Art and Needlework by Rebekah: 5/27/11: Inspirational Clippings

Kind of late popping in today. I had my semi-weekly internet malfunction for the part of the day, you see, and that put me behind schedule. It always seems that I cannot get a WiFi connection around the weekend. . . Maybe more people logged on is causing it? I'm not sure. Whatever the case, I managed to get online again and I still have a couple hours left to ramble. :)

Because I am late today, I will be using a posting-device of mine that I like to use when little time is to be had. It is my "Inspirational Clippings" idea that I did a couple weeks ago. For an Inspirational Clippings (IC) post I like to gather together all the great articles, projects, and tutorials (all craft related) that I found recently on the web. Since I like to "favorite", bookmark, and "heart" everything that makes an impression on me, I have a very inspirational web cache I like to go to and see again and again. My four main sources for these are namely blogs, Burda Style, Etsy, and good ol' Ravelry.

So let's get going! First up is what I found. . .

Rebekah P. from the Rebekah's Sewing Diary blog has done something I've dreamt about so many times that I lost count. It is a teal knit dress and my gosh, how stunning is it? She used Vogue 8663, which has a pleated bodice and flared skirt, and used a cotton/spandex knit from Spandex World--a retailer I have never heard of before.

I guess I have knit fabric on the brain because I've been daydreaming of making myself some t-shirts for summer. Whatever the case may be, I seem to be gravitating towards how-to's that show you different ways of finishing knits. I've been on the look out for neckline finishing instructions to be precise, and found a good one in the Burda Style archive of tutorials. It is called "Neckline Finish for Knit Top" and it was created by Saradho of http://www.esewingideas.com/. What really is interesting to note is the notion she uses in finishing her knits. It is a elastic-like, clear beading cord called Stretch Magic. This really caught my eye because my sister Catherine is a jewelry maker and I believe she uses this material. I hope I can give this technique a try soon!

OK, I may not be a big purse enthusiast but tell me how in your right mind can you not like this knitted purse? I don't know what draws me to it, but when I saw it on the front page of Etsy I couldn't hold back myself from getting a closer look. It could be the handles, color, drawstring, or the chevron-inspired knit fabric that makes me like it so much. Or it could be just because it is knitted. Just use the word "knit" and my ears perk up. Learn all about this purse and others by going to the NzLbags' Etsy shop.

Ever since I first visited the Sew4Home website, I've been thinking more and more about home decor projects. Don't worry I won't go bananas over this trend of mine and sew enough pillows to make our living room something straight out of the harem scene of the Ten Commandments movie. Simplicity is best when it comes to pillows. And that is why I like this one from Rebecca Surgey's Etsy shop. It is machine knitted (uh oh, there's that word again!), and has whimsical crocheted flower and butterfly appliques sewn on the front. The back of the cushion has a very cute detail but I won't tell what it is. Visit her shop and find out for yourself!

And now onto Ravelry. Wherever I go, be it a blog or a Ravelry forum, I'm hearing about Susan B. Anderson's latest book: Spud and Chloe at the Farm. I wouldn't call the patterns in this book amigurumi, dolls, and definitely not Estonia lace. I would consider the patterns make figurines. Yes, figurines. When I was growing up I played a lot with small, plastic animal figurines and had a ton of fun with them. That is why I think these knitted, farm animal figurines are brillant. The only problem I have is this. If I bought the book, who would I give my chickens, lamb, and cat to? I suppose I just need the right recipient to make me buy this book!