Saturday, September 22, 2007

Saturday Sewing

Today I spent a good part of the afternoon sewing a storage case for my daughter. Actually, it was part of a gift she was giving to a good friend who is expecting. She made her Amy B's Nappy Bag with changing pad and storage case, which she has been working on for the last two weeks. But with other sewing projects and work she ran out of time to make the storage case and the baby shower is tonight! So while she was at work and being the great Momma that I am, I made that storage case, but I don't think the new Momma will use it that much, because we realized that it was a bit of a nuisance to put the changing pad in. Oh well, at least the set is complete. Here is a photo of the storage case laid out on my ironing board, as most photos are arranged because it's the only clear spot for a photo shoot.

Anyway, the pattern was fairly easy to sew and one of the main reasons I wanted to do it was because it called for buttonholes and I haven't done those in a very long time and I wanted to start practicing - my daughter has never made them. Not a good idea to practice on a gift, but I made the buttonholes about a half dozen times before I did the real thing. Wow, I couldn't believe how easy it was! Maybe I can start sewing up shirts!! I love this fabric, and she has some leftover, so maybe I'll able to squeeze a purse out of the deal.

I love today, it was rainy, windy, a little overcast and then sunny. It was perfect day to be home alone sewing and listening to the radio. Hmmm, what can I sew tomorrow . . .

Monday, September 17, 2007

Weekend Sewing

I didn't do much this weekend but play around in my sewing room, which is unusual. My weekends are usually filled with shopping, running errands or going to some kind of function and nothing crafty gets done. I use to love cooking and usually dreaming up some kind of menu for Saturday and Sunday, but lately I haven't been interested in cooking or grocery shopping -- eating, yes! I just don't want to be the one to deal with it, attending Weight Watcher meetings is partly to blame.

Anyway a few projects done and out of the way. A basket purse, directions from U-handblog. Her directions are very easy -- I love my new purse!

Next up is a pocket apron, this one is a little different from the others I've made. I usually like to be covered when cooking or at work (fear I might get child's paint all over me). I thought this one might be handy when I'm sewing or doing odd jobs around the house, or even at work to carry pen & notepad, stickers, cell phone, etc. I usually see the Kindergarten teachers wear these type of aprons. I've been going through my scrap mountain and found Autumn left over fabrics. I love the colors and happy to use what I already have. Oh, I also whipped up a tea cosy, which we needed to replace the old one in a bad way! Yep, it was a pretty productive weekend.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Finished!

It's a litte bigger than I expected, but I guess it can be a great shopping tote, or a nice bag to take to work and fill with items that I need as I rush off to work. I decided that the ribbon tie didn't look right and I omitted it.



Friday, September 07, 2007

Friday!

I'm so glad . . . another busy day almost gone. And yes, I did a little sewing today on my halter top, I didn't have much time because I had to work a split shift. That's when I work before school (actually it's 6:30 - 10:15 because I have Kindergarteners) and then back to work at 1:45 for the after school crowd. I work in a before and after school childcare program with the school district so my hours can be a little strange. Although I'm basically a morning employee, I sometimes sub in the afternoons. Anyway, I didn't forget my ribbon to finish my totebag, that will happen this weekend! Also, the weather has cooled down -- that heat wave we just had was a little unbearable for me. I'm looking forward to fall and winter sewing this year, I have let it go for the last couple of years, but I 'm going to find ways to work it into my sometimes crazy schedule.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Podcasts

It's been a busy day, plus I've been under the weather, as well. I feel like I've been fighting off a cold for the past couple of days, getting sick is sort of what happens when you work with children. Anyway, there wasn't any sewing done today, but I was thinking about it. Plus I forgot about the ribbon for my totebag and I bought two rolls and they're in the craft box at work! It was a hectic morning and I wasn't thinking about my little ole totebag. (sigh) In the meantime, when I got home, to keep me inspired because I had more work to do, I have been listening to a couple of sewing/crafting podcasts. I found them very interesting and informative and pretty much what has been on my mind lately. I'm sure glad I'm able to download them onto my ipod, because I've been bored with my music lately when I go to the gym, so it's made my walks on the treadmill a little more interesting.

Here are the links if you are interested or looking for something different to listen to while working on your projects (or working out!):

Sew Forth Now

Material Mama Podcast

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Time to Sew

Well, not really. I was able to sew a little bit on my totebag today. I want to finish it and use it as my "new purse". Well, there was a small detail that I thought I had in my stash of goodies, that I really wanted to include. I could have omitted it, but I wanted that little ribbon tie to finish it off. So I can wait until tomorrow and run to the fabric store and buy ribbon, or pick up some ribbon at work, where we have alot of craft supplies that I can use. Instead I have a pattern traced for Amy Butler's Cabo halter top, which I would like to wear before summer is over. I have three yards of blue and white Hawaiian fabric that I think would be perfect. So today I have been busy cutting pattern pieces instead. I haven't sewed garments in a long time, mostly crafts and home dec stuff. This is a great pattern to ease back into sewing for myself, plus this looks like a fun project, and very easy.

Monday, September 03, 2007

Sewing Notes

Just a note to remind myself to finish my bag today. Here's the pattern I chose over a month, I'm just sad that it's taking me so long for to finish it.

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Too Hot!

It's just too hot to sew or do anything else for that matter. I have a bag that I'm working on, but I just can't get myself near the machine to finish it. It would be nice to have a/c, maybe next year. Excuse the dark photo, but the blinds are closed to keep the sun and heat out. That idea is not working well and the fans seemed to just blow hot air around. (sigh) I think it's 92 degrees, but it feels alot warmer than that.

Also pictured is an applique quilt block I found in my unfinished stash of past projects. I'm looking at it and wondering what I can make out of it . . another totebag??

I'm suppose to meet my daughter at the mall today, there we'll be able to cool off. In the meantime, I'll go swimming and get a little exercise. Have a great Labor Day weekend!

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 ...