enough about me. let's talk about you....

....What do you think of me?

Blogs are nothing if not a me-a-thon. This is a fact I happen to enjoy immensely. People writing about their lives. Sharing pictures of things they've created, things they love, things they covet.

When you write certain posts, though, don't you feel particularly you-centric? I do.

There's no fighting it. Here goes.

And so I whipped through last week in a frenzy of gift making and job application. The application was for a job I'd really love to get, so I won't say anything more about it unless I get it. I will say, though, that my entire life would change if I got this job, and in a good way. If you've got a second, please send me some good energy (do voodoo if you know it) so that I can get an interview.

The gift making? Fun, but definitely harried in the face of the job hunt and the daily grind. I usually reserve bigger projects for weekends but last week I had to make up for the time my machine was in the shop. I got it back a week ago Saturday and it's been humming ever since. We're like teenagers, me and my machine, teenagers in love.

I used it to finish these tea towels/napkins I embroidered for Valecia:

I love Black Americana and so does V. The project was fun to make and even more fun to give. I read somewhere that it's classy to present a store bought item along with a handmade gift and nobody's ever had to tell me twice. I went to Whole Foods for something kitcheny to go with V's gift and found this handy and cute Mrs. Meyers four pack. I'm not a fan of icky embroidered backs so I used some of my schmancy Japanese duck cloth to beautify them.

A lovely combo, yes?

The day after I finished and gave V her gift I finished Ellen's gift in time to give it to her at SnB. This is what I was working on for her when Brother went on the fritz:

Another tote (no point in tiring of them, you'll be seeing many more). This one is reversible. Ever since I saw the rumba dancer in Sublime Stitching I knew I had to make her. I was just waiting for that special someone to stitch her for and who better than Ellen? I didn't get a picture of the other side of the bag, but Ellen did. Check out her blog to see (and to read a fun post on her tote collection). I figured she can flip the bag inside out when she isn't in the mood to sport a dancing girl around town.

Now that I've finished presents for these two dear friends, I'm officially declaring August and September no gift months. I'm only making things for myself and my shop. I have to lay down the law and get tough with myself or I'll forever stay dreaming of learning how to design and fit my own clothes. Under this new decree, I finally made me a tote bag. Here I am dorkily displaying it while Ellen graces:

I was on someone's blog, saw the image of Angela Davis, and remembered I'd downloaded it a while ago. I love its aesthetic, its powerful iconography. It think its graphic nature works well on this bag. Plus, I love me some Angela Davis.

Although I've been carrying it everywhere, I made the bag to take books to and from the library. My neighborhood branch is about a 20 minute walk from my apartment. Perfect for exercise and clearing the mind. I needed the right tote for my haul and this one fits the bill exactly. Because I intended it for the library, I embroidered "Words Never Fail Me" on the back. I think, though, that these words will prove to have more meaning in my life than I currently know.

Since this is a me-a-thon (and possibly the world's longest post), I'll go on.

Look who arrived over the weekend:

Man, it is no wonder people were smarter 50 years ago. (I'm kidding. A little.) Threading Brother is a two second whip-up. Rosie, however, takes thought. I know, I'll get used to it. Yesterday I did a bit of sewing on her. I couldn't be a normal person and make a sachet or another tea towel. I had to go for the gusto and try to make a skirt. Mind you, I've only made one skirt and that was in sewing class (Natalie says I should count my jeans-to-skirt recon but I think that's cheating). I've already mentioned my inability to read instructions so you can imagine what a black hole I propelled myself into with a 50 year old machine (for which I only had a blurry download as a manual) and a sewing pattern with detailed directions I didn't have the patience to read. The biggest thing I learned was to put a time limit on how long I'll stay in the black hole before jumping out and doing something else. Like knitting, something I know how to do.

I also learned that gorgeous Rosie needs a tune-up, which was to be expected. I'll take her to the same shop that fixed Brother this Friday. (Don't you just love it when people personify machines? In my defense, Brother is not only my first sewing machine's brand, it's also my uncle's nickname. Rosie is my maternal grandmother. I name nearly everything after her. Both my uncle and my grandmother died years ago and it feels good to remember them this way. I don't know why I'm telling you this. Oh yeah -- ME-A-THON.)

I am lucky Rosie wasn't damaged. I can't say the seller packed her very well. (Newspaper?) He didn't do the basic thing that any thinking person would do and unscrew the spool pin before setting the machine in the case. The result was this:

Damage to an otherwise pristine case. I hate to see something so old, something that survived intact so long, jacked up for no good reason. To his credit, the seller has agreed to pay for repair. This is provided I can find someone to do it. I'm thinking I'll take it to a shoe repair shop. Anyone know any good ones in the LA area?

That's no fun. Let's end on a brighter note:

Finally. The end of this me-fest. I'm going to bed. I can't take any more me tonight.