Amy Butler Sling

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We did. We took full advantage of our last weekend before everything starts up again. Skating outside on a beautiful community rink, lots of sledding, and even an afternoon of cross-country skiing. And I even had some time to sew. My husband has been so helpful lately in giving me chunks of time to just sew. And the kids are getting some quality time with their dad. What could be better?

Don't you love that hint of orange peaking through?

Today I am happy because I finally made and mailed an Amy Butler Birdie Sling that has been on my to do list for way, way too long. Like 2 years too long. The back story is that my mom's friend bought me the pattern and asked me to make one for her. This same friend knits gorgeous socks and sweaters for my kids. I will often go to the mailbox and find 2 or 3 pairs of hand knit socks waiting for me. So I felt a ton of pressure. That put me back 6 months.

Then I had to choose some fabric. I know what I like, but I have so much trouble choosing for someone else. That part delayed me for at least a year. I finally settled on some Amy Butler Love for the main and handle, and a fun orange kona solid (sorry I forget the name) for the inside.

I know everyone and their dog has made a Birdie Sling, but it has always intimidated me. I made her Nappy Bag a few years ago, and to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. But when my mom was visiting at Christmas time (read: entertaining all three kids), I managed to cut out all of the fabric, interfacing and fusible fleece. That was the hardest part. Then after she left, I just had to sew it together. And to be honest, it went together pretty well.

AB Birdie Sling made with AB Love fabric

The only part I'm not thrilled with is the final top-stitching on the top edge of the bag (notice there is no close up picture). I had a heck of time getting it nice and straight. And I probably should have taken it out and tried again, but I was just so happy that it was done, that I didn't bother. And I didn't want to risk another 6 months. Hopefully she doesn't look too close.

So the final verdict on this pattern is a thumbs up. I like the size of the bag, and the round shape and pleats make it quite stylish. I didn't love the top stitching, but I think if I use thinner fusible interfacing it will go better next time. Next time? Yup, I think I'll make another. Hopefully it won't take me 2 years to make!

My Stocking and a WIP

I had a couple of questions from my last post about my own stocking since it wasn`t hanging from the mantle. I`ve had the same stocking since I was a baby, and it`s looking a little bit rough. But I`m sentimental. So I`m keeping it.

Yup, I really was called Barbie as a kid.

And here is another homemade Christmas present in the works. My daughter asked for a Oliver + S messenger bag. Then she found my stash of Amy Butler Love FQs. I`m having so much fun on this one,  and since I only had FQs, it will be a scrappy bag. I`m just waiting to pick up some strap hardware before I can go any further.

What are you working on

Mama's got a new bag....and online shopping oops!

Do you ever find that you have so many things that you want to blog about that you just don't write about any of them? That's the way I've been feeling for the last week....so apologies in advance for a rambling post....

First...my sweet friend, Darci, was kind enough to feature me in her Sewer's Interview Series last week. If you didn't get a chance to see her post, pop over, say hello and you can read all about yours truly. Thanks Darci!

Second, I finally made myself a new purse. You know how it goes, right? The cobbler's kids don't have any shoes...well this sewer had a purse that was literally falling apart.

My new purse...Pattern is Mini Miranda from Lazy Girl Designs.

I used fabric from my stash (my 4-year old picked out the Hope Valley...she's got good taste), and I used my favourite Amy Butler Full Moon Dot for the lining, and a linen cotton blend for the contrast. Pattern is Mini Miranda Bag from Lazy Girl Designs. I love it.

Third, good news and bad news about online shopping. Good news first. There is a fabulous new online shop located right here in Northern BC. It is so wonderful to have a shop close by that has yummy modern fabrics. (Sherbet Pips, anyone? And yes, I did buy a couple of charm packs last month and the Jelly Roll is calling my name).

New Fabrics from Fishskin Fabrics

Bad news?!? Impulse shopping with a pregnancy brain. I placed an order last week and it arrived in 2 days. (Okay, I'm still in shock about the fast shipping. Anything from the US takes literally weeks to get up here).

