i’ve been doing a fair amount of embroidery and sewing lately. i can’t seem to get enough of the almost instant gratification of sitting down to sew a zippered pouch or a pillow and being done in less than an hour. plus, you can just pick up where you left off without checking patterns or stitches. it’s been a nice rest from knitting.

my grandmother and mother taught me how to sew and embroider when i was a little girl. i was constantly making things that we couldn’t afford. i remember once in elementary school when all the girls were carrying around those tiny backpack purses and i wanted one so bad but we just didn’t have the money. i remember sitting in my room with some of my mom’s floral fabric scraps and a needle and thread. it took me a few hours but i sewed my own. i proudly carried that bag to school the next day and didn’t care when the other girls made fun of it. i knew then that making your own stuff was far more satisying than going out to the store and buying the same thing that everyone else had. that backpack was made by my own two hands. i wish i still had it or at least had a picture of it. i won’t get on a soapbox here but i think that all little girls (and boys) should have a hobby where they can express their creativity and make something with their own two hands.

the last few years have seen a surge of handmade goodness and a revolution to either make or buy handmade. i think it’s a really great time of year to try it if you haven’t.

here are a few goodies i’ve been making for myself and friends.

a small piece of embroidery that will hopefully become the center of a pillow. i quite love the tiny birds.

i love little mushrooms. i’ve noticed that most people do. don’t you?? ;) i embroidered this a tea towel and then cut it apart to put a patchwork strip of cotton fabrics. it’s going to be a pillow for my rocking chair.

ahhh zippers. i’ve always struggled with zippered pouches when lining is concerned. i can’t keep it from scooching around and puckering. this is the best one i’ve ever made! only a tiny little bunching at the corner of the bag. i’m calling it a win!

some fabric and thread for the next project. what will it be?

i love being inspired by all the embroidered and patchwork pieces i see around flickr. i’m back to the sewing machine for a little while before getting to work for the evening.