A Quick Card Holder Tutorial

One surprise best seller at my winter shows was the Business Card Holder.  I only had about 10 of them in my inventory to begin with and by the end of the first day they were gone!!  I'm only now starting to restock them and thought you all might want a quick, very simple walk through of how I make them...

Told you it was a quick walk through :).  Hopefully all of  that makes sense (and my writing is legible)!  Let me know if you have any questions...

Ultimate Boxy Pouch

I took my favorite parts of two different boxy pouch tutorials and combined them to make the perfect pouch for me. I loved the size and dimensions of the pouch by  kelbysews.blogspot.com but the handle and interior finish of the one by pinkxstitches.blogspot.com. 

I love the way these turned out and already have several more cut and ready to sew up :)

Cross Stitch Catch Up

Sorry for disappearing for the last few weeks!  There have been some BIG changes around our house and I'm still getting used to it. 

I quit my job and don't have access to a computer so my posts will have to be via iPhone for awhile. 

Since I'm home more I've been able to catch up on 2 of the 4 monthly samplers I'm working on. 

The Zodiac Sampler by Clouds Factory. 

And the Story Time Classics Sampler from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. 

Next up is the Woodland Sampler (by TFPS as well). It was actually the sampler for 2013. I was stitching along st that time but fell behind about halfway through. Then I decided I wasn't happy with my linen choice and trashed the whole thing. Now seems like a good time to give it another try :). 

But first I have a whole stack of precut craft show items that need attention...

Prepping

So far I've got 7 shows on the schedule for this spring/summer so I've been busy building inventory.

Sorry if you're sick of seeing the same types of items!

Hair elastics were a surprise hit at our winter shows so I've been trying to stock up on fun prints.

Hair Pins are always a best seller.  I managed to find some new embellishments to try out and I have more on the way.

These are some of the WIPs that I've managed to finish up.

These too!

Regrouping

Occassionally, when my sewing room is a complete and utter mess, I simply cannot seem to focus when I'm in there. 

When it gets to that point I have to just stop and reorganize things to I can start to think again.  This is only one small section of the room but it made me feel a whole lot better...so back to work I go!

I Got Goodies!

I feel like saying nahnahnahbooboo ;P.

Just a few of the wonderful swap items I received in December...

Mini/table runner courtesy of @karriofberries from the Sew Vote Swap Flickr Group.

Two pincushions and some treats from The SewCanShe Sewcialites Facebook group.

#festivemugrug package from @phatbobbingirl

and a wonderful basket made by Ann Solinksi and gifted to me through a Secret Santa Swap at our guild.

There were actually a couple of others I received but I've misplaced my photos...

Stocking Up!

 I have signed up for quite a few craft shows this year (and it's still early with many shows that still haven't announced dates yet).

So between that and my goal of finishing up all of my 100s of WIPs I'm hoping to boost my inventory as much as possible.

 A few curvy clutches, zippered pouches, wee wee tee pees, and a long wine tote and keyring clutch.

More curvy clutches... Hubby told me I needed a few items out of less "unique" fabric choices (because apparently not everyone likes zombies and cute animals) so I made a few with polka dots and chevron.

And some essential wallets made with scraps from one of my all time favorite lines.

Paper Pieced Pouches

Have you all been wondering what I was going to do with all of those tiny paper pieced blocks?

The answer is pouches!

Everyone loves a cute pouch, right?!

Let's hope so because that's what all of my swap partners will be getting...

 

(sorry this one is so blurry!!)

All of the patterns for the blocks are now available in my Craftsy shop.

All Mickey, All the Time!

We have a house full of Mickey lovers right now!  Both Squeak & Pants (silly nickname, I know, but it stuck so what are you going to do?) are both obsessed with Mickey Mouse and all of his friends.  

As an example:  Hubby took Squeak to try on helmets (since he was getting a bike for Christmas) and after getting home he was so upset that he couldn't wear it around the house all the time that we ended up getting him Mickey shoes to stop the whining take his mind off of it.  

So it just seemed right that he should have a Mickey quilt...

This did not get done in time for Christmas like I intended but it was done just a couple of days after.

I used red minky as the backing and instead of quilting it then binding it like normal, I sewed the fabrics right sides together then turned them and topstitched/quilting the opening shut (which is why the top is curling under a little).  Minimal quilting and I called it good :).  

Squeak seems to like it so I'm happy.

#whimsicalwoodlandmugrugswap

My partner specifically mentioned her love of deer in her questionnaire answers and the mosaic she posted on Instagram made me think that she preferred more realistic prints as opposed to the cutesy, cartoonish stuff that is more my style. 

With that in mind I made her the deer mug rug.

I was debating what I should make as an extra to send with it when she left a commented on my owl tester block post.  Based on that comment I decided to make the owls into a little open wide pouch for her.  This way I have it covered either way...realistic or cutesy :).

For some reason I had trouble finding any woodland themed extras to include.  I did manage to come up with a couple of things but hopefully the pouch will make up for the lack of other things.  I haven't actually sealed the box on it as of the writing of this post so I'll keep an eye out for more this weekend.  (This post was written then scheduled to actually publish a couple of weeks later.)

Oh Deer! Now Available

The Oh Deer! pattern is now available in the Craftsy shop :)

Banner of Love

This is the fourth in the Valentine series.  Nothing too difficult about this one :).  Only 7 sections!!

It can be customized for your need by embroidering a message/name/date onto the banner.

Pattern available here.

#craftyvalentineswap

By the time this post actually goes up this package should be at its new home and is therefore safe to show you :)

My partner listed pink and Disney as her likes which is perfect because those things are right up my alley!

This is what I ended up sending her...

