Pencil Pouches and School Supplies - Rush Edition!

There's nothing like realizing that school is starting in less than a week to cause panic and bring on the rush requests!  Last week I had a request for a donut pencil case, and as I was working on that, my oldest child decided she needed a new pencil case, too.  The first one finished was my own pattern, and hopefully I'll have a tutorial up for it soon!  Featuring embroidery from UrbanThreads.com, it turned out pretty good!

Finished size is around 9"x10", so it has LOTS of room!

Pick A Pocket Wallet - Inside Out Edition

I am so glad to have this wallet finished.  For being an 'easy' version, I sure managed to screw up or second guess myself every step of the way!  This was my first time doing it with the second zippered pocket, so of course I screwed that up too!  The good news is that I took notes as I fixed my mistakes...the bad news is that I'll probably lose those notes...

My 'customer' was very happy with the way the wallet turned out, now she's trying to convince me that she needs to carry my cards and money...not going to happen LOL!

The outside HAD to have Joy and Anger, but of course they weren't right next to each other on the fabric.  We compromised and Anger went on the tab. I think it turned out cute!

Her favorite character...we still haven't seen the movie!

WIP Wednesday - Week 3 of the Pick a Pocket Sew Along, UFO Challenge, etc

I finally finished something!!  The first wallet for the Sew Along is done!!  I somehow managed to put the inside and outside main pieces together backwards, which led to everything being put together on opposite sides, but it still works! 

 

Pick A Pocket Sew Along - Week 3

I hope everyone is moving along on their wallets, I'm almost halfway done with my first and with a few more hours of sewing time, will be totally finished!  Don't forget to check out Christine's blog for tricks and tips!  And share your pictures in the FaceBook group!

I took Ellen's tip about making the template for the pockets, and I LOVE it!  I think I will finally defeat the pockets and get them evenly spaced!  I did learn that you need to make sure the pen you grab ISN'T the frixxon pen...even on cardboard it will disappear with ironing...oops!

Piece of cardboard from a fat quarter

 

WIP Wednesday, UFO Challenge, Pick a Pocket Sew Along - Over Halfway through August!

How is everyone doing on their UFO pile?  I admit...mine is crawling along.  Now that the quilt top is finished, and I'm on track for the Pick A Pocket Wallet sew along, I feel like I'll have a little breathing room to work on the loveys.  Recently I decided to reorganize my sewing storage area and ran across MANY more UFO's....so I need to finish these so I can get started on the rest I found!  I have one arm, hair, and putting it all together left for the 2 loveys.

Pick a Pocket Sew Along:
Still working on the wallets...I have them interfaced, the tabs sewn (but not top-stitched or snaps on) and started working on the first zippered pocket.  After half an hour of trying to make sure I had the zippered pocket the right way...I think I finally figured it out!  I hope anyway...

 

Pick A Pocket Sew Along - Week 2!

I am finally getting started, but Christine and Ellen have finished ALL the steps over on the ChrisW Designs Blog!  Don't worry if you aren't very far, this wallet goes together nicely once you have the pieces cut!  Or you can be a little crazy and cut 2 at once!  That way if you mess up, you REALLY mess up!  Not that I have...yet....

I used a frixon pen to write on the pieces what they were...and then waited until they cooled after fusing the interfacing to write it again.  Heat disappearing ink is not a good idea when you need to iron!  I thought about throwing them in the freezer...

Bag of The Month Club - Manhattan Mama Sized Purse

I really love the Bag of the Month club this year!  I can't believe it's only August and I've already made 5 of the 6 patterns!!  This one is a relatively fast sew, no fiddly bits other than the GIANT zipper!  Which is not hard to install if you take your time and use zipper tape.   Zipper tape is my new favorite thing.

Embroidery from Urban Threads, I love how this one stitches out!

Evelyn by Swoon - In Tula Pink!

Sometimes I feel so fancy, throwing names around like I know what I'm talking about...of course if you mention a clothing designer, I'll probably give you a blank stare and ask if I've met them....but I'm learning all the 'top' designers of handbag patterns and amazing quilting fabrics! 

My fancy handles, glitter vinyl with fabric to hide the seam

WIP Wednesday - UFO Challenge, Pick A Pocket Sew Along and Quilting

My UFO challenge is still staring at me every time I sit on the couch, but no progress has been made...I will get those loveys done!  I hope you are doing better than I am!

Pick A Pocket sew along is ongoing...I'm trying to get my quilt top finished so I have room to work before I start, but the second post is up on Christine's blog with the next set of instructions!  Go check them out if you are ready to move on!  Part 2

That is one of 29 very long strips...and nearly impossible to get a picture of all the colors at once...

Pick A Pocket Wallet Sew Along - Week One!

This sew along is going to last 4 weeks, so don't feel rushed or worry if you start a day or 5 late! 

Ellen and Christine will be guiding us through the steps in 4 blog posts, so you can pick and choose how fast you want to work!  You can get the pattern for the Pick A Pocket wallet on Christine's website, and join us in the FaceBook group for motivation, inspiration, and help!

My youngest decided she needs her own wallet, but in this fabric!

Pick-A-Pocket Wallet - Sew Along Starting Next Week!!

It's time once again for another sew along!  This time we'll be doing the Pick-A-Pocket Wallet by ChrisW.  This one will be run a little differently, Christine is going to post the steps on her blog and I'll be leading the sewing in the FaceBook group.  This was my tester version, so I can't wait to try one with the real pattern!

 

WIP Wednesday - UFO Challenge Week 1

I received a lot of good feedback on the UFO challenge - I'm not the only person that has a stash of unfinished projects!  I picked out my first 2 to finish, some princess and Elsa inspired loveys!  All they need is arms, one needs hair, and then sewn together.  I think I dropped them because the thick yarn doesn't make good sleeves, and the thin is pretty but kept breaking on me!  I WILL finish them!

Disembodied heads are only slightly creepy...

UFO Challenge - Clean Up the Stash!

I'm getting better, but I can't even count how many projects I have that I started and either got distracted, lost, frustrated, or just plain spaced out that I was working on them.  I'm thinking that this is a good time to dig around in my pile o' crafts (aka the messy corner) and see what half finished, barely started, or nearly complete projects I can find. 

My challenge for myself (and you, if you want to join) is to find 2 UFO's (UnFinished Objects) and finish them by the end of the month.  If I finish them earlier, I'll go digging for another one and see how many I can get done! 

I know I have both sewing and crochet ones, so let's see what I dig out first!  Maybe I should make it a contest, with a prize...hmm....

If you are going to join me in the challenge, leave a comment and let me know what projects you find in your pile!

Bag of the Month Club - Seneca Creek Bag

This bag was an order, and she wanted it EXACTLY like one she had seen.  Unfortunately when the customer asked for the fabric that was used in the original, she was told one was a microsuede fabric, which is just behind satin for my least favorite materials to work with.  I was able to make it work, but the strap has a bit more stretch than I planned...good thing it's a little purse, so it shouldn't be carrying tons of weight!  The blue fabric is super soft to the touch, but since it's fabric, it will be washable!

Has detachable straps to go through the belt loops!