Christmas is in the air!!

Been busy making some cute elfin stockings!! You can find this pattern on craftsy!!

Repurposed overalls!!

I'm into repurposing old jeans and overalls into beatiful aprons!! What do you think?

New Winter table runner in the works!!

Started this table runner last night, I hope to have it finished before December 1'st rolls around!!

Summer table runner

I started making this summer table runner long before summer started but it took long into the fall to get it completed because of my fabric choices and not purchasing enough yardage!! Won't make that mistake again!! But the wait was well worth it because it turned out perfectly!!

Harts Cutom Sewn Creations Game Day Coozie

Harts Custom Sewn Creations Game Day Coozie 
 

These Game Day Coozies make great Gifts!!! This one is fashioned after a ladies Bustier!!! Super Cute and Just for that special lady!!



This is a back side view of the Game Day Bustier Coozie!!!

Repurposed jeans

I love my jeans but lets face it, they don't last forever!! So I'm giving them new life as an apron!! Whatcha think??

Pets are like family

We lost a small member of our family saturday, she fell ill and had to be put down, will miss my cuddle bug lots!!

Pretty ruffled basket liners

I made these pretty ruffled basket liners today and spray painted the brown and white mis-matched baskets a soft black so that the feed sack printed fabric would stand out. Dont you think they look great!!

Hope - Relay for Life quilt

This is the quilt properly named Hope, for our relay for life event wasn't finished in time to be raffled off this year and do well, so we decided to wait till next year and show/share her properly and raise the kind of funds I know she will fetch!!









I looked up on the interenet this quilted heart design for the outer border, I also read on another post suggesting beginner quilters should "practice" on charity quilts....


So I practiced all the quilting designs I wasnt sure about on this quilt!

Click on "Hope" to read the message she has!




Hope



I think "Hope" turned out pretty good!! She's ready for her debut in 2013's Relay for life event!



Quilt contest, voting stays friday may 18th

This is a link to a quilt contest Im entering my first dresden plate table topper in, so please visit the post and vote for my dresden plate "Erna's Table" table topper!!!

<a href="http://quiltinggallery.com/tag/weekly-themed-quilt-contest/"><img src="http://quiltinggallery.com/images/photo-contests.jpg" alt="Weekly Themed Quilt Contests" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Thread Wall Tutorial

Thread Wall Tutorial

Is your thread hidden in every crack and crevice and stuck in drawers? I have alot of thread that's true, but keeping it organized was something I desperately needed to do once the thread seemed to multiply. So I looked and looked and all I could find in the beginning was those cheap little thread stands you get at the craft store,  that worked for a little while but it seemed my thread was multiplying in numbers so something else was needed, then I happened to find this site on the Internet (can't remember the name of it) that a clever girl named Mandy had done using peg board and dowels and Voila!! Here it is!!! Handy and organized and no more hunting for that color you know you have somewhere!!

Supplies needed:

1/4 in pre-cut Peg Board

you can find peg board pre-cut at your local home center

1/4 dowels

picture frame moulding for trim - has a lip on it to overlap the peg board

glue- I used Elmer's all purpose glue

small hand saw

sandpaper

Spray Paint- in your color choice

Map out how you want your thread to go, I used some spare empty spools to do this, to get the proper spacing and to decide where to put the serger thread and larger spools. I had originally measured for rulers down the center but the thread is still growing so I left the center undone for now in case I needed some growing room.

I measured the dowels to be cut in 3 inch increments, leaving enough space for the glue end and sanded on one end. I sanded one end of the dowel so that the rough end would be the glue end into the peg board and the smooth end would be the end where the spool was loaded for a splinter free effect!

Once you have mapped out and glued all the dowels in place take your new thread wall out side careful not to hit the dowels and damage all that hard work! Lay it down on some newspaper and get your spray paint can ready, I used white spray paint because the peg board was already white on one side and I wanted a uniform look, now spray paint that thread wall and be careful not to spray to close as you'll get runs in the paint, I did this on a nice hot day and the paint dried in a couple of hours.

Once dry take your thread wall and hang it (I used dry wall screws and then painted the tops white) in its designated spot on the wall (get someone to help center it and make sure its level), get your trim and measure, cut ( I cut the trim on a 45 degree angle for a true picture frame effect), paint ( I used some paint left over from a previous project and a simple dollar store paint brush) and hang it overlapping the peg board.

Finished and organized! Notice the thread is color coded so that you can find the right color in no time!!

