Happy New Year!

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

I'm not big on new year's resolutions.  I prefer to reflect on everything that has brought joy to my life in the past year.  It's been wonderful watching my children change and grow.  We started school and embraced the change as a family. 

I've enjoyed learning to use my camera more and not getting so hung up on photos for blogging.  

My husband traded his classical guitar in for a banjo and it's been really fun watching and listening to him learn as he adds another instrument to his collection.

Overall, it's been a great year.  Can't wait to see what new joys the new year brings!

Happy new year to you and thanks for stopping by.  

Matryoshka Messenger Bag

 Back in November I was commissioned to make a Mirabelle Messenger Bag for a local friend.  Luckily, she's very patient and understanding, because I just finished it yesterday.

 Since the print is directional, I cut the gusset band in 2 pieces so that the dolls wouldn't be upside down at the top on one side.

The fabric is so pretty and looks really great with the pink piping and lining.  I ended made the piping (using this tutorial) and bias tape myself so that everything would match perfectly. 

I hope she loves it!

New Apron for ME!

I've been in a bit of a sewing slump lately.  When I actually have the time to spend with my machine, I get overwhelmed with all the projects floating around in my head and end up doing nothing.  Ever feel like that?

Well, maybe it's because it's the first day of vacation or maybe it's because I got a few things checked off the list, but I finally just sat down and sewed something.

I've been wanting to make a new apron for a while and have gone back and forth on what pattern to use.... So today, I sat down and just made it up as I went.  I held the fabric up to my body, cut, gathered, did it all on the fly.  It was so much fun!  I ended up with an apron I love and a renewed creativity and energy.

So, here's to a relaxing and renewing holiday.

Burlap Heart Ornament Tutorial

I never leave Joann's without hitting the remnant bin and just recently scored this burlap remnant for $1.25!

I came up with this cute little ornament to give to friends and neighbors to go along with our annual gift of granola.  So, friends and neighbors, avert your eyes!

All you'll need to make some of these are:

• some scraps of fabric, I used knit since cut knits generally don't fray or unravel
• a little burlap, you could probably make 10 or more from half a yard
• some kind of string, I used a cream colored yarn
• fiberfill of some sort   
• pinking shears 

Cut a heart (or 6) out of the knit fabric.

Lay the heart on 2 layers of burlap that are about an inch larger than the heart.  Then cut a piece of string that's about 12 inches long.  Tuck the ends in between the 2 layers of burlap as shown, making sure it's tucked down under the knit heart. 

Sew the heart in place, through all 3 layers of fabric and making sure that the string gets secured as well.  Leave a small opening as shown by the arrows.

Fill the heart with a little fiberfill.  You can use a knitting needle or pencil to gently push the fill into the top of the heart. 

Pin the opening closed, making sure all the batting is tucked inside and none is hanging out.

Sew the opening closed.  I also sewed around the whole heart again, just because I like the look and I thought it might make it a bit more secure, but this is optional.

Now take your pinking shears and trim away the extra burlap.  When you get to the top center, make sure to move the string out of the way so you don't accidentally snip it.

If you need to, you can use regular scissors to trim away any extra in the center.

There you have it!

Make one, make six!

Who will you make yours for?

Heartache

Ever since I heard the news of the tragedy in Connecticut on Friday, my heart has been aching.  I can't watch or read the news without crying.  I can only imagine what those families are feeling....

 As I send my 6 year old out the door to school tomorrow morning, a small reminder of my love. 

 Tutorial later this week.....tonight, only thoughts and prayers.

“Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”
― Elizabeth Stone

Traditions - New and Old

This year, we decided to jump on the gingerbread house bandwagon.  I grew up with a pretty minimal Christmas celebration given that my parents grew up in India and didn't celebrate Christmas themselves.  But, how could I resist this gingerbread house kit from Trader Joe's.  For $7.99, it's pretty great.  Next year I might have to make my own and start a new tradition.  

 Another tradition in our family is attending the local ballet company's performance of the Nutcracker.  I make a new dress for my daughter each year.  She really liked the style of last year's dress, so this year's is the same in different colors.

 The back....with 2 little helper monkeys.

I don't often do a rolled hem on my serger since it requires changing a plate and removing a needle.  But, since I teach about rolled hems and lettuce edging in my serger class, I thought it's about time I do it on my own machine.  It came out really pretty and is easier than doing a regular hem.

Another holiday tradition complete.

What's your favorite holiday tradition?

Burlap Placemat Tutorial

Today I'm guest posting for Jane of Trades as part of Roselee's Bias Tape Tuesday Series.

Here's a very simple tutorial taking advantage of some great printed burlap fabric I found recently at Joann's.

To make 4 placemats, you'll need 3/4 yard burlap and just over 7 yards of 1/2 inch, double fold bias tape (note there is nowhere near 7 yards shown in the above photo).  This is a great excuse to make your own bias tape using Roselee's tutorial posted here. 

Cut each placemat to be 13 x 19 inches.

At about the center of one of the short sides, sandwhich the burlap in the bias tape, and sew down until you reach the corner.

Fold back the bias tape and shown, and make a nice little mitered corner.  Pin, then begin sewing where you left off.  Do the same for all 4 corners.

When you get back to where you started, cut the bias tape so that it overlaps with by just about an inch.  Fold over the end, press and sew in place, hiding the unfinished end where you started.

So simple.

So beautiful.

They make my dining room look so much nicer than it actually is.  In reality, this table never looks this way.  It's usually the spot where all the kids papers and toys get shoved.  Where all my in progress projects get stashed...

A beautiful spot, even if for just one day.

Handmade Gift Ideas - Pin Cushion Jar

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here's a quick post with a fun gift idea.

 A fellow crafty friend has a birthday soon and I wanted to give something handmade but also useful. 

I used this tutorial from Make It and Love It.  

I made it and I loved it!  To add my own little touch, I spray painted the lid to get a antiqued look.

 The jar on the left has the hammered finish, the jar on the right doesn't.  Both look great.

Ready to fill with some yummy treats.

Hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of cheer!

Handmade Gift Ideas - Color Blocked Zip Pouch

 The holidays are right around the corner so it's time to get started on those handmade gifts.  And who doesn't love a zip pouch?  Here's a great little project that you can use some scraps to whip up in no time.  

You'll need some heavyweight fabric for the outer (or you can interface a lighter fabric), fabric for the lining and a zipper. 
 Full tutorial and pattern here.

 
I used some scraps of duck canvas that were 5 inches wide by 14 inches tall.  

(you can see I put together 2 smaller gray pieces)

 Sew the strips together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and cut in half.

 Cut the pieces to size using the printable pattern, and finish according to the instructions here. 

Fill it up with some fun little treats and it's ready to be received!

What handmade gifts are you working on?