Sewing Rehab

OK, I have fallen off the sewing wagon (duh right...pretty obvious since this is only my 2nd post for 2010!) and I just ran across this "challenge" so to speak while catching up on some of my favorite bloggers recent goings on. I think I will give it a whirl. If you care to join click the button and read all about it!

Tutorials, Tutorials, Tutorials

I have been trolling the Internet the past few days looking for quick-sew gift ideas (quick-sew because I have waited to the last minute...again!). Here are a few neat ones that caught my eye:

Fabric Flowers (featured on SewMamaSew too)

Flexi-coin Purse (I heart that Uhandbag!)

Baby Burp Cloths (Got a baby shower next weekend)

Cute Appliqued Coasters (I am a sucker for owls)

Patchwork Placemats (I think these would be fun for Grandma)

Hopefully I will have some actual photos to share after the Holidays...if I ever get myself back into the sewing room:)

Been on hiatus...

Sorry for the lack of posting...we have been hustling and bustling thru summer.

My son's 9-U Baseball team won a tournament...



Here is another shot with Coach Dad...




Graham fell off his bike and busted his knee open so he got his first set of stitches...to be honest I am quite surprised he lasted this long...he is pretty accident prone...lol



Not too horrible, but still pretty gross:)

On the sewing front...I made another Nappy Bag for a co-worker whose daughter is expecting her first baby any day.

She picked out this cute monkey print to go along with the monkey themem nursery...they are having a boy.



I lined it with some basic brown cotton and made the inside pockets out of some cute stripe I stumbled upon at Joann's



She will be picking it up tomorrow...I hope she and her daughter like it!

Up Next...

This weekend it ANOTHER baseball tournament. It is the last of the summer season so I am looking forward to a little break before Fall Ball starts up (yeah, we are crazy...we play practically year round).

I am also just about done with my Mama Mia apron for YarniGras! swap. I am so excited about it and can't wait for my partners reaction! As soon as she receives it I will post pics! Probably by sometime next week...the mail deadline is this Saturday.

Next weekend we are off to Michigan to visit friends and beach it up...then we are home a weekend before heading out for our yearly float trip. We are definitely closing summer out with a bang! I can't believe school registration is in 2 weeks! Where does the time go?

Another Reveal

This time it is my Seams To Me bag...as in the one I received from my WTPS #5 partner (the swap mama and uber sewist Tracey). Thanks Tracey! I love it:) I started carrying it the day I received it and I have had SO many complements!

Check it out everyone!...and DROOL;)

Full frontal



Innards



Reverse



A better look at the cute fabrics, and the awesome wooden handles...such a good idea!

Initial Frenchy's (and I survived!)

Sorry for my long absence! I am seriously bad at blogging in the summer. Come to think of it I am not that much of a regular in the winter either;)...

Anyway, here is what I have been up to lately:



I trained for and ran/biked in a local biathlon. I even took 3rd place in my age group. I think there were only 4 entrants in my age group so it isn't like it is a major accomplishment, but I ran, I biked, I finished! YAY! That there is accomplishment enough for me:) As an added bonus I get a little award for my "3rd place" efforts.



Exercise photos are SO flattering...NOT!


On the sewing front:

I have been a busy little bee...

I just completed some Frenchy bags that are going to be given as bridal party gifts.



6 bags in total. It really went fast (well after the cutting part-which was A LOT of cutting-I think over 100 total pieces-no lie)and I was amazed how easy they went together. I recommend this pattern to anyone at any sewing level.



Each bag has a bridesmaid's initial which was monogrammed for me by my Aunt. I really want one of those fancy machines! They do some cool stuff.



I lined them in some gray broadcloth cotton and lined the pockets with so of the full moon polka dot. I am totally jazzed about them I think they turned out really nice. I hope the bride likes them! She is picking them up later today:)

Seams To Me Reveal

Tracey has received the item I made for her so I can share finally share the photos.

