Zipper Pouch

My stupid friend Ann had a birthday a few weeks ago. I took my time deciding what to make her and settled on a quick little zipper pouch. Except, it didn't really end up being that quick. First, I realized I didn't have a zipper foot and had to wait until the next day for the sewing shop to open. Then I had to figure out how to attach it to my machine... which was way simpler than I was making it.

All in all, it was a good experience for learning a new sewing skill but far too much time spent doing something nice for Ann. (Don't fret, we have a very entertaining faux-love-hate relationship. I mean, she knows that when I said I couldn't attend her birthday because I have a policy against stupid people's parties, I really meant, "I won't be able to drive to Seattle that day").

And the shape looks a little wonky in these photos, but it actually turned out pretty well. Hopefully it arrives in the mail shortly with the enclosed Pixie Stix in tact. I didn't think about the foolishness of mailing light colored powder until it was too late..

Spring Ruffle Top

I made a bold statement last week. I might have said something along the lines of... "I'm going to make all my own clothes this summer." Um... we'll see how that goes. Last weekend I kicked off the promise by making a Spring Ruffle Top. It was incredibly easy and fun to make. What a success for my first garment!

I followed the tutorial pretty closely except I opted to gather the top instead of making little pleats. I think next time I'll try a little shaping to help avoid the maternity look a bit. I have big plans for this little tutorial.

Memorial Day was the perfect occasion to debut my new top to the world. Molly and I had a playdate at Anderson Island complete with a homemade bread picnic (three day weekend bread baking tradition, you know) and fixed gear bikes, with baskets! (Oh yeah, there were a few lemons too...)

It could not have been a better day. See more of the fun here.

Sun Tisane

You all know right, that you can't call it tea unless it comes from the leaves of the camellia senensis plant. Factoid. If it's not camellia senensis then it's technically tisane, or "an infusion." I like tisane.

Yesterday I picked a few leaves from my lemon verbena and apple mint plants (garden harvest #2). In the jar they went and after hours in the sun I had a very subtle summer drink to keep me and the sewing machine company.

Here We Come a-Waffling

Last weekend some friends were in town. We decided to seek out some amazing waffle sandwiches at Flavour Spot. I thought I had read something about Flavour Spot having vegan waffles... but in hindsight, what I think I read was someone challenging Flavour Spot to have vegan waffles. I second that challenge and raise our collective group challenge to drop the u.

We hopped down to the Mississippi & Fremont location and promptly started to waffle over our choices. (Ha!) I ended up getting a s'more waffle because I'm a sucker for non-gelatin marshmallow fluff even though it was technically my breakfast. A and J had veggie sausage. It rarely happens to me that after I finish eating something, I want to eat it again. But I really really did. And to add to the deliciousness of the morning, the waffles were decently priced for such a novelty and the waffleteer that handed me mine was kindofababe. (But it's kind of dark inside the waffle cart and I don't want anyone to hold me to that assertion in the future).

Other highlights of the afternoon.

First Harvest

Still house sitting but making frequent trips to my house for plant watering, checking the mail, getting fresh clothes. Last night I harvested my first vegetables from my container garden. These nice little radishes. They went into a salad heavy with sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Quite delicious.

When the cat's away...

I'm currently house sitting in an internet free zone and will only pop by every so often over the next several days. In the meantime, take a peek at the etsy shop my sister is quietly updating every so often, currently staring these two.

Polka Dot Apron

Another weekend spent with the sewing machine out. Nothing entirely new... another apron! This one for a different co-worker. She asked for brown, turquoise, and brick red... and let me come up with the rest. I got as close to her color request as possible. I was super tempted to Rit dye white ric rac to get it more "turquoisey" but reason interferred, thank goodness.

This apron was spread out over 3 days, although the actual construction was pretty quick. I just kept hitting road blocks... like realizing at 10pm that I didn't have brown thread, or running out to plant carrots at 8am. I did somehow manage to detail the leaves while simultaneously carrying a conversation with Scott.

I like the polka dots because they are very happy... and the apron was for quite possibly one of the most cheerful ladies I know.

In My Backyard