wednesday wisdom.

Crochet Rag Rug: In Progress pt 2

My rag rug is progressing along quite nicely.  It's about the size of a large placemat now.  (I actually haven't worked on it since Saturday though).

I did run out of scrap jelly roll strips and had to tear strips of other color-appropriate fabrics.  I rolled them into a giant rag ball.

We also put our little tree up.  It makes the living room so festive...

In the lower corner you might spot another new winter project emerging... 3.5" squares of vintage feedsack cloth and reproduction 30s prints.  A quilt?  A throw?

I'm not sure, but I have this lovely book for inspiration:

And these two projects from inside its pages are my favorites I think...

 

Although this lovely scrappy quilt from Flickr user Kelli is really tempting too:

photo by: Kelli

Cold weather always brings out the quilter in me...

Burda Style 12/11

The December issue usually focuses on party and fancy wear, and I don't normally find much I actually use.  Actually...I don't know if I've ever made anything from a December issue before.  But, this one has one spectacular vintagey dress in particular, and several other noteworthy pieces too.

Let's start with the vintagey dress.  Very '40s with the fluttery sleeves (notoriously low Burda neckline notwithstanding).  #107 

This suit also has a vintage feel, Jacket #103:

and Skirt #105

Dress #102, a sweet, saucy little thing.  Better suited to spring & summer, maybe?

The cover garment (US) is this rather delicious pink coat.  It's just different enough to be amazing, AND it would look smashing with a cloche hat!

The Plus section has some repeats we've seen before, but I still like this top, #132:

  

And these trousers are a great basic, #133:

And another basic, a little unlined jacket, #131.  The fabric will make or break this one because the design lines are very plain.

Honorable mentions...  The leather pleated skirt.  I will not be making this in leather, but I do love the pleated style in a fun print for spring!

And what I immediately thought of as the Atonement dress...

 

Not a true knockoff, but  a sleek facsimile.  The color of the original is to die for though.

And let's not forget the "Nosy" outfit either.  

Isn't that just like something Betsy McCall's dog Nosy would wear??

(click for full size!)

I don't know if I'll be tracing anything from this issue right away.  I'm still tracing November!  Where did this month go, anyway?? 

Crochet Rag Rug: In progress

I've been window-shopping braided and rag rugs for a while now.  I've even haunted ebay.  They're so expensive! I had never really thought about making my own, because it seemed too complicated, or at the very least a long process.

Guess what?  It's not! 

I found a simple tutorial on crocheting a rag rug on Vintage Chica a few days ago.  There are several tutorials out there (search rag rug on Pinterest, which is how I found the one I liked).  I like this one because it's just one stitch (SC, single crochet).  You work more intuitively, adding an increase as you round corners, or if you "need to" (if the rug isn't lying flat).  I'd rather work it out on my own than try to follow a complicated stitch pattern anyway.

I started this rug yesterday morning while watching the Macy's parade and waiting for my casserole to cook, so you can see it works up really fast.

I started out using leftover strips of "jelly roll" from this tablerunner project, because I love the colors.  I have similar cottons in my fabric cabinet too.  I tore the jellyroll strips in half lengthwise, making about 1-1/4" strips.  I did find that 3/4" strips are alot easier to work with though!

I also found a cool video on youtube HERE, for tying the ends of your strips together.  I had been knotting them, but since the jellyroll strips are pretty short I was ending up with a lot of knots on the back.  (I actually don't mind them much, but that video has a cool method that leaves barely a bump of a knot).

This project is my "Black Friday Avoidance" strategy.  Since it will be a throw rug, on the smallish size, hopefully I'll have it finished and be able to show in the next few days!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm spending this lovely Thanksgiving morning in a time-honored way -- making carb-loaded casseroles and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Inicidentally, it's also my BIRTHDAY!  

Yes.  I'm a Turkey.

wednesday wisdom

Polyvore Potions

Sunday Morning Cappucino + Polyvore = One Happy Blogger

And in honor of my favorite Once Upon a Time character...

I think I have all sets linked to their Polyvore page now, so when you click, you can view the items/brands.

ps...Don't forget... Once Upon A Time is on tonight! 

I'm Listening To: The Script

wednesday wisdom.

Once Upon A Time: Apartment Envy.

You know that show I love?

Yea, well something that deserved it's very own post (aside from her sweet wardrobe)was Mary Margaret's apartment.

Srsly.   Have you ever seen rooms better suited to moi?

Bonus:  Mary Margaret STITCHES.  I'm just sayin. We're like besties.

Can I live here??