A small zippered pouch featuring some little love turtles (don't worry, the back is pink patchwork so I covered that requirement :P) and Princess Coasters to cover the Disney aspect.

I don't think she sews but I threw in the mini charm pack thinking she may be able to use it with some of her paper crafting...  and you can't go wrong with the Target $ aisle. 

I hope she loves it and can find a use for the items!!

Furniture Revamp

I'm sure there's a better term out there for this. 

Basically I picked up an old cabinet at a junk sale and decided to paint it :)

I know nothing about painting furniture so I did what I usually do...jumped right in without researching anything.

I'm sure some of the Junkers out there are appalled at what I've done but as much as I liked it in it's original condition, it just didn't work in my kitchen!

 BEFORE

DURING

TA-DA!!!

And now it's perfect and exactly what I had in mind!

Fit for a Princess

My #craftyvalentineswap partner listed pink and Disney as two of her loves on her survey.

Therefore I give you the Princess Coasters:

I fussy cut the faces from a print I found at JoAnn's and then made some hand-drawn paper piecing templates for the wonky star part.  It may seem silly to draw up templates for something as simple as wonky stars, but if I can't seem to get them wonky enough on my own.  

My first instinct was to use the black as the background and the colors as the star points but I decided the faces needed the black next to them to give them more definition.  They have minimal quilting and the black binding was done by machine.

Schnitzel & Boo Progress: Fractured Pervalong

It started out as this...

Then went to this...

And finally this...

My mini is complete!  I've been having trouble deciding on a small handmade extra to make to go with it.

Guess I better figure it out since the mailing deadline is getting close :).

Oh Deer!

I'm sure you've noticed lately that I have been all about the teeny, tiny paper piecing.  This project was no exception.  In fact, it may have been the smallest and most challenging yet.

Honestly, when I was about halfway done and the sections were all laid out I nearly scrapped the whole thing.  Looking at the sections individually it was a mess and looked terrible!  I'm glad I pushed through because I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out!!

I'm really not sure it will make the best mug rug due to the bulk created by the paper piecing but maybe the recipient will find another use for it.

As soon as I can get some more ink for my printer I plan on releasing a larger version of this block (you didn't really think I'd make you piece one this tiny did you?!). 

A Little Late

I used to be a very punctual person.  Lately it seems like I'm always running behind.  Those of you that sewed along with the Big City Bags Sew Along know exactly what I'm talking about!

With that being said it is no surprise that I am just now getting around to showing you this Advent calendar.  It was made using a panel I picked up at the LQS and was pretty easy to put together.  It was made in time for Christmas and actually made up onto the wall!  I kind of dropped the ball on actually giving the kids their goodies though (whoops!).  Maybe I'll do better next year...

I'm a Wiener!

Awhile back I received a very generous gift from someone I met online.  Ever since then I have been plotting and planning :).  I wanted a way to show her just how much I appreciated the package she sent me.  All of my stalking led me to one conclusion...she loves her dog :)

So in honor of that I made up this little paper pieced pattern.

I've managed to gather a few other similarly themed goodies and when this little guy has been made into a completed project I will throw them all in a box and send them on their way.

More on this project later :) ...

Love Swans-A Paper Pieced Pattern

This pattern is now available on Craftsy.  It will be free through February 14, 2015. 

This pattern is actually pretty simple.  Just 12 sections...hey, for me that's pretty good :).

Free Valentine Paper Pieced Pattern #2

I told you I would try to have another pattern ready for you by the end of the week so I present to you...

Owl Always Love You.

 

My test block is a mini version that measures approximately 8" square but the actual version available on Craftsy measures 18.5" square when finished.

I would appreciate it if no one mentioned how many times I used the wrong color in the wrong spot.  With my pieces being so tiny it was hard to rip out my stitches without totally destroying the paper section so most mistakes went unfixed.


I did make a couple of changes to the pattern after I did the test block so there are a couple of differences that I think make the block just a little bit better ;).

I did finally decide on a project for my Turtles Block and will hopefully have some decent photos to show off next week!!

Love Turtles

I've decided to do another paper pieced series.  This one will have a Valentine theme though!  Like the Halloween series this one will be free for a limited time.  So be sure and get it before February 14!!

The first of the series is the Love Turtles.  When I tested it I made a teeny, tiny version so that I could make it into a pouch for a swap partner.  I also omitted the eyes and will just be using buttons in their place.

The actual pattern measures 12.5" x 18.5". 

You can always resize your pattern to fit your needs.  Just be sure to use a quilting ruler to trim your block with the correct seam allowances!!  I usually do this anyway just to make sure I have straight lines.

I've got several more patterns to share with you (not sure EXACTLY how many yet) so keep an eye out for the next one :)

Our Final Winners!

It has been fun (and stressful) running this sew along.  One thing I learned while doing so?  I make a much better participant than a host and I should stick to sewing along in the future.  Thank you to all of the ladies that stuck with me through the year!  And a HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors!!!

Our Generous sponsors:

Fat Quarter Shop

Pink Chalk Fabrics

Pattern Crush

ByAnnie's Soft & Stable

LimaSews

A Material Girl Quilts

Cluck Cluck Sew

Happy Quilting

Blossom Heart Quilts

Sew Me A Song

Coats & Clark

Martingale  

 

And now for our winners this month...

 

 The winner of the  Squared Elements by Art Gallery Fabrics from A Material Girl Quilts is 

 

 CeLynn!

and the winner of the  Fat Quarter Bundle of Jungle Ave. from Lima Sews is Danette!

I will be sending your email addresses to the sponsors and they should contact you to arrange the rest!  I look forward to seeing what all of you do this year :)