boogaj

A day for sewing!

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to do much crafting except for a few rounds a night on my poor sock.  So Saturday I decided to take (most of) the day off so that I could sew. 

I got a super cool Japanese craft book on my trip to Mitsuwa in July and had been wating to try to make one of these triangle bags that appear on the cover.  The instructions were in Japanese and for some reason the directions for this bag weren't as extensive as the ones for other items, so I  had to wing it.

I had some scraps of Halloween fabric laying around (hence the halloween bag made in july  :) and I figured it would have to be quilted to be able to stand up.  So I forged ahead.  It's not perfect, but I feel like my sewing is getting better with practice, so I'm considering it a success.  I learned to make bias tape, although I used store bought on the seems on the inside of the bag. . .

I also started a patchwork bag of my own design, but ran out of time.  Maybe in September I will get back to it  -- ha ha.  August looks like it will be busy for us.

Adobe Illustrator question!!  I just downloaded the trial version of Illustrator and loved it.  I used it today to make a diagram for my Carroll Bag pattern (yes, I'm back to work on a Sunday).  So I only have 24 days left and I'm feeling sad already.  Does anyone know a good place to get the program -- there's no way I could pay the $500 it's going for.  Is there a place I could get an outdated version maybe?  And if so, are older versions still good?  Any input would be much appreciated!

Charity Event!

I think I may have mentioned that my family and some of our friends have a charity event every year -- this is our 6th year!  It's a golf outing that is a memorial to my dad who died 6 years ago from a sudden heart attack at the age of 49.  He loved to golf and so we have a golf outing to raise money for local charities.

This year we will be adding two new charities that I think do incredible work:

• Guardian Angel Home -- This is a home that shelters abused women and children in the Joliet area.  They also take in students who are excluded from their school district for behavioral problems.  They foster abused and neglected children.  They also counsel and advocate for victims of sexual abuse.  And they have programs for before and after school and during the summer for children without supervision. 
• Big Brothers Big Sisters -- You may have heard of this charity.  They do both one-on-one and group mentoring activities.  They pair kids with an adult, or adult couple, who mentors the child.  This requires careful screening, which costs money.  And Big Brothers Big Sisters does not get any federal or state funding.  Right now they are trying to switch to a better screening process which requires fingerprinting.  We are hoping to help them to achieve this goal.

So basically what we do is 100% volunteer.  Every single penny that we make is given to charity.   We even do our best to get every thing possible donated for the event -- printing, food, items for the auction during dinner. . . you get the idea.

So, I guess what I'm asking, is if you are interested in donating, I will make sure that your donation goes to a worthy cause!  We are a registered charity, so your donation is tax deductible. 

Thanks!!

The Knitters have spoken!

And the winner is -- Interweave Knits by a landslide! 

What is your favorite knitting magazine?		Votes
Interweave Knits	78%	179
Vogue Knitting	4%	9
Cast On	0%	0
Rowan	13%	31
Other	5%	11
230 votes total

Oh Cast On, listen to the people!  Not even 1 vote -- shameful.  I would have to say that IK has been my favorite also, with a few issues last year that I really enjoyed, but I feel like it's been a bit off the last couple of issues.  Maybe the winter issue will have me back on the IK bandwagon.  I'm also looking forward to their 2 special issues.

Time for me to get back to work.  Have a great weekend & Happy Knitting!

Disappointed. . .

Well, yesterday I opened the mailbox and was surprised to see both Vogue Knitting and Cast On inside.  I had lots to do, so I set them aside, figuring I would savor them at night when I finally got a chance to sit down. 

Maybe it was the anticipation, was I expceting too much?  I'm not sure, but when I finally sat down to take a look, I was really disappointed. 

First Cast On.  I'm not sure there is anything that I would make from this magazine, but that's par for the course.  This issue is filled with big bulky coats -- blech!  I did think the Rosette Jacket looked well designed, but having said that, it's not something that I would make.  And the Denison Pullover from Dale of Norway is nice, but I've seen many much better looking nordic sweaters, so I'm not putting this one on my list either. 

