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 make some of the stocking ornaments from Blackbird Designs. I took a break from cross-stitching, I think I just got burned out. Plus I have a lot of finishing to do and I just needed a break. In the mean time I have been making other things and sewing more and I'll share them here.

But I do have a cross-stitch finish to share, well I have quite a few, but I'll show off this one for now. This a needlebook, the pattern is from Punch Needle and Primitive Stitchery magazine.

My two latest projects are two reversible boxed totes from veryshannon.com. These came out very nice, and the second one is for my daughter and she loved it!

That's all for today, I'll be back for more crafty shares (yikes, if I remember). 

Have a great weekend!

Easter Bunnies

I hope you all had a nice Easter, well if you celebrate Easter. Anyway, I hope you're doing well. I'm still around and cross-stitching, but I'm also sewing and making other things, like bunnies! I have plans to make dolls and other animals again. It's been fun, but a challenge.

Patterns are from Liberty Creek Primitives on Etsy and the little bunnies are from Tilda World's website (it's free!). I also made a banner with vintage images. You can see part of it on the second photo. Those are fun to make and I want to make more banners for fall or Halloween.

I have more cross-stitch to share, which I plan to do soon. I just need to get into a routine of blogging again. There is no excuse.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Enjoy your day!

Hello, I'm Back

and no longer a Stampin' UP! demonstrator. It's a good thing, as much as I like sharing papercrafting and products, I found it hard to keep up and acquired a lot of stamp sets that I wasn't able to use. Plus I have other projects and hobbies I like and my personal blog is the perfect place to share what I've been making, sewing and cooking, like I use to when I first started this blog. I hope you stick around. Plus I still have cards to make!

My Cozy Christmas blocks

So far I've completed the first three blocks from the Cozy Christmas Sew-a-long, which started a few years ago, but I just started this year. I'm a little slow, I figure that I was going to do a block a month, but life is a little crazy, so I'll be making this quilt at my own pace.

I started with machine applique on the first block, but I decided that hand applique looks better. So I may redo the first block or just leave it as is. Hand applique isn't as hard as it seems, plus its good practice for me to do something new and very relaxing.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Wildflower Wishes - Paper Pumpkin

Hello, todays' card share is from February Paper Pumpkin kit. It's so pretty. I whipped these three cards up in no time. I love these cards.

Paper Pumpkin is celebrating it's 5th anniversary in March! Subscribe by March 10th to get this month's special anniversary box including a FREE GIFT!

On a side note, I have started another quilt. I know, I know, I need to finish the other quilt I was working on a year or so ago, but I need to practice free-motion quilting first. Anyway, about the quilt I'm currently working on, I had bought the fabrics and templates over a year ago. I wanted to do the sew along, but last year got a little hectic for our family and I just couldn't get into any big projects. So, now I am sewing at my own pace. So far I have all the applique pieces traced and cut, now it's on to applique and cutting the borders and the rest of it. It's a Christmas quilt from Lori Holt's blog, Cozy Christmas. So I'll be sharing my adventures in quilting, or at least me appliqueing and putting blocks together. It's been quite awhile since I've done any kind of sewing. I'm excited! Yay!

Have a great weekend!

Vacation and sewing with Mom

Yesterday, was a long day. We started making a slipcover that my mom has been wanting for her headboard. She had it in her mind what she wanted, but it took us a few hours how to cut the fabric and what the measurements would be. I don't know why I didn't go on youtube, because I might have saved us a little time.

My daughter's cute, little sewing machine makes a great travel sewing machine. I thought I was going to run into problems because I was sewing on thick fabric, but it worked out fine. A great little workhorse!

We did a little  fitting to see if our measurements were right. We realized we need to take a few inches off the bottom, which you can't tell. Actually we cut off 12 inches and we ran elastic through the bottom.

And here's the finish product. Looks pretty good and we saved a ton of money! Of course, my Mom's kitty, has to make herself at home

Trying to sew again

A work in progress and maybe if I blog about it I will finish it! I don't have a very good reputation at finishing things around here, very sad I know. Sheesh, I can't even keep up with blog posts. This pillow is going to be a birthday gift to my very special cousin. I know she'll love it. We love vintage photos and anything that includes them. I was inspired to make this when we saw these kinds of beautiful pillows when we were out shopping last month. I immediately said "I can make that"! Of course I can, it just takes me forever. It's a bit of a tackle in gathering the tuille. If anyone has any tips, tricks or how-to's, please let me know! I've tried different ways; gathering by machine, by hand and just pinning it in place, ugh.

See you in a few days with a finished pillow!

Hey, all!

Yeah, yeah, I know, it's been awhile since I've posted, but just plain ole busy around here. To start off the month, we celebrated my daughter's 25th birthday with a big backyard/pool party. She said she invited all her facebook friends! Lucky for us they didn't all show up, but there was still a pretty big crowd. We made most of the food, which included dozens and dozens of cupcakes. I wish I had pics, but I'm still waiting for her to upload them, grrr. I think the last of the guests left around 2am. I'm glad she had a wonderful time.

