Here I am!!!!  I was playing hide and seek.  No, I wasn't.  I think I was overwhelmed with so many things going on.  Bob's knee was getting really bad.  He had, yes had a torn meniscus, and it was only getting worse.  He had that operated on Dec. 1.  Now I truly believe it is time for him to go back to work.  But honestly he isn't ready yet.  He definitely needs more strength although it is improving.  It looks like it might be the middle of January at least before he gets back to work.  So I guess you know what has happened with all my plans.   PFATTTTTT   right out the window.  I just keep saying only a few more weeks.  Hang in there girl.  I'm hangin', I'm hangin!!!!!!

More news!!!  I entered a contest with one of my bags.  It was for the best use of their product in the bag.  I didn't win.  I have talked to the receptionist a couple times waiting for my bag to be returned.  If they sent it out last week I should be getting it soon.  But here is a picture.
 

I also have fabric picked out for 2 bags but I just can't seem to get very far in the process. For all my technique loving friends out there I found a new little gem.  Well it may not be new but it is to me.  I was in Joann's last week looking at books and ran across this one.
Creative Sewing
Techiniques by Machine
edited by Nancy Fielder
Published by AQS Publishing

Starting out I thought this book was just a simple instruction book until I got into it.  Oh My, Techniques, patterns, wonderful info.  A few I had used on other projects.  But some I had not.  This will be so much fun to try some of these.  If you can look this one up all you Technique people.

Time for me to get on out of here.  Great sewing to you all. 

Hugz, Kathy

Ruffles Galore

Hello all my blog friends.  I have been lax.  My focus has been disturbed.  Bob would say it was me that was disturbed.  Not true!!!!  I will defend my uniqueness as just that.  NOT disturbed.

  I have been working on a pattern, no not one to share with you (I wish), but one I bought.  First to give credit to the pattern maker.  It was the Serged Satchel by Indygo Junction.  It is very cute with lots and lots of ruffles.  I was so intrigued by ruffles.  I still am.  I just don't know what there is about ruffles.  Let's see---they are cheerful--happy--carefree----they just make you want to giggle.  Well that is this purse.  Now you will say it is really cute AND it is.  I am just really glad you can't pick it up and check it over.  I kept finding things in this pattern that made little sense to me.  Now 7 years of 4-H and I should be able to read a pattern.  But I am telling you I was confused.  But what I just didn't get I faked.  So next time I will use my ruffler on my machine.  I didn't use my serger.  I was able to do it on my machine.  It turned out ok but will probably go in the bin of no return unless some little girl wants it.  Now so you don't think I am being really mean to the writer of this pattern, in all honesty my main reason for buying and using a pattern is for a technique.  AND from this pattern I learned a few things that I can use in the future.  Maybe I should just buy a really good sewing book and learn or relearn some of this stuff. 

I do think I should do another patchwork tote.  I have a couple I would like to make for gifts.  My sister and my niece would like to have one.  I know they should have already had one and now that I have told you I just will have to get them done.  


So for now I guess I should go.  
Catch ya later
Kathy

The Fun is Back

I started a new bag last week.  I just wasn't sure the fun was back.  I thought maybe I would have to work really hard to get this bag done.  But I started the process.  Pick out the fabric.  Sometimes that is a bigger job than putting the bag together.  Now understand---with my crazy patch bags I need at least 4 and preferably 5 different fabrics that will play well together.  So I went to my Resource Center and pulled the yardage out.  Sorted pieces that would work together and I ended up with my kitchen table piled 3/4 full and at least 5" high with possibilities.  I narrowed that down to 4 piles and called my friend Vanessa who helped with the final decision of which pile to use.

 The job began.  To my surprise I started getting excited about the way it was all coming together.  It was back!!!   The Mojo!!!!!!!  The fun!!!!!!  All of it!!!  It took parts of 3 days to get the piecing done.  And 3 more days to finish the whole bag.  Only a couple hours a day (didn't want to push too hard).  So I entered this tote in a contest.  The friend who helped with the pile choice wants it when it is returned.  Are ya curious now.  Pictures might be nice about now huh.  Ok!!!!   Here it is.  Tell me what you think.

Whoot Whoot

I have reason to celebrate!!!!!!  I feel like the Mojo is back.  I mean really back.  FINALLY!!!!!!  I started 2 days ago picking out fabric.  Oh what a job!!!!!  The Resource Center is in about 11 different places.  But I knew where the yardage was.  That way I skipped over the remnants.  I WILL have to tackle those soon.  I spent one night (about 3 hrs) pulling it all out and sorting into color groups ones that hadn't been already.  I narrowed it down to 4 groups of 5 different pieces.  Then last night I made the decision--no backing out now.  The other 3 are sitting on the sidelines wondering when their turn will be.

So tonight I am getting things started.  I am actually excited.  Spring was the last time I felt like that.  If things work out well, I could make a lot of progress.  We shall see.  If I can not hit to many creative walls it might be done by next weekend.   It's not the putting it together, it's everything I have to do BEFORE I can put it together.  Can't wait to show it to you.

Later
Kathy

I think I found where my Mojo went

This is to all my  friends whose Mojo has left.  I was thinking last night and trying to figure out where this Mojo thing went.  I decided that it is still here it is just waiting for me to get my stuff together before it comes back. 

What I discovered was that I have strayed from the basics. 
Now all of our basics are different.  What I mean by that is the bags you enjoyed making the most that is the basics.  Pull out that much loved pattern. One that you have really enjoyed making.  Pick some fabric that you have in your resource center that you bought because you just couldn't be with out it.  Put the 2 together.  That might be where the Mojo is hiding.  I think mine is peeking out from behind that piece of fabric shouting "Is it my turn NOW!!!!!!"   Well I am thinking it might be.
Just a thought.  Katti Lynn might appear again.


Hope you who have been struggling with that necessary element that YOU need to get back in the groove is hiding somewhere you haven't looked for a while. 


I am going to go check again!!!!!

Getting My Mojo Back

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!  It is pouring in Michigan.  Heaven knows we need it.  The GRASS is CRUNCHING!!!!!!!!!  It is a wonder it doesn't start burning just by stepping on it.  Such as it is in the summer.

But on to the fun stuff.  I am so working on that MOJO thing everyone talks about.  Somewhere this year mine has been misplaced but I am hot on the trail and the big fix.  I had been working (yes I said had) part-time for about 1 1/2 yrs.  I QUIT!!!  Got tired of all the politics.  Yea in a store with 6 employees there was politics.  Mostly by age.  I QUIT!!!  But the sewing had not been happening until the last posting with the bag.  It has been a slow process and is not done yet.  I have been picking out small pieces of leftovers.  I am working on getting something done with them.  I just know I can't throw them out--I must do something with them.  Now mind you some of these are maybe 1" x 4".  Now come on!  This is ridiculous.  But I just know I can do something with them.

I do have enough of those strips left from the Bali Pop pack to make another bag.  I need to find coordinating pieces to go with them.  I have also been playing with some new tools.  Working them into something I think I can use.  So I think going at it slowly I will have the MOJO back before to long.  My sister and niece are wanting bags AND my sister know someone else who might be wanting some for a craft shop.  I can't think that big right this minute though until that elusive MOJO gets back. 

Maybe when I get some of all these little ideas (and pieces) put together I can do more than think and draw I can do.  I WILL