Finished!

 

Finished!

I made this for a friend/co-worker.

Gotta have at least one pocket for keys and phone.

  I based it on a pattern from "Linen Wool Cotton" by Akiko Mano, which I love.  I've made variations on this bag two or three times now.  It's a beautiful book full of simple projects but it's also full of pattern mistakes and there's no official errata page, so if you sew something from it, google around for peoples' notes first.

 I couldn't stop myself from embellishing a tiny bit.  It wasn't fabric that I would have chosen and it just needed some contrast.

 Every little bit helps.  I did all my finishing by hand which takes longer but just looks cleaner - at least when do it.  When I finish by machine it's always super messy.

There it sits on the baby quilt that I'm neglecting.  I'd work on the quilt right now but I really think I need another cup of coffee first....

Try It! You Will Dig It!

Yesterday I experimented with my new birthday present.  

I followed the excellent advice:

that I found in this book:  

One! Hundred! Demons! by Lynda Barry

I used an ink stick

 Grinding stone

Cool brushes 

and a menu that I found in my mailbox.

 PS - Water and a paper towel, too.

 I added some water to the grinding stone... 

 and ground the ink sort of into the water for about 10 minutes ...

 

...while my tea cooled...

Check out my mason jar cozy.  It's a left over from this project. 

I only did the grinding for 10 minutes, probably shoulda gone with 15.

What do I choose to doodle while neglecting a quilting project with a looming deadline?

Running stitches; I was doodling them when I should be sewing them.

I don't know what is it about running stitch, it's so simple and primal.

I'm in love.

I tried some different paper.

 

 As I suspected all along, the expensive paper that is made for this type of ink was my least favorite.  I didn't even take that many pictures of it.

 I like the paper bag the best. 

There, rolled up on the floor to the left, that was the rice paper experiment. 

I really enjoyed making birds - I've never actually drawn any before so I think it's kinda interesting.

All in all, it was fun and felt flowy and relaxed and I did dig it!

Why don't you try something different?  It's good for you!

Please let me know in the comments what you try if you do try something.