Blah

Catchy title huh?
Anyway it pretty much sums up how I have felt the past few days. I haven't been around much this past week because I've been sick and my usual blog time has been spent blog shopping. Yes it's true, after 3 years at this blog I've decided to relocate. I started this blog because of my online stores but now that I am not selling online (or offline sadly) I can't justify paying the blog fee here.
I've setup a couple mock blogs on WP & Blogger and am checking them both out to see which one works best for me. I'll post whichever one I am going to go with when I officially move over. I've still got a few months though here so I'm not rushing. :)

In the meantime, I got some new patterns!!!

And went to this wonderful little fabric store for some more voile.




Garment sewing is quite addicting. I have already started on a new top but since I got sick I haven't felt like sewing lately.
Maybe later this week I can get back on it.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. :)

 

3:52 {Kwik Sew Top}

 Everyone kept saying "baby steps Staci" start with something easy like a skirt....
As some of you know though I'm rebellious and had to kick off my garment sewing with darts, gathers, ties, and other stuff I can't even remember.


I have had this Kwik Sew 3376 pattern for a while now and decided to dive in feet first and whip it up.
It didn't turn out too bad and really wasn't hard to sew. The end product just needs some tweaking, although I'm not sure how to go about it yet.


I think once I learn more garment techniques I will be able to fix the funky bust gathers.
For right now though I think it looks best hanging up.
Here is a photo of it in use for any of you curious people. Please excuse the mess in the background and fogged up mirror. I'll replace this photo once I get a remote for my camera...

You can also see my full review on Pattern Review here.

:)

Twinkle Sews

As some of you know I am embarking on a new adventure into sewing clothes. I have been wanting this book for about a year now because there are some cute tops I wanted to wear out of it. I've put off getting it though since I can't even sew a simple skirt. Last month however, I finally broke down and purchased it and can't wait to get started.
 I figured I would start off with a skirt since everyone I've talked to said skirts are the best thing to start with when sewing clothes.
This is the one:
 

Even though I hate the thought of wasting my time I plan on making it out of muslin first since I don't really know about the sizing and such. Then *fingers crossed* if it turns out okay I can move to my special fabric I bought for it. If anyone has been thinking of purchasing this book it has some really cute patterns in it. Here are a couple I really like.
 


More photos here.
I think my only problem with the book is that the patterns are a pain! They are on a CD and I spent all day yesterday printing out the pages, taping, and cutting just two of them. Some of the patterns are over 40 pages too (those I skipped and will go to Kinko's to save my ink). Has anyone purchased any online downloadable clothing patterns? I am guessing those might be the same way and I really love Jennifer's tunic.and other patterns.


As long as the skirt comes out wearable though I think the time and effort for these patterns will be worth it. Since we are under a winter storm warning I'll probably be out of work tomorrow and can hopefully finish this skirt up and move on to a top for next weekend!
Be back soon with hopefully something good

Ruby & Ty

It has finally arrived!!! I had almost all of the prints in my cart at one point but when I went to get some fabric from a different collection half of the Ruby Star Rising prints I had sold out! Hopefully there will be another batch ordered or I'll find another shop with some.

Still I got 5 prints and love them all so I guess I can't complain. Does anyone else have any prints from this collection? It's nice quality and I can't decide what to make with it...



I think out of the ones I purchased the cups/teapots on gray is my favorite. :}

I also got 3 prints out of Ty's line and after seeing it in person am going to get some more for a quilt. I really love the colors and it will feel good to make something not pink for a change.


I can't wait until the weekend to start sewing with these new lines.
:)

 

 

Bliss Kindle Cozy

I have been enjoying all my time off work during the holidays and have spent most of it hidden in my loft sewing.
I broke out my Bliss candy bar pack and created a Kindle cozy for my new mini Kindle.


15 candy bar strips can create the perfect outside for the little Kindle's
and it was fun creating the layout and which prints to use.

Of course there would be some free motion stitching involved since that's all I seem to do anymore.  :)


If I had any more of this fabric I would most definitely try making a quilt because the colors are wonderful.

