Did you hear the one about....

....

Actually, there is no joke. I have a hard time with titles they all seem to be pretty boring after I post them.

Just checking back in here to keep you up to date on what I'm working on. Yesterday I wanted to get out my embroidery again and I don't like all the time it takes to trace out a pattern so I decided to wing it. Sort of.

I pictured in my head what fall leaves should look like then I drew one on my linen. After I stitched it I drew two more on either side of it. They didn't turn out exactly as I was hoping (I have a graphic I wanted to use but my husband had the computer and I couldn't get a look at it) but I'm liking it. It's something that I made.

After the leaves were done I wanted to add something for the border in a nice color. However after I finished it up it made the acquaintance of Mr. Seam Ripper. I then put it away to get a fresh idea of what to do in the morning.

So today I figured what I wanted and now it's almost done. I've paused to write this post about it before I finish the last bit of stitching. Then I'll find some coordinating fabric in my stash to make it a nice fabric frame (something I saw at a friends house gave me the idea).

Sorry in advance about the pic quality. I used the webcam on my laptop. The colors are brown, gold and dark red. The border is brown and the curly cues are dark red. (Yes I know they aren't quite real to life looking leaves but hey I said I was doing it off the top of my head. My husband called the gold one a holly leaf.)

Hand-stitched Binding and Sports

I enjoyed working on these pot holders. I've needed new ones for quite some time so I finally decided to make myself some. I used fabric from the Fresh Squeezed charm pack by Moda.


It was my first time hand-stitching a binding and I found this ladder stitch tutorial at "Turning Turning" to be a big help. Surprisingly I liked how my first one turned out better than my second one. I stitched the binding while watching multiple sports channels with my husband. It's something I can sew while sitting with him instead of at the machine.

I got the grommet idea from Cassie at You Go, Girl!. She also has a great tutorial for binding. I didn't use it though because I lack a walking foot.

Here is an upclose view of the stitching I used.

I've Been Tagged

Yesterday Glenna at Your Fabric Place sent an email telling me I had been tagged & given a blog award.
The award states that you give 7 facts about yourself and “tag” 7 fellow bloggers.

So here goes with the 7 things about me!

1. I am a naturally shy person. Most people don't know this b/c of the "job" I have as a Pastor's wife. "The ministry is people!"


2. I mix white rice with tartar sauce! (Don't knock it 'til you try it!)


3. I have loved horses and have wanted one since I was a kid but my mother always told me, "You can get one when you get married!" Well, now that I'm married and 4 kids later I realize it will be quite a few more years before I can look into it. So I content myself with decorating my house with horses. =)


4. I have a violin that I have not touched in 2+ years! (That looks awful!) I want to pick it up again soon and take lessons again.


5. I love Disneyland more when I take my kids with me. The wonder on their faces is priceless!


6. My most favorite meal in the whole world is Chicken-stuffed dumplings. My mom would make it for me on my birthday. Now I make it for myself from time to time. Which reminds me that I need to put it on our menu soon.

*Edited to say: Due to a couple of requests I added a link to the recipe.


7. I realized I was a sinner and couldn't get to Heaven on my own good works. And at the age of 16 I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins. Now I'm apart of God's family and that brings joy and peace into my life like nothing else can bring.

Now for the 7 bloggers I need to pass this on to. These are all blogs I love to read and hope you'll enjoy them as well!

You Go, Girl!
Tammy's Times
My Spare Time
Making More with Less
Joy's Hope
By Grace
Amazing Mae

Just a Peek...

...at my current WIP. It's not on any of my lists at left because I add projects (in my head) to my to do list faster than I can add them on here. lol

Since I'll have to miss another sewing class (this time due to a sick husband) I'm having my own sewing class with me, myself, and I in between taking care of 3 little girls and an adorable baby boy.

By the way have you seen him lately?

Here he is before his first introduction to solid foods (rice cereal) and during the procedure.



He did good and finished everything. Now I need to make him some very cute bibs! Yet another item to add to my to do list!

Adding To My List....

of things I need to make!



I bought this pattern the other day hoping to use it with this fabric until I read the fine print and discovered it was a BIAS tunic/top pattern. I was a little disappointed b/c I don't think this fabric will look good cut on the bias. Oh well, I liked the pattern still so I decided to hang on to it and find some fabric to make a top with.

