HELP!!

So I need to make 2 boy quilts and don't what fabric to use! One boy is 2 years old and loves trains. The 2nd boy is on his way and will be gracing the world wit his presence in Feb.

So far the only like I have seen out there that is really boy appropriate is Sweetwater's Lucy's Crab Shack line.

Any other suggestions???

Any at all???

Destash Alert!

I have so much freaking fabric that I am not using, and it is just sad.  So I am destashing some of it in an attempt to clear out the old and bring in some new!  Up on the chopping block is a lot of vintage materials, Heather Ross (both her fabrics and Munki Munki), and Japanese fabrics.  I have uploaded like 20 things today and have many more to go so check back often!

DESTASH HERE!

Some things are auction, some are fixed prices, but I will combine shipping on everything once an invoice is requested. 

Well damn...

I finally decide I am ready to bust out all my craft stuff and do something creative tonight. Only my rotary cutter decided it was a wee bit angry with me for being gone so long.

So yeah...off to the doctor in the morning, and I certainly won't be painting what's left of my nail for a while. What's most annoying is I am left handed. ARGH.

Anyone want to be my left hand for a while?? The pay is crap but I promise not to cut you!!

An apology!

I don't know what happened with my Bella Parade posts, but they didn't post when they were scheduled too!!  My post from Monday did the same thing :(  Has anyone else been having this problem on blogger or am I just having a bad day??

I am so so sorry that my posts were delayed!  I just posted them both, and I hope you all enjoy this weeks colors and the button up pouch tutorial!

Prostrating myself before you all....
Bry

Bella Parade 2012 - All Buttoned Up Tutorial

Hello lovelies!

So today is the day (I was dreading until I finished my own pouch and figured out this tutorial actually works!) that you all learn how to make this super cute All Buttoned Up Pouch!

I love this little thing and it is super easy to make with just a little bit of fabric, some hard interfacing, and some industrial snaps. Seriously, this is easily makeable in an hour. I did take tons of pictures though so that's why the post seems so long! So grab some supplies and lets get started!

Here is what you will need:
1. Template (8.5 x 11 template) (11 x 17 template)
2. Exterior fabric approx: 10" x 15"
3. 2 pieces of stiff interfacing each approx: 10" x 15"
4. Lining fabric approx: 10" x 15"
5. 2 sets of industrial strength snaps
6. Snap installation tool
7. Hammer

First you need to print out the pattern template. There are 2 available versions - one that prints on legal size paper and one that prints on regular sized printer paper, but remember you will need to print it 2x and tape the pieces together without overlapping them . Whichever works best for you.

You will need to cut 1 piece of your exterior fabric, 1 piece for your lining, and 2 pieces of stiff interfacing. You can use only 1 piece of interfacing so that the case is a bit more flexible, but do not use more than 2 or you snaps will not be able to make it through all the layers.

Next you need to layer the pieces so that you can sew them all together. First lay down the 2 layers of interfacing, the lining right side up, and the exterior piece right side down. I also suggest spray basting the layers together so that they don't ripple within the pouch once you piece it together.

I suggest starting at the end of one of the long sides and finishing at the top of the same long side. You will need quite a large opening to turn this piece with the super stiff interfacing.

You will need to do this slowly, especially when you get to the corners around the end flaps. If you are using a 1/4" foot the corners will easily get caught up in the foot.

Once sewn all the way around and before you turn it you are going to want to trim all the outside corners to reduce bulk.

Also you are going to want to snip the interior corners. It's hard to see in the photo but I made 3 tiny snips to allow for some flexibility.

Now you are ready to turn the fabric. You will definitely want a turning tool or awl on the corners to make them super square. Then topstitch about 1/8" away from the edge all the way around to sew down your opening and just to make it look a bit more finished.

Now we are ready to attach the snaps!

You will need 2 complete sets to finish the pouch. The outside of the snaps will go on the end flaps, and the bottoms of the snaps will go on the side of the pouch that you did not leave open to turn. That way you have a nicer finished edge on the outside.

