Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cleaning out my stash...at least a start!!!!

Not a really exciting week but I decided that I really have to start using some, make that a lot, of my stash! I have to admit I have become a fabric-holic! When Joann's has their Red Tag fabric marked half-price I can not resist. Many times you can get yardage for $1 to $2. Even Denyse Schmidt if offered for only $3.50 a yard...you can not beat that. You have to really search for the "good stuff" but it can be done and for some reason, our Joann's is always full of Red Tag specials! Thus, the need to clear out the stash!

First up was some fleece that I bought for goodness know what? I had three almost yard pieces that I bought in the remnant basket. Lucky for me the colors went together well....whew, because I sure didn't want to buy any more fleece! I decided to make a "rag" quilt. Of course, there is only one layer but it turned out really cute. It will be perfect to use as a cover up when the weather finally turns chilly. And boy is it bright!

I still have to turn it over and clip all the seams but from the "smooth" side you can see how cheery this throw turned out!
Since I didn't have my sewing machine last week, I dragged out lots of fabric to make more pillowcases. The first one I made is for my grandson. When he was here last summer, I made him a hat and backpack from snake fabric...yep, snakes. It had two things going for it! It was green(his favorite color) and it was covered with snakes...icky to me but fun for a 4 1/2 year old. I don't have a photo of the backpack but here is Teddy on the first day of school in his hat!

His mother says he normally won't wear a hat but he loves this one!



I fortunately had just enough fabric left to make a pillowcase. Can't wait to send it to him!

How would you like sleeping on snakes? Guess you need to be a little boy!

 The rest of the pillowcases are cut out but not sewn. Guess that will happen this weekend, so here is a preview of what's to come!

What little boy doesn't love football?
And dinosaurs?



And toy cars and tractors?



OK, I finally cut out one that isn't for a little boy!  Click to see the neat pattern!

At least I have start on using my stash. My next projects will be bags for Christmas wrapping, and I have loads of Christmas fabric so I should be quite busy! How many of you are trying to use your stash also? I can't be the only one, can I?

Friday, October 17, 2014

I have my three winners

I can finally post my winners for the pillowcase fabric! It was fun reading about everyone's weather. It is finally cooler here in Florida....this is the weather we wait for all year!

Number #1 Winner was Carol who posts at Just Let Me Quilt! She chose the "Feeling Groovy" fabric...and she is usually feeling groovy! Just check out her fun blog!
She said the weather in Utah was nice right now!!! Congrats Carol.

My #2 Winner was Kelly in West Virginia! She chose the Denyse Schmitd fabric. And I think she is a pretty happy Mountaineer since they upset Baylor yesterday!




My #3 and final winner is Mary. She is located in Missouri. She told me " it  turned very cool this week in the 50's from being in the 70's last week. I had to turn the heat on to knock the chill off." Brr, that is a bit too cold for me!!! She is receiving the Bubbles and Swirls fabric to make her pillowcases.


CONGRATULATIONS! to all three winners. Hope you have fun making your pillowcases. I had fun choosing the fabric.

I didn't get any sewing done this week since I decided it was time for my poor, tired machine to get  a bit of pampering!  I sent it in to be cleaned, tuned up and oiled. I have it back now and am ready to start sewing again. I spent the week cutting out some more pillowcases and a rag quilt. I'll be back next week to show you what I have done!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Pillowcases and their many uses! Plus 3 giveaways this week!!!!!

 We have a WINNER for the Denyse Schmidt fabric! Stephanie of Imperfectly Perfect Quilts and More. Congratulations Stephanie!




I have been quite busy this week making pillowcases. Some are for Christmas presents but not as a normal present. No, I am using the pillowcases to wrap large, oversized presents for the grandkids! I chose sports related pillowcases for my grandson and girly ones for  my granddaughter. So they not only get the gift inside, they have new pillowcases to use all year. The rest of my pillowcases will be used for the Million Pillowcase Challenge. You have heard of this haven't you? The goal is to make 1,000,000 pillowcases for charity. Many quilt shops are participating and there is a list of charities that can be helped....or keep it local and check with your hospitals, etc to find a charity in your area.

Here are the pillowcases I have made this week.

Soccer in bright green and red!

Alexander Henry baseball fabric.





Flowery cases in blue and green



I love blue and green together



My stack of finished pillowcases!!!!