Then there was Vogue Knitting.  I guess I expect more from them than I do from Cast On, so I was really not happy with this issue.  There was only one design that really caught my eye, and that was Deborah Newton's shawl.  Here's a picture for you:

There's a whole spread on black and white -- blah.  And a section on vests -- yucky!  Then a "sport" section.  Now, I did kind of like Vladimir Teriokhin's hooded pullover.  And the "gypsy" designs -- yikes!  Nothing I would wear.  There is a nice tutorial from Meg Swanson on the turkish cast on.  I may try that if I ever decide to try toe-up socks again (not all that likely. . . ) 

sigh. . .

So that's the magazine round-up.  I'm thinking I may need to subscribe to Rowan again.  I let my subscription lapse last year when we were moving and I was trying to save $$.  What do you think?  Is it worth the hefty price?

And here's a poll for fun:

What is your favorite knitting magazine?
	Interweave Knits
	Vogue Knitting
	Cast On
	Rowan
	Other
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Whoever bought their textbooks. . .

. . . through my Amazon link -- THANK YOU!  And to everyone who has ever bought anything through my amazon link, or clicked through on any of the ads on my sites -- THANK YOU!

Right now I'm somewhat broke, so the credit I get at Amazon keeps me in books  :)  See, we bought a house a year ago.  A beautiful, wonderful, old house that need some work.  And in the last year that we've owned it, we have been spending money like there is no tomorrow (on painting, and bathroom repairs, and tree trimming and landscaping and now roofing and . . . you get the idea).  But we love the house and plan on being here forever, so it's okay.

So today I was browsing for books at my library -- they have a lovely online search that includes many area libraries.  While I do this, I usually do a side by side search on Amazon -- Amazon has more pictures and info than the library's website.  And what should I see -- Denyse Schmidt Quilting Kit -- a new book from Denyse Schmidt due out in April 2006.  Now, it says it's a paperback, but who knows what it will actually be?  I'm intrigued.

So, I went to Chronicle Books website, the publisher of Schmidt's book, and I didn't find any further info.  But man!  They sure do have some cool books!

So anyway, that was my meandering path on the web this morning.  Now I'm off to assemble more patterns!

Books!!

A package arrived from Amazon yesterday and it included a book that I have been eagerly anticipating!  It is Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt And Patchwork Patterns.  Such a cool book!  I guess I thought that for only $16, or whatever it was, I was going to get a little, skinny paperback, but this book is beautiful and solid and heavy!  It's 175 pages of that thick lovely paper with lots of color photos of both the projects and techniques.  Included are 20 projects for everything from greeting cards to a vinyl tote, and even a cute apron (and you know how I've been on an apron kick lately.)  And then you get 10 quilt projects too!  I was very excited because when Pete got home from work last night I sat him down with the book and asked him if he saw anything that he liked.   And he actually liked several of the quilts -- both ones that I was interested in making.  So I think the "Ice Pop" quilt may be on my short list of new projects for the coming year.

If you haven't heard of Denyse Schmidt, you can find out more at her website.  I first heard about her years ago via Martha Stewart Living, I believe.  Her quilts are so modern, simple and beautiful.

In the same package was The Modern Quilt Workshop by Weeks Ringle & Bill Kerr.  This book looks to be the perfect companion to Schmidt's book.  It includes 15 quilt designs, as well as lots of good quilting advice, tips and techniques.  One very nice thing about the designs is that each one has instructions for 4 sizes -- wall, napping, twin & full/queen.  I suppose you could size up or down these geometric quilts yourself, but this saves you from all that math  :)  I love several quilts from this book, and I think I'll be making a few of the "wall" sizes for practice. 

Oh yeah, I just remembered that I saw something/heard something about a Modern Quilt Along.  I googled it (sorry for using google as a verb, Pete), and there it was -- hosted by Kim at dioramarama.

Now if only I could find some time to actually *do* some quilting!

Thank You!

I got a secret present from NYC Mouse.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

(Yeah, it's a secret -- that means I'm not going to tell you what it is, but it's super cool!)

Knitting Blogs Web Ring!

Okay, instead of spinning (which I would have preferred to do) I spent the last 2 1/2 hours going through the sites that applied to join the Knitting Blogs Web Ring.  There are 787 sites in the ring now.  Can you believe it?

And earlier today I went to a get together for the local knitting guild -- very fun!  Although I just did work knitting, so I don't have much to show you here.  I am about 3/4 finished with my next Carroll Bag though.  So hopefully that will get finished and felted this week and I'll  have some pictures for you.

