Hey! It fits! YEAH!

I just happened to have a bit of matching thread and a needle and so I went into action. There was . . . → Read More: Yesterday..]]> A funny thing happened on the way to the softball game. I noticed that Brian had blown a seam in the underarm of his t-shirt. Well, I couldn’t have that now could I ?

I just happened to have a bit of matching thread and a needle and so I went into action. There was only one problem. He was driving. But hey, he was game so I went to work. Of we went driving down the road, him with his arm up in the air, me stitching away.

I don’t know what the people in the other cars thought but hey, I finished just in time for him to be presentable when he arrived at the ball field!

All’s well that ends well!

A little burp cloth for my new niece! I am finally getting a package out to her with a couple things! eek.. what a bad auntie! She is only like two months old now!!

Anyway . . . → Read More: Sewing Stuff on Sunday!]]> I just got a little bit of the sewing bug yesterday! Reverse appliqué with some recycled t shirts!

A little burp cloth for my new niece! I am finally getting a package out to her with a couple things! eek.. what a bad auntie! She is only like two months old now!!

Anyway I was inspired by this and this. Go check them out if you want to see some really GOOD appliqué!!

Oh.. and who knew that Glad Press n’ Seal was a sewists best friend? Did you? Were you holding out on me? eh?

Don’t throw them out! Turn them into some great bags!!!

 Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags by Faith and Justina Blakeney is a . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Fun Upcycled Bags!]]> Got an umbrella with a broken handle? A pair of pants with a hole in the knee?  An old out of style suit? A bunch of plastic shopping bags?

Don’t throw them out! Turn them into some great bags!!!

 Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags by Faith and Justina Blakeney is a fun book full of great recycling and upcyling ideas to make bags out of just about anything!

The directions are clear and easy to follow. They have included a lot of great illustrations to help with constructing the bags!

Peppered throughout this book are bio’s of other bag designers who use interesting recycled materials to create designer bags!

Overall this is a terrific book. If you are interested in making neat unique bags you will love it!

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Since then I have definitely followed her blog and chatted it . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Kanzashi is Blooming all Over my House!]]> First let me say, I ‘know’ the author of the book today..  Diane Gilleland, fondly known as Sister Diane. At least we have had an ongoing online friendship since she interviewed Isela and I a couple years ago for her podcast! (what fun!)

Since then I have definitely followed her blog and chatted it up with her here and there on Twitter and etc!

So I am especially excited to have a copy of her new book!! (since she has finally caught up with me ya know..)

Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give  is a stunningly beautiful book!!

These flowers look so beautiful and intricate!  They look difficult to make, but that is totally not the case!

A few folds, a few snips, and a few stitches throw in a little hot glue action and you have yourself a beautiful flower!

See:

Diane includes some very clear written directions for making the flowers and projects. Along with the written directions are terrific photos of each step, reminiscent of the Japanese craft book style!

All in all this is one book that I would highly recommend! It is certainly staying on my shelf! Sorry!! There are only two improvements I would make.. Make this craft less addicting!! Grr, can’t do it. Make the book spiral bound.. hmm.. I might be able to do that.. (they do that at Kinkos right?)

I did make a special flower to give away.

The stray Pinewood Derby wheel was in my button box! And being the mother of boys, naturally I had a little bit of checkered flag fabric hanging about.. so.. that is how this pin came to be.

If you would like to win it, for yourself, or for someone else, leave me a comment on this post telling what color flowers you would make !! I will draw a winner on Monday after noon!

For now, I goofed off at the sewing machine this afternoon, and this is what resulted:

I think that the sewing machine and I have finally come to an understanding. I want it to work well for me, and it in turn is!

This little toy is going to be dropped at an undisclosed location, as a Toy Society toy drop. This is my fourth toy drop.  So far, even though I only know of one toy being found for sure, it’s been fun!

I enjoy making these little toys, it gets me and my sewing machine and I cooperating and hopefully brings a little joy to someone out there!