spring break inspirations and assignments

well, it's spring break.

that means a lot of things- but number one, it means that i try to cram too much into one week of freedom.

dentist appointment. doctor appointment. (hopefully) new haircut and color.

and it also means i am dabbling in a few crafty/creative projects.

on this week's agenda:

1. applique class at fancy tiger. (i will definitely report. hoping it's more than i have already learned over the years with my mom. at least i don't think i know very much about fusible interfacing. if it's too beginner, at least i get to be at my favorite shop.)

2. reading the following books (at least a little of them):

this one i'm almost finished with. the best thing about this book is that it shows the construction for an envelope-style clutch, which i want to use to make a purse out of some felt i am working on.

i am really excited to read this book. i like that it is just about the creative process, as i am feeling the need to push out of the place i am in.

this book is waaaaaaaaaaaay cool. marc and i were over at my mom's yesterday and he was looking at some bad floor spots in her sewing room but i was not- i was snooping on her work table and this book caught my eye. it is SUCH a good reference book. so it inspired creative project #3.

3. practicing a few stitches from the embroidery book on this piece of cloth.

i'm going to go julie & julia on this book and practice the stitches as a way to teach myself more. i was really frustrated while playing around on the snowflake a few nights ago b/c i didn't know what all i could do. but the difference between julie & julia and this project is that it's going to be okay when i decide i'm done with it. i don't have to finish it.

so far, i have done -running stitch, -whipped running stitch, -holbein stitch, -back stitch, and -pekinese stitch. running stitch, whipped running stitch, and back stitch are ones i have known forever, and i wasn't very thrilled by holbein (i did it as the stair step-y one). but pekinese was really fun! it's the thick one. i'm using a deep gray/purple thread and a fuschia thread and i like those colors together. i am trying very hard not to think this needs to BE something, but is truly just a practice cloth.

4. most importantly, reinstating my craft/sewing table!

my life has gone through so many transformations that can be summed up by how i've used my (our) spare bedroom. over the seven years it went from: empty. to craft space. to guest room. to wedding gift room. to marc's enlarged closet. to my grad school study. to his mini-music studio. the next installation will be to remove the giant metal bookshelf full of storage over to our outside balcony, and have two corners: his and hers. it's important for us to have outlets. right now we are working on remodeling our place. but after that, it will be back to our typical creative outlets: music and craft stuff.

i don't really like the word craft. wish i had a better word to categorize my interests...