My Sister Made Me Do It

A few weeks ago while talking to my sis on the phone she mentioned some bracelets she liked on sundance. They are funky leather bracelets at a precious price and she wanted one. Bad. My sis is has style. There are things she can do/wear that I can only wish I could pull off. The fun part about this conversation was, I had leather......

I have some butter soft leather left over from a project I have yet to show you. It's one for the all but defunct house blog. You know, the one I haven't posted on in two months. I'm busy, don't judge. Jess and I got together and made a few to try things out and maybe send a couple off to "someone"...

I'll be making more unless someone tells me to stop.

So, My Sister Broke Herself......

There's nothing worse than being far away when someone you love gets hurt. Though I am closer, it's still too far. Since I didn't ask Sherie's permission, all I will say is, day before Christmas, ski, fall, new knee. Needless to say, she is bummed. We are bummed for her.

We were talking one day right after, and on that day the thing which made her most angry was not being able to carry her coffee and use her crutches. Yes, my sister and I rival for who drinks more coffee. Our mom is right up there with us. I really win because I can drink it at night.

I was wracking my brain about what to do for her from so far away.

I was in the process of making some bags for a really great charity, a quilt for my mom, a quilt for baby MAC, and other stuff. So...... a lot of sewing which I will try to show shortly but nothing for Sherie.

I wracked my brain some more about how I could make it easy and cute for her with the crutches. Then I came up with a cute name..... Crutch Clutch........ too cute?... um, yeah..... but no product.

Then she demanded something, anything that would make it easier for her. My sister never demands so I knew then and there the depth of her despair. Then I panicked. Then it clicked and I had it.

This is really just a prototype. It could have been better but my mom leaves today and that's how I'm delivering it.

 The taller bucket like bag is for a travel mug, but she can use it for whatever. Yarn and needles for instance? I used clips for sturdy, but easy on and off. Have something with a bit more weight? No problem.

I quilted it for insulation, body, and fun. Somethings should be fun. Especially when the reason for them is not.

How do you make a small bag for someone who normally uses a big purse? I have the same purse. I am not sure how I would do without it. I tried to think of the things I might want and where they'd fit. I realized I would need a pouch within the pouch, so that's what I gave her.

 On one side there is a strap for carrying around the wrist or to use for keys, or both. On the other side is an easy clip for it to be attached to the  crutches. I put the zippers in so when she is hanging onto the bag attached to the crutch, she can easily unzip and zip each pouch without much trouble....... hopefully.

Sherie let me know how they work. In the mean time remember there is love and thoughts for a quick recovery in every stitch!

I'm So Very Behind

I really don't know where the time goes, but it does. I've done lots. Really. 

I've also received lovely gifts. These gifts came last week and I have yet to say thank you to the givers. 

So to these two wonderful women I hope the adage better late than never stands.....

Dee made this mini as a part of pay it forward. I. Love. It! Thanks Dee, it brightened my day!

My Sister sent these slippers. She knitted and felted them. I cannot express how comfy they are.

I've hardly taken them off since they got here.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH!

I Actually Sewed Something

 My sister asked for this bag back when I was at the shop and made it for display. She decided it was the perfect knitting bag. I decided that she also needed a pattern holder and made one the night before she left. It's not great but I think it will do until she is tired of it. 

Jessica wanted more shopping bags. She uses one that I sent her for a beach bag. We collect shells and other beach treasures in it. These will be for shopping. Or beach treasures or whatever she wants.

Who says you can't have fall color in FL? I have two beautiful trees in my front yard that are trying their hardest.  I looked up and saw this while I was painting my front door. My blue front door. My indigo blue front door.  Oh yeah, I'll post that over here when it is dry......

My Sister, My Friend

It's been over two years since I've seen my sister. It's so good to know that time and distance are not relevant in our relationship. 

 She's gorgeous and kind.

 She makes me laugh like no one else. 

 We can be all kinds of special and we don't care.

 We are so much alike and so much different.

We have fun hanging out and doing nothing.

 She taught us to knit.

She can hold a baby and knit.

 She loves her Great Nephew very much.

And I think he feels the same.

My Sis Has an Etsy Shop!

I am very excited that Sherie has finally taken the plunge. Go see her awesome creations, you won't be sorry. Where did she get her logo? Jessica of course!

Sisterly gifts

My sister, my BFF, keeps threatening not to make me anymore knitted things. For some reason she thinks I might be sick of the lovelies she sends. Why oh why oh why could she ever think that? I cannot tell you how soft these are but I might let you touch them. The stitch is awesome.

Please excuse my worn out hands and equally worn out table

She also made me this jewelry bag. How cute, how practical. I wish I'd had it for my last trip!

I tried to finish up some projects of my own over the last few days and nothing is going quite right. What to do? Start another of course! I came across this free pattern  by Elizabeth Hartman for Sew Mama Sew. If you haven't checked out the website, you must be living in the dark ages. Just sayin.

It takes two fat quaters, heavy interfacing, fusible interfacing, thread and a purse snap. I spent about two and a half hours start to finish. The only modification I made was a longer strap. I used some Bleeker Street and Kaufman Chambray I had in my stash. Great gifts? I think so!

A Finished Quilt and Lovely Gifts

So, it's been awhile. Things have been a bit wonky lately. Even my car is not having enough fun. Her check engine light came on so instead of going home I swung by the mechanic and he said she is, um, well, kinda the human equivalent of blocked up..... apparently she needs a long drive on the freeway maybe as far as the Bodensee. Can you miss a day of work cause your car wants to go somewhere?

Anyhow, I finally finished my second quilt from Metro Blue Goes Green. Yes, it's another zig-zag, this time from half square triangles. I liked these so much more than the others I made. I also put a wide border on, or several borders, actually. Lesson learned, more borders are harder. I peiced the back trying to use up all of my leftovers.

I used really simple quilting. I followed the zig zag with a wavy line.

~

I got a box from my Sister. Talk about feeling loved! First of all, she wrapped everything beautifully. I almost didn't want to open it but I knew what was inside!

I love the tags.

She made me a cowl out of the yummiest plum color yak down. Did you know there was such a thing as yak down? I didn't. I love it.

Then there is this. This made me cry. This is from baby aplaca.

Holy Cow!

This frog is happy. He may go places with me. He also loves the pansy pin cushion.

And dish cloths, have you ever seen dish cloths this pretty?

More cowls. You have to touch these to believe them. If you are all nice I might let you touch them.

So after a fairly yucky few days, this all just made me smile.

K, buh bye.