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!

Hexalong!!

I am joining a Hex A Long.  What is great about this group is you get to make the size of hexalong and size of project you want/feel comfortable to try.  So go and check it out.  I finally will get to make a hexagon!!

Busy making for others

I have been busy making items for other people - for $$$.  I love making money of my crafts and having the ability to buy what I enjoy with that money.  I could blow it in a few moments if I allowed myself to stay on Etsy long!!  Here are some capes I made recently for a friend at work to take to some friends' kids:

They were such a hit that some adults have ordered some now.  We all need to have a little fun, right?  Think I need one to wear at work.  I have made some cute things for friends but have forgotten to take pictures.

I finally finished my picnic blanket. I am making another one to write up a pattern to it.  My first ever!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that I can make a pattern easy to understand!  I am working on getting it copyrighted.  I might eventually be able to convince myself to make one or two for my Etsy shop.....maybe!!

Portland Saturday Market Buys

I forgot to mention in the previous post about my finds at the Portland Saturday Market.  Here are just three of my finds. I bought a few more items, but these are some of my favorites.

 Love this wallet!!  All made out of duct tape. Crazy cute, right?

I bought this hat and wore it every day in Portland.  Not really the time of year to wear here in Texas!!!

I bought this clutch at the market too. I may just have to return her Etsy shop for more items!!

The inside of my clutch. 

Wish there was a market here like this every Saturday in Texas.  Guess I will just have to keep shopping on Etsy!!

Back from Vacation

Before we left for vacation, I didn't get a chance to download all that I had been working on. Now that we are back, I can show you some of the items I worked on before we left.



This pattern is available through my friend Michelle over at I like orange, too!.  Check out her cute patterns!

Here is the inside of the bag.  I love this Joel Dewberry Aviary 2 line. I can't get enough.

 A pouch from the Amy Karol book Bend the Rules sewing.  I can't make enough of these little guys!

I made a pouch for my friend at work who likes owls.  I unfortunately used white interfacing and it showed through in a few spots. I am getting some black interfacing and making another one.  Oh shoot - that means I will have to hold on to this cute thing myself!!

I had my first big order from my Etsy shop before vacation for a bride looking for bridesmaids gifts.  I made 9 sets of bags for the bride and her bridesmaids.  It was so much fun to make things for other people and to have my first big order!! 

I also completed some bags that a few of my friends liked at work but I forgot totake photos before delivering them before we left town. 

We spent one week in Portland, Oregon and fell in love.  What a great city and really an overlooked paradise in my humble opinion.  Here is a quick snipet of the vacation:

I have some orders from friends to begin to work on now that the vacation is over. I have to say the orders really do make my day though.  What fun it is to see people carrying something that you made.  Off to sew!!

Help My Non Profit!!!

Just a quick break from crafting.  I work for an organization called Cancer Care Services.  We help people in the Fort Worth area with medications, equipment, COBRA payments, and emotional support who have been diagnosed with cancer.  We are in a non  profit event with Chase that the first 100 agencies that are voted for through Facebook gets $25,000.  We could help so many clients with that much money.  If you are not interested, do not feel like you must.  If you want to help, you must have a facebook profile.  Here is a link to the site within Facebook: Chase Community Giving.

Thanks for considering the help!!  Now back to crafting updates - hopefully some more tonight!!

Summertime Preparations

I am starting to make bags, clutches, lap quilts and neck pillows for this summer's vacations.  Here are a few of the projects I completed this weekend:

My wash and wear bags for vacation for my...um.....delicates

A neck pillow for my husband.  No neck pains for us!!

The back of the neck pillow is made with orange

My neck pillow completed in a patchwork design

Love the Central Park line.  My favorite Sandi Henderson fabric EVER!!

An Artsy Clutch from Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing. I can't stop making these.

Heather Bailey's Smarty Girl Bag in Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2

My mom spotted this fabric line while we were shopping last weekend. I became obsessed with it and had to go back for it. I had the granite and yellow, and needed the aqua and purple too.  Needed it!!!! 

Still to do:

• A lap quilt for the plane
• Hubby's Bag
• My tote bag for the plane

Already completed:

• My travel wallet
• My eye mask

I travel in style!!!

Hello...Is it me you're looking for?

I have some great projects I have made and more to put up over the next few weeks.  I am working on some bags for the upcoming summer and fun events that we have planned.  Here are a few things I have done and I have some pillowcases to share soon!

The clutch was made from the book Bend the Rules by Amy Karol.  It is the Artsy Clutch.  It literally came together in about 30 minutes.  I used rick rack instead of elastic for my clutch.

 I am still trying my hand at quilting.  This quilt was made for my Big Boss' 20 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with cancer for the second time.  We all signed the back of a patch to show our support and love as she goes through treatment. I wanted to make a lap size quilt so it was easy to take to appointments and could give her a little coverage during chemo treatments.  I found this quilt pattern on the Moda Bake Shop website. If you haven't looked at that site: go here and look!  WARNING:  you will lose track of time!!

More to come soon!  I promise!!

When sewing gets dangerous....

I have had a heck of week with sewing.  I ordered an acrylic sew steady table as my birthday gift from my husband and it was cut incorrectly.  I then stab myself with my seam ripper and then run over a portion of my thumb with my rotary blade.  My husband suggested a break from the sewing room. I did take a few days off, but plan to head back in soon.  I have some updates of some projects I have completed to share this weekend with you.  I am hoping to finish the top this weekend to a picnic blanket I sketched out to meet my family's needs.  I am considering selling it as a PDF or maybe even cranking a few out for sale in my Etsy shop.  We will see....... it all depends on if I have any limbs left after sewing this weekend :)

In honor of my break from the sewing room and sewing tools, I am having a sale in my Etsy shop.  There isn't a whole bunch in there, but everything, including custom orders are 25% off. 

Use the code: Vacation