How long is this going to take::

Today is my last official sewing day before the big day. WAHOO! This is the point where I am going, "Why do I enjoy this?" But, as soon as I sew up the last few bags I have cut out I'll remember that I really do love sewing and preparing for boutiques.

Although I am not setting up my booth until Friday morning, I have stuff going on every minute up until then. I am very excited about Wednesday night because I am taking a knitting class at Unwind. We are learning how to make socks on 4 double-point needles... YIKES! Seems pretty tricky and tedious, but I am excited to learn something new.

On Thursday is our 2nd Book Club meeting. We read the Count of Monte Cristo this month. What a humdinger! As I've mentioned here before, it is such a fabulous book. I wish I hadn't been so busy this month so I could have paid more attention to it. Last week I just plowed through the end to make sure I'd finish. I am going to encourage a quick, light read for our next choice. 600+ pages of intense revenge is about all I can handle. The book I am reading now is hard to get into. I might drop it. A book has to be pretty bad if I don't want to finish it. Maybe next week when I am not so side tracked by sewing and boutique blogging I'll be ready for it.

The above bags are some of the Market Bags I made for the boutique. I love how versatile the look is. They are all the same pattern, just tied up in different ways. Very cute. As much as I hope to sell them all, I wouldn't mind keeping the brown one with orange birds. I kept just enough of both fabrics just in case.

BOUTIQUE GIVE-A-WAY::

I'm giving away this bag.... go to the boutique blog to enter.
Kim is giving away a coupon, too. Wahoo, for double prizes!

Patchwork Totes::


I made a few of these patchwork totes for the boutique. I am spending the weekend sewing to finish up the last bits of everything. I'll be giving away one of these tote bags via the boutique blog (will be posted from Sunday - Wednesday), so hop on over and say hello.

Taking a sewing break::

Have you ever been over to Kristina Werner's blog before? I love her site. I don't know how I came across it, but I have been a loyal fan of her Make a Card Monday videos that she posts each week. Recently she started doing Color Challenges, challenging readers to make a card based on a photo she found. I decided I'd enter this time. I'm not much of a paper crafter, but I thought a sewing break was much needed.

So, here is my card::


Based on this color scheme::


The white looking paper really is the same color as linen. It is a light natural beige-ish color. I was also going to spell "Mother", but I was spelling backwards and got a bit mixed up with the "t" and "h", so I changed the word. I figured my sister is a mother, too. Jenny, this one is for you. Act surprised!!

I hope you win::


Thanks to all of you who entered the first contest on the boutique blog!!! I hope someone that I sent over there wins. Just a reminder, the winner will be announced later today and a new contest will be posted. YAHOO!

I had another late sewing night. I'm ready to go to bed by 9:00 each night after this baby is over. I'm getting really sleepy. I forget how much work getting ready for boutiques is. On top of sewing each day, I have a family to take care of, and a lot of work for Carone Fitness to do. I'm running on adrenalin and Diet DP. Are you sick of hearing about it yet?? Well, your invites are in the mail. If you don't think I have your street address, email me.

What a workout::


I was up late last night finishing this baby. I bought this pattern from Montessori by Hand last month. It really is a cute bag, but it gave my poor little machine a workout. I had to switch out my regular needle for a fatty-boomba-latty upholstery needle just to get through 10 layers of fabric and interfacing. SHEESH! Anyway, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm loving the pear and brown combination What do you think?

My friend, Lindsey, came over today and modeled all of my bags for me. Now I have pictures of almost everything I've got for the boutique. The winner of the earrings will be drawn tomorrow (Wednesday) so make sure you go enter. Also, another new contest starts tomorrow. I'll be giving away a tote bag next week along with a $5 coupon off anything on Kim's table.

::Why spend money on dietitians and Weight Watchers::

A conversation started the day off right as I treated myself to a bowl of Capt'n Crunch.

Cohen:: Mom, Capt'n Crunch is for little kids... not mommies.
Me:: Oh, mommies can have it, too, as a special treat.
Cohen:: No, Mom, you need to eat Mommy cereal.

Cohen walks to pantry and returns to me with a box of Special K Berries.

Cohen:: Here, you should eat this and I should eat Capt'n Crunch.
Me:: No, I think I'll eat Capt'n Crunch instead.
Cohen:: Okay... but you are not making the right choice.
Me:: Fine, I'll eat the Mommy Cereal.

FREE EARRINGS...

