desgraced.com

A New Start

desiree — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:12:32 +0000

I’m so sorry to be gone so long, but thank you so much for the support and nice comments! They really made a difference when I was having a hard time.

I’ve moved out of my beautiful house and in with a roommate. I love my new place, but I do miss my giant sewing room. My roommate is great and she loves my kids. I’m mostly unpacked and we’re even starting to decorate. The only thing is, I seem to be having knitters block.

I think I just need to decide on what I want to knit, and unearth my needles and yarn. They’re still in boxes. The last boxes to be unpacked.

Crocheting my heart out

desiree — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:36:17 +0000

So I’ve been taking the bus to work almost everyday now for a while. And I have yarn and a crochet hook in my purse at all times. I do needlework for fun, but I also do it when I’m stressed. And these days I’m way stressed.

All of these facts come together to make my bus rides very productive of late. I’m close to finishing 3 purses, and four potholders.

The purses I will probably sell, and the potholders will be my housewarming present to myself when it’s time for me to move. The purses won’t be finished for a while, though, because I want to line them and all my fabric and sewing stuff is already packed.

Bad News for Everyone

desiree — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:21:32 +0000

So. I’m getting divorced. That’s my bad news I guess.

As such, I will be moving soon and thus my sewing room is all packed up and ready to go. The bad news for you, though, is that that means I can’t sew or knit anything when all my fabric and yarn is in boxes.

Sorry about that. I guess this post is an explanation as to why I haven’t written in ages, and why writing will be a little sparse for a while still.

Awesome Pockets

desiree — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:29:49 +0000

I drafted this purse with pockets in mind. I need a purse with a strap that goes across my body like a messenger bag, but doesn’t have a big flap to deal with. One that has room for what I need to carry and has pockets for all my little stuff. See that horizontal line across the front of the bag? That’s actually two hidden pockets, lined in a different colour and closed with mini magnetic snaps. One is just the right size for my cell phone and the other is a little deeper, so it can hold pens.

There is also a large pocket on the back for a pad of paper and receipts. Does anyone else get their purse so filled with receipts that they can’t find their wallet? Yeah, that’s my purse. Hopefully a specific pocket for receipts will solve that problem. I also tend to lose my keys in the very bottom of purses, so I added a little clip under the long strap there. No more lost keys! The top closes with two strong magnetic snaps. I forgot how easy those were to install, I should use them more often.

I also forgot how to put in a zippered pocket. It turned out pretty great considering that I had to figure it out again on my own. No gaps or puckered fabric and it runs nice and smooth.

As a final fancy bit of engineering, the long strap is removable, so it can be a shoulder or handbag.

Overall, I love this purse. Probably the only thing I would change is the curved bottom. I think I would like it a little more square and flat on the bottom.

Almost the Same Grey Denim Purse

desiree — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:11:29 +0000

The same as the other grey denim purse, except the lining is a dark red bandana print. I love the shiny silver snaps with the grey, and the bandana print is perfect to go with denim, no matter what colour it is.

Grey Denim Bag

desiree — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:42:57 +0000

I love this fabric. I bought the whole bolt when I found it at walmart in Grand Forks. It’s so nice and smooth and strong like denim, but doesn’t look too much like denim. Probably because it’s that really nice grey colour.

This one is just like the blue snap bag, but the lining is dark green and so is the top stitching. This one is also available for sale if you’re local and want to stop by Sew Dandy on Osborne to take a look.

If you’re not local and still want one, email me and we’ll work something out!

The Not-as-Wide Bag

desiree — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:05:33 +0000

Please excuse the adorably weird look on my face. This is the only picture of this bag that was in focus.

Exactly like the blue jean bag, but a little shorter and with blue snaps. The size is just right this time! The straps are a great length, too. They are perfect for holding in your hand and fit nicely over the shoulder as well.

I top stitched with red thread to match the lining. I’ll remember next time to change to a new needle before topstitching next time. It looks ok, but it could be neater.

New Bag Design

desiree — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:28:52 +0000

This is made out of recycled blue jeans! The lining is a lovely dark red and it closes with a snap. I put two pockets on the front that have a curved opening and the close with snaps, too. Overall, I really like the shape and the look, but it’s just a little too wide, I think. I didn’t use interfacing, so it does flop just a little. I think I’ll make more of the same except taking a few inches off the width.

2 Jobs!

desiree — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:38:08 +0000

Betcha didn’t see that one coming! I accepted the job with the first interview of the day and then went to the other one as well, just to see if I would be able to fit both into my schedule. The second jobs hours didn’t mesh well with the first, so after I got home, I left a message that while the job seemed great, I wouln’t be able to do it on top of my other job as I’d end up working 7 days a week and I’d totally burn out.

They called me back this morning and asked if I would consider taking a casual position as they really wanted me even if I couldn’t do the hours they originally wanted. So I have two jobs now! Oh, and I had to call that third job this morning to let them know I wouldn’t be coming to work there after all. When it rains it pours, right? I am so happy to have these jobs, they are the ones I wanted most of all the ones I applied to.

So what are these jobs? The full-time one is working one-on-one with a cognitively challenged young man as a support person. Taking the bus with him to work, helping him at work and taking the bus home again. I met him and his parents at the second interview and the whole family seem wonderful. Really sweet people.

The casual position is also a support person for cognitively challenged individuals, this time in a group home setting.

They both sound really rewarding and I’m excited to get started. Thanks to all my twitter peeps who sent good luck wishes!

Starting a new Job

desiree — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:51:37 +0000

I could have a choice between three different jobs this week! I have two second interviews with two different companies tomorrow. Three weeks ago when I started looking for a job, I wasn’t sure if I would be qualified for anything rewarding. I’ve been at home for five years and I only had jobs before, not a career. So I’ll let you know how it goes!