Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Add one more please!


I got the diaper bag done, and met my "end of March" deadline!

The outside is Carnival Bloom in Brown by Michael Miller, and the interior is coordinating Dumb Dot in Aqua


.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Whoa! Really???

So I was just thinking about this last month.  It's hard to believe it's the day before the end of March!  Seems like it's gone by fast.  At least until I think about how busy I've been sewing this month....  Since March 1st, when I got my Brand New Baby, I've made:
 10 crayon/marker rolls
 1 diaper bag
 1 tote bag
 3 aprons
 2 chef hats
 1 journal cover
 2 wonky journal covers
 1 quilted table runner
and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, not really the partridge in a pear tree, but I did do the rest of it! :)  And if I have my way, I'll knock another diaper bag out before midnight tomorrow night!  I heart sewing!  

And I heart these 3 too.  A lot.  



Monday, March 29, 2010

My Week of Fabric


When you can't go out and play, what's the smartest thing you can do?  Why, buy more toys for when you can play again!  And that's exactly what I did over the last week!

First, I got this gorgeous Honey Bun and Layer Cake from Leah at Burgundy Buttons.  

It's Nostalgia by April Cornell for Moda.  I have some plans for it for my Mama!

Then, the Rowdy Bunch and I took a trip to Idaho for some shopping, and this is what I came home with....


I have plans for all of it!!   What's in there you ask?  Well, I see some bags (gotta feed the addiction) and an apron or two, and maybe some bag accessories.  

And then I went to the mailbox, and found this!


Happiness is a package from Ari at Buttercuppity full of 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda.  I love this fabric even more in person than I did drooling over it seeing it on the 'net.

So now I just need to conquer my fear of the rotary cutter, send the hubby on another business trip, and get to creating!  I am SO excited!!!

I am sure I will have a few things left over for this month's Friday Night Sew-In.  Maybe. 



And in case you're wondering, that's a little over 20 yards of fabric, and then I ordered another 3 last night.  Hmm, I think I might have an addiction on my hands.  Don't tell my hubby, okay?

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Rotary Cutter - 1, Erin - 0

So I was cutting some fabric yesterday, and had a big OOPS!

About an hour and a half later, I was back home with 4 stitches in my finger, and a slight hesitation to pick up the rotary cutter EVER again.

So there may be a little silence here for a bit.  It's hard to get my thoughts out when I have to chicken peck type!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Another "Hip Mama" and Friday Night Sew-In

Time to GET INSPIRED!  with a FRIDAY NIGHT (or morning in my case) SEW-IN!














A friend of mine really liked the diaper bag I made for myself, and asked me to make one for her.  I think it turned out SO fab!  She sure is going to be one hip mama, don't you think?







I think the Michael Miller fabric makes a fun diaper bag.  This doesn't say "mommy" to me at all!

This was my Friday "Night" Sew-In project, though due to few things, I had to do my sew-in in the morning!


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Top Secret NO MORE!

So I can finally reveal what I've been up to lately.  I belong to a great message board full of mommies, and 12 of us just did a sewing swap.  We all send fabric to someone else, they make something out of it and send it back.  Well, this is what I made...



and a journal cover


You're looking at my first 100% completed "quilt."  I use the term quilt loosely, since it is so small.  But still, I DID it!  It's based on this "recipe" from the Moda Bake Shop.  Vickie from Spun Sugar Quilts has got some of the best tutorials out there.  

This was my first swap with the ladies, and I can promise you I will be doing them all in the future!


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I can't believe it...

I must be living in Wyoming under a rock.  Somehow I didn't know that Kate Spain, yes THE Kate Spain has a blog.  I am so sad.  But it's okay now... I can go on.  Especially since she's having a giveaway.  It's of her to die for Verna line.  Have you seen this line?  Talk about pretty with a capital P!!!

And for even more fun, go check out the cute recipe using Verna  that Nicole has over a the Moda Bake Shop.  When you're done there, check out Nicole's blog Our Cozy Nest because she's having a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post!!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Celebrating - lots of giveaways!

First of all, I am THRILLED to tell you that a friend of mine is being featured on a little etsy love today!  Pannay has a wonderful etsy store, but right now, if you check out a little etsy love, you have a chance to win one of her beautimous hair flowers!  So today I am celebrating Pannay!!!

Kari at Fresh Cut Quilt Pattern Co. is celebrating spring and all that goes with it with a giveaway of a Layer Cake of Fig Tree Quilts' Fresh Cottons and 2 of her patterns!


Michelle at Dresden Quilter is also celebrating!  She's celebrating the 1 year anniversary of her blog, and also is a featured blogger on Park City Girl.  Some gorgeous fat quarters will go to the lucky winner!


