(very) Wavy Seams

I've been inspired by Kathy's wavy seam tutorial, and Kristin's spring table runner using this tutorial for a while now. So when I had some fabric that I love left over from the patchwork bag, I jumped at the opportunity.

Josh was playing games on my computer (his is too "slow"), so all I got was a quick glimpse at the tutorial and off I went.

My waves are REALLY wild, not exactly as gentle as Kathy's, which led to a lot of seam clipping, but I'm totally in love with the runner.

Of course, now the rug under the kitchen table has to go. It doesn't match the runner, and kitchen rugs are so passe anyway...

What I made this weekend

Am I the only one who creates rather funny flops around here or just the only one brave enough to post them? Remember this?

Well, yesterday I thought I'd found a great way to get rid of some fabric scraps. I should have known when the pattern called for 3 yards of strips (which makes about one round) that this didn't bode well, but I forged ahead anyway...

Trust me, the photo does not do it justice. Turned upside down and put on your head, it does make a rather nice pillbox hat though.

To console myself, I started a new little project, about which I'm rather excited. Stay tuned...

A Folio in Freshcut

Here it is:

Kathy from Pink Chalk Studio is developing a pattern for this wonderful note taker folio. I was honored to be one of the lucky ladies asked to test the pattern for her and as a reward ended up with this wonderful accessory.

It has room for a letter sized notepad...

...and little pockets for pens, pencils, and even business cards.

It was a ton of fun to make and, of course, I LOVE Freshcut. I'm going to be the envy of everyone at every meeting I ever attend, that's for sure!
Keep reading Kathy's blog for news on the release of the pattern.

Sneak Peeking again...

Yes, I know. How boring! But I really don't have anything completed that I can actually show.

I'm working on some ideas for an Etsy shop. It's really kind of infectious, and what can I say, I'm very easily influenced.

The above item, however, has nothing to do with Etsy ideas. And if I get permission from the appropriate sources, I'll show the whole thing tomorrow.

Happy crafting everyone!

The day after...

Mother's Day started of wonderfully with this handmade card:


The rest of the day was spent hunting for a new television, since ours decided to give up the ghost on Friday night. The positive: we will now have the 50" flat screen and surround sound that we could never find a good enough excuse to spend money on. The negative: I will not be getting new carpet for our bedroom, and poor Gavin will probably have to count this purchase as his birthday present. He'll be able to watch sports in style now, right?

I put the cushions on the patio set this morning. The weather forecast calls for rain on Wednesday, but I think we're entitled to two days of summer. (If you look closely you'll notice that I didn't actually tie them on - for quick removal.)


On Friday I found these vintage buttons at Michael's. I had seen button magnets somewhere and thought it would be cute. Unfortunately my magnets are a little weak, but it looks really cute.


I plan on completing my apron today, and start on a mini quilt for this month's Whiplash.

And then I have to start some home sewing. Duvet cover, table runner, dining room chair covers...

I love this idea - from Martha, of course...

Decoupage

Just a quick post...

We're off to have lunch and see Cirque Dreams in the city. Stay tuned for a review...

I just wanted to quickly share the result of the fun decoupage project I did yesterday.

I'm so happy with this that I'm now prowling around the house look for other things to transform...

Friday Fun

First, a ripple update. Thank you so much for all your advice. Katie recommended using a stripe generator. It is amazing! I could play with it all day. It makes me want to make another ripple blanket with PLANNED colors, just so I can use the generator.
Anyway, for my "ugly" ripple, I eliminated the most offensive yarn while, I hope, still keeping enough to complete the blanket.
I think it looks OK...


One rainy day in February I strolled into Borders for coffee and browsing, when what to my wandering eyes should appear..."all calenders $1"!!! I picked up a couple of treasures, unsure of what I'd ever use them for. Then I saw this. And I needed a bigger pencil holder. So today, I'm doing decoupage.


After bringing in all my props from outside and putting them on the kitchen table, this little vignette kind of appealed to me as the story of what my day will probably be like...

...and it looks like fun!

P.S. Our quilt group's pink quilt sold for $685 on eBay!!!!

A little extra info: The pink quilt was for a charity auction on eBay benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It was a crazy quilt with a block done by each member of our group.

Everybody, meet Stevie

Stevie is the little sister of Steve, from this book by Denyse Schmidt...

...which I got from the library after seeing Amanda's wonderful creations.

Stevie has issues.

According to the instructions, the pattern pieces should be enlarged by 250%. That is too big for the letter size paper on my printer and I was definitely not in the mood to drag myself down to the copy shop. The biggest I could go was 220%. Great!
The arms and legs are cut from rectangular pieces of fabric, the size of which is in the instructions (assuming 250% enlargement of the pattern). Using my superior math skills, I reduced the numbers by "-250%" and then multiplied the result by 2.2 to give me 220%. Or so I thought...

