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)

Chair Cover Critique

Awhile ago I made a chair cover for my daughter. I thought it turned out charming, so I posted it as a custom order in my Etsy shop.

No one has inquired yet, but it has been receiving views almost daily.

I thought I'd turn to you, as readers and cool "craftsters" to help me figure out what to do better with this.

Please take a moment to check out my listing while considering the following:
Entwined's Custom Order Chair Cover

No orders could be because...

~People don't like making custom orders
~The style is "off"
~The price is too high

Should I...

~Make more?
~Include pictures of available fabrics?
~Lower the price?

Any other suggestions?

I deeply appreciate your input on this!!!! Thank you!

Bookshelf Peek of the Week #7

On my most recent trip to the library I dug up a nice big stack of sewing books to review. A very fascinating one to highlight this week is "Sewing with Oilcloth", by Kelly McCants.

I have seen a few things made with this specialty fabric. Things like make-up bags, pencil pouches, and lunch totes.



My eyes opened to a whole new world of possibilities within the pages of this book!

Not only does the author use oilcloth, but laminated cottons and chalk cloth. Chalk cloth? Never even heard of it before! Now I want to use it! Imagine a table runner you can write on and erase over and over. Fun! This stuff is just that...fun and fresh!

The author provides 20 patterns to get you on your way to loving this new fabric! Chapters are filled with tools and tips; patterns for the house (storage bins, seat cushions, party banners); patterns for YOU (that trusty make-up bag!, a wallet, those new and trendy snack bags...GO GREEN!); and patterns for kids (baby bibs, art smock, apron).

Some cool things you'll find with oilcloth are: the brilliance of color, the ease of cleaning it, and its durability.

For more about oilcloth and author, Kelly McCants, check out her blogs Oilcloth Addict and Modern June!