Those of you who know me personally are completely unsurprised. Probably there’s some eye-rolling going on here.

Those of you who are crafty types are nodding in sympathy. After all, is there anything more delectably excruciating than treading neck-deep in lovely fabrics while your imagination teems with ideas for them? Or being overcome with indecision about which neat project you should tackle next?

My problem is that I try to tackle them all at once. You know, since I have the cutting board out, I might as well cut out that other pattern, too. Or I’ll be searching through my stash for a specific fabric, and while I’m in there I come across three other pieces that would just be perfect to use for this, that and the other thing, so I’ll just set them out on my (very small) sewing table so that when I’m ready to use them, there they are.

I’ve been having a serious case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach lately. (Lately? Rob asks.)

As the weather warms I’m realizing that my commuting costume needs some adjustments. For example, fleece tights under a short skirt are awesome when it’s in the 30′s, but not so awesome when it’s in the 60′s and 70′s. It’s not warm enough for me to go bare-legged (still with skirt, of course), but I realized this week I don’t own a lighter alternative besides fashion tights (which I don’t want to sacrifice to my bear trap pedals of death).*

So I’ll make some leggings, of course. I’ve got just the fabric already at home: a luscious bamboo doubleknit in slate blue. I also have some lighter jersey fabric, so I should probably make a second pair, as well. And when it gets even hotter I’d like some non-padded bike shorts to keep from flashing everyone on the trail, so I’ll just whip up a couple pairs of those, too… Wait. Is that four projects that I just got from one single necessity? Yes, it is.

But since we’re on that topic, my commuting costume could use some lighter-weight tops, as well. I’ve got a ton of nice knits that I can use, and I’m making some short sleeve merino jerseys (I have a mens short sleeve already in the shop, but I haven’t had the time yet to make womens short sleeves. Keep an eye out, or drop me a line if you’re interested and I can make a custom size for you.).

I’ve also been working on a pair of cycling dress patterns that I hope to have unveiled soon, and to that end I’m taking a pattern-making class in May, which should help me iron out a few of the fitting problems that I’ve been having.

I will share with you a top secret teaser as to how one of them is taking shape:

To top it off, the merchandising team at work just turned over all the apparel for the fall childrens catalog. (I know, I’m writing about fall now, even though it’s April. Good thing it’s gloomy outside to get me in the proper mindset.) There are tons of adorable prints, and some awesome vibrant colors. One dress even had a bicycle as part of the print.

I got so excited to make things for my niece that yesterday night after the turnover I went online and bought 12 yards of various cotton prints. Twelve. Yards. Dear lord, where do I think I’ll get the time to turn that all into darling summer dresses for Lily?

I wasn’t going to admit this, but these are just the cute cotton prints that are already in my stash. The stuff I ordered is still in the mail….

(So, although I’d decided to move away from making and selling of childrens clothes, I’ll most likely be debuting a couple of toddlers summer dresses next month if anyone’s interested. More details when I have them.)

And lest you think that sewing is all I’m over-committed to, let me assure you that this spills into every aspect of my life. As the weather warms, I pine to go camping. This year, I’ve been obsessing about bike camping. I’ve never done it before, but it’s like a siren call to me. I’m reading bike camping blogs, researching routes, and planning to pack every second of every summer day full of fun, dammit.

Guys, I need a rich patron so I can stop working and play with fabric and bikes all day. Any takers?

Also (and sadly, more realistically), does anyone have any recommendations as to good first bike camping trips in the northwest? Much obliged.

* Not to be confused with my clip-in pedals of death.