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This marks another addition to the regular feature here at little Indiana: Indiana Blogs! If you are an Indiana Blogger, please use the contact form and send me an email. You may be featured right here on little Indiana.
Indiana Blogs: Mouse in my Pocket
Mouse in My Pocket is an Indiana blog that has DIY on the brain–when it comes to sewing a slew of useful items.
Handbags, clutches, quilts, clothing, and even a dress made from a tablecloth! Yes, she is really handy with a needle and thread!
If sewing isn’t your thing, there are recipes, tutorials, amazing finds, plus fun and adventure. It’s all a part of today’s Featured Hoosier Blogger!
Indiana Blogs: Mouse in My Pocket
Why did you start Mouse in My Pocket?
I started my blog in 2010, after deciding that I wanted a place on the web to share personal stuff, and not just projects for my web design business.
It was really a way for me to try to separate my personal and professional life.
What about that name? Why Mouse in My Pocket?
My husband used to make fun of me for saying “we” when I meant “I”; especially when I said things like “we need to make dinner” – you know he wasn’t going to help. It got to the point that instead of correcting me, he would ask me if I had a mouse in my pocket.
For a while, I even carried a cute little toy mouse in my purse, just to say that I did. That was until the cat found it. Now that cute mouse is just icky.
What are three of your most favorite posts?
Asking me what my favorite posts are is really like asking me what my favorite projects are, because usually my posts are simply records of my projects, outfits, or favorite recipes, but I did manage to pick out a few things I think you might enjoy too.
- The Stacker Saga is actually a post by my husband (his posts are always my favorite). He really is an amazing writer, and he doesn’t post on the blog nearly enough. This post is about fixing up some old farm machinery.
- My Amy Butler Weekender Bag is a post about the Weekender Bag that I made in a weekend. I love this project and post for a couple reasons. First, it was a challenge, and definitely a learning experience for me. I always love a finish, but they are best when you really feel like you’ve accomplished something. I also love that in doing this project I have hopefully spurred others to give this project a try. Even though my bag isn’t perfect, if this inexperienced home décor sewist (yes I still consider myself inexperienced, especially since I’d never sewn anything that had a pattern when I took this on) can do it, you can too – even if there is a little trial and error.
- Crazy Quilt Tutorial I’m pretty sure that this is not the best tutorial in the world, and it may not even be the best tutorial on making a crazy quilt block, but I love this post anyway. It helped me to learn to think about the process I use in my projects, and maybe even improve it a little. It’s also my most pinned post, not that it’s been pinned a lot). I hope that means that someone else will use this tutorial to make their own crazy quilted projects.
What keeps you ready and raring to post? Why do you blog?
My blog has been a work in progress since the very beginning. It’s constantly changing and evolving. I love to quilt and sew, but I’m also a tech geek and a sci-fi nerd – plus I love fashion. So, sometimes I don’t know what to post, just because I can’t decide.
For me, the best part about blogging is the interaction I get with other people. I love to know what people think about my projects, and how they think I could make them better (this is where you go to my blog and comment on everything). Even just a note to say that someone has stopped by and read something makes my day.
You sure seem to keep yourself busy! What is your idea of the perfect day?
It may seem like I’m busy all the time, but I promise I’m not. I have a lot of days where I just don’t feel inspired to do anything.
So, I think my perfect day would just be one where I felt inspired to work and create all day (although I wouldn’t mind sleeping in an extra hour or two).
It looks like you usually have some sort of sewing project in the works. What are your favorite kinds of things to sew?
I do sew a lot, which is strange, because up until a couple of years ago I hadn’t sewn anything since middle school home economics class.
Since I started sewing again, my favorite thing has been to make projects were I am pushing my boundaries and learning new techniques – even when the learning part sucks.
For example, my very first finished sewing project was a quilt for my sister, that was all straight lines, and since then, while I still make quilts, I’ve also graduated to creating clothing for myself.
Got any tips for beginner sewing projects?
Don’t be like me. Start simple. There are lots of great tutorials for beginners, and even for more advanced sewists.
If you’re interested in sewing clothes, start with something simple like a gathered skirt – there is a great tutorial over on Simple Simon & Co. called A Vintagely Modern Skirt.
If you’d rather make quilts, start with something simple by purchasing a pre-cut charm pack and make a basic patchwork quilt top from the squares – I’ve made one of these quilts myself.
Is there anything else that you would like little Indiana readers to know about you or your blog?
I love feedback on my projects, whether it’s good or bad (hey, everyone needs a little constructive criticism every now and then). I’m always super excited to get comments from my readers, and make an effort to respond to all of them. So please don’t be shy. I promise I won’t bite.
Indiana DOER
This is one Indiana blogger that may just inspire ME to give sewing a try. She makes it sound so fun! Thanks to Andrea for sharing her clever know-how today!
Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.
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