Before placing the snaps, fold up the pouch to determine where best to place the snaps on the end flaps. Don't just make them center on the flap because you will lose some length of the flap once it is folded over due to the many layers of the pouch.

Once you figure out where you want to put the tops of the snaps follow the directions on how to install the snap and voila - one part of the snap is in! Repeat on the flap on the other end.

Now the easiest way to attach the bottoms of the snaps on the sides is to fold the pouch as if it were snapped shut and trace around the upper snap with a water soluble pencil so that you can be assured the 2 halves of the snap will line up.

Now this part is a bit trickier, because you have to place the prong side of the snap on the lining side and press through the prongs so that they end up at the center of your traced circle. This can be a bit frustrating as it could snag you fabric if you push it through and it isn't where you want it. So do it slowly and carefully. Once you have the prongs poking through where you want them too finish installing the snap per the directions.

And now you are done!!

Time to start using your pouch for anything like pens, pencils, maybe knitting needles or crochet hooks. Heck you could even make an extra long one to pack chopsticks in your lunch!

Imagine you could embroider your kiddo's initials on the back side or use up old quilt blocks you aren't going to use for a quilt anymore and make it into the pouches exterior. Or better yet, a solid exterior with a pieced interior for that extra little pop of interest!

Well that's it guys! Hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and of course if you have any questions, comments, or notice any problems with the tut please don't hesitate to contact me at bomara [at] gmail [dot] com. Until then I hope you are all enjoying the parade and taking every opportunity to win all the amazing free fabric that is up for grabs!

Cheers!
Bry

Bella Parade 2012 - Fabrics

Hi there y'all!

So this is my first of 2 official posts for the Bella Solids Parade of 2012! I am featuring 4 brand new shades of Bella Solids today, and then am going to show you some fantastic complimentary fabrics for these beautiful new colors.

The shades I am going to share with you are:
Bella Solid # 211 : Citrine
Bella Solid # 218 : Indigo
Bella Solid # 216 : Peacock
Bella Solid # 203 : Orchid

First up, we have CITRINE! This fabric looks freaking fantastic with Tula Pink's Prince Charming line.  It's like Moda matched the color spot on with Tula's assistance. 

Next there's INDIGO! I love this shade with Tula Pink's Parisville line.  It matches her girls so perfectly!

 Next up.... PEACOCK!  This shade goes so perfectly with Tula Pink's Plume line.  Not so much with the first fabric on my layer cake (of course - and I couldn't bear to take it apart just for 1 picture) but take my word for it!  I promise you!  Now on Fat quarter shop, I think the color on my screen looks a bit more blue-ish aqua but it definitely leans more green.

***(And seriously I JUST REALIZED as I was typing this post that I ended up matching 3 of my 4 shades with various Tula Pink lines!  Geeze.  Well I am a total Tula troop through and through - but I swear I didn't do that on purpose!)***

Finally, we have ORCHID!  (i.e. the only shade I didn't match with a Tula Pink line)  I loved this shade with my set of pink/purple oakshot cottons.  I love the feeling of the Bella solids alongside the feeling of the oakshots.  They are both so soft, and the colors are so sweet.  And since oakshots can be so expensive this shade of Bella will be a perfect match to make something with them both. 

Also, I realized right off the bat when I opened my package from Fat Quarter Shop that all 4 of these lovely shades would be amazing with Lotta Jansporter's Echo line!  I only pulled a few prints but honestly they look great with all the colors of that line, even the chocolate brown.  Plus toss in a bit of Kona Ash (which I had in my stash) or some Bella Zen Gray and it's even more fantastic. 

So yeah, Moda has made some fantastic new shades for their Bella Solids line and they are lovely!  And  hope you will join me tomorrow for a tutorial on how to make a super cute little buttoned up pouch perfect for pens, pencils, crochet hooks, knitting needles, and whatever else you can think of!

Bella Solid Parade 2012

Well here we go! It's my week of the Bella Solids Parade!

