Card Doodle Stitching

(Sorry about the blurry photo it was taken with my phone)

I've been wanting to try some things out of Aimee Ray's book "Doodle-Stitching" and yesterday I finally did. It's not actually one of the projects, I just copied one of the photos that she had in her book. It turned out so cute! I love it!

I turned a plain Thank You card into a cute one-of-a-kind card. I'm looking forward to making more of these to give as thank you's to the wonderful ladies who are working so hard at putting together our Ladies Night Out. We've got 90+ women coming and it's all coming together wonderfully! The Lord has really blessed us with some talented women.

Sewing with a Delay

A little over 2 weeks ago I cut apart a pair of supersized jeans I bought at Kmart for 99cents to repurpose them into a skirt for my 5y/o. I finally started sewing the pieces together on Friday and was hoping to finish it up on Sunday afternoon between services. (What's taking so long you ask, well I'm copying a skirt that she has and it's a peasant skirt so a lot of gathering.) I was hoping to add the last and bottom layer Sunday afternoon and add the elastic to the waist then, "Wallah!" It would be finished. . . .
but. . . .
instead I spent my Sunday afternoon using a shop vac in my bedroom sucking up the water in the carpet that leaked into the house after I had left the water on in my hydrangeas all through the morning service. So no project was completed. =( The carpet is still wet. Our bed sits right on top of it so today we will be moving it hopefully.
Once it's all dry I can pick up with sewing again because my bedroom floor is my craft table. It's where I cut my fabric, piece it, pin it, etc. I so wanted to get done with this skirt because I joined a sew along at Sew, Mama, Sew and I wanted to start making my own summer skirt. It would be my first piece of clothing made for myself. I am anxious to get started on it. Well, see you all again when my floor is dry.

Finally! Embellished Tote and a Pleated Pocket

After a month of no camera I didn't want to be posting and not have pics to go with it. No I didn't find the charging cord for my camera I just pulled out my old camera and went with that. (Still looking for the cord though, I really like my new camera)

So now I have pics to go with my post. I've done some sewing this past month but now I have to go back and take pics so I can post about them. I finished a project I was rushing to get done late last night (or early this morning). I've taken up hand embroidery or doodle-stitching after being inspired to start by You Go Girl! and her beautiful little creations. So I've got about 3 projects together ready for my road trip next week but I needed something to carry them in so I bought a plain black tote from Michael's. The tote needed some sprucing up so I pulled out a fat quarter from my small stash and turned it into this:

The straps were so rough (remember cheap little tote) I removed them and covered them up so they'd be softer.

I added some a pocket to the inside and separated it into 3 pockets. One small one for my scissors and two others to carry other odds and ends that I'd decide to carry with me.


This is my favorite part! I added a pocket to the outside to carry things and for decorative purposes and I love how it turned out! I followed this simple Pleated Pocket tutorial from Made by Rae. I want to make some more of these pockets and add them to some of my girls clothing.

I love how this tote turned out and I'm looking forward to carrying it around next week! My next project is making a peasant skirt for my 5 year old. I've got all the pieces cut out I just have to start sewing it together. A friend of mine is loaning me her gatherer so let's see if it makes it any easier. =)

It Came!!

I ordered "Doodle Stitching" by Aimee Ray after hearing about her book from You Go Girl. It came today! I quickly devoured it in one sitting and tonight I'll go back for a more in-depth read. I'm itching to get to the store to get some supplies now. lol

Back in the Game

I've got too much sewing to do to be letting a whole week go by without sitting at my machine or picking up my rotary cutter. Today I plan on finishing up the top of my Petit Fours table runner. I found some fabric to finish off the border. Then I want to get back to working on my long list of WIP's. I need to take measurements of my 4 yr old so I can start working on the three-way dress from the 3/2009 issue of Ottobre.

Busy day ahead so no more computer time!

Crazy Quilt Shop Bonanza!

Today from 8am to 3pm I was on the Central Coast Quilt Shops Tour with 2 other ladies. We had a blast and visited 9 shops in that time! We have 2 shops left to visit on our tour and we'll be hitting those two tomorrow afternoon. I didn't buy too much (my camera needs recharging or else there would be pics) but I did get some fabric for backing of my Charmed and Dangerous Quilt done in Funny Babies by Amy Bradley as well as some pieces of home dec fabric to make some bags with as well as a couple of fat quarters. (Remember I have 2 stores to visit tomorrow still!) I'll be looking for specific items tomorrow fabric to finish off some of my WIPs.

At one of the shops I was able to meet Shelley from Snips and Bits from Shelley's Studio. I loved seeing her quilts in person rather than just online. They are lovely!

I am interested in learning more about embroidery. I was about to buy a beginner's book for it but then I chickened out changed my mind. I may go back and pick up a book on tomorrow's tour. I've been inspired to learn about it from Cassie of You Go Girl!. She makes beautiful things and sells them in her shop on Etsy You Go Girl Designs.

Have a great weekend! And go support your local fabric store! lol =)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday and she received her gift in the mail so now I'm able to post it. I wanted to make my mom something with my new skill so I found this pattern online from Made By Rae the Buttercup Bag.

This was my first attempt at making a purse and doing pleats. It turned out very nice! I was really pleased (and so was my mom yay!). It is a very simple pattern to follow and I'm looking forward to making one for myself as well.