Here it is...



I decided to make the "I'll Take One of Everything Bag". I love the way it turned out! Although I did think it would be a little larger...I think if/when I make one for myself I will enlarge the pattern pieces so it will turn out bigger. I made it out of Katie Jump Rope fabric from my stash (some of my FAVORITE fabric).

One thing I really love about AMH's book...a lot of the projects don't appear require a huge amount of fabric so I think I am going to be able to use up some of my scraps. This is pretty exciting since my scrap pile is now occupying a rather large box...it could use a little dwindling:)

Post #98...

My 98th post! That means 100 could be happening soon...although at my current blog rate "soon" could equal June...lol!



Ok, so I just wanted to let you all know that Tracey over at Itching2bstitching is counting down to summer and she is having a giveaway to celebrate! All you have to do is run over there and dish about your summer plans and-viola!-you're entered. Give her a shout out on your own blog and receive 5 (count 'em-5) additional entries! How sweet is that?!?

On the sewing front:

I have just completed my "Seams to Me" item for the We the People Swap part 5. I am happy to report that I am done a whole week in advance of the due date...YAY! Take that procrastination! I can't share photos just yet cuz it is supposed to be a secret swap and I would hate to spoil the surprise, but I am getting it out in the mail today so I am thinking I will be able to share photos by the weekend...keep an eye out:)

Seriously, what are you still doing here? Don't you have a giveaway to be entering?!? Now, SCOOT!

As promised...and promised

Ok, I know all of you are on the edge of your seats-on a saturday evening-to see pictures of the Weekender...lol! Well here they are:





ALL of those pieces turned into...







I threw some herb seeds, body polish, 1 yard of fabric (per swap requirements) it's Farmer's Market I think. I also attached a cute little Tinkerbelle keychain cuz she matched the bag:)

My partner also won the wallet giveaway I had so that is included as well.





Here are some better shots of the baby shoes too...





Next up is the PDC (pretty darn cute) Nappy Bag that I made for my ready-to-pop-at-any-moment pregnant gal pal.







I am totally digging the cute owl fabric (Alexander Henry) and the Cherry Full Moon Polka Dot by AB. I think I have enough extra to make a cute summer frock for Lyddiebug...but we will have to see because I am done with the bag, but I still have the changing pad and case to finish up...

And last, but not least...



My Weekender Bag by Ellena!! Isn't it totally AWESOME?? I can't thank her enough for making this such a GREAT swap!!

Well, that is the end of my photo slide show...also the end of what I am sure is my LONGEST post ever! I am nearing my 100th post so I am thinking a fun little contest is in order...Any ideas?

Bored

I am bored and having a doodle. I want to make an apron like this...



I want to cut the tiers of the skirt on the bias so they will be full and I think I will layer some tulle between them as well. Add a little fabric flower brooch at the top and voila! I haven't made an apron for a LONG time. I kind of burnt myself out last year...I lovingly refer to it as Apron 08. I must be feeling nostalgic though because recently I am feeling the urge to whip up something domestic:)

OK, well I am off to deal with rush hour traffic. I love getting of work at 5(not)! I am going to upload pics when I get home whilst I enjoy my kick-off-the-weekend-cocktail...lol. So I should have some Weekender pics available for your viewing pleasure by late this evening or sometime tomorrow.

It's ALIVE

Ok, I apologize for my brief (if you consider a whole month brief) hiatus! But I am back and in full effect:)...Isn't that a line from a Vanilla Ice song or something...lol!

I had quite the busy sewing weekend!! I will be back tomorrow to share pics with all of you. Here is a little tidbit to hold you over...



I made these cutesy little baby shoes for some friends that had a baby last month. I used this tutorial which is also linked in my blog sidebar. This was a super easy, super fast, super fun little project. If you are ever in a bind and need a quick, cute, original baby gift I would keep this pattern handy!!

