Sunday Sewing

I put on my radio and sewed through the entire Red Sox game today. I finished both runners for my bedroom and also made the toiletry size bag from Amy Butler's Stash and Dash pattern. I've made this one a few times now and this is defnitely my best one. I think using the invisible ink pen to draw a straight line for top-stitching definitely helped! The top end of the zipper still isn't coming out as perfect as I would like, but otherwise this bag worked up really well. It'll probably stay open mostly as it will be stuffed full of my make-up!

Tote!

I spent the rest of my afternoon working on a tote bag pattern and here is the final product. I'm really happy with it! I had already made a pattern and cut out another bag, but it ended up being huge and I wanted more of an everyday bag. So, I shrunk it and tried again. I used Ginger Blossom fabric and a brown twill from Joann's on the inside. I love the solid interior with the bright print. I put in a slip pocket, magnetic snap and key fob. Here is a view of the interior. It's kind of a crappy picture, but it's hard to get a good interior view. I can't wait to fill this up and take it out to dinner tonight!

Vintage Jackpot

My mom and I went to 2 church fairs and a yard sale today and I totally hit the vintage jackpot! No fabric, which is what I was hoping for (where does everyone find those amazing vintage sheets?!?!) But, I got a bunch of stuff...here are the pics. I'm off to do some sewing, hopefully I'll have something else to post tonight!

Magazine Rack

My grandmother used to have a stool just like this in her kitchen, when my mother saw this, we knew I had to have it...looks great right next to my vintage stove!

Jewelry box, bud vase and 2 silver rose brooches

Perfect condition, Greyhound suitcase.

Small glassware, embroidery hoops, ric-rac, lace and a thread carrier.

To Exercise or To Sew

It is VERY rare that you will hear me say that I should have gone running instead of sewing, but tonight is one of those rare occasions. I made two versions of this mini clutch (really cute pattern) which were both ruined by the fact that I cannot topstitch a curve (I'm not that great at topstitching in general, to be honest). I ripped and resewed the final topstitching on both of the clutches. Wonky topstitching ruined them both and frustration got the best of me. It's too bad because the second one was coming out really good, but I must admit my weakness and move on! I have higher hopes for this business card wallet and City Tote that I purchased from the same etsy seller (keykalou.etsy.com). Well, at least I made some extra time to sew, right?!?!

Marathon Monday

Hello there! Today in Boston, it's Marathon Monday. I didn't run the marathon, but instead I had a sewing marathon! I sewed the Builty By Wendy top (the one everyone in the world has made already) and it came out so cute! I used a cotton gauze fabric from Joann's. I'm really happy with the way it came out and I even have the perfect jewelry to wear with it :-)

During the week I sewed up this simple, elastic waist skirt using my Katie Jump Rope fabric. This also came out really cute, so it's been a fantastic week sewing wise!



So, am I the last blogger on earth to find out about bloglines? I subscribed to all the blogs I like (75 of them!) and now it's so much quicker and easier to find and read new posts. It's cut the time I spend (waste?) on the computer by a lot! So, I'm planning to use the extra time to sew! I have a bunch of quick, little projects lined up, so look for some more frequent updating. Yes, I know, I say that every post and I still only post once a week. I'm trying!!! I've been very motivated this week by the spring weather we have been having here in the Northeast. Not only did I sew 2 garments, but I spring cleaned my house and it's sparkling! I hope you are enjoying this spring weather too!

Motivation

The spring weather around here has motivated me to put all of my dull black and gray winter clothes away and bring out the spring and summer clothes. Things I discovered while doing this: I really don't need any more clothes...I really like the colors green and blue...I actually need BAGS! (and shoes) :-) All of that shopping for my Florida trip, plus the clothes I had bought last year have left me with a great spring and summer wardrobe (although I'd be kidding myself if I said I wasn't going to buy anything else!) but I could definitely use some spring and summer bags. Good thing those are my favorite things to make! Once I finish up the skirt and top, I will be on a bag making frenzy!

