WIP Wednesday - Just Keep Swimming!

I'm trying to clear out some room in my stash (so I can add new stuff!) but one of the biggest space hogs is FLEECE!  The fastest pattern I have for fleece is the mermaid tail blanket, so I cut out 2 and started sewing them this weekend.  This is one of the few times when a serger would be AWESOME, but alas, I'm out of room for another machine.  And it turns out that I forgot to check if the new Janome has a faux serger stitch....it doesn't but the manual suggested a triple stitch for 'stretch' and then I also do a zig-zag for extra strength.  Maybe I should get Stormy fixed soon so I can have all my fancy stitches back!

The detail stitching probably takes longer than making the actual tail...

While I was working on the mermaid tails, I also threw a few more towel toppers on the embroidery machine.  Pikachu has ears that are meant to be turned right side out for a nicer edge, but the first one I tried I went the easy way and just stitched them straight together.   The yellow glitter vinyl looks so pretty in person, and I continued the theme with black and red glitter vinyl.

This is for a 2 year old, hopefully she won't be closely examining my stitching...before I washed off the extra stabilizer

The stitching isn't quite as nice as I hoped on the ears, so the next time, I tried to do them the 'right' way.  Shoot me now.  Even using the tips (hitting it with a blast of heat, tweezers, chopsticks, cursing) it still wasn't going to turn for me.  Instead I followed my oldest child's suggestion, seam ripped up one side, turned it right side out, and then just sewed it shut again.  Better...but I did find another pattern online that has the ears NOT turned and a pretty satin stitch around the edges.  The finished head looks very similar...and I could just satin stitch on my regular sewing machine...but it would save me time!  If I ever make another one of these, maybe I'll look into it.  ;)  So far I don't have any more requests for this one.

The turned and sewn ears. 

Did anyone get stuff actually finished over the long weekend?  It seems like I just started more projects... This weekend I WILL get something finished!  And maybe even start going through my boxes and bags of supplies and projects!  I need to get back down to only 1 'uncut' tote bag of embroidery projects instead of the 3 I currently have filled to the brim...

WIP: (Stuff sitting out on my work area and taking up space)

 

Sewing:

Mermaid tail blankets - 1 is 90% finished, another one needs sewn together.

Cross body strap on the Boronia Bowler...it's not that much work, but I keep procrastinating.  I also managed to pop off a rivet (I must not have hit it hard enough...I must not be very stressed out right now!) so I need to replace that.  Good news is that my sewing and the backside of the rivet are holding that strap together fine...

March BOM - Pirate BunnyBeard just needs his strap! - I picked up some new rivet tools to set the crystal rivets better, and domed ones, so maybe he'll get that for his strap!

Serendipity Owl Bag - needs just topstitching and handles attached, really need to get this one finished and listed on etsy!  It's a perfect fall bag!

Tulip pouches - started cutting out some fun ones! Perfect for pencil cases or glasses cases or ....! (pattern)

Wisteria Wallets - Need to work on the 2 more that are ready to go!

Random stash challenge - one kiss clutch 98% done! - Still needs the metal accent forced onto the flap. 

Embroidered pillow covers - need to cut a back piece after I figure out if I'm doing a zipper or envelope closure...I'm thinking of using my invisible zippers and doing another one from the same set of patterns...so far the fish is in the lead for what will be stitched next.  Still procrastinating because I don't want to have to lint roll the entire sewing area after I cut my next piece.  Not even exaggerating.

Sedimental Quilt- working on binding while I watch TV - almost half done!

May Bag of the Month- Swoon Brooklyn - I think I'm going with a Doctor Who random toss fabric that glows in the dark and blue glitter vinyl.

Brandt's Boulevard in sugar skulls, another one in "Girly" fabric for a later date

Crayon rolls - keep sewing my cut ones, I have so much awesome fabric for these! - new quilting foot is going to make this slightly faster, so hopefully I can start cranking out a ton and be prepared for Christmas!

Crochet:

Started some cute scarfs, making them an entire skein long!  One just needs buttons, and the other is about 1/2 done!

Giraffe photographer is coming along, one horn and two ears in!

Sea turtle lovey - Shell needs attached to body and then put together with the blanket! - Planning on taking this to yarn night and forcing myself to finish it!

Mermaid lovey - Sea blanket is done, head is done (no hair), started on tail. Giant head is kind of freaking me out, so I need to finish her!  - I really want to redo her head smaller, it's probably too big for the blanket...

Embroidery:  

Hooded towels are jumping into the queue because I found some adorable pokemon ones and towels on sale at Target...More done!  Adorable Pikachu!

Keep cutting out my backlog of bows and keychain.  I didn't cut out everything in my stash, so I need to keep working on them!
Stitch out more couch pillows (and finish them) - I'd like to get the pillow forms out of my craft area and onto the couches!
More patches! - going to test them as magnets and see if my glue is strong enough to hold

NIL (Next in Line-Things I plan on and want to do, but haven't gotten around to yet...)

Alice in Wonderland Bonnie
Venom Messenger Bag (considering THIS pattern by RLR)
Jack Skellington Messenger Bag
Lotus Purse
Crayon Rolls - These never end
Rosie Tsum Tsum purse
January Bag of the Month (Backgammon Bag) - Either in some Effervescence fabric or maybe the Zelda stained glass fabric
Quilted pillow covers - Sasquatch fabric is ready to go, just need some spare time!

UFO (Unfinished Objects that are already started but I have no set time to work on and don't want to forget about them forever!)

Cowls - just need buttons and ends woven in.  Giving up on the one a month plan until it gets closer to craft season. - Guess what, craft season is around the corner!
Bella II in Tula Pink Foxfield - outside is done, inside is cut and waiting for me to finish, already have someone that wants it!
Doctor Who Pick a Pocket - all the pieces are cut, just needs finished!
Goldfish Lovey - fish is made, bowl is mostly made, needs put together
Dragon Lovey - pieces and the blanket done
Serendipity Hip in MLP fabric with vinyl bottom