Quilt Market: And it Begins!

A quick pop in.  Last night my cute friend Di treated me to a quilt market dinner cruise.  I can tell this is going to be one amazing week!

And, I've decided I can't keep all this goodness to myself.  Keep checking back over the weekend and early next week for a few giveaways of quilt patterns, fabric, and just pure sewing bliss.

(PS. I spotted my first sewing celebrities. Kim  Christopherson  aand Kris Thrurgoode, and indentical twin duo who write, design, run a shop, teach on TV (even Rachel Ray!) and more.  And to top it off, they are adorably nice. )

Improve the Shining Moments

I wanted to slow my fevered mind for a moment and take a look at what is making me smile today....

1:  Izzy breadcrumbs.  I can always tell where she has been as she puts her little stamp on the world.  (In this case she created a plate pattern as she unloaded the dishes).

2:  My happy mail from Shon, my sewing buddy via whipstitch.  We traded artist trading cards (ATC) made of fabric. I like that she quilted her card. (I was too lazy).

3: That although I have nothing to wear, and had a mini-come-apart in the dressing room today.... I get to go to Quilt Market!!!!!! What would you call a sewing celebrity?  sewlebrity?  Gah, that is TERRIBLE!

 4: That once I finish my Wild Card project I can start sewing fun summer dresses.  This is first on my list.

5: These two.  And the fact that it is warm enough to make messy blueberry/grape popsicles.

6:  Amazing opportunities to sew, share, and collaborate with these fantastic ladies.

Jenn for including me in this:

 Frances Suzanne for allowing me to contribute to this:

A guest post here: (!)

and a little something here .  TBA A you can see, there is quite a lot making me smile today.  
How about you, what little (or big) things make you smile?

Leaf Sculpture {tutorail}

You will be surprised how quick and fun this project is.  It has a definate wow factor!  Hopefully this tutorial has the information you need, however, feel free to contact me over at greendoodle if you have any questions.

step 1 supplies: plastic sheeting, sand, mortar (we used TradeCraft Pre-mixed Sanded High Strength Mortar Type. S) which is construction grade mortar cement and NOT what you put under your floors).

step 2:  don't forget gloves!

step 3: lay plastic on ground and mound sand on plastic, cover with plastic 

step 4: choose a leaf with deep veins (rhubard is excellent)

step 5: lay leaf on plastic covered sand mound and mold to desired shape

step 6:  keep mounding and patting 

step 7:  mix mortar and water to "thick icing consistency"

step 8: mix, mix, mix, mix - and then mix a little more

step 9: begin building a mortar cake at stem, patting air bubbles out

step 10: continue adding mortar to mound letting it flow outward.  Do NOT cover edge of leaf

step 11:  pat, pat, pat, pat air bubbles

step 12: leave it alone for 3 days to cure

step 11 1/2:  (oops)  leave a trademark stamp on the back.  Doodle, write your name...be creative. 

step 13: after mortar is sufficiently cured, gently remove leaf  

You did it!  Now go place your leaf in your garden and enjoy!  

Another round down

Phew, I made it through another week of SYTYC!  Keep your eye out for a tutorial early next week.

Here's what is left....

Handmade Gifts (we have all submitted our projects, fingers crossed)

Wild Card (only if enough people like my handmade gift submission)

I am so appreciative to Missy for hosting this contest.  I think that this competition has been a shot in the arm for me, just what the doctor ordered.  And thanks a million times to you for taking a few minutes to read, comment, vote, email, etc.  My hope in entering SYTYC was to make friends in the creative world.  I have been happily blown away by kindness!  

Thank you, and 

HAPPY

WEEKEND!!!

--- the girls are going to a dance clinic and a b-day party tomorrow....I can't even imagine the freedom!  Yipee!

What is on your agenda this weekend?

The best {worst} blind date story

When I was in college  my roommate decided that the five girls of N2 needed to broaden our dating pool. She lined each of us up on a group blind date to solve that problem.  Together 10 strangers made and ate pizza, drove 45 minutes to the nearest ice rink, and enthusiastically watched a hockey game (my first game and last).  My friends knew it wasn't my thing, and tried to prepare me for the bloodshed.  I in turn tried to be a good sport.  And I think I was successful until the last minute 46 seconds of the game when out of no where a puck was launched into the bleachers and into my forehead.

Apparently the sound of a puck and a forehead is one to be remembered, however not by me.  The next couple of hours were a blur.  I remember laughing until I realized that I was uninsured, then a few tears.  I begged to not ride in an ambulance but to be carried to the car, however my repeated passing out and the gash in my face entitled me to an expensive ride.

