Jalie Swimsuit 3023

I made a swimsuit and swim top for my daughter. I used Jalie 3023 for the swimsuit. I really love this pattern and hopefully by the end of the summer will make a suit from it for myself. It fits very well. The skirt has attached swim bottoms. The Swim top I am not in love with It was a New Look pattern -it had cute elastic gathered sleeves but the sleeves would of been too tight so I left them plain.

American Girl Felicity now Starring as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

I made this outfit recently for my 18" American Girl doll. I used a pattern for the shirt: Butterick 5110. The skirt was not difficult to bring together from pictures. The shoes I created using felt and lots of glitter and mod podge.

American Girl Doll outfits

I was recently in an American Girl Doll Swap- I had 2 partners. The first one I made an Ice skating outfit for. My partner made me a gymnastics set so in the picture is shown the Ice Skating leotard I made ( I made duplicates so I could give one and keep one) and the gymnastics mat and balance beam she made. I also made a garment Bag and hanger and sent along store bought skates. One of these days I hope to get the garment bag posted with a tutorial. The second partner I had I made a LGBTQ Pride outfit. I screen printed the hoodie and used a Liberty Jane pattern for the Jeans. The Jeans were SO time consuming but I love the end result. The instruction were well written. I added rhinestones to the jean pockets.

Amy Butler Blossom Bags

I just finished 2 Amy Butler Blossom Bags. I found the pattern to be straightforward. It felt like it took forever to cut out and interface, but I am very happy with the end result. I added some extra interfacing and hand basted it, so it was not noticeable on the outside. I have made about 10 different bags and only used 1. These 2 -I will be using. Great size and style for me. The plaid one I decided to use gate clasps so that I can change the handle sizes. I used turn locks on both of them. It was much easier than I expected and I can't believe I had been so intimidated by them. I love the look they add. The floral one I love except I wish I had longer handles on it. But I did not have enough fabric for the longer straps. I literally had no scraps of this fabric larger than 4"x4". I really love the design of the Blossom bag. I used a wool fabric that I have had for almost 20 years on the plaid bag. It had enough forgiveness in the fabric not to show any little wrinkles from flipping the lining etc. Home Dec weight was used on the floral bag. It worked nicely. I would steer away from normal weight cotton fabrics for this bag. I think it would be prone to wrinkling and the heavier weight fabrics are nice in helping the bag to stay curved. I changed the inside a bit to eliminate a divider panel but add a zipper pouch area in the lining.

Working on a project for Girl Scouts. It will be an antiqued Stationery holder. A 12x12 sheet of cardstock is folded in half and the bottom 3" folded to create pockets inside. Walnut inking gives it an aged look. Layered with paper and stamping. Has a ribbon closure. Normal 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper cut in half fits nicely inside for stationery which will be further stamped. Our camp theme is the Medieval times. I will be getting a couple of stamps to fit the theme. A castle, crown or shield, etc.

Valentines Wreath

Getting ready for valentines with a new wreath.

I made these owl doorstops for my children's rooms. They are stuffed with batting and a pouch of pennies for heft on the bottom.

I have been sewing a lot of purses and bags lately. I decided to try out all 3 bag patterns from Simplicity #2617. They all have a snap closure and a zipper pocket inside. I really like how the zipper pocket is made. It is a medium size pocket with a very clean look.The pattern was well written. The bags vary in size from one large enough to carry a binder in to 2 smaller bags with ample everyday room for a wallet and extras.

I love the look of all the cathedral quilts I have been seeing lately. But I was far too intimidated to try one. Then I came a cross a wonderful tutorial for a pincushion here: http://gogokim.blogspot.com/2011/12/cathedral-window-pin-cushion-tutorial.html I figured a pincushion might be just the size for me to be able to complete a cathedral project. Her tutorial is wonderful! It was the perfect time to open up my Moda Ruby charm pack that I have been hoarding away. Cathedral blocks are not difficult but they are time consuming. Think of it as fabric origami. For the button I pulled out a Fimo button that I had made a while ago. It was my first attempt at clay buttons and I made it much too thick for clothing, but it fits the bill for the pincushion.

Sewing for a Good Cause

I have made a goal this year to start using up my huge stash. To be more specific- to get it to where it all fits on my shelves. Buy less-use more of what I have. I am also trying to make items for charity-my goal is 2 charities a month. One charity will always be sewing liners for http://www.daysforgirls.org/
a little about their work from their site:
What if not having feminine supplies kept you isolated during menstruation?
• No study for days.
• No income for days.
• No access to hygiene ... for days.
It happens every day worldwide to women in impoverished communities. We're tackling the goal of ensuring women have their own sustainable, effective feminine solutions. It's working!
This organization is completely volunteer run and sustained. They really do amazing things and there are SO MANY ways to help. Please take a look around their site. And if you happen to be in the SLC UT area you can always drop items off to me and I will mail them with my shipments.
I will post pics of some of the liners I have sewn on a different entry for now--onto my knit stashbusting endeaver. I spent a couple of weeks sewing lots of PJ's. I think it was 17 of them.. Shirts and bottoms galore. I have not decided who they are going to yet, there are so many good causes that could use them. I mught have to resort to pulling a name out of a hat.
I also have been doing some sewing for www.sudanhelp.org My Girl Scouts troop had one of the Lost Boys of Sudan come speak to us. He is working on building a school in his native village. The girls each helped sew a school bag to send to the cause, and I added more to the pile. 19 bags completed.

