Padded camera case

I received a new camera for Christmas.  I love it.  I wanted to keep it in my purse, but our old bulky case wouldn't fit nicely.  I've been on the hunt for a pattern that would work for my needs.

A few weeks ago, I found Michele Designs (formerly Keyka Lou)'s Padded Camera Case.  I thought it might just do the trick.

New Ironing Board Cover, x2

My ironing board cover was getting really nasty.  I've had it for a long time (3 moves worth or so!), and it finally started getting actual holes in it.  It was time to break down and make a new cover.   I actually made this over a month ago before my life started revolving around wiring our house...but that's a story for another day.

While I was at it, I also made a cover for Dolly's ironing board...thank you, Mom, for saving it from my childhood!

Wrapped Fabric Flower Tutorial

It's about time I shared a new tutorial, don't you think?  Last month we had a family wedding to attend, with the groom's family asked to wear something yellow.  I found some really pretty voile floral fabric (at WalMart of all places!), and thought it would make a fun accessory.  The result are these flowers, which make a great hair clip or brooch.

They are really simple to make...you don't even have to use a sewing machine, although it makes things quicker.  Ready to play along?  Grab your supplies...

Creativity is in your Jeans

Hi all.  I'm over at Michele's Blog today sharing my "Drop-Dead Denim" Contribution.

Hop on over and check it out.  If you're not familiar with Michele Made Me...you're in for a treat.  She makes the most amazing things with just the stuff she has on hand.  Trust me, you'll love her!  Here's a little peek at my tutorial:

Work in Progress Wednesday

I have begun my magnum opus.  Magnum opus is Latin for "great work".  I usually tackle things that take me a couple days at most, and this quilt is going to take months...especially as we begin building our house.

Tote 4 Me

I really wanted a new purse. My old one really needed a wash, and there were a few things that really bugged me about it.  I have been eyeing Anna's 241 Tote for a while, and finally bought my pattern and made one. I actually made it before we moved, but like many things, I forgot to blog about it!

Snow White Dress, which almost didn't have a happy ending!

When I cut out the fabric for Big Sister's new Jump Rope Dress, I also cut out a dress for Baby using more of my winnings.  I used the Puppet Show Pattern, which I've used previously, only cutting it in dress length.  While the red dress was a breeze to put together, I had nothing but problems putting together the Snow White Dress, as I call it.  (Don't the colors kind of remind you of Snow White?)

Ballard-Inspired Triptych Landscape

A while back, Jessica at Running with Scissors posted a fun triptych landscape painting she made for her mantle.
Here's her version:

Fabric Roses

Last spring, my bloggy friend Anj @ SnowyBliss posted these beautiful fabric roses.

via SnowyBliss

Kids Clothing Week, Dressy Stuff

All of a sudden it seams Big Sis has sprouted. The dresses (HERE and HERE) I made her last year were getting tight, and it was time for some new dressy outfits. I raided my stash to make her a skirt and sundress.  KCWC motivation to the rescue!

Kids Clothing Week, Pajamas

We needed some summery pajamas around here. So, with KCWC motivation, this was one of the projects I wanted to tackle.

Kids Clothing Week, Day 1

Today I tried out my pint sized version of the grown-up peasant blouse...but I have to rename it if it's going on a child!  So, here you have:

Spring Top Entry

I did it! I actually made TWO things just for me to wear. The Portfolio dress was the first dress I've ever made for myself, (without any help from my mom!)

Fabric Flower Frenzy

We had a new niece born in our family a couple weeks ago, and along with the new sewing I've been doing for the girls and myself, I thought some new accessories were necessary.

1, 4, 5, and 8 are based on my ruffled flower tutorial.  I know, I'm a snob for finished edges (and more of that to come!), but aren't some of them fun with the frayed edge?

3 and 7 are made following Tasha's fun Pointed Flower Tutorial.  I got all excited to make these, and then realized I didn't have any covered button supplies.  So, I  made my own covered buttons with old shank buttons I had in my stash.

