Going Sew Crazy

Fun Mail and How Good It Is To Be Queen!

I have received some absolutely fantastic mail lately and I wanted to share.
First, some FQ's I received from this swap:

Fantastic huh?

Then, at Sewing Mamas, I am involved in a Queen of the Month swap. During your birthday month, you receive 11 gifts from other mamas. During the other months, you send to the other queens. I received my first gift yesterday:

From this Etsy seller. She has some great stuff in her shop. Love the colors and the design. Thanks Amanda! It is good to be the queen!

And I bought this for myself for my birthday:

From Etsy seller Purseona. It is soooo well made and just absolutely beautiful. Rashmi's customer service was wonderful and I definitely will be a repeat buyer. I am currently drooling over this (love that bird fabric! I have a thing for birds lately) and this. You can also visit Rashmi at her website.

I picked up some fun stuff at a Borders in Atlanta. I have a Borders no where near me, and they had some stuff I was looking for.

This is a very inspiring book. I have never made a quilt before, but I am determined to make one for my living room. Currently, I can't decide between this:

or this:

and I also got Marie Claire Idees, something I have read about in the blogging world forever. I love it!! It has such beautiful, inspiring pics:

and I must try my hand at a suitcase one day:

and a gorgeous necklace:

Makes me want to get crafty, but alas, Brice is moving into a new office this weekend and I must help. I guess it's a good thing though since I won't have 24 guys showing up here everyday. I don't know if I have mentioned before, but Brice started his own business about a year ago. At the time, we had 2 employees counting him. In less than a year, we have 24! God has truly blessed us! I was scared out of my mind this time last year, wondering if this crazy thing was gonna work! I do all the paperwork, and that takes a lot of time, but in the next few weeks, I will be replaced. I have never been so happy to lose a job. I like helping and all, but it's getting to be a little much and a little over my inexperienced head. So-pray I'll make it through the next few days in an un-air conditioned shop moving stuff. I am starting to feel hot already.....

Back in the saddle again....

We got back from Atlanta yesterday afternoon. Whew, the past day and a half has been nothing but cleaning and unpacking and sleeping. I am just now sitting down to share some of my pics. But, before I get to that I was gonna to offer up the Wizard of Oz bag for sale. It's this one:

I *FORGOT* to take my travel bag!!!! Can you believe it?!?!? So, since I have gotten such a great reaction from this bag, I decided to do something a little fun and different. I am gonna take offers on this bag until midnight Eastern time July 31. I will sell it to the best offer with FREE shipping anywhere in the world. Please e-mail me your offers. If you are worried about feedback, e-mail me and I will provide links to my feedback on e-bay and other sites.

So back to the trip. We stayed here. It was so beautiful and charming. Our rooms had great views of downtown Atlanta. We shopped, went to Braves game, and to Stone Mountain. The latter provided beautiful views of Atlanta as well.

Some of my favorite pics:

I RODE THAT! A big deal when I am scared of heights. It took a good 30 min. for Brice to talk me into it.

Beautiful dahlias! My favorite flower :)

and an OLD sewing machine. Had to take pics of that.

I have some fun mail and stuff to share tomorrow! See ya then!

Birthdays!

Today is my birthday. I am 26 today. And it doesn't bother me at all. Some people dread getting older, but I seem to embrace it. I love knowing the things I know now. I cringe at things I did then. My grandmother told me this morning that between 25 and 40 was the best time of her life. I look forward to the best time of mine. :)

But enough of that. I haven't received any gifts yet, unless you include the sweet halfway "Happy Birthday" song my kids sang to me this morning. It may turn out to be the best gift. I about cried at the sweetness,, and I don't cry easily. Oh, and you could count being featured on the Sew Mama Sew blog. After the kids' song that has been a highlight of my day. I am so honored! Thanks to everyone there!

I haven't sewn anything in the last few days, so I thought I'd share with you some of my newer Japanese craft books. I've gotten a lot of bag inspiration from one of them. Get ready for a pic heavy post. LOL.

The first one is Kid's Bags or something like that. I get all my Japanese craft books from Saucy Louise. Great girl! Very sweet, and willing to search for what you are looking for. She lives in Japan on an APO so the books come through priority mail, something I really like.
OK-back to Kid's Bag's:

Isn't the hedgie cute. I love hedgies.

Cute ornament thingies. I am thinking of using just the front of these as appliqués on clothes and bags.

The pattern for the clutch I posted the other day came from the little bag. The only change was I lengthened it and did it all one color.

I love the embellishments on this bag. The bird, the trees, the flowers, yum!

More hedgies!

Backpack inspiration.

The next book, Palm Size Stuffies is just gorgeous. Look:

My fave. Look at the round seals!

LOVE the sheep!

Cute stuff, huh? Well. this is probably my last post before my anniversary getaway. See all ya'll next Tuesday!

Bags, Bags, Bags!

My bag kick is continuing. I made this bag for the girls to take some of their smaller stuff in this upcoming weekend. I figured they could take some of their little toys, movies, and books in them. This will be the first time they have ever been gone for more than a night. I hope we (me & Brice) can make it without them. LOL.

Kelsey's Bag was done with my last hoarded scrap of Munki Munki tulips. I messed up and put the top loops on the side, but she doesn't seem to mind. The pattern is one I drafted myself. It cinches in the front, has new and vintage buttons on the flap, and fun polka dot coordinating fabric.

Front:

Detail Pics:

Paige picked all fabric and buttons for hers. She was excited when she tried it on. I put the top loops in the right place on hers.

Detail Pics:

and the correct back:

Anniversary Getaway: 4 MORE DAYS!
I think I am sewing so much because I am not going to be able to for a few days. That has me crazy motivated.

Is it really time for school clothes???!!!

