Ruffled t-shirt

How to prepare for two birthdays (Jeremy will be 35 and Abby will be 3) and three house guests(my parents and my sister) with only 24 hours to spare:

1. Make a giant list of things to do and clean (including clearing a path in the guest room, cleaning the bathroom and baking a Tinkerbell cake).
2. Ignore list and decide that your adorable little girl (who's going to be three tomorrow!) needs a t-shirt refashioned.
3. Trim off bottom of a too long and stained t-shirt that is too cute not to wear.
4. Hem t-shirt (uh...I really need some tips on this part!) and pin on fabric strips (see Elizabeth Kartchner's blog for my inspiration) to cover stains.
5. Decide an impromtu outdoor photo shoot is in order after getting less than desireable results with basement lighting.
6. Play baseball with children while the baby naps.
7. Ignore list some more, heat up a cup of coffee and decide a blog update is still more important (uh-oh....will I ever be ready for tomorrow???)

**Seriously...I need to get to work now! LOL

It's finally done! Picnic quilt and a table runner

I finally finished this little picnic quilt for the girls. Abby picked out the fabrics several weeks or so ago and it has been hard to find the time to work on it.  The "quilting" gave me the most trouble because I really didn't know what to do or how to do it.  I just have a small sewing machine (which is an AMAZING sewing machine actually, just hard to "quilt" on since it doesn't have a long quilting arm) so learning how to manuever the quilt around to do the quilting was a challenge.  I ended up buying a walking foot and that helped a lot.  Despite numerous mistakes and re-do's, I am anxious to make another one.  I think I want to get one of those feet that lets you free quilt.  Because I didn't have one of these, I could only do straight stiches on this.  Oh, and I decided to finish the binding by hand and I am so glad I did! I think it looks much better than a machine finished binding and it really wasn't hard at all.  It only took two nights of movies/tv watching after the kids were in bed to finish. :) (Or, maybe it was three nights actually.)

I just could not get everyone to stop and take a nice photo. LOL

Here's the best I could get.

Next up is either a denim rag quilt (which I already have all the fabric for...old jeans and some pretty plaids for the back) or this one- http://obsessivelystitching.blogspot.com/2010/04/first-quilt-ever.html which I probably have most of the fabric for as well.

Another quick project we did last week was to dress up our table for the fourth of July.  The reverse of this table runner is a pretty everyday fabric...cream with soft maroonish flowers.  I will share a picture once we figure out a fun centerpiece to go along with it. Any ideas the kids can help with??

New tote bag

Sewing fun projects is addicting!!  There are so many cool tutorials out there in the big wide world of bloggers. I came across this one and had to try it.  I used fabrics from my stash but had to go out to buy the key rings.  This is a really cool bag.  I can see it being great for day trips out with the kids or instead of a diaper bag.  Problem is, I don't want to load it up yet because I don't want it to get all dirty from carrying it around everywhere! LOL  (Anyone else have a hard time using new things???)

Anyhow, here's my cool new tote bag. 

I couldn't figure out how to get a good photo of the inside. But notice all the neat pocket space?  There are several spots in there...on the side you can't see, there's room for a magazine or other large item. On the other side, there is a pocket for sunglasses, a couple of book sized items and pens.  There's even a keychain holder in there! I told you this was a fun bag. :)

I have stayed up way past my bedtime for several nights now so I must head off to bed. :) Someone please remind me to go to bed early tomorrow. LOL (Oh, and I didn't make the bag tonight, it was a couple of nights ago...tonight I stayed up baking breads, muffins, etc. to stock the freezer since we are having some cooler weather. Anyhow...good night!)

Happy sewing!

Stacey

More sewing projects-wrist pin cushion and pillowcase

I'm thinking I need to add "sews" to my blog name. LOL
Here are a couple of small projects I made over the weekend. I have wanted to make a new wrist pin cushion for a long time.  I used this tutorial and it was really easy! I added some plastic inside of the band part under the cushion to keep the pins from poking me (I cut an old credit card in half). It works perfectly and it is sooo much more comfortable and cute than my old wrist pin cushion (which was given to me when I was around 10 by one of my grandmothers...they both gave me sewing kits the same year for Christmas!). I used scraps of fabric from my apron project.

