WIP Wednesday - The Last One in 2016!

It seems like 2016 flew by!  I'm already working on my 2017 craft goals, but I think that will get a separate post....because there are quite a few!

One version of the Christmas Cards I finally finished...they were in the mail Christmas Eve, totally counts!

Harry Potter Harriet by Swoon - Magical!

When a co-worker commissioned me to create an awesome Harry Potter purse for a Christmas secret Santa gift, I jumped at the chance!  He picked the Harriet Expandable Tote pattern by Swoon, which is one I've had since it was released and never had a chance to use.

The sketch faces turned out to be perfectly scaled for this size bag!

WIP Wednesday - Last Minute Rush!

In case you forgot...Christmas is in 4 days.  That's plenty of time do more projects, right?  I have one last order to finish up, then I'm free to do whatever I want...until after Christmas when I have 2 more orders already in line!  I think the week after Christmas I'll be doing some selfish sewing and organizing of my supplies, plus figuring out the next birthday party!

I need to make more with this fabric!!

Cranberry Raspberry Jello Dish

Every year I have to search for this recipe, and it's so simple, but tasty!  This year, I'm finally going to just post it so that maybe next year when I search for it, my own blog will show up.  ;)  I found several variations with pineapple, but not the plain version, so here's my cobbled together recipe!

Ingredients:

2 - 3oz boxes of Raspberry flavored Jello mix
1 can (15oz) of cranberry sauce (not with berries, the totally smooth can shaped one)
2  cups hot water

Topping:
1 package of cream cheese (8oz) softened
2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar

If you don't remember to take pictures until after you open the can, you get an upside down pic...

WIP Wednesday - 11 Days Until Christmas!

Is anyone actually ready for Christmas??  I know I'm not...  But I do have some awesome 'Ugly Sweater' style Harry Potter custom knit fabric that is going to jump the line this weekend because there is only limited time to wear it!  Although I can probably squeeze a few more months of wear since it's not technically Christmas images...or wear it at home where I don't care what holiday it 'goes' with as long as it is clean...

Faux sparkle fabric that coordinates...it's printed to look sparkly, but it really isn't.  Blows my mind!

Emma Sew Along, Final Stretch!

This was a quick sew along, so I hope everyone had a chance to at least get started!  There are only 2 more days for it, but you are of course welcome to make and post your creations at any time in the ChrisW Designs Facebook page!  We'd love to see them!

Black fabric with purple ruffle side

Springs Creative Ambassador Project - Handkerchief Wine Tote

The second fabric that Springs Creative sent was a real challenge for me - Using handkerchiefs to make anything except head coverings...The only guidelines was something 'party' related, which gave me the idea for something you'd take to a party, like wine, in a tote!

Yep, need a professional photographer to stand over my shoulder and take ALL my pictures!

WIP Wednesday - In the Midst of the Emma Sew Along!

I had to take a trip out of town, so my Emma isn't quite finished...but I still have plenty of time to catch up!  I have been seeing some cute versions in the group, and can't wait to see more!

Daryl's Drive - Pattern Testing

The latest release from ChrisW Designs is the Daryl's Drive - the new addition to the Easy Street line of patterns.  This one is still not as complicated as her other patterns, but it will take some focus at least the first time you make it!  The finished purse is good sized, and I really like how the top is closed!

With embroidery from Urban Threads!

Emma Sew Along - Time to start sewing! (Part 2)

Here's the second post for our Emma Sew Along!  Feel free to join whenever, it is a super fast sew, and an adorable purse to make!

My mix of pins and clips...just because that's what I happened to grab!  I usually like pins for this, so that I don't have to unclip when I'm sewing and risk it moving.

Emma Sew Along - Day 1!

It's time for another sew along!  This one will be using the Emma pattern by ChrisW Designs.  If you haven't bought it yet, go do that now.  We'll wait for you.   Just don't take forever, we all want to get started!  ;)

WIP Wednesday - Another Month Bites the Dust!