But unfortunately, I ordered 4 metres of Kona Snow when I really wanted Kona white, and my impulse Kate Spain purchases are not the colours I expected. I was looking for gray, aqua and yellow and I got brown, green and acid green. Oops. I wish I had just filled my cart with the Sherbet Pips yardage she has in stock. Do you ever have online shopping regrets?

Anyway, if anyone wants to swap any of the Kate Spain below I'm interested. I'm up for offers...I have a half metre of both in the photo below.

Kate Spain Central Park and Fandago (1/2 metres) up for swap.

And finally, in pregnancy news...I have 3 weeks to go, 1 quilt retreat this weekend, 1 baby quilt to finish quilting and bind, and 1 Moses Basket to finish recovering. Do you think I'll make it?

Home Made Christmas: Part One

I tried my best this year to make as many homemade gifts as possible. Here are a couple of them:

A car cozy for my godson:

I used this tutorial with a few simple changes. I put an "S" for his name on the outside, and instead of ties, I added small tag and velcro for the closure. I also used a scrap of fusible fleece and quilting weight fabric instead of denim and canvas.

This is a fun, fast project. And judging by how much my own kids played with it before I got it wrapped, it's a hit with kids.

I also made a quick tote bag for my mom. She saw a bag she liked in Patchwork Style by Suzuko Koseki and this is my interpretation of it. (I'd already returned the book to the library...)

 I love the combination of grey, black, white and aqua. Okay, I love anything with aqua in it!

I have a few other things to show you over the next couple of days. Enjoy the holiday season.

A few handmade gifts....

My mom was here last week and it gave me a chance to make a couple of handmade gifts while she played with the kids. (Thank you, Mom!)

I found this great tutorial through flickr and I made two cute box tote bags. The first one is for my cousin's birthday. She loves green so I chose a sweet Nicey Jane print. The tote is fully lined (I used a Kaffe Fassed Aboriginal Dot) and it is a perfect size for pencils, bath stuff, etc.

The second is for one of my dearest friends. She is a vet and an equestrian so I dived into my HR stash for her little bag. It is lined with a cute Michael Miller flower/paisley print. I filled it with some lovelies from the Body Shop and mailed it a full 2 weeks before her birthday. That in itself is a miracle...I am always late with birthday presents. Especially homemade ones.

And finally, my mom arrived at my house with her knitting in a plastic bag. I couldn't let that stand. She asked for aqua and red and I threw in a whole bunch of pink (because I seem to have a bunch of pink scraps) and made a quick drawstring bag. (I used the principles from this tutorial and just made the bag with scraps and a bit bigger).

Side 1:

Side 2:

I've also finished up my pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap but the pictures I took this afternoon are horrible. (Singing, "All I want for Christmas is a fancy camera....") I'll try to get some new photos tomorrow with better light and I'll show them to you asap.

Have a great weekend!

Last Minute Halloween Treak or Treat Bags

I decided at the last minute on Saturday that my kids needed home-made trick or treat bags. Needed. So bought my very first Halloween fabric, and worked late into the night.

 

I used this tutorial as my inspiration and added a few inches to both sides to make them a bit bigger. I want these bags to last a few years. I also referred to this tutorial for basic bag making instructions. I used some images from Clip-Art for my applique templates.

A pumpkin for my son:

 And a bat for my daughter:

These were so quick and easy and I was so happy that my kids didn't have to use pillowcases for trick or treating. Now I just have to start making home-made costumes!

Nothing like a deadline to make me finish a quilt!

I finally got the last of the buttons sewed on my little doll quilt this morning. Of course, today is the deadline to ship internationally, and I am going to make it, whew. (So there is a little hint...this quilt is not going to Canada).

I meant to get it finished yesterday but after pricking three tiny little holes in three of my fingers while sewing buttons, I thought I should take a bit of a break before finishing. Perhaps I should use a thimble???

This little quilt gave me lots of troubles. I designed it with borders because I thought Cathedral Windows were tricky, but it turns out that actually, it was the math for the borders that gave me the most trouble. And then a terrible ironing incident (imagine brown yucky water spewing out all over my beautiful pristine white fabric) caused some of the reds to bleed. Thankfully the kind folks on flickr helped to solve the problem...I just picked out the offending piece and sewed in a new one. Why couldn't I think of that???