So go check out all the new sites I added today!

My favorite garden visitors. . .

Every year I forget about the butterflies -- then they arrive and I remember how much I love them!  The first ones are just starting to arrive this week.

And of course there are the bees.

Blueberry Crisp

Pete is beginning to wonder what's gotten in to me.  I've been cooking and baking -- something I rarely find time for.  Last night it was Pad Thai for dinner and for dessert, blueberry crisp.

Blueberries are coming into season and were super cheap at the grocery, so I bought a quart.  I couldn't find a blueberry crisp recipe that had all the elements that I wanted, so I made one up on the fly with ingredients I had on hand.  Here's the recipe:

Julie's Blueberry Crisp

1 Qt Blueberries
1 Tbsp Tapioca
2 Tbsp Orange Juice

1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
3/4 C Old Fashioned Oats
1/2 C Butter
1 C Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Salt

Preheat oven to 375.  Grease 8 X 8 pan.  Combine first 3 ingredients and put in pan.  Mix the remaining ingredients with a pastry blender until crumbly.  Pour on top of blueberry mixture.

Bake for 40 min or until top is golden brown.  Serve with vanilla icecream, if desired.

That's it!  Super quick and easy.  And the husband gave it a thumb's up.  It was so yummy that I'm planning to have it for lunch today.

Two very different reads. . .

Time for another book report!  The last two books that I read were both very good, but the way I read them was very different. . .

I read Towelhead by Alicia Erian voraciously.  At night (I read for an hour or two before bed every night) I couldn't wait to open this book back up.  I wanted to know what would happen to this girl!  I sympathized.  I empathized.  I felt like she was real.

Then I read A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka.  I did not gorge myself on this book like I had done on the last.  This was one of those books that unfolds slowly and easily.  I was content to read a couple chapters each night -- why read more quickly?  If I did, it would be finished sooner.  I really enjoyed this book --  I liked the writing style, the characters, the plot, the revelations.  It was a leisurely read that was a perfect follow up Towelhead.

What were these books about?  Well, I'm not sure it matters, but I will tell you that one theme in both is integration into a foreign society.  In Towelhead we have a half Lebanese, half Irish girl living in the US and in A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian there is e a Ukrainian family transplanted in the UK. 

Up next --

Our Napoleon in Rags by Kirby Gann.  Pete just read this one and really enjoyed it, so when I  ended up book-less (gasp!) the other night, he put it on my nightstand. 

And a very important announcement!  Kurt Vonnegut has a new book coming out. . .

Vonnegut is my all time favorite author, with Cat's Cradle being my all time favorite book.  Have you read any of his many book?  If not, stop reading this and go get one!

Introducing the Carroll Bag!

Well, here's the latest Black Sheep Bags design -- the Carroll Bag, named after my Mom.  If you remember the pink tank top I designed for Maddie last year, the bag may look familiar.  I had to alter the tank top patten a bit, but they are very similar.  In fact, when I finished knitting the bag, Maddie asked if she could wear it!  I had to explain that the bottom was all closed up because it was a bag, and not another tank top  :)

Now I have to write up the pattern, knit another bag in Cascade 220 for the cover photo (and to test the pattern), then I may or may not make a third bag (actually a fourth since bag #1 didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it), after that the pattern goes off to the printer and when it comes back I print and cut the pictures and assemble the patterns.  Whew!  So even though the design is finished, I'm still several weeks from having a pattern available.  I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Sunday Morning Scones

Yesterday Theresa & I had a great time visiting The Fold and ended the evening with a wonderful dinner with our husbands.  So it was a good morning for being lazy.  Instead of making Pete go out and forage for breakfast as he usually does on Sunday mornings, I decided to mix up some scones.  I got some great King Arthur Flour scone mixes from Elaine in trade a while back, and they are really easy and good!

But enough about baked goods, I really need to tell you about The Fold!  It was so much better than I ever expected.  Tons of fiber (even things like yak and bison?!?) in lots of colors.  A good selection of spindles, niddy noddies & lots of wheels.  And a whole bunch of nice yarns (which we didn't really have a chance to look at because we were so taken with the fiber!) 

