Sunday, June 27, 2010

Frog Tooth Fairy Pillow

The idea to make some tooth fairy pillows started with my youngest's soccer team. Specifically one of the kids' mom. I made a few in my own themes first to show her so she could get an idea of what they looked like. And for me to get an idea of how to make them.

The other week she contacted me with a theme idea. Frogs. I was not able to start it right off because of all the kitchen redoing. It is done now.

It started with these pieces:


I think they translated well to the actual pillow. All the small pieces were a tad difficult to handle, but it all worked out in the end.


And the backside is a lily pad and flower. Not a floral pizza missing a slice like my hubby first guessed. And yes, it is a similar shape, but I modeled it after an actual lily pad. Not the rounded cartoon version that is often in kids books.

I really like the way the flower turned out. And the opening in the pad is larger enough for a folded dollar bill. Possibly even a gift card. I'll have to try that to see if it would work.

I still have that list I made a while back of theme ideas. The next few weeks will be in a bit of upheaval while the walls get painted & the new floor gets put down. So hand sewing monsters and cutting out pillow themes will be the most "sewing" I will most likely get around to actually accomplishing. But it will be a good accomplishing :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

I Hate Sewing Silky

Okay, I started my clothes sewing with the material I dislike the most. Why? I don't really remember anymore. Maybe to get the ickiest out of the way first.

I have the gather gathered & many of the hems hemmed. But poorly, It is just so slippy. And ironing the hems just does not do much. Anyone work with this stuff that may have a pointer or two?

This is what it looks like currently....before I set it aside for some tooth fairy pillows.

Still looks like it did when I first cut out the pieces. Unless you look close, then you can see the poor excuse for hems.

I won't let it discourage me from continuing with the clothes. I hope to get rolling a bit more on them next week. Unless I wind up prepping for paint. At least for the kitchen since the countertops will be ready soon. I find out later today when the floors can get started on. I hope. *crosses fingers*

Monday, June 21, 2010

Fruity Oaty Girls Painted

I finally finally FINALLY finished the pillow. This took me forever. Not the actually doing, but the getting to. I am glad I decided to add the paint. It gives it the pop of color it was lacking.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Vampy Cat



My son finally got his Vampy Cat. I can't even remember how long ago he started asking for it. No idea what a Vampy Cat is? Well, he's another Whedonverse character. In Season 8 Buffy (the comics) he appeared all cute and cuddly.

Little brother picked out the material since big bro did not want to go to the fabric store. I can't imagine why. Who doesn't love the fabric store? Anyway...we went with a fuzzy felt for the body, embroidery for the nose-mouth-fang details, felt for the eyes and black stretchy cotton/poplin for the vest and cape.


And then, of course...they attack....

My youngest wants me to make this attack version of Vampy Cat for him. But with removable brain for his soon-to-be zombie teddy bear to eat. Um...I think I created a couple of monster/zombie/comic/sci-fi geeks. I couldn't be more proud *sniff*

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Monsters in Progress

As always, I have more than one thing I am working on. I talked about the clothes I am making for myself...most of which are now cut. Woo hoo for me :) But I also have the monster mayhem thing going on.

The monsters are great because they are hand sewn. So when the day is ending, the littlest is in bed and the others are off doing there own thing - I can veg to the tv and stitch on the couch.
This one eyed creature is a tad psychedelic. I just love the colors. I got a grab bag of goodies from Sol Sisters a while back & am finally making use of it. The majority of the bag will be used for a mixed media piece or art quilt, but this piece just said "monster".

And then there is Squidy...which actually does better resemble a jellyfish like my youngest said. All he needs is some fluff 'n stuff.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Up Next - Clothes...for me!

I need to change things up a bit. This summer is going to be difficult creative-wise. With the little guy home and naps out the window, time to sew went ppfffhhhttt. I still have a long list of what I want to make - pillows, quilts, runners, coasters, backpacks, fancy clutches, fabric baskets...see, just a few - but the list is going to move verryyy ssslllooowwwwwlllyyy.

So what do I do? Throw on something else :P Sounds weird, but they are for me, so no time limits. I was spurred on when I had to go shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding. Nothing fits well. Which also spurred on a better focus on losing weight - but I won't get into that here. That will be for my other blog.

I went shopping last weekend and picked up some apparel fabric. I have tons of fabric, but not for clothes. Some of these prints are rather wild, but fun. Everything was on sale so if I goof up, it's not a big loss. This is the fabric goodness:

I am starting with the purple and mustard silky print on the center bottom of the pic above for the A top below - the sleeveless green in the lower right...

Monday, June 7, 2010

Brown Daisy Wristlet Duo

I took my sewing machine in for a tune up and to fix some minor concerns last Friday. Firstly - the shop I took it to rocks! It was done that same day. Now I know that it was part luck, but he also did a fab job. So, many thanks to Dan at Clawson Vacuum & Sew!
Now onto the goods...

I wanted to make something before I took the machine in. The last time I had a tune up (at some other place) it took over 2 weeks. Ugh. So I finished off more some grocery totes for myself and a wristlet I had sitting around. I didn't forget about it. Really. It was just under some other things. It never left my mind. Honest. *cough* What? You don't believe me? Me neither :P But I did finish it. Rather quickly too.I decided to have some fun and embellish the front with some brown duck cloth I used for the lining. There were a couple strips cut & sitting with the rest of the material. It had been so long that I am not sure what it was supposed to be. But it worked like this :)


It even has a little buddy to match.

Maybe I need to take my machine in more. Gets my rear in gear.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

A New Bag...For Me!

I don't make as many things for myself anymore. So when I sat down to my machine the other day, I decided it was time.
I had one embroidered piece that was a bit small for a large messenger bag or pillow. The fabric piece it was on was quite large since I was not sure what I was going to create. I decided on a bag for myself. I have had the pieces cut for a while now, but kept putting it off to make stuff for other people.I have a new idea for a tab closure that incorporates an area for holding credit cards...okay, it's not "new" new, but it is for me to make. The front of my bag was kind of a trial run for a card holder design. It sort of worked. I left this one kind of raw on the edges...a look I tend to prefer. Which is a good thing since this bag was made sans pattern & had many portions that needed tweaking. And I like the resulting look...but I do know that if I make this for others I will have to do without the visible contrast stitching & patched in piecing.

The inside has a back wall zippered pocket, which I have not yet even used :P A clasp hanging on the side for my keys...this does get used. Always easy to retrieve my keys now. And there is a diving wall to, well, divide my stuff. I like to put my receipts, coupons & notepad in the front.

I had some fun with the flap closure. My messenger bags have the typical clasp & D-ring. This one just called out "key" to me. I have a few old keys around for other project ideas & decided to use one. If I make this again, I will make the strap portion thinner or at least slipperier so it is easier to slide through.