(photo and earrings by A Work in Progress)

All you have to do is go to the Art Inside blog and enter a comment by April 23rd. You'll automatically be entered to win a pair of earrings. You must be able to pick up the earrings in person on May 3rd between 10-4 at the boutique in Salt Lake. Check back to the blog regularly in the next 2 weeks. We'll be having more give aways and a few vendors will be posting coupons for booth discounts. WOWZER!! If you stop by, say hello. We want to know you were there.

Spring Colors...
I love the springtime colors that are starting to pop up everywhere. I'm so ready for winter to be over and can't wait until the warm weather will just stay. On Monday it was sunny 80 degrees (according to the bank sign across the road) and on Tuesday it was snowing and 39 degrees. Honestly, is this some kind of a weather gods joke?? This morning the sign says 49 and the lawn guys are out mowing so I think we'll take advantage of the good weather and go to the zoo.

I'm babysitting again... imagine that! I just can't say no. It is only one little (although he'd contest that he is little) 4 YO boy that is in our ward. He's a good kid and him and Cohen play well, so it really is ideal. I'll have him until the end of the school year (his mom is a teacher). I am able to get a lot of housework and reading (of course... I have a goal to reach) done.

While I am enjoying the mild weather and time outside, I am not enjoying the allergies. I've never had them like this before. Oh well... I guess we all have to take our turn sneezing and sniffling over something.

I can still sew...
This weekend I had a large chunk of time to sew. And sew I did! I made the entire batch of the "Go Green Market Bag" that is pictured below. This is such a fun pattern and it comes together fairly quickly. I was able to complete 7 of them in about 4 hours time.


This bag is very large, which makes it perfect for the grocery store, farmer's market, or even an overnight bag. If you choose to keep the ties open (with a cute bow tied in front) it measures 19"x18"x4" which enables you to stuff it full and still comfortably wear it over your arm.


I think it looks very cute tied closed (as pictured in the top photo). Each bag has a large pocket inside for keys, phones and wallets. This particular bag is made of a 55%/45% linen/cotton blend and is lined with a recycled linen (recycled: previously owned but washed to be good as new). The other market bags I've made are all from the same linen/cotton blend (in brown, green, yellow, pink, and natural), but have 100% cotton linings that are all brand new (and totally cute).

This bag, along with seven others, will be available for purchase at the boutique on May 3rd. I hope it is on your calendars!

Free Hugs!!!

This is my little brother Tim's idea of a good time. He's the one in the red jacket with a grizzly beard.

ONLY 4 MORE DAYS OF MADNESS!!!

Shall we have a party on Friday?

I've actually been able to accomplish more this week week than I thought I'd be able to. The kids I was watching (while their parents are in Europe) were all having sleepovers (read: pawned off on neighbors and other relatives) so Mike and I were home by 7:00 pm. Saturday I went to Ogden and had dinner with my mom and sister, Lyndsey. Sunday I watched Conference and had a nice dinner with the in-laws. I cut out a few bags for the boutique and even read 2 books. All is well.

I have not taken pictures lately, so I borrowed this one from my desktop. This is a picture taken by my bro-in-law Andy of Cohen and my nephew Aidan at the Auto Show in January. I believe it depicts what I will look on Thursday night after 4 days of 12+ hours babysitting 8 kids... only not so cute.

At least it is all calorie free...


This picture sums it up. I'm officially announcing that I have "bitten off more than I can chew" and "my plate is full." I don't know what to do about it except keep on chewing until my plate is empty. The things I enjoy most are being put on the back burner due to my over-committing issue. That means my blog... I am so sad.

I am gearing up for the Boutique on May 3rd, so mark your calendars. I have so much beautiful new linen and cotton and hope to share some photos along the way. In the meantime, check the Boutique blog and watch for new vendor spotlights and fun stuff each week. We hope to do a give away, too. If you want to be on the invitation mailing list, please email me at lori (dot) vanwagoner (at) gmail (dot) com in the next two weeks. Also, if you'd like to put a link for the boutique on your blog, we'd love the free advertisement. :)

I cannot wait for General Conference this week. It will be so wonderful to get away from Primary for a week and listen to our new prophet's voice. It is such a great time of year. Best of all... it usually gets warm after Spring Conference. Please sunshine... I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!

