bee creative

happy new year

 

practical sewing: the sweatshirt + a little something less practical

I've now made two sweatshirts using 100 Acts of Sewing's Dress No.2.

I have fabric for a third and would love to get some cotton velveteen to make another dressier "winter" version.

Sweatshirt number two. 

I didn't bind the neckline on this one, just folded over and stitched down.

I also shortened the length. 

One important considering for using this pattern with a knit is to change the neckline so that it is much shallower.  I used the back neckline from my favorite tank top (altered enough at this point to be pretty much a self drafted pattern).

I lined up the shoulder seams on the two patterns so that they were even, cut the  neckline and then removed the tank top pattern so that I could cut the dress arm hole. 

My favorite patterns are on tag board now which makes using them much easier. 

On the little less practical side.  This is the tank top pattern cut out of silk and dyed with eucalyptus...

This is the first time that I've managed to get such good results with eucalyptus.  Something that India Flint said in the conscious clothing class clicked for me and I realized what I needed to do!

I learned a lot in the conscious clothing class and have plans to do a lot of experimenting this next year with dyeing and altering/drafting patterns. 

Here's a few more:

These having me thinking about the possibilities of mirrored images...

citrus season

Potatoes & kale with a side of clementine.

Lettuce + beets + pomelo

Buddha's hand, most of it went in some vodka. I set aside a few fingers to do something else with. 

To be continued...

eight hours

Eight hours is such a short amount of daylight but it's enough.

Today I did a bit of gathering in the garden and made bundles...

They are for a class with India Flint, A Clearing in the Woods.

I am way behind on getting my bundles done.

That's how it goes sometimes...

working in the dark

Solstice was celebrated without power. 

There was knitting and reading...knitting is perhaps the easier way to pass time when depending on softer light. 

This one makes me think of a sting ray. 

winter colors

I'm not sure if it's because I'm working with such a bright sunny color (a shawl in the making),  but from the inside everything looks so gray outside this afternoon.

Like a broad stroke of paint had been applied to the view.  

Until I went outside and there was so much color...

Just a few more days of sinking into darkness and then the days will become lighter again.  

for baby

Blanket used as packaging. 

I included diapers, wipes, and balm.

Blanket unfolded. 

Good thing Mama-to-be doesn't need straight lines.  

I'm incapable of making them...

leftovers

Carrots left from last week and one orange beet cooked until soft.

A pinch of salt.

Pureed.

Topped with caramelized onions.

Gift for baby shower.

Mostly scraps leftover from other projects.

Leftovers are always useful.

mending as a gift

I was going to cut it apart and use the wool for other things but I tried it on one more time and thought no...the only thing really wrong with it is the huge hole on the hip. 

One patch later I'm wearing it again.

The hole was caused by my back pack rubbing on the side. It's a smaller one that I tend to sling over one shoulder.

Something to think about.

enter December

It's getting dark. 

The cat is curled in front of the gas fire place waiting for the heat to kick on again.

I am drinking hot water and lemon and Lola is curled in a nest of wool blankets sleeping. 

Today at the farmers market Nick, one of the vendors I buy from regularly, said this would probably be the last week with a good selection of greens.  The low temperatures next week will be below freezing. I bought lettuce, a bag of chicory mix, and lacinato kale.  Also potatoes, onions, carrots, cauliflower, and beets.  And sauerkraut, bread, and homemade tortillas.  There is still an abundance at the beginning of December.

I am truly lucky to live in a location where so many things can be grown and in a community that values local food. 

I am thinking about gifts. 

About the traditions surrounding them and the definition of the word.  How a gift might be a talent or an object. It might be a smile or a conversation. It might even be a transaction. 

About a gift as an offering.