Just this last weekend we went to Las Vegas. I hadn't been there in such a long time, it's not that far (well, not really, about a 5 hour drive), but I just didn't have the interest to visit. Now, I want to go back!! We saw Jersey Boys, great show!! The weekend went by so fast; we walked, shopped, ate and just basically hung out at the lounge and listened to good music. I didn't gamble, not my thing, maybe that's why I never bothered to go, but there is so much more to do than gamble. Oh yeah, but you still need to bring a lot of cash!! Here's our view out the window.

I'm tired of my curtains in my kitchen, so I've decided to make new ones. I had this idea to make matching curtains and table cloth. I went to Cost Plus Worldmarket and bought two tablecloths, one is going to be the curtains.

This is going to be such a simple project, I don't know why I haven't finished it yet!

Enjoy the weekend!

Projects in the air

Hello, just want to post a little about what I'm working on and what I plan to work on:

• first on board is the cupcake quilt that I posted about on Saturday, it'll be a little different. I'm making 4 blocks instead of 3 and I don't think it will be a wallhanging


• Next is a table runner from Moda Bake Shop with the Bistro Charm Pack


• a scrap coin quilt, which I haven't even started yet, but I love all the beautiful quilts over here and I want one!


• and then there's some left over pot holders and hot pads, soon to be out of the way!

Actually, there's plenty of completed blocks that have been burried amongst all my fabrics and what not. I haven't looked at them in years, the colors I don't care for anymore, but I'm sure I'll use them for something.

A little good news, well for me. We might be driving up the coast again, dh might have to go up there on business again. I hope I can tag along like last time, I have to request time off and look for a sub. I'm crossing my fingers.

~Billie

WIP - cupcake applique

Hello again, well if I can post every other day then I'm doing pretty good. Actually, I'm not sewing as much as I would like to be, work just gets in the way. I've been wanting to make a quilt as pictured on the cover of Feb 2009 Quick Quilts, (see the quilt below)


but thought I would practice my applique skills first. It's been a long time, I use to either applique by hand or machine. On machine I would use the satin stitch, because that's what that old machine did and I wasn't too thrilled with the outcome. The by-hand method would never get finished! Now with my new Brother (still consider it new), I have many options. I've always liked the blanket stitch.




As you can see, I need a lot more practice. Egads! Oh well, a few more blocks to go.

~Billie

Finished apron

apron-recycle fabrics, originally uploaded by tweetysnest.

I have a chance to post a little about my apron, which I saw the instructions in the Apronology magazine. I think the "easy as pie" apron by Jen Osborn, http://www.identityseven.com, looks way better than mine, I won't be using decorator samples any time soon! It can be a nuisance, lots of unraveling. I never made anything that I left raw edges, either, but I'll try that again. I added some decorative stitching, fun to experiment. I certainly will make this apron again, it's easy as pie!

As always, thank you for reading!

~Billie

Finally finished!

my apron, but of course my batteries died and now I'm off and running to work. I'll have a decent pic tomorrow. Grrr!

Have a great day!

~Billie

Apron inspiration

I bought this magazine a couple of weeks ago and I'm inspired to make aprons!

I have some drapery samples that were donated to our school last year from one of the parents. It was too much for us to store at work, so we were able to take our pick for ourselves. I think I can make good use out of them, but not sure so if they are practical for an apron. Well, this is more like "art" to me. I've been saving my old jeans for something like this, too.

I'm not finished, but hopefully by tonight.


Thanks for stopping by!

March already?

I can't believe we're into March. Just a quick post, I should have something to write about but it's sort of slow but busy around here. If that makes any sense at all. I haven't been much in the mood for writing, but I'm going to try.

My daughter has been home with us for the past couple of days, fun having her around. We went shopping on Saturday. I don't know where Sunday went. On Saturday we stopped in at the store where I bought my sewing machine and looked at sergers, also known as an overlock. We are pretty sure on the one we want, just need to cough up about $600. The machine is an Elna 654.


I really would like to buy this machine, so I'm going to have to do some number crunching and scaling back on unnecessary purchases. Good luck with that!

As for my etsy shop, it's looking pretty pittiful. I don't want to relist my goods that were listed before, therefore I need to get busy making new things. I have projects wanting to be finished and new ones to start .... well, I must get going then.

Thanks for stopping by.

Just a quick post ...

Last weekend I received my handmade pin cushion from Pink Penguin's shop. It's so cute and perfectly handy for me. I didn't realize that it matches my new sewing machine until I put it to use. I call my machine new because I haven't had a chance to use it very much and still getting use to it. It sews beautifully, though.

Another potholder

Wow, time flies and I'm not much of a blogger lately. Too busy with life, plus my other computer is down and this laptop is slooooow. Anyway, I'm back on the wagon trying to get myself healthy and lose a little extra weight. So between exercise, menu planning, work, and just life, it's hard for me to blog lately. I think a photo or two of what I'm up to or where I'm at, will have to do for now.

My latest hobby is making these cute "little potholders". I guess because I know I can finish them. Except the one below is not quite done, oops.



Have a great day!

