finished this guy...

Here's one of the custom bags I made this afternoon. It's funny cause when my coworker order these purses she said she wanted them exactly like this one. So that's what she getting. Of course I am doing various flowers, just to jazz them up a bit.

I also used a elastic hair pony and a covered button for the closure. I will be making coin pouches to go along with the bags, so that's what I will tackle tonight. I just can't miss SNL, cause my man is on, YAY!!

little tips mean the most...

One of my favorite parts of quilt guild are the times when we share our show and tell, or the times we give tips and demonstrations. Since I share most of my projects here I thought I might also throw in a couple tips.

Now, I am the type of person that LOVES buying new fabric and fat quarters, but I also have problems cutting into it right away too! There is something about a full piece of fabric that I find hard to just slice into. I try not to be stingy with my fabric, but I DO tend to be with my thread. Maybe it's the fact that it's been pounded into my head to not use cheap thread by my father (who repairs sewing machines) and my mother (who sells machines). So when I pay 9 dollars for a spool of thread I don't like clipping the inches of ends off stitched blocks just to throw away. Now I introduce the Thread Saver...the next best thing to sliced bread!! It might sound pretty flashy, but it's not. It's something you all have in your possession right now! It's just a tiny piece of fabric folded in half and ran through the machine before and after you piece your fabric. You would be surprised how much thread snipping time this saves you! I don't sew without them ever!! It also helps me not to forget to snip the excess thread off!

My next discovery is the Wonder Wall..and no, I'm not talking about the catchy song by Oasis. It's also a handy item to have next to you sewing machine. It reminds me of those felt boards that our kindergarten teachers used. Your fabric and blocks stick to them like magic so your pieces can't get disheveled on your sometimes messy work table! If you can't find one of these things, you can also use one of those plasticy vinyl table clothes with the felty side on the back. Just turn it to the back and tape it to the wall. I've also found that fleece pellon (what I use for interfacing of my purses) works great too!

Well, now it's time for me to get back to it.

a warm weekend at home..

Since we are supposed be getting another round of winter this weekend, I am going to knock out some purses. I started a little early tonight and whipped this guy up for my shop.

Hopefully this weekend I can slip in a few blogs here and there!

i really need a breather...

Sorry there has been major lack of blogging lately! I got an order from a lady at work to make 6 handbags for gifts!! I feel some stress coming on!! I enjoy making them, but with working 40 hrs a week, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of my husband there some times is a lack of sewing time. I guess that's what happens. I'm just thrilled that I have the business. This is why I plan to only sell in stock items on etsy for now. I figure when the time comes I will be able to at home full time, but until then I have to keep movin' on!!

i'm back...

I'm back from the cities and now trying to get things all organized. I'm excited as I just added 3 things to my etsy store. Tonight I plan to work on some more of my ideas. I already have 2 custom orders, so I'm sure I won't have a problem keeping busy!! Happy Tuesday to all!!

my first swap...

I partook in my first swap courtesy of onehourcraft.com and received 2 awesome bags!! Alecia did a great job on the one I received.. This is what I sent her:

This is what she sent me...minus the chocolate! I LOVE the Amy Butler fabrics used!!

they arrived...

My very first labels just arrived today in the mail, which made me super happy!! Thanks to everyone for their sweet comments on my table runner (mom loved it!!) and my pin cushion. I completed my hand bag for this weekends shopping excursion! I can't to spend the weekend with dear friends!! Some of you have commented that I am very precise with my quilting, I don't know if I would call it that, but I do use A LOT of pins to hold my pieces together, and I find that really helps me! I'm not that seasoned of a quilter, but I (like many others) find some peace and comfort in just sewing blocks together...it's free therapy for me!!

snowy day...

I really felt the coldness today! After about 4 inches of snow I knew I was going to buckle down by my machine in my warm sewing room. I started working on a purse to use this weekend and then decided to make a little pin cushion out of the same fabric. The pin cushion is inspired by the one my mom had made me. I really think they are cute and plan on making a ton of them for my etsy shop. I will be adding items to my shop upon my return from this weekend getaway!

happy birthday mom...

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's almost time to head to my parents for cake and homemade ice cream, so I thought I would quick add the picture of her gift. I made a table runner for her. It's a nice enough size so that she can keep it on the table even if she has a quick project to whip up or a newspaper to read. I hope she enjoys it!!

one more time...

No, you're not seeing double vision. I couldn't resist, so I whipped up one more of these guys. Perfect for tv watching!! Happy weekend!!

fast little accomplishments...

Thank you for all the sweet comments on my little pin cushion, and the birthday wishes for Travis! He also says, "thank you!"

I've been quite sluggish each night, not taking on too big of a project and making quick simple things. Tonight wasn't any different. I made a cutsie little pin for my mom..she has a birthday coming up and since I know she checks my blog I didn't want to give too much away, so until it's safe to post pics of her other gift I will only share this little bobkin!

a new sewing friend...

I made this little guy a couple days ago. I think I made because I wanted something super fast to complete..it only took about 15 minutes, so it worked for me at the time. I think he will sit on my sewing machine and keep me company on those lonely afternoons while I'm by myself.

HAPPY 30th Birthday to my super loving craft and quilt supporting husband!! I love all that you do for me and all that you are!! I hope you have the greatest day of all!!

cute little finds...

Since I had quilt guild on saturday it was also a fun day spent with mom shopping around town. We usually just plan on guild days as a time to run places that the guys never like going.. We browsed through Ben Franklin Crafts and I was lucky enough to find these cute mini clothes pins in the bargain area. Of course mom thought they would be better if they were wood, but I just loved the various colors. I think they will come in handy when making garlands, or just clipping patterns or inspirations pieces in my sewing room!

super bowl project...

I decided to do another project from my Denyse Schmidt Quilt-It Kit...I picked up some vinyl at Wal-Mart and got to sewing this mid-morning. The project was fun and went quite fast. I think this bag will be nice to use when I head to the twin cities in 2 weekends!

This was my first time sewing with vinyl and was pretty fun! I like the fact that vinyl doesn't fray, so you can have some raw edges here and there.

Since I have some left over vinyl I might try some other hand bags!

i tried...

Since we opted for a soft ottoman to go in our living room instead of a coffee table I always wanted one of those nifty little trays to hold the remote and maybe a coaster or two. We had searched through target for just a plain jane tray that I could jazz up, but we had no such luck. We found dozens of trendy (expensive) marbled, glass, tile, etc...but didn't want to shell out the coin for those. I decided I would try to my own. I had an old frame sitting in the basement and a set of drawer pulls so I used some scraps here and there and made this:

Not sure it's really what I had in mind, but it will work for awhile...and if all else fails I think it would look cute just hanging on the wall!