Help! I've fallen, and I can't get up!

Ok, ok, so I didn't fall, but I can't sleep...so how about I say, "Help! I've gone to bed, and I can't sleep!" That is exactly how I feel tonight (or this morning). I rolled over to talk to my husband a bit, but he was totally out, snoring and all. So, I decided to get up and sew.

Some of you know that for Christmas my husband bought me a new embroidery machine and I couldn't be happier! Here it is March and I have yet to pull the embroidery unit out of the box. Shame! But, I have been using it as a sewing machine, and I LOVE this machinne!

This machine is a bit larger than my old machine, therefore the dust cover from the old machine would not work for my new machine. I have had an idea in my head for quite some time on what style dust cover I wanted. 

So, tonight (this morning) I decided to make the dust cover for my new sewing machine. I started out by making some plans on a piece of paper.  

I then started cutting fabric according to the measurements. Once the pieces for the cover were cut, I did add fleece interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric to help give the cover some shape.

I am using a natural cotton for the main fabric, then three strips of different fabric for the ruffles.  

When I laid this out on the table, I thought it would make a really cute summer skirt! Hmmmm, inspiration,...

I added piping around the two ends of the cover and a big red flower to the front (I am not sure I like the flower, so I just pinned it there for now)

And, here is the finished cover! 

I have to say, I really like how the red piping pops off of the natural cotton. 

So, there you have it. I like it. And, now I don't have to worry about getting any of the desert dust on my new machine!

Happy Friday....off to bed for a few minutes! ;)

Quiltique Contest!

So, one of our local quilt shops called Quiltique is hosting the "2012 Bag Challenge" and I decided to enter! The way the contest works is like this...I had to pick the bag pattern from about 20 white envelopes. Each envelope contained a pattern. The only thing that was on the envelope was the supply list. So, I had no idea what the bag looked like when I chose the envelope. The contest is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced patterns. Because I did not know what the pattern looked like, I played it safe and picked from the intermediate batch. When I opened the envelope, I was so happy! I really liked the bag! I finished the bag this past weekend, but I may make another one with bolder colors. So, here is the bag...

A cute little backpack!  

There is a pocket with a magnetic snap pocket on the front of the bag. 

The inside has a single pocket.

The pattern that I picked is from Two Peas in a Pod Designs and the pattern is called the St Mary Backpack.

I never use a pattern, and for this contest, I had to follow the pattern just as it was written. For me, this was very hard. I have been sewing so long that to do a simple step a different way was a challenge for me! Like I said, I may do another bag in bolder colors, but I do like this bag too. The bag is due back to Quiltique by March 30th and voting begins April 1. So, if you happen to be in Vegas during the month of April, I would love your vote!

Happy Sewing!

Piano Bag...

Let's face it, whether we write it down or not, we all have a "bucket list" of sorts. Things we want to do before we die. Well, one of the things on my list is to learn to play the piano. I have taken on and off, and yes, I can read the notes - but that is as far as I have gone with it. Well, I am pleased to say, starting Thursday, I am starting up lessons again. Therefore, I need a new piano bag, right? So, this morning I made this cute little tote:

I found my inspiration HERE. And, here is what the inspiration bag looked like:

I know I copied it pretty much to the T. I did a few things different though. The original just had the ruffles on the front side of the bag, and I chose to take the ruffle all the way around the tote. 

I added the trim to the top of the ruffles to give them a more finished look. 

I also added my favorite fabric from Heather Bailey as a lining. Plus, a little pocket for pens/pencils. 

I loved the burlap rolled flower!

Hopefully having a cute bag will make me play the piano better! ;)

Have a great week!

Linking to:

Sewwoodsy 

Sew-Much-Ado 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome 2012!! I am so ready for the ceremonial re-start that we all take at the beginning of a new year. I have one big plan for 2012.....

SIMPLIFY

Hahahahahaha! I know, right. But, I mean it, I am gonna do it! The last month has been a very blessed, crazy, stressful month and a month where I was on my knees, a lot. The only thing I learned from this past month is that there is only one answer for me...and you guessed it, to simplify.

Now, on to fun stuff! I must have been a good girl last year because Santa Clause brought me this....

A brand new, stinking beautiful sewing machine! This sewing machine also has an embroidery attachment that I am super anxious to learn!

