Halloween costume.

So, for the first time in a long time I dressed up for Halloween this year. And of course I could not do anything simple, I had to do something sewing based. I called myself the "Pixelated woman". I don't have a final shot of it, but it turned out OK. I even had make up to try to make my face look pixelated.

This concept was something I found online, but it was much harder to execute than I thought it would be. I did have fun with it, but it took forever, and not everyone "got" it. :)

Anyway, this project took up a lot of the fall, so I thought it was worth noting here.

Book bag for 2011

So I got more than one cool gift this year! Along with my sewing machine I also got a Kindle. And although I got a nice hardback green case for it, I started thinking about ways to protect it. And as I realized how often I was going to want it with me, I began to think that a carrying bag was a good idea. I also got myself a planner (purple!) and a journal (orange) for the new year, both in the same size as my Kindle.

So the logical conclusion was to design a bag that could hold all three...and of couse one custom made to match the books I would be putting into it!!

So I just went through the scraps I had in my leftovers bag. And sure enough, I had some great options. So I quickly put together the exterior.

But I did not want to just have a thin cloth bag. I wanted a little more strength and lining. so I decided to line it in jean fabric and to add two pockets by using the back pockets of the jeans I used. So inside the bag I have two very sturdy pockets that were totally pre-made. Talk about up-cycling! It turned out so cool on the inside. I keep a pen and pencil in the pocket, and I have not had them fall out yet.

I then sewed a button at the top and sewed a hair band into the other side. To close it I just loop the band around the button. Works great.

So I have been carrying my journal, planner and Kindle in this bag. And I really like it. Matchy Matchy-ness makes me happy. :) I think it is great. If you want one, let me know and I will make you one...in whatever colors you need for your books.

New machine, new quilt, just for my Mom Rani

I have so many quilts to blog about from the past 6 months! but due to the limitations of what pics I have available, I am going to start with the most recent and work backward!

So for Christmas this year I got a beautiful new sewing machine! Oh, how technology has changed in the 12-15 years since I got my reliable little White (pictured)! The machine needs a post of its own, but I wanted to show the first quilt that I have made on it, from piecing to quilting to binding.

The machine was a gift from my Mom in law, and she let me pick it out, which was so fun. I have never done so much research! So I wanted my first project to be for her.

Funny enough, my mom Betsy gave me most of the fabrics I used. I just did every square different, but in complementary colors. It was fun being creative.

I was able to use multiple new functions on my new machine. I used embroidery stitches on several of the blocks, which added just a pretty little detail that I never got to add before. I also used a free flowing stitch to quilt the whole thing. It took a while to get used to, so it was far from perfect, but my steadiness improved and I look forward to working with it more. I didn't get a picture of the quilted and binded final project, but I will try to add that. I also found a great backing fabric, even though I was at the store without any of my blocks to match to. I was relieved that it worked!!

My mom Rani was surprised that I got it done so fast, but it was easy with the new machine. And so much fun. I think people are probably tired of getting quilts from me, but I so enjoy making them that I don't foresee stopping any time soon!