Trinket Box turned Pincushion


Well here it goes, Ive never re-purposed anything other than milk jugs so this should be interesting!! There's this pin I saw on pinterest about a re-purposed jewelry box into a pincushion and I thought... I can do that!! So I went on a treasure hunt at the local goodwill and found this cut little trinket box for $1.01!! Although the top is quite nice too I have no idea what to do with it so I'm saving it for another pin idea!!


Trinket Box To be RE-purposed!!



This is a side view of the flower detail and the nice little lip on the top of the box. Also there's a nice little under lip great for gluing to!! This little trinket box even has cute little feet that it sits up on.!!

You'll probably want to wash your box to make sure there's nothing on it that will prevent the paint from sticking, so I washed it and dried it first. Then on to the fun stuff! Paint!! I picked a pretty Kiwi just because the one I found on pinterest was lime green and this kiwi paint is Soy Paint I found at Jo-Ann for $1.99 and a little brush I already had - free!

Items needed for pincushion: fabric in your color choice, mine is from a cake layer I got at a local fabric store and the batting and some fluffy fiber fill or you could re-purpose an old pillow stuffing for this too! I filled the cavity with the fiber and then layered the batting over top for a smooth finish to the fabric topper. Then I used a low heat glue gun to glue everything into place and Voila!!

So here's my re-purposed trinket box made pincushion ready to be pinned!! No pun intended pinterest!! Don't you just love the fringey border?? It adds that little froo froo needed to the hard edges!

This is a side view of the body and the fringe detail and the height of the pincushion for pinning!
So ladies now you have a mini tutorial on how to make your own "one of a kind" pincushion!!

My first attempt at free motion quilting and feathers!!

This is the finished dresden plate table topper!! It really turned out beautiful and its new owner loved it!!

You can also view my first ever tutorial on free motion quilting and beginner feathers!! Just follow the link below!!

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Batiks table runner

Making a table runner using a dresden ruler and batiks fabrics!! I just can't decide if it needs more circles!!

Applique Doxie Door Hanger

Isn't this the cutest doxie aplique? I'll have to share where I found this free pattern as soon as I can remember!!

New sewing machine!!!

Hubby got me the machine Ive been eyeing!!! Its the Juki HZL F600 quilters special. I have to say that if you could love a machine this would be it!! This machine is so nice and yes I do love it!!

Bama bag takes on a new design!!

I almost had the bama bag completed then Marisa from sewing tote bags and purses shared a free bag pattern that she tested for her friend and I thought my bama bag was way too big so I had to borrow this pattern. I did stretch the bag shape to fit the "A" applique and I also took the pattern and adjusted it so that the front would have a few handy pockets to stash a cell phone or keys for quick grabs. But this is it!! no more adjustments needed!! Thanks Marisa and her friend Chris Welsh for sharing the Coco bag pattern. 

I found an Alabama A that would work as an appliqué on this custom order. It has a grey border that was appliquéd first then I added the BAMA print and appliquéd it over the top. I stitched both on my Juki HZL f600 using the blanket stitch.

This is the outer shell of the bag, I took Chris Welsh's bag and altered it a bit, I cut the bottom off added 2 inches to the height and then stretched the pattern top to then fit the re-created bottom. I took the faux pockets and made them usable by putting an exact copy of the front 3 times one for the front and two for the pocket lining, right sides together of course. Chris's pattern also called for large grommets to attach the handles,  I am not familiar with using grommets so I chose to add sewn in straps. The lining of the bag has a layer of stiff interfacing to help the bag stand up and retain its shape, Chris' s pattern called for light weight interfacing. I cut my stiff double sided interfacing about a 1/4 inch smaller in diameter so I could sew the seems without the fabric bunching and fighting me too much. I also used a thin batting to the outer side of the double sided thick fusible interfacing because it can be quite hard to the touch, I wanted softness with keeping the shape. The inner lining of the bag featured 2 zippered pockets as well as a cell phone pocket and an ink pen tab.

Although I very much love Chris Welsh's design, I love the altered version as well! The husband brought his wife and daughter with him to pick up this bag and another, I also made a custom diaper bag for his daughter but that's another blog post :) she absolutely loved it! I wrapped it in a clear cellophane bag from Nashville wraps and tied it with Alabama ribbon purchased from an ebay shop. This bag is now 2 years old and still very much loved!! 