Me and My Sister Designs are celebrating their release of their "new" again line of Me and My Sister Favorites.  I am so happy to see some of these prints "back" in production!




And last, but most certainly not least, Emily over at Em Celebrates! and of The Peanut's new quilt fame is CELEBRATING life, like no one else I know.  Go nominate someone who YOU think celebrates life!



Monday, March 15, 2010

Another fun giveaway!

Someday, I promise I will do my own.  But for now, jaybird quilts has a great sponsor giveway!  Burgundy Buttons has teamed up with jaybird quilts to giveaway a Jelly Roll from A Breath of Avignon by American Jane & 2 yards of coordinating fabric!!


Happy entering!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

My Sister's Bag Tutorial


Another feat for me this week:  I designed my very first bag from scratch, and made it!  My sister got her RN license in January, and is now working in the neuro unit.  She wanted a bag she could tote her stuff to work in that had pockets she could put her coffee cup in without it spilling.  Erin to the rescue!  So without further ado, I give you "My Sister's Bag."



You will need:
1 yard of fabric for bag exterior
1 yard of fabric for bag interior/accent
1/2 yard fusible fleece
lightweight fusible interfacing (optional)
thread to match fabric for interior/accent
1/4" elastic (approx. 8")


From your exterior fabric you will need to cut the following :

a.  (1) 32" x 15" (main piece of exterior)
b. (2) 14" x 6" (exterior sides)
c. (4) 9" x 5" (pockets on front and back)
d. (4) 9" x 8" (coffee cup pockets on sides)

From your interior/accent fabric you will need to cut the following:

i. (2) 2" x 15" (trim on exterior)
ii. (2) 2" x 6" (trim on exterior - sides)
iii. (3) width of fabric (WOF) x 4" strips (straps)
iv. (2) 2" x 5" (exterior pocket trim)
v. (2) 17 1/2" x 20" (lining)

From the fusible fleece you will need to cut:

(1) 34" x 15"
(2) 15" x 6"

If you are using the fusible interfacing for your "Coffee Cup Pockets," you will need:

(2) 8" x 9"

ALL SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE 1/2" UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

Constructing the EXTERIOR of bag:

Sew trim pieces to exterior pieces of bag (1 i. sewn to each end of a. and 1 ii. to one short side of each b. piece).  Press seams open.

Follow the directions to fuse your exterior trimmed pieces to the fleece.

To make the exterior front back pockets, sew (with RST) 1 c. piece to 1 iv. piece along short side of c.  Press seams open.  Pin and sew 2nd c. piece to trim.  Fold pocket in half, with the trim at the top, right sides together.  Sew along bottom edge only.  Turn pocket right side out and press.  This will allow your pocket to have a finished seam at the top and bottom.  You will hide the unfinished sides under the straps later.  Repeat for other pocket.

Place pockets 4 - 5" down from each short edge of the bag exterior.  Pin in the center of the bag, and using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew 3 sides onto bag, leaving the top of pocket open.
  

To make handle:

Sew short edges of 3 WOF strips together, pressing the seams open.  You will have a GIANT loop of fabric.  Fold in half and press, as though you were making double fold bias tape.  Open and press each edge into center like so:
Fold in half again along original crease, and press.  Using matching thread and a 1/8" seam allowance, top stitch closed along both edges.


Find center of strap and pin to bag, making sure you cover the raw edges of pockets.  You will want to make sure that your strap is going to be even on both sides of the bag.  Starting where the bottom of the bag will be, follow stitch line and sew to bag, stopping and turning at the trim line then continuing back down and around.



To make the side "Coffee Cup" pockets:

If using the fusible interfacing, fuse to 2 of the d. pieces.  Take one interfaced piece, and one NON-interfaced piece and pin RST.  Sew along short side, turn and top stitch 1/2" from seam to create a "tube" for the elastic.   You will now need to "box" your corners to give enough room for a cup to fit in these pockets.  


Measure in 1" from the side and bottom of the pocket on each corner (outer piece, and lining).  Mark this with a line as shown.  You will then fold the lines together, with the RST of the material and sew on the line like so:

Cut excess 1/4" away from the line you sewed.  Repeat on remaining 3 corners, and then again on the second side pocket.  

Cut a 4 - 5" piece of elastic (depends on how stretchy you want it to be) and using a safety pin, run it through the tunnel on the pocket like so:

Using 1/8" seam, tack elastic down at each edge of the pocket.  Pin pocket to side gusset piece and using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch to gusset.  

With right sides together, line up your trim seams on the side gusset and front/back exterior piece.  Use 1/2" seam allowance and sew together.  Repeat on other side, the turn the bag right side out.

