Holiday Boot Gift Bag - Pattern Testing ChrisW Designs

I didn't expect to have time to test this fun gift bag, but I managed to squeeze one in over the weekend! The new Boot Gift Bag from ChrisW Designs is super fast and fun! The pattern comes in 3 sizes: Small, Medium, Large. I made the medium one and it's pretty roomy!

My attempt at a pretty pic

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!

Kiss Clutch - Doctor Who Style!

I joined a handmade Christmas swap this year, on top of all the other million things I was trying to do, and decided to pick a fast gift to make at the last minute.  Kiss Clutch to the rescue!  I love this pattern so much!

Embroidered phrases on top of Joann's fabric

Olaf Pick a Pocket Wallet and Zippered pouch

One of the Christmas orders this year was for an Olaf wallet and matching pouch.  Not only did they need to match each other, they had to match a purse that had been made by someone else! Fortunately I had the exact fabric in my stash (score one for hoarding!)  and we were able to decide on a pattern pretty quickly.  The wallet is the Pick A Pocket by ChrisW Designs, with the double zippered pockets inside. 

My quick 'before delivery' pics...no time for fancy pics when you are trying to get ready for Christmas

Mermaid Tails For EVERYONE! Plus an Open Back Tutorial!

The most useful tutorial I found this winter was the FREE Made for Mermaids mermaid tail pattern/tutorial.  It is seriously a fast sew, and turns out super cute!  The pattern includes sizes for small and large child sized, but if you leave the tail open, and do the band so it folds up, it will fit even small adults!  I ended up making 7 total, 1 doll, 2 child, 2 small adult, and 2 adult with open backs. 

My first attempt - I did the doll sized one so I could make sure I understood the pattern!

After Christmas Aftermath

We survived!!

I'll do more detailed posts eventually, but here are just a few of the last minute projects I was finishing up last week....and the week before...

BB-8 free-handed hat....I found better patterns AFTER I finished it.  Oh well.

INTERMISSION - Too Much To Do and Not Enough Time To Do It!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, and a happy holiday season, no matter how you celebrate it!

Too much to do now to stop to write about it, hopefully I remember to take pictures for later!!  I'll be back soon (ish), when I have either caught up or given up on my Christmas presents and plans.  ;)  In the meantime, enjoy some lovely hold music and

Enjoy your time with family and friends, and I'll catch you on the flip-side!

WIP Wednesday - Mermaids, Christmas Trees, Bows Galore - Craft Show Insanity!

(Somehow Wednesday became Thursday thanks to all the crafting I've been staying up to finish!)  With the last craft show of the season quickly approaching, I'm doing my best to get as much finished so I can clear out some room in the sewing pile!  My latest fabric eater is the mermaid blanket, which is so fun and fast!  Made for Mermaids is giving away free patterns for the 12 days of Christmas and the very first one was a mermaid tail blanket!  Super cute and easy to personalize/modify/upsize for adults!  Or if you sew it with the tail open, and the waist band as tall as it can be, it ends up almost 5' long!! 

Well...it was supposed to be kid sized....and the top is actually a rectangle, not weirdly shaped like it looks in the pic

The Lull Before the Storm....

Now that 2 craft shows are done, I finally have time to catch back up on orders.  And sleep.  Maybe sleep first, then orders...  I have a few weeks until the next craft show, so it's time to restock the stuff that sold out (crayon rolls were hot at the last show!) and decide if I want to try anything new...or maybe have a chance to get to my 'ooh, I should make this' list before Christmas....

My giant stack of crayon rolls I have cut out and ready to go...need to get some boy ones cut now!

WIP Wednesday - Last Wednesday of the Kiss Clutch Sew Along

If you are still working on your Kiss Clutch, time to get it done!!  It looks like I'll only have one finished for this, which is honestly how much I thought I would get to, but I hoped I'd have time for more!  I have the fabric picked out for more, and they are a pretty fast sew (for a purse) so once I get a few things out of the way I'll work on the tutorial for the zipper and whip up a few for the etsy shop!

Can't stop making stuff so I can get a better picture, no time for fun and games this week!

September Already!! -- Where Is The Year Going??

Hey guys, did you know that there are only 16 more weekends before Christmas?  That means 16 weekends to work on handmade gifts.  Or if you are like me, wait until December starts, scramble like crazy, and end up with only a few select people getting handmade gifts.  Usually the gifts arrive after Christmas....hey, it's like Christmas lasts longer!

Embroidery Hoops - Fun in a small package!

I run across tons of amazing designs that I love but have no project in mind for.  Then I saw that 'embroidery hoops are making a comeback' in a few craft books and magazines and while I'm not sure how true that is, they ARE super cute! 



(Fox and bunny watching the moon.  Or as the recipient's husband titled it, "Snack Time")

Teeny Tiny Tins of CUTENESS!

