Archive for the 'Sewing' Category


Crafting on the go…

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

I made a few things during the long driving stretches during our trip.  I am usually prone to car-sickness, but I did well.  Just a few curvy spots made me a little whoozy, but I managed to keep my hands busy for the boring parts of the drive (AZ & mid CA).

I forgot washcloths for the camping part of our trip which were very much needed for little sticky hands and messy faces, plus we didn’t have anything to clean up dishes or my gritty feeling face either.  So, three different cloths did the trick.  We managed to keep them straight: the square one for the boys, smaller round one for me and the big round one for dishes. They worked out well.

I also made a little sewing/needle book to keep in my purse. I’ve been needing one for a while.

Mini Laptop Bag

Friday, May 29th, 2009

front

I was commissioned to make this for a friend at work.  She has one of these teeney little laptops and couldn’t find a good bag for it.

back

She picked the fabric and I went to work.

inside

I’m really happy with how it turned out.  I’d like to make a couple more for my little guys, but with colors and fabric they choose.  They would be adventure bags, so they can carry all their little treasures and findings when we go out. This way, they can carry the rocks in their bags, instead of me. Who am I kidding? I’ll end up having to carry the bags!

We are getting ready for a big trip to California next week.  Leaving on Tuesday for 10 days! Going up the coast from San Diego to San Fransisco.  Any craft fairs or very interesting-quirky cool places we shouldn’t miss?  Just asking so I don’t miss the opportunity to visit some place very cool or crafty. I’m hoping to hit some really great farmer’s markets and fresh fruit! Yum!!

Have a lovely weekend!!

New skirt

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Another stretchy knit skirt made from thrifted fabric.  I made it six panels so that it would be kinda zig-zaggy.  Figuring that out, the zig-zag thing, was kind of a pain- but it all magically worked out. Thank goodness I had some good yardage to work with.

I used my own pattern.  Divided my waist size by by six and then made the bottom edge about 15 inches wide and the length is about 19-20 inches.  I didn’t add anything for seam allowance because of the stretchiness.

It’s got some good swish & twirl factor which is a must have for summer skirts.  At first I thought the stripes might be too loud, but I love the color combo and it will go nicely with a solid brown tank and brow flats.

Oh, how I love summer sewing!

Eye care about stuff

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

A little pun for you.  Just feeling a little goofy, and tired this morning.  Maybe I’m feeling an adrenaline high from all of the positive feedback about my show.  The nervous queasiness is there making a slow and steadily increasing presence.

I was alerted by the MSL producer of my show that the Martha Stewart Show doesn’t air on CBS everywhere.  So please check her website on the left sidebar where is says, “Local Show Schedule” and enter your zip code.

Now an update on my sister’s surgery.  It all went really well.  She was very nervous, but a little IV sedative did the trick.  She only received local anesthesia and had her right eye covered while they worked on her left eye.  She could actually see light, movement and tools while they were working on her own eye!!!! Isn’t that totally crazy and creepy at the same time?

Hopefully her body will accept the new cornea and not try to reject it. Keep your fingers crossed for her. All of your good thoughts, prayers and kindness has helped so much already.

I sent her a little care package to help aid in her recovery.  An eye mask, an aromatherapy eye pillow with lavender and three eye patches.  She asked me for the eye patches because she will need to keep her eye covered for several days. Maybe she can coordinate them to match her outfits when she goes back to work.

Tomorrow is the last day of school, so we have been making little end-of-the-year gifts for Super-E’s friends.  Just simple little bookmarks make from cereal boxes that I found at plumpudding, via crafty crow.  We might add something else if we have the time.

weekend sewing and it’s all good

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Here is my Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing.  Somehow, it all worked out.  I thought I had lost all the efforts of a beautiful new shirt, but instead, I want to make more.  Many more!

It all magically ended up working out.  I made the sleeves 3/4 length and took in the sides. I also used hem tape so I wouldn’t lose any more of the length.  I love how it turned out and it may be my new favorite shirt.  Next time, I will make it a tad bit longer and try even shorter sleeves since it’s starting to get so warm.

I also made three new simplicity 3835 tops, assembly line style.  I had only planned making 2, but I got a strong surge of sewing adrenaline that pushed me on through.  I love them all and am looking forward to making a few more summer tops and a couple of skirts too.

