Now I can show you a some of my Christmas projects :)

Now that all the Christmas gifties have been recieved,

I can share the projects that I was busy working on!

I made these 2 messenger bags for my

beautiful daughter and beautiful daughter in law :)

I used this super FTS (fun to sew) pattern

by Keyka Lou! Her patterns are full of

photographs and although this messenger bag

has tons of wonderful details,

it really is simple to do when you follow

her easy to understand instructions.

You can click on the Keyka Lou button on the right

sidebar to go to her site and check out her

awesome bag patterns!

I also made the girls matching make-up bags

from my tutorial.

My nephew's girlfriend is a big fan

of Disney and she loves to bake!

 I wanted to make her

a Minnie Mouse inspired apron

that was fun and didn't look frumpy.

I used the "Pretty Ditty Apron"

by Jamie Christina.

She LOVED it!

Isn't she gorgeous????

(My nephew is pretty handsome too....just sayin:)

And for those of you who were sweet

enough to ask...

Yes! They boys loved their Octo's :)

I'm sure the light up laser swords may have

had something to do with that,

but they did sleep with them

and bring them to church the next day

wearing their Octo-Squad t-shirts!

Made my Nana heart happy :)

I'll show more projects and photos from Christmas

tomorrow. And stay tuned for exciting details

on the After Christmas Sew Along that I will

post about this week!!!

Friday Night Sew In #5

Friday night was another really fun "Sew In"!

Did you join in the fun? I have to admit, I missed chatting with my buddies during the night....

some of my friends were busy elsewhere, but I did get to finish this fun retro apron for my daughter in law :)

She requested a "big ol butt bow" so I changed the pattern to add that in.

I used Butterick B5474 view A for this apron. I didn't like the way the pattern has you starting the seam binding at the top corner of the apron. I should have started the bias on the side seam so that the top edge of the apron would have a nice smooth corner with no seam and the seam would be hidden on the side. Don't you hate it when your instinct tells you something and you ignore it until later and you're ticked off that you didn't listen to yourself? Oh well. I'll be making a few more of these and I'll do it my way next time.

All in all, she loved it and that's what really matters!

14 and counting....

With just 14 Saturdays left until Christmas Eve, I've been busy working on Christmas projects. For the most part, I can't show you what I've been working on because the recipients might see their gifts early and where's the fun in that? This little cross stitch nutcracker will be a ornament. I can't wait to get him all stitched! I love love love nutcrackers!

It's been a crazy week so far but I did manage to get another apron done...

and a pair of potholders to match the apron I made last week.

And it never ceases to amaze me how God takes care of me!

I was bummed at the thought that I wouldn't be getting any fun mail this month due to my self imposed "fabric fast". But guess what? I won a give-away over at The Sunflower Patch! Look at all the cool stuff she packed in there!

Thanks so much CeLynn!!!!

Then another sweet blogger buddy. Teresa from Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches sent me this darling card and these 2 patterns! I can't wait to try them out!

Thanks Teresa!!!!

And last but not least, my daughter sent me this sweet card just to encourage me

 and send me some Chamomile tea :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!!

An Apron and a Dumpling :)

 I've been working on another apron tutorial to share with you and this is what I've come up with.

 I should be done writing it up by next week. I'm still trying to figure out a name for it.

 Any suggestions?

In the meantime, I thought I'd show you some pictures of the finished apron :)

The back has a "big ol butt bow" and who doesn't love that?

I can't believe I'm actually using fabrics from my stash. It was hard to cut into these but I know I have to do it sooner or later.......

I also made one of Keyka Lou's "Dumpling" bags. How cute is that name? She has a free download pattern and you can get it HERE. It's totally FTS (fun to sew) so hop on over there and give it a try.

You gotta love free tutorials! I know I do!!!

I may need an intervention.......

I went to M & L this morning just to get some seam binding.........



and then I heard this fabric calling out to me. Faintly at first, and then it just got louder and louder until I had no choice but to put it in my cart! At least I came home and made an apron right away....

It's not like I bought it for no reason....right?


Do I need a fabric intervention?


I think I might......


I'm going to make a promise to myself not to buy any fabric at all during the entire month of September.
I will only use fabric I already own and try to make a dent in my stash......

Hi....my name is Karen....I'm a fabric-aholic.


*sigh*

It's Friday!!!

Well I went out and bought another piece of fabric to complete my apron :)

No more "wonky-ness" to drive me crazy!

Also I'm super excited that tonight is the Friday Night Sew In!

Did you sign up? It's not too late.....

 just click on the link in the upper right hand corner

and join the fun!

Tonight I'll be working on a table runner for my dining table.

I'm using the fun charm pack I bought at the Quilt Festival.

I've got all my pieces cut and I'm ready to go!

I'm so excited to get started.......

when does "night" officially start anyways?

Happy Tuesday!

Have you ever started a project when you were tired and cranky

 and you just kept making mistake after mistake?

 No?......just me then :)

Well that's what happened to me yesterday with this apron.