If you want to see the partially completed craft room my sister, Jenny, and I worked on, head over to her blog. I look absolutely dashing in the photos. :P

I'm reading the Count of Monte Cristo for our book club. I LOVE IT! What an awesome story of revenge.... (MEOW-ZER! Want some nip for that cattitude?) It is great, though. At least my reading list is still growing. I've just completed #18 on my goal to read 50 books this year. YAHOO! This is another plug for GoodReads.com. I LOVE IT, too!!!

I must go mop my floor. I'm this excited about it! I love you all as much as books and crafting and sunshine. I hope you will hear from me soon.

I'm back from Vegas and I have a billion photos of the trip. Here is the basic rundown of the festivities.

1. Too much Guitar Hero
2. I had dinner with a Charlie Daniels impersonator and 4 LDS missionaries.
3. Charlie Daniels' wife made the most delicious corned beef and cabbage - SERIOUSLY!!!
4. Stopped the 3 year-olds from breaking their necks from performing daredevil stunts
5. Painted Jenny's craft room a very bright yellow
6. Went shopping
7. Went to "Las Vegas" which to Cohen means a casino filled with lights and really random attractions
8. Drank too much Diet Coke thanks to the unlimited supply in Jenny's garage fridge.
9. Laughed
10. Enjoyed the sunshine

Are you on Goodreads.com yet? I am loving it. If you are, add me as a buddy. I'd love to see what you recommend. It is helping me keep track of my reading list and my feelings regarding the books. I am now reading book #17 for the year. The goal is 50 books by the end of the year. I can totally do it if I continue to ignore my domestic duties!

EVERYBODY IS IRISH ON MARCH 17

We are on our way to Las Vegas to visit my sister and celebrate St. Patty's Day. Actually our celebrations will be rather pathetic for several reasons:

1. I don't drink beer
2. I won't eat corned beef
3. Cabbage makes the house stink, therefor I will not cook it

A friend of mine was talking about why we even celebrate the holiday and all I could think about was that we just love the Irish. For whatever reason they have portrayed a jolly bunch that just has a lot of fun in a beautiful country. I just read on Wikipedia why we really celebrate it.

BUT... I am very excited because we are going to see Flogging Molly at House of Blues tomorrow night. WAHOO! I've seen them several times before and they never cease to entertain. It will be a great show, even though we had to pay outlandish Ticketmaster fees that equaled the cost of our tickets. Lame. But their new album is great and I've been listening to it like crazy. I hope the weather cooperates. It is a little blustery out right now. I figure if we get about 150 miles south it will be okay. There temperatures are a little warmer in the south. I'll be back next Thursday. I may check in from LV, but I also may not. Happy Irishing!

ATTENTION SALT LAKE CITY YARNIES!!!

Hello friends, knitters and crocheters and non-yarnies alike. A fabulous new yarn store called Unwind has opened in the Salt Lake Valley on 8600 South and Highland Drive. This place is totally cute and offers something for everyone. The store is SO cozy and has so much room to lounge and enjoy the atmosphere. Unwind offers a huge supply of yarns from cottons to alpacha to wool and everything in between. What is so cool about unwind is that it is not just a yarn store. It is a creative center. There are several pieces of art and refurbished furniture for sale, too.

This coming Saturday (March 15th), Unwind is sponsoring the "Knit from the Heart" event. This will last all day. Bring your needles and hooks and help knit blankets, hats, and other stuff for the downtown homeless shelter. This will also be a great opportunity to network with other yarnies in the area. For those of you who think you can't come because you have the kids, BRING THEM! Unwind has an awesome kid area with a TV, games and art supplies. They even get to enter through their own little door. Come on... a child friendly yarn store, you say! It totally is.


Also, there are knitting and crocheting class schedules available. There is a large variety of classes offered depending on your knitting skills. Sue can help you find the one that is right for you.

I'll be working at Unwind as their fill-in gal every so often. I am so excited to work in such a chill atmosphere. I used to work with Sue, one of the owners, at my last job. It is so nice to hang out with Sue in a non-stressful environment. Anyway, I'm really excited. Please check out the shop. It is just plain AWESOME!

My new "new" project...



I am now learning to do paper piecing and this is my first project. It is not really my style, but I do think it is really cute and I am having so much fun making it. My friend Lindsey's MIL (that taught me how to appliqué the Christmas house) is teaching us this one.
This is where I am at so far. I started with the easy pieces. I love that I don't have to be exact. That is totally my style of quilting (read: I'm lazy and measuring isn't my favorite part of sewing). I'll keep you updated as I work on this.

Why have just one?