I am also going to redecorate my bedroom in shades of blue and green (my favorite obviously). My mother is generously giving me her vanity, which is white with a light blue top. I'm looking for either a white or light blue coverlet and then I'm going to use these three fabrics as accents. Pretty! The grandest part of this plan is my determination to teach myself how to crochet granny squares and then make a million of them and sew them together for an afghan. We'll see about this one :-)

Sick Day

Not too much happening here today since I got no sleep last night and am still feeling sick. I did sew up the side seams of my skirt, making it halfway done!!

I also practiced some embroidery stitches using this book. I love the little bird!

Next weekend is a three day weekend for me, so I'm hoping to be feeling better and getting some projects done!

Mail Call

Look at all the great stuff I got from etsy this week! The makeup bag and the change purse are from simbiosisbyjulia. The change purse matches my card case and day planner. I need to find this fabric, I have been hunting all over the internet for it, but I can't seem to find it anywhere!!! The first and second fabrics are from sweetflavor. I'm really loving the linen matryoska print fabric, it's so cute! The brown piece is vintage fabric from littleacornvintage. I think they still have some listed over there. The earrings are from deciduoussoul. They are little dominos with cherry blossom print resined (is this even a word?) on them. They are so cute!!! And last the little needle book on the left is from jennmaruskadesign. This is the cutest little thing, I love it! I plan on making up a tote bag so that I can put a little project like embroidery in it and take it with me when I'm out and about. This needlebook will be perfect to go in it! Hmmm...I think I will use some of this new fabric for it as well!!!

I've got a wicked cold today, so not much crafting is going to go on. The skirt and top are cut out and ready to go, but I'm just out of energy. Hopefully tomorrow or even later today I will work on these a bit. I also received some Amy Butler fabric to make the lounge pants from In Stitches, so I want to work on them soon too. No crafty procrastinating, I have too many projects I want to do! I went to Staple's last weekend and got a roll of craft paper so I can use that to make patterns, which I think will be much easier than cutting up paper bags and taping them together!!! Did I mention that I got this bag pattern? So many projects and not enough time! I'm going to take a nap so I can work a bit later on :-) Enjoy your weekend!!

Sunday

Lots of sewing and planning and shopping going on around here this weekend!

First up, I treated myself to lots of etsy purchases yesterday. I'll show pictures as they arrive. My Softies Kit also arrived yesterday from amazon, I can't wait to try some of the projects out!

I made this wristlet yesterday in the Ginger Blossom print that I love...usually I am scared to death to cut into brand new fabric, but I'm trying to get over that (since I keep ordering more and more fabric!) so I made this right away and I'm loving it!

Today I'm cutting out this pattern and fabric to make the super easy (super easy looking that is) skirt. It's one pattern piece, elastic waist...shouldn't be too hard right??? I know I wanted to use my Sew What? Skirts book for a skirt, but this seemed quicker. I will use it at some point though, since I have sworn off buying more patterns, at least until I start producing some projects from the ones I already have!

I also want to cut out this Built By Wendy top in this great purple fabric I got while in Florida. I want my spring and summer wardrobe to be all cute skirts and simple tops, sandles, bags and headbands...all made by me except the sandals of course, and the occasional piece from Kohls (my favorite store besides Joann's).

Well, enough rambling. The Red Sox are on soon and I have to get back into the sewing room to listen! Have a great day :-)

Yes, More Fabric

I just received my first order from Sew Mama Sew and I am so impressed. I ordered this on Sunday and it was here today. The fabrics are BEAUTIFUL! I ordered from the Ginger Blossom and Swell collections and I will definitely be ordering more. The colors are just so pretty! Kristen from Sew Mama Sew had everything tied up neatly and included a little card with a list of 50 more things to sew. Love that! It's on my bulletin board right now. Might make a good summer challenge?!?! I see skirts and bags out of this fabric.....