Camera Lens Bag

This is a great camera lens storage bag. Perfect for keeping dust off your expensive lens. It is lined and is interfaced with 1/4" thick foam. The foam is double upped in the base. It will accommodate a lens up to 5" tall. It has a flat bottom and can stand on its own, even when empty. Ribbon tie at the top.
I made a couple for myself, one for a custom order and an extra that can be found in my Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69201560/camera-lens-storage-bag

Project Bags

I have made myself a few project bags, after receiving a wonderful one from LeslieHappyHeart in a swap. They have enough room to tote a medium knitting project. They have a drawstring close and an inside zipper pocket. I love the circular design, it makes it easy for the bag to stand on it's own.

Earring Holder and earrings

I almost bought some earring holders online but I have been trying to "use what I have". So I looked around and found these white frames buried deep in storage. Then I remembered this light linen I received that use to be my grandmothers, before she passed away. So My sentimental earring holder was born. For the earrings holder I just cut that plastic mesh needlework canvas to the frame inside size and then hut glued the fabric around and all of it into the frame. I am going to get a little frame easel to rest it on to be able to easily access the front and back.
Then I completed some earrings for Myself. I remembered why I have not delved into my beads for so long. I am so indecisive when it comes to making jewelry. These 7 pair took me almost a whole day to create.

Headband Holder, Knot Apron and underwear

I have been completing so many projects lately. My big goal for the year is to start to use my stash! My craft room is out of control with crafting materials. A few items I have been working on:
Headband Holders These work best with the plastic and metal headbands so they can slip on and off easily.
How I did it:
Take a cleaned empty oatmeal container and spray paint it. Make sure to spray paint the bottom too. You can use the outside for headbands and store bows inside!

I made knot aprons for Christmas gifts for my daughter and cousins. I love the knot style neck because it is easily adjustable and the ties do not get your hair stuck in them.

I have been making more undies for the kids and tried a new pattern to make some for myself. The pattern I used for the womens panties is McCalls 6128 , It was a very easy to follow and sew pattern. The undies are very comfy. I used FOE for the leg elastic. I had never used FOE and I am now in love. So much easier than standard elastic for underwear applications. I used ribbing for the waist though as I like slightly higher waistlines than the pattern had.

Kyoko dresses and tunics

I have been sewing a lot of the Modkid Kyoko dresses and tunics this year. The pattern is Wonderful. I love how it comes together and the flexibility for sizing if your daughter is skinnier or heavier than normal. The only thing I recommend changing is extending the top downwards towards the waist another inch or two so the Obi Belt better covers the seam/waist if the belt slips down a little.

Easter Coloring Binders

For Easter the past few years we taken a trip to Moab. We leave home on Easter day when everyone else is leaving the park. So it has become a tradition for me stuff the baskets with car activities. This year we decided to switch up the scenery and head to Lava Hot Springs at the beginning of the break, before Easter. Alas I came down with a viscious Flu that has left me in bed for the last 5 days. So our trip was cancelled. Yesterday we went to a movie and breakfast. Then I came home and tried to nap (did not work) Awoke miserable today so Chad has kept the kids occupied for me. Given the circumstances the kids have had good attitudes.
Anyhow..back to the binders. I decided to stick with the car activities theme (we will atleast be able to use them this summer on our trip to Montana). I have been making a lot of binder organizers for my Etsy shop and thought they would be great coloring arts organizers. I made slots for twist up crayons and a zippered pouch for erasors, pens etc. The Edges of the front inside curl up due to the width of the crayons so next time going to have to allow for that issue. Since I had cut out all 3 binder fabrics at once though I figured the kids would not notice the eye-sore though. And well lets face it Suffering from the flu half a week before Easter-it'll just have to do.

Scrapbooking

Besides sewing, scrapbooking and papercrafts are my major hobby. I have been published in numerous magazines and been on a few design teams. I recently realized it has been a long time since I have done a page for my kids, so I am making a goal to get 2 pages done for each in the next month and a half. (I am posting my goal here because I think it will help me to do it if I put in writing ;) ) I have not posted to scrap galleries in ages so these are all older pages but here is my scrapbook.com gallery. http://www.scrapbook.com/galleries/13853/list/-1/0/1.html

A summer Quilt

Last year for mothers day I received a large Hammock. I dreampt of the days I will lazy days around reading on it with a light quilt. I love gnomes so thought Michael Millers Gnome fabric would be perfect. It also gave the advantage of making for a quick quilt because I did not want the fabrics scene of gnomes playing instruments to be too broken up. So I made 3 strips for the main part and had fun mixing primary squares for the edges. The result was what I had envisioned. Fast forward to 10 months later..I still have not spent a lazy day reading as I had envisioned. All 3 children were home sick from school and we had a wonderfully warm spring teaser day outside. I was delighted when the 2 youngest decided to go outside and read. My youngest son spent a couple hours looking at books and just sitting in a chair peeling oranges and nibbling. My daughter grabbed a quilt and when I popped out to check on them was in the exact scene I had made the quilt for. She ended up spending 3 whole ours outside reading! Doesn't it just warm your heart when you see the kids reading on their own accord?

Hoodies

Boys are hard to sew for. My youngest feels left out because he does not get nearly as many handmade goods from me as my daughter. I have finally found something he can actually use though. I used a Burda pattern for some hoodies for both sons (and yes my daughter..can't resist girly fabrics). This pattern sewed up like a dream. Straight forward and easy to understand. I was afraid of using knits but this pattern made it easy.

My latest project- Elastic free panties /dundies for my children. My daughter is sensitive to the elastic used in most store-bought undies so I decided to try my hand at making her some. She Loves them and I am very happy with the fit and comfort of the pattern. These homemade undies are sure to last a long time too, no more cheap thin fabric underwear for us. Now I want to make some for myself. They are so cute and fun with different fabrics. I also experimented with a tshirt that was going to be thrown out. It had a hole in the stomach area but such a cute dog print. So I upcycled it into a fun pair of underwear.