Since I had so much fun making these this week, I want 3 of you to have the same chance! I used this Youtube video from the Missouri Quilt Co. to make the neat hot dog roll method to make the pillowcases. It is so easy...I taught the method to my 7 1/2 year old granddaughter in one afternoon. I am giving away fabric  to make a set of pillowcases each. (two pieces for the body, 2 pieces for the cuff and 2 pieces for the trim piece.)

Bubbles and Swirls by Lonni Rossi for Andover Fabrics





Feeling Groovy by Michael Miller


Denyse Schmidt Meadowlark and Aunt Edna fabric
To win one set of pillowcase fabric, all you have to do is leave a comment about how the weather is at your house! Here in Florida, it is still hot but less humid so it is bearable! I will randomly pick 3 winners next Thursday night(October 16th) at 8 PM. PLEASE make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you are one of the winners. The first name drawn will choose which fabric they want, and so on!

*****I  have already had one no reply post. Please leave an email address in your reply so that I can get in touch with you if you win.Especially if you use Google Plus to post. Thanks.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Another week and more bags and baskets!!!! And another giveaway!

I have had a busy week finishing up my scrap basket and starting on new bags! Here is the finished basket from last week. Love this fabric! It is Stamped Collection by Ellen Luckett Baker called cheater in grey and white. I managed to find another similar piece from the collection on Etsy and can't wait for it to get here....from Japan! (Click on the photos to enlarge)

I really like how the lining goes so well with the outer fabric.

One end

The other!!!


After I finished this bucket, I found a wonderful pattern for a bucket bag by Kristin Link on Sew Mama Sew. I immediately had to have one! Luckily I have a huge stash of denim, canvas and twill to pick from...ah, that was a problem...which fabric to choose! Once I had done that, the bag came together easily. Great instructions and photos to help in the construction of this bag. A really fun bag to make!

Finally chose a bright blue twill with a white strap.

Is the pocket lining bright enough?

My first welt zipper in a long time and it was a piece of cake with Kristin's directions.

After I finished the bag, I realized that I loved it with the exception of the jumble I knew I would have in the bottom after about 10 minutes! So I quickly googled for an organizer to fit in the bag. I found this wonderful one by Sweetbriar Studios. Christie has a great pattern...easy to follow and she gives options to make it your own. I had lots of fun making this and it fits perfectly in the bucket bag!

I decided to leave the lining showing just a bit at the top. I really like how it turned out.

There are 10 pockets so plenty of room for all the important things that you "have" to carry with you!!!

That organizer was actually the second one I made...of course, the first one comes with a learning curve but I love it anyway! In fact, I have to get some more denim so I can make a bag to match the organizer. Isn't the Denyse Schmidt fabric used for the lining wonderful? It goes so well with the denim. I love blue and green together.

Front view

Stuffed with the necessities of life!

So that is how my week went! I am planning on making bags and organizers for several Christmas presents so I guess I had better get started!

Want to win a 1/2 yard of the gorgeous Denyse Schmidt fabric for your very own? Just leave a comment telling me where you live! And if you would like, what you are planning on making for Christmas. I love seeing where everyone is from and what they are up to! Be sure I have a way to  get in touch with you if you win! The drawing will be next Thursday night after 8 PM.

Friday, September 26, 2014

We have a winner!!!!

Congratulations to Needled Mom, who won my cute little baseball fabric. Mary, I am getting your package ready to mail off later today!

This week I have been busy making a Stackable Scrap Bucket by Heather at the Sewing Loft. I fell in love with this the minute I saw it! I had a piece of Millie's Closet Fabric  by Lori Holt that I thought would be perfect for this project! I found this on Etsy a while back just knowing I would find a great pattern to use it with! This is a fun pattern to make and the final basket is quite a bit larger than I expected...but that is a good thing!


Here is the front view of the Bucket. I used many different stitches to make the fabric look quilted. That was really fun!




One side




....and the other!

My next bucket!

 I have already cut out my next bucket. I am using some more fabric I found at Etsy. It is part of the Stamped Collection by Ellen Luckett Baker called cheater in grey and white. I am using a really pretty soft grey and blue fabric for the lining. Can't wait to get going on this project!!! You have to check out this fun pattern at the link above.

Again CONGRATULATIONS to Needled Mom! Hope you have fun with the fabric!





Friday, September 19, 2014

Long Time, No Post....and a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!



Hi everyone! Finally I am going to post some of the many projects I have been sewing for months. Don't ask me why it is so hard for me to post, but I am going to try and post at least once a week now. I am working a much better schedule that I have been asking for for quite some time!The company I worked for was sold and the new owner hired me immediately! Thank goodness! I will work Monday through Thursday. Great for me!! Who can live on Social Security? It would cover all of my bills but not extras for fabric, etc...now what kind of life would that be?