I already started to spin up one of my purchases -- some blue merino/kid mohair.  I don't think I've ever spun Merino before, so it took a little getting used to, but I really like it.  It isn't a solid blue. . .

It's a little bit darker than it looks in the picture.  After I ply up some of it I'll post pictures.

And one last thing -- Deanna, from my knitting guild, wanted me to mention the Heartland Knitting Retreat that she is putting together.  Annie Modesitt is one of the featured teachers!  And Deanna taught the workshop on needle felting at our guild meeting in May which was a lot of fun.  The retreat is in December and there is more info at her website.

Tomorrow I will show off my latest Black Sheep Bags design -- the Carroll Bag -- named after my mom.

I have the best husband!

I have the best husband in the whole world!  Since this whole mess came to my attention last weekend when I saw the magazine, I have been severly stressed out.  My emotions have been all over the place.  But my husband has been right by my side, being super supportive.  Thank you Booga P!!!

And thank you to everyone who has written to me, via comments and email!  And a big thank you to Kerrie, also of MagKnits fame, for helping me out!  I am turning this over to a lawyer and I'm going to try to get back to my normal life before my head explodes from the stress!

Weekend plans -- a trip to The Fold with Theresa for some *much* needed fiber therapy!

Guess that was a lie . . .

Well, apparently when she told me that she was deleting your letters unread, she was being untruthful.  I am hearing from many of you that you have received a letter from the magazine.  What can I say?  Read through it for yourself.  And if you hear someone tell you that they have searched the internet for felting info and yet never heard of the booga bag or seen a felted bag pattern before, I ask you to type "felted bag" into any search engine, or "felting pattern" or "felted handbag" or "free felting pattern" or "felted bag pattern" -- you get the idea.

I will say nothing else about the rest of this letter until my lawyer gives me advice.  I can see now that I am not dealing with someone who made an honest mistake and is going to apologize.

And again, I would like to thank you for your support through this!  I really appreciate it!!

Update on Belle Armoire Situation!!!!

I am literally shaking right now.  I finally received a response from Sharilyn Miller, the editor at Belle Armoire, and her response was unsatisfactory to say the least.

She has told me that I cannot post any portion of her letter online -- does this give you any idea of the content of the letter?  And I haven't had a chance to meet with my lawyer yet, so I don't know if I can post it here or not.  She also asked me to remove the quotes I posted from her earlier emails, but I will only do that if my lawyer tells me that I should.

However I will tell you, without quoting her since I can't at this point, that she has said that she is deleting all the emails that you are sending to her. 

I am seeking legal advice because at this point I see no alternative.  Wish me luck! 

Photography

Since yesterday was super busy and I had no time for crafting (other than the 2 rows I did on my sock in the doctor's waiting room), I am going to re-hash yesterday's pathetic post by putting a new spin on it.  I'm going to discuss digital photography. . .

Now I own a Sony DSC-W1, 5.1 mega pixel camera.  I love it and it takes much better pictures than my last camera (an HP something or other -- 3 mega pixel, I believe), but I find that I only get *really* good pictures if I use a tripod and the slow speed setting. (I think that's what it's called.  It says SL and has the little "flash" lightning bolt after it.)  The above picture is taken using that method.  For yesterday's shot I didn't use the tripod and you can see the difference!

However, at the top of today's picture you see that I did get a bit of over-exposure.  (I'm throwing around photography terms like I know what I'm talking about!)  This is a big problem I seem to have with this camera. 

But I have been inspired to do better.  I read Felicia's blog, Sweet Georgia and her photographs are beautiful!  I love looking at her blog.  So I am going to aspire to be more like her and I am going to try to work on my photography skills.  Anyone know some good online resources for digital photography tips?

And for everyone who asked about the knitting fabric from yesterday -- I got it online from The Virginia Quilter and here is a close-up:

I'm off to get caught up on pattern orders!

Yarn & Fabric

Back to crafting! I have to get to a doctor's appointment that's out of town this afternoon & tonight is a meeting for the charity my family and our friends run, so I don't have much time. But I do have pictures. . .

Blue cormo/silk I spun over the weekend.

Same, but close up. (I didn't have time to get out my tripod, so it's a but blurry.)

And my new fabric. The black one has knitting terms all over it!

Thank You Everyone!

