WIP Wrap Up

This weekend, I finally got around to re-focusing on my stalled projects. The summer is always my most productive time because I’m no longer teaching and can dedicate myself whole heartedly to my projects.

As you can see, my chevron blanket has made some nice progress. I’m aiming to finish it in a week. A few weeks ago, I bought found some pretty wooden hearts and, today I painted them in some lovely pastels (Martha Stewart has the best color palette). I have in mind to make some cute hair pins with them. I also made an inventory of all my fabric . . . to my surprise, I’m way overstocked! From here on out, no more binge buying (cross my heart); I’m sewing only with what I have! Sue

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Finishing What I Started: Granny Square Blanket

Rummaging through my closet, I came across my collection of granny squares I had crocheted a couple of years back (over 200 to be exact!). Creating these squares really made me fall in love with crochet, so I thought it was high time to start seaming them together. As I seam the squares, I’m not quite sure why I chose gray as part of the color scheme. Since it was truly my first expedition into the granny square world, I’ll chalk it up to inexperience. ;-P

Surprisingly, seaming up the squares has been quite fast. It’s going to make a great lap blanket; can’t wait. Oh, are you ready for Thanksgiving? I’m excited about getting together with the family! Talk soo! Sue

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Coasting into November!

Although I’m a bit bummed that Halloween is over, I’m still looking forward to Thanksgiving and continuing my fall-themed projects. Today I worked on some pretty fabric coasters. Like my fall pumpkins and garland, I’m sticking to easy sewing projects.

Nothing like instant “craft”ification (sorry, I couldn’t help myself!). I’ve got a lot of fabric scraps leftover, so I’m thinking about a quilted runner. I’ll keep you posted. Sue

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Halloween Weekend: Pumpkins and Garlands

This past Friday, I got to do my favorite Halloween tradition: making a jack-o-lantern. My bf and I save a day before Halloween to carve a pumpkin, bake pumpkin seeds, and enjoy watching a scary movie together.

My bf will do most of the carving and gutting and I take care of designing the face and separating the pumpkin seeds from the gunk.

I love giving my pumpkin a menacing look!

I’ve been also working on a pretty fall-themed garland to decorate my living room. I finally got around to finishing it on Saturday. The leaves are made from crushed velvet and it was project that was pretty easy to sew up. I really love how it came out!

How has your Hallow’s eve weekend been? Parties, crafting, baking, or just hanging out? Sue

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Weekend Project: Fall Pumpkins

Even though South Florida doesn’t have a true fall season, there’s still a shift in temperatures as we slink closer to November. We move away from hurricane season, the days don’t seem so humid and the nights turn cooler. We even get the chance to sport lightweight sweaters and the occasional jacket. I guess you could say that’s our “changing of the leaves.” Nonetheless, I love the autumn colors and enjoy creating some pretty things to decorate the home or gift to friends and family.
This weekend, I made a favorite: fabric pumpkins!. I had collected a variety of fall-inspired fabrics and decided to put them to good use. These pumpkins are quite easy to make and can be handsewn (although using a sewing machine does quicken the pace). I had come across a great tutorial by Daniel Thompson a couple of years back and had made some Christmas-themed ones! If you have time, I definitely suggest whipping some up!

I made a first set . . .

. . . and then another trio

I loved making the crushed velvet pumkins the most. I think I’ll be making a third of just crushed velvet ones. Did I tell you they’re addicting to make? Talk soon, Sue

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Hello All Hallows Eve!

It’s fall . . . it’s mid-October . . . Halloween is right around the corner . . . Yay! I always get excited when October comes. There’s something about the month and the count down to Halloween that makes me reminisce on the days when my mom would ask my sister and I what we wanted to be for Halloween, so she could gather supplies and fabric to sew up our costumes. She’d start right at the beginning of the month and she would show us her progress. I think I love Halloween over any other holiday because of my mom. She would go all out and have my sis and I decorate the house with spooky cats, skeletons, witches. Every year, she’d buy a pumpkin and carve it, letting my sister gut the pumpkin and me insert the candle. She’d light it and we’d place on our front porch and relish the work we’d done. What great memories! Thanks mom!
But I digress, the point of this post, besides sharing a tidbit of my childhood, is to share the wonderful Halloween crafts that I’ve found on Flickr. Here are some great DIYs and inspiring Halloween decor. Enjoy!

pretty Halloween yarn wreath by polkadotbug

cute bats by gleeful things

Halloween bunting by Pretty Ditty

Halloween Luminaries by Gleeful things

sweet little ghosts from MerryMayHandmade

*Note: all pictures are linked to their original authors, just click on the pic for the link!

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“Kitschy” Placemats? Check!

Yay, my placemats are done and as promised here’s a looksy!

Things I learned after making my placemats: have fun with eye-popping patterns; accept the slip-ups and imperfections of your sewing (nothing is perfect); and short cuts are okay (I bought pre-made bias tape instead of making my own). Talk soon, Sue

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Finished Projects

Yay! I’m so happy that I completed these two projects: one was personal and the other a gift.

I made 4 burp cloths, 2 blankies, and a swaddling blanket for my friend’s baby shower.

My favorite out the baby shower gifts are the burp cloths. I really like how they came out.

My Poe embroidery using a simple back stitch. JIC, the quote reads “deep into that darkness peering” from his poem The Raven.

I decided to make the neck tie the focal point and used bright-colored thread to make it pop; the rest was outlined using black embroidery thread.

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DIY Roll Call: Picnic Time!

Picnics are a great way to relish the summer. They’re definitely meant to celebrate sunny days! One thing I’ve realized is that the key to a successful picnic is good planning. That means you’ve your blanket and picnic-happy supplies present and accounted for. With that in mind, I’ve discovered some terrific and easy how-tos on sewing up your own picnic wonderland. From making your own blanket to storing your utensils, it’s all here, so enjoy!  

**Patchwork Picnic Blanket from Centsational Girl

** Picnic Basket Revamp from Ever Kelly

** Picnic Basket Lining from Smile and Wave

** Picnic Bowl Cover Strap from maya*made

** Napkin/Flatware Rolls from Make It Do

Talk soon! Sue

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DIY Roll Call: Polaroid-Themed

I really love Polaroids. I still have the Polaroid camera that my dad got for my sister and me back in the 80s. It still works, but I haven’t come across film that’s within my budget (it’s quite expensive). Nonetheless, Polaroids are quite popular and there are troves of Polaroid-inspired DIYs across the web. Here are some fun and cute polaroid-themed ideas that you can try:

** Tiny Polaroid Magnets from Ambrosia Girl

**Polaroid frame from The Spotted Fox

**Polaroid Post-it Notes from Punk Projects

**Fabric Polaroids from LDC Designs

** Polaroid Garland from Birds of a Feather Girls

I’m really digging the Polaroid magnets. Do you have any interesting Polaroid DIYs? Let me know! Sue

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