Moda has released this years collection of Bella Solids! And we want to celebrate it! So here's to the Bella Solids Parade Season 2 brought to you by Shruti, Emily, and Fat Quarter Shop.

So this week is my week in the parade and I am going to be sharing 4 new shades with you! On Friday I will showcase these 4 new colors as well as show you some great fabrics from my stash that they go perfectly with! Then on Saturday I will give you a tutorial for a small project that is easily finished in a day. Here's a hint of what you will learn to make!

Excited yet??  Intrigued?? Just plain confused?? Come on, all of us sewers like to dabble with tools from time to time so this is your chance!

I hope so!  So stay tuned for this Friday and Saturday!

An honor and An Annoucement

It has been so long! I am a horrible blogger and a horrible quilter right now. And my only excuse is that I just haven't been feeling my crafty mojo since I have moved. A couple of times it has revealed itself to me a tiny bit - enough to do some hand work - but otherwise it has been a total no show.

 Still though I did join the Boston Modern Quilt Guild, and since then I have been given honored by being named their Member of the Month! You can see the post here!

Also I want to give you a tiny sneak peek on some awesome things to come...Remember when I made this little beauty last year for the Bella Solids Parade??
 

Welcome to Bella Solids Parade 2012, thanks to the awesome Shruti. This years parade gives you the chance to win 20 half yards of Bella Solids courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop and 5 tutorials of things you can easily make in a day.

Excited yet?

I thought you might be!

My Precious QAL

Who's participating??

I know I am!  This was just the swift kick in the pants I needed to do more with my favorite fabrics than just pull them out to look at them, pet them, hug them, kiss them, and then tuck them back into my stash.



And OMG Tula Pink herself is donating a prize!!! SWOON.

Whoa.

Almost a month without blogging! 

A MONTH!

What have I been doing for all this time you may ask, well I am still just settling into my new life.  Working, making friends, and exploring!

I have been working on my Tula Pink Parisville hang sewing quilt that I showed a peak of before here and here. But lets be honest - that quilt is going to be a....long term project. 

I do have some exciting news but I am not sure I can share it just yet, but hopefully very soon!  Until then my lovelies stay tuned!

A Review of Quilts from the House of Tula Pink

I have been waiting for this book for so freaking long. Wait can I say I am a big time member of Tula's Troops. And it was worth the wait!

The photography in this book and the over all styling is just gorgeous! You can tell how much work went into every photo and the colors are so bright, cheery, and homey.

Sprinkled throughout the book were these fabulous little "Tula says..." boxes full of great little tips, anecdotes, and inspirations!

The illustrations and directions were hand drawn and so sweet.

One of my favorite non-quilting projects is this awesome lampshade embroidery decoration. Its so cute! And I already have the perfect lamp from Ikea to try it on!

The absolute BEST part of the book though was the story behind the quilting of each quilt. Tula explains why she wanted certain motifs and designs, and that the quilting adds another dimension to the quilt as a whole. Its not just about the design or the fabric or the piecing. It's about everything all together, and the quilting plays a big part in that.

All in all this book is an awesome addition to my sewing library. True I am a bit biased as I love her fabrics, but still this is a valuable tool for those looking to learn to quilt and those more experienced sewers who need a little bit of inspiration in their lives!  GET IT!

Do you see what I see?

Yeah....

Houston we have a problem.

or...

This is what happens when you mix hand sewing and a good white wine.

or...

OOPS. Now where is my seam ripper.

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth

Yes. That one.

I was lucky enough to spend all of last week in beautiful Orlando, Florida and Walt Disney World.



But don't worry I am not going to completely overwhelm you with photos. Just going to share a few of my favorite Hipstamatic shots. (And download the Hipstamatic app - you'll love it. I promise.)

There where parades.





There were shows.



There were rides.



There were animals.







There was fun.





And I realized that even though I am now 2,000 miles away from my family and friends in Texas we can still always meet up somewhere amazing in between us. It's a small world afterall.



Until next time my lovely readers when I share with you a new favorite artist and a review of Miss Tula's new book - Goodbye!



And heres a bit of magic to send you on your way :)