I am currently in a swap on Craftster.org called the Pincushion Swap. I do love my pincushions. These two put the total count to 11. Yahoo! I have them scattered around the house and pins move from place to place. I have a few on my shelf that are too precious to poke. One on the kitchen table, a few on the right had of my sewing machine, and currently there are two on top of the toaster oven. (When I use the ironing board, I have to share the plug that is behind the toaster oven. So my ironing board gets put out in front of the kitchen sink...remember, I live in close quarters. Anyway, there is a pincushion (well...two right now) there to house the pins for ironing. It all makes sense to me.

The pincushion above it made of a soft denim and 'puckered' with a brown wool yarn. The pin is a shrink plastic image of the little vinyl owl I bought a few weeks ago. This is what my partner named the functional pincushion. I know I'll use it. I always do.

But look at this baby! What a sweet felt guitar, complete with frets and tuning keys and strings. I love it. It is also complete with at shrink plastic pick pin. The craftmanship is unbelievable and I hesitated to even use this. But, last night as I was sewing, it was the closest soft thing to stick a pin in and I welcomed it to the family.

A post a day...

When I was a missionary for my church, my the president of my mission once said, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions..." I had heard it before but when he said it, the words seemed to stick. You see, I intended to post a craft every day in March in honor of National Craft Month. So - I'm on my way to Hell I guess. But, I have crafted every day in March and that has to count for something.
I made these bags and I am so glad they are done and in the mail. Oh my!! What a project. The gal I made them for had specifics in mind but no pattern. So, with her instruction and measurements and my smarts (or something), the collaboration began.

Because of the busyness of the pattern on the lining fabric, it is hard to see what is going on in here, but let me try to explain. On the inside I created pleated pockets all of the way around the outside. There is a center divide. I don't know if I did it correctly, but it worked. Then I added patch pockets to the outside and a flap. Once they were all put together it didn't seem like a big deal, but it was hard to start. Both bags are practically identical. Needless to say, I am glad it is over. I cannot wait to see what she thinks of them. They are on their way to PA as we speak.

Where I Create...

In honor of March, National Craft Month, I decided to show you all where I "make it". I live in an apartment that is just under 1000 square feet. With Mike and I both having a lot of arts and crafts supplies, we have to be creative with our space. So, I am taking you on a short tour of our corners and closets.

First up we have the corner of our bedroom. (Wow... I'm so embarrassed to show you this.) Here I keep my sewing machine set up all of the time. I also house all of my small bits of fabric (under 2 yards) and fat quarters. The drawers contain yarn, scraps, felt, thread and notions. On the shelves I have embroidery floss, buttons, trims, patterns, yarn dying supplies, and a serger that barely works.

Another image of the beast that is the corner of my room. Under the table is all of interfacing, pelon, stuffing and pillow forms.

This bench sits at the end of our bed. Underneath is my smaller pieces of Christmas fabric and the overflow that won't fit on my fabric shelf.

This is one side of Cohen's closet. This is where I keep any fabric yardage or bulkier fleeces and flannels. The drawers contain wood, stationary, packaging and wrapping supplies. The hat box contains photos of Mike's youth that need to be scrapbooked and the gray bin is the photography stuff. This closet is a black hole and contains a lot of bits and bobs.

This is the closet above our washer and dryer. I keep all of my scrabooking and paper crafting supplies up here. We also keep paints and paintbrushes, and Cohen's chalk, crayons, and Play-doh (I really hate Play-doh). The shelf isn't really bowed... I hope. I'll have to go check it out. There is also a little corner for laundry soap. bleach, and dryer sheets. Oh, my guitar is peeking out there, too.

And lastly, my kitchen table looks like this about 4 days out of the week. It really doubles as a great cutting table. I used to use Mike's drafting table but I found it to be another surface to pile stuff on, so I got rid folded it up and put it under Cohen's bed. I figure I have to clear the table to eat dinner so I'd be less likely to create a fabric version of Mt. Fuji each week that would have to be hidden whenever someone came over.

So, there you have it. That is my "studio" that is my home. If any of you have any clever storage solutions for all this stuff, let me know. I've taken over every closet in our home and left poor Mike one shelf in the linen closet for his modeling (no - he is not trying to get on the cover of GQ - he paints miniatures). I cannot wait to have one room to devote to our supplies. Ahh - it will be a glorious day when we all have our own closets and corners back. Cross your fingers that 2008 brings home ownership, or at least a bigger rental.