Love these checkbook covers and purses!

I'm having a blast with these checkbook covers and purses! Great gift set.

I picked up 2 fat quarters this afternoon when I was getting the snaps. I made one coin purse and 2 checkbook covers, and have some decent sized scraps left. With snap and stabilizer less than $3 per set! I used a medium weight stabilizer on the back and I really like that, it made the checkbook cover, well, more stable. See the post below for links to the tutorials on both. Oh, and it took less than an hour to make both!

So,this set is being sent off in a birthday card.

I LOVE these fabrics. I hope P loves them too.

My goal this year is to remember all my siblings (7!) and nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews(21!). Hmmmmmm wait, that's a LOT. The first niece and nephew birthdays got store bought, but at least they were remembered. Ok, n/n's may not get hand-made, but siblings get hand made.

I have 11 months and 25 birthdays left to go this year! Not to mention various friends, and DH and IL's. I guess 2009 is going to be a crafty year!

Check these out!

I finally found some time to do a bit of sewing last night-and I mean a BIT.

I've been wanting to make these checkbook covers for a while, I think they will make great gifts. I made one for my regular account, and one for my business account to practice, but I think I will make more for gifts. Aren't they great!? Amanda Jean has a great tutorial here:




As she says "they are easy peasy" and they don't use much fabric; you can definately use fabric from your stash or scraps.


Here's one open. I did make it about a 1/4 inch wider than she says in the tutorial, and I made the pockets closer to 3" than the 2.75" she suggests. I found my checkbook flap didn't fit in the pocket otherwise, perhaps my 1/4" seam was too big?

I also made this adorable coin purse-I love this! Split Yarn has the tutorial here:

I found this through the 30 Days site-I love this site-LOTS of ideas!


I made one that matches my checkbook!

I still need to add a snap, I'm going to pick up several when I'm at the fabric store, as I plan to make lots of these. I like this little wallet too, but it is definately much more work.

Christmas present in a pinch

So, I was going to make a really nice wall hanging for my MIL, but Sunday night (YES, the Sunday before Chirstmas-and I had to ship across country) I was unable to find the fabric I needed for it. So, while wandering around JoAnne's I noticed the Holiday Inspirations fabric was on sale for 60% off-woo hoo! I picked up this Christmas panel-for about $3.50, spent another ~$3.50 on white fleece and put this together in about an hour.

MIL LOVES Chirstmas and decorating her house. She leaves her decorations up until March, so she will be able to enjoy it for a few months before it gets put away. I know, how cheap spending $7 and shipping on your MIL for Christmas, but, well, you have to know the family dymanics to know that it's ok. At least we remembered her!

I see I need to find better background for my pictures-geez!

Merry Christmas!

I sent these cute potholder/towel sets to my sibs and a couple of neices this year. I used the Debbie Mumm fabric from JoAnne Fabric-too cute! It wasn't too time consuming, but when you have 7 siblings and 11 adult nieces and nephews-not to mention several friends you'd like to remember, it gets to be too much! I'm going to plan ahead for next year and start sewing early so everyone gets remembered. I ran out and several folks only got a card. Not the end of the world, as we don't really exchange gifts anymore, but I'd like to send a little something along with their cards.

I believe I made 15 sets. I don't know why I thought everyone needed 2 potholders and 2 towels, I guess because that's what the tutorial said! ACK! The dogs chewed up the potholders I made for myself. Little brats. I tried to use some of what I learned about machine quilting, but I couldn't get the tension right and it kept knotting up. In the end I just sewed a cross on each. Much quicker too. I started Thanksgiving weekend, but only made 5 sets then didn't get back to it until a few weeks ago. It was fun though-wish I'd given myself more time.

Check out the tutorial http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/photos/kitchen_set_tutorial/img_1744.html

Crafts for kids website

I saw this great site for craft ideas for the kids. Check it out!

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/

Welders caps

Earlier this spring we stopped by a place where B used to purchase welders caps. We were told the gal quit making them. I looked online but the only way to purchase was with paypal and I have 'issues' with paypal, so I took one apart and created my own pattern. Brian likes them, but they aren't quite the correct size-yet (although he wears them at work every day). If you aren't familiar with welders caps, they are worn under hard hats.

The second picture is the four hats that I made. The blue one is the first one that I made and is far too large. Surprising since B always teases that he is a big-headed B'n. The other two pics are closeups. I love the bug fabric, the other side is the same, only in green. B doesn't seem to mind walking around in a bug cap (apparently he is very comfortable with his masculinity). B requested the Sponge Bob, yes, he's a big fan. So far they are holding together pretty well, I double stitched all the seams. Perhaps I will post a tutorial on how I made them. They go together pretty quickly and you could even just use scraps to make them.

Introduction

I created this blog to share my crafting and the crafting sites I find and like to visit. I love to sew and quilt mostly, but I'm open to all kinds of crafts. Although I'm not too skillful, I try hard, and a lot of love goes in to what I make.

I am working on some Christmas gifts right now but can't share them yet in case my family reads this, it will ruin the surprise! I will share a few things that I did earlier this year.

Welcome!