The night included a mini-crush on the EMT (see polaroid), unintentional paper gown opening, uncomfortable consoling from my FRIEND'S date, and a few layers of stitches.  And in time, all was well.

A few weeks later my mom came to cheer me up.  She knew my "fix"- creating.  Together we walked the isles of the craft store filling our cart, only to empty/refill it with a new idea.  We spent hours brainstorming ideas and filling/emptying/refilling our cart.  Cheap-ish therapy.

I tell that story to make a very disjointed point.  That shopping trip is the only time I can remember feeling my brain spin out creatively .  Not my wedding, not remodeling houses, no other time....other than now.  I've got so many projects and ideas that due to deadlines and commitments I flit from one thing to another (and can't share any of it...yet).  For days I've tried to clean off a surface in order to sew, but other responsibilities called louder.

And so I am off to calm my mind and mop the floor I've been trying to tackle for five days now.  Maybe the twins need a nap today?

D.I.Y. Duct Tape Sandals (a tutorial)

This look won round six of SYTYC.  Thanks for your votes! I'm sharing this tutorial over there as well.

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my little turn on the catwalk

We had exactly 4 and 1/2 minutes to take these photos.  I told the girls, pose however you want and we'll get outta here.

This is what I got:

Have a Happy Weekend!

old suit: new bag (a tutorial)

Repurposing a suit coat is a fun way to create a one of a kind handbag.  I chose to make a messenger bag as my laptop has been homeless for quite some time.  If you are new to sewing, I suggest a tote bag.  This is a much more straight forward design, yet has all the elements of the coat.

I saw the bag on the left on the Today Show a while ago.  I think it is gorgeous, and thought it would be a perfect Sunday bag for all my "stuff".  As I tend to be cheap frugal , I filed it away under project to someday make.

There are many generous souls who have created tutorials for your use. Look around, you will be amazed.  I would encourage you to chose a simple pattern, as too many design elements will detract from the suit coat.

Here are a few well written tutorials (there are many more to choose from)

purse:  U Shaped Handle Purse {lgb studio}

tote: Pleated Tote Tutorial the long thread

messenger: Messenger Bag Tutorial crazy little projects

Today, I'd like to focus on suit coat elements (as well as a few tips and hard learned lessons).

First, start with quality.  Check the fiber content of the suit coat your are browsing.  I preferred to use wool, but corduroy, linen, seersucker... all would work. I would shy away from cheap polyester as I don't trust it, but use your best judgement.

 Next, Inspect coat for usable elements.  Is there a pocket you love?  Sleeve detailing?

Dissect suit and lining. Remove interfacing and shoulder pads.  (saving chosen details)

It is unlikely that you can cut all your patterns pieces on a straight grain without piecing.   Originally I planned on using one front pocket for the front flap and having a rounded side.  After I cut the piece, I realized that there were many seams on the bias and the fabric layed wonky.  Pin multiple pieces together to get the look you want.  This way you can create your own fabric. (This etsy shop does a neat job of incorporating many design elements).

Make sure pattern pieces are on a transparent/semi transparent paper.  This way you can see the placing of details before you cut.

Assemble bag according to pattern.

Tips & Tricks:

-Use a very heavy single side fusible interfacing fused to the suit coat.
-If using for a laptop - invest in quality padding.  I used automotive headliner (the stuff in the roof of your car).  It is fairly thin but cushy and sewed like a breeze.
-Repurpose hardware from another bag.  I almost purchased swivel hooks from the fabric store, but they cost $10 a piece.  No thanks.  Instead I took the clips off a Salvation Army bag.  ($2 total).
-I also repurposed the vinyl strap from the same thrifted bag for these photos because I ran out of time for my project submission.  The bag now has a grey wool strap which I like much better.

-I used an old vinyl belt for a closure.  It was easier to sew through than I thought.  I made the mistake of assembling the back of the bag before securing the belt.  On the back and bottom of the bag  the belt is glued using Eileen's OK to Wash Fabric Glue.  Once dry it worked like a champ.

- I always encourage adding an unique label.  These labels I made on my home printer, but  you could stamp, embroider, fabric marker, etc to create your own seal.

And last, have your six year old model your new bag while wearing a suit coat you have already begun to dissect for another project.  (Can you see what's missing?)  

Have fun!

I like a good mullet

This was almost named my new

MULLET BAG

as it is intentionally all business on the outside, but a fabric party on the inside.  

Around a year ago I saw a shop that sold purses made from men's suit coats.  They were beautifully made, but hundreds of dollars. I filed the idea away, with the intention of making a Sunday tote.  This idea translated well into the upcycle theme of SYTYC

Tutorial to come....