This is the year

I learned how to eat persimmons with the skin on out of sheer lazyness. Mmmmm persimmons.

Winter Gardening

No picture for this one as, as Mark so nicely noted "its just dirt," but I've finally replanted the dirt in my backyard. My approach this time was to just put as much of everything as I had in the ground because I can thin things out later if that becomes a problem. Finally I can stop telling people I'm going to plant this weekend. Don't get me wrong about the time of year either. I don't have high hopes for getting started this late but I figured, I had all the stuff so I minaswell give it a shot. So, today I planted:

• kale
• garlic
• brussle sprouts
• small yellow tomatoes
• cilantro
• parsnips
• carrots
• acorn squash
• and basil

I've also still got the jalapenos, eggplant, fig and lemon trees and the pumpkins going as well as some herbs (chives, dill, rosemary, mint, thyme).

Oh man, I just realized I probably planted the garlic wrong..... think it will hold in the ground for a few days till I dig it back up?

Shoe Bags

I'm finding I'm a little too particular when it comes to sewing projects. I thought it would be nice to make some shoe travel bags (as I've been using a plastic bag and once that gets dirty I don't know what to do with it). So I looked online for a pattern and found three that had characteristics that I liked so I figured I could combine the directions. Of course, I forgot that I don't really know what I'm doing so I ended up with these. At least one of them is perfectly useful (I'm not sure about the bunny one, I will need to try washing it first). However, they are both pretty big. I mean I don't have the smallest feet but unless I'm trying to cram 4 inch heels in here (this is a funny comment because I don't have shoes that tall) they seem a little overkill for their task.

I made most of the bags out of "fat quarters." I was saddened to find that there are two different sizes of fat quarters and I've got the smaller ones. This means that the nifty fat quarter projects are beyond my fabric means. However, if I use two I do OK. The tan on the bunny-bag is from an old t-shirt that I fused interfacing on. I don't think that was necessary for this project and thats why I need to wash the bag before I figure out what the best thing to do with it is. I crocheted the drawstrings out of some scrap yarn but I'm not sure this is my favorite approach. Thats a pretty easy change though if I find something that works better.

Well, I guess I've justified the machine. Now I can pack it all back up and let it hibenate for a few months.

New Hat

I think this is the third project I've started with this particular ball of yarn. I think I'm finally happy with it. The hat is a little loose but people tell me they like that. Now i have to decide if this hat will be of any use in southern california.... hmm. Christmas gift perhaps?

I took this photo right after I accidentally got my hair cut really short. Apparently one should not go to their hairdresser with absolutely no idea of what they want. No insult to my hairdresser of course, its a very nice cut. I just don't know if I'm feeling the short hair. No worries though. Hair always grows back (knock on wood).

Ruched Pillowcase Prototype

I've been trying to both use my sewing machine/learn to use my sewing machine and use up some old clothes from around the house. I found these pillows by hettle on etsy and thought I might be ably to figure out how to do them. Well... what I came up with it at least similar and I did learn quite a bit in the process (I bet you can already spot some of my mistakes).

My pillow "prototype" is made from old grey t-shirts. I thought I had enough to do the whole thing in once color but I don't think I cut the shirt up right and had to use a second shirt for the ruffle.

At least it's super comfortable. It doesn't really match anything in my house so I'm at a bit of a loss of what to do with it. If anyone wants the case let me know. (I'm keeping the pillow form, I stole that from one of our existing pillows.)