I can not believe my baby is going to school this year. In about a month or so she'll be off to kindergarten. But, she is VERY excited about going and I though I'd make her some fun school clothes. She has told me she doesn't want pants, but I made these anyway. Kwik Sew 3055 in stretch denim. I cropped them, flared them, and added ruffles. This is my favorite pants pattern. Flat front, elastic back, fitted without being tight. The shirt is RTW (ready to wear) with an appliqué and new and vintage buttons. She likes buttons as much as I do. Oh, and a red polka dot sash. She's also crazy for polka dots.

It looks likes she's posing, but I promise that is how she stands. After this I made the requisite dress. I used Farbenmix's Anna for the first time and I really love the pattern, It's simple to make, and I think the dress is just stunning. I love the way it wraps and ties.

The front:

The back:

And the funny one. She was tired of having her pics taken:

Countdown to anniversary getaway has started! Only 5 more days!

Why yes, I'm on a bag kick!

I can't stop! I guess it's ok, I mean, can you have too many bags? I don't seem to think so.
 
I am so sorry about the quality of the pics. July is usually hot and muggy where I live, but so far this year it's been gloomy and rainy. The wristlet was made from a coin purse pattern for kids in a Japanese craft book I have. (will take pics of it tomorrow, it's fabulous!) I love this fabric. I think I can honestly say that about every fabric I own. It's from Europe, and it's called La Zagala. You can get it here. I made Paige a dress out of it and only had some scraps left. I have been having a great time trying to use up scraps rather than cut into more loved yardage.

The wool felt flower is made from an Adorn mag template. The center is made of 5 clear swavorski crystals. I usually put a button in the middle, but I think this "classed" it up a little. It closes with a magnetic snap.

I have been toying with the idea of an etsy shop. I have sold before on ebay and hyena cart. Both had deadlines, and it's really hard for me to do deadlines. I would sell girls clothes, bag, hair accessories. Pretty much whatever I feel like making. I know a lot of ya'll have experience with etsy, so if you are willing could someone e-mail me your opinion on it and let me ask youu lots of questions. :)

And Holy Smokes! I've had 234 visitors the past 3 of days! That is a drastic jump from my 35 visitors from the 3 days before that! So, welcome to all the newcomers and hi to all the others! Thanks for all your comments. They truly make my day.

We're off to see the wizard....

Every time we go on a trip or vacation, I have to buy a new makeup/hairdryer/toothbrush etc. bag. The cheap ones I buy don't seem to hold up too long. So, I made one myself yesterday. I don't think I have ever been prouder of a bag before.

It is completely my own pattern. I can't believe it turned out so well. The fabric was bought from Superbuzzy I think. I love it. I mean I love-it-so-much-I-wanna-roll-around-in-it-all-day love it. I thought the red polka dot accent fabric and red piping gave it a sort of a retro feel.

I used fusible fleece and quilted the outer panels, and decor bond on everything else. The fabric is canvas. It's a really sturdy stand-on-it's-own bag. When we get back from our trip, I'll probably use it as an everyday bag. It's plenty big enough.

It was my first time using piping which turned out easier than I thought. I will be putting piping everywhere now! I am getting more confident and less afraid about zippers. This is a great tutorial, and how I learned. It's fun to make those pouches. Quick and Easy.

And I forgot, I've been bad and didn't finish the other bag tutorial. The more I look at the bag, the more I want to tweak some things. So when the tweaking and sample are done, I'll get it up. But it will probably be after next week. Have a great day! (Sorry for the gratuitous bag pics)

I'm on a roll.

Two posts in two days. I don't think I have ever done that before. I was very industrious yesterday, and got everything marked off of my to do list. It's very rare that this ever happens. One of the things on my to-do list was to cut 19 FQ's for various swaps. All from different fabrics if possible. I got done at 10:30 pm and the sense of fulfillment from actually doing everything on my list was just wonderful. I took pics this morning to share.

Don't they look so pretty in a stack?

They might even look even better all laid out.

I also got very excited when, on a whim, I looked to see when our fair was coming to town. I wanted to make some stuff last year, but I found out about it entirely too late. I saw that the deadline for entry is September 6th. I have plenty of time this year!! Does anyone else still do this?

Lastly, I should have the bag pattern up tomorrow. I have to put the finishing touches on it tonight. Have a wonderful day!

Peek a Boo!

I'm back! We had so much fun family time last week, I hardly got on the PC. It was nice. Really nice. We went to a ballgame and watched fireworks, shot fireworks, and napped, and slept and laid around. Just what I needed.

I feel like I have been away from my sewing machine forever. But this week, I am totally getting back in the swing of things. So far I have made a cute dress for Kelsey, from (you may find her fabric A LOT around my house) Heather Ross. Her cute doggies and dots look fantastic on my doggie loving girl.

Pattern is from the Children's Corner Jackson lengthened into a dress. It buttons all the way down the back, and is just a really cute classic dress.

I also made a slouchy hobo bag for my first entry into Sew Mama Sew's Bag Contest. My pattern and fabric I won from Free Fabric Friday. I took pics all along the way and am planning on having up a tutorial pattern sometime near the end of the week. I keep seeing these type bags everywhere, and I like the casual look of it. Not too structured and stiff. This is the kind if bag you throw your stuff in and then run out the door, no organization, carefree. Maybe I am looking too deep into bags ;).

I also hope to get a travel case done in the next week because I'm going to Atlanta! Brice and I decided that we needed to get away, de-stress, and enjoy my upcoming birthday and our upcoming anniversary (which is 2 days later)! We are staying here, and it just looks so lovely and cozy, I can't wait! Anyone from Atlanta? Any good fabric places/things I must see? Oh, and I hope to have a pattern/tutorial of the travel case too!