I've always loved small stuff, in high school I even collected miniature ceramic figures we'd find on vacation.  I had a tiny pail of spilled milk with a kitten lapping it that was one of my favorites.  I haven't seen those around much lately (Maybe because I don't seem to go on vacation to places that have them?) but I still love 'little' things.  These tins fill my 'teeny' need and they are something that can actually be played with, not just admired and dusted!  Using my embroidery machine to make them is just a bonus because I just pick the materials and read a book while it goes to work!  I found the patterns at Sewing for Sarah on Etsy.

(Three of the designs, next time I think the finger puppet animals and mermaid might need some applique!)

Stella by Swoon - Diaperbag, overnight bag, or GIANT purse.

I have made a few purses and clutches for my sisters-in-law (sister-in-laws?) but this year I didn't know what they would like so I didn't plan anything special.  Then I got the news that there is a new nephew on the way and a request for a giant diaper bag like one she found on Etsy for $$$.  I showed her the Stella pattern, and she jumped on it!  This bag is rather large.  Very rather large.  Like "Birthday-Christmas-BabyShower gift" big. ;)

We Survived!! or, After Holiday Rejoicing.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season, no matter what you celebrated.  By the time Christmas evening rolls around, I find myself glad to have made it to the other side of the presents and in no mood to touch anything remotely craft or cookie related.  The day after is spent doing nothing other than playing with new toys and eating leftovers.  Did I get everything finished?  Heck no!  Can I live with what I DID get finished? Sure thing!  Have I already vowed to start MUCH earlier on Christmas gifts next year? Yep!  Will I actually start early?  Heh, probably not.

(One of the gifts I made on Christmas Eve - Hooped embroidered rose with iridescent thread that almost drove me crazy)

UFO/WIP Wednesday - Christmas Rush!

Guess what, only a week until Christmas!!  It's crunch time!  (Did that panic you as much as it panicked me?  I need to sit down for a minute so I don't hyperventilate.  Ok, much better.)

WIP for this week - EVERYTHING.  Almost anyway.  I'm eyebrows deep in Christmas cards, cookies, flannel blankets, embroidered tin toys, and anything else I can try to get finished in time.

Here's last year's Christmas card, which I think I sent out before Christmas...at least before New Year's!

Holiday Rush - Ornaments, Plus A Million Things On The List That Never Ends

Every year after the mad rush of Christmas, I vow to start presents early NEXT YEAR, and every year I find myself in the middle of December, still needing to finish Christmas cards, make presents, buy presents, bake cookies, and ship stuff off.  Then it's suddenly Christmas Eve and it's too late for anything still left on the list!  Next year I will start early!!

In the spirit of the holidays, here are some pretty ornaments I've been whipping up on my embroidery machine. They take a while to finish, but minimal supervision, so I can do other things at the same time!

(Lots and lots of ornaments!)

 

Perfect Pattern Parcel #7 - Handbags Galore!

I was recently able to join a great group of bloggers in promoting indie pattern makers AND helping a charity for classrooms - Donorschoose.org.  I scoured my friends to find someone that needed a new bag.  (Ok, I asked one and she jumped on it, sorry guys, you'll have a chance for a purse soon!)  She was torn between the Midtown Messenger and the Betty Bowler, but eventually settled on the Messenger.  Of course I then took on several other projects and craft fairs, but I'm almost done on time!  Burning the wee hours of the night led to a big mistake last night (does the flap REALLY need to be attached?) so here's a sneak peak of the nearly completed bag!

(Almost done!  Front of the bag)

This and That...Random finishes

Some weeks/months it seems like I never finish anything, but I really do!  These are just some pictures of random things I've been finishing up in the past week or 2.  I'm trying to build up variety for all the upcoming craft shows, but I have no idea what is going to be popular, so I am doing little bits of a lot of stuff.

Lots of ITH items...

Owl hand sanitizer holders, these fit the Bath and Body Works ones perfectly!  Pattern is from Embroidery Garden.

More ITH (In The Hoop) Embroidery - pouches

One of the catchwords thrown around by the embroidery crowd is 'ITH'  (I say the letters, I-T-H, like how my oldest actually says "Shrug" as she shrugs, or my kids will say "LOL!" instead of laughing).  It only took me a few days to figure out what that meant, and now that I know, I feel super special. 

Anyway, my latest ITH projects are these super cute and fun gift card/business card holders.  There is no sewing anything shut (although I may fray check the one opening for turning) and I've had some good luck changing the design to match the recipient.  The pattern come with each letter of the alphabet, but the size is perfect for a little design too!  I plan on making a few for the teachers this year, so much nicer than just a plain gift card in an envelope!

(Pouch for my Sister-In-Law, forgot to put the ribbon on during the initial construction!)