Well, this morning a friend of mine came over to visit my daughter (she's her Sunday School teacher) and I invited her down to ask her opinion on something completely unrelated to sewing (she's awesome at interior design). Then we got talking about sewing since my machine is out and there are boxes of fabric around. She pulled out one piece to ask me about it and as I explained I remembered this beautiful off white satiny piece I had in the same box (another friend went through her stash to destash it and gave me 2 boxes full of fabric and this piece was in it).

When I first had seen this piece I thought it would make a beautiful top and now I had the perfect pattern to go with it! There is slightly over 3 yards of material so I have plenty to make the tunic version. I've never worked with this kind of fabric before so it will be a challenge. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm planning on making a muslin one first to make sure I get the measurements and all the directions right.

Simple Baby Blankie

Wow I started and finished a project in one day! (Well, sort of lol) Over at My Spare Time she has a great tutorial for a simple baby blankie. I finally got my material on Monday and made it last night while my husband had to stay late at the church.

It wasn't too hard just lots and lots and lots of pinning! This was also my first time using blanket binding and while it would have been easier to use a walking foot, I don't have one, I just used a lot of pins. (I'll take one if you want to give one to me!!) I'll be adding a walking foot to my Christmas list this year.

I may still add something to this blanket by way of applique in the future. Our son, Caleb, was given his name by his dad b/c Caleb is his favorite Bible character. I would like to do an embroidered scene of his favorite verse about Caleb then applique it to the blanket in one of the corners.

Speaking of the "one day project" I started this right before the kids went to bed at 7:30 and finished up about 30 minutes or so after my husband came home at 3:00AM!! So technically I worked on it 2 days and yes I stayed up way too late but I hate leaving projects unfinished. (Even thought I still have many WIP's in my craft pile.)

Recent Acquistions and More Repurposing

Well, after getting dinner done early, packing up my machine and a project to work on, I had to miss sewing class. =( I couldn't find my notebook with the instructions for my project that I wanted to work on. I was very stressed out in not being able to find it. My husband even helped me to look for it. It wasn't until I decided not to go and I unloaded my machine from the van that I found my notebook.

Such is life.

So instead my husband took me out shopping to my favorite fabric stores (well really the only fabric stores in our area) and I had a great time!!


There were a lot of nice fabrics in the 1/2 off bin at Beverly's! They even had some Michael Miller's at 25% off but I didn't grab any of that (I may go back though! lol)

I grabbed some new needles for my machine, just universal. I need to learn more about needles and the different types and what's the best brand. If anyone has any pointers I'd be happy to learn!
I've been wanting to make myself some new hot pads and I've had this Fresh Squeezed charm pack for awhile but didn't have any coordinating fabric so I found that orange striped in the 1/2 off bin and it was perfect for it!

But even better is that I thought it would make a cute baby blanket for my little guy! I've been wanting to make one ever since My Spare Time posted her tutorial. So I got the binding, thread, and blue camo flannel for the entire project. I just need to wash the fabric now so I can start on it.

I'm not sure what I'm going to make with this piece yet but I bought 2 yards of it. It was also in the 1/2 off bin! I may make a skirt or perhaps a top for myself. Just not sure yet. But it sure is pretty!


This piece is t-shirt fabric and I've not worked with anything yet except 100% cotton. Not sure what I'm gonna do with it yet either but it is pretty!

Here is the last piece of fabric that I acquired. It was in the sale section at Betty's Fabrics and my youngest daughter LOVES Mickey Mouse. Not sure yet what I'll make her. Maybe I'll try a jumper and a bag. Any suggestions?

While putting away laundry today I came across this dress which belonged to my eldest. But if you can see them there are many stains on it. And it has gone through the wash many times and they have still not come out.

See them now?

Well, there are even blue stains on the back right shoulder due to laundry problems (husband was doing it) so instead of throwing it out like I normally would I'm going to repurpose it! I've started ripping out the stitching that connects the ribbed top from the plaid skirt. I'm going to use some of the unstained ribbing to make a waistband and make a skirt for my middle daughter. It should turn out really cute and I like being able to keep using it instead of just tossing it.

