Craft Room Makeover

Seems like since I started sewing I have been working my way toward figuring out what I would want my craft room to look like and how I could best utilize the space.  We rent our place, so that does limit what we can do with the space, but the more I research, the more I see I can get what I want.  We have painted our entire duplex as the walls were three shades of different white when we moved in (with our landlord's permission of course!!).   There will be immediate updates and then a few updates that could take a couple more weeks before the room is complete.

Here is what I started with when I first started sewing in 2007:

Not what I really wanted, but the desk got me started. I put contact paper over the desk to help cover up a bad stain job and to add some punch.

I added accessories to make the place a little closer to what I wanted and added a desk:

The room has been a progress and finally after several months of working out how to use my space most effectively, the last phase will begin.

I have a wonderful husband who seems to be able to do anything.  I found a desk through a website called ana-white.  I have always wanted a craft desk from pottery barn or something similar from Crate and Barrel, but did not want to spend $1000 to get it.  Plus, think of all the fabric buying that would take away from!!!  So here is the desk that my husband is building for me this weekend:

Plan found here

Details found here

I am actually following the building design for the craft desk not painted shown above.  I like the bigger top and having another set of cubes on the both sides.  More storage!!! 

I will have room now for my friends or mom to sew on one side while I sit on the other.  One end will be used as a cutting zone and the other end as the pressing/ironing zone.  I will be able to bring my fabric out of the closet and onto shelves nicely organized.  My husband is going to attempt to place two drawers in the middle area I can pull out to store my rotary blades, scissors, etc!!  I can't wait.

I also plan to paint the room the same color as the rest of the house, move my quilt wall and better organize my wall items.  I will be able to keep my dress form in the corner instead of the closet.  I have some accessories I am going to be sewing to add to my desk and room as the process continues.  I have no doubt when this is finished, that it will be hard to go to work and not stay and play in my craft room. I will post pictures as the process starts, continues and when complete! I hope to have the room done and finished as I see it no longer than a month.  Keep checking back!!



Itote Completed

Have you been on Craftsy yet?  I have and I am loving the workshops and classes that are being offered.  I signed up for a workshop to make an "Itote" made by the crafty StitcheryDickoryDock.  Here is what the project looks like:

What makes the workshop so nice is you can ask questions anytime.  It was like taking a class locally, except I could stay in my pajamas and the cost of the class was WAY AFFORDABLE.  I had some problems with my pockets (I was trying to hurry and finish so I could take my tote with me over Christmas - when will I learn not to hurry projects??).  My pockets are slightly crooked, but really at the end of the day - I am the only one who notices the not perfectly lined pockets.  Here is my Itote:

I used outfoxed and AMH as my main fabrics for the tote. I love how the purples turned out.  You could do any type of quilting on the back of the tote. I decided to do a simpler form of the star bursts that are found on the AMH fabric on the flaps of my pockets.  It may not be 100% perfect, but I love this tote.  I put my Nook in the zipper section, my Iphone in one pocket and my camera fits perfectly in the other pocket.  I can carry everything when travelling so much easier. 

You have lifetime access to the class and can make the tote at your own pace.  Check out Craftsy and see what you like!



Christmas Quilt Bust

I had hoped to make a quilt for my mother-in -law and it was a bust.  I still have a few blocks remaining from the attempt.  I will probably make them into mini quilts.  My free motion quilting is still lacking.   I read some other blogs that said to keep practicing and relax.  I am improving, but I think the bulk of a quilt is intimidating the first few times. I stepped away from the frustration and will keep practicing. I am start a new quilt for my MIL and will pay someone to FMQ the quilt. I figure the top is made by me and I will bind it, so the quilt is still mostly put together by me!

Here are the blocks leftover from the quilt that I started with:

I think they will make some cute mini quilts.  Maybe I can at least give one of them to my MIL.  The new quilt I think will be a bit more traditional and a different color scheme. I don't want to say to much so the quilt is a surprise to my MIL.  I should have the new quilt posted in a couple weeks!

