Don't Miss This Great Deal

There is a great deal this week at Jo-Ann Fabrics that you really shouldn't miss. It was on the back page of their ad in Sunday's paper. It is a 26-spool box of Gutermann Thread for only $19.99. The normal price is $29.99.

I usually use Coats and Clark or some of the other cheap value thread, but a few weeks ago I decided to try one of the pricier brands just to see if there was really a difference. After trying out some Gutermann thread, I can tell you that there really is a difference between the lower-priced brands and the more expensive ones. 

Here is what the box of thread on special looks like:

Just one spool of this thread normally costs around $2 at Jo-Anns (and even more at other stores), so to get 26 of them for around $20 is a STEAL!! And not only do you get all that thread, in a wide variety of colors, but you also get a nice holder to keep it all in too.

Run to your nearest Jo-Anns before they're all gone!!

Crayon Roll and Matching Tote

I'm still busy sewing stuff for the upcoming craft show. While I was at Jo-Ann's awhile back (my home away from home LOL!) I saw these small tote bags and the idea hit me... why not do an applique on the front and then use the same fabric to make a crayon roll.. and then throw in a coloring book. So that is what I did. Here is how the first one turned out:

The tote bags came in packages of 3 and I bought 2 of them, so I've got 5 more of these to make.

Fabric Trays

I decided to make more of these fabric trays. They are really addictive... once you make one, you really do have to make more. I have been playing around with sizes too. Here is the first one I made according to the instructions:

Once my sister saw it, she wanted me to make her a smaller one that she could put on her desk at work to hold candy. So I made this one 8 X 8:

Once you fold up the sides, it obviously becomes smaller than what you started with. I think I will try 10 X 10 next.

I think these would be soooo cute for Halloween filled up with candy, don't you? I also used Pellon 808 Craft Fuse (found at Jo-Anns) as my fusible fleece. It is very sturdy and really helps to hold the shape. 

I'm making some more of these to sell at the craft show, but of course I am keeping one for myself!   

Blogging Help

I don't know about you, but I am kind of feeling my way blind through Blogger. I've picked up bits and pieces here and there, but I really don't know what I'm doing most of the time!

That's why I'm so grateful when people like Linda over at Craftaholics Anonymous help us newbies out by giving us tips and hints. She has started answering questions people have sent her about blogging and it has been really helpful to me already. I changed my header thanks to her easy-to-follow tutorial. If you're interested, you can find her first post answering questions here.

Sew Much Fun

Yay, I can finally show you all the neat projects I did last week for gifts! The recipients liked everything (at least I hope they did!) and they were all a lot of fun to make.

I made some art for our nephew and his girlfriend, as they have bare walls in their apartment. Found the idea for these here and they were so easy to do.

This "spa art" matches their bathroom colors. His girlfriend liked them so much she said she wants to try to make one herself on a larger canvas for their living room.

Then I decided to try my hand at re-purposing some clothing. I see this all over the blogs and wanted to try it. I made a shirt for myself, then made one as a gift for my SIL Becky for her birthday. Here is me modeling mine:

And here is the one I made for Becky:

You can find the tutorial on how to make this shirt here. I'm all about easy projects, and this is another one!

Becky also wanted a zippered pouch, so here is the one I made with the fabric she chose out of my stash:

Doesn't she have great taste in fabric??

Then while browsing through blogs the other night I came across this tutorial for a fabric basket and immediately made one... it turned out so cute.

Here is a picture of it with stuff in it so you can get an idea of what it will hold:

I gave this to Becky also, since I had made coasters for her out of the same fabrics. You could use this little basket for so many things, and it is a breeze to make. I think I will make some up for the craft show, as I found some cute Halloween fabric at Jo-Anns that I think would be perfect for this project.

Well, back to house cleaning for me... just wanted to share with you all the things I made like I promised! Have a great week everyone.

Anticipation

I finished several more projects that I can't wait to share with you... problem is, all of them are gifts, and the recipients won't get them till this weekend!

I'll have lots to share with you on Monday.  Until then ........

Finished Tag Blanket

I made another tag blanket today. This one I purchased as a kit from a local quilt store. I think it turned out really cute:

Since his nursery colors are blue and brown, one side is brown and the other blue... both are minky fabric. It is soooo soft, but is also a little harder to sew, as it tends to slide around a bit.

I sure hope baby Kael likes it!  I'm so excited that I finally get to see him in person on Saturday... his Momma and Daddy are coming to visit and I can't wait. We will be having everyone over to our house to swim, eat and celebrate all the birthdays etc. in the family this month.

