My bunting is on someone else's website!

So the bunting I made is on theironcraft.blogspot.com!  Of course, everyone that submitted a photo made her page, but still.  I could've been the first she refused!  Anyway, there are many awesome buntings on the site, I really think you ought to check it out!
Take care all.

Iron Craft

Hello all! It sure has been awhile hasn't it?  Happy New Year!

This post is going to be a little different from the others.  I had mentioned in my heading that this blog is "about sewing and other things I create", but I have never posted those "other things I create".  Well now I am!  Take a gander at my Valentine's Day Bunting.

Somewhere in the blogging world I found a site called Iron Craft.  Iron Craft is a site dedicated to challenging crafty people to create a different craft once a week. I didn't partake the first 2 weeks, but joined in the fun this week.  The first week's challenge was to create "Winter Light".  If you visit the site, you will see some super amazing candle holders, white lights etc. The second week the challenge was to create a draft dodger.  One of those snakes that goes in front of your door or window to stop the draft. . . anyway there are some really cute (I know, who thought those could be cute?) items that were made. And while looking at all those photos I got jealous of all the creativity these other crafters were using!  So I made the bunting.  It was fairly simple, and I think, it is unique.  Here's how it went down. 

I had already purchased 2 packs of heart shaped doilies from the Target Dollar Bin.  Each pack had 20 hearts in it, I have only used one so far. Well, I sewed the hearts together using my sewing machine.  Now that wasn't terribly hard, but a few suggestions. 1) use a top stitch needle, a leather one was too much. 2) feed the hearts in slowly but separately 3) it isn't going to be perfect, even if Martha did it her personal self.  That's fine isn't it?  I think so.

After sewing them together I picked out about 25 buttons. Some red, some pink keeping with the Valentine's theme.  I then hand sewed the buttons on, alternating around the doilies where the button's were placed in order to keep the doilies from sagging in just one direction.  After actually sewing the first couple buttons on as if they keeping a set of DD's in place on a hooker, I realized, oh I only need to sew thru each hole on the button once or twice.  The paper was actually left more stable by only inserting the needle thru the same area those few times rather then securing it more.  Once all the buttons were on, all I had to do was find a cute spot for the super cute result!

If you want to join Iron Craft it's easy!  I might also mention out right, it isn't a requirement that you do all the crafts. You can just pick and choose.  Of course the "challenge" is to actually attempt all the crafts, thereby stepping outside your crafting comfort zone.  I definitely enjoyed my time creating this bunting and am looking very forward to the rest of the crafts this year.  Also, checking out other crafter's creations so openly is very cool.

Enjoy!

Peat and Repeat Sews: Sounds like fun to me!

Peat and Repeat Sews: Sounds like fun to me!

theironcraft.blogspot.com

Sounds like fun to me!

This is a year long challenge to craft something new and probably out of your comfort zone!  I am really going to try and do this weekly.  Hope to see some familiar friends doing it too!

I love explaining myself

I love explaining myself.  I must.  Why else would I wait so long to post? Why else would I sew a few purses together in a mad rush?  I don't know. Does inspiration hit me all of sudden?  I day dream about what to sew together.  Sometimes Vera Bradley is in my daydreams.  She looks a lot like Jacob Marley.  But she always critiques my stitches.  Which makes me critique hers when I am out and about. Lo and behold, her stitches aren't perfect - nor are mine.  Then I want to reach out and say to the lady with that bag.  " I could've hooked you up much cheaper." Which, see, then I can explain myself again!  Circle of life baby.

Had a brush with infamy this week.  Two people were in line at the local Chipoltle - each had an edition of my purse.  No one told me if they compared stitches, but I am thinking they didn't.  Neither one of them like explaining themselves and they like me - so they extolled my sewing virtures.  I was just glad to hear they were both carrying one of my bags 3 months later!

Have put together a bag you will see that I totally copied from *mixieblue*.  Had to add those star things so I don't have to pay her infringement penalties.  She doesn't make and sell the bags anymore, but I continually hear there is a need for them so today, I created one and it looks decent.  I need a label.  I just can't committ.  Anyway . . .this may be my fortune. Or at least Christmas money.

Take care, let  me know if you need a new fall bag. I am all in on that one!

Bridal Party Purses

Oh my friends, the summer is drawing to close. Aren't we all a little sad? Not me really. I love the fall! Dark colors look best on me and hide dirt. I don't have to water the plants as much, although many of them get moved inside for the winter. I don't have to wear 4 layers of clothing in the basement while sewing because the air conditioner is on. Oh yeah, this is a sewing blog! So let me fill you in.

