Craft Central @ Chez MoniCasey.

This little squirtblossom recently set me into action. He helped me realize that his room was overflowing with purpose. It began as my music room / craft room - although the only crafting taking place in there before was jewelry, as knitting requires no dedicated room. It seemed the most logical space to morph into kitty's room when he arrived a few months ago. Then, once sewing began after the holidays, it was obvious that fabric, patterns, and mr. purr-bucket do not mesh well.

.. and so the new craft room was born! A couple of hours were spent packing everything up and Casey helped move the furniture. Then, it was time to unpack and start arranging the goods (all to Sim's dismay - who isn't allowed in the guest bedroom, aka craft central).

I gotta say, it's great having a space to sew - spreading out fabric and patterns and leaving them there undisturbed as long as I want. This pic was taken right after moving into the new area and getting things ready for some marking and cutting - just in time for sewing lesson, part deux.

Notice the room post-lesson - already ripe with use. Since then, I've finished sewing the pieces for the sewing machine cover - wahoo! Now, time to get moving with the hanging organizer - need the pieces marked, cut and sewed for lesson 3 this Sunday. I'll post more pics once the bias tape adventure has begun.

Speaking of bias tape - I should link to some great tutorials Danielle pointed me to..

This one explains the difference between binding and bias tape, plus gives an excellent explanation of the process. This has some great ideas for binding / bias tape - very innovative. I haven't actually tried it yet, so can't give a first-hand account, but it can potentially save you from spending 10 bucks a piece for each size bias maker tool - gotta love that!

I actually bought some of that boring, solid color bias tape you find at Hancock Fabrics and imagine I'll use that for this first project. It'll save some time right now, but I can't wait to try out these other tricks and techniques for the next project that uses binding.

Mostly knitting.

Knitting was the big hit at craft night a few weeks ago (yes, I'm very behind in posting). Taylor is daringly making a gorgeous tank top with this very soft and colorful yarn. She is taking on a challenge that would be much too intimidating to me - a tank for her 2nd knitting project ever, using mostly a book with photos to guide her through new stitches - amazing!

It's so cool how people have such different crafting styles. Taylor is easily bored with simple projects - the girl needs a challenge, so she goes for it - so cool. I, on the other hand, take baby steps - learning new skills one at a time, slowly integrating them into new projects, usually after practicing a bit first and most certainly reading the directions a thousand times - pretty funny.

I also tend to have a million different craft projects going at once.. which honestly doesn't bother me, but I've learned from others that they could never work this way. Sara, the knitter of all knitters, for example, works one project at a time. I've not only got a scarf, socks and a dishcloth on needles right now, but have yarn bought for two other projects... not to mention embroidery that's loosely on a hoop and sewing that's always in the works. Ha. I feel it gives me options - I can decide day to day what I feel like working on and know they will all eventually get finished (theoretically). :-)

Taylor also brought over some tag blankets she's been making for a couple friends with new babies. What a great idea! Very silky - just what the new little ones need. (Disclaimer: please excuse the most unflattering pictures I have managed to take - photography is obviously not my forte, but you get the idea.)

So, I also had to post this pic of Simcoe getting into Taylor's bag - he found a little hole on the side and before we knew it he was working his way in... he is also quite crafty it seems.