Well, here is the last picture. It is of the skirt I repurposed and my daughter actually wearing it. When I finish projects and take pics of them it is usually very late at night so no one gets to model them. I wanted to show that it actually fits her. lol

Until the next project!

Feeling Lonely

Ok, my sewing/craft table does not look like this right now but it's the most recent photo I have of it.

Under that red cover is my beautiful Bernina. Maybe I'll call it Bernie. Hmmm... or how about a name my machine contest. Nah, probably get too little response since this blog is so new still. Anyway, I need to get making things again, finishing up my WIP's and starting new projects that I really want to make. (Fabric store here I come!)

I also want to make some mini quilts to use as wall hangings around my house. The walls are very bare and after a visit to my quilt teacher's house I want to get busy! Well, off to create (or finish) something today.

Repurposing

Quite a few months ago I found 2 pairs of very large jeans for 99Cents each. My mind was whirling with the possibilities that these jeans could be made into. I've finally repurposed one pair into a peasant skirt for my oldest.

I love how it turned out!! I used a peasant skirt she already has to make the denim one. It should have been done a long time ago but that last layer with all the gathers looked so daunting. I buckled down to get it done tonight and it's finished!

What are some things you've repurposed?

Happy Birthday, Beth!

I can't believe that my first born is already 6 years old!! Time flies so fast.
For her birthday we are doing just small things this year (since her 5 y/o blow out party was at Disneyland last year). So for her gifts we are keeping it simple. I made this glasses case for her new glasses that she started wearing this past year. I found the tutorial at Amazing Mae. The ones she has made are so cute!





I believe there are things on every sewing project that once you're done you would like to redo and so it is with this project but I like how it turned out.



Now on to finish her denim peasant skirt that I've been putting off forever. =)

The Finished Product!

The photo is courtesy of my 5 y/o (soon to be 6 in a few days I better start sewing some presents that I had in mind.)

I love how it turned out! Especially the pocket from Made By Rae. If you get a chance go visit her blog and wish her congrats, she just had an adorable little girl!

I really liked being able to make my own skirt with being able to make the length I like and have it sit where I like. The only thing I need to change is to take 1" off the ease that I put in.

I'm planning to make many more skirts so now I need some fabric to do it with!! Ahhhh, I see shopping in my future!

Progress!!

Tonight I made progress on my skirt! I finished sewing the seams together and finishing them. I added the pleated pocket and I did my first buttonhole and made my casing for the drawstrings.

Tomorrow evening I will finish the hem and make the drawstrings, press, then voila! It will be ready for wear on our ladies outing on Saturday!

I placed the pocket at an angle and I'm really liking how everything is turning out. I hope it looks good on me. lol

My First WIWOW

One of my current projects (I've got many WIPs sitting around my craft area) that I'm working on is a summer skirt with the Summer Skirt Sew Along at Sew, Mama, Sew!
I'm using the new sew what! Skirts book that I bought recently and I've got the main pieces cut out. Today I want to get a pocket cut out for it but not the one in the book I want to use Made By Rae's Pleated Pocket with some cute fabric I found at Michael's that would be cute with my linen skirt.
I should have finished this skirt in no time yesterday but I've been busy with our Ladies Night Out at our church. So instead I was making these yesterday:


They are little purses (our theme is Purse-onality) with styrofoam inside. They will be used as table card holders. When I have a completely finished one I'll take a photo of it. =) I've got 6 made as of right now and have 6 more to make.

Hopefully, next WIWOW I'll have a finished skirt to right about.

Sew What! Skirts

I bought this book yesterday and I'm excited to start making skirts from it. Since skirts are the main staple in my wardrobe I figured it would be a good investment. To quote the book:

This book is for the risk-taker who bucks authority and doesn't like being hemmed in by rigid rules, sewing patterns, and instructions.

That is so me. lol Even in high school when my teacher gave instructions on how to do a report I wanted to do it differently in my own unique way.

I've read through this book twice now and I've got a simple piece of linen I'm going to start with to make my first skirt then move on to some great pieces of fabric for others. Hopefully I'll be posting again soon with pics on the progress.