Now for some of my sewing projects! I will start off with the darling pattern that Fabric Mutt designed. The minute I saw her Malibu Satchel, I knew I had to make one...or two...or three! Yes, I made three of them last week. It is so easy to sew, but looks so professional when it is finished. Here is a peek at my bags.

Cambray with cute little birdies for the flap!
A shot of the cute little birdie lining! I love it!
After I finished my first satchel, I had to make more. The next one I made for my daughter-in-law. I chose fall colors for hers. Believe it or not, I did not buy any of the fabric at the same time for any of the bags. I always pick up remnants when I shop and I have been lucky that I can usually find things that go together.

I really love the warm fall colors of this bag.  If you click on the photo, you can see the birds on the flap.
Here is a close up of the pocket. Doesn't this fabric go well with the other two?
I decided to go "bright" with my third bag! I had just gotten some great home decor fabric at Joann's when it was greatly reduced so I chose some of it! This time I made my own straps instead of webbing so that they would match the satchel exactly. I like how it turned out!

I told you it was bright! I love the two fabrics together!

I chose this splotchy green for the inner pocket. Thought it went well!



 I cannot recommend this pattern enough, and think it is a FREE tutorial at Fabric Mutt.  She has lots of tutes on her blog and is one of the nicest folks I have met online! Please take a peek at her blog!!!!!


Since I haven't been around in a long time, I thought I would add a GIVEAWAY!!! A friend of mine found this great Alexander Henry fabric at a yard sale! It is from 2002 but since it so difficult to find cute boys fabric, who cares? Would you believe there were 18 yards of this? I have already given 3 yards to someone who made pillowcases for the Million Pillowcase Challenge! How would you like a yard and a half so you can make a set yourself or a set for the challenge?

I was lucky and found some photos online.
Close ups with a tape measure so you can tell the size




How can you win? Easy! Just visit Fabric Mutt and then comment on which tutorial you like best! Good luck deciding! The giveaway ends Thursday evening 9/25th at 9PM EST. I will randomly draw a name and post the winner next Friday! Good luck, and make sure I have a way to find you if you win!

PS. I decided to add 1/2 yard of the following fabric to make a cuff on the pillowcase.  Saw it tonight and had to buy it!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Zip And Go Bag

I have been having so much fun this weekend making the Zip and Go Bag by Erin of Dog Under My Desk. This is such a fun pattern to sew and Erin helps loads with all of photos! I used some fabric I had around(there sure is plenty here to select from!) When I finished I really loved the bright colors!
 You must admit, it is bright! Note the zipper pull on the left. I love putting them  on my zippers. If your haven't seen them, check  out on one of my favorite sites, ZipIt, I have been going to her store from the day she opened! She has amazing prices on zippers and pulls!
I used a bright pink fabric for the lining. It sure makes it "POP" doesn't it?

I took this bag to work and one of my customers wanted me to make one for her mother in Breast Awareness colors. I sure hope she likes what I chose for her. Crossing my fingers!!!



I wanted to use both black and pink and lucked out when I found this material! It is definitely bright! Again, I used a zipper pull.

For the interior, I used bright pink and white polka dots. Who doesn't love polka dots?

I just love this pattern and already have several more cut out and ready to go! I will be back to show you some of the fun fabric I found in my stash to use!


Saturday, May 17, 2014

WE HAVE A WINNER!!! ACTUALLY TWO!!!



I want to thank everyone for the great response to my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway ! I decided since I had almost 400 comments that I would add on a second prize, just because I could!

 Do you want to know what the most popular answer to my question about what are you doing this summer was? Would you believe CAMPING? I'm guessing that all of those who had that answer don't camp the way I do! A motel room with great AC!

The first winner of the Connecting Thread  and Heidi Grace fat quarters is: Marilyn of Shades of Bold. If you love purses and bags be sure to visit her blog...she has made some beautiful ones! Here is her comment:

"Love the fabric. Visiting farmer's markets this summer."




I am not sure exactly which fabric my second winner will receive but it will be similar to the original giveaway...just have to cut it tomorrow! And that person is Amy who blogs at International Stashes.  She has made some wonderful quilts! Check them out!  Her comment was:


"I love these colors! Thank you! I will be working on my longarm skills!"




Congratulations to both of you! And keep an eye out! Who knows when I may post another giveaway!