blog

First things first, my Christmas haul!

That's it?!

I asked for nothing this year. Since I just moved the last thing I want is more stuff. I'm desperately trying to downsize. But I did really want the pink Evo, which is a much cuter color than the limited hot pink one and I'm glad I refused to get scalped trying to get it. The journal is of coure this year's journal! I'm trying the new Hibino color though of course it will be covered by my own cover! I haven't finished it yet, since I was second guessing my initial design choices. I've also been preoccupied with other sewing. Also, the book was given to me by my grandma (and a little money). It seems like she's telling me to give up on longterm gainful employment.

Anyway, how was my 2025 overall? Well, I feel like last year was such a rollercoaster for me. Had a lot of highs and a lot of lows. I'm glad I was able to have some experiences and accomplishments, but I'm a little apprehensive about the future. I write notes in my journal for a future me at the end/beginning of the year, and last year's says something like “Please tell me grad school was worth it!” and I don't know how to answer myself yet! But recently one of my friends I reconnected with over the holidays said she's looking into getting into a similar program as I was in herself and asked for advice about choosing one. Well, sometimes you just have to leave things up to chance! Spin a wheel or flip a coin or something. Hard work doesn't always pay off, but no work is guaranteed not to get you anywhere right...

So anyway I do have a few goals for 2026. For website stuff, the layout I had in mind isn't entirely finished to match my imagination but I'll chip away at it as I feel like it. Since I like making my own assets it gets a little daunting sometimes. But if I keep it simple I can change things up whenever I want and only break a couple of pages, some of the time. I want to be “done” with this latest refresh in a month or so. We'll see.

And as I mentioned I've been enjoying lots of sewing! I started working with mohair after getting into teddy making. I really enjoy it, even though it's definitely hard on my machine and it's difficult to match seams. I've been told I have a wool allergy but I get rebellious and test it out every once in a while. This is one of those times. But since it's only resting on my palms for short periods of time I've been able to avoid a rash. And since it's the weather for it, it's hard to tell if congestion is from the cold or the material. I really hate working with faux fur but if it really becomes an issue I guess I'll go back to viscose, which is cheaper and a little easier to work with anyway.

But before I give up on my dreams of mohair teddies forever, I've been working furiously on an usakumya that I mentioned in the last advent calendar. Actually the pattern is mostly straightforward without instructions but I messed up on the bonnet a little. I wanted to make mine removeable (for a true usakumya), but in the original pattern, the bonnet is sewn on and there are no bear ears underneath. As such, the bonnet isn't lined and the edge facing the front of head isn't hemmed, so the seam allowance can be trimmed. Or that's what I assume. In any case I should have accounted for this when putting mine together, but I didn't, so I did my best to match lengths and reduced the seam allowance. It's a different shape now but I think it's not too bad. This is basically a project that allows no do overs anyway. I have no leftover fabric!

But basically all of the pieces are finished and ready for stuffing now. After I finish usakumya I have some projects, mostly clothing, I've been putting off. I have some pockets to add and sleeves to modify. And a light jacket I've yet to complete even though all the pieces are cut and ready to go. But I think I work better when I just take one thing at a time sequentially. So after all of those are out the way, maybe I'll pick up teddies again.