I am on "rest" mode for the next week or so, so instead of laying in bed, I thought sitting on my sewing chair was just as good! I wanted to sew something fun and simple to try out my new machine.... 

So, I made up this cute Valentine's pillow. Yes, I said Valentines. All of you crafters out there know that you are making up your crafts now too!

But, what I really wanted to show you was a "cheap" trick to pillows. We all know that pillow inserts cost a pretty penny. So, Here is a trick that I do to save money on pillow inserts.  

Take a $2.50 bed pillow from WalMart. I made my pillow the same width as the height of the bed pillow. I determined my height of my pillow and measured up on the bed pillow and cut. 

Cutting through all the stuffing can be a bit tricky.

I then pinned the open edge closed and stitched.

I used a zig-zag stitch to sew up the edge of the pillow. Slip your new pillow form into your pillow... 

And there you have it, a $1.25 pillow form! Easy. There is enough of the pillow left to make a second pillow. 

I made cute little ribbon ties on the back of the pillow to close it off. 

The pillow looks cute on my chair in my office...but, this little gem is going to my Mom. She has been a lot of help this past week, and I think this makes a cute thank you gift.

Linking pillow here:

Northerncottage

Sneak Peak...

While I am still in the mood for fall decorating, I decided it was time to change up the UGLY pillows that came with our couches that we bought three years ago. I never liked them! I loved the golden tan color of the couches, and I knew that I could change up the pillows.

Here are the original pillows~

See, told ya...UGLY!

So, after three years of looking at these pillows, this morning I made up two to replace. I have to make 8 total, two at each end for two couches.

Here is the replacements.... 

I love them!!!!! I love both fabrics so much!

I used brown wool for the cute brown one. LOVE LOVE LOVE the ruffles! My dilemma with this pillow, I need to make three more brown ones, so do I do all of them the same as this one, or make all the brown ones different? I don't know. 

I am going to make one more big pillow for behind these two, I just haven't decided on a fabric yet for that.

I was just so excited about this change that I had to share!

Happy Friday!

The Bag that got my Finger!!!

No, this bag did not make me give someone the bird...instead, while making this bag I cut the tip of my finger off! YUK! No, I am not going to show pictures of my finger, but let's just say, blood, lots of blood!

OK, enough gross stuff...here is the diaper bag that I made up tonight.

I really love this diaper bag. The gal that ordered this bag has ordered a few bags from me, and I really love to create for her. She requested a pink/brown combo and I think I hit the nail on the head! 

On each side of the bag, I put these Little gadget pockets. It is the perfect size for a pacifier or a phone. 

I might have to say that the back of the bag might be my favorite part! I was inspired by a pair of jeans to put these two pockets on the "backside" of the bag. 

Each pocket has a pearl snap to secure it. 

I went with a soft pink fabric for the lining. 

There is a zipper pocket and three pockets of each side of the interior of the bag. A total of 7 pockets on the inside and 4 pockets on the exterior of the bag. There is also a key fob that attaches on the inside that you can't see in the picture. 

I am not sold on the flower yet...not sure that I am going to keep it on the bag! I am also making a matching diaper/wet wipe/changing pad bag that will go on the inside of the bag.

The gal that ordered this bag just requested pink/brown, and let me pick the fabric. So, just in case she doesn't like this combo, I am making up a second bag with a totally different pink/brown look to it...so stay tuned! I will show you that bag soon!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

New Backpack

I took on a new challenge....while I make bags, lots of bags, my girlfriend asked for a back pack for her 9 year old daughter, Aspen. I said I would be happy to, and started to mentally think how the backpack would go together. My girlfriend picked out the fabric. I had Aspen come over last night to cut the fabric out. And in the wee hours of the night, I began to sew.

And this is what we ended up with! Super cute!  

There is a large pocket going across the front of the bag. And, I quilted the fabric on the pocket and the flap to make it a bit more sturdy. 

The straps were sized just for Aspen, with a bit of room to grow into the bag. 

Perhaps my favorite part is her name embroidered and the flower on the flap.  

Lots of room on the inside for all of Aspen's books! 

Aspen even wanted feet on the bottom! 

I really did enjoy making this bag for Aspen! 

And, I am pretty sure she likes it too!