The Iron Craft Challenge 5

So this week we were asked to "Create a Valentine."  I know everyone thinks for sure my romantic side was just bursting with ideas right?  Yeah right.  Luckily I had purchased yet another cake plate a few weeks ago at the thrift store that I had yet to put away and was smacked with a great idea.. . . . . A CAKE.  I have to be honest, not sure the cake and frosting are all that great.  The cake was Devil's Food (which I thought appropriate b/c of Valentines) but the butter frosting is lacking something.  Like sweetness.  Fortunately, this little challenge is over the Internet and I don't have to tote the cake down to Church basement to be judged. Whew.

I did use the Heart Cutout's from Target dollar AGAIN for this challenge.  Hard to tell now, but those are paper hearts forming the first impression of this Valentine.

Next I found a "snowflake heart" on-line. Printed, enlarged and cut it all out.  It went a bit astray from there as you can tell.  The snowflake got stuck multiple times and so some of the hearts look like, well, you can see. Nothing, something? Art is in the eye of the beholder right?

So once I got the snowflake cut out, I sprinkled the whole top with hot pink sugar crystals.  FYI, you just, "rub off" those crystals from the top of the cake.  They do stick.  Oh well.

Anyway, posting this tomorrow first thing on Flicker under the iron craft.  Seriously people, check this out!  You will want to do at least one thing on it even if you don't post it.  It's freezing outside, what else are you going to do?

HUGS!

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!