How Do I Know My Husband Loves Me?

Because he let me do this to him:

My favorite part of the picture is the tough guy face he has on. I needed to make sure that the materials looked okay before starting to sew, and I needed a model. My hope is if I do this enough to him maybe one day I will come home and find a dress form in the corner. Hey, a girl can dream, right? Thank you Bart for letting me post this. I am sure many women will be envious I have a husband who supports my sewing addiction! He looks cute in cupcake material, right ladies? Help me out!!!! ** Tell everyone you know to check out my husband and let's see how many comments I can get on how cute he is. Maybe if we all flatter him, that dress form will find a new home WINK WINK***

Big Talker

Yesterday I worked my sewing machine out. I finished one apron, started another apron and made myself a little placemat to set my sewing machine on. Of course, when I was getting the most tired, my sewing machine kept making a thread mistake (hello seam ripper). I was getting so frustrated that I finally said "If you don't get your act together machine, I am going to throw you in a landfill where no one will ever use you again!". Now my green friends, you can relax - I wouldn't dream of throwing my sewing machine in the landfill - but it worked!! No more mess ups. Some may suggest it was the operator of the machine - but let's be honest - how many times have you messed up on a project just to scream at your machine?

The best part of the whole tirade was realizing I was sitting at my craft desk with the blinds open screaming at a machine. The local psychiatric ward has not made an appearance yet on my front door step - but the day has only just begun!!!

Am I the only yeller or are there more of you out there?

The picture is......

Fruity Pebbles. I have had several people asking me what my picture was located in the header of my blog. I love this cereal and I love how bright it is. So, I poured a bowl and snapped a picture. I think it adds fun!! Mystery solved. Thanks for the emails. I appreciate the interest!

Havana Nights Completed

I have finished my Havana Nights Apron finally. I made it like the apron I made my partner for the Sassy Apron Swap. After I made my partner's apron I had a hard time letting it go. So, I thought now I could make my own. It turned out great and I love it. Now, I just have to get my husband to take my picture in it and then get it to the group to post with the other Havana Aprons. Now to start my partner's apron for the Flirty Apron Swap. Busy Busy!!

"Have A Heart" Exchange

New Posts Can be found below. Keep looking!! I will keep this up for awhile at the top!

This is such a cute exchange idea. The organizer of this group liked this idea but didn't want to make all the hearts by herself. So, she decided let's get a bunch of people to make hearts!! All you have to do is make enough hearts for everyone in the group (20 members = 20 hearts). The great thing about this exchange is the hearts aren't due to everyone until the beginning of December. So you have some time to work on hearts. Maybe complete 1 or 2 a month depending on how many people sign up. The deadline is APRIL 1ST. The organizer has a blog that is set to private. If you are interested in joining the fun, leave a comment or contact me through my profile. I will then get your info to the organizer. Thanks and come join the fun!!!

And the Material Goes To.......

ME!

Here is the material I selected from the free giveaway from Beelicious! Aren't the cherries great? I love it!

Friends and Husbands

Well, I didn't get a thing done this weekend for sewing, however I spent all of Saturday with my husband running errands and celebrating my birthday since it fell during the week! As much as I love crafting and sewing it was wonderful to spend some alone time together perusing books at the library and going out to dinner to celebrate my birth. We laughed, he took me to JoAnn Fabrics and spent time with me looking around and he bought me the best book for my birthday. My book has a different cover but it is the same book. I LOVE the 50s pinup girls and this was one of the best gifts my husband has ever given me. I couldn't stop smiling and holding it last night. It looks fantastic on my craft table. (NOTE TO PARENTS: Even though the book is filled with just drawings, there are some pictures showing breasts. You may not want it on your coffee table!!!). Take a look at The Great American Pin-Up on Amazon. Thank you Bart for giving me a wonderful gift!

I also spent today going to JoAnn Fabrics with friends today. We have decided to start getting together and spend time crafting. Today was spent picking out patterns, material, cutting patterns and fabric out. It was a blast. Now, I have to play catch up, but I wouldn't change my weekend if I had the chance. Sometimes it is just a good idea to slow down, enjoy people and give yourself a chance to really miss sewing. I did just that!!!

I won the contest!!!!!!!