I did end up cutting about an inch off the bottom to give it a snug fit and added a little elastic hair band and button for security.


Overall I love how this project came out and it's the perfect size to tuck in my purse for work. Plus with the batting and the soft lining I feel like it will be protected.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Years Day!

Christmas Coffee Cozy

 
Soooo someone pressed the cheap button at work and the new coffee cups are so thin they burn your hands. Honestly, I am not even sure if they are actual coffee cups but we have 3 cases of them so I will have to make do.

As the hot chocolate from Friday afternoon scalded my palm I remembered Terri's coffee cup cozy post and had the "ah-ha" moment. I could fix this little problem of mine and have gifts for the co-workers I like. It was perfect...well..almost.

I ran out of red thread and since the place I buy my thread is an hour and a half away I ended up having to scrounge around for this sad little spool.


I did some free motion which I have been practicing on (it's a lot harder than it looks...at least to me) and realized I didn't have any green thread either. Sigh.

Still, all in all I think the cozy turned out great. I already have a couple more done and then my mom wants one now as well.

I have many other projects and gifts I need to get started on but I keep having all these problems this week...like an ear-ache, sinus infection, a pinched nerve in my neck (which is killing me when I'm cutting fabric), things like that. Unfortunately since we only have a couple more weekends until Christmas I'll just have to keep sewing and hope I don't keel over before the holidays.

How are your handmade Christmas gifts coming along???

MHRSN2VMMMMP

Times Square Pouch

Well, I've been missing in action again around here and Flickr but life's gotten a little out of hand.
Next week is my NYC trip to visit my brother and I decided I needed a cute little pouch to tote around while I'm shopping and walking....lots of walking.


I used a City Weekend candy bar and made a little patchwork piece for the outside.
I used 5 regular strips and cut 3 in half.


A lot of people aren't fond of City Weekend and although the pinks are a little too muted for my taste, I think if you get the right combination it will look pretty.


Look at the dotty goodness...what is wrong with you people that dislike this line????
Just kidding.  :)




So there is the finished product. It has a long thin strap and is just big enough for my cards, chap-stick, and cell phone. I am really pleased with how it came out and see more being produced in the future...possibly for my shop....
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I am working on a major de-stash in my loft. I have a new project in my mind but don't want to say anything about it yet because with my luck it won't happen if I do. :)

Practice Piece

 
I grabbed some scraps and decided to practice some more free motion quilting and even some applique and ended up with this.

Not sure what I would even call this...a cheesy art quilt?
 I am going to bind it later this week and see if I can figure out what to do with it.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

It's Craft Week!!!

 

 Have you been getting your craft on?
Today I took out my darning foot to play a little before the free motion course starts. I really had fun although was a little clumsy at first.

I ended up making a cute little pouch that will be perfect for holding some fat quarters of fabric in for a swap partner. I hope she likes it.
 
I am going to try and do something creative every day this week in honor of American craft week.
Check out this site and see if there is anything creative going on in your home town and make something! :)

 

Pleated Fall Bag

Whew. I finally finished my fall bag. It took a couple of days and a lot of tweaking but it's finally complete.

I was supposed to be doing a post of I guess a tutorial of sorts on this bag for a friend but since there was so much editing as I went I'll just post some photos and come back and put directions later. I need to make another one of these first with my notes and make sure it comes out alright before I even attempt to explain it to someone else. :)

Piece
Press

Pleat

The three P's went smoothly until it was time to attach the top to the pleated part.
I won't get into the details but I ended up cutting some excess fabric and actually ended up with a semi-decent bag. I'll go into more detail of this bags creation soon. Maybe a couple weeks. (I'll let you know when I edit it Amy).


I am beginning to grow quite fond of pleats.

On another note I am signing up for Danita's Free Motion workshop. I can't wait!
I am really looking forward to all the Creative Lab classes that are coming. It looks like a fiber arts one is in the works. Of course between that and my art classes I am going to have to choose my favorites. I don't think my bank can afford them all.

Until next time friends. Sigh, Monday......