I also made Abby a new pillowcase. Fun! I sewed French seams so that there wouldn't be any raw edges. This was my first time sewing this type of seam...in fact, I don't think I had even heard of it before! Here's a link to a video I watched to learn how.  I made my seams a bit smaller than she does, though (a scant 1/4 inch then a generous 1/4 inch).  
Abby loves her new pillowcase! I used scraps of fabric plus part of the top sheet that came with her toddler bed set.  Both she and Joshua have hated using that top sheet...do your kids like it? Mine prefer the regular bottom sheet and a blanket. So instead of just having it sit unused in the closet, I decided to make a pillowcase with it (I still have more of it for another project). The lighting was poor since it was about midnight when I took this.  It's really much cuter than it looks. :)

I hope you are having a great Monday!!! What are you working on??
(I also have a fun project I made for my sister for her birthday...but I can't share it yet! I will have to remember to post after she opens it. :) )

Happy sewing!
Stacey

Quilted table runner

I found this great tutorial last week on how to make a quilted table runner.  http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/03/guest-tutorial-blogger-amy-of-diary-of.html
I decided to use some scraps that I have had for a very long time to decorate my table for Easter.  (One of the fabrics has an Easter Bunny on it.) The other side is just a simple floral for spring. This was the first time I have ever tried to "quilt" anything and it was fun.  It took a little longer to do all of the actual quilting than I expected, but I am happy with the results. I have to admit that I forgot to iron between adding the strips and I still think it turned out fine.  I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I actually had to stop each strip, go into the other room and iron it. The batting I used had a bit of stick to it so it held the strips down a bit while I worked. But if it hadn't I am sure I would have needed to use an iron.  Anyhow...here is my first quilted project. :) 

I hope you'll try something new soon, too!

Stacey

New bag-lost sleep

I have been wanting to try to make a new purse for a loooooong time.  I have had this tutorial saved for entirely too long.  I was just afraid to try it...there are so many steps and layers. I have made small purses for Abby but just easy-throw-it-together-without-planning ones.  I wanted something  little nicer (but fun!) for me.  This probably took me longer than it would a more experienced sewer...but the directions were great and despite a few mistakes, I think it turned out cute! Plus, it makes me want to keep en eye out for cute fabrics on sale to make more purses in a variety of styles. :) All in all, it was worth losing a bit of sleep staying up to make this last night.
Here is my finished bag-

I think my next project will be a little matching wallet to use with this. :)
What's your next project???  Maybe I want to make one as well! LOL
Stacey

Goodbye old apron...hello new!

It's been a great 12 or more years but it's time to say goodbye.  One of my best friends (Emily!!) and I made similar aprons when we were in college. I think it's funny that our idea of a fun evening was to hang out, head to Joann's and play around with fabric and our sewing machines!  It's STILL one of my favorite things to do (although I wish we could do it together!!!) Anyhow, Emily doesn't have her apron anymore but it's been my one and only apron since then. It's treated me well but it's time I finally moved on. 

I picked out some fun new fabric from Walmart a couple of weeks ago but I couldn't decide how I wanted to make it.  I went with easy and made up my own design. LOL I have never been very good at following directions. ;) Anyhow, it turned out a little big...but that's ok...more protection from food stains! It was an easy project and I am thinking I might try a fancier apron next time (sooner than 12 years from now! I need a few in different colors!)

Do you use an apron????

New sewing project-Camera Strap Cover

Who needs sleep?  I mean really.  Sleep is overrated when you can stay up crafting!!!! LOL No, I really do need my sleep most nights...but I was so anxious to try this fun little project last night that I didn't get nearly enough of it.

I came across this tutorial on how to make a cover for your camera strap -http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/2010/02/camera-strap-cover-tutorial_15.html and thought it was such a great idea.  I've had my eye on cute camera straps sold online but couldn't justify spending 20-30 on one so this was perfect! I used mostly materials/scraps I already had (and I am realizing almost all of my fabrics are kiddy...I need to start stocking up on more grown up prints! LOL) but I did have to buy 1/8 of a yard of the soft cream fabric.  (I only spent $2 and have enough left to make another strap in different colors!).  Anyhow, the pink is a little bright, but it's fun and the cream fabric that goes around my neck is oooh sooo soft!!! So much nicer than the itchy and boring old strap!

Also, does anyone know how to create a "stamp" (or ?? I really don't know what it would be called) to easily stamp my name on my photos in Photoshop Elements?  Seems like a pain to have to use the text tool everytime. I am sure one of you knows!!!! Help! :)

Happy sewing!!

Stacey