I ended up cutting the fabric wrong so many times that it ended up

being this patchwork extravaganza.

I used to watch a show on TV where neighbors would each get a designer to help them

and then switch homes for the weekend and re-do each other's rooms.

One of my favorite designers was Frank.

He is 1/2 of the husband wife team that designs Mosey 'n Me cross-stitch designs.

At least once in every episode of the show,

someone would freak out 

and say that they messed something up.

And Frank would smile and tell them in his cute Southern accent:

"There are no mistakes in art.

Just opportunities for embellishment!"

Those have become my words to live by!!!!

So with this apron I had LOTS of opportunities!

I'm listing it today in my shop. Hopefully there is someone out there who will love it :) 

I also finished the binding on this table topper.

I love this fabric but it doesn't go with my decor

so it's for sale in my shop too.

Well, today is a brand new day....

with brand new opportunities for embellishment :)

Margaritas anyone?

I told myself that I was not going to join any more apron swaps for a while because I have plenty of projects that need to get done. Then Val, over at Hot Mama Apron Swap had to go and open a swap called Cool Drinks for Hot Mamas. I had no choice.....I had to join in.....right? My secret partner enjoys a Margarita now and then, so my first thought was something in the colors of an actual Margarita. I just couldn't get inspired with washed out yellow and pale green. Then I stumbled across this fabulous blender fabric and the rest is history! I can't show the rest of the Margarita package with all the tuck ins just yet, just in case she sees this blog, it might give it away. Her package is mailing tomorrow so hopefully next week I can post pics of all the other goodies after she receives them. I don't know about you, but all of a sudden I'm thirsty.......

Apron Giveaway and my on-going quilting adventures!

Happy Monday! I was so overwhelmed and excited to see that there are 200 followers for my little blog! You guys are awesome and it's always such a fun part of my day to read your sweet comments :) Thank you all so much!!!

This week I am teaming up with Mindie over at Bacon Time to offer this Spicy Apron Giveaway. Her blog is full of all kinds of fun ideas and giveaways! To enter just click on  this link to Bacon Time to sign up. You will have several chances to win and the winner will be chosen from Mindie's blog on Wednesday July 27th :) You can also grab a coupon code good for 15% off any ready to ship item from my etsy shop that is good this week only.

 I have definitely been bitten by the quilting bug! I just can't seem to get enough! I bought this great charm pack "Le Petite Ecole" by Moda a while back. It doesn't really go with my house but I just loved the fabrics. I decided to make a table topper from this great free pattern that I found on allpeoplequilt.com. I'll admit I was a little nervous when I had to cut the 5" squares into tiny strips 1" by 2 1/2". But once I started to assemble the blocks, it was really fun to sew!

This is the almost finished table topper. I machine quilted it by stitching 1/4" from each side of the squares. After all the hand quilting I've been doing on Evie's quilt I'm not really sure I like the way the machine quilting looks. I haven't done the binding yet because I"m not sure if I want to take out the stitching and hand quilt this little guy. There is such a charm and beauty to hand quilting that this feels cold to me somehow.

I used up some of the tiny pieces of leftover fabric to make a strip for the back. I'm planning to list this in my shop once it's finished. So what do you guys think: leave the machine stitching and bind it as it is or hand quilt it and bind it?

I really love Thursdays!

 I love Thursdays! I really do!

 I always tell my hubby that Thursday is the best day of the week!

Why you ask?

Because by Thursday I have all my grocery shopping, laundry and housework is done!

(oh who am I kidding....I don't do much housework)

But most of all, Thursday is the only day during the week that my Chiropractor is closed.

I've been seeing him for 11 years.

He has helped me so tremendously.

After just 2 months of seeing him 3 times a week

I was able to get rid of all my pain meds, including Vicadin.

So why am I happy that he's closed on Thursdays?

 Because although he is amazing, getting adjusted when you have Fibro is always painful.

 It's like going to the dentist on a weekly basis.

You know you need to go, but you also know it's going to hurt.

So I do a happy little dance on Thursdays :)

And today I had a lovely quiet morning to do a bit of sewing.

I made this bright and fun apron for my etsy shop.

I used my "Cute Apron Tute" for the bottom 1/2 of the apron,

and the bib is from the Sweetwater apron pattern.

The black fabric with the tiny flowers was purchased over

15 years ago so it's kind of hard for me to part with it.

This apron makes me happy.

If it doesn't sell, I'm totally fine with keeping it for myself :)

Happy Thursday everyone!!!



Surf's Up!

