Happy Friday everybody!

Got any big plans for the weekend? I have a full one ahead — tonight: Livefit day 59, hanging out with my friend Stephanie from high school who’s in town for Easter; tomorrow: getting my oil changed, helping a friend move, working on a TON of zip bags for an [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

Happy Friday everybody!

Got any big plans for the weekend? I have a full one ahead — tonight: Livefit day 59, hanging out with my friend Stephanie from high school who’s in town for Easter; tomorrow: getting my oil changed, helping a friend move, working on a TON of zip bags for an upcoming sale and potentially LiveFit day 60; Sunday: Drive home to hang out with the family for Easter. WHEW.

I have to tell you that I found out Android released an Instagram app. Finally. So yes. I’m on the bandwagon. And I’m not ashamed (Steph, I know you’re groaning at least just a little. don’t worry. no blue filters on my food).

I downloaded it. Stat. And I used it to finally capture this poster on Welch Ave. that I’ve been eyeing for a while. LOVE the design on this.

As I walked back to my office, I caught this random balloon man on campus.

I felt a bit stalkeresque running up behind him, but I had to catch it and use my newfound app to post it. I started a new tumblr account for this crap to go so I’m not spamming my twitter followers with all my photos and stuff. I’d like to post this stuff somewhere that’s easily catalogued so I can quickly grab for future use, but not spam everybody in the process. I tweet / facebook enough as it is.

I didn’t get in on this in time for this month’s photo-a-day-challenge … but maybe I’ll do May. Screw it. I only missed a few days. I’m doing the April photo challenge. Because that’s what all the cool kids do.

[ image from fatmumslim ]

Also, one of my old coworkers from my previous life at Drake University recently asked if I could donate something to an auction that the marketing department was having to benefit a scholarship.

Why yes. Yes I can donate something to this cause.

Right before I left Drake back in October of 2011, my coworker had a great idea to fund a scholarship from our department — the funding could come from any member of the marketing department, past or present.

To kick it off, they’re going to have an auction / yard sale today to raise some funds.

I used one of my many Drake t-shirts and made a simple market bag with pockets. I hope to see somebody sporting this at Market Day this spring!

Lots of inside pockets. And only took me 45 minutes to create. Mostly because I HATE working with t-shirt fabric. I would bet that most quilters LOATHE it. But, it’s for a good cause and I wasn’t wearing this shirt anymore anyway. Somebody is going to really enjoy this bag!

Share on Facebook

The winner of the zippy pouch is …

Heather!

… but she didn’t leave her e-mail address or at least disqus isn’t giving it to me. I’m going to dig through my e-mails and see if the notification e-mail gave me her e-mail. FOUND IT! I just e-mailed her. 

If [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

The winner of the zippy pouch is …

Heather!

… but she didn’t leave her e-mail address or at least disqus isn’t giving it to me. I’m going to dig through my e-mails and see if the notification e-mail gave me her e-mail. FOUND IT! I just e-mailed her. 

If not, I will be choosing a runner up next week!

Share on Facebook

Hey, it’s Black Friday! If you’re getting ready to go out shopping, why not hit up Market Day in Des Moines at 9 AM today for some great deals?

In case you forgot, I’m doing a giveaway that ends at 5 AM on Monday. #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

Hey, it’s Black Friday! If you’re getting ready to go out shopping, why not hit up Market Day in Des Moines at 9 AM today for some great deals?

In case you forgot, I’m doing a giveaway that ends at 5 AM on Monday. Be sure to check it out!

And if you’re going, you could buy me a present … here’s my local Christmas wishlist (click on the images to go to the etsy listing):

White topaz ring by Jen Lawler Designs

Hand-sewn tank by Hard Love Apparel

Vintage Lion Mug by TheSaraInitiave (BIG MUG … I realllly want this and it’s only $6!)

Milla Hand-knit cowl by HeyJenRenee

Champagne and Rhinestone Statement Necklace from Bean and the Sprout … out of your price range? I like this too …

Poppy and Blue necklace for only $40

Fabric covered button earrings by SRenee Design

Natural Cherry Cutting Board by KopperKitty

U Printed Card by YelleFont

Convertible Cowl/Sleeveless Shrug by LisforLiz

Expletive Hearts (custom made to order) by No Tengo Miedo Clay — I have one in mind that I just haveeeeeee to get made. For a friend.

Handspun yarn by MaraJane Creations

Classic Glam Peacock Earrings by DaniAwesome

Make your own long dog kit by JuneCraft — obviously I have been wanting this FOREVER.

Seaglass Elephant Pincushion by VeronicaMade

Audrey Vintage Lace Pouch by Florence Oliver

And the Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar by Kate Funk

Share on Facebook

I’ve decided to make bags. Not just any bags, but super easy peasy awesomely fast bags. I won’t have them in time for this month’s Market Day, but I will have them for next month’s (assuming July doesn’t just breeze past me and slap me in the ass on the way out like [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

I’ve decided to make bags. Not just any bags, but super easy peasy awesomely fast bags. I won’t have them in time for this month’s Market Day, but I will have them for next month’s (assuming July doesn’t just breeze past me and slap me in the ass on the way out like June did).  The idea is to have a super cheap but adorable bag available for customers so they can have somewhere to store their goods (whether they be from me or from another vendor).  I’ve heard a lot of complaints about not having bags, but the advertisements do say to bring bags. So … yeah.