Last night when I wrote my previous post, I was very upset.  Today, after seeing all the wonderful posts and emails from all the online knitters who support me, I feel much better.

The editor of Belle Armoire has not contacted me, nor has anyone from the magazine.  So this is still not resolved and I'm not sure what I'm going to do now.  I do know some lawyers and I hate to think that it might come to something like that, but I think it would be even worse if they were allowed to violate our agreement with no repercussions.

Tomorrow -- back to knitting!  Remember last week when Caryn offered to send me the yarn I needed to finish my bag?  Well, it arrived today!  So I may just go veg out in front of the TV and finish the knitting.  I also got some new fabric in the mail today -- pictures tomorrow!

Copyright problems -- Please Help!

I am very upset right now.  Belle Armoire -- a magazine you may have heard of -- has published an article based on my Booga Bag pattern and given me no credit.  Despite the fact that the editor of the magazine told me that she would.

In her first email to me Sharilyn Miller, the editor of Belle Armoire, says:

"So this is why I'm writing to you now. I don't want to publish Jenny's article without your permission. Her bag differs slightly from yours--she casts on 20 stitches, for one thing--but it is essentially the same bag."

So obviously she knew this was just a smaller version of the Booga Bag.  I was nice about this though and agreed that she could publish the article if I was given credit.  Ms. Miller replied:

"Here's my idea. Jenny has not actually written the article yet, as she says the instructions are very simple and she first wanted to concentrate on making several bags "in progress" for our photography sessions here. But her bag does differ from yours in that it's smaller; she casts on 20 stitches instead of 34. Since she's made several bags at this size, she'd like to write the instructions reflecting how she makes the bags. However, what we'd like to do is say that we gratefully acknowledge the original designer of the Booga Bag, Julie Anderson of Black Sheep Bags, etc. in the introductory paragraph. We'd also like to list your business contact info in our Resource Guide. And I would also like to list your web site in my sidebar on felting pattern web sites (I've found about six sites so far). And I would like to offer you a free one-year (six issue) subscription to Belle Armoire, if you are interested in that."

As you can see, I wasn't looking to get rich from this.  I agreed to her terms, believing that the mention in the article and the magazine's sidebar and resource guide would hopefully bring me some business. 

However, this is not what happened.  They wrote the article, never once mentioning me or the Booga Bag or Black Sheep Bags.  In fact, several weeks ago, I emailed Sharilyn Miller to tell her that I hadn't heard from her and couldn't wait to see the article.  I also mentioned that I hadn't received any issues of Belle Armoire.

So, while Pete, Maddie & I were browsing in Borders after a pleasant meal at Noodles & Co., I found the magazine and the article.  And now I am angry.

Is it because I'm on the internet?  Because I have a blog?  Because I published my pattern on the web?  Because I'm *just* a small business owner?  Does that make it less "my property" and more something that people can take without permission?  I don't know, but I won't stand for it.

If you feel the same way I do about Ms. Miller's blatant disregard for our agreement, please email her and let her know.

Sugar Cookies & Pizza

Yesterday I got the baking bug and decided that I needed to make sugar cookies and homemade pizza -- yum!  Maddie and I made the cookies -- she put the blue sugar on all the blue cookies.  While doing this she turned to me and said -- This is the best day of my whole life! -- The things she says!

Anyway, the cookies are from this book:

It's the Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies recipe from Mary Engelbreit'S Cookies, and I've made them so many times! 

Then it was time for pizza.  I used the basic pizza dough recipe from The Pizza & Pasta Cookbook(which appears to be out of print!)  I mixed up the dough before starting the cookies so that it would have time to rise.  The rising seemed to fascinate Maddie  :)

Here it is after a rise, punch down, short kneading and a little rest.  (You need to let it rest or you won't be able to flatten it out -- it will keep springing back on you.)

Then I let everyone top their own pizza.  I bought pizza sauce, cheese, pine nuts (my favorite!), pre-cooked chicken. . . you get the idea.  Here's Pete's in the oven --

I did use a pizza stone, which seemed to give the pizza a nice crust.  And here is Pete enjoying his.

No big plans for the weekend, so I hope to get some sewing and possibly some spinning done.  Stay tuned!

** Oh yeah, and the Opal Royal goes to Natalie who was the first person to email me. 

What do you do when. . .

