On My Desk

This is what was on my desk on Monday morning. It's now been moved into the closet so I can get to work without being distracted by cuteness. I got these at Hart's Fabric (they sell online) in Santa Cruz this past weekend. What an amazing test of will power.


Here's what's really on my desk. A bomb blew up in my sewing room yesterday. I'm currently working on 3 different bags at the same time. A diaper bag, a quilted tote and a new backpack design. I've got a farmer's market on Sunday so I"m trying to stock up on some bigger stuff.

Here's how far I've gotten. They'll all be done this morning so I can get some bibs & zipper pouches made later. I'd love to finish my new table skirts too.

Memories and a Hippo

Jenn Maruska did a great post last week about her first purse so I thought it'd be a great time for me to tell you about my hippo. I've been meaning to tell you about her for a long time.


Although she's not my first ever sewing project, she's probably the beginning of regular sewing for me. I made her in my home economics class in 7th grade. I remember it being somewhat of a big deal that I chose to use stripes for my hippo. She sat in a display case in front of the school for about a month.


Unlike Jenn, I don't recall any purses from my childhood, but here are a few of my favorite friends. My bunny and my lamb. The lamb has a little music box inside and played Mary Had a Little Lamb. She moved her head too, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I can remember the day I got this bunny rabbit. I begged my mom to take it home, haha.


Here are Nick's closest friends. Gromit's not that old, but he's very special to us. He's the first gift Nick ever gave me, he even helped Nick propose. Pooh has been with Nick since he was a little boy.


And this is my blankie. I think it was given to my mom as a shower gift, but I could be totally wrong. Anyway, it's been well loved as you can see. (Can you tell I was a kid in the 70's? ha!) I actually found a piece of this fabric at a thrift store about 10 years ago. Maybe I'll make another one when I have kids.

And last but not least, here's me taking a big bite out of something as a child. I show you this because I wanted you to see the sweet dresser behind me. That dresser has been passed around the family a few times. It's been olive green, chocolate brown, blue and now pale blue (as seen in the picture above). I painted it when we moved into our current house. I wonder what color it will be next.

On my Desk #2

A little late again this week, but I took the photo on the right day. That's something.

Click on the photo to see it with notes on Flickr.

I'm still hard at work on my paperwork & taxes. I'm hoping to find an accountant today because I completely don't understand the tax forms. Anyway, here's a snap of my computer desk in it's current state. I generally don't keep it quite this neat, but I've just gone through the piles & filed everything away. I think it's easier to work in a neat space. I guess that's why I kept my desk at Disney so plain and free from distractions, lol.


Speaking of distractions, I started a little Flickr Group for projects made from my sewing patterns. So far, I only have one pattern available but you gotta start somewhere, right? I'm still working on that tote pattern. My hands have been better, but now that I'm on the computer so much, I've had a big relapse of pain. I'll get there.
So, if you bought a pattern from me, please stop by & join the group. I'd love to see your handbags! :) And, don't forget the Monkey Travel Club Group. There have been over 300 monkeys adopted and not nearly enough photos.

Knee Deep or Hip High

My business taxes are due next week so that's what I'm working on right now. I haven't been the best at paperwork lately which is weird for a supposedly organized person. I'm still blaming any lack of organization on leaving my job at Disneyland. Two years later, I'm still rebelling. (I miss it desperately. The park, not the job.)

Here's what's upstairs calling my name, pushing me to get my homework done.


A little Katie Jump Rope and Park Slope. Purchased from a new shop on Etsy called Sew Love Fabrics. I want this too. For some reason I'm remembering the linen closet of my youth, hmmm.


Here's my latest "use what you have" project. I'm working on a new reversible quilted backpack design. I have lots of this fabric left over from a custom quilt I did at Christmas time. It's all cut out and now being quilted. If I like it, I'll make more and add the design to my future pattern list.

Thank goodness for having kitties underfoot. Always inspirational. Now, I have to get to work. Have a great day!