I spent some time over the weekend playing with my new toy, I love it. I was amazed at how easy it really was. I explain to Daniel is greatness by telling him that I didn't even need to wash my hands afterward. And being the mess that I am all the time that is a big feat. I am having home printing problems right now, so I decided to hand draw my first print with the included pen, instead of using a print out. You can only burn a screen with a laser or copy machine, so my artwork reqires a bit more thought than printing them out at home with my inkjet.

Really the print gocco is no toy, it is a easy to use all in one screen printer for paper or fabric. I did a test print on some fabric with my fabric ink to see how it hold up. It seems that every craft blogger already knew the joy that is the little blue gocco, and I am last on the train singing its praises. But last or not if you have been considering getting one, do it you will not regret it.

I have decided to jump in and design my first sweater:

Puffy short sleave, wrap with one button, and a ruffle neck line.  I am not sure what yarn I want to use yet, but I have been inspired by Diana's  minisweater, so I was thinking about a mix of cascade200 and kid silk haze. I have started swatching for my project and so far I am stumped with attaching the neckline, but either way I am excited to learn.  I am planning on a top down raglan, glampyre style. I will hopefully be updating my progress soon.

Finally, I just started reading The Tipping Point, at the request of my father. I think it is too soon to have an opinion, but I am intrested none the less (hush puppies anyone?) I have not yet learned to knit and read at the same time, but now seems like a good time to try. 

We are home, sleepy still, but happy to be in our own bed. We had a great time that revolved mostly around eating. My family is notorious for their eating, especially talking about their next meal while they are still sitting at the table. Over all the weather was great, perfect for the slip & slide Daniel found at Target for $2.99. Vito was exhausted by the time the week was over, all the playing with the other dogs really wore him out.  I got a new hair cut and plenty of wonderful presents for my birthday. But I am most excited about this:

Ta da, My new Print Gooco. I am so excited to get to work on this. I have been doing as much reading as I can get my hands on about it, and I think I am almost ready to give it a try. Part of me is nervous to burn my first screen and get started, I feel like the first image has to be a perfect one. I also bought the fabric stamp kit and a bunch of replacement bulbs and screens. I spent last night getting my craft area all organize, and now all that is left is to get crafting or goccoing.

Oh and about my knitted cami, well I was so distracted on my vacation that I didn't finish it. Those last 3 inches of ribbing are really kicking my butt, so no promises on a completion time. But hopefully this week.

 

 

Here I am. As seen from the a 17inch iMac screen at the Apple store in Las Vegas. I couldn't resist checking my website during my vacation. We had a great time, full of family fun. But now it is time for sleep. More pictures to post and stories to tell later. I miss you internet and friends too.

I managed to get in a bit of craftiness this weekend. I only have the bottom 5 inches of ribbing to finish on my cami, so it looks like I might get to wear it in Vegas after all. But why is it that the last bits of ribbing seem to take forever? I also decided to make a purse for myself. How nice it was to make something for me, yay. I had bought this fabric a few weeks ago, and I fell in love with it even though it is something I usually would look right past. It is bold that is for sure.

I spent sometime working out a few things in this pattern. I also interfaced every piece of outside fabric, and I love the results. I also pleated the bottom seam a bit, which makes the purse sits up instead of flopping over. So now I have a summery purse for my trip. I am excited to make some more of these next week.

I finished my mix cd swap f.i.n.a.l.l.y. They are off to there owners today. My home printer is covered in fabric and even if I could get to it, I think it is out of ink. So instead of printing out labels I decided to hand make some with the sewing machine. One of my favorite parts of the Cd's I have received so far is the covers, so I tried to make some cool ones. Here is the track listing:

• Ghost Mountain -The Unicorns
• California- Low
• Fake Plaindromes- Andrew Bird
• 1st Instant/Last Report- Earlimart
• Tres- Pinback
• Make Out Song- The Rosebuds
• A Winner Needs a Wand- Sufjan Stevens
• Lost Sun- Reubens Accomplice
• Dimmest Star- Pernice Brothers
• Fooled With The Wrong Guy- Beulah
• Blonde on Blonde- Nada Surf
• Simple Hello- Damien Jurado
• The Cloud Prayer- A.C. Newman

If anyone else wants a copy let me know I and I will make you up one.  Now I am off to get busy....packing.

Thank you for all your birthday greeting. My birthday is next Friday the 19th, so in the true fashion of my family I have begun celebrating a week early. I am feeling a bit weird about turning 25, partly because in person I rarely pass for 21. I am just going through that birthday evaluating thing, what have I done, what do I want to accomplish and so on. I just can't believe I am half way through my twenties already. I can't help but wonder what the next five years will bring. Does everyone feel like this? It is not like I am having a quarter life crisis, I just almost feel like I haven't accomplished anything. But on the other hand I know that isn't true.  I guess I am suffering from the normal it's my birthday feeling.

Here are some more sewing project I have been working on:

  

 

 

The first one is for my mom out of my new birthday fabric, I lined it with thick black vinyl. I love how stiff and sturdy this on is. I made the camo one for myself and I use it everyday. Want to see what's inside? The others are for my sisters. Are you getting tired of seeing these makeup cases yet? I just love how these turn out.

Here is a clutch I am working on, it is just a work in progress right now. But I hope to have the pattern finalized soon. Not that I have many clutch carring functions, but it is cute. I have about 6 inches done on my tubular cami, the pattern is moving along rather quickly. So lets cross our fingers in hopes that I have a finished cami to show next week. Have a great weekend!