Alright, be sure to check back tomorrow (or the day after that, or the day after that-cuz, let's be honest, I am a SLOW mover...)! I will be sharing pics of the weekender I made, the weekender I received (it is flipping AMAZING), and a Nappy Bag in progress (it's PDC if I do say so myself).

Laters:)

Weekender Bag Progress Report

Ok, so I have all my pieces cut out for my Weekender Bag project. (Well. almost all of the cutting is complete. I ordered a bolt of heavy sew-in interfacing from Joann's with my 50% off coupon-good deal!- anyway the shipping takes FOREVER from that place! It finally made it here so I really have a couple more cut outs to do of the interfacing). Let me tell you that is a LOT of cutting! I would show pics of all my lovely cut outs, but that would give away my fabric choices...and that wouldn't make sense since I am having a "guess what fabric I picked giveaway".

I am going to start on the sewing tonight. Lyddiebug is staying at the GP's and Andy and Graham have baseball practice...so that means I get the house all to myself for 3.5 whole hours! Cha-ching! Talk about 3.5 consecutive hours of uninterrupted sewing while singing along the to XM satellite radio (the Lithium station-yeah, I am totally stuck in the 90's...lol)! I am a little nervous because I have had some bad luck with covering the cording in the past so to be safe I plan to have a seam ripper on hand...and I think I am going to whip out the antique machine with the old standard zipper foot to see if that helps out at all. My zipper foot for my Brother machine is not very user friendly for me for some reason. Does anyone have any Brother zipper foot tips that might be useful? I hate it because it is so wide at the back which doesn't' really facilitate close sewing to the zipper. Unless maybe I am trying to sew too close? I think I need some guidance!:)

Ok, I am done rambling/venting about my zipper foot...any comments with helpful tips will be much appreciated:) I will take photos as I complete the bag so I can share the construction process later.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Peek in the variety of sneak...

Ok...I finally re-batteried my camera! Everyone do the happy dance with me:)

I wanted to share a sneak peek of the mini quilt in a bag I am making for Jill. It is nowhere near as awesome as the one she made me (and I have only seen the sneak peek of mine-I am totally excited to see the whole thing in person!) , but for a first timer I don't think it turned out too bad. Here is a little sneak for now. You will be able to see the whole thing once I get it completely done and it has been received by Jill.

More Quilted Wallet Fun

I whipped up a couple more wallets...one for my darling babysitter (the kiddos just adore her) and one for my son's bus driver (today was her last day driving the bus-she is moving away-and she is the nicest person so I thought I would make a little present for him to give to her-half going away gift, half Merry Christmas gift).







I brought them into work to show them off and got some requests for xmas presents..lol...looks like I am going to be sew, sew, sewing this weekend...darn! (Just kidding...I love an excuse to sew)

Winter Sassy Apron

The fair Katy of Queensland (check out her blog...she is one crafty gal)has received her Sassy Apron so I can share photos with all of you. YAY! I know you are all on the edge of your seats in anticipation...haha.

So here it is...





I did the Emmeline by Sew Liberated. I thought that would be the best way to make a holiday apron and a winter apron since it is a reversible pattern. It can be worn on the Christmas side for the rest of the month then flipped around for the rest of the winter. I added a little yo-yo pocket to the "winter side" which didn't turn out as nicely as I had envisioned, but I don't think it looks too bad.

I also included some cookie cutters, pencil box and magnets, and some list making paper:)



Happy Christmas, Katy! I am glad you enjoyed your sassy package!

Mini Quilt Swap Goodies Recieved!

I recieved my goodies from Spinster Handmade for the Mini-Quilt swap. Such a lovely collection! I hope I can do them justice. This will be my first quilt ever! I have tons of ideas rolling around...hopefully I can channel them into sewing up something fun:)

I am hoping to get started this weekend...I will post my progress as things start moving along.

My camera is suffering from dead batteries so to peek at the fabrics click here. I hate it when I can't put pics in my posts...but apparently I hate buying batteries more...lol!

