WIP

A duvet cover in progress...

Happy Friday

Just a friendly reminder that this is not a pet blog :-)
Happy Friday with plenty of sunshine!

Dash's Bed

As a healthy puppy, Dash has been outgrowing his bed at work. I knew this would happen and needed to do something. I found that a packaged foam sold at the craft store was the perfect size for his spot under the desk. I covered it with cozy fleece I had in my stash and appliqued his name with grey felt. I just hope he won't chew up the applique.

he's been a bad boy chewing up his bed...

notice his new bandanna? it's a space ship print...

love the blanket stitch...

one happy smiling dog...

Appliqueing

No, my canine boy's name is not DAS. "H" didn't make it in the photo...

What I Sewed This Weekend...

I finally replaced the ugly plastic blind with my new project. A bedroom curtain. I feel so much better in this room. I needed to line it with a solid cream for color protection, but it can wait a bit longer. One item off my to do list. Two duvet covers next...

floating buds in grey...love this print forever...

maybe i should have made it to the floor...oh well...

Early Girls

Oh my Early Girls... Did you know there were such tomatoes? I've been buying these tomatoes at the Stonestown Farmers Market every Sunday for the week's supply. They are just so amazing that I will not buy any other tomatoes anywhere else. Seriously, they are the sweetest tomatoes. I've been eating them without any seasoning just to taste their simple sweetness. They made it to my list of things that I can't live without. I don't know the name of the vendor, but those cool farmer girls come from Watsonville and sell them at the market along with other organic vegetables and fruits for very reasonable prices. Their produce has much more flavors than others at the grocery stores. And they have those pale blue eggs that I've been wanting to try (they weren't available for the last couple of weeks). So go try them and support their hard work. You'll be happier and healthier.

some of them ended up on today's taco lunch plate, one of the most often served meal at our table...

i usually eat with squeezed lime juice and tapatio when no time to make salsa.

The Graduate

Woof everyone. Dash here. Happy Friday to you. I finished a Puppy 101 class this week. I think I'm a better canine citizen now. I listen to commands like Sit, Down, Leave it, Roll over, Shake, and High five. People say I'm so cute when I give them a high five. You know I have to entertain them as a shop dog :-) I look at my mama when she says "Focus" unless a man walks by with a big juicy burger. I also "Stay" when she says so until she says "All done." I know I am a quick learner and my mama told me I was the smartest in the class. But, you know why I listen to her? Because she always gives me yummy treats. I have to admit I'm obsessed with liver and salmon treats. She even gave me real salmon meat last night. She said it was my graduation gift. It was sooooo delish.
I think my mama is the best :-)

they put this silly hat on me for this snap shot...oh, humans...

Sew & Tell - Salumeh & Marty's Re-upholstered Chair

Salumeh usually visits Peapod with her boyfriend (or husband?) Marty who patiently waits while Salumeh shops. I had no idea he had this secret hobby of his. With Salumeh's sewing skills, he re-upholstered an old chair. Look at it! It looks GREAT! With the piping and everything. It is very comfortable too. They used one of my favorite fabrics called Heath in gray. I was waiting for someone to transfer this cool print into something. It is in heavy weight and perfect for a project like this. I was actually eyeing this fabric for my own chair project (if it ever happens). This chair encourages me to take a step for it. Great work, Salumeh and Marty! And thank you!

well, someone had to test the chair...he found it comfy too!

they used the following print...

Making a Plus Quilt Block

I don't usually do the tutorial thing just because I am lazy. When I sew, I just want to finish. Not even thinking to pause and take photos in the process. I had tried to show you how to make my layered skirt with the simple illustrations in the past. But, I ran out of the energy, so I just left it. Same with the doggy bandanna. I also tried to do the quilt-along thing, but another failure...sorry. Maybe I will complete to do so in the near future. But, I did take some photos for this plus quilt block. I am usually no follower to a pattern, so this is my version of making it. My blocks will be not universal in size as the crosses are uneven. Just because I like the imperfect look, and I also want to use my scraps for this quilt. The colors are mainly grays and blues just because I have a lot of left overs from my first all solid quilt. Orange is added as my boy requested, and I love the way it looks against grays. So far, my finished blocks range from 13' x 15" to 18" x 18". It would have been easier to make every block and the cross the same size, so I could have cut the pieces the same size without thinking.
cut the main block piece in two lengthwise. i cut mine unevenly so it would be an irregular cross.

then cut the cross piece (green) about the same length as the main piece (gray).

sew the green and the gray pieces together.

when all three pieces are sewn, cut it in half crosswise. again, mine was cut unevenly.

then cut the other cross piece as the same height as the main pieces.

this is how it looks like when all the three pieces are sewn together.
this piece is about 17" x 18".

the back side of the block. i don't press the seams open. this will help enforce the seams. press the seam to the darker color side so that the color of the seam won't be so visible from the front side (no worries if the both colors are light. in that case, just press it to either side). this is something i read in some books when i started to teach myself quilting way back.

