmzfMeJHJR8/s400/ring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076307954873573602" border="0" /></a><br />I don't actually wear it, but I like the idea. (I find that happens a lot - the brilliant idea in my head doesn't pan out quite as I had envisioned - but that's half the fun. It's about the process not the end product, right? Ok, sometimes it's about the end product - just not this time!)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-47022277005706382112008-05-27T11:28:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:46:53.320-07:00spring cardThis card was made as a Happy Easter/Happy Spring card using my handy dollar store flower punch and scrap paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgznUMQRbDB76qDHcdn96v4WMhDo7pvRMBcbG8lbhQ5VYBw7EYNbVHpEZhILPh1m-goGeNY-BFh78gJ5KzI20qmW7njx9QkgbeXp-Ciab4tX_XnrL3j99Y7pDkyOclWP48bBqG_rdf8AA/s1600-h/DSCN4826.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgznUMQRbDB76qDHcdn96v4WMhDo7pvRMBcbG8lbhQ5VYBw7EYNbVHpEZhILPh1m-goGeNY-BFh78gJ5KzI20qmW7njx9QkgbeXp-Ciab4tX_XnrL3j99Y7pDkyOclWP48bBqG_rdf8AA/s400/DSCN4826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069310252221849250" border="0" /></a>Since the dollar store punch is not terribly sturdy, I ended up using the paper wrappers from my favourite <a href="http://www.twinings.com/product.php?productid=6">tea </a>for the flower heads since they are made of very lightweight paper. The stems and leaves were cut freehand. All finished off with a quick run through the sewing machine to fasten the flowers down!hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116879658486087650.post-60735481031527570482008-05-25T09:33:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:44:58.669-07:00spring starthello!<br /><o:p> </o:p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have to admit that I didn’t really understand the blogging phenomenon until, one day, I stumbled upon <a href="http://craftlog.org/">craftlog </a>while looking for something else.<span style=""> </span>I loved the creations I saw there, and links to other blogs opened up a whole new world of crafters and artists.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the last few months I have been enjoying witnessing the amazing crafting documented in the blogging world.<span style=""> </span>I have been inspired by your creativity and impressed by the community that you have created.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD2rwr4xq7EnD6Hb5MBg-B53T6WJJVptxnR05VnSOvWb7TKWmfZN4rzbtQBsbtKZeR4FjYVruYcPn15hHY62pva1gAMLzERFKqIyE2L4OLGW_y_md59hes0Wet7oxTc7ARIIZ-LoeDS4/s1600-h/DSCN6092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD2rwr4xq7EnD6Hb5MBg-B53T6WJJVptxnR05VnSOvWb7TKWmfZN4rzbtQBsbtKZeR4FjYVruYcPn15hHY62pva1gAMLzERFKqIyE2L4OLGW_y_md59hes0Wet7oxTc7ARIIZ-LoeDS4/s320/DSCN6092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068541036464037506" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since spring feels like a good time to start something new, here goes my new craft blog.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For now, here is a bit of spring occuring outside my living room. Craft to come soon.<br /></p>hiumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08181304858106319134noreply@blogger.com0