Bug's Log

No Lack of Projects Here!

Posted by fabricpile Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:30:00 GMT

It took six months, but the bookshelves are finally up in my studio, and the books safe and happy in their new home. The walls in the living room won’t be finished until the new front door is installed.

Here’s a sneak peek at her naked:

And here she is in her full Izmir Purple glory:

Lucky for me I couldn’t stand the idea of cream, forest green, burgundy or navy blue. We saved over $800 by eschewing the factory finished paint job. Unfortunately, the directions for painting a steel door that my friendly neighborhood Sherwin Williams manager offered left me in tears due to the streaks I could not avoid. When I turned to my tried-and-true mini fabric rollers, I was thrilled with the results.

Millie’s footprints in the paint didn’t make me all too happy, but I fixed them. If they had been more artistically placed, I might have left them.

I think she is lovely and will look awesome when firmly in her new home. This neighborhood needs “that-house-with-the-purple-door.”

Meanwhile, back at the sewing machine (which I don’t get to nearly enough):

My Tango tablecloth quilt is coming along slowly. This is more complete, even though it was just an afterthought using the leftover pieces. Neither will be finished before Thanksgiving, but definitely soon after.

Posted in fabricpile, fibers | 4 comments

Friday Night Relaxation

Posted by fabricpile Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:47:00 GMT

I’m so glad to finally live in a house that is the perfect canvas for color, texture and design. Our little casa may look plain and simple on the outside, but inside it’s going to be a showcase of creativity.

Kira’s door is beginning to take on a life of its own thanks to her paint and brushes. Since she does most of her work on the computer, it’s a nice change of pace for her.

We’re going to collaborate sometime this weekend on a giant wing design that I can quilt. But tonight I’ve been playing around with a new quilting technique. Bubbles! I can’t go any further, though, after waaaay underestimating the amount of thread I need to complete this section of the quilt.

Dang, dang, dang! So much for the groove I had going. Not that there aren’t plenty of other things to do around here. I think I’ll grab a paint brush and work on my mouldings.

Posted in kiwibug, fibers | 3 comments

Must. Hug. This. Baby!

Posted by fabricpile Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:29:00 GMT

We looked forward to this little guy’s arrival in Michigan with great anticipation—and now he’s six months old and I haven’t even hugged him yet! Don’t leave for college until we get there, Miles!

At least he has a quilt that I stitched up, so there’s a little part of us there with him—apparently keeping the little guy awake at night.

We’ll be there very soon, Raja. We can’t wait to meet you in person.

Posted in fibers | 1 comment

Resolution or Resignation

Posted by fabricpile Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:11:00 GMT

My alias is Fabricpile for good reason. I have a lot of fabric—a lot of fabric. Mostly it is contained, but there is always a renegade pile or two to contend with.

The new year generally brings new plans, new promises, new projects. This year is going to be a little different for me. In 2007, rather than worry too much about creating the next new project, I plan to dig out the unfinished projects from my piles. And finish them. I don’t have a good count yet, but I know that the projects include a wedding quilt (embarrasingly overdue), baby quilt (baby not yet born, I’m doing okay on this one), multiple birthday and Christmas gifts, and other wonderful things.

I was a bit ambitious today since it’s the final day before returning to a normal work and school schedule for us all. I spent some quality time in the closet early this morning and finished the following small projects:

A sewing bag which was partially constructed as a demo for a class I used to teach. The sewing-themed fabric makes it a perfect to carry other projects in need of completion this year.

A little flower bag which will make a great gift container or little girl’s purse.

A small coffee mug motif quilt I designed and appliqued several years ago.

Progress from here may be a bit slower, but ~~I’m resigned~~ I resolve to keep at it.

Posted in fibers, fabricpile | 3 comments

We're So Bad We Vacation in Detroit

Posted by fabricpile Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:44:00 GMT

We just got back from a long weekend in the Motor City.

Downtown no longer looks like it has been hit by a bomb blast. Having lived away during the contruction of both new stadiums, however, it seems like they simply appeared out of nowhere. Driving up the Woodward corridor was strange, but encouraging.

I still love the Guardian Building with its incredible Native American design theme.

Especially since the lobby is now home to a branch store of City Knits!

We give the Patel Hotel five stars, as usual. There’s nothing like waking up in the morning to freshly made chai complete with fresh ginger and stone-ground spices!

Auntie enjoyed having all her kids together again.

Posted in family, fibers | 2 comments

Happy Feet

Posted by Emma Tue, 02 May 2006 01:18:00 GMT

My mom made these cool socks for me. They’re really comfortable.

She made me purple socks before, but I wore them out. My mom is the best sock knitter in the world.

Posted in fibers, emma | 2 comments

The Cure for Ugly Feet

Posted by fabricpile Tue, 21 Feb 2006 22:53:00 GMT

I finished knitting another pair of socks yesterday. They are the first pair that I designed myself.

And while they may not be the cure for my ugly feet, they are a pretty comfy placebo.

Posted in fibers, fabricpile | no comments

Cat Tested and Approved

Posted by fabricpile Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:26:00 GMT

Every new quilt here at the Bug’s Bog branch of Purple Fern Designs is rigorously tested by our Snooze Quality Control team, Sonnet and Heloise.

Sometimes they like to get a jump start on their work before a quilt is finished. This is a very good sign, and quilt #75 has been given an X-cellent rating by the feline duo.