Sunday, April 22, 2007

More Totebags

I've had a busy weekend, I finished 2 more totebags. I actually had the 9 patch fronts done last weekend, but I was able to finish the totes this morning. I also have one more tote in a different style that I just need to sew in the lining. Since I like to post photos (my blog looks boring if I don't), here are the two completed ones. I did more decorative stitching, if you can see the detail. It was fun, I'm ready to make a totebag for myself, it will definately have to be bigger.

Here's machine embroidery close up, it's called a bunting stitch.


Friday, April 20, 2007

Tea Towel Inspirations

I'm looking forward to participating in Barb's purse challenge. Right now I'm looking for the right tea towel. I have two large cloth napkins that I bought at a thrift store a few years ago. I like it's 70's design of kitchen ware, but I don't think it's considered a tea towel and I'm not sure I want to cut it up.

I love these dancing fruits and veggies;

a Crinoline Lady tea towel, but the stitching is very light and I'm afraid it won't show up;


. . . . so I'm still on the hunt for that certain tea towel.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

"Treasure Box" Totebags

Here are the totebags I made last weekend out of my stash that I no longer want.

They're small, measures 7"x7" plus handle, perfect for a child. I made four, but I gave one away already. I made them from a square quilt panel, I think it's called "cheater's quilt", something like that. I stitched diagonally across the panel using one of the decorative stitches on my sewing machine, in between the two different prints. If anything, I have a chance to play around with the different stitches that I never use on my machine.

Here's a close up of the stitching, which isn't bad. This machine isn't an expensive one, but it does have a few extra stitches that you can embellish with.

Okay, I'm off to meet a friend for lunch. I should be checking back within a few days. It's taking me hours just to get this posted!




Saturday, April 14, 2007

Spring Cleaning

This month has already started off on a busy note. Not only have I started clearing and straightening out the backyard, but I'm also trying to get a grip on the inside. Luckily, I worked part time last week, so I was able to do something everyday. Of course, I never made it to the gym, but there is always next week. Next week is going to be hectic, because I'll be working at additional schools, plus a staff meeting. I'm just going to have to make the time.

My daughter has been sewing alot lately. We bought her a sewing machine last year for her birthday and now she's into sewing clothes, besides purses for her friends, which I think is very cool. She's a big fan of Project Runway and wants to design and create. She has inspired me to dust off my sewing machine and make something. I've been wanting to make a purse, or just a simple tote bag for a long time. I know an easy project, but I just haven't been in the mood to do anything crafty. Well, the bug finally bit as I was cleaning and reorganizing my sewing room and I came across fabrics and notions that needed to be used or given away. So I've started making children's totebags to put in our "treasure box" at work. The children (at the school I work at) have the opportunity to earn tickets as positive rewards, then when we have shopping day they can choose something from the "treasure box". Believe me, those tickets work!

I'm currently finishing this top that my daughter started. I think the inset was frustrating her and she had to get back to work and college, I offered to finish it for her. She likes Simplicity's "Built By Wendy" collection and has sewn one of the other top from another pattern, but this one is a little bit more challenging.

Okay, it's late and time for me to get to bed. I will try to have pictures in a few days. Goodnight.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Just write!

I can't believe it's been over two months since I last posted. I know I've been busy with work and whatever that is happening in my life, but I can at least write something! Well, I'm back, but it will probably be every few days or so. My computer decided to quit on me, I am now using our old laptop that works when it wants to. It usually kicks me off line, therefore it takes me forever to get anything done.

This weekend my plans were to weed and clean the backyard. It started out great yesterday, I weeded and cut back overgrown iceplant. Today the weather isn't cooperating and decides to rain! Great excuse to stay inside instead of weeding, but I was sort of looking forward to going outside, listening to the radio and just puttering around the house. I'm really anxious to get the backyard fixed up for summer bbq's and parties. Oh well, there's next week.

Have a great Easter!

I'm back cross-stitching

  Well, not yet, but real soon because my daughter found a Halloween cross-stitch booklet that I thought I lost forever. So my plans are to ...