Tools of the Crafting Trade - Sewing edition

I always see the pretty sewing spaces in magazines and blogs and sigh.  I have taken over the dining room table and random parts of that room, but I someday I'll have an awesome dedicated craft room...probably after at least 2 children leave for college.  I've got a few years to go.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share my tools that I can't live without!

Someday I'll have a super awesome amazing sewing machine that brews a latte while it sews perfect seams, but for now I have a slightly above basic sewing machine.  (Latte sewing machine sounds like an untapped market, I should patent that!)

Another Necessary Clutch plus mini tutorial for installing a swing lock!

I had a request to make another NCW and had the idea of trying to take notes on how I installed the swing lock since it's not exactly the same as the other ones that Emmaline Bags has on her blog (Emmaline Bag Latch installation)  And I also had to make one for myself since I finally caught up on Christmas presents!

 First, the Pirate Loot Clutch for me:

Christmas Stockings, or, Sequins Are Evil

I love traditions, like the handmade crocheted blankets and quilts that my Grandmas made for each grandchild, so when I discovered that my husband had a stocking that his aunt had made for him, I was inspired to do the same for our children.  His is a felt and sequined train, so I went for the same style. I ran across the kits at Hobby Lobby, and thought 'Oh, these will be fast!  All the pieces are included!'

The first one I picked out was a beautiful snowflake and icicle covered one that I started a few months before my daughter's first Christmas.  I finished it before her third Christmas. Yeah, it took me that long.  I'm pretty sure sequins were invented as some sort of torture device.  I could only work on it for so long before I felt insanity creeping closer.  Finally I finished, and then I had the horrible realization that if we had more children I  was now stuck making one for each of them!

My newest craft obsession - Necessary clutch wallets!

Earlier this month I decided that my life wasn't crazy enough, so I picked the Necessary Clutch Wallet as my 'go-to' gift this year - which meant I had to make at least 4 (my Mom, both Sister-in-Law's and my Mother in Law).  The first one took me ALL day to finish, but by the 4th one, I think I was under 3 (interrupted) hours.  The hardest part was picking fabric that went together and matched the personality of the recipient.

The pattern was well written, and only had a few pieces, but they way they are put together is what really makes it!  I stared at the pictures online, trying to decipher how it was put together, then I finally broke down and bought the pattern (my reward to myself for finally finishing my mom's purse!  Only 6 months after her birthday, new record!)  There are several modifications on the Emmaline Bags blog Including how to do different closures, add a shoulder strap and a wrist strap.  The shoulder strap is perfect length, putting it just under my arm where it is easy to pinch it next to my body so it doesn't swing around.  I will probably use it as a wallet for the most part, but that added versatility is great!

My Sister in Law's were easy, one loves purple, the other loves green.  I broke into my stash of Simply Color by V&Co for them.  This was also my first attempt at the pattern and I was hoping to use a trial fabric, but had no time for practice!

 

2014 Quilting Goals

Andrea from The Champ Life  is doing a 2013 Inspiration Palooza (plus giveaway!), so here's my goals for 2014!!

1. Finish Mario Quilt-a-long.  I have 2 blocks done so far, and I started them in 2012...

 

Advent Calendar

Growing up, I loved Advent calendars.  There was something so amazing about getting a little present every day while you waited for Christmas to FINALLY arrive!  Now as a parent it seems Christmas comes much too soon, but I still love the idea of little presents.  I've done a few different ones, mainly Playmobil and Lego, which were great, but really only worked for one child and since they were cardboard, didn't hold up.  I have various ages of children, so it's nice to be able to have something they all will like.  That led to the idea of pockets to hold little treats.

Crochet Hats

I started crocheting to make blankets for my babies since my Grandmas made me special blankets and I wanted to continue the traditions.  That took me FOREVER, so when I discovered hats, and how I could finish them in months instead of years (yeah, I was that slow, no lie) it was like a new world. Pretty yarn led to simple hats.  Baby hats went super fast (only one day!!)

(this one reminds me of the cat in the peel pic that was going around for a while)