Totally not ready for it to be December tomorrow!  I managed to finish a few things over the break, but not as much as I hoped!  Once I get the sewing explosion cleaned up, I can focus on finishing up all the odds and ends of projects that got stashed and lost over the last few months...I think my January resolutions will involve the 'finish 2 UFO/WIP before starting something new' challenge I gave myself a few years ago...and there may be a fabric diet...

I'm pretty sure December will fly by 20% faster than November did...

Coming Soon! Emma Sew Along

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that the next sew along will be the Emma by ChrisW Designs!  It's an adorable little purse that is a fast sew and perfect for a little gift, or a grab and go purse!  The pattern was recently updated, and I love the new flap option!  Join us in the FaceBook group to share your progress and ask questions! 

These are made from the previous version, so they are a little smaller and have 2 zippered inside pockets

WIP Wednesday - Almost Turkey Time!

I was almost getting used to it being November, and now it's nearly over!  I still have more I need to finish, so time needs to slow down!

I'd drink it if it slowed down time...

Fancy Crochet Hooks and Fun Yarn!

I think we collect crochet hooks in my house.  Once my oldest started crocheting, she of course needed her own hooks...which somehow led to us owning about 7 H size and 5 G sized hooks, plus multiples of other random sizes!  Yet I can never find one when I need it... Anyway, I'm always on the lookout for the 'best' hooks since I can't do the plain metal ones.  I hold them too tight and my hands will cramp up.  I love bamboo hooks, ergonomic ones, and lately I've picked up some of the plastic handled ones to try (but they wandered off already...I wonder what the craft gnomes are making now?)  I keep eyeing the Sculpey handled ones, but I know I don't have that level of sculpy-skill so trying to make one has been put WAAAAY on the back burner.

I keep forgetting to take a picture of the hook...this is all I have on my camera!

WIP Wednesday - Hey, Where Did November Go?

I keep trying to go to "Today" on my calendar and arguing with it that it's not November yet, and especially not over halfway through November...I'm not ready for it to be this close to Christmas!

Still picking out buttons...

Slim Fit Raglan Tee - Disney Version

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I have an aversion to making clothes.  Getting them to fit right, sleeves, hems...they are all my downfall!  However, now that I have a serger, I should really get over my fear and have fun with the amazing knit fabrics they are releasing and printing in custom fabric groups!  And there are many, many, many patterns made specifically for knit, with easy to follow instructions and FaceBook groups to help you figure it out if you get stuck!  To ease my way into sewing with knits I picked the Slim Fit Raglan top by Patterns for Pirates, a fun Disney knit fabric that wasn't too expensive, and then went for it.  The shirt is for me, since my kids weren't nearly as excited about going to Disney as I was... I had plans to make a few different ones, but my old nemesis, Time, ran out on me!

Shirt in action, we caught Tinkerbell!

I'm BAAAAAACK!!

Did you miss me?  I went almost 2 whole weeks without even touching a computer!  I did have my phone, but it wasn't the same, and I don't know if you've ever tried to type more than a quick FaceBook update or comment on your phone and quickly realized how annoying it is... I did have plans to prepare and schedule blog posts, but they never made it past the "I should remember to do this" stage... Maybe next time I'll be more prepared.  For our next family vacation, in about 5-10 years.  ;)

Magic Kingdom is ready for Christmas, too bad I'm not!

Another Swap Finished! - Crochet

Since my October wasn't crazy enough, I also signed up for a crochet swap!  This one was 'warm' items, so I made my partner an Ava Cowl and a fast headband.  It's hard to tell, but the dark pink yarn actually has sparkle to it!

Not a bikini top - it's a headband!  Or a bikini top for a small child...

WIP Wednesday - I'm Almost Prepared For Halloween....Almost

This is probably among the earliest I've ever been prepared for Halloween...and by prepared I mean the costumes are finished except for a few tweaks, the class party bags are ready to be assembled (almost - just need to stitch one more sheet of Pikachu bookmarks and cut until my hands cramp up!), candy hasn't all been eaten already, ...oh yeah, I still need a costume...hmmm.  So...not actually that prepared after all.  *sigh*  Back to it then...

Sorcerer's T-shirt...I think of it as his favorite type of poison or maybe a band he loves.  ;)

Clematis by Blue Calla - An Adorable Clutch!