Anyway, I adapted Purl Bee’s 20-Minute Tote by making my own handles and ignoring the weight of the fabric as a factor. I’m just using whatever I’ve got. This one is a prototype — I’ll probably be using super ugly fabric for the rest of them to keep the cost down (I don’t want to use my pretty fabric on low-end jobs!).  I gave this one away with the baby shower gifts that I made last weekend.  Also, it does just take 20 minutes. Maybe less. I guess I’m kind of speedy, but whatever. I read somebody complaining about how it doesn’t take 20 minutes somewhere on their blog, but I’d like to state that it totally does. So there. Or something.

Ta da! It’s made from the gobs and gobs of Michael Miller Lava Flowers fabric I have leftover from last year’s binge.  I’m soooo sick of this print! It made an adorable bag though.

Share on Facebook

That’s right!  I’m doing another giveaway.  I was planning to do one each month, but I realize now that it’s only been 11 days since my last giveaway…. oh well!  I’m excited and want to do another one!

Up for grabs this time is a one of these lovely little zipper bags.

I’ve been sewing profusely this week and have crafted up 8 little zipper bags ala Moda Bake Shop’s awesome tutorial. I used scraps of this incredible fabric that Adria had given me after her log cabin mermaid quilt was completed. Wow, how many links and credits [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

I’ve been sewing profusely this week and have crafted up 8 little zipper bags ala Moda Bake Shop’s awesome tutorial. I used scraps of this incredible fabric that Adria had given me after her log cabin mermaid quilt was completed. Wow, how many links and credits can I fit into one sentence??

Anywho, I got going and couldn’t stop. I have enough fabric leftover to make a BUNCH more. These are all going to my girlies (I think 8 should suffice!) but I might make more and sell them for somewhat cheap on Etsy and maybe at my next craft show!

Thoughts?

Also, I’d like to mention that technically these are quilted!  yay for my crappy $90 sewing machine!

Share on Facebook

last night I decided to get the sewing machine out in the first time in a long time! (yay! I love sewing!)  I haven’t had time to sew in the past few weeks because I was getting ready for Market Day, which was especially sad because my friend Adria had just given me [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

last night I decided to get the sewing machine out in the first time in a long time! (yay! I love sewing!)  I haven’t had time to sew in the past few weeks because I was getting ready for Market Day, which was especially sad because my friend Adria had just given me two HUGE bags of stash fabric and some scraps from her mermaid quilt. I’ve been pining over my sewing machine.

Anywho… me and the sewing machine totally hung out last night.

I’v e been wanting to make this bag ever since I discovered the moda bake shop last week (thanks to Adria, of course). For those of you who don’t know what Moda is…it’s a fabric manufacturer. The bake shop gives “recipes” for different things to do with their fabric. Kind of self-serving…but hey, they have incredible step-by-step tutorials, so I love it!

I got out the scraps from Adria’s mermaid quilt last night, a chunk of yellow fabric and some felt stuff that I figured would work just fine for “batting” since I’m not really making a quilt…and went to town.  It was pretty fun. All the while I was watching Sixteen Candles on Encore.

Here’s what I came up with so far. Nothing too exciting. I need to go get some zippers and some more batting material so I can finish these. I have enough fabric to make a ton of these…but I was planning to make one for my mom and all my girlfriends. Although, I don’t know if they all like pink as much as I do.

Oh, um, did I mention this piece was my FIRST ATTEMPT AT QUILTING???? eeeee!  It went pretty well. I don’t have a walking foot, but I’m going to get one now. I totally think I could quilt my hardcore quilt top!

That is all.

Share on Facebook

I recently started sewing again (my machine had been broken for a year or so) and I’ve been making some bags. I’ve been trying to make a bag based on this tutorial. So far, I’ve been unsuccessful because I have such a hard time sewing the fabric on the handles and getting it [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

I recently started sewing again (my machine had been broken for a year or so) and I’ve been making some bags. I’ve been trying to make a bag based on this tutorial. So far, I’ve been unsuccessful because I have such a hard time sewing the fabric on the handles and getting it to stay.  This is what I came up with for my mom for mother’s day:

inside of bag (with pockets)

close up of stitching on handles.  You can see where the fabric puckered out and didn’t stay put.  Also, I don’t like how I can’t get a clean circle on the handles.

Share on Facebook

At least not yet.

I’ve been TRYING to make this purse, but haven’t had any luck getting it just right yet. My biggest problem is the handles. I’ve made 2 bags so far. One was for my mom and the other was originally for a birthday gift for a friend but I decided it [...]]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { height: 30px; width:50%; padding-top:1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; height: 30px; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; }

At least not yet.

I’ve been TRYING to make this purse, but haven’t had any luck getting it just right yet. My biggest problem is the handles. I’ve made 2 bags so far. One was for my mom and the other was originally for a birthday gift for a friend but I decided it wasn’t good enough and gave it away as a non-b-day gift to another friend (who hasn’t gotten it yet, but should today).

Anyway, the issue is the handles, like I said. I can’t quite seem to get them sewn right. I have to tuck the fabric in and it never seems to stay. It gets all bunchy and angle-y and in some places it just plain comes out and the raw edge shows.

Here’s my latest venture. I haven’t put the handles on or attempted to SEW handles just yet because this is the best bag I’ve done so far. I am thinking I might do something different, like add a zipper and a wide band of pink fabric around the top that goes into a handle off the side (like a clutch). I just don’t know how to go about doing that.

Kinda scared to try to add handles of any kind.

Kinda forgot to add pockets... oops. Next time: pockets.

Share on Facebook