Spice girl

I'm not sure I'm think it's a problem, but we might have a spice addiction in our household.

I think I have spring fever, or at least the itch for spring cleaning. Maybe it's the weather. It's fairly rare that central Iowa hits the 60s in the middle of February. It's extremely rare that we hit the 50s and 60s for almost 10 days in a row and I think it's made my body convinced that it is actually spring. Tomorrow's high of 32 degrees should remind me otherwise.

Whatever the reason, I felt compelled to clean and organize all weekend. Even more surprising - I actually followed through on that impulse. Besides the closet and refrigerator, the spice cupboard was in desperate need of cleaning out.

I pulled everything out and set them on the counter. There were over 70 containers and took up several feet of counter space. Plus I have a spice rack with 12 more jars. Why does one household need 4 different kinds of cinnamon, 3 different cajun blends, 5 kinds of garlic and about a dozen spice blends containing garlic. We are apparently taking Hollywood's fascination with vampires to heart.

Do normal people have this many spices and seasonings in their house?

So what do all these spices and seasonings say about me? I like cooking. Baking slightly less. Also, I like spicy and international cuisine. And, apparently, have an affinity for spices beginning with the letter C. Maybe it's just that there are so many more spices that begin with the letter C? Think about it. Cinnamon, cardamom, cilantro, curry, cumin, caraway, chili powers, cloves, coriander, cayenne, celery seed, chipotle and chives. I am sure there are more, but those are the ones we have on hand. Seems like a lot. (Before you ask, I WAS NOT alphabetizing them, just noticed a pattern.)

It's been a while

It's been a while. A very long while. But there are finally new totes in my shop!

I have been loving this Patricia fabric from Ikea for about 2 years now, but every single time we go, they are out. I was finally able to pick up a few yards last month and am so happy with how the totes turned out!

I have two of these for sale now and three more in progress.

Back by popular demand: Why the Caged Bird Sings totes. Same as the Patricia totes, 2 in the shop now, 3 more to come.

It feels good to get back in the sewing room. I am hoping life calms down even a little more so I can sew even more.

Sticky Style

I have been loving vinyl wall decals now for a while. I have had great luck (as have a couple of friends and my mom) with Byrdie Graphics on Etsy. That's where I bought my winter tree branch. They are SUPER fast with responding to convos (Etsy emails) and very quick shipping. The instructions and tools they provide are great too!

I'm also still obsessing with the colors gray and yellow together. Marry those two loves and I have new vinyl decals in my kitchen! (My TINY kitchen is very hard to photograph!)

I really like them with my gray and yellow curtains made with Mood fabric!

The 18 gray scroll damask graphics are sold in a set.

Photo from Byrdie Graphics

The two yellows were purchased individually. Minus my being too impatient to wait for a level, application went smoothly.

Vinyl decals are a great idea for rental places. I wish they were popular a few years ago. I would have had much cooler apartment walls in college! My roommate and I did starch fabric polka dots onto a wall once. It was cute, but the red fabric ended up leaving pink circles that we had to paint over anyway.

Ruffled Reticule

A few years ago, I found a purse on Etsy that I loved. I didn't buy it and have had reverse buyers remorse (should have bought that!) ever since. Of course, the seller doesn't make them any more, but that hasn't stopped me from longing for one anyway.

After my most recent trip to NYC lead me once again to the fabric oasis that is Mood, I found the perfect lining fabric to go with some tweed I already had in my stash. After many measurements, sketches and a couple of trial pieces, I decided to go for it. I wouldn't say I made a pattern, more like a list of measurements and a single pattern piece for the front ruffle.

The end result is beautiful and I LOVE it.

My only regret is that I wish it was wider. I carry a lot of stuff around and, while I've crammed it all in, I could definitely use a little more wiggle room.

I put in lots of pockets in the interior and one on the back as well.

The process went smoothly and I only had to rip out one seem! (Sewed the back pocket on upside down. Duh.)