You have three socks on the needles and three new balls of sock yarn arrive?  Frog one pair of course. . .

This is Opal Royal in colorway 5015.  It's orange and sparkly, and I eagerly cast it on (ages ago) despite my fear of all things sparkly.  I knit about 2 in. and it just sat and sat.  So when I was assessing the sock situation, I decided that if I couldn't finish the first sock, I was never going to get around to making a second.  So to the frog pond I went!

Now I know that someone gifted this to me, and I hate to be a re-gifter. . . but I hate to see yarn go to waste even more.  Do you have any non-sparkly yarn that you would like to trade with me for this?  I like Regia and I'm willing to give Opal another try.  Just email me!

And to prove that I have been somewhat "good". . .

I did start the second Cherry Tree Hill Indian Summer sock.  I'm going to try to finish this before starting another pair.  I hope I have the will power!

What do you do when. . .

You have three socks on the needles and three new balls of sock yarn arrive?  Frog one pair of course. . .

This is Opal Royal in colorway 5015.  It's orange and sparkly, and I eagerly cast it on (ages ago) despite my fear of all things sparkly.  I knit about 2 in. and it just sat and sat.  So when I was assessing the sock situation, I decided that if I couldn't finish the first sock, I was never going to get around to making a second.  So to the frog pond I went!

Now I know that someone gifted this to me, and I hate to be a re-gifter. . . but I hate to see yarn go to waste even more.  Do you have any non-sparkly yarn that you would like to trade with me for this?  I like Regia and I'm willing to give Opal another try.  Just email me!

And to prove that I have been somewhat "good". . .

I did start the second Cherry Tree Hill Indian Summer sock.  I'm going to try to finish this before starting another pair.  I hope I have the will power!

Lonely Sock

I finished the sock that I started on my trip to MS&W.  Took me long enough.  Especially since it's on size 2's!  Not even tiny needles.  I was under pressure to finish this sock (and hopefully the second one) because look what has been arriving in the mail. . .

On top is the elusive Trekking XXL in colorway 100.  (Maybe not so elusive.  I emailed theknitter.com and although it was out of stock, they emailed me as soon as more arrived.  Great customer service!)  This is such happy yarn that I want to start knittng these socks right away!  I've used Trekking for a pair of socks for Pete, and I really liked the yarn.

Down on the left is Regia Jubilee in colorway 5472.  I love pink and brown together, so I had to have this sock yarn.  I've made several pairs of socks with Regia and love them all.  (Here's my favorite pair.)

And last , but not least, is the Opal Element in colorway 1073.  It's got both yellow and purple mixed in -- subtle.  I have another pair of Opal's on the needles, but they are lingering.  Too many projects have come up since I started them. 

The plan -- finish at least one pair of socks (I have three on the needles) before starting any of these three new ones (which I *so* want to start!)

A PLEA!!!  Please help me!  I'm working on my latest bag design and ran out of yarn.  My LYS is out and I think the color may be discontinued.  It's Noro Kureyon in colorway 130 and I only need one ball.  I'll do a trade or pay you via PayPal.  Please!  If you have it, I really need it right away!  Here's the color.  It's the three in front.  Thanks!!

UPDATE!  Thanks Caryn for finding the Kureyon in your stash!  You have saved me from pulling out my hair  :)

Bags & Pouches (yes, more sewing!)

I've been sewing again!  The 4th was rainy here, so I stayed inside and sewed all afternoon.  Up above is the tote I made for Maddie.  She spotted this Hello Kitty fabric when we were out shopping one day and asked me to make her a bag.  Who was I to argue?

It's just a basic tote -- no pattern involved.  It is lined and I also used interfacing to give it some body.  (I'm *so* into the iron-on interfacing.)  I think I mentioned this before, but if you ever want to make a tote and don't know how, just check out Mariko's totebags 101 at her blog Super Eggplant.  I'm sure you all know who Mariko is, but if you don't, go check out her blog -- it's great!

Next up. . .

Here is a cute little pouch that I made.  I've seen a lot of pouches and things made as a result of the whole back-tack thing.  (I'm so sorry that I missed getting in on that!)  And there is even a tutorial for this type of zippered pouch listed on the site -- Thimble's Front Zippered Pouch Tutorial. 

