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.