It's bright baby!

I made this small quilt for my new great niece, Mallory. I love all the bright colors and fun prints.
The other day I suggested someone use a roller foot to quilt straight lines with verses the more expensive walking foot. It had been some time since I had used my roller foot so I thought I would make sure It really did work as nicely as I remembered. It turned out great, but I shall have to practice making a straight line without a guide.

Thrifty Jean-skirt

One pair of jeans form the thrift store, plus one skirt from same thrift store combine to form one fashionable skirt.

The embroidered pockets on these slightly worn jeans were perfect. And the bottom half of a skirt saved time and effort with the hem already finished.

A project bag for my crochet.

The fabric is preprinted and a scrap left over from making a quilt. It was sitting out on the table and I got the idea to make a bag from it. (Yes, my fabric talks to me. Doesn't everyone's?)

Progress is slow...

... But I am starting to see results with the biggest cross stitch project I have ever decided to stitch.

Tiny Totes

These are a little smaller than what I was thinking. But that is actually okay since the idea is to limit how much each of the kids can take along in the car. And they have the organizer to hold some things too.

If my sewing machine had a mind of its own it would be breathing a sigh of relief. And Asking itself "why did she want to use fusible craft weight interfacing with French seams?"

Getting ready for vacation.

I am making each of the kids a organizer for the van.

I am going to try and make them small matching tote bags then they will be able to limit what they bring in the car to what fits into there storage areas.

Thrifty Friday

Just what the child of a crafty mom wants to play with.
Isn't it cute!

Inspired

I went out to look for the new Spring Interweave Crochet and bought a copy. After reading about the magazine on monster crochet, I browsed the contents online and felt the need to make the "Seaside Espadrilles". Congratulations Ladylinoleum, for your Monster Crochet mention in Sandi Wiseheart's Hook into the Web article.

I am also trying to learn this html stuff to make my blog a little more "spiffy".

My Turtle

Look mom, I finally finished my turtle! I really like the floral fabric I picked out. It is like a super soft corduroy.

Cool Turtles

My mom has been making these cool turtles for her local library. they are for the children to sit or lay on while reading. I just had to brag on her some.

Orange and Blue

I made another purse.
this time using the entire necktie for the belt.

Christmas Log Cabin

Could not wait to show this one. I pieced together this queen size quilt. My Mother quilted it for me on her long-arm quilting machine. It looks terrific in the pictures.
I can not wait until I see it finished in person. My parents live over 1400 miles away.

Fresh Paint

Red, Brown and Cream!

A big change from purple walls, light purple ceiling and a border that had kittens and daisies next to purple watering cans.

Much more husband friendly!

Thrifty find

1983 original Appalachian Artwork, Inc. "Specialty Floral"
Cabbage Patch fabric!

Recycled

I just like to make purses!
One pair of boys jeans size 10 slim has become my version of the purses I have recently been seeing in stores. I put a fabric lining inside and made some handles using the same fabric and wooden beads. The "belt" is half an old necktie.

The handles were made by making a tube and alternating a small bead slid onto the outside of fabric with a larger bead placed on the inside of the tube.

Another fish

Yes I made another one!
This one is machine stitching for all but the little area you use to turn it right side out.

Instead of sewing scales on by hand I used bias strips to cover raw edges at the base of the scales.

Easier the second time, but still takes almost 5 hours to complete. The part that takes the longest is turning 4 dozen scales right side out.

Something Fishy

One of my Christmas gifts was a Japanese craft book. It took a little over a month to receive it in the mail.


The above fish was what made me want to order this book. I did not have enough of the purple to do both sides of the scales so I used a plain yellow to add a little contrast. The size of the little purse made putting the lining and the zipper in a challenge.

Back on track

My latest finish. A "tutu". A friend asked me to make her a "tutu" or "Poof". It is more on the "romantic tutu" side. The sparkle tulle just does not have the body that a plain tulle does. But you can muss it up and it looks more puffy.


Hopefully I will get back to posting. I must keep myself motivated.

December 28th

The stuffed animals I gave a Christmas gifts seemed to be a big success.

The kids are busy playing with all the new goodies.

The cat decided the day after Christmas that we had to take down the tree right away. He knocked the tree over, breaking the stand, and splashing ornaments with the nearby cup of hot chocolate. I can say there were very few casualties to the ornaments. We will have to buy a new tree before next Christmas.

I hope a very Happy Holiday season was had by everyone.

Last minute finish.

My Little Pony, from vintage pattern. I made up the colors and hip symbol as I went along. I used ribbon for the hair and rainbow eyelashes from Halloween. The roses on her hip are iron on patches, sewn down to make more permanent.