It's definitely summer time in Southern California! For me personally, I'd rather have fall, winter and spring and just skip summer. I've always said that cold weather is so much better because you can always bundle up, but when it's hot...you can be naked and still not escape the heat. I get pretty cranky when its hot! (ask my hubby, he'll tell you). Praise God for central air! In the summer bad things happen with my hair and make-up and to subject innocent bystanders to my white legs in shorts is just not right. I'm not even going to discuss swimwear! I really don't think I could survive somewhere super hot and humid. You'd see my face on the news because I'd become a serial killer for sure. But I know some little boys who would miss trips to the beach and pool days at Auntie's house. So I guess I'll focus on the positives of summertime with my grandchildren :)

I've been playing around with an apron pattern in my head for a while and today I had a chance to try it out. It's easy to do and I may just do a tutorial on this one as soon as I have a chance. With summer in mind I made this "Beach Babe" apron out of dark blue denim and a fun Hawaiian print. I chose the same Fuchsia color in the flowers for the accent color in the hemline and waist ties.  I used Wonder Under to make a leaf and flower applique that I cut from the Hawaiian print and ironed them on and then top stitched them down. The large pocket that runs the entire width of the apron is divided into 3 sections.

Who knows, maybe a cute summer apron can give me the attitude adjustment that I need. It could work....right?

Friday Night Sew In Results & Giveaway Winners!

I did it! I started the baby quilt! When I looked at my kitchen table after squaring up my little diagonal pieces I just wanted to squeal! I just wanted to shout "Hey world! I'm a quilter....I quilt!" Ha!

And then when I got to actually make the pinwheels I was positively giddy! ( I loves me some pinwheels!!!)

And when I got to start adding the borders around the pinwheels, there was no stopping this quilting mama! That is, of course, until the hubs came in to tell me that their cigar night had come to an end a bit earlier than usual because he had to work today. Bummer times infinitiy! (as my friend Marcia likes to say)  So this is where I had to stop. I have lots to do today to get ready for Father's Day tomorrow so I dont' know if I'll have any time to work on it more today......but I can hope, right?

And now, without further ado,

the winners of the giveaway are -

Drum roll please......

The winner of the 15 dollar Hostess Apron from my etsy shop is:

Jennie!

The winner of the upcycled Tote Bag is:

Suburbsmama!

Congratulations Ladies!

I'm Divin' In!!!!

So tonight is the Friday Night Sew In over at Hand Made By Heidi. All you have to do to join in the fun is to pop on over to her blog and sign up and then post your pics to Flicker on Saturday to show what you worked on. She hosts this once a month and one random participant wins a fun prize.

 My buddy Regena won the first time we played along! (*sigh*....I wanted to win!)

I'm so excited to get started on my quilt! I have all my fabric cut and I'm ready to dive in!

So unless my daughter goes into labor tonight, I'll be sewing my very first baby size quilt! Woo Hoo!

Also.....don't forget that the apron and tote bag giveaway ends tonight. So if you haven't done it yet, you can click HERE and leave a comment for a chance to win!

 Somebody has to win....it might as well be you!

Also, also..... if I've never mentioned this before, my hubby and my son are both pastors at our church and our son preaches the 1st Sunday of every month. He is working on a new sermon series and would like to hear your questions about faith. You don't need to be a believer to ask questions.

If you have a moment, please hop on over to his blog  Long Time Listener and post your questions by clicking on the "ask me anything" just underneath his profile.

Thanks everyone!

I didn't see that coming.....:)

 I'm always so overwhelmed when God showers blessings on  me.  One day last week a lovely woman from Texas bought 4 hostess aprons from my etsy shop. The next morning she contacted me and asked if I had any more. I emailed her pictures of my fabrics and she ordered 3 more. So I made the 3 she wanted plus a few more to list.  A day later she bought the other 4 that I had just listed! Yep....that's 11 aprons! I still can't believe it! At the moment I only have 3 listed so I need to get busy and re-stock before Friday so that my lucky winner will have a good selection to choose from.




(Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's blog post for a chance to win either an apron like these or the upcycled tote bag!)

So now I have cash in my paypal account. Oh what to do??? What to do???? 
Naturally I popped over to Joann's this morning and purchased a gathering foot for my machine that I have been wanting needing and picked up a cute bag pattern on sale ( cuz you can never have too many of those..right?). Then after watching my grandson's Hip Hop class performance it was back home for lunch and then off to M & L yardage where I spent 2 hours pushing my cart through the isles of yummy fabrics for some more aprons as well as a birthday giftie I was asked to make. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a sewing filled afternoon!

Inspiration

When Blogger was "unavailable" on Wednesday and Thursday I was so lost! I didn't realize how much time I spend wandering through the Blogosphere marveling at the creativity of others! I really love it. It's like having the most amazing library of craft books at my fingertips any time of the day or night. And there is new and wonderful things to see and learn everyday! Lately I've found myself drawn to bright patchwork paired with neutral backgrounds. My newest apron is inspired by what I've seen and I like the way it turned out, but I think my next attempt will have smaller, more intricate patchwork. You can read about this totally cute wonky star quilt over at the Undercover Crafter. And this beautiful sewing machine cover pattern can be found over at Bloom. My list of blogs that inspire me just keeps growing!

I decided to pair these great prints from Robert Kaufmann with some wonderful 100% cotton. I love this fabric because it has the look of linen with the ease of care that you get with cotton.

What inspires you?