Saturday, March 31, 2012

Pattern Success Month 1

This month I chose Simplicity patterns 5124 Home Decorating "Simply Teen Room Organizers" and 2667 "Organizer Bags". I recently spoke about the bulletin board in a previous post. I only used the bottom pocket portion from the pattern and am very happy with the result. I think having pockets on this board adds so much more to the look and provides greater functionality.
(ok...so I still have a few things to do before this is truly complete, but...)

I've been wanting a more professional look for packaging sold items from my Etsy shop. I found the Drawstring Bag pattern to be a great possibility. It was incredibly easy to make which is a major plus! I've never made a drawstring bag before. I feel so accomplished! The act of creating something from nothing is such a magical feeling! It's hard to fully describe. It just feels so great to look at an item and realize "I made that!"




















I enjoyed completing my Pattern Challenge this month. There's another 99 cent sale going on this weekend! Can't wait to add a few more to select from in my growing collection.

I hope you will consider joining me in this challenge next month! Be sure to share your pictures too! Thanks!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Pattern Challenge

My best local "go-to" store for fabric is Joann's. They frequently have really great pattern sales. I get their Simplicity patterns (my fav.) for 99 cents each.

I've developed a nice collection from these generous sales. I now have around 32 patterns. I've used some of them but would like to do more. I thought it'd be fun to challenge myself by digging these patterns out and getting to work by creating at least two per month. I extend this challenge to you, as well, if you happen to have a stash of unused patterns. That "rainy day" has arrived! I hope you will join me so we can share in this sewing success together. This is going to be so much fun!

I will post my pattern success on the last day of each month.

Friday, March 23, 2012

For My Girls

Since diving into the world of Etsy my focus has been on building inventory for my shop, writing for this blog, and keeping up with my Facebook Fan Page. Recently I allowed myself to give it a short rest while I dove back into the magical world of my children.



Time to make something for THEM! They are the ones that inspired my creativity to begin with after all!

I took my oldest daughter to the fabric store where she chose fabric and supplies for us to cover an old bulletin board and fabric for me to make her a phone case. She found her fabric incredibly fast! I enjoyed how much fun she had picking everything out.

Once home, I finished up a dress I had started earlier in the week for my youngest daughter. All the projects turned out great and it felt so wonderful to make something for my own kids again!

Now I have promised them all crocheted baby bunnies for Easter. That's going to be fun (especially the red one requested by my youngest son. HA)!

That reminds me of one of my favorite books I used to read to the kids. "White Rabbit's Color Book". Someday I'd like to make all the colors and give the bunnies and book away as a gift!

Phone Case
Not quite finished YET..........the main fabric says "Faith Hope Love" The Polka Dot fabric is used at the bottom for pockets!

"Faux Pillow Case Dress" from the book "Small Stash Sewing" by Melissa Averinos
I made a DRESS!!!! (excited) : )