Flowered Drawstring Project Bag

I was Raked some material on Ravelry because I wanted to make myself a few project bags. This is the first one. The material is quite sturdy and it is for me, so I didn't bother to line it.

The selvedges were quite wide so I used them for the drawstring channel because they would match the cream colour from the material.

I sewed the top edge from the wrong side and then folded under the other raw edge and topstitched it. Error Error. Fortunately I took a break at this point and when I came back I realized that I couldn't sew the channels to the edge because they would then be closed off once I did the side seams.

So I took them both off and redid them further from the edge, zigzaging and folding the ends under.

I wanted French seams so I sewed the side seams with wrong sides together.

Then I turned the bag wrong side out and sewed the side seams again.

I wanted a bit of a flat bottom so I marked and sewed a triangle at the corners. Once that was done I folded down the top edge twice and sewed around it. All that was left to do was pull the cord through the channel.

Friday's Foto From Finland #8

The snow's gone but it's going to rain!

A Bit Early

My son usually makes the mead for May 1st but he won't be here then and you need to start about a week ahead, so I've made it this year. Only 2 litres so we can have some this weekend while he is here. Hopefully it will taste ok. I forgot that last year some of the bottles didn't fizz at all. Probably because I've been using the same bottles for years and the metal screw-on caps have loosened. If anyone would like the recipe just ask!

Zentangle Inchie #9

Podcast Episode Two: Twig Sunday

Please click here if the video doesn't show up.

Show Notes

KNITTING:

• Cable and Lace Baby Blanket by Stephanie Ament (Ravelry link). Still working on this.
• Toe-up Socks (my pattern). On the second sock.
• Freya Shawl by Renate Haeckler (new stitch to me: S2K1PSSO) Hand-dyed yarn from Grannyg. Grannyg has a podcast that is now on hiatus because she has recently started an online magazine called Entangled.
  
• Owl Cable Owl by Alicia Weisberg-Roberts (Ravelry link)
  

The Toy Society

BY NEXT PODCAST:
Decide on what crown I want and finish the Ardelle hat by Ellen Bartz.

REVIEW: Myssystä sukkiin edited by Päivi Syrjänen

(Library Book. All opinions in the review are those of the blog author's.)

SOMETHING ABOUT FINLAND: "Twig Sunday"

This is the rhyme that the witches say. There are different versions but this is the only one that I have heard.

Virvon varvon, (I don't think this means anything, but signals the witch is waving his/her wand.)
tuoreeks, (fresh), terveeks, (health)
tulevaks vuueks, (for the forthcoming year)
vitsa sulle, (twig for you)
palkka mulle! (reward for me!)

Vegan Bake Sale Cookbook

Look what came in the mail last week! Along with others who tested the recipes for this book I received a complementary copy from Carla of her Vegan Bake Sale Cookbook. It was definately strange seeing the recipes in bookform rather than on the blog! Not only were there a lot of recipes but tips on holding a bake sale, explanations on ingredients and using substitutions but plenty more useful information. I'd recommend that you get a hold of a copy and see what you think yourself!

Friday's Foto From Finland #7

Sunshine. Melting ice and snow.
(Just going on to the pond path.)

Zentangle Inchie #8

Happy Birthday to My Dear Son!

It was the first time I used this recipe for The Perfect Present Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe that my sister recommended. It was really good.