Best Laid Plans…
by admin — 17 Comments » Lazies, I was working on a holiday project to share today and it turned out so bad that I’m not sharing it – I’m hiding it. The idea went terribly wrong about halfway through and concluded with a thud. I looked at it and thought ‘I bothered to spend time on this? Goodness. I want to take it in a new direction and hope to share next week – but don’t hold me to it. I guess we’ll all find out together next Monday if the second time’s a charm.
In the meantime, hop over to Sew Thankful’s blog to see Tracy Chapman’s latest cutie – a free fabric ornament pattern. Easy, cute, fabulous. Thanks Tracy!
Sharing the bounty
Since my efforts at sewing turned out to be so futile, I decided to be productive in another area and get a few donations together.
First up, I raided the pantry and got some food-goodies together for the local food drive. If you’re thinking of doing the same and need to find a place to donate, start with this list at About.com.
Next, I raided the closets and found a few coats and other clothing items to contribute.
Finally, I raided my stash and put together a couple of boxes of fabric-goodies for a local group that does charity sewing. If you want to do the same and are looking for a place to donate, check with friends or your local quilt shop.
Lazy humor
When I designed the Miranda Day Bag last year, I tried a new approach to construct the outer part of the bag. Some Lazies noticed the departure and asked about it. Shortly after I released the pattern I received a call from a group of Lazies at their local quilt shop who asked why I would have them ‘cut fabric apart and sew it back together‘ for the cover of the bag. I said ‘You mean like…patchwork?’
Next week
Now, if that new idea goes astray, I’m hanging up my sewing for the rest of the month and picking up my crochet hook. I have an afghan from last year waiting for some attention.
Lazies, I’d love to hear your plans for giving this season as well as any great links for last minute holiday projects. Please post a comment and tell me all about it.
Enjoy!
Joan
PS: According to the numbers at StatCounter, we’ve had over 1,000,000 Lazy blog visitors! That’s a lot of Lazies.
Joan, I think you deserve a rest; take it! You give us so much entertainment and great ideas in every newsletter. If you miss a few weeks over the holidays we will understand.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Someone in Sunbury
I amagine your holiday project would be just fine to a majority of us, take care and have a wonderful Christmas…..
Thanks you for another darling purse pattern. I am so excited to try Noriko. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Joan I hope you have a great holiday. I love your great ideas and have many of your patterns. I have made a few bags but some how gave them all away to family and friends. I am now finishing a quilt & knitted hats for Linus org. I am also making pillow cases for Westchester Childrens Hospital. Hope fully I will also finish a few gifts I’m making for family. My job keeps getting in the way, but I guess without that I couldn’t afford all my hobbies. Again have a great holiday and thank you for all you do.
Pat
As an older woman who has tried far too many (oh, that’s not possible is it?) projects over the years, and seen some fail in the most incredible manner, I can only say kudos to you for sharing the fact that the plan does not always come together!!! I’ve almost learned to quit fussing over the project gone awry! There are so many more out there. I taught myself to “tat” last month. I have perfected the little wreaths, and plan to make a bunch, sew up one of your bags, and put these little beauties all over them. Okay, a few of them, here and there. Thanks for sharing. Now Breathe! And enjoy the Holidays! Come back renewed!
Carmen
Joan, I just love your handbag pattens. Waiting to find the small Miranda bag somewhere after the holidays.
Have a great one and rest your brain for next year and new patterns.
Terry
Joan!
So many projects…so little time. And when one flops…oh it is so frustrating.
I have started on my third and fourth Summer totes…so much easier with the pattern in front of me. I had to rush one through so it could travel to California with a friend who mailed it to my sister. If I mailed it from Baja, it would cost over $ 50.00 US!
The Noriko is perfect for the party gifts I am giving to my women guests at my annual pre-Christmas brunch.
I am sewing like crazy.
Thank you for your patterns and all of the fun.
I especially like your quote: “I am only lazy on days ending in Y.”
Joan,
I love reading the blogs and getting so many ideals you give us. I printed the Noriko Handbag patterns and plan to make it after the holidays. I just finished a hooklatch Christmas tree shirt for my daughter.
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep up the good work.
Joan
Of course your blog had a lot of visitors, it is such a fun place. Sorry about your project but just join the club. Perfection is impossible and if you do not salvage it at all just remember that we have all been there and it is nice to have you acknowledge that too.
Love your designs and your willingness to share with us all. Have a great holiday season.
Hi Joan, I think we all have had “a few” projects that have gone awray………don’t beat yourself up!!! I know what you did spend your time on, gathering up things for others, will have a huge impact on a lot of people and that is what life is about. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!!
Joan, I’m sorry, but it is nice to know some of your projects don’t work out!
Thanks for all the other ones!
Have a great holiday!
It’s so nice (for me) to hear others have problems with projects too. I spent 3 days making a tablecloth with trees so my family could add “leaves” with their “thankful for” messages. It turned out terrible …. so I rented the tableclothes instead … another project for next year… but my husband was sweet, “Oh, another drop cloth?” I laughed and laughed…
I have a name for those type of projects….I call the “wadders” because they usually get wadded up and thrown in the corner!!!
That project sure sounds interesting ! , I think its great to be able to admit that you made a boo, where as most people would cover it up hehe. Sometimes in the world of crafting things dont always go to plan 🙂
Get some rest GIRL! I just realized I can see your blog from yahoo messenger, how cool is that??? I can not even count the boo boos sitting in my studio. I believe I still have a Santa Stocking that had some special technique so it didn’t look like a stocking and I can not figure out how to turn it with out having him be inside the bag (for 6 stinking years!). So you go rest I totally understand!
Penny D in Chesapeake at 61 degrees 8 am?? What is up with that?
Joan, I’m sure what you made was fine. But as a new sewer, it’s reassuring to know that even the pros are sometimes skeptical of their projects! I love your work and this site rocks!
Hello there! I’ve been looking at this website for a long time and I can’t believe we get patterns for “FREE”! It’s amazing….I heading to my machine now to start the little oriental bag now. THANK YOU! I’ll keep you posted……Happy Holidays to everyone….May blessings abound to each and every one of you….Cindy