Tree Skirt Finished

The tree skirt turned out exactly how I wanted.  I am so pleased!!  The little Sawtooth Stars I wanted around the skirt became a bit to tedious, so I decided to do just trees. I was not disappointed with the skirt like I feared I might be getting rid of the stars.  I haven't incorporated pink into my tree yet, but the greens and reds match perfectly. I hope to add some pink to the tree this year to finally tie in what I have around the rest of the house.  Here are the results:

Forgive the wrinkles... I hadn't pressed it yet.  I was too excited to get pictures of the skirt taken. I used linen for the top and I used a heavy denim for the back.  There is a thin layer of batting between both.  I used jelly rolls for the border and cut them every 8 to 10 inches or so.  I am still trying to understand how to do binding and didn't want to ruin my skirt. So I attached the jelly rolls to the linen and then sewed the end of the jelly rolls to the jean layer.  I then did the magical sew all the way around and leave an opening trick.  Then pulled through the whole skirt and pressed.  Once I get this binding thing down, my crafts should really pick up!!  I covered two big buttons and used some cute bias tape that I had to make the loops.  I scored with the trees. I found a scrap of fabric with the trees all over it that I think I bought about 3 years ago.  I just cut the trees out and then used a decorative stitch to attach the trees to the linen.

Overall, this is the second tree skirt I have made.  The other skirt was for a friend. I eyeballed everything - no pattern, so I am pretty proud of myself.

Deck the Walls

Buy one from Pine Needles in Salt Lake City

I am already aiming high to try to finish my table runner and tree skirt. If I get so lucky to be productive and on the ball, I would like to try my hand in piecing.  I have avoided piecing for awhile now, but after the Sewing Summit, I feel like I have the confidence to try!  We will see if it actually happens this year!! 

Christmas Table Runner

Yesterday I said how much I want to make my own tree skirt. I also have wanted to make this table runner for several years.  I will be using different fabric than Figgy Pudding and will probably have to make my runner a bit smaller.  I bought letter so I can trace out the words I want to use.  Updates coming soon!!  You can make your own too - find the tutorial here.

Christmas Tree Skirt

I have been saying for years that I am going to make my own tree skirt.  Well, last year's skirt did not hold up, so I either make one or buy one. I decided now is the time to try new things and to get the tree skirt I want.

I have bought linen and I am thinking about using a patchwork border.  On the linen around the circle I think I want to do trees and Sawtooth Stars.

Know what a sawtooth star is:

This star is taken from a tutorial on purl soho

I haven't decided if I want to use blocked trees - like this:

I made this last year for a swap.  I didn't design the pattern, but I have lost the tutorial to give proper credit!

Or just a solid fabric tree:

From lilysquilts

Whatever I decide to do, as long as I actually make one in time to go around the tree will be amazing!

I will post pics if it happens!!

Christmas Gifts

I can't post some of the work I have done since they are Christmas Gifts but I can post the fabrics I used, right???  I won't list who they are for either, although it is really hard for me not to.  I don't keep gifts a secret very easily and almost explode to give the gift to people before the holidays or birthdays. 

Quilt One:

The photo is blurry but you can get the idea.  I didn't want it be super small!! 

Quilt Two:

I am using an orange fabric but I can't remember what line the fabric is from.  The orange is actually a patterned fabric so it adds a little to the quilt and a punch with all the other solids. I will have to ask my friend who helped me select the fabrics.

The top fabric is from the Circa 60 line.  LOVE that line and so does my husband.  He has some other fabrics from the line waiting to be made into a quilt just for him and a messenger bag for his school books.

The funny thing is I ended up loving the quilt I am working on with the Circa 60 print, that I am making my husband and me one too!!  The only problem is which one of us will get to lay under it!!

I am working on one more quilt but I can't post even the fabric. If I did the person I am making it for would instantly know it was for them.  After Christmas, I promise!!

