Little Layla

Little Layla enjoying the quilt I made for her.  I love to see the happy recipients of my work.

The Eagle Bag

Before the holidays, I picked up some comfy shoes at American Eagle Outfitters.  Said shoes were handed across the counter in a large paper shopping bag.  Since then, I've gotten almost as much use out of the bag as I have the shoes.  It's just the perfect thing for carrying loads of fleece to and from the car.

I liked the bag so much, I had to make one out of fabric, since the paper one won't be holding on too much longer.  I sat down with my paper bag, a measuring tape and did some simple math.  I won't bore you with the details of how my math was off the first time and I ended up making two bags.  Long story short: Here is the Eagle Bag. 

Scoodie madness continues

The last time I cut out the pieces for scoodies, I got a little carried away.

I cut out the pieces I needed, then found some coordinating fabric.

Then I got going and must have kept going.

The result was a stack of scoodies that I finished up today.

Different colors, different combinations.

All around good fun.

I also think I've got a running start on the holidays for 2012.  Woohoo!

Crazy Hats

I got carried away with the fleece and made a hat that looks (sort of) like a certain masked hero.  This little guy was kind enough to pose with the hat and the arm warmers.  Thank you to A and A's Mommy!

Scoodie, scoodie, scoodie. Scoodies everywhere!

I was poking around the interwebs and found something called a Scoodie.  It looked too cute, warm and easy to pass up.  I decided that I needed to come up with a pattern and make one, or two, or ten of these wonderful accessories.  For full directions, I've added a tutorial to the blog.  Just click on the link at the top of the home page under Tutorials to get the whole story.

Oh, yeah, and here is a picture of the Brother sewing machine I picked up at the thrift store for a whopping $13.  (Sadly, the Janome Sew Mini returned to Hancock Fabrics.)

Sewing FAK: Updated!

You must be asking yourself "What is a Sewing FAK?"  It is a Sewing Fly Away Kit.  Something no traveling sewer should be without.  I decided to smash one together today.  I spend entirely too much time away from home to be without some basic tools for maintaining my sanity.  Here is what I've come up with to fill that need.

Basic ingredients:  Sewing machine (I went with the Janome Sew Mini because it was on sale, is very small and weighs in at about five pounds), (UPDATED:  I tried the Sew Mini, I really gave it a chance.  I also decided that it is not the sewing machine for me.  I went to a couple thrift stores until I found a full-size sewing machine), scissors, straight pins, spare bobbins (not strictly required but nice to have), bags to carry it all in and a seam ripper.  When I piled it all up to take a picture I realized what was missing: hand-sewing needles.  I'll have to get those, too.

Expansion pack for the quilter:  Cutting mat, rotary cutter and ruler.  I couldn't pass up these items since I do love rotary cutting. The table is not strictly speaking a requirement, but it could come in very handy depending on the availability of a suitable work surface.

Everything (except the mat, ruler and table) fit into these two cute, little bags.

Cost for basic kit:  $56.28 (not including tax)
Cost for quilter's expansion:  $ 52.07
Folding table:  $14.99
Total cost:  $123.34

I have no idea how much therapy costs, but in my mind I'm getting a deal.