Which summer pattern are you loving?

flowers and prep

Friday, April 24th, 2009

I threw this little bunch of roses together for a bridal shower I went to a couple of nights ago.  Spaghetti sauce jar with some pretty paper and some roses from my garden.  Super easy and cheep little gift.  I also made a couple of pair of earrings that I forgot to take pictures of.  Another quick and easy gift.   The party was fun and a little crazier than expected, seeing that the Bride-to-be is in her 50’s.

I spent most of today cutting out some fabric to make a few new shirts.  A few Simplicity 3835’s and the Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing.  I was half way through the summer blouse but had to stop for fear of blowing my top.  First, I had a hard time fitting all the pieces on the fabric (has anyone else had this problem?).  I used the called for amount, but the sleeves are huge and just wouldn’t fit.  Finally, I ended up making short sleeves.  Then, when I joined the front and back, it was way to wide and too short.  So now I’m back at the drawing board to figure out how to save my pretty sea foam colored, embroidered fabric.  Don’t get me wrong.  The book is beautiful and very well done.  I just think I need a good nights sleep so I can figure it out in the morning.

Patchwork Swap 09

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

I love this swap.  It’s such a great idea.  You get rid of some fabric scraps, get some new pretty ones, plus a lovely little patchwork gift in the mail–from someone you may have never met!  I had such a fun time putting my package together and even more fun opening my patchwork package from Liz.

Here is what I made:

A small tote and some coasters made from an old vintage quilt top that I thrifted almost exactly a year ago.  It’s such a beautiful piece that I wanted to keep it all together, but there were too many stains and holes that couldn’t be repaired.  I did manage to save a piece big enough for a baby quilt or lap blanket.  The rest I cut into.  I have lots of pieces left over to make myself a tote, more coasters and maybe some pot holders too.

The fabrics used for making the quilt top are to die for.  How I would love to get my hands on some of that fabric.  Each square was hand sewn together!  I marvel at the time it must have taken to make this beautiful piece.  The person I bought it from was the daughter of the maker.  She had no interest in keeping it and I was aghast.  But, I tucked it under my arm (along with another quilt top) and gladly handed over 5 bucks.

Now I think it a sort of tribute to that women who made this beautiful quilt, to pass a bit along to other crafty women.  Women who truly appreciate the hard work, love and time that went into making it.

Here is what the very lovely Liz made for me.  A beautiful patchwork scarf and an extremely generous assortment of fabric scraps, buttons and notions.  I was drooling everywhere! No joke.  I, unfortunately forgot to take a picture of everything I put in the tote I made.  I hope it all was well received.

Two Hats

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

I made these hats last summer and never shared them because I was waiting for the pillowcase book to come out.  Then I kinda forgot and remembered just today. My pattern is in this book.

I was sorta disappointed that I didn’t get to use flowery prints for the book, so I made these for myself.  The original one that I made a looong time ago, was torn apart to assist me with pattern making.

The green hat is made from vintage barkcloth (I think) and the inside is a solid khaki.  The blue & green print is an old pillowcase and it has a green and white stripe print on the inside.  Both are reversible.

I love these hats.  I wear them all the time and they have been through a lot too.  They get thrown in the back of the car, get things piled on them in the closet and still have managed to hold their shape pretty well.  I have not washed them yet, so hopefully they keep sorta clean for a while.

Baby Owl Set

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Another little baby set for a friend at work.  Not the greatest picture.  I snapped this at 640 am, just before heading to work yesterday morning.

I love those little owls.

******Related Posts******
Big Baby Package for my Friends
More bib sets and randomness
Baby gift set with bag (this post has the links to bib and booties pattern)
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Pillowcase Challenge

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

I finally got my hands on this book, Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase.  After seeing Michelle post about it, I had to get a copy and share my excitement. Thank you Michelle for sharing:)

I did two projects for this book that I am very excited about–the reversible sun hat and the simply red skirt.  It was great fun doing this and learning a bit of the process of getting something published.  Not as scary as I once thought. And it’s pretty incredible seeing your name printed in a book!

……

Even some follow bloggers that I “know”, like Bella Dia, Oh Fransson!, and Vintage Chica are in this great book.

The book itself has loads of great things to make.  Twenty-eight projects within categories such as Wear, Show and Live. I’m looking forward to trying the lounge pants, sunny lunchbox, crocheted bowl, baby quilt and maybe a dress or apron for my niece.  I definitely have enough pillowcases to work with.

Go check it out!!