Tie One On!

Here's the other project I was thinking of when I finished the latest bag.  It's a cute little apron and I think it would have also made a cute little dress.  Hmm . . . back to the sewing room!!

 

Goodies, Goodies and More Goodies

Recently I met up with Donna from Donna's Lavender Nest and she surprised with me some birthday goodies.  My birthday was quite awhile ago and no goodies were necessary, but if you know Donna, you know what a kind and giving person she is.  So, I was the lucky one on this particular day!!  Thanks, Donna!!

 Isn't this apron adorable??!!  Donna repurposed a pillow sham and made this little beauty for me.

And then, she gave me all of this beautiful fabric that is from her Etsy store.  Go visit her blog and store; you won't be disappointed!!

 

I see some sweet little quilts or dresses in the near future being made out of these little gems!

 

My heart is full, Donna!  Thank you!!

Bag It

Everyone needs bags, right?  One of my nieces is a certified yoga instructor and I thought it was time I made her a yoga bag.  

 

 The coordinating fabrics were pulled and then quilted together.

 A zipper was added for the opening;

 pocket with buttonhole closure perfect for storing keys and wallet;

 quilted strap added and circular ends attached.

 A lovely peek at the insides

 and voila!  The finished product.

 2nd bag for another niece.  I love these colors.

 The first bag was made using the plate as a template.

 Then I remembered this awesome circle rotary cutter that I have.  I highly recommend this little gem in your arsenal of creative paraphernalia!

 Finished bag

 with inside peek.

 What happens when you go to the store to buy zippers and thread???

I know, right?!  More fabric jumps into the cart and the next thing you know you're home admiring the loot.  Then reality sets in and you get busy making stuff.

 I thought these fabrics were perfect for another yoga bag, but then I decided to go with a simple grab and go bag.  I added an outside pocket

 and an inside pocket with magnetic closure at the top.

cute cute cute 

 These fabrics are heavy duty cotton so they're perfect for carrying groceries or books or anything really.

While making this bag, I had a really great idea for my next project.  Stay tuned . . . hopefully tomorrow I will draft the pattern and get to work sewing it up.  Can't wait!!



A little bit of sanity

Life's been busy, but I've manage to eek out a few projects along the way.

Headbands anyone?  I think I'm going to make a few more of these.  Very easy and practical.

 I finished quilting my niece's quilt and all that is left is the hand sewing of the binding. 

 Sounds like a TV watching kind of project to me.

 I have another new grand nephew that arrived last month . . .

 this is the back of the quilt.  I'm sure this quilt will be on the longarm soon.

 And really, is there no better way to create

than to have the reliable task master keeping you company?

 

He helped pick out these awesome fabrics for my latest yoga bag endeavor.

 

And so it goes . . . lots of stuff to get done and the projects just keep rolling out.  Fortunately, I have this entire upcoming week off so I think I'll be enjoying my fabric stash a little bit more than usual.  That's the plan anyway!

Almost Normal

Okay, my previous post with pictures just went bye-bye so I'm a little annoyed right now.  Hmm . . . let's see if I can recreate my thoughts . . .

Well, my first thought is I don't like having to retell a story I just told, so the condensed version goes like this . . . I've been busy with work these past few months and I haven't been around much.  I have managed to make a few things, but clearly not as much as I'd like to have.  But, these are some of the items I did manage to eek out.

This quilt is for a niece and I just need to make it a little bit longer before I put it on the longarm machine.

I managed to watercolor these pictures I had drawn months ago.  Don't critique too harshly; I'm self taught and I firmly believe that the only person I need to make happy is me and drawing and painting makes me happy.

I attempted another scrap project and this time I made a scarf.  This picture was taken before I added more stitching to it today.  It is now in the dryer to see how it turns out with all the raw edges.  Strips of scraps were gathered and sewn to a muslin base and then a backing was added.  Next time I think I will add it to a fabric base so the muslin doesn't peek through and I think I'll try vertical strips.  For a first try, though, I like it.

 

 My trip to the bookstore one day at lunch netted me this wonderful magazine from the UK.  I really liked the bag pictured in the bottom left hand corner . . .

 

so I copied the pattern onto parchment paper . . .

and made this bag for my girlfriend's birthday . . .

(Isn't this fabric awesome?  It was sent to me from Japan by nephew's wife and mother.  I LOVE it!!  I had exactly 1/2 yard and this bag took up every last piece of fabric.)

and this bag for another friend . . .

both bags are fully lined and feature a magnetic closure and inside pocket . . .



and then I had this brilliant idea to turn the pattern into a shirt . . . possibly a little girl's dress.  This picture doesn't show the straps that tie at the top that are of the same contrasting material as the bound edge at the bottom.

 



and voila . . . here is both the bag and the dress/shirt out of the same material.  What'dya think???

 

Last week I was in NYC and made a stop at Mood Fabrics (Project Runway) so now I think I'm a designer!!!  haha!  The bags and shirt/dress were all made before my trip so I'll have to "design" something else now!!

 

And there you have it . . . not much, but it's a start.