Once again, I didn't use a pattern (although I did look at Thimble's tutorial before starting).  I had a 7" zipper and I knew I wanted the pouch to be square, so I went from there.  And of course I used iron-on interfacing  :)

It's even lined.  See. . .

Don't let all this sewing fool you though!  I've been knitting too.  The latest Black Sheep Bags design is in it's final phase and I've also been working on my lace scarf pattern.  More on that later!

Mitsuwa

On Saturday, Pete, Maddie & I took a trip out to Arlington Heights to check out Mitsuwa - Chicago.  We got lots of goodies and had a great time shopping!  The pile of goodies includes Green Tea (Matcha) Pocky which I found quite tasty.  (I'm a green tea drinker, so I guess it would stand to reason.)  We also got some noodle bowls with no English directions, so we shall see how that works out  :)  And I bought what I thought was rice seasoning (the aisle clearly said "rice seasoning" in English!) in cute little Hello Kitty packaging.  I had to get it even though I had no clue about how to use these little packets.  It turns out that they are furikake which you simply sprinkle over steamed rice to give it some flavor.  So I'll have to give that a  try this week. 

In addition to a Japanese market, Mitsuwa also includes several restaurants and a few other shops.  I had to stop by the bookstore to look at the craft books and they had a very good selection!  I brought home "Small Essentials Handmade with Cut Cloth" (ISBN4-8347-2299-6).  There are lots of bags, pouches and other small sewing projects in this book (magazine?) and the directions printed in the back are fairly easy to understand even without translation. 

There was another adorable patchwork book I saw which I didn't get, but now wish I had!  It had all these cute house motifs and lots of projects.  Maybe it will still be there next time we make our way in that direction.  (I hope!)

The rest of the weekend was filled with a great cookout at my Mom's on Saturday and quite a bit of sewing today (well sewing for me, writing for Pete and candy eating for Maddie!)  Pictures of the sewing tomorrow!

Random Book Reviews

I've been reading, really I have.  Here's some proof:

First up -- A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews.  It's a coming-of-age novel (I know -- groan!) but I found it highly compelling.  The main character is a girl who lives in a Mennonite community up in Canada.  And basically her life spins out of control as her family falls apart -- largely a result of the strict community she lives in.  Really great summer read!

After this I tried two books that both fell short.  I tried reading Home Land by Sam Lipsyte.  And while I've heard that people are loving this book, I didn't.  Joke after joke.  I suppose it was a bit funny in a "Clerks" sort of way (well, not that funny), but I wanted more.  After several chapters I decided to set it aside and try All this Heavenly Glory by Elizabeth Crane.  This is a collection of short stories and admittedly I am not a big fan of the short story, so take that into account.  And the first story even caught my interest a bit.  However, her writing style is not endearing.  She rambles and I mean rambles.  Sometimes I felt like each sentence was a page long!  I didn't get very far before I had to put this one down.  Then I picked up . . .

Towelhead by Alicia Erian.  BINGO!  So I started this book last night around 10:30 pm and didn't want to go to sleep!  At about 12:30 I finally had to set it down, but I am looking forward to picking it up again tonight.  So far it's about a 13 year old girl (Yep, another coming-of-age novel, but good!  I promise!) born to a Lebanese father and Irish mother.  They split and she is shuttled back and forth.  The book starts up as she is sent off to live with her strict (but clueless!) father.  Wonderful writing style, great characters -- finally a winner!

And in non-fiction news. . .

Aprons: Icons of the American Home by Joyce Cheney.  Great book about vintage aprons!  Lots of pictures and good info for collectors.  It includes tips on dating vintage aprons too, which is very nice.  Great book for anyone interested in collecting or reproducing these little gems!

And in upcoming knitting book releases we have these. . .

Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers looks like a fun embellishment book.  I couldn't find any previews of this book.  Anyone seen any yet?

Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush looks like it will be interesting.  It's going to have 24 patterns, as well as some historical info -- which I always love. 

And I'm intrigued by Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick.  It looks like it may have a nice variety of projects -- ornaments, christmas stockings, a flower pin and a tree skirt.  But hearing that it also will include "a poncho and matching dog sweater" makes me shudder.  We shall see.

Whew!  I think that's it for now.  Thanks for all the lovely comments on my handspun from yesterday!  And have a fun and safe weekend!