Post Sewing Summit Swap

After the Sewing Summit, there seemed to be an unending pool of energy and inspiration.  Liz from Goddess in Progress decided we should take advantage of that and do a swap.  I signed up nervous to make for someone from the Sewing Summit, which had an unending supply of creative women.  In a funny twist, I received Valerie from Between Quilts and she received me.  My camera took such dark photos so I am going to use her photos so you can see the pretty, vibrant fabrics.  You can see her post here too!

Here is what I made her from Joel Dewberry Heirloom Fabrics with Orange Kona Solid.

I included a small pouch from RK Cupcake material and 2 fat quarters of Hullabaloo.  I love that line!!  I also love the Joel Dewberry.  How could you not?  I also included a produce bag from Daisy Jane's pattern.  Valerie had already placed the bag with her shopping bags.

Here is what I received:

Jealous?  I bet you are!!  I remember when this was posted in the Flickr group. I wanted it to be mine but I didn't even think about hoping it would be.  When I opened the box I was thrilled.  I had said in my likes before the swap that I LOVED bright colors and she listened. I haven't done much with this mini quilt but stare and pet it.  I am selecting a place to hang the mini quilt in my craft room, so I can always look at it for inspiration and creativity.

Thank you so much Valerie!!  I can't even find words to describe how much I love it. Plus, you have encouraged me to not be afraid to try some circles soon!!

Sew Serendipity

Tomorrow is the big day!!  I will get to meet Kay Whitt from Sew Serendipity.  She is doing a book signing at my friend Kelly's Fabric Shop, Stitch-N-Lounge.  I am taking her latest book, Sew Serendipity Bags.  If you haven't had a chance to see the book yet, it has some pretty adorable bags in it.  I can't wait to meet her. 

Stay tuned this week with some updates from my latest projects..... and there are quite a few.  Also, I will be posting the swap item I received from my awesome partner Valerie, from Between Quilts.  You will be jealous!!

Sewing Summit Post-Swap

I finally mailed out my Post Summit Swap package. I have had it done since Monday but we have had some drama with my car.....to the tune of $2800.  This car better run another 5 to 6 years!!!  You had to either make a zippered pouch or a doll sized quilt. I made a zippered pouch.  Here are some photos, they are a bit dark:

I included some extras.  Another small zippered pouch, 2 hullabaloo fat quarters and a produce bag made from the Daisy Jane pattern. 

Hope she likes it!!

Swoon......no seriously, I am swooning!!!

Buy the pattern here - from Thimble Blossoms

I finally bought the PDF for this quilt.  This may be more than I can handle, but I think I want to try it.  I have been stalking and obsessing this pattern but thinking I couldn't do it.  So, I finally talked myself into buying it and then thought I would read the pattern to see how hard it might be.  It doesn't sound too tough at all.  Now comes the hardest part...... what fabric line do I want to use???
We'll see later if I still think I might have chewed off more than I could handle!!

Love In A Mist Block

I was playing on Pinterest and found a block on there that I fell in love with.  You can go to to see what flickr user Oneygirl did with this block.  From her Flickr I was able to find the tutorial for the block - named Love In A Mist Block. 

Block made by and tutorial found at modifytradition.blogspot.com

This block was really easy to make, but looks labor intensive.  I love stuff like that. 

My block made from the Love In A Mist Tutorial

I made one error when sewing up the block.  I forgot to line up the points in the middle sections.  I also added a print fabric in the middle instead of the plain similar to Oneygirl's block.  I made myself one first as a test and to become familiar.  I am now going to use the orange, yellow and teal Heirloom line from Joel Dewberry to work on my secret swap partner's zipper pouch.  This is for a very special girl for the Post Sewing Summit Swap.  I am very excited to make this girl something sweet and fun! 

While making this block, I realized I also just made a star block like I wanted to try.  Who knew it was an easy block too???

I was thinking this weekend that I need to start making a block a week to push myself and to become more familiar with quilting blocks, as I am still new to this quiliting thing.  I think not so bad for one of my first complex quilt blocks - right?  I used Kate Spain's line Terrain.  My friend Kelly, who owns a fabric store here in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Stitch-n-Lounge, helped talk me into the fabric.  I have seen Terrain in projects and LOVE it, but I would look at the bolt and not be so sure.  So, I bought a layer cake and now I am obsessed with these bright and happy fabrics.  Might be some more Terrain projects being cranked out soon.

