Two tragedies struck Albuquerque in the last few days, hitting close to home in the art/knitting/sewing circles of our town. Stephanie Anderson, who was shot during the Denny's robbery, was an artist who worked with Offcenter Arts. Heather Reu, who was killed while bicycling Monday night, was a mom to 4 young children, customer at Hip Stitch, sewed, knit, and as we've been hearing the stories coming in to the store, was an amazing, energetic woman.
I'm in such a state of shock and not understanding the senseless-ness of it all. Why them? Why did this have to happen? I can't even begin to feel for what their families are going through.
For now, while we all go through this feelings of helplessness and grief, we at Hip Stitch are working to arrange a day here at the store where friends and acquaintances can come and grieve together and remember these 2 women, whose lives were cut so unbearably short.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Weekender Bag and more
I'm getting an urge to make yet another Weekender Bag - I've made 2 so far - the 1st was for me, and I didn't use Timtex, which gives it the right stiffness, so it's floppier than I like it. The 2nd was for my friend Lisa, and I did it the right way, breaking many a needle along the way, but loving the finished product. I just love this bag, and it's definitely worth the arduous process in making it.
Here's the wallet that Julie shared her pattern and I made! I just love it, and immediately transferred out of my old wallet when I was done making it. My girls like to count how many items I have in my purse that are made out of Hip Stitch fabrics - about 5, including my purse itself.
This morning at the store, it felt like Cheers when the regulars walk into the bar - Kara, Delia, Kelena, Vanessa, Ann - all came in to sew at different times, and we all shared what's being made (this and this mostly) and it was just so fun to share our mutual love for fabrics and sewing! Vanessa has been making the sandwich wraps from Sewing Green, a book which we hope to carry soon. Ann has set up an etsy shop for her purses, totes, aprons and re-usable snack bags, but is getting so many word-of-mouth custom orders that she barely has time to keep her store stocked! Imagine if we could complete wipe out the demand for plastic zip bags and all use handmade bags over and over - it's a lofty goal, but we've each got to do our part!
Here's the wallet that Julie shared her pattern and I made! I just love it, and immediately transferred out of my old wallet when I was done making it. My girls like to count how many items I have in my purse that are made out of Hip Stitch fabrics - about 5, including my purse itself.
This morning at the store, it felt like Cheers when the regulars walk into the bar - Kara, Delia, Kelena, Vanessa, Ann - all came in to sew at different times, and we all shared what's being made (this and this mostly) and it was just so fun to share our mutual love for fabrics and sewing! Vanessa has been making the sandwich wraps from Sewing Green, a book which we hope to carry soon. Ann has set up an etsy shop for her purses, totes, aprons and re-usable snack bags, but is getting so many word-of-mouth custom orders that she barely has time to keep her store stocked! Imagine if we could complete wipe out the demand for plastic zip bags and all use handmade bags over and over - it's a lofty goal, but we've each got to do our part!Speaking of re-using, Hip Stitch is participating in a fashion show at Offcenter Arts, as part of their Fiber Fanfare next Friday, June 19. Fliers are at our store and around town - this center is an incredibly positive force in the community, providing space and supplies for anyone to come create. Fiber Fanfare will be an evening of storytelling, art on display and for sale, refreshments, and the fashion show - we'll be supplies models and outfits - both newly created with our fabrics, and recycled with t-shirts and plastic bags. Is that enough of a teaser? Come on down! (if nothing else, enjoy a good belly laugh at my attempt at runway modeling - something I've never done before and never will again - but it's for a good cause!)
And lastly (I know, mom, I shouldn't begin a sentence with 'and'), I really want to make what Robyn's making - Simplicity 3750 (scroll down and she has a picture of the pattern) I'll wait and get your review, Robyn, before I dive in. It looks like a great summer top.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Gettin' Jiggy Wit It...
...this skirt, that is:
Kim helped me pick out and lay out the design on my thrift store skirt to transform it into something totally unique! How fun was that?!
In store news, we're putting a lot of fabric on sale for ONE WEEK ONLY starting this SATURDAY, JUNE 6 (does this look like a commercial for a car dealership?). We need/want to order more fabric, but need to clear out some of the current bolts. So come on down - this is an offer you won't want to miss! ONE WEEK ONLY!
And the title - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It - was a song I recently downloaded onto our IPod Shuffle, by Will Smith. I'm groovin' to it lately....
Kim helped me pick out and lay out the design on my thrift store skirt to transform it into something totally unique! How fun was that?!Memorial Day Monday, my family went up to Tent Rocks National Monument - a short drive from Albuquerque, out near Cochiti Lake. Why, oh why, had we never gone there before? It was absolutely stunning - this was at the end of the hike going up and up and up:
This was the view along the way up, and then down again: 
This was the view along the way up, and then down again: In store news, we're putting a lot of fabric on sale for ONE WEEK ONLY starting this SATURDAY, JUNE 6 (does this look like a commercial for a car dealership?). We need/want to order more fabric, but need to clear out some of the current bolts. So come on down - this is an offer you won't want to miss! ONE WEEK ONLY!
And the title - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It - was a song I recently downloaded onto our IPod Shuffle, by Will Smith. I'm groovin' to it lately....
Monday, May 18, 2009
$4.29
My find yesterday at Goodwill.....
