July 27: Wiksten Tank

I have been in the mood for a sewing project, in particular something I can wear. I came across a downloadable PDF pattern from Wiksten Designs and decided that would be just the thing. The greatest part, I didn't have to go to the store. I downloaded and printed the pattern and re-purposed part of an old sheet for the fabric.

The pattern was easy to follow, and I was able to finish it in an afternoon. The shirt turned out a little big (should have made a size smaller) but has been working well for pajamas. Here are a few pics I tried to take of myself, which is always a challenge.

I think I will make the pattern again, a size smaller. In fact I found a lovely, birdy fabric at the store yesterday that I could not resist.

  

July 24: Haiti Scrapbook

It is finished, a scrapbook of selected photos and thoughts (some insightful some not so much) from my Haiti trip. There are so many ways now with digital photos to display and keep memories, but I still love the process of putting a scrapbook together by hand. I love holding the photos and remembering the memories (I am sure that is not grammatically correct) and being able to put notes, journal entries, and photographs all in one place.

I kept this scrapbook simple, using decorative tape to hold the photos and journal pages in place. I enjoy the sparseness of extra decorations and the focus that puts on the photos and written memories. Here are a few pages.

July 16: Haiti Hope

Today I started printing photos and planning for my Haiti trip scrapbook; I plan on keeping it simple with photos and pages from my journal taped in with some cute wasabi tape. So, I though I would share a few photos and thoughts from the trip. It was a great, heart breaking, yet inspiring trip.

A week spent in Haiti has helped to solidify what I have been learning here in the states, we can have joy despite current situations or frustrations. Our hope and future are in God's plans for us, and he promises that those are greater than we can imagine. Even when I don't feel that at the moment, or day, or month, or year, it is still truth. I would rather live in God's hands than not, even if that is harder.

I met amazing people, young and old, in Haiti, people working hard to change their country's future, people who have hope for a better life both here and in heaven, people who display the love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus. They are perfect reminders that...

smiles and laughter bridge language barriers

we all understand a hug and need loving touch

there is hope and joy in God despite current circumstances

prayer, worship, and thankfulness can overcome hard times

thankfulness brings joy

help, give, love, sacrifice when you can, where you can, it makes a difference.

July 5: Travel Accessories

Lately, for some reason, I am having trouble finding motivation and time to update the blog. Still, I have been up to a few creative projects over the past week. Today I made it a point to put "update blog" on my to do list, so it is happening.

Early, early tomorrow morning (4 am early) I am headed to Haiti. Yup, the time is finally here; remember my cell phone case update with a pic from the orphanage, about a month back. While spending time collecting my traveling gear and packing and repacking several times, I found the time to sew up some travel accessories, just for fun. For a while I have wanted a passport wallet, so that was first on my list. I also made a quick i-pod case and a small messenger bag (which in the end I decided was not big enough, therefore it will not be making the trip to Haiti, thought I would show you pictures anyway).

Passport Wallet

I followed a great tutorial on Chubby Hobby. It was clearly written, had good pictures, and it only took me about half and hour to complete. Love it all! On a side note, I did not use interfacing because I did not have any and was not in the mood to run to the fabric store.

i-pod Case

This I just made up and of course did not take pictures of the process. I am the worst at that. I will try to explain in words. I cut a two rectangles, 6" x 7". Right sides together, I stitched around all sides, leaving an opening for turning. I turned fabrics right sides out. I folded fabric in half, side you want to face out, facing in, and stitched around three sides (leave top open). Turn so outside fabric is facing out. It fits snugly, which is good because I did not make any type of closure. If I make another, I would probably make it slightly larger and add some type of closure, perhaps a elastic and button similar to the passport wallet.

Messenger Bag

I followed a tutorial on Between the Lines for the messenger bag. I made my strap longer than she did because she made it for her daughter and I intended mine for an adult. I also skipped the ruffle and added a zipper. 

Well, here comes another week of not posts. I will try and get some creative photos while in Haiti to share on my return. Hope you are having some summer adventures of your own!