Allyson Hill

A Hobby for my Hobby

hob·by

NOUN:
pl. hob·bies

An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

My Hobby Bin

Siting high on a shelf looking cleverly decorative.

Waiting to be pulled down when I need some indulgence.

Because sometimes we need hobbies for our hobbies.

And I like this one much better than my gardening hobby.

Neglected earrings sit pretty in waiting,

but neglected plants look...so sad.

Hooray for hobbies that don't require upkeep!

Scraps + Scraps =

It's good to remember the purpose of hanging onto scraps

Once in a while something good can come of them

 

Like a lens cover

 

Which I could have used last week on our trip to Chicago (to visit a friend)

 

It was our first plane ride ever, we weren't scared

 

We were amazed

 

Can we come visit you again?  (this time I'll bring my lens cover)

Whoa

Oh. My. Heavy. Huge. Complicated. Scary. Help.

Wow, choosing the right industrial machine was really hard.  That's why I've put it off for so long.  Let's hope this machine is right for me.  The Consew 199RB-1A with the Sewquiet 4000 motor.

I only hope I can get it up and running in time for Christmas orders!  Tons of parts, belts, rods, oil, oil, did I mention oil?  The bobbin case is drenched in oil.  Not sure if that happened during shipping?  How do I clean that up?  So many questions and unknowns...I'll have to figure it all out as I go (any advice is welcomed)!

I narrowed it down to this machine because it Zig-Zags, has a double capacity bobbin and can sew anything from leather to lace.  I'll submit a review once I put some mileage on it!

A-Tisket, a-Tasket

...look at my cute basket!  I felt like a little kid again at birthday time in August.  I got stuff for my bike.  My Dad rigged up the basket so it could carry a heavier load...say for example, a dog named Pablo:

And of course that meant my sewing skills were needed to make a basket-liner, with a little extra padding along the edge for his paws to hang over.  He likes it.

Summer is Over

We're (I'm) still recovering from summer vacation and a mother-son camping trip.  Still not unpacked.  I'll be back to regularly scheduled crafting next week!!!

A Running Sandal?

 
So, I'm really not crazy about posting a picture of my feet - but I must spread the word about these sandals, Handcrafted by Zuzsi.  This is my favorite tying style because it's very comfortable and gives support to your ankle.  These sandals are inspired by the running sandal of the Tarahumara Indian tribe.  There is a lot of great information you can discover about this tribe, but be careful, your research might inspire you to start running.  When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was run through the woods behind our house where there was a huge waterfall and steep hills and cliffs - I believed I was as quiet and swift as an Indian.  I would love to feel that way again.  There is a book with a short video HERE with some more information about the tribe and how the author believes that we are Born to Run.  I'm going to get myself a copy!      
 
By the way, I got the pair where you can change out the straps:
     

A New Life As...

Vintage Housecoat - bought at an estate sale.

Ipod armband.

Couch pillow.  I still have left over fabric though... 

Oil be happy!

I thank my son Micah for this wallet.  While shopping at Target the other day I almost became weak and cheated on myself...I almost bought a manufactured wallet.  This one right here.  The rigid frame hinge clutch with clasp closure in orange PVC.  I love those wallets.  Micah was so appalled that I would even think to buy it and basically forced me to put it back on the shelf.  How could I not be persuaded by his argument:  Mom, don't buy that!  Why would you buy that when you can make one that is so much better?  He was right of course, not that I'm claiming to make a better wallet than Target, but it is so much more enjoyable to have one that is handmade.  Even better, are the memories of his sweet words. 
The wallet is made of oilcloth from Oilcloth Addict (and she has a blog with project ideas) which was intended for another project, but oh well.  These prints are so irresistible together - Hibiscus and Walnut Woodgrain.  I think I will make all my wallets out of oilcloth for the rest of my life, seriously, forever and ever.
 

Studio Reform Part 1

 

BEFORE & AFTER

 

 

BEFORE & AFTER

 

This weekend I spent some time reforming my studio...been putting this off too long.  Good ol' ticking and upholstery tacks, pleated with my ruffler foot.  The air feels cleaner in here already.  More reforming to come...sooner not later this time!

Shorts!

 

Wow, it took me 8 years to make these shorts.  OK, not really.  It's just that this is the first article of clothing that I've made for my son (not counting costumes because I've made a lot of those).  He needs a couple more pairs of shorts, so I figured I'd give it a try.  They're cute for sure, though I can't help but feel that they look out of place paired with a manufactured t-shirt.  Sounds like perfect inspiration for his next article of clothing...

This is a great pattern though, I traced them from his favorite pair of Tae-Kwon-Do shorts.  I think they would make great summer PJs so I plan to make more without pockets and with thinner fabric.  For the waistband, I just used black elastic and kept it drawstring style so we can adjust it later.  Now let's see if I have to beg him to wear them every week, that's the real test... 

 

Birds!