I love when pattern designers offer a free pattern, it helps me get a feel for their style of writing and also lets me try out a new pattern!  One of the free patterns (She has several!!) on the Blue Calla website is the Clematis clutch.  I've already made a few of her paid patterns (Boronia Bowler and Freesia Foldover) so I already know how good they are, but this time there was a swap in the FaceBook group and I couldn't resist! 

Tula Pink Octogarden fit perfectly on the outside panels!

WIP Wednesday - Things Are Getting Done!!

I'm trying not to jinx myself, but I'm actually almost on track to have everything done that I need to get done this month!  Now there are a million other things I WANT to get done, but we'll see if I can keep up the pace!

Halloween dress for Lapis Lazuli is done and has passed inspection, just needs a few extra touches...better pics will be coming soon!

She's happy with it!

WIP Wednesday Again, Already.

I'd really appreciate if time would slow down, just a smidge...  I did finally get the Hosta done (see yesterday's post!) and I've started cutting on the next purse in line...A wine tote using some Springs Creative fabrics!  I bet if I got off the computer I could get it all cut out right now...or not.

The glitter throws my camera out of focus...it looks so pretty in person!

Hosta Hobo Camera Bag by Blue Calla

Sometimes when a new pattern comes out, I think "Oooh, that's sweet!" but I have no real reason to buy it right away...unless I share it on my FaceBook page and someone comments with an "I need it!" so then I obviously have to get the pattern!  The Hosta Hobo was one of those patterns, so awesome but I didn't NEED it.  But I wanted it...

Love the fabric, reminds me of night in the jungle!

Give Away winner!

Congrats to LueAnna, the winner of the Freesia Foldover Purse + goodies!  Thanks to everyone that participated in my very first giveaway, I'm considering it a success!  I can't wait to have more things to give away, it's pretty fun!

WIP Wednesday - Sleep is for the Weak.

I keep telling myself that I can function on less and less sleep since I have too much that keeps getting added to my list to waste time 'sleeping.'  Soon I'll move from giant cups of coffee straight to the caffeine patches.  I wonder if they come in flavors?  Perhaps this is a sign I'm already sleep deprived?  I do get a bit loopy around 4 am...

I'm Batman.  And also a little crazy, but we knew that.

Yarn Pooling Pattern - Free for this week only!

While yarn pooling is highly addictive (when it works), you are stuck with a rectangle of awesomeness when you finish.  So...you could make a scarf.  Or a cowl.  Or a longer scarf if you can join on more yarn without losing the pattern...and that seems to be about all you can do, unless you are creative, then there are tons of things you can do with your awesome new rectangle of crochet goodness!  I've seen it turned into cute purses, towels (cotton yarn) and now there is even a hat pattern!  I haven't made the hat yet myself, but I did snag the pattern since it's free right now on Ravelry!  Just click 'add to cart' and it will automatically make the pattern free, but just for the next 7 days! Sideways Slouch pattern by Kathalena Avendano

I'd love to see pictures on the Facebook Fan page, and hear how it worked for you since I don't know when I'll have a chance to try it out!

Do you have any other fun patterns? I'd love to check them out!

Giveaway Time!! Win the Freesia Fold Over Purse!

Part of the fun of being a Springs Creative Ambassador means that I get to give away the finished projects!  If you'd like a chance to win the Freesia, Tulip and fan that I made for the first project, enter using the Rafflecopter link below!

Unfortunately, I can't afford to ship international, so unless you are willing to pay for shipping, it is limited to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck! 

WIP Wednesday - Can I Freak Out Now? Is It Time Yet?

Oh, not time to freak out yet.  I still have PLENTY of time to get stuff done.  Hahahahahaha....  I've only got three purse orders, 2 costumes, prep work for craft shows, Etsy orders, a few swaps I signed up for, a pattern to test, a kingdom's 500th anniversary to plan, a wedding to arrange, my wife to murder, and Guilder to blame for it...oh wait, those last four might be Prince Humperdink's problems....(I think Princess Bride is going on my list of stuff to watch while I sew this weekend...)

