Appendix

Im starting to realize how busy I will be this semester and doubt I will be having much free time to whip up sewing projects.. the apron I started is still hanging, all pinned up and ready to go.. So then I thought, I don't have to stick to just sewing projects; I can include other things I make. So I guess now Ill start including all sorts of things I do. Heres what Ive done recently.

I found a stack of these really beautiful paper paisley pattern place mats (say that ten times fast), some blue (above) and some red, that were covered in dust in a top cabinet of the break room kitchen in one of the buildings at school. Who knows how long they've been there..? I decided to decopage it to the covers of the little planner that the university gives out to spruce it up a bit.
Today I covered my chemistry lab notebook with a beautifully printed paper gift bag that I found in the street while I was walking a friend home from class.

More accessoreis and some inspiration

I was at my favorite thrift store with my mom the other morning while she waited for her car to get fixed and I found several things that I felt compelled to buy. They were all really cheap and I felt inspired by the patterns and style, so I brought it all home. I bought three silk scarves, two aprons, a bag and two other scarves,one acrylic and one cashmere.

 I also got some more metal bobbins for my sewing machine and I found the perfect little case to hold them all on one of my trips to the dumps the other night. 

None of the items I bought were more than one or two bucks each, so I was pretty happy with my finds. I was inspired by these items to look up some stuff about vintage styles and designs and I found some really cute and simple dress patterns on other blogs that I may attempt one day. For now, Im still trying to master shirts. I haven't tried anything in a little while, so maybe before school starts next week Ill whip something up. 

Christmas gifts

I made this saddle bag out of black linen for a friend's bicycle as a christmas gift. I didnt want to post it because the surprise would have been ruined.. I ripped the zipper out of an old purse I used to make my Halloween costume and used some velcro strips and old key rings for the fastener straps. It was modeled after a Schwinn saddlebag that I bought for my bike a while ago. This is the first thing that Gladys and I put together and it's what inspired me to start this blog. I was really impressed with my self for having made it so well(by my low standards) and for doing it all in about an hour. I was tempted to keep it, as I am with many of my initially-intended-to-be-gift projects, but when you are making something for someone with them in mind, they seem to have some kind of impression on the final results.
So here it is, my first project:

New accessories

I  went out to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, one of the few places I don't mind spending money and where I got my lovely sewing table, to look for some book shelves for my new room. I didnt find the book shelves, but I did find a mannequin and some random(useful) sewing machine parts! I was pretty excited because I had recently come to the conclusion that I would eventually need a mannequin or dress form for fitting stuff, but had no clue where to find one and assumed that they would probably be quite expensive. Walter, as he shall be named, looks brand new, save for a couple scrapes that have rusted a little on the shaft he stands on. And what's more? He's just my size! Now I can start making some shirts that fit a little better.. I also got two metal bobbins, two removable parts that the bobbin fits in, whatever they're called, a presser foot and a big spool of black thread; all for $15 bucks! I love the Hab.

In addition to the new accessories, I picked up another piece of fabric from my favorite thrift store. Its another floral print, but its simple and cute; my sister has already asked me for something made from it. Guess it'll be my next project.

I haven't gotten Gladys out in over a week and Im afraid that once school starts up again next week Ill be consumed by it. Im trying to get my room finally reorganized and situated so that I can focus on new projects and goals instead of trying to get anything done in the disarray that my home has been in lately. I'd like to use the rest of the week to get everything in shape so I can start making some more progress on that front. We'll see how that goes..
In other news, my loot bag isn't as practical in practice as it seemed in theory.. Its great when you're inside a bin loading it up, but carrying it when it's full is a little difficult, especially on your back as its meant to be carried. All the stuff on the bottom ends up getting crushed and the straps are difficult to get even on each shoulder.. perhaps it will perform better after a few adjustments. Ill put it on the mental list of stuff to do one day.