Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

My kids are having their parties today and tomorrow at school. My little boy had Spiderman cards, but the girls and I will be making theirs tonight. They are butterflies with a Tootsie Pop as the center. I think the idea came from Skip to My Lou- I will check on that.


My hubbie and I are hosting a pre-party for some friends and neighbors then going to see an 80's cover band! Nothing says loving like 80's music! I have been trying to decorate the house a little and made a Valentine's day banner for my window. It is very simple and not a lot of detail. There is a great example and tutorials by Melissa at http://www.polkadotchair.blogspot.com. She has lots of other fantastic ideas as well- she is someone I read regularly- thanks Melissa.


So here is what I created- I have a friend who does Stampin Up, she cut the background shape for me (for a different project I never did). I shaded the edges of the shape red, used two ovals to set the center- bottom oval stamped in black with a canvas background stamp and the top with a fun Valentine word printed off the computer. Fun, Flirt, Sweet, Smitten to name a few- I worked with 9 but you could come up with lots! Laugh, Love, Giggle, Crush! I hung it on thin black ribbon and used two wired red bows to top of the sides.

Alphabet Squares

Every February my children's school has an event which each grade needs to put a basket together for auction. Being the loving parents we are if it is something clever the kids put there hands on, literally and figuratively, we may bid more on the item! I am the room mom for one of my preschooler's and took on the project for both classes. It is a very simple and easy quilt but did take some time!
There are 30 students between the 3 yr olds and 4 yr olds- sounds like the alphabet to me!! I used white muslin and fabric markers to get the children involved- one title square, 26 letters and a couple of numbers. I drew each of the numbers and letters to start. Each student was able to decorate a letter or number- many of them it is just scribbles, some were really creative, in the end, I thought it turned out great!
With the finished squares, I used my pinky shares on the edges, stitched them down on black and yellow fleece- school colors of course! Then fringed edges and tied them together- I think it turned out great and hopefully will have plenty of bidders!!

Hppay New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!! It is 2010!!

I haven't really thought- or really I have thought but not seriously enough- about my resolutions or goals for the year! I think that my brain will start to focus when the kids go back to school on Monday! There is much I would like to do this year- I think writing them down is important and will help!!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season!!!

Pack your Holidays with a Punch!

On Sunday I had my first open house "boutique". I had myself and 3 other crafting friends set up tables on the first floor of my house. It was so fun to invite family, friends and neighbors to show them what we can do. We each have sort of started or re-energized our efforts this year so it was a great way to introduce each others talents to people we know! It was also a fun and festive atmosphere that sometimes can get lost on a bigger show.

Thanks to all those who attended and supported our efforts!

Trying to Get Projects Done!

I find that I am stuck in a state of panic and can't get anything done! Have you ever been like that! I have a few purse orders to finish. I have all the material- even some of it cut and ready to go! I just seem to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off!!

So I thought if I blogged about it I would get it out of my system and down to work!! Here is an example of one of my purses that I have to make! This one is finished and sold, but I found 4 or 5 great corduroy's to work with to make more!!

Thanks!

Halloween Is Coming!

I had a great time at the craft show last week! Thanks to all my friends and neighbors!!!

Some of my biggest sellers were my Halloween ideas! I have talked and blogged before how much fun I think applique is! I feel like it was this hidden gem of an idea that I just discovered in the last year!

Well I bought some great hand drawn designs at Sophia Grace Boutique, here is the link : http://april0115.etsy.com . If you are into applique you should check her out!! She has some really cute designs and it great to work with!!!

I have to get some work done!

Getting Ready for a Craft Show

I haven't done a craft show in probably a year and a half. I had a great opportunity to do a table at a back to school social for the Women's Club of my children's school. There will only be a few tables displaying items and an opportunity to show my friends and neighbors what I can do.

The down side- I am a stressed out mess who needs to get organized, think smart and get down to work!!! I have some fun fabrics for purses and bags, I have keyfobs- they have been a hit in this neighborhood! And I have some great ideas for Halloween to roll out for the kids! I think my brain and ideas are moving faster than I am able to produce items!!

Anyhow- here is a sneak peek at one of the items I created!!

I bought a New Machine!!!!

I have been wanting and talking about getting an embroidery machine for probably 7 years. Mind you, I have been sewing for seven and a half!!

Last week I finally bought one!! I had my instructional classes on the sewing portion this week! I was lucky to be the only student and learned so much!! I have my embroidery tutorial in two weeks!!

I can't wait to start sewing and embroidering on the new machine!! So much to learn and try!!

Estate Sale Find!

I am not a big one for garage/yard sales or even estate sales. I should be, there are treasures to be found, but I think a lot of times I will find something, know what can be made of it, and then never finish the said project. But every once and a while you can find just the thing, or a little something that can make you smile.

Recently I found a bounty of fun for $8!! No big ticket item you see- just a smattering of notions!

A case holding many spools of thread- a good handful of them fairly new. Two fun vintage patterns- they were a quarter each- how could I resist, even if I don't ever use them! And snaps and buttons- lots of buttons! That, need to find a fun glass jar to display all my buttons bag of buttons!!

I am sure that I can find some use for most of these things!! Now if I could just get my "sewing" room done!! I am trying to organize it- my forever comment, but I do have a designated space and I am trying to clean it out and make it more efficient- and pretty!!