Laters:)

Quilted Wallet Fun

Graham's teacher had a birthday last Friday so I whipped her up this wallet as a gift. It was inspired by a tutorial I found at This Darn Kat. I am pleased with the way it turned out...I was kind of nervous because this was my first wallet and I didn't really have time to start over if I messed up (since, in true Heather fashion, I was sewing it Thursday night and it had to go to school on Friday). The only part I had a little trouble with was the folding of the credit card slots...I must have folded it backwards because the design on my fabric ended up being upside down, but oh well that seems to be my tradmark:) I have posted the photos below...

Here is the front...

(I LOVE that button!!!)

Here is the inside...



Here is the inside being useful...



And here is the backside...

Decisions, Decisions (and fabric sales)

After much consideration I have finally selected my fabrics for the mini quilt swap over at Scrap Happy Quilts. Here is a picture..

I chose the Katie Jump Rope fabrics by Denyse Schmidt. I LOVE this fabric! Imagine my heartbreak when I found out this fabric has been discontinued!! WHAT?!? Why do they always discontinue the good stuff!? So I hopped onto Etsy and grabbed up as much as I could...go here for a great sale!

Later:)

P.S. Rural Fabric is closing their Etsy shop..stop by there for great deals on some awesome designer fabrics!!

Fun Projects for the Heather-do List

I was blog surfing (yeah, again-it has become my favorite passtime) and came across this neat tutorial over at SewMamaSew. It is all about making fabric wall art. It sounds super easy and looks AMAZING. What a great inexpensive way to dress up a naked wall!

Here are a couple of pictures I snagged so you know what I am talking about...





I think it would be cool to expand on the idea even further and make a padded headboard or something...the possibilites are endless! Plus I am planning a little road trip to IKEA at the beginning of December (doing cartwheels-LOVE Ikea!) so I might have to grab up some supplies while I am there!

Another tutorial I stumbled upon was one for making reversible appliance covers.



Think how HOT your kitchen will look when you dress your counter-top appliances up in these fancy duds!

The Fabric Has Been Selected

I have finally selected my fabric for my Sassy Swap Winter apron.



To me this fabric screams winter. I think it is the crisp ivory/white background against the blue. Do you get the same vibe? I am going to pair it with some silver crushed velvet to give it a little extra pizazz...much like the Recycle Swap apron I made...I really loved the look the aqua colored velvet added to the finished product.

I am excited and hoping to get started this weekend! I want to be one of the early mailers for a change;)

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween, and survived the night without too much of a tummy ache...lol

Qulting...Sure I'll give it a try!

I just signed up for a mini-quilt swap I found on Swapdex. Here are the details...

Signups begin today and will end next Saturday,November 1st. To sign up ,just leave a comment here on the blog. On Sunday,Nov. 2nd,I will send you the email address of your partner. This is NOT a secret swap,so the two of you will exchange mailing info. Then the fun begins:

1. Assemble in a bag/baggie ingredients to make a mini quilt. (Let's say anything under 20" finished quilt size is acceptable)This can be fat quarters,charm squares,strips,and/or embellishments of any kind. Think outside the box....beads,silk flowers,felt,floss,etc. Don't send batting-your partner can provide that! Send them to your partner by November 30th.
2. Once you receive your baggie of loot,create a mini quilt for your partner. You must use at least a bit of every item in the bag....you may also add items from your stash.
3. Mail the finished top (quilted and bound )to your partner by the end of January. This should give us plenty of extra time around the holidays.
4. Include a label on the back with pertinent info. Please email me when you have sent and rec'd your quilt. Post pictures!

UPDATE: let's say maker provides backing fabric and batting-ok?


I am a little nervous, but I am looking forward to swapping something besides aprons. If anyone is interested in joining sign-ups don't end until tomorrow (11/1) and I have included the button in this post so all you have to do is click and you are on your way:)