Me, the busy little bee

Sorry, I feel bad for not updating lately, it's just been one of those months already! Anyway, I've had my new sewing machine for almost one week (I love it!) and finally took it out from it's new trolley and sewed a little bit today. I went to my first class on Thursday and it was great. I used different feet and stitches, you know the basics. In November there is a heirloom sewing class that I'm looking forward to.

I started a Halloween wallhanging quilt many moons ago. When I use to watch "Simply Quilts" (that's a long time ago), there was one guest, Saundra Seth, that gave directions on how to make this wall hanging or you can easily make it as tote bag. I fell in love and it looked easy enough. Like most projects I start, I started plotting, planning and putting this darling little quilt together and then my enthusiasm ran out before Halloween.

Not my quilt, but a photo from "DIY Network"

Then every year after that I would think about it and want to finish, but to no avail. So hopefully this year is the year, I've only a few weeks to finish and enjoy it. Actually, I see a lot of flaws on my little quilt. There are some methods I know I would do differently now, but since I want to start using my machine and finish up some projects, now is a good time. Besides I need to get some practice time on my new machine. I'll have some photos up soon, at least ones that are labeled "work in progress".

Also, I've joined twitter a few weeks ago and twitter moms. Although, I try to visit at least once a night, I don't stick around very long, it can be addicting and I just don't have alot of time and I'm not that interesting, or maybe just don't have alot to say. Although, there are some very nice moms online and can be fun if you have time.

Take care and have a great week. I'll try to post throughout the week, but I also have some blog reading to catch up on, eeek!

Mail call and a little inspiration

On Saturday I purchased fabric from Pink Chalk Fabrics, my first time order and I'm so impressed with the prompt service. I recieved my order in 2 days! I bought Japanese fabric, finally. I haven't had any luck finding it at a reasonable price, but these cute fabrics were not easy to pass up and the price was right! I don't know what I'm going to make, but that little card with the totebag looks inspiring.

Also, last week I ordered a back issue of Cotton Time from etsy's natalie mae. Here are a few photos:

I love this little drawstring bag. Cute embroidery always catches my eye, I don't know why I can't sit still long enough to embroider something myself.

More embroidery, looks like dinner napkins. I would hate to use them after spending hours of fine stitching . . . .

and more totebags. More photos on my flickr.

More quilts

and I'm ready to take pics, but my batteries died. I'm looking for another set of batteries while the other ones are charging, but no luck. I'll be back this evening with more ramblings of my past creations.

In the meantime here a couple of patchwork totebags I made last year. Not really quilts, but I have been thinking about making a charm quilt totebag that I saw in a magazine a few months ago.

Okay, I'm off to work, thanks for stopping by!

Zakka Sewing

As you know may have noticed, I love Japanese craft books and magazines. I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday and couldn't resist this new book that was just released by Therese Laskey and Chika Mori. I think this pillow on the back cover will be my first project from this book. So sweet!

Hello, I'm here

Okay, another week has gone by. Although, it has been quick, it seemed to drag while I was working. Anyway, I'm working at two schools now, but I did a one day sub at another school so maybe that's why the week seemed long even though Monday was a holiday!

Well, the Scrapbook Expo last week was pretty hectic. I didn't shop very much, but there were others that were anxious to spend their money. I barely could look around in many of the booths and I never thought to take pictures, it was way too overwhelming for me. Scrapbooking is definately one of the hot crafts in the US! I wasn't interested in buying more stuff, I have enough that I would like to get rid of for pity sakes!. The "digiscrap" class was pretty good, I'm sorry I didn't sign up for the following class, it looked like something that I could benefit from as well. I did purchase the book called "Digital & Hybrid Scrapbooking", now all I need is to Photoshop Elements that will help me organize my photos and then I can easily make pages.

This is an example of the teacher's pages, very cool looking in person.

Although, I did find out some good info and the instructor teaches at locations nearby, so I'll be able to learn more.

Here are some pics from our weekend in San Diego (oh, I feel like a tourist now)

We decided to walk around and have lunch at one of the restaurants and then on to Horton Plaza. Which walking a few blocks was killing me, it was so hot and humid and all I wanted to do was go home.

Angela wanted Pinkberry, so we stopped for a minute and headed back to the convention center. I was done after the walk back and definately ready to go home.

She wouldn't let me take a picture of her. I don't think she would be thrilled with this photo and then posting it here.

All in all it was a fun day, I just wished the weather had cooperated because it was uncomfortable. It even sprinkled a little bit, very strange weather.

I did manage to do a little sewing this past week, my cousin wanted me to make some bibs for our craft booth, which by the way I'm pretty sure we'll be at the Sunday market next week. I didn't have a pattern, so I traced one of her bibs she was selling and made my own pattern. She asked me last year and I finally got around to it! I was surprised how easy and cute, so I will be making more.

I used a plaid flannel on the back.

I also finished a couple of totebags, but I'll share photos later. This post is already longer than it needs to be. I'm still wanting a new sewing machine, so I have some projects on the back burner. Also some unfinished ones that I would like to get to. Not to mention my sewing space needs some organization, I have new shelves to put up, but I want to paint first. Then I better get off the computer!

Thanks for taking time to read and getting this far. Have a great weekend!