April's Pattern Success

Well, the month of April really seemed to fly right past me! I only completed ONE pattern for my personal pattern challenge. I'm still happy though! One is better than none! Plus, this pattern is way too cute! I made a sheep pillow from pattern #2197 Fleece Pillows. At first, I thought I'd sell it in my shop, but my daughter's heart won me over instead! O well. It feels good to keep something for a change!

And here it is with the happy recipient!

This was very fun and easy to make! I'm hoping for a chance to make the bug. I like that this pattern comes with so many options. You can choose from the lamb, a frog, a bee, a ladybug, a monkey, and a bug. They're all very cute!

On a Whim

An unexpected project came my way this week after reading a blog post by The Little Fabric Shop . She made the cutest Basket of Bunnies for Easter.

Some of my nieces and nephews are coming to visit for Easter this weekend. I've been trying to think of something quick, easy, and cute to make for all the kids (including my own). I think these bunnies will be the perfect thing! What a fantastically fun way to use up my scraps! Added bonus...NO COST! Yea! I'm so excited.

And here they are....

(one special bunny has already been claimed by my youngest)

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!

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.

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) : )

Re-Vamped Lunch Bag

My daughter has decided she no longer likes Hello Kitty and requested a new lunch bag. Oh boy! After close examination, I found that I could easily remove the Hello Kitty and simply make some modifications instead of going out to buy a new bag!

Here's what I did:

I Used my seam ripper to remove the Kitty

Sayonara, Kitty!

Found some scrap fabric in just the right pattern and color....lucky me!!!

Buttons that match the same flower pattern as the bag too! WOW!






And wouldn't you know, while making this, my daughter grabs the Kitty and says "yea!...now I can play with it"! WHAT? My reply..."I thought you didn't LIKE Hello Kitty anymore!" to which she states..."only at school!" Hmmm O well! She LOVES the "New" bag, and I had fun changing it for her! I also enjoyed finding a new use for scraps!

What kind of new uses have you found for your scraps?
Ever Re-vamped something? Do share...!

Craft Show News

Just recently I received a message in my Etsy shop from an event recruiter regarding an upcoming craft show. She loved my shop (WOW, so flattered!) and asked if I would participate in her Avant Garde Art & Craft Show this summer!

The show currently runs four times per year in a neighboring city and they'll be bringing it to my local town for the first time. There will be at least 125 vendors selling their handmade works of art.

What a thrill to be invited to such an event! I've sent the paperwork in and am looking forward to the show on August 19th! I have lots of time to work on new inventory for my table. It's going to be so much fun!

I'm also aiming for a more professional look for my business. I'd like to have a banner-type sign, business cards, and such.

Know of any good places for this stuff?? (much obliged for your input)