This week marks the beginning of what I think of as "birthday party season." It seems that Max's friends all have birthdays around the same time of year. But when I put them up on the calendar, they're really spread throughout the year. The "season" consists of one birthday per month from June through November. I really don't know what I'm thinking.
But becuase I do think of it as a season, we tend to make/buy the same gifts for everyone. Above is the "make" part of the gift, a tote/book bag. I figure that bags are always useful, right? I know in our house it would get sucked right up by either Max or me. Perhaps they can use them to take stuff to school, or bring them to the library...
The outside is denim, the inside is lined with mattress ticking, and I have a bunch of fun prints to use as the pockets.
The present this time is a sewing frame, although most will get flower presses.
Posting has become sporadic, as you can tell. I'm not quite sure why. I suppose the real reason is that I've been trying to work more, so I guess that will continue. (Darn that work, it sure gets in the way of crafting!) Another reason is that I've been getting lots of orders for the pen holders in my etsy shop, that's been lots of fun!
Oh! One more piece of news! I finally decided to sign up for a week-long quilting course given by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, owners of FunQuilts and contributor to whipup! It turns out they're coming to our little town in July (advantage: cool summers) as part of Quilt Camp. I went last year and took two classes with Laura Wasilowski, which were very fun (but the projects I started there are still unfinished, sigh).
The class is called "Design for the Adventurous Quilter", and here's the description:
Weeks & Bill each teach different portions of this five-day class during which you will learn the essential skills for designing original quilts. You will learn to analyze color, determine the right proportions for your design, figure out how the right fabric combinations will reinforce your ideas and understand how to make quilts that are expressive of who you are. Through both group critiques and one-on-one discussions, you will be coached step-by-step through the design process. Whether you’re an experienced designer or have never had an art class, you will leave this class with the confidence and skills to design the quilt of your dreams.
Doesn't that sound interesting? I really need help with the analyzing color part, and, well, everything else too. I can't wait!
love the book bag. i do those for bdays quite frequently. so fun!
Posted by: heidi | Wednesday, 20 June 2007 at 02:00 PM
you're right, a bookbag is always a welcome. i know how work can get in the way of crafting - but lucky you and your orders for the pen holders! my unfinished sashiko project from my classes last month is still unfinished too....i'm back into blogging a little more consistenly....
Posted by: debbie | Wednesday, 20 June 2007 at 09:26 PM
What a great idea, to take the stress out of shopping for all those birthday gifts and to give a gift that's handmade and can be "personalized" with pocket fabric choices, etc.
AND I'm so excited for you re: Quilt Camp with Weeks and Ringle. Please be sure to post about it for those of us who can't be there with you but would love to go!
Posted by: Anamaria | Saturday, 23 June 2007 at 08:53 AM
That gift is great! And I totally know what you mean about birthday season. I'm in the midst of it now.
Quilt camp sounds like a trip too. Have fun!
Posted by: africankelli | Wednesday, 27 June 2007 at 03:46 PM
Quilt Camp = fun!
yay!
as for work (ack) I grumble when I have a lot and grumble when I don't.
Posted by: elise | Saturday, 30 June 2007 at 04:09 PM