The Crocheted Garden Tote

Every once in a while I get an irresistible urge to crochet.  I picked up crocheting long before knitting and sewing when I was just a little Cloverbud joining my local 4-H program.  When I saw Sara Dudek's Garden Tote Bag pattern, I knew I had to have it (and suddenly felt grateful for those hurried hours before county fair and my dreaded record books)!

Pattern:  Garden Tote Bag by Sara Dudek

Yarn:  Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Cotton, 1 skein Armada, 

1 skein Gold, 2 skeins Natural

 I finished it with a navy ticking lining and faux leather bag handles.  My yarn
and hook were a bit smaller than what Sara suggests, so my bag turned out a bit smaller.
I don't mind, though.  This is my new favorite accessory!

Me-Made-May Week 2 Recap

May 6:  Wiksten Tova made with floral Lecien fabric
 Since this is already the second Tova I've worn this month,
I think it's safe to assume I love this pattern!

please excuse the wrinkly shirt and cheesy smile...

May 7:  Denim Miette Skirt and Tiny Pocket Tank

May 8:  Generally unworn Bee Skirt made from some Liberty look-alike fabric

May 9:  Another one from the back of my closet...

a self-drafted top that was based on a RTW garment

May 10:  My favorite top lately...another Tiny Pocket Tank made from some mystery fabric (rayon?).  It's super comfy and I can wear it with jeans and a cardigan!  

I love how the bias binding around the neck and armholes turned out.

What have I learned so far from Me-Made-May?

1.  I need to sew faster!  It's only May 10 and I already feel like I'm running out of things to wear.  This has definitely forced me to wear things that I'm not super excited about.  Some of them should just be given away instead of sitting in the back of my closet. 

2.  My usual uniform is jeans, top and maybe a cardigan.  I need to make more tops so my co-workers can see me in something other than my Tiny Pocket Tanks!

3.  The Miette Skirt is the most comfortable skirt I have ever worn.

Have you made one yet?  You need to.

4.  I learned some fancy photo editing. 

OK, it's probably not fancy at all but it's new to me!

5.  I am not a fan of getting my picture taken, but I need to get over it.  

Denim Miette Skirt (or First Me-Made-Make of Me-Made-May)

My denim Miette Skirt is my first "make" of Me-Made-May and I wore it today with my Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studio.  This is my second Miette; the first I stitched out of black garbardine, which is boring but perfect for my orchestra concerts.

I love my denim Miette Skirt!  You may have seen the designer as a contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee or her blog, Tilly and the Buttons.  Tilly's patterns are a perfect reflection of her adorable style and I'm sure I'll be making even more Miettes in the future.

Thanks for the amazing pattern, Tilly!

MMM Day 3

Today I wore my Socialite top made out of Liberty lawn.  

The fabric is so dreamy and this shirt is most definitely a staple in my wardrobe!  

(Sorry it's so hard to see, but there are some more of my Socialite creations here)

How is your Me-Made-May going?  

I'm excited for the weekend so I can get some sewing done!

Me-Made-May Day 2

I'm thinking Me-Made-May might be a good way to go through my closet and get rid of things...

Not a huge fan of this self-drafted knit skirt after seeing the photos, but I do love the color!

Me-Made-May Day 1!

It's May, people!  But if you live in Colorado, you wouldn't believe it because it's 

still snowy 'round these parts.  Oh well, at least I have an excuse to wear my 

flannel Wiksten Tova and hand-knit accessories!

This is my awkward "I hate pictures" dance.  I'm sure I'll get used to it by the end of May!

Secret Song Mittens & Ice Skating Cap

Happy May Day!

Me-Made-May!

I'm so excited to (finally) participate in Me-Made-May!  Me-Made-May has always been a great
source of creative inspiration for me, but for some reason I've never hopped on the bandwagon.  

If you don't already know about Me-Made-May, check out Zoe's blog post and join in on the fun!

Here it goes...

I, Caitlin, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13.  

I endeavor to wear at least one item of handmade clothing 5 days a week 

and create 1 new item of clothing each week for the duration of May 2013.  

Today, I made my bed.

Today, I made my bed.  This doesn't happen often, people.  

But I am so smitten with my new pillowcases I just had to show them off!

I used an adorable deer print fabric from Sarah Watts' new collection, Timber and Leaf.  

The band is a Denyse Schmidt print I bought ages ago with pillowcases in mind. 

I'm so pleased with the result!  I'm certain sleeping on such cute pillows will make me dream 

of cute woodland creatures prancing through the forest. I'll let you know if that works out...

Have you chosen any projects for this amazing new fabric collection?  

I'd love suggestions for this cute fox print!

Secret Song Mittens

This past winter I caught the knitting bug!  I've known how to knit/purl for years, 

but have never (successfully) tackled anything other than a garter stitch scarf.  

I've always said I would rather sew because of the instant gratification factor, 

but there is something really great about slowing down and watching a 

project grow from just a skein of yarn.  

This was the first project that I knit last fall, using the 

Secret Song Mittens pattern from Interweave's Knitscene (Spring 2012).  

They've gotten a lot of use this winter and they match my coat perfectly!

Have you caught the knitting bug?  What was the first project you were most proud of?