Creature in My Backyard

For the past few weeks I have been memorizing songs, poems and activities for my Kindermusik Summer Camp starting in July. One of my camps is called Creatures in My Back Yard. So early this morning, while making breakfast for J, I noticed something different moving in my backyard. I slipped on some shoes and was happy to find this little guy moving slowly, eating the grass, and just stretching his neck to look around. I came back in to get the camera and J, Cody, and Ruby decided to come outside with me. Needless to say the turtle, just tucked himself up and peeked out. Once we went back inside he began his slow vigil across the yard. He seemed very curious, stretching his head up as high as it could go. Ruby went back outside later and kept his distance. He just sat a few yards away and watched as the turtle slowly moved. At one point the turtle and Ruby were facing off. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that as well, but I knew that just by me going outside the face off would end.

I was happy for our little visitor this morning. I hope he finds our yard pleasant and decides to stay for awhile. I will end this blog with a little poem from Creatures in My Backyard. In this activity, the kids get a large scarf, put it over their backs and pretend to be turtles. In the end the parent lifts the scarf to reveal the hiding turtle. Too cute.

Little Turtle

Little turtle, little turtle
Hide inside your shell.
Little turtle, little turtle
Come and crawl with me.
Little turtle, little turtle
I See You!

Kindermusik International

Colors from the garden

Clematis arched in growth.
Even without flower you are beautiful.
Brilliant purple surrounding a white starburst.
Such majesty in your glory.

The Finished Purse

Well after much deliberation, I decided to use the green/chocolate stars print and the green/yellow, pink blossom print to make my first purse.

Overall, the purse took about 4 hours to design and sew, however, I made the purse over the course of 2 days. I started with the design yesterday and cut out the fabric, but decided to stop and do some yard work since it was so beautiful outside. Last night, by body told me I should have stayed inside to sew, because I was really tired. I got up early this morning before my daughter got up so I could finish the purse. I really am happy with the way that it turned out, and can't wait to use it tomorrow.

I only had a few problems making the purse. I struggled with getting the pattern the right shape, and then getting the straps the right size. When I was sewing, I found that my string kept breaking when I got to a really thick layer. I think that it broke at least 20 times, and I was ready to give up, but kept on. I ended up having to hand sew those areas that were extra thick. I also forgot to leave an opening so I could turn the purse right side out, but I quickly remedied this.

There are definitely flaws in the overall project, but I am happy that it is done. I really do like it and can't wait to create another one later in the year. This was a project happily done.

Inspiration Begins

For the past few months I have been desperately searching for a new purse, but I could never find one that I wanted. Recently I thought to myself that I could sew me a purse and be able to choose fabric that I liked. I went out to shop fabric but ran into a dead end. Since my local quilt shop closed, I have found it hard to find fabric that inspires me. So I invariably turned to the Internet, and found myself spending hours looking at fabric. There were so many wonderful colors and patterns that it was hard to choose. I would find a site and start piling up anything that I really liked into my shopping cart. I then had to cut it down to my favorites. At some points I had up to 30 different fabrics in my cart. I finally did, however, narrow it down to three.

I will be making my own interpretation of the Amy Butler "the swing bag". You can see a picture of this bag at amybutlerdesign.com. I have been checking out books at the library to find out how to make a purse, and I think I have a pretty good idea how to make up my own pattern for this bag. I may have to spend more time on this project than I intended, but I know the end result will be something that I will be proud of.

The fabrics that I picked have variations on botanical prints. For some reason, in this time in my life, I have found that I am drawn to them. The purse will be reversible, so now I have to narrow down my fabrics to two. I think I know which two I will be using, because I really love the other and want to do something special with it. First I need to do the purse, and then maybe I will find the inspiration to so something really wonderful with the other.