the latest

Lastest Craft Miracle:

The Beauty Bag from Bend the Rules Sewing

I attempted making this bag last fall and failed miserably (I blame the crappy fabric I used)! This time was a great crafting feat. I finished it in two hours and with little frustration...truly a rewarding afternoon project.

Things I changed about the pattern (it is from Bend the Rules Sewing)

Handles: changed the length from 22" to 24", created 1.5" wide bias tape handles, rather than sewing a two-toned handle. I also moved the handle position from right over the pleat to just inside the pleat

Interfacing: I used a cotton interfacing on the outside fabric (pleats and all) instead of the recommended flannel lining

And, if I ever make this pattern again, I will definitely remember to add a magnetic snap closure!

Fabric: linen-esque khaki fabric from IKEA, tree print from Japan

Something I still don't understand: I had the hardest time doing the final top stitch because the part where the pleats are folded in together has about 12 layers of fabric (three layers from the front pleat and three layers from the back pleat sewn together to attach the outside and lining and then and folded over for the top stitching to create 12 layers)...how is this supposed to lay flat? I have examined lots of bags in the flickr pool, and none look as bulky as mine. What did I do wrong?

Latest obsession:

weeHomes - We'd love to build one of these some day on a nice patch of property in the woods with enough sunny space for a large vegetable garden. We can dream, right?!

Latest Musical Discovery:

My best NPR find since The Album Leaf: Bon Iver, currently playing at SXSW in Austin. Can't wait until he comes to Detroit!

the shack

We went up north for the weekend to Lupton, MI with our friends Liz and Elliott. Elliott's friend owns a little cabin on forty acres of undeveloped land so we got to enjoy the great outdoors without interruption from fellow campers.

Elliott described the shack as being completely rustic with only a table and chairs and two bunk beds. He forgot to mention how cute it was...vintage dishes and furniture, and old wood stove, retro hunting posters and Michigan maps and shutters on the windows. Needless to say, I thought it was the perfect weekend cabin. Jon and I would love to own something like this one day...a cozy little place to escape to on the weekends.

We went canoeing on the Rifle River on Saturday afternoon and met quite a few interesting characters journeying down the river along with us! We spent the rest of the weekend building campfires, enjoying the delicious well water (no, really) and playing Settlers of Catan.

rustic camping

Jon and I headed over to PJ Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, MI for a few days of camping. We left on Friday night during rush hour - not so good planning on our part - but made it to the campsite while it was still dark out. We set up our tent and then headed to the beach for an evening stroll.

The campsite itself was packed - lots of decked out RV's complete with TVs and modern day amenities. Our site was close to the bathrooms, so the glow of the vending machines were a nice nightlight during our stay. It was great to be one with nature again.

On Saturday we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, some reading time and a visit to the Gilette Sand Dune Visitor Center. We walked along the boardwalks up to the top of the sand dune and then down to Lake Michigan. Afterward, we headed back to the campsite for lunch. We made some delicious sandwiches in our new sandwich makers - a nice break from hotdogs!

Jon's newest acquisition is his set of frisbee golf discs. He attempted to teach me how to throw a frisbee (unsuccessfully). We ended up calling our little game of catch quits because the discs (which are not meant to be caught) were bruising my hands and legs.

We succumbed to the vending machines after I realized that I had a roll of laundry quarters in my purse. As usual, we both got the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars - delicious!

We packed up on Sunday morning and headed back to the east side of the state for Jon's mom's annual 4th of July barbecue.

Tobermory

Catherine, Jon and I headed to the Bruce Peninsula in Canada for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip. We met up with the rest of our group at our campsite and enjoyed a relaxing weekend of hiking, eating, reading, and lighthouse viewing. See the rest of the pictures here.