Ahhhh, Weekends....

....I had forgotten how precious weekends are!  Now that I'm back to work I need to really enjoy my weekends.  This past weekend I DID!!

I went to Cloverleaf Wines with my Chicken friend Mary for an Italian wine tasting, complete with the Italian winery owner -- wonderful!  Mary's daughter Natalie joined us and was even able to speak Italian with Luca Corrado of Vietti Vineyards.  MMMM - check out their recipe page.  I was already a huge fan of their Moscato d'Asti but the other six wines on the tasting were amazing.  The wine was fantastic but the lessons from Luca about his family's ancient vineyard were delightful.  Wouldn't it be nice to have such passion for something you do?

Well, maybe I do.  I am really loving being creative these days.  I made two Pot Pinchers for my niece Erica, a week late but she'll still love them.  Next, I made a shoulder bag for my customer who lives in England:

She wanted a felted bag but I told her brother, who commissioned me, that knitting was out for now and offered to sew a wool bag instead.  He was pretty hesitant but I assured him, hoping beyond hope, that it would turn out great and she would love it.

To be certain of the color I asked that she go to the paint store and pick out a swatch that pleased her and mail it to me with the dimensions of her desired bag.  I bought the wool, etc. at Haberman Fabrics - where else?! - and got to work this weekend.  I had to modify a few things on the Butterick 4147 pattern, changing the dimensions, adding much more fusible interfacing to stiffen it, and a magnetic snap closure.  The button options were put out on Facebook for input and the one above was chosen.  It's a beautiful blue polka dot ceramic button from Marcia Hovland, sewn on top of a plastic Dill button.  The wool/silk lining is the same yellow as the felted bag I made for Diane last year.

I delivered the bag tonight and I think he was surprised.  I am pretty darn sure that Diane will be pleased and am eager to hear the feedback.

It is so nice to be able to leave my Juki set up in my Craft Cave, ready to sew whenever I feel like it or have the time.  For some people that probably sounds silly but for anyone who likes to create I'm sure that sounds wonderful.

If only every day was a weekend day!!  Wait....while I was out of work every day was a weekend day!