Sew-sew

Yesterday, i taught my first sewing class; we made reversible tote bags and a pinch pouch (at least, this is what i've been calling them! here is another example). the blokes were banished from sewing central, and we listened to the radio all day and ate pizza bread in between bouts at the machine.

the pinch pouches use a flexible metal frame that pinches at the side to open and snaps back in place to close shut. we found these frames (and cute fabrics) at amitie.
i made this pinch pouch during the week to test out the pattern (also from amitie).
i do love the grumpy saucepan and the talking cup of coffee on the print above. i used a sunny, floral japanese print inside.although the frames were a bit tricky to deal with, these pinch pouches were relatively easy to make. i was left a little unsatisfied with the pattern and might try another one next time...

elmo came home from overseas with a very kool, special request book from kinokuniya...
which inspired this morning's project. this is a present for a gorgeous three year old, perfect for colouring pencils =)
elmo's derwents look so sweet in this pencil case! in the 80s, derwent pencils were a much prized possession. your school projects immediately went up a grade if you used derwents doncha know!

you're tagged...

i've been tagged by the lovely kate, my first tag!

these are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself, some random, some weird.
3.Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

here goes.
Fact 1.
i am a morning person. or a late night person. i like the stillness of these times of the day. i am utterly useless during the afternoons/evenings, and require tea and chocolate to function.

Fact 2.
i like silence. sometimes, people talk too much.

Fact 3.
(i'm really shy) (i'm so shy i have to write this in brackets)(this is often mistaken for politeness)

Fact 4.
puns are silly. they make me feel humourless! i tell people i'm humourless so they're not offended when i don't laugh at their puns. i find people funnier than jokes. i like to laugh at my friends =p

Fact 5.
i love to use my hands for: playing music. cooking. making stuff. EATING. tickling. i want a job where i get to work with my hands.

Fact 6.
i have a poor memory for facts. i struggled through uni exams but i revelled in writing essays because there was a sense of narrative and argument. however if information is in sound/music form, it just sticks. so i get distracted by melodies and i have to listen to talk radio - sunday night safran podcasts were my saviour when i was writing up!

Fact 7.
a) i loove movies. i'm one of those crazy loons at the film festival who packs a picnic lunch for the day. then i spend another day reading essays about the movies. then i try to find someone to talk to about the movies and the essays =)
b) my life long wish is to cure my cinematic illiteracy. a random example, i've only ever seen bits of apocalypse now or kill bill or, gulp, a bond movie (well, i guess this can wait, refer to Fact 4)

you're welcome to play along, consider yourself tagged =)

happy halloween!

i must share these amazing creations from earlier this evening - these carved pumpkins are amazing.

bloody awesome work, j!

best costume of the night goes to the devilled egg.
i do love a halloween party =D

all is quiet on the blog front...more soon...