Hosta in 'space' fabric, it should be pretty cool!

Crochet Fun - Yarn Pooling

One of the 'new' trends is yarn pooling...which I guess isn't technically new, but everyone seems to have discovered it again recently and now it's taking off!

Do you see the pattern??  I did mess up at the top, again...

WIP Wednesday - Pretty Pony Time!

Judging by the recent round of Etsy pony headband orders, it's a good time to throw a pony party!  Glad I stocked up on headbands this summer!!  Hopefully it is enough to last through the end of craft fair/costume/dress up season...

At least I'm keeping busy...I didn't really need all that sleep anyway...

Vote For Your Favorite Project from the Springs Creative Ambassadors!

Now that all the Ambassadors have finished their projects, take a look at all the great things that were made with the Mary Fons fabrics!  And you can vote for your favorite (*cough*me*cough*)!

Direct link to my project...because you know you want to vote for it!

Go to the Springs Creative FaceBook page and 'like' your favorite project!  Then be ready for our next project for October, it's definitely some fabric I've never used before and it's going to be a fun challenge!

Springs Creative Ambassador! Freesia Fold-Over Bag by Blue Calla, In Mary Fons Small Wonders

The fabric from this line is so amazing that I had a hard time picking which fabrics to use!  Almost as hard was deciding what purse I wanted to make!  I debated FOREVER on which pattern to use, and finally decided that I needed to get a new one, the Freesia Fold-Over by Blue Calla.  It has a unique design and is a fast sew, but I think it still has a TON of style, which is what this fabric needed!

I really do love this picture!

WIP Wednesday - I'm Only Mostly Dead

But mostly dead is also slightly alive...and I'm on the mend finally!  Since school just started, we are sharing all the new germs around the house and passing them back and forth...yay?

Pretty deer clippies for Etsy

I am a Springs Creative Ambassador!

Somehow I was lucky enough to be selected as a Fabric Ambassador for Springs Creative Brand and I'm still pinching myself!  Being a fabric ambassador means that I get to play with pretty fabric and create whatever I want with it!  There are a few of us around the country, and we all have different skills and favorite projects, so it's very exciting to see what everyone decided to make!  For the first project, were giving the choice of different lines from the Mary Fons Small Wonders line, and I chose the Japanese line.  The colors are so rich and the patterns are beautiful!

Love the vibrant colors!!

My finished projects!

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...

Trying Something New - Embroidered Pockets

When I was in school, I always had a planner where I meticulously wrote everything down, and then took pleasure in crossing off the assignments as I finished them (and avoided looking at the ones I hadn't finished...).  I still love lists (perhaps you've noticed my WIP posts...never ending lists....:D  ) and usually have at least one going somewhere.  Plus a new one each day.  I do use the calendar on my phone, but there isn't the same feeling of scratching something off a list with electronic devices.

It's not a giant pocket, it's a small planner...

WIP Wednesday - On a Thursday...

I did manage to finish a few things this last week, but it seems like I keep adding more to the list...and before I have a chance for good pictures, they disappear!

Sleeping Gryphon pile!

At Loose Ends...

I just finished up a sort of secret project, and other than my GIANT list of half finished and un-started projects, I have nothing I NEED to do right now.  I mean I should start cleaning and organizing, but where's the fun in that?? 

Cotton + Steel fabric is so cool!  Bears with metallic gold party hats and bows?!?!

WIP Wednesday - Coffee Makes the World Go 'Round

Coffee is my drug of choice, but with lots of cream and sugar.  It helps me fight off the zombie effect from staying up too late trying to do 'stuff' and it keeps me moving in the afternoon.  That being said, last night's sewing saw a lot of my seam ripper...so it might have been better to sleep instead.  I did get it all fixed at least!

Usually I just use this seam ripper for the 'eraser' on the cap to pick up threads, but Jack ran away and is hiding.

