Potter Sydney - Swoon

It's been a while since I last made a Sydney from Swoon Patterns!  This one was a request for a 'binder sized' one, so I increased the gusset to be a full 4" instead of tapered.

Such a great messenger style bag!

Sew Along! - Factotum by ChrisW Designs - Prep Work

It's been a while since the last sew along!  For this one we'll be doing the Factotum by ChrisW Designs.  It was originally released last year in the Bag of the Month club, but now you can purchase it individually HERE.

WIP Wednesday - Back On Track

Or maybe I'm just getting closer to the track...But at least I'm moving forward!  I did get a few projects finished over the last week, but then I managed to get my gas permeable contact stuck to my eye and it REALLY hurt, so that threw me off for a few days.  I can see again, so no more excuses!  (I'll spare you the picture my husband decided to take and share with Facebook...it wasn't pretty)

This fabric is all kinds of awesome

WIP Wednesday - Flu Intermission

Thanks to getting hit with the cold/flu going around, not much is getting done.  Instead, enjoy these pictures of pretty fabric while I recover and try not to spread germs on all the orders...

The fabric of my childhood!

Soot Sprite Diaper Bag - XOXO by Lauren Pattern Testing

Have you checked out XOXO By Lauren's patterns yet? Her Boon Wallet is super cute and fast, and the Brownie wallet is even faster!  I was excited to be chosen to test her new pattern, a mini diaper bag style pattern, the Soot Sprite!  (Bag pattern will release Friday!)

Is the song stuck in your head now? I've been singing it for DAYS.

The Podium by ChrisW Designs

I hope you already joined the Bag of the month club, because the first pattern is out!  This is a unique style and relatively fast to make (versus Chris's last year offering of the Factotum and Mini Facto which was totally awesome but SO MANY pieces!!)  You can still join at any time during the club run (now until June 30) and whenever you join, you get all the patterns that have been released up to that point.

I told him not to blink...

Tattooed Princess - India Hobo by Swoon

Recently there was a sew along in one of the custom fabric groups for the India pattern (affiliated link) from Swoon.  I love this pattern because it comes together SUPER fast, but has an interesting shape and is really comfortable to wear.   This is the smaller version, but still pretty roomy! I am so tempted to keep this one for myself, it would be perfect for shopping hands free, but I do have a stockpile of purses already...

Rapunzel - after the haircut she went wild...

WIP Wednesday - Take a Deep Breath, Exhale, and Back to the Madness!

I thought now that the scheduled craft shows were past, I'd have time to catch up.  HAHAHAHAHA!  (Yes, that is a slightly hysterical laugh...I'm fine, why do you ask?)  Instead my body decided to rebel and force me to take almost 2 full days of rest.  (I really need to get in better shape, I never want to feel that kind of back pain again!) I guess that means I need to stay on task and not get distracted by random Netflix movies...or at least pick ones I've seen before so I can only kind of pay attention.  ;)

Doll wings to match the other pair!

Funny Faces Brandt's Boulevard Wallet - ChrisW World Tour

Welcome to your next stop on the ChrisW World Blog tour!  For my contribution, I picked the Brandt's Boulevard, which is one of my favorite wallets to make and also one of my most requested!  This is the first time I've ever tried it with custom knit fabric, but I think it turned out great!

This wallet is sure to bring a smile to your face!

Bubbly Clematis

I am having so much fun with the Clematis swaps...It's a great excuse to take a break from orders and prep work to make a gift AND get one in return!  There's another one going on for Christmas, but this is my busiest time of the year so I should probably pass...but they are such a fast pattern! (Clematis from Blue Calla)

WIP Wednesday - Time To Get Spooky?

Yesterday someone on the radio pointed out that it was 2 weeks exactly until Halloween, which led to panic as I realized I needed to get the costumes started...and then more panic when last night my son gave me a paper for a spook house he's doing on THURSDAY of this week...I try to volunteer at it every year when my kids do it, so I have to try to throw together a 'spooky' outfit tonight since I wasted last night somehow... I'm guessing that I'll be wearing one of my regular shirts unless I can get a pattern taped together, cut out, and sewn in under 2 hours...I do have a lot of fabrics that could work for a 'spooky' shirt...