Suffice it to say that Stevie has VERY skinny arms and legs...

...but I love her anyway.

"Make a Penguin" Day

Yesterday was a wonderful, lazy day hanging around the house and doing absolutely nothing that could be interpreted as "work".

My project for the day consisted of shamelessly copying (with her consent) Geninne's interpretation of Hillary's free Wee Bunny pattern for my penguin-loving son. Thanks Geninne and Hillary!

Geninne's is much cuter. I'm a lazy butt and machine sewed everything. I also had to use whatever materials I had around the house. I'd call this a prototype.

The funniest thing is that, by the time I got to sewing on the eyes, it was kind of dark. I found two cute little black buttons in my button jar and sewed them on. This morning I looked at the penguin - the eyes are GREEN!

Definitely a prototype...

Hallelujer!

...as Oprah (or Tyler Perry as Madea) would say.

It's done! I can finally move on! If you're interested in the l-o-o-o-n-g history of this quilt, just follow the blog entries.

Inspired by Hillary's cute lilypad pincushion, I used my scrap felt and made this last night:

Thanks Hillary!

It's Spring Break and we don't have any plans other than sleeping in and relaxing (oh, and soccer try-outs and making sushi). Heaven!

Make an Easter card today

This is what I'm doing for Easter cards this year. Since I've had a lot of interest from people about my little flower card, I decided to post some easy instructions for an Easter card.

Supplies:
scraps of fabric for bunny and “grass”
1 card blank
white card stock
colored or patterned paper for mat
glue
1 button for bunny tail
sewing machine
very sharp scissors
needle and thread

1. Cut a 3 ½” x 4 ¾” rectangle out of white card stock.
2. Cut a 4” x 5 ¼” rectangle out of colored paper.
3. Click on the bunny template to show it full size, print it (I recommend that you use card stock for durability and ease of tracing), and cut it out.

4. Trace bunny shape onto back of fabric and cut out using sharp scissors.
5. Cut a 2” x 4 ½” rectangle out of grass fabric. Use scissors to cut waves along one long edge.
You should now have this:

6. Position bunny on white card stock rectangle using photo of card as a guide. Temporarily adhere it to the card stock using a non-tacky glue to avoid slipping while sewing. I like Zig 2-way glue or a glue stick.
7. Set sewing machine so that needle will stay in the fabric when you stop sewing. Carefully sew bunny to card stock about 1/8” from the fabric edge, raising pressure foot and turning fabric when needed. Pull thread ends to back, knot together and clip.

8. Position “grass” on card stock using photo as a guide and temporarily adhere it (see 6.). Don’t worry about the edges sticking over the ends – they will be trimmed later. Sew 1/8” from the top edge of fabric, following the wavy edge.
9. Using a rotary cutter and ruler (or scissors if you don’t have one), trim the fabric level with the edges of the card stock.

10. Position and sew button on bunny.
11. Center bunny card on colored paper rectangle and temporarily glue together. Wait a couple of minutes for glue to dry before proceeding or paper might move while you stitch.
12. Sew along edge of white card stock a scant ¼ “ from edge through both layers of paper. Pull threads to the back, knot, and clip.

13. Adhere completed bunny sheet to front of card using strong glue or double sided tape.
14. Write a message inside and mail it to someone special. (I preprinted my cards with the message “Wishing you a “Hoppy” Easter”).

Something new

Two posts in one day! A little much?

I was very fed up with the log cabin and decided to take a little break and try something I saw in the card store yesterday. I'm quite pleased. I might make little stacks to give as gifts...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Erin inspired me to find something green to wear.



I quickly made Syd a new little bandanna this morning using Penny's great pattern. Thank you Penny!



Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spring!

I bought these daffs at the grocery store on Wednesday. They were still complete buds. This morning they're beautiful flowers. Amazing what a little central heating can do.

After finishing the log cabin quilt top yesterday, I felt the need for a break from log cabins. I'd been wanting to make one of Anna's - little zippered pouches - even bought fabric and zippers. Here's my first attempt. I made some mistakes, but, overall, I'm quite happy. I think it'll be perfect for carrying thread, needles and scissors on the go.



It's supposed to be in the 50's around here today. Hopefully I'll have time to go play outside...

Yay, it's done!

The log cabin quilt top is done. Making it was a breeze compared to the nightmare it was to get halfway decent photos of a quilt top with that much contrast. Contrast: great for quilts, bad for cameras. It's kind of like taking photos in the glaring sunlight. Hard.

Now just some sandwiching, quilting, and binding and I'll have a new treasure for my collection.





I tried making a heart yo-yo from this wonderful tutorial yesterday with less success. I think my basting stitches were a little small and my choice of fabric questionable. Better luck next time, I suppose.