Miscellaneous Design Studio

Category: fun

  • Experimental Knitting

    The other day, I was thinking about interesting construction concepts for hats. And I had a somewhat unconventional idea that I wasn’t certain if it would work or not. The only way to get these ideas out of my head it to dive in and construct. What worked: the slip stitches worked great for connecting…

  • Shoddy Seamstress Adventures: Project Pouch

    Even if I’m not blogging about it, I’m always working on SOMETHING creative. A new spin on a recipe, a weird eyeshadow color combination, some kind of knit/crochet/sewing endeavor. My kids were in school yesterday, and I got the desire to SEW. I have my own laundry to wash/dry/put away, kids clothes to put away…

  • Too Many Tasks

    Having my kids back in school 2 days a week is a great mental break for me. I have these great machinations that I’m going to do ALL THE THINGS and be SOOOOOO productive. Spoiler: I cannot squeeze 10 hours of tasks into the 8:15-10:50 time slot. I got a quarter of my tasks accomplished…

  • Year of Projects: Week 35/36

    Sunday! I missed last week, entirely. So here is what I did, kinda. I fiercely love my friends, and Covid really puts a kibosh on being able to physically be present when things go awry. Since I can’t be there to give hugs and eat cake with her, I made a proxy! Behold, the “Cuddle…

  • Start All the Things

    I’m experiencing a major case of start-itus. I want to cast-on ALL THE THINGS. I have the yarn to do a baby sweater (likely the Baby Surprise Jacket), that *should* be finished by the first weekend in May (2021). Yarn to make 2 pairs of socks. The desire to cast-on ANOTHER pair of 2 strand…

  • Languishing

    It’s a weird state of mind, just meh. I read an essay about mental health and the ongoing Covid pandemic the other day in the New York Times. A state of mind, languishing, was the topic. Not depressed, not thriving, not burnt out, not really much of anything. Honestly, I didn’t finish the article on…

  • Year of Projects: Week 34

    One of my best besties is getting married next month. We’ve known each other since college, and have had SO MANY ADVENTURES together! I was thrilled and honored to be asked to be a bridesmaid and was over the moon excited when her mom asked if I could put together her bridal shower. This has…

  • Shoddy Seamstress Adventures: Placemats Part 3.2

    Other stuff too. I mentioned in my last post that I found 6 placemats that I started a long time ago. I used quilting cotton on both sides and iron interface batting in the center. I “quilted” the fabric a little bit to keep everything flat. Two of the placemats were already bound, TERRIBLY. I…

  • Shoddy Seamstress Adventures: Placemats Part 3

    Phew! What an adventure! This morning, I finished up my new placemats. Instead of freehand sewing the interior rectangles today, I measured 2 inches from the side and then again from that first line, then made a pencil line rectangle as a guide. I measured yesterday’s prototype and most of my lines were at about…

  • Soddy Seamstress Adventures: Placemats Part 2

    I didn’t get the project finished today (didn’t think I would). I took the kids on a playdate to an outdoor park/playground with a friend. We picked up sandwiches up and had a lunchtime picnic in the empty pavilion. It was a windy day. I got to run to intercept friend’s toddler from the parking…