My first tote

Here is the last of my creations for the week. I am headed to Mexico with drink in hand very soon. I made this tote to carry on the plane but turns out I do not need it. Ha! It is definitely not perfect like all the rest of everything I have made but it has taught me a few things. Make sure the inside is the right size or you will end up with pink ribbon embellish to cover a tiny error. Next, figure out the pocket situation thoroughly before you start sewing. Last, smile because it is done.

This is the last of this fabric so luckily I will be moving on...I liked it a lot but now I am sick of looking at it. :)

Goodbye...I am off to the beach!

An Apron

Here is what I made Anna for her birthday...although it was a few weeks ago, I am just now completing. Note to self....start projects 2 weeks before the intended start date because nothing will go smoothly. I was able to do most of this in one day with the help of Emily but when it came to sewing the bias, I was having major issues. After a serious breakdown with the machine, I read the manual (mom made me) and figured it out. How are mom's always right? Anyway, I found why I was skipping stitches (due to the needle) and I also completed the project quickly after figuring it out. Anyway, here it is...again, who knew I could do this?? Sewing is fun!

Who Knew?

So, yesterday I got my mom's sewing machine because mine is officially broken. I almost broke hers too but saved it. I was making a tote for my Mexico trip on Thursday and I messed up. I find that is pretty common in the sewing world and am trying to learn patience and to deal with it. So I took my mess up and made this drawstring bag. Way out of my knowledge of sewing but I tried it and it worked. Not perfect but good enough to use....for something. I think I also decided that I might never get my camera out to take pictures because it is more convenient on the phone. :)

I have a couple more things that should be done before I leave...stay tuned!!

A

Cute little bag...

Here is my latest creation. I worked with Emily (my brother's soon to be wife) and the first try was just that....trying. We finally got it done after dinner, ice cream and a few t.v. shows. So, I made this for my friend Kristyn for her birthday. When I gave her gift, she gave me one too!! A stack of vintage fabric for me to create with! YES! More projects for me. Since I learned to do a zipper as well, I am able to do a little more. Here is a picture....again, sorry for the phone shot but I keep forgetting to take it with my camera before I give stuff away...



Next up is an apron that Emily helped me with also. It is almost complete but of course, my machine is sick again. My mom is bringing me hers so I can get it finished. Stay tuned....

FINALLY

Okay, so I have not been slacking...I have been making a pillow for my friend Shawna. It was her 30th birthday and I wanted to make her something. But since I am new at the sewing thing...my options were limited. I saw this pillow online and thought it was very cute. Now, I definitely changed it up and it did not look exactly like this but I think that is the fun part about creating something original. Jake did bring it to my attention that a pillow is a random present and it will probably get little use...yes but oh well.

(I apologize for the photos...they were taken on my phone because I was so into the project I must have forgotten to get the actual camera out...so sorry)

Another things...I should start by saying that I got the information from Elizabeth Hartman with Sew, Mama Sew!

Here is what I did:

First I created these little flowers which apparently are called YoYo's...If you can learn to create these, you can use them for a lot of things.



I created 25 of these YoYos in 2 different fabrics. The dark fabric was thinker and harder to pull the thread through making the centers not as tight as the light colored Yoyo. So 25 I did...and then I hand sewed all of them together... (they are sitting on another pillow, the polka dots is not the background of the completed pillow)



After I completed this, my mom suggested adding buttons. I have a lot so I went through and found some cute buttons that would jazz up the YoYos. This my friends, was not an easy task. All buttons are not created equal and some are on there very tight and some are not. Adding the buttons definitely made this a non-functional pillow and now can sit on a chair in the back of the room. But it definitely gave it more depth and added interest to the pillow.



Next it was time to sew it all together. I knew that with the buttons and the backing fabric we were going to have to change the shape a little bit to make it a stronger pillow. I went to my sewing guru Anne and she hooked me up! Not only did I learn to do an envelope backing with a tie but I also learned to do ties and piping (a little). After a long night of sewing we completed the project and it turned out very cute. (again, sorry for the poor photos)



So, once completed, I sent off to the birthday girl. Yea!!

Stay tuned...today I am sewing a couple more presents for people so I will update you on Monday. Have a great weekend!

YEA!!!

I am celebrating two things in this post. First, that my lovely mother came over and fixed my sewing machine. It was pretty bad...but she came through and fixed it! She rocks!

Next, I completed my first stuffed animal. While he looks okay from afar he has a few issues that I learned from for the next one. First, I think he would be cute if I hand sew the whole thing but that would defeat my purpose of learning with the sewing machine. I will definitely be trying this again but with some modifications. I also learned that it is definitely helpful to sew all outside pieces first and then sew his body together. For some reason I sewed the eyes on but not the nose before sewing him all together. Who knows...probably my impatient nature getting the best of me.

When my mom can over she suggested doing more square items to practice and to start with as the circular bottom is harder to sew. Her suggestion was to change the owl into SpongeBob...no thanks. Anyway, I have been practicing my straight lines as well and hope to have a lot more projects with better seems in the near future.

Last night I was making the cutest (hopefully) owl and my sewing machine got a little sick. It is currently not working and I have called in back up for help. My mom is coming over tomorrow to hopefully fix whatever is wrong with it. Knowing me, it is probably something I did and is an easy fix. Cross your fingers!

Hopefully the next post will be a cute stuffed owl! :)

Hello....

So, I had a very busy week since my last post. I had to go to Austin for work for a few days and then to my bride-to-be best friend for her last hooray as a single lady. Well, needless to say that I have been having a lot of fun! I am so excited for Lindsay and know that she will make a great wife and a beautiful bride.