....for only $4.29! I'm thinking this is the one that I'll add an applique to in Kim's class on Saturday the 30th. The flip flops, by the way, are my daughter Jane's, who now seems to wear a size 8, just my size! Yippee - we can share shoes!
....for only $4.29! I'm thinking this is the one that I'll add an applique to in Kim's class on Saturday the 30th. The flip flops, by the way, are my daughter Jane's, who now seems to wear a size 8, just my size! Yippee - we can share shoes!This handsome young man came to visit Hip Stitch today - Jen brought him in for a visit after his 2 week appointment this morning. There's nothing like holding a tiny baby in your arms to make all things right in the world.
Here's a tote bag I first embroidered before constructing the bag. It was such a fun project to sit peacefully and hand embroider. The pattern is an iron-on transfer from Sublime Stitching. We're out of the book, but we do carry the craft pad of transfers. This is going to be a kids' class this summer, but I'm thinking we need to have one for adults, too!
Here's a tote bag I first embroidered before constructing the bag. It was such a fun project to sit peacefully and hand embroider. The pattern is an iron-on transfer from Sublime Stitching. We're out of the book, but we do carry the craft pad of transfers. This is going to be a kids' class this summer, but I'm thinking we need to have one for adults, too!Last week of school for the kids....last week I'll have to occasionally put a "back in 15 mins." sign on the door and fetch my children on the days my husband can't....don't know if any readers have come during that 15 minutes and experienced a bit of frustration, and I certainly apologize if that's been the case!
The Fiber Arts Fiesta begins this Thursday - get on down to the Manuel Lujan Building at the fairgrounds and check it out!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Downtown
Last week I headed into the city....Nob Hill/UNM area, that is. For a suburbia gal like myself, this was a big deal....lots of traffic on Central, finding a parking spot (I successfully parallel parked, for which I was famous when my friends and I would head to Georgetown in D.C. 22 years ago in my mom's VW beetle convertible, and only I could squeeze into spots no one else would attempt), and walked around Nob Hill, feeling so, well, like a city girl!
I went to The Designer's Lounge, and met Teresa and Patty, owners as well as mother & daughter. I've been meaning to get down there for months and meet them, and they are really great women who have a beautiful lounge/studio and got to see some of their fantastic creations!
I then went to Papers, to shop and say hi to Erin, a Hip Stitch customer who works there all the time (so she says!) I just love that store, and found a great, well, paper, to hang on our wall. I parked a few blocks away, and walked through the neighborhood a bit, dreaming a bit of living in one of those quaint little houses and being able to walk everywhere....such is the downfall of living in the suburbs - not enough opportunities to walk to where I need to go!
I went to The Designer's Lounge, and met Teresa and Patty, owners as well as mother & daughter. I've been meaning to get down there for months and meet them, and they are really great women who have a beautiful lounge/studio and got to see some of their fantastic creations!
I then went to Papers, to shop and say hi to Erin, a Hip Stitch customer who works there all the time (so she says!) I just love that store, and found a great, well, paper, to hang on our wall. I parked a few blocks away, and walked through the neighborhood a bit, dreaming a bit of living in one of those quaint little houses and being able to walk everywhere....such is the downfall of living in the suburbs - not enough opportunities to walk to where I need to go!
Monday, May 4, 2009
The best bread EVER
OK, if you're at all interested in homemade bread, you must stop what you're doing and order this book.....
You'll get loaves of bread that look like this and taste even better! I started baking last week and my family goes through almost a whole loaf a day, starting with toast in the morning, and sandwiches in lunches. The mix is easy to make, stores in the fridge, and you just break off a piece when you're ready to bake. (there is an initial rise time involved, as well as a 'rest' time before you bake, but it's worth the wait)
You'll get loaves of bread that look like this and taste even better! I started baking last week and my family goes through almost a whole loaf a day, starting with toast in the morning, and sandwiches in lunches. The mix is easy to make, stores in the fridge, and you just break off a piece when you're ready to bake. (there is an initial rise time involved, as well as a 'rest' time before you bake, but it's worth the wait)
Henry's arrived!
Jen delivered 7 lb. 14 oz. baby Henry today, via c-section. He's quite perfect, from what I could see through the nursery window.....long toes, a bit of dark hair on his head, just adorably pink and rosy. Hmmm.....I'm seeing some cute little Oliver & S patterns made up for him....Congratulations to the Dean family! (I asked her at the hospital if she'd be in for her shift at the store at 2:00 today, but she just ignored me - smart woman)
Take one 11 yr. old girl.....one pair of hand-me-down denim shorts that are too short for her taste.....and a handful of scrap fabric:
Take one 11 yr. old girl.....one pair of hand-me-down denim shorts that are too short for her taste.....and a handful of scrap fabric:
Voila - a "new" pair of pants that she was so excited to wear to school! She's still deciding if she likes the 'unfinished' look at the hem.
Our Spring Soiree & craft fair this past Saturday was quite successful! If you came, it was great to see you, and thanks so much for shopping. Such neat homemade items - from baby onsies to diaper bags, coffee cozies to lavendar and mint-scented eye pillows, skirts, journals, jewelry, baby blankets....I'm always so amazed at the talents of so many and I love love love to encourage shopping locally - we hope to do this more regularly!
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