To Make Lining:

Pin lining pieces RST, and stitch around 2 short sides 1 long side, leaving a 5 - 6" opening in one side for turning bag.  Next you will box the corners of the lining.  Line up your side and bottom seams, pinching them together.  From the point you have just made, measure in 2 1/2" and mark a line across the corner.  Sew along this line.  Before you trim your seams to 1/4", make sure you are happy with the stitching.  Repeat along other corner.  

Attach lining and bag exterior:

You will need to tuck your handles into the front and back pockets so they stay out of the way.  Place the EXTERIOR of the bag, into the interior of the bag, RST.  Line up the side seams on the lining with the center of the side gussets on the exterior.  Pin and sew using a 1/2" seam allowance.  

Turn bag through the opening of the lining, and slip stitch the opening closed.  Push lining into bag and finger press the lining/exterior seam.  Top stitch around the top of the bag with a 1/8" seam allowance, keeping the handles out of the way.


Then take the handles and sew them with a box and "x" pattern to attach them to the top of the bag and give them strength.


Voila!  You now have a fabulous bag fit for any nurse to carry!


















Friday, March 12, 2010

The Peanut's Celebration!!!



Today was a fun mail day for the Peanut.  He got a nifty new quilt from Emily over at Em Celebrates!.  And he loves it - he told me so.  Now, if we can just keep his brothers from claiming it as their own......




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

44th Street Fabrics Giveaway

I was not so very patiently waiting to see what gorgeous fabrics 44th Street Fabrics had for their giveaway this week, and OMgoodness, was it worth it!    And the best part?  It's like a way more fun for us fabric ho's version of "Where's Waldo?"

So good luck!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Check out these FAB giveaways!!!

So I am a little slow on the tutes I am doing right now.  I wrote and wrote and wrote last night, only to realize tutes must. not. be. written. while. tired.  PERIOD.  So I have a crap ton a little editing to do still.  But they are coming, I promise.

To keep you occupied until then, go enter yourself into some fun giveaways!!!

Vanessa over at V and Co. has a giveaway from The Quilt Shoppe of a gift card, AND a jelly cake!  *drool*

Burgundy Buttons has a great give away for a Moda Advent Box.  You have until the 14th for this one.  On my list of "To Dos" are Advent Calendars for each boy this year... thank goodness it's still only March!
They also have one for a fabulous pattern!

If you love the look of scrappy quilts, Mountain Home Quilts has 2 different groups of scraps to share the love with!

Rachel of p.s. i quilt has a sponsor giveaway of some cutie pie baby stuff!

The Purl Bee has a giveaway of every. single. color. of Kona Cotton.  Yeah, really, every one!!!

Natalia at Piece N Quilt has a BEAUTIFUL Frolic Charm Pack by Sandy Gervais for Moda fabrics that could be yours!

And a giveaway for 2 more patterns over at Sevi Designs.  But these aren't for quilts, they are for to die for kids stuff!!!

Good luck!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Busy as a Bee

Whew.  Have I been a busy bee this week!  I knocked out 2 crayon rolls the first night I had my machine, and those are birthday gifts for my nieces.  Then on Tuesday, I made this

It's a reversible apron for my sister's BFF.  Tiff's birthday was last month, and Meg asked me to make something special for her.  I absolutely love this fabric.  I saw it in January at JoAnn's, before Megan even asked me to make anything for Tiff, and I KNEW it would be perfect for her.  You see, Megan bought Tiff a sweater for Christmas a few years ago that looked like it was black with pink polka dots.  If you looked really closely, the polka dots were actually skulls.  When I took the bolt to the cutting table, the lady there thought it was cute, and then noticed the skulls and flames.  I think she was a little freaked out surprised by it. But I LOVE how this turned out.  I can't wait to hear how Tiff likes it.

Then I made these for Tiff's girls (and how funny is it that she's getting an apron too, and doesn't know it???)


I love making kids's aprons!  They are so much fun, especially when you see them on their new owners.  As a bonus, here's The Munchkin and Gus-Gus in theirs.


Monday, March 1, 2010

Brand New Baby!!!

Well, Baby Lock that is!  I finally got my new machine today.

I love UPS.  The UPS guy doesn't bring you bills - he just brings fun stuff!  So much better than USPS!


Isn't she purty?  


I just had to start on a project or two... my first crayon rolls ever!  And both were done in less than an hour!

I hope my nieces like them.  I sure had fun making them.



My He-man


So The Munchkin just broke his first window.  I am sure there will be more to come, but still, it's a momentous day.  His intended victim - a fly.  His weapon of choice - his fist.

Nice, huh?

Apparently the fly was not traumatized by the event, because he returned to the scene of the alleged attack.

However, he wasn't counting on Daddy and the Attack of the Packing Tape.

Yep, I now have a fly (and all his guts) taped to my living room window.  Bet you're just green with envy (or is that nausea???), huh?

I love my life.

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