 

Around here, the birds start chirping at around 4:30 in the morning.  I love it.  It's still dark out, but they are sensing the rising sun and are chattering away in their nests, getting a head start on the new day.  Man I wish I could be like that!  Too often, I wake up to hear them and smile, then roll over for a little more sleep.  So my summer goal is to enjoy these mornings and get up to feather my nest right along with those chipper birds.  Well, as often as I can - let's be realistic - I must enjoy these summer nights too!

Bird Wreath by The Little Prints

   

Handstitched Tablecloth from Ruby Sue Vintage  

 

As soon as I saw this bread bag by Soule Mama I knew I had to make one for myself.  So charming!  I made it with a square bottom to fit my bread machine bread.  I have found that it needs a "breadbox" of some sort to help keep it moist, but I love the fact that the bread is not just sitting in a plastic bag!    

Forgive Me?

 

I've enlisted the help of this cute dog face to apologize for being such a horrible blogger!  (how did 3 months pass by so fast?)  Let me know if it worked...

 

Around the House

 

Atop a shelf.

I love this print (and others) by Shirae.  

 

At the windowsill

Nesting tins from Edelweiss Vintage.  (it looks like her shop is temporarily closed)

   

At the table

The most simplest of breakfasts: Italian Roast coffee and homemade Vienna bread.  Napkins from the Vintage Mercantile.

the party's over

My little guy turned 8 last week.  I can't believe I'm already taking down the decorations, it went by so fast!  I made some late-night-and-last-minute decorations to liven up the early morning awakening.  When desperate for a quick fix, this bunting rocks.  Simply join the ends of rick-rack (I used medium width rick-rack) to make the length needed, cut fabric rectangles measuring 3x10", fold the fabric over the rick-rack and sew (ending in a rectangle measuring about 3x5").  To be coordinated, I joined some jumbo rick-rack along the edge of some fabric to make a tablecloth.  Festive and Patriotic, perfect for my little guy.

   

Have you ever bought a pinata from the store only to find that an adult is needed to finally bust it open?  Yeah, I'm not paying 20 bucks for another one of those.  I think we have ourselves a new yearly tradition.  I used a jumbo balloon and boiled up some paper mache.  It took several layers (about 10) to make it sturdy, but to help it dry quicker you can place it in front of a small space heater (be very careful and turn it often to get all the sides dry).  I recommend letting each layer dry thoroughly before adding a new one.  You should probably start this project a week before the party, not 24 hours before like I did.   

Dialog when it came time to paint:

Me (speaking to Micah):  So, how to do you want to paint this?  It kinda looks like an egg and since Easter is coming up we could decorate it like...

Micah:  Nah

Me:  All right, how about if we take all my leftover spray paint and go crazy?

Micah:  OK!   

 

The Easter Egg from Outer Space.  Yup, just right for an 8-year-old boy. 

The rest of the instructions:  When paper mache is done, paint it, let the paint dry, pop the balloon and fill the pinata with goodies.  To hang it, I pierced 4 holes about 3" down from the top edge of the pinata and strung twine through opposite holes to make a double hanger.    What I will do differently next time:  because of my previous experiences with pinatas, I made the mistake of letting Micah have the first blow using a croquet mallet.  Not a good idea.  He busted a huge hole on the first try.  A whiffle ball bat would've been a better option.  Oh well, there's always next year!  Though Micah was feeling pretty impressed by his manly strength.  Also, consider blindfolding the kids, if they are older that is.  My nieces barely put a dent in it and they are 4 & 5 years old.  I still think it would look great painted like an Easter egg...         

Hola Pablo

   

Here's our new dog, Pablo!  He'll be a year old in April so he will stay this small, about 12 lb.  He's some sort of Chihuahua mix, maybe Corgi (chigi or corchi) or possibly Jack Russell Terrier (Jack Chi or Jackhuahua).  I'm really not sure though?  He is a loving ball of energy.  I found him through Pet Finder and ended up adopting him from The Chi Society in CT.  He has been with us for 1.5 weeks and is adjusting very, very well to his new life.  Since he is so new, I have to keep him with me in the sunroom while I sew because he can't be trusted roaming around freely (and to give the cat some time to adjust to her new housemate).  I made this bed for him and used this fabulous zipper tutorial by House on Hill Road.  I will warn you, it is extremely confusing.  Not that her tutorial is confusing, but the entire technique.  I finished the zipper and almost tossed it out assuming I had done something wrong.  I recommend giving it a try, if you haven't tried this technique before you'll be happy with the finished result. 

Next, I became addicted to crochet balls.  Pablo loves them for two reasons.  First, he can sink his teeth into them and he likes that.  Second, he was mischievously in love with the skeins of yarn while I was making them so by playing with the finished balls, he thinks he is still being very naughty.  He likes to tease.  I found this great site for visual crochet video tutorials, NexStitch.  This helped me understand the free pattern I got from Knit or Go Home.

He and the cat are doing ok.  He loves to play with her and she's just a little too grown-up for him (even though she's only 2 months older).  He tries his hardest to get her to chase him and can be consumed with that task for the entire day.  Thankfully, she doesn't have to climb far to get away from the little guy.  I think she enjoys the company.