Craft Fair Wrap Up

I was lucky enough to be selected for this year's Etsy Fort Worth Indie Craft Bazaar.  It was a ton of hard work.  I went to the Sewing Summit and then came home and kept sewing up until the show practically.  I have to say I didn't sell as much as I would have liked, but the exposure alone was worth it.  I was a little to nervous about putting myself and my sewing out there!!!  My husband thank goodness took some pics of my booth. 

I didn't get crazy decorating like some of the other people there, but I also reminded myself that most of the people I spoke with did this almost every weekend.  I don't see how I could swing that and full time job.  I was invited by a few other street faires and craft functions due to them liking my work.  I might attempt a few more shows in the Spring, but want to take the Holidays to sew and have fun.  I will be placing some items into my Etsy shop over the next few days from the Bazaar and I also am doing some pattern cleaning too.

Updates coming all next week

I finished my show with Etsy Fort Worth and it was tough!!!  All that sewing and waiting for people to buy it can be stressful!!  I have some new projects and fabrics I am working with and some in the mail to start some more!!  I should finally be back to regular posting again.  International Quilt Festival coming up in just a couple weeks.  There should be some fun posts with hopefully some of my favorite designers in a couple weeks.  See you all next week!!

Exciting News

Where have I been? I don't think there was one weekend in August that I was home.....well, wait, I was home for ONLY one weekend.  Then I went to Hawaii with my mom on a fast little trip.  When I got home from one of my weekends of fun in August - I found out I was accepted to the Cowtown Indie Bazaar in October. 

I am very excited and honored to be added into the show.  The crazy thing is now I am cutting and sewing like crazy (ignoring my blog!!!).  I applied and didn't really start sewing anything because I thought there was NO WAY I would make it, but I did!!  Crazy.  So, it may be silent around here for just a few more weeks, but I will try to post some of my finished products for the craft show as I complete them - if I can get through them all!

Some small sewing projects

It is hard to see at this point, but I have started making the perfectly pleated clutch from Amy Butler's last book, Style Stitches.  The finished product is really a beautiful clutch.  You have to pleat two panels of 64 inches.  I am using Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow fabrics.  I will update with photos when finished.

 My mom decided she would like a perfectly pleated clutch.  I am making her clutch out of Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 fabric line. 

I made a ironing mat out of Riley Blake's newest Pirate Fabric line.  I still need to put binding around the edge but the mat works great.  Especially if you are making blocks for a quilt.  You can find the tutorial on Moda Bakeshop's site.

Last item is my Sherbet Pips Neck Pillow for my trip to Hawaii later this month.  Ignore the bump in the back. I still need to sew the pillow shut!!

Too Legit, Too Legit to Quit.....

I have made my first official quilt top..... well, I made a few mistakes, but most people couldn't tell where.  I figure since it is my first quilt top - I am allowed a few mistakes.  I messed up the block arrangement, but my friends reassured me they can't see how. I was using Aneela Hooey's Comic Strip Quilt, but forgot to watch my layout of blocks.  As a good quilting friend of mine said, "There are not mistakes, just a refiguring of the pattern".  I think I will go with that (wink).

I have started my second quilt top.  This one is following the tutorial located on Sew Mama Sew and is called Pinwheels in the Park.  Lovely Little Handmades is doing a quilt along.  There is no tutorial to follow on the blog, but more of an encouragement through her blog as you make the quilt.  It has been really enjoyable so far.  Go take a look and see if you would like to make one.

I also spent time yesterday cutting out 328 triangles to make two zig zag quilts for  friend who had her twins several months ago.  Maybe I will finally finish them before  they turn 30!!

More updates

That seems to be all I do lately!!  Here is an apron I finished for a swap due this weekend. I love it.  I think I may need to go buy the fabric and make myself one!