Overall, I am pretty happy with this quilt. Again, I am hoping the Flea Market Fancy Effect will prevent my partner from looking at the flaws. Like the fact that the borders are not square (at all) and there is still a bit of bleeding in one of the yellow bouquet windows.

Here is the back of the quilt. As you can see the middle square isn't quilted...I had planned to bring the thread through from the buttons to have a tied effect, but it just looked funny. I'm assuming my partner won't want to wash it so I hope it is okay. You understand, right partner???

I also made my partner a little bag from a tutorial over at Pink Penguin. Isn't it cute? I love free tutorials....

I am so thankful that I finished this quilt (and in time for the mailing deadline no less). Now I can just sit back and wait for my own package. I love this swap!

A Quick Tote Bag...

I've been working madly on my Doll Quilt, but I managed to whip up this quick tote bag this weekend. My mom is coming today for a week (I am so excited) and her friend is picking her up on Friday for a road trip. My mom's friend makes my kids the most beautiful hand knitted socks...and not just one or two...I get packages in the mail all of the time with a couple of pairs each. They are gorgeous (yes, I am jealous of my kids' socks). So I owe her. Big time.

I thought a nice bag, filled with some goodies would be a good start at saying thank you. I used this great tutorial over on Moda Bake Shop. But as you can see, I used scraps instead of a charm pack.

I'm also really working on getting projects completed...I had a great message from Rebecca about setting small goals, deadlines and keeping track. Rebecca just had a baby girl so pop over and say congratulations. And while you are there check out her fabulous sleep sack. I love it!

I also made some yummy jam...I ran out of raspberries so I added some blueberries and it is a refreshing change from plain old raspberry. Isn't wonderful when things work out even though they are different than your original plan?

Have a wonderful Monday. I'll be back soon with photos of my finished Doll Quilt.

One last finish...

I made one last project for 2009 - another Phoebe Bag from artsy-crafty-babe, Rebeka Lambert. I made it for a friend for a trade. And I got a guitar! Yup, pretty good trade, eh? I LOVE the barter system. Anyway, she asked for brown and cream and I decided to put a cute little flower on it.Happy New Year Everyone! I'm hoping to bring in 2010 at my sewing machine. No exciting plans but I'm secretly excited to just spend some time sewing. We spent the afternoon X-Country skiing around our field. A perfect day!

Look for a 2010 Giveaway soon!

Barb

Birthday Bag

My husband was away for work last night, so I stayed up late making this bag for my cousin's birthday. It isn't really a practical gift since she has a 7 month old and has to bring diapers (and wipes, diaper cream, arrowroot crackers, fishy crackers, 6 cars, 2 books, well, you get the idea) everywhere she goes. But I didn't feel like making a practical gift, I'm always practical...I used a great pattern from Rebeka Lambert, artsy-crafty babe, that I found at Sew, Mama, Sew. I haven't made too many bags in my life, so I was pretty happy with how this came together. Fabric is Flights of Fancy by Paula Prass.There are a few puckers around the inside of the bag, but since the outside is flat, I can live with a few puckers. It is homemade, after all.

And what does our black lab, Trooper, have to do with pretty hand bags??? Nothing, but I couldn't resist adding a photo. We love that dog!
Sew, Mama, Sew announced their Give-away Day for December 2. Any ideas what I should give away? Fabric? Something homemade? I'd love some ideas! Something easy, but also something that people will want....

Friendship Bag Swap

I participated in the Quilting Gallery's Friendship Bag Swap a while back and received an absolutely lovely bag from Kris at Quilted Simple. I adore the fabrics, the colours, and the fact that she made it just for me!She included some fabulous goodies too. Charm squares by Robyn Pandolph which are so soft and sweet they will be perfect for a baby quilt. And a sweet cat applique- my daugter has claimed the lovely pink sequins for herself. And some pins. A girl can never have enough pins.

Thanks so much Kris. I'm really looking forward to reading Kris' blog...she lives on 20 acres and grows most of her own food. I'm so inspired....