Actually A Mermaid Purse - True Story! The Sandra Saddle Bag by Swoon

I have started collecting embroidery files along with fabric and purse patterns...and most of them could coordinate to make some awesome purses!  When I have no projects in the "MUST FINISH ASAP" pile, I'll randomly browse my Pinterest boards for inspiration.  (I try to pin every file I buy, but I'm sure I missed a few...hundred?)  Or I sit in front of my fabric stash looking for inspiration.  Sometimes both!  This time I decided that the first thing that caught my eye would be the inspiration for my next project.   The applique is from Bobbin For Appliques, and was so clean and easy to stitch!  I knew I had mermaid fabric, but for embroidery to really pop, it needs to be on a less busy fabric...or REALLY bold!

My standard tree pic...If we ever move, I'm going to have to find another tree!

WIP Wednesday - Fast and Stylish Patterns Are Awesome!

It turns out the Sandra Saddle bag by Swoon IS a fast sew!  I didn't add any extra pockets (I resisted the urge but adding pockets is almost a compulsion at this point!)  I just need to finish sewing the birthing hole, then it's all done and can go on etsy!  I think I took one day to cut and fuse and then the equivalent of 1 day sewing (spread out over 3 days...)

Indoor at night picture...which didn't turn out too bad!

Boronia Bowler - Mine, ALL MINE! (Plus an extra pockets guide)

As soon as I saw the Boronia Bowler pattern by Blue Calla, I knew I wanted to make it right away!  Unfortunately I had other things ahead of it on the list, but I decided to skip the line for my birthday sewing last month!  It is a good sized bag, with tons of room inside and a stylish shape!  Of course I had to go a little crazy and add in extra pockets, but even that wasn't too hard.  I planned on making a 'test' one first, but then I decided to live on the edge and just go for it with my hoarded fabric.  I love Tula Pink sea prints, so when they reprinted the Octogarden, I jumped and bought my first full bolt of fabric.  Sometimes I pet it when no one is looking.  Or when they are looking, and then I get odd looks...until they pet it and feel how silky it is!

My favorite colors!

WIP Wednesday - I'm Not Procrastinating...What Gave You That Idea?

Instead of getting what I planned on crafting for this week finished...I came up with an idea for a purse totally not on my list!  Hopefully it's a fast sew because I really need to get back to my half finished projects! (Sorry for the dark pics, one of the hazards of late night crafting!)

True story.

Turn Back Time Tuesday - Pokeballs

I haven't had good daylight to get pictures of my latest purse, so instead I was skimming though my camera and came across these...Party favor's from my son's Pokemon themed Party back in January.  I got the embroidery file here, from Show Me Bowtique, and like the insane person I am, decided to make them for everyone.  I think I ended up making 12?  I lost track and sent them home with kids, but I've found a few around our house lately.  And the dog really loves his Pikachu...but I'm expecting to find the carcass any day now because he feels that stuffing belongs all over the stairs and not inside his toys...so it is a true test of the strength of the stitching!

A few of the finished ones, also had a Charmander

A Few Questions For My Readers!

I'm amazed that people seem to enjoy reading my ramblings, but I worry that it gets boring seeing similar things all the time.  Is there anything YOU would like to see?  Maybe a tutorial on how I add pockets to things, or a guide on how to do something in embroidery?  I'm no expert, but I can share what I've learned from all my trials and errors (lots of errors.  LOTS AND LOTS!)

We're all mad here!  That's the best kind of people, in my opinion.

WIP Wednesday - What Next??

I (almost) finished my Boronia Bowler bag!  All I have left is the cross body strap, which hopefully won't take long at all...famous last words.  Then I can get some better pictures, do a post about my modifications, and start using it!  It's mine, all MINE!!

Check out that pattern matching!  Sorry for the late night picture, I finished about 11 pm last night

Wisteria Wallet by Blue Calla Patterns

One of the great things about joining sewing groups on Face Book is that you are exposed to different designers and their patterns.  One of the patterns I was excited to see and couldn't wait for the release date was the Wisteria Wallet.  It's a totally different look from the other wallets I've made, with the card slots actually on the outside and a slim design.  The pattern was released just as Stormy went on strike, so all I could do was buy it and start cutting out pieces for when I'd have a machine again.  Usually I like to make one of something before jumping on the bandwagon, but the pieces and pattern were so straightforward that I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it!

Yay, I didn't melt the ID window!