I made 6 purses for a friend to give as gifts to her bridal party. Her bridesmaid/matron dresses are eggplant. I found a lovely print - from I believe Anna Maria Horner - and was also able to find many "co-ordinating" fabrics not even from her line! So each one is truly unique! I made two different styles. One a long strapped carry all and one a small wristlet. Let's face it, some ladies will never - ever - ever use a wristlet. They just don't know when would be a good time, or will forget about it because, when would they use it? Anyway, the over the shoulder strap one is for the "functional gift only" friend. It might be a tiny bit fancy and fun, but, still usable. We all know that girl. Darnit.

Back to the wristlet.

It is a pattern from Amy Butler. It is the third pattern from her that I have endeavored to complete, and the third time I have felt unfulfilled. I always feel like it is just shy enough away from the picture to look tacky. I think this time though, the wristlet still looked really nice, but the functional purse looks better. That was the let down, I only did the functional one out of guilt, then it looked better. Oh well, live and learn.

I also recently purchased an Anna Maria Horner pattern I am nervous to undertake. I REALLY like the  possible finished product.   So I bought some cheapie fabric from a large chain that I liked, but wasn't married too, so if I mess up the pattern I won't be overly disappointed and only out a few dollars. I have seen this purse created at a couple different stores Sew To Speak and Quilt Beginnings and it is LOVELY. Point here, if insecure about your capabilities, start cheap, practice and pawn off on family if it doesn't work out. What family member is going to tell you the item looks like he77? Not one you were speaking to anyway. There are reasons you speak to favorite family members!

Can not recall if I told everyone I made myself a wrap around skirt. The work itself was fine. I was actually impressed with my self to tell the truth.  I don't do many pieces of clothing.  But a girl without a definitive waist ought not be sporting a wrap around skirt. Why they make the pattern sizes that high is beyond me. To me, that implies it will look appropriate on a person of the larger sizes. Then again, they make bikinis in my size too. I wouldn't buy one and I wouldn't wear one. Enough said?

So, hopefully with the onset of the fall, I will be sewing more. Sharing more, selling more. Oh I dream.

Til the next time, enjoy the change in seasons!

Presentation

So, I haven't been stagnent since my last post. I have accomplished much and that is part of the reason I haven't been able to post anything. I have pictures of samples of what I have been doing that I am posting after the blogging. But I cannot for the life of me figure out how to take these damn pictures. My stuff doesn't look near as fab as it does in person. Because let me TELL YOU this stuff looks good. Any suggestions on how to photograph things? someone said a white background. I tried that. I don't think it's the wrinkles that make it look . . . well like I pulled it out from under the bed. I don't know what kind of light to use, if I should use the flash etc. When I study other blogs like annamariehorner.blogspot.com Her photos are amazing. Are her kids taking these? There is another blog called angrychicken (not sure if it's wordpress or blogspot without actually going to the site) that has fab pictures. I am thinking I am the only semi creative person I know of that doesn't have an iota of photographic capability.

I have made lots of cupcake skirts recently. At least we know the world of little misses are lookin good out there! I also made a cupcake skirt for my girlfriends sister's bacholarette party out of Cleveland Browns fabric. I am going to try and post some of the photos of her siter IN the skirt b/c it came out way better than anticipated. On my friends behalf what a great idea!

You will also see a tote bag I made for my favorite 17 year old for her birthday. Found this fabric at sewtospeak.blogspot.com in clintonville, oh. My fave 17 yr.old is a life guard, teaches swim lessons and coaches swimming. I used the pattern that I made the bright pink peacock purse (SOLD IT!!:))out of. But didn't pleat it as suggested. See what you can do with one simple pattern?? All the things you can make? The lining fabric is actually "lamenated" so will wick the moisture from her goggles etc. For her teeny tiny bikini I made a seperate bag. I think I could have made it smaller even, as she is 17 and lovely. But, perhaps she will be able to use the tote for a long time!

I was fortunate enough to work with some Japanese Linen that I could/would never have bought for myself. ($$$) I love this purse. I am so thankful that the planned project did not work out for my mom. She didn't even make me pay for it!! AND I have enough to make myself a purse and her too! Not matching, for heaven's sake, but similar with AWESOME fabric.

I did make myself a wraparound skirt two weeks ago. (Really in nonvacation time was a week ago.) I am hesitant to wear it though as wearing homemade and carrying homemade are two different things. And I don't think if I do receive a compliment I will be able to pass it off as Anthropologie. Know what I mean?

Next time, I am going to show you my pergola with the new seat cushions I made from painters drop cloth. Saved me hundreds!!!

In parting, I need to leave this quote I found. I think it speaks volumes and am truly suprised that Erma Bombeck said it only b/c it is more emo than I feel she did regularly.

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

Don't you agree!? LET FREEDOM RING.