In response to pleating...

I made an apron this past summer with pleating around the waistband- it my first time doing pleats and it took some getting used to- making sure the iron was hot enough and making sure my pressing was accurate. I'd like to try some new projects that incorporate pleating to refresh me! The clutch you made looks awesome- great job!!!

Pleated Clutch!

My friend I made pleated clutches today at craft day. I messed up practically everything that I possibly could, but eventually it all came together and I learned a lot in the process! I like the pleated look for sure. I also made a fabric flower to put on the front. Overall I love it!

Getting Organized!

So I've been inspired by Pinterest to get a little more organized. Also, I was bored today, so I spent one hour and completely revamped my junk drawer! I used empty boxes, and emptied out a few (dog biscuits, hot chocolate, pasta). I laid them out in the drawer to see which layout would work. I cut them, wrapped them in wrapping paper and scrapbook paper, and then organized my junk into the bins! If I had super cute paper it would have been great, but this works too. Here's a before and after! I'm working on a toilet paper wall art project... Stay tuned!

Start of a New quilt!!

I decided to start a new quilt! I will continue making blocks for the other quilt- but wanted to make a quilt with a repeating block. I used a pattern from a quilt book I got for xmas. This block pattern is neat because it appears as though the squares are overlapping- however it is just the layout and placement of the triangles. Each 12 inch block had 24 pieces of fabric so this is for sure the most complicated block I've done yet!!! I completed 4 blocks and have the material cut and prepared for 4 more- but I envision needing at least 20!!! This will take awhile but as I complete each one it spurs me on to the next!!!

Block #3!!!

Just made a pinwheel block- strangely enough I found it kinda tricky although it looks so simple!! I had to re-sew it a few times to get it square- but I'm happy with it!!! Hung it on the wall with the others:)

Lamp Makeover

I recovered a lampshade yesterday to match the gray, yellow and aqua motif I'm trying to achieve in my bedroom. It was plain black before. I just used modge podge (underneath the fabric only, I learned the hard way that using modge podge on top of the fabric will darken it and doesn't look so hot). I like how it turned out!

I also made another cute little wallet and started a sewing journal to record all the things I make. I wanted to have a place to keep a swatch of fabric from each project and a picture, just for nostalgia's sake. I organized it by month and then listed what the item is, who it was for, where I got the tutorial, and any 'firsts' it was for me (first buttonhole, first zipper, etc.). It turned out super cute, with the help of the cricut of course! I just need to add the printed pictures of each little project. I put a picture of one of the pages from it.

Happy weekend!

Block #2!!!!

Work got canceled yesterday because of tornado warnings so I booked it to the studio to start block #2. I have been wanting to do a zig zag pattern and thought I'd give it a go. This block is double the size of the first one- I'm excited to combine all different size blocks into one quilt!!!!

My new sewing machine!

Over The holiday I got a new sewing machine to replace my cheap kenmore beginning machine I've had for 8 years or so- this new machine is quite the upgrade!!!
It's by a company called Baby Lock and I tried it out today an it is amazing! A world of difference from my last machine!
I played around with a bunch of decretive stitches and then decided to open my new quilting book and make a block- my goal is to make a few blocks a week and have a quilt by the end of The month! The block I chose was fairly simple but I wanted to try and do it as precise as I could- without that much luck! Im sure to get better at making a perfect quarter inch seam ad ironing the seams open- so although this isn't perfect- its a good start!! I'll continue to post my blocks!!!

Last Days Off

I will most likely stop posting so much now that I'm back to work tomorrow! I had another craft day on Saturday with some friends and I made a little mini wallet for my sister and a thread catcher for my sewing desk. I absolutely love this yellow and gray fabric and have been wanting to use it in something that I will look at a lot!

Pillowcase Dress

I have been wanting to make this dress for my friend Liza's baby for a while. It's called a 'fat quarter pillow case dress'. You can make it with a fat quarter bundle. A while ago I bought five coordinating fat quarters specifically to make this dress. It was very simple, but time-consuming, especially because I took the time to try to make it perfect, since hopefully someone will actually be wearing it! It looks really big to me for a size 2T, but I followed the directions, so I hope it fits...!

Apron

I had three friends over today for craft day, and I made this apron. I've been eyeing this fun kitchen-y fabric for a while.

Buttonholes!

I finally learned how to do a buttonhole!!! (And how to sew a button on with the machine). I had heard it was hard so I was nervous about it, but I thought it was super easy! I made another jewelry roll using the same fabric as the pin cushion. I really like how it turned out, for the most part.

Wine cork wreath

I hot glued wine corks over a straw wreath (one layer was neat just to cover the straw and one layer was more artistic to spice it up). I cut berries from a holly sprig to garnish. This one took a little longer but I love how it turned out!

Pin Cushion

I made a quick little pin cushion for the side of my machine for easy access. Of course it's pretty and matches my machine too! :)

Yarn wreath tutorial

Here is my tutorial for the yarn wreaths!

In the first picture I have my supplies laid out. I like to use the straw wreaths (make sure you leave the plastic wrap on otherwise it will make a huge mess and be hard to work with). I've made most of mine to use one color of yarn, a ribbon finish, and then some sort of garnish to put on top!

The second photo shows you how to start it. I use a dab of hot glue to hold the yarn. (Make sure you pull from the outside of the yarn skein. I pulled from the middle on the first one I did and it was a mess!)

The third and fourth picture show the technique I use to wrap the wreath. You'll find the method that works best for you, but I like to start out to the left (picture 3) and then wrap my way back to the right (picture 4)

At the end you cut the yarn and use another dab of hot glue! (Picture 5)

I added ribbon in picture 6 and then used the flowers for garnish in picture 7.

To hang it I use some of the extra ribbon in picture 8 and then voila!!

The last picture is the final product on the door!

Week-long Care Package

I put together a fun week-long care package for my friend Jessica for her first week in Tennessee. I made the envelopes out of Kraft paper and lined them with scrapbook paper. I used my cricut to cut out the days of the week and cute phrases for the cards. Each envelope has a card in it, and as she opens one each day there is something to go with it: The FL-TN pillow for Monday, gift card to a Knoxville restaurant for Tuesday, hot chocolate and pocket hand warmers for Wednesday, a TN map and notepad for Thursday, and two cute sets of notecards for Friday. I wanted to give her something cute and exciting for each day to get her through her first week. I loved the envelopes the best!

Jewelry Roll

I made a jewelry roll for my sister today. She picked the fabrics and ribbon and we designed it together. I think it turned out pretty nice for not having a tutorial to go by and for being a little rushed with time. There are four pockets, a ribbon for earrings and the top pink bar (with a snap) for holding bracelets and necklaces. It rolls up and ties. I think I'm going to make myself one! And no, I don't know how to do button holes yet - I just used regular snaps but put buttons on the other side to make it look better :).