Saturday, October 22, 2011

Christmas Tree

So life happened and things have been busy these last few days.  I haven't even had time to sew (Gasp!)  But, here it is, the long awaited Christmas tree centerpiece that I've had done for a while now.  I have so many other projects to post it's just sad.   I took this picture really fast last night so it's pretty blah...



I love how lopsided this turned out!  I'm going to add some little balls on there for some ornaments and a star later if I get a chance.  Overall, easy breezy and a piece of cake.  Total time for this was probably 45 minutes...
There are variations of this type of stuffed tree in Simplicity and McCall's patterns that are just as simple, if not more so!

I think just about anyone could do this!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Wow, I've been busy!

So I've been caught up in several projects at once.  I've completed a few but haven't gotten around to posting them yet...I have 4 I need to put up on here so I'll do my best to get those up here over the week.  But for now, more good news!

This week at JoAnn's you can get 60% off Cozy flannel solids and Snuggle Flannel prints if you dare to make one of those flannel blankets I put up a few weeks ago.  McCall's patterns are also only $.99 this week!  If you don't like sewing clothes they always have craft patterns toward the back of the books.  If you're into quilting their fat quarters are also only $.99.  Which reminds me, I have a super easy quilt I just made for Tekara with fat quarters and some stuff I had from my own stash that I will be posting soon with instructions!!!  If you have been wanting to get into quilting all of their rotary cutting tools and mats are 40% off.  Their Blizzard Fleece is also on sale for 60% off.  And also worth mentioning I think is that their entire stock of thread is 50% off!   Here is a portion of their ad online: Moonlight Madness

Look for the Christmas Tree centerpiece I sewed from my Mom's fabric stash tomorrow!


Monday, October 10, 2011

Queen of Diamonds Quilt



This is called Queen of Diamonds, a quilt I've been planning to make for Aviendha since just before Gage was born.  I had even bought and began cutting the fabric days before I had him!  It took me just over a week to make this with all the cutting  and piecing and children to take care of.  It does not have the batting or backing on yet because I still need to go out and buy the batting for it.  Aviendha isn't aware it's for her but she loves it so it'll be a nice surprise for her birthday or Christmas.  Please forgive the wrinkles as it's been folded up for a week now waiting for backing and binding.

The next couple of quilts I make will be MUCH simpler/faster because I can only do so many intensive projects in a row!  The boarder on this is my favorite part.  It was extremely easy and is fun to look at!  Unfortunately it's yucky outside and we have only one weak lamp (as the other 3 have been broken in the last year "We just can't have nice things!") and light from the windows so the pictures aren't the greatest...

Here's a close up:


I got this pattern from a book so I'm not sure if you can find it online or not.  I tried searching for it but couldn't find it.  The book I got the pattern from is called "Dealer's Choice" which you can find HERE for the cheapest price.  This has a lot of good patterns in it of which I made this as well:



These are both definitely projects for a little more experienced sewer/quilter than a straight-up beginner.  They also takes a lot of patience!!!  

For the amount of knowledge and experience required to put this together without any frustration I'd rate this a 7 or 8.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Pattern Sale!!!

There is a sale on Simplicity Patterns for $.99 from today until the 10th at JoAnn.  From the 13th till the 15th Butterick patterns will be on sale for $1.99.  Just thought I'd throw that out to the void to anyone who likes patterns, and likes them cheap!

Also Tulle is on sale so you can pick some up to make some tutus!!!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Simplicity 4842 Christmas Stockings

Simplicity Sewing Pattern 4842 Holiday Décor, One Size


So, finally I have time to post something.  This weekend was busy!  I have a couple of things to buy to finish 2 of my latest projects so hopefully those will be coming up in the next couple of days.  Until then I'm going to talk about the stockings I made a year ago.

I never did get a chance to post them before Christmas last year on my regular blog because I was having some serious tonsil issues!!!  I'm excited to show them now because they turned out better than I expected.

I really love this pattern style because they just felt more classy than some of the other stuff available.  There are 3 sizes.  The small ones are actually quite small.  The medium ones are bigger than I anticipated but not nearly as big as the large ones which I would classify as ginormous because of how ridiculously huge the pattern pieces are!  Anyhow, I did the medium size ones.

I think they used cotton on the stockings in the picture and they tell you to get this special jingle bell trim of which I did neither.  I ended up using brocade and some trim that I thought went better with it.  The brocade looks very nice and elegant but I don't recommend it unless you can get it super cheap (it's expensive!) and if you're ok working fabric that unravels VERY easily.  If I can find it cheap enough this year I'm hoping to make a tree skirt to match them but we'll see.  

Over all the pattern was very simple and easy to follow.  I can't remember any instructions that would give anyone trouble and I also plan on using it again to make stockings for additions to the family.

Here is my work which the picture doesn't do justice for:


I haven't decided yet if I'm going to put names or initials on, or if I'm just going to randomly assign one each year.  The first 3 are for the kids and Tekara and the last 2 are for Mom and Dad.

I'm rating this a 2 or 3 on the scale depending on what fabric you decide to use!