I won the drawing on the Flirty Apron Contest!!!! I got the chance to choose 4 fat quarters/1 yd of fabric from the Beelicious site. You have got to stop by and check out her fantastic selection of fabric. I had such a hard time choosing. Once I make sure she has enough material to send me, I will post a picture of it on here. I went for the cherries!!! Shawnee, the organizer for the Flirty Apron Contest suggested I go and buy a lottery ticket. I had made the joke that I was a lucky charm because two of my friends have won the last 2 contests I signed up for. Maybe I should make a stop today........ Thanks Shawnee for the drawing and thanks Laura from Beelicious. Now comes the hardest part..............What do I make????

What's In A Name

I have joined a swap with some different criteria! All you have to do is once you are assigned a partner's name, go to their blog, find out what they like, and then send them items. Here is any example:

T - a train
R- a razor
A - an apron
C- candy canes
E- pink envelopes and stationary
Y- Yarn
(I don't actually like some of these items, they are just examples!!)

The items have to start with the letter of the partner's name and be things that they like listed on their blogs. Too fun! Join the fun here!

Apron Madness

This weekend's agenda includes working on two aprons. The first is my apron for my partner participating in the Flirty Apron Swap and the other is for Havana Nights Tie One On Project. The pattern I am using for the FAS apron is:



I am using the middle pattern for my partner's apron and here are the materials I am using:





The Havana Nights Material is:

The pattern I am using for the Havana Nights Theme apron is: I didn't use this one. I didn't like the pattern when I cut it out (not the frilly one, i can't wait to make that one). I also fell in love with my partner's apron, so I decided to go back and make my own!!!

I am making the apron that the lady in the blouse and jeans is wearing in the sketch. Fun!!

Watch the blog for progress!!!

Pattern organization Project

Yesterday was project day but I only got one accomplished. However, I feel like it was quite the feat and something I had to do before I could really sit down and sew in my new craft space. I have my patterns stored in a container on my craft rack:

My patterns have never been organized.... UNTIL NOW! Here is how I cataloged the patterns on my computer.

First, I opened a folder underneath my personal files and selected Pictures:

Then I created a PATTERNS file:

Then I took an individual picture of each pattern I owned making sure that I could see the number of each one:

Once I downloaded all my patterns into the computer, I labeled each one as the number and brand. For the one shown above, I labeled it as 9664 SC (S=simplicity and C= to tell me it was a classic pattern or an older one! On all of my more current patterns I just have an S after them). I then separated each pattern into smaller categories such as Pants, Dresses, Tops etc....

And PRESTO... when you open up each folder by pattern topic you can find all of my patterns listed by number and company. I figured this would make it easier to find patterns or to see if I have a certain pattern that would match a fabric I have found!

Now I have the patterns organized in my container matching the list in each folder on my computer. I am hoping this saves me time as I am looking for something specific!!

It took me probably about 3 hours to do - which some of you are saying "I wish I had 3 hours". If you can't allot that much time - try to strive to do 5 a day or 5 a weekend until you are done. I only completed mine at one time because I have perfectionist tendencies and I have about 5 more organization projects on my list I want to complete before really starting my sewing projects. Good Luck and let me know if any of you have a different system or incorporate a system. I would love to see how different minds work!!!

My friends are winners!!!

Okay, that might sound like a hokey commercial doesn't it, but I mean something different. I decided to sign up for two different apron swaps for the first time the last couple of months. Well, I encouraged some friends to join me too. I joined the Sassy Apron Swap and the Flirty Apron Swap. My sister-in-law, Kristen, won the SAS giveaway and my friend, Elisa, won the FAS. How funny is that? So, if you are wanting to win a giveaway - let me know and I will refer you. I am a lucky charm I guess! HA! I have a picture of Elisa from FAS and Kristen promises to send me a picture of the apron she chose when she receives it.

While we wait for that apron, here is the apron Kristen received from her Sassy Apron Swap partner. Cute isn't it?

Big List of Sewing Blogs

I'm listed in the big list of sewing blogs. Check out all the creative people!

More fun fabrics!

My husband and I found this fun material at JoAnn Fabric. Too cute isn't it? We like to camp and travel. I am still trying to decide what to make with it because it is flannel. It has to be something we can take on our travels. My husband is a fan of the tear drop trailers. Me - not so much!! I like a little room. He is the minimalist of the marriage!




This fabric is what I have had for months. I am working on a yoga mat carrier made from this. I can't wait to show you when it is finished!

Birthday Presents

I got these two gifts from my mom for my birthday. I love them! They are bright and fun. I had a girl at Starbucks tell me that my coat made her happy. It makes me happy too!