No trips to the creek for us, I'm afraid. Both of the small humans are down with the flu or some such bug, and we've visited our dear doctor twice in four days. Between Girl Scout obligations and nursemaid duties, I've found a few lovelies on the web to share:

I would love to live in this house; who could be glum in there?
Celebrate the Boy is in full swing - love me some boy crafts!
For homeschoolers, Westvon Publishing is having a huge sale at CurrClick.
Wish this came in adult size...
I thought this was a fabulous idea for a gift, and Amy's work is wonderful!

I'm off to take some elderberry tincture and drink my immunity tea!

I do buy fabric for myself, and patterns, and sometimes even cut those patterns out, but rarely do I actually sew for myself. It's not that I don't want to, quite the contrary, but the kids need clothes, or the pet bed needs recovering, or the pillows are looking old... does it sound familiar? If not, good for you! If so, then you need to steal some time for yourself. I FINALLY made Rae's Lickety Split Bag, which had been purchased who knows how long ago. Why did I wait so long? This bag was so easy to sew up after the kids went to bed. I love, love, love bags, and had purchased both fabrics with bags in mind. I opted to use matching pockets and no trims, since the prints are so loud. And the best part? It's completely reversible. A winter to spring bag for sure. As soon as Girl Scout Cookie sales are over (wanna buy a box?) I'm making at least two more. It's a great gift, too, since it sews up so quickly.

I must pull out the inks once this cookie madness ends. While I was sewing, I kept thinking of mixed media projects. I do that all of the time; while I'm working in one medium, I'm constantly thinking of another. Thinking of sketching while I sew, thinking of cooking while I sketch. Weird. Is it just me, or do others share in this ADD creative thinking?

Hope your Valentine's Day is filled with love!

Here are the two newest additions to the sock and glove family, Harry and Ollie. Harry is made from a pair of cable stitch gloves, and Ollie from the stretchy dollar kind. I think I need to make another one for Valentine's Day. I have a pair of red gloves that Madeline has outgrown. Hmm, what animal to make with red gloves?

I have a stash of Max's old Lego t-shirts, cut apart for a planned t-shirt quilt. Well, he has decided he wants a universe quilt from Land of Nod (it's pricey, but by is it gorgeous), and really, when am I going to find the time to make a full sized quilt? So last night one became his Valentine's Day present, a library book bag. I had originally intended to make a lunch sack, but the print was too large on this shirt. I think I'll try that next with a smaller print shirt. This was an easy evening project, and would make a great gift bag, too. I fused the t-shirt pieces to some blue cotton, to give it stability and an easy lining. Otherwise, I simply made it tote bag style, with side pieces and a bottom. Since the graphic ended near the cut off neck line, I made a binding for the top to attach the handles to.

I can envision more tote bags, gift bags and lunch sacks from that stash of beloved t-shirts. Green and free, my kind of project!