This weekend we are going back to Austin for Labor Day to float the river. I am sure this will be a fantastic time! It is a work reunion of a few co-workers that were all stuck together by a crazy boss and a pretty crazy company. Anyway, it will be great to see them and get a little R& R for the last long weekend of summer. I do live Texas though so I have at least 6 more weeks of heat ahead...ugg!!

Anyway, I am doing a little practicing tonight and hope to have something to post...better then my first...one can only hope. Anyway, stay tuned...

First attempt...I mean practice

It pains me to even post this picture. It is pretty awful but it is my first time and I would never show anyone this if I had not committed myself to showing all of my progression in this crazy sewing land I have gotten myself into. So, this is an eye glass case or is an attempt to be. The fabric is really cute but did not photo very well. It is cherry blossoms on read fabric. Anyway, so again I am going to try to make the eye glass case a little better this time. Definitely with even lines and stitching all the way around the top. Yes, it is sad this poor eye glass case but hopefully try #2 will turn out with much more success!!

Ahhh...It's Anne

This is my friend Anne. She is super talented and probably the most creative person I know when it comes to everything crafty. So, when I wanted to learn to sew I immediately asked her. She has 3 kids so I knew that her patience would be very high when dealing with my lack of knowledge about the sewing machine. Numerous times in the past I have attempted to learn with my mother but no success...well I take that back, she taught me to thread and set up everything which I know is half the battle.

Anyway, last week I went to Anne's for sewing 101....which is exactly what it said on her chalkboard door in her kitchen. Along with my welcome, I was greeted with a list of the basic supplies that I need to start my sewing endeavor. How does she manage all of this? Seriously, she is super mom and sewing lady. Anyway, after following her direction and the steps in my book...we were able to bust out a Tiny Tote. Literally, the tiniest thing you have ever seen. A bag for a 2 year old if you will. So cute and not too terrible but I definitely need some practice. Here is a picture of my first creation...stay tuned for more...

Sew what?

Well...again, it has been forever. A few other blogs have inspired me and my new found hobby of sewing. So I figured for the next few, well...how ever long it takes me..I will take you through my journey of learning to sewing. From beginner to hopefully a professional...I will take you through what I hope has a happy ending with curtains and gifts galore. I will also try to keep up with my favorite things and let you know what I find out there on the internet that I love or want really badly.

For now, I say happy sewing and good luck to me!!

Piggy Piggy

Right now if you are inviting me to a baby shower or a child's 1st birthday it is most likely that you will receive a piggy bank from me. I am not sure why but I am finding the cutest little piggy banks and think every kid should have one. Of course, the value of a dollar is something I did not learn until much later in life so I think it is good to encourage when they come out of the womb.

David Desalvo Studios creates these cutie money savers and if in Austin can be purchased at Wee. There are all different animals and colors for your liking. I have to say though if you see one you like, buy it because it probably will not be there when you get back and then he will have to hand make you another. Check it out! Enjoy!

Oh, and BTW...if I give you this gift with money to put in the bank....no spending, its for the baby!

Forever..

So, starting a new job, moving and getting into a relationship has really put a halt on the blogging. But that is no excuse, I read a ton of blogs everyday that the people have much more going on then me so I am now back on it. Telling you what I want you to know and what I like. Hmm, all about me...just the way I like it. For all of my 6 readers, thanks and sorry I have been a slacker the past few months...Oh, and the picture is just one I like.

Egg-cellent!

This is the funniest thing I have see in a while as you you can tell since I have not blogged in a bit. So, check this out:

The new eglu cube is the ideal way to keep up to 10 chickens in a town, city or on a hobby farm. It is based on the same revolutionary technology as the original eglu with slide out dropping trays, hose clean surfaces, twin walled insulated, no maintenance and our No Foxes Allowed protection. The eglu cube makes is easy to keep a large number of hens and leaves you with more time to enjoy the pleasures of owning chickens.

Hilarious!!

Pretty Beach House

Can this be my next vacation spot? Probably so, if it was not in Sydney or if it did not cost almost 2K a night. Either way it is a gorgeous place...click on the title and check it out.

Damn Fine Tea

If you know me then you know that I love tea. Here is yet another company offering great teas at a good price, with of course a good design concept.

Pretty Pictures

This blog has very pretty pictures on it that you can purchase for what looks like all the same price. Reminds me of Spring....

Yummy...Cake

How cute is this cake?? The kid in the background is cute too and kinda looks like Harry Potter. Anyway, I am posting this not only because it looks awesome but many so my mom will make it for my upcoming birthday. The first cake I asked her to make was 3 tiers...this looks a little easier....Hey, you only turn 30 once...

Love the Brightside

It has been forever since I have blogged. Life gets away from you sometimes and it is only until I see something truly worthy to put on my blog then I think what I am missing or what my audience is missing of course (all 4 of you).

So, today I found something totally different and unique that i had to post a blog. Click on the title to get the link for this page. The brightside project is something that Miss B put together to get people thinking. Not only are you thinking but there are gifts to go with it should you have the best thought for the particular question. Check it out....it is fun and creative, two of my favorite things.

Thoughtful Necklace

My dear friend Shawna, got me this necklace for Christmas and I thought it was so cute, I had to share. It is a plain gold change with a heart attached and engraved on mine says, "Wish you were here". A simple gift with big thought and meaning. The vintage looking necklace comes with a few other sayings to brighten up you day. As always, click the title for the link.