Plus Quilt in Progress

I've sewn some blocks for my Plus Quilt. This will be so cool when it's done in my son's room. I got the idea from this quilt, and who made this quilt got inspired by this quilt. I LOVE them! I don't know who those people are, but the Images like those create a chain of inspiration, and it's all about enjoying quiltmaking. Do you want to make the chain of inspiration even greater?

Sew & Tell - Laura's Playdate Dress

Laura is a big fan of the Oliver + S patterns. She was the first person who showed me the finished garment made from their patterns. It was this bubble dress. I have to admit that It is very hard to find a good pattern in the States. For the Peapod standard, a good pattern means that it comes with clear instructions, doesn't require super advanced skills, and the design has to be versatile and CUTE! And you probably know how hard it is to find one with an INSPIRATIONAL cover. Usually you have to ignore and look beyond the hideous print choice and the styling on the cover of the pattern while you like the design. But, Oliver + S fulfills all our needs. Here is Laura's five year-old daughter, Katya, wearing her Playdate Dress. Isn't she adorable? She looks so grown up since her bubble dress photos. She was wondering if I would like her boots before visiting the shop. Who would not? From head to toes, she is perfectly styled. Thanks always, Laura and Katya!

Sew & Tell - Messenger Bag Two Versions

We all love messenger bags. Stylish. Versatile. And super functional! Today, I will show you two different messenger bags by two different people...in different age groups.

Alyssa's mom, Lisa, threw a sewing party for Alyssa's birthday. As I recall, the birthday girl is nine. Lisa provided all the party attendees basic canvas as a main fabric and some fun prints for the applique. Oh, and the cake :-) After that Alyssa and her friends picked up the scissors, needles, threads, and ever expanding creativity, and voila! Can you see owls in the night forest? What a fun bag, Alissa! And a great party, Lisa! Thank you, both!

And now, it's a bit mature version of a messenger bag. Here you see Erin's simple taupe herringbone messenger bag. The wider strap is not just comfy, but it makes it styly. Try it. I love her relaxed style combined with a modern linear bag and lovely corsage on her hair. And is that a crochet pin on her chest? What a lovely lady! Thank you, Erin!

Sew & Tell - Salumeh's Seahorse Blouse

After tomorrow, summer will be officially over for other parts of the country, but here in San Francisco it actually will start. So Salumeh could enjoy her seahorse blouse. It looks like Anna Tunic, but she made this without a pattern. What's up with these brave people! Making a garment without a pattern! This fabric, I don't have to explain, right? It's the famous seahorse. It adds a whimsy to her elegant look in a simple black skirt. Very cute! Thank you, Salumeh. I will wait for you next project :-)

Sew & Tell - Frances' Baker Tote

So, did you guys make anything for your kitchen? Well, somebody did. I never knew Frances is a professional baker when she picked up the toaster and utensil prints. Oh yeah and the mixers. What a perfect match! She stopped by to show me before going to work. This is her commute tote. So it could motivate her to go to work :-) I love these prints! The colors are bright and the prints are crispy. It's just so fun! Thank you, Frances!

Another Solid Quilt on the Way

Smells a lot like fall here. And fall starts with the beginning of a new quilt in my household...and this one will be another all solid quilt. What are you starting the new season with?

a long overdue painting job on the way...

my first all solid quilt...in our old apartment...

For Your Kitchen

Set & Tell - Miss Tattoo's Retro Dress

September begins with tons of sunshine and this retro look dress that Miss tattoo made. Well, you guessed I forgot to ask her name...She is a beginner sewer, but fearless and stands with pride. I say so because she made this dress without a pattern. A dress without a pattern, people! She just traced the dress she had, and voila! She LOVES it! She kindly posed for my camera while the pesky dog clinging all over her. The print is one of my favorites, a retro black floral with red accent. With her cool tattoo, I will call it edgy chic. Can I say that? Anyways, it's a gorgeous dress and she looks great! Thank you, Miss Tattoo!

sniff, sniff...she smells nice...

Dash messing with her dress...

Let's try again...

She used the following print...