I also finished up some art projects that I did that I will post about later. I am still working on the birthday gifts for my SIL Becky ... will finish those up tomorrow, as I have my sewing class on Friday. Hopefully the jacket I am making in my sewing class will be finished and I can show you pictures of it.

Have a great evening everyone.

More Sewing Projects

I have been keeping myself very busy the last couple of days with all of my sewing projects. Here is just some of what I've done:

Another zippered pouch.. I love how this one turned out! I decided to put my label inside, rather than trying to figure out how to get it exactly where I want it on the outside!!

I found these cute little denim purses at Wally World and embellished them up with appliques and crystals:

What little girl could resist such cute purses with "bling?" I'm hoping these will sell well at the craft show.

This onesie is for our great-nephew Kael. I also made this for his nursery:

I used the tutorial found here. I really love this blog, there are some great tutorials on there (I have a couple more projects of hers on my to-do list).

Kael's Nana, my sister-in-law Becky, asked me to make her a couple of diaper burp cloths for when Kael is visiting, so I whipped these up today. I still need to make his taggy blanket, and sew up something for Becky since her birthday is Friday.

Whew... I'm tired! Think I will call it a night for now.

Crayon Roll - Part Two

I decided to try another one of the crayon rolls tonight, and this one came out just right. The crayons fit in perfectly; not too tight, yet not too loose.

If you're interested in making one, the dimensions I used were 14.5 inches long X 5 inches, and I made each "pocket" for the crayons 7/8 of an inch wide (except of course the end ones to which I added 1/4 inch for seam allowance).

I found the cute dinosaur print in the remnant bin at Wally World.. I always check there, because I usually end up picking up some cute fabric for really cheap.

I've got some other projects to show you, but I'll wait until tomorrow for that! Have a good night everyone.

A Tale of Two Crayon Rolls

I've seen Crayon Rolls all over the internet, and decided they would be a fun item to make for the upcoming craft show.  After searching around looking for a tutorial, I found two that I liked; one was at Skip to My Lou and the other one was at Chocolate on My Cranium (don't ya love that blog name??) 

I started with the one at Chocolate on My Cranium.. it is a good tutorial with clear photos and instructions. However, after making it, I found it was really hard to fit the crayons into the slots ... it was a very tight fit. And if I have trouble, I'm thinking little hands will too. Here is how that one turned out:

 

I really like the crayon fabric I found... so perfect for this project!

I decided to try the one at Skip to My Lou next. It is essentially sewn the same way, the only difference is the dimensions are larger. Therefore, instead of 3/4 of an inch for each pocket, this one has you make them 1 inch.

The crayons fit nicely into the pockets .. no struggle to get them in this time. I just hope that over time they will continue to stay in the pockets and not fly out when opened. I made the ribbon on this one longer, and also used ribbon that was not as wide as the one I used on the other crayon roll... I think I need to go even smaller next time.

I think I'll play around with the dimensions on the next one I make and see if I can come up with something I think will work well. I would also like to try one for the "fatter" crayons they make for smaller children... maybe with a velcro closure instead of a ribbon???

Since all the stores have their back to school items right now, I got crayons for only 25 cents a box at Target. Needless to say, I stocked up!  Now I need to go back to Wally World and get some more of that cute crayon fabric so that I can make some more of these.

Cute Tote Project

I really need to stop reading other blogs... I have enough to do without getting inspired to make new projects!! However, this one was quick and easy, and I love the end result. I was inspired by this post at the Sisters Stuff blog. I used a plain canvas tote that I had on hand and turned it into this:

Didn't it turn out cute? I used some Alexander Henry fabric that I recently purchased at Jo-Ann's.

I think I'll keep this one for myself! Maybe I'll make some for the craft show to sell ... what do you think?

More Projects

I have so many sewing projects lined up that I don't even know where to begin! I've been trying to finish up the reversible tote for the winner of my giveaway over on my other blog, Sunflowerz Crochet, and it is just about finished. Of course I can't just give her the tote... you know I'm making several other goodies as well! Once I know she has received her package, I'll post photos so you can see what all I made her.

As if all the sewing projects weren't enough, I made these:

They are zipper pulls that I am going to put on the little zipper pouches that I make. They don't take long to make and add a really nice touch. 

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement about the placemat pillows - I will definitely be making lots more of those to sell at the craft show, along with my placemat purses, zippered pouches and some crocheted items. The show is in a couple of months, so I really need to get to sewing and crocheting!

Have a wonderful week  :)