I will have to post some befores and afters- even if those afters take a while!!

Fun Skirts

In my last post I talked about when projects don't work out- it is frustrating, but don't think for a second that I won't put some of that cute fabric to work!!

I had another project in the works- and I love how it turned out!! It is bandana skirts that I made for my sister's nieces! I love them! Her daughter has a matching green one, but I must have forgotten to take a picture! They are wearing them during a family reunion vacation.

I combined two tutorials to make the skirt to work for me. http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2008/12/tutorial-bandanna-skirt.html and

http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/

My bandannas came from Wal-Mart- they were in the teen accessories department and too cute. They just were a little too thin so I wanted to back them- I used muslin to make the inside layers and used the twirly skirt instructions to add the band and waistband. I think they turned out pretty well!

And my love of fabric applique came back to visit- matching t-shirts. I have extra material from that bandanna so I might make some hair clips too!

Some projects are just not meant to be!

Have you ever started a project and you are excited by it, can't wait to see the final product and when it is done... well it is not what you want and really isn't worth fixing? I bought pre-smocked fabric to make the super simple dresses for my girls. I thought this would be a fun, easy, quick project and something they could throw on all summer.

It didn't work out so well! First I don't know if I didn't cut the skirt part right or if I just decided I didn't like the fabric anymore but they will not be wearing them. They just didn't lay right on either girl- the skirt part was not roomy enough and their typically not white underwear would be seen right through. If it is a fun summer dress I don't think taking the time to pick out the perfect undies or finding a slip (not really but you get the point) should be required!

So the fabric- two fun versions of pink- perfect for many a baby gift to come I think! I wasn't completely wrong on its cuteness factor- just its use!!

Until the next one!!

Fun Baby Gift!

I love to make things for others- and I love love love when the recipient understands "where" it comes from!! Above is a baby gift I made for my hubbie's cousin. She and her husband are big "preppies" if that would be the right word to use! I found the navy blue flannel a couple of years ago before they were even married and held on to it because it was so them!! This was a very fun gift to give!!

The small blanket finishes at approz 17 x 17- I used 6in blocks to make a 9 block square and backed with a super soft chenille. It is perfect size to go over the baby in the infant carrier! It can be easily a nice small lovely! I think I will have to make a bib for them too with the fabric.

The tie onesie t-shirt is an idea I have seen a few times and I love it!! In my previous post I talked about being in love with fabric applique- this is one of those items that was so fun to do!!

The hooded towel was an idea I saw on Make and Takes- this is a great blog that has some clever ideas for every level and age group. Here is the link http://www.makeandtakes.com/easy-hooded-bath-towel I had tried a different style a few years ago and it didn't work out- these instructions were simple and straight forward, the end product turns out perfect!

Enjoy!!!

Fabirc Appliques!

I am currently in love with fabric applique!

I have learned what a fun tool, or technique wonder under can be!! I have made a few t-shirts with my girls intials on it and it is the birthday party gift de jour- or season. I have been finding more and more creative ideas on Etsy or other people's creative blogs and want to keep trying! I have a baby shower to attend this weekend for my hubbie's cousin- she is a great girl- she and her sisters have been the best and I can't wait to show them the fun things I have made for the new baby and also the exsisting kiddos!!

Summer is here and most of this unfortunate rainy day was spent printing out letters and shapes, cutting them out of a stack of ugly card stock I had and tracing them! This is what I have been up to... hopefully tomorrow I can show completed items!!

Keyfobs

I have seen these on etsy before and everyone raves how easy they are! I feel like I hadn't accomplished anything this week and wanted to do something beginning to end. I whipped these up quickly while doing a load of wash. I will post them in my etsy shop!

I bought my webbing and metal rings on etsy from http://www.everythingribbons.etsy.com/ my ribbon was from my collection. I have a small addiction to buying cute ribbon when I see it- it was fun to put it to use!!

They are also great to use, I made one last week for myself as a tester and have been putting it to use everyday!!!

Trying to figure out this blogging thing...

I feel like I get sucked into this computer at times, especially while trying to do things I do not understand. Understanding how to ceate a better blog- or better looking takes up so much time! I think by the time I am ready to retire either I will have figured it out or my children will know more than I!!

I need to start working on some gifts and I need to blog them- I feel like taking pictures of them and blogging them is my reward for finishing them! So hopefully later today I will have a gift or two done!!
Happy Friday!

A Few Things I created

I thought I should share a few of the things I have made over the years. This purse was made out of the first "pattern" I wrote for myself. I had a friend who had a bag she loved roughly the same size and shape and I tried to figure out how to make it. I actually cut a paper "craft" gift bag in half and used that to trace on my fabric. Then just measured some interior pockets and the strap. I used the heaviest interfacing and it wears and washes well. The interfacing will loosen some but it still holds it shape and the purse can stand on it's own.

Starting Out

I am new to blogging but lately I seam to have been sucked into so many great creative blogs! I have enjoyed seeing and reading about what people are creating. It inspired me to get to the sewing table and try something new! I have been sewing for about 7 years but never do clothes other than a simple hem. Well, I sewed two skirts for my girls. I love them- I hope when they are teenagers they won't be made at the pictures! Once I figure out what I am doing on here, I will try and post some pictures.