What is more Halloween than a vampire slayer??

How about a pirate?

Sew Along Time! - Fiona's Freeway by ChrisW Designs

It's time once again for a fun sew along!  This is going to be a fast one, only 2 weeks, but we are doing one of the Easy Street patterns, so it shouldn't take you too long (famous last words...) and we are here to guide you along!  As a bonus, there will also be a video guide done by Amanda to help you get through any tricky spots!
 

I decided to try printing the pattern in booklet form, as long as you have good eyesight, it's perfect!  Just print the pattern pieces in FULL size!

WIP/UFO Wednesday - Kick It Into Overdrive!

I was feeling like I had room to breathe again, so obviously that's a sign I need to take on a million more projects! Someday I'll finish building the shelves for my sewing room and get it totally set up, but for now I'd rather navigate the obstacle course and sew instead!

Fun fabric for the Ellen's Esplanade lining - opening a purse to this would make me happy!

Beast Bonnie Bucket Bag

When I had a request for 'a purse with the Beast' from Beauty and the Beast, my mind went a mile a minute thinking of various fabric options.  Unfortunately there are no fabrics in my stash with ONLY the beast, or even with him as a focus, so I went for the next option - embroidery!  There are some amazing designs out there, some are just sketches, appliques, or even elaborate scenes.  Finally I ran across this awesome design from French Frills Embroidery and decided to go with it!

Bonnie Bucket bag by Swoon

Things are Coming Together...Slowly

I was going through sewing withdrawal, but I was able to get a quick fix this weekend by doing a small convention at the local library.  I had great plans to get a ton of stuff prepared, but apparently moving takes a lot of effort and time...so I only got a few things cut out and then couldn't find the tool to put snaps on more keychains and bracelets...

bows, bookmarks, finger puppets, snap tabs, masks and crowns!

Intermission - Pretty Fabric

All that's happening now is packing and more packing.  To keep the blog active, here's some pretty fabric to look at.
 (Imagine some upbeat elevator music playing while you enjoy pictures of fabric...)

Magical Floral Fabric.

You're Welcome - India Hobo Bag

Not only did I have the opportunity to sew up the fun Neon Character fabric, I also got to play with some pre-order strike offs.  This one is full of Little Maui, and totally cute! You can still preorder it for a few more days at the Little Hatcher, otherwise you'll have to wait for retail!  For another super fast project, I chose the India Hobo by Swoon (affiliated link), a VERY fast project!  I had to do the small one since I only had a fat half of fabric to work with.  I was able to cut ALL the outside main pieces from it and one side of the inner slip pocket.

These fabric look like they were made for each other!

Neon Characters Sandra Saddlebag

Now that I've conquered my fears of sewing with knit fabric, I decided to go for broke and combine it with glitter vinyl!  The Disney inspired fabric is a custom knit from The Little Hatcher and I was fortunate enough to be picked to play with it to help her show it off!  She needed a quick turn around since the fabric is already available for retail, so that meant picking a super fast pattern.  I chose the Sandra Saddlebag by Swoon, one I used before on my mermaid purse, and I exactly followed the pattern this time, no changes to the snaps or pockets!  It feels very pocket-lite to me, but the inside not having any pockets means that whatever you stick in there will just glide in.

All the great characters, no princesses but just about everyone else!

Pick a Pocket Wallet - Dachshund Style

This fabric is not one I'd usually pick out, but I kind of fell in love with these dogs!  Especially the one just lounging with the 'how you doin'?' look on his face...

WIP Wednesday - Stay on Target!

Well, at least I didn't add anything new to my list last week...except for the Valentine's treats I procrastinated on...but other than those 56 items, nothing else new was added!

Just made the exact number of Eevee and bookmarks, but I have extra Mudkips!