2 and 6 were made loosely following the Sew4Home Tattered Flower tutorial.

I think making these can become slightly addictive.  Consider yourself warned.  To make one into a pin, simply glue a bit of felt to the back of the flower and use a large safety pin.  For hair clippies, I use my method shown for my Simple Non-Slip clippies, with Sally alligator clips.

Like this:

Hoping you're enjoying your day.  The sun is finally out here in Idaho, and it is actually warm outside!

Sharing with:

Catching my breath

Life has been crazy around here.  With an unexpected funeral to attend last weekend, life has been even more hectic.  I wanted to show you my entry for OMTWI week one.  I didn't make it through, but that's fine.  Like I said, there's a lot going on right now.

Signs of Spring

It's been halting, but signs of spring are popping up around our home and yard.  Of course, I had to make a new banner for my wreath, and a matching one for the mantle.

"Punk"-Inspired Floor Cushions

As the kids get older, the need for more seating has arisen.  I bookmarked Living With Punks Floor Cushion when she first posted the tutorial last year...and even had them cut out before we moved (August 2010).  I finally put them together last week.

We have really enjoyed these pillows!  Perfect to...

Getting back to garment sewing

I've been focused on a lot of home creating, making our new to us house feel like a home.  I thought it was about time to start thinking about garment sewing, especially as I am preparing for our Portfolio Dress Sew Along.  (Put it on your calendar...April 25-29th!)

I had bookmarked this post on mmmcrafts.  Larissa made darling skirts for her girls, based on the Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver + S, with a more finished waist.  Using her tips, I made skirts for my daughters.

I love the flat front of the waist band.  As Larissa suggested, I cut the placket 4" wide, and interfaced the front.

I didn't have wide enough elastic to fill the back, and so I sewed small channels and threaded two different elastics through.

For Baby's, the elastic was wide enough, but I stretched the casing and stitched through the center to reduce the bulkiness.  I did end up reducing the elastic by about 1 inch for both my girls.  I guess they have skinny backs!

One big change, instead of a ribbon hem or a tuck, I added a fabric placket.  With Baby's skirt I decided to be fancy and add a little yellow piping.

 

The skirt is simple, basically a tube cut from selvage to selvage...I had to shorten Baby's a little bit because the fabric was wider than 44".

Following the Lazy Day's skirt directions, you sew the placket to the edge of the skirt, and then fold it up so it is on the front of the skirt.  I then edge stitched the placket on the skirt's edge, and then carefully ironed and pinned the placket and edge stitched the top of the placket to the skirt.

I tried to match the seams as close as possible.

Like most things lately, I made this more difficult then it had to be, but I'm really happy with how they turned out.  The skirt for Big Sis matches several tops, and will be great for school or church.  Baby's...I just really liked those colors together!  I will probably make her a top to match, besides the obvious white t shirt.

There's lots going on around here.  Sewing 101 comes back on Saturday, I am a contestant for One Month to Win It Season 2, and the Sew Along is on the horizon.  I also have a new sponsor I can't wait to tell you about!




Linked to Keeping It Simple

Valentine's Cuties

I totally forgot to post these. A few of you asked what I put in those Valentine's pouches. I made four little coin purses, using Anna's fabulous Lil' Cutie Tutorial. I love that pattern!

I was keeping to things I had on hand, and so no key chain fob, but I did applique a little heart inside each of them.

Now each child has a place to corral their loose cash. Between birthdays, they generally carry more cash on hand than I do.

Sharing with Along for the Ride, and Tatertots and Jello.

Pillow Talk

I have been on a pillow making spree, I tell ya.

It all started, really, with receiving Stacey's pillow that I showed you here. It looked lonely on my couch. Then, Sew Mama Sew is having their pillow contest, there's the blogger's pillow party on Stitched in Color...and I gave in to my impulses.  What can I say?  With all the sickness going around our home, sewing helps me feel better.