There Are Fairies Living In The Garden - Home - Burgh Baby

There Are Fairies Living In The Garden - Home - Burgh Baby


Saw this on pinterest and just had to share this post!!! Its absolutely adorable!! Just click on her link to get to the Burgh baby blog and browse through the photos of Alexis' fairy garden!! Its just too dang cute!!












http://www.theburghbaby.com/burghbaby/there-are-fairies-living-in-the-garden.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BurghBaby+%28Burgh+Baby%29

One Seam Flying Geese Quilt Block

Love how these are made and they really are sew easy!!!

Family Sticks Together

Found this cute magnet idea and have to add it to the blog for a rainy day project!!

Family Sticks Together

Home made Laundry Soap- found on Pinterest!!

‎Ingredients are:
1/2 bar fels naptha bar soap grated.
1/2 cup arm and hammer super washing soda
1/4 cup borax.
1- 5 gallon bucket with lid
1- funnel
save old laundry containers for easy dispensing

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot water and add dry ingredients mix well. Take grated bar soap and four cups hot water and simmer on cooktop till disolved then mix into other ingredients in bucket, fill the bucket with more hot water, leave about 2 inches of space between liquid and top of bucket, for stirring later. Cover with lid and let mix sit over night to thicken, it will gel, I used a hand drill with a cement mixer attachement to mix thoroughly- also you might want to take this step outside since it could get messy!! then its ready!!!! Happy washing!!!!

Applique

Applique isn't as easy as it looks, it requires lots of patience and time. I have been wanting to do something like this for a while, so decided to give it a try on a new customer order, turned out pretty good!! I think anyway!! I still have to put the purse together and add some embroidery! Then on to a project for me!! Hopefully with my new machine!! Im so excited about getting a new machine, yes I will post pictures of it too!! LOL

Purse Organizer

Purse Organizer




 I can never find what Im looking for when I dig into my purse! It's usually the keys or my work ID or a pen! I made a nice little purse organizer!



No more digging for keys, work ID, note pad and pen, or my jump drive! I won't miss digging for my keys cause now they are right in the center of the divider where I put them!!


Keeps all your useful things handy!





Custom sling bag for Mater 😊

Cute over the shoulder sling bag I made for my sweet niece! She was here during Christmas and watched me cut, and sew it all together and thought it was for someone else! I sure did suprise her!! Don't you love to give things you make to people you know will appreciate and enjoy them!

Auburn Bag coming along...

AU Bag for a customer has the handles in place and sewn on and the ruffles are also on but aren't sewn on just yet! I will finish this bag tomorrow and start on the next Bama bag for the same customer! I also have another customer order for baby booties to squeeze in but thats no problem, I like to take detours, keeps the creative juices flowing! How do you revive your creative juices or keep them fresh?

New Customer Project

 Auburn Diaper Bag for a customer! Looks Fantastic! Notice the sweet nick-name in the bottom photo! (BBG) is what Dad calls her!! So Cute! The bag isn't quite finished, still needs handles and some kind of closure but its taking shape and a quick photo email to the customer, will give him a sneak peak!! I love a good surprise, Don't you?

Customer Orders....

Well Im still working on a customer order, I decided to get the inside done first so its almost done, I just have to divide the pockets and sew them down and make a tag with my name on it. Then on to the outer liner..... But its pretty inside although its not quit done! What do you think?

She Sews Alot: Dreary kind of day! But Great for sewing!

She Sews Alot: Dreary kind of day! But Great for sewing!: Today was our first day back from Christmas vacation! Its rainy and kinda dreary outside but great for sewing! Hubby cooked dinner! I have a...

Dreary kind of day! But Great for sewing!

Today was our first day back from Christmas vacation! Its rainy and kinda dreary outside but great for sewing! Hubby cooked dinner! I have a great hubby, he cooks and cleans and does all kinds of things most hubbies don't do! So I think I'm pretty lucky!! Im working on a new customer bag, what are you working on?

Drop Box

The Bama Bag is finished, packaged and ready to be delivered to its new owner! Im sure she'll love it! Although filling it up might be a bit more difficult! This bags roomy and has a few pockets! Now on to the Au Diaper bag for a customer and another Bama bag for this same customers wife! Yes you read that right this customer is a male! My first male customer ordering custom bags for his girls!! Love it!! Don't you?

January's gonna be a busy month!

 

 

These are just some of the things I made last year! This year has already been busy and the dates arent even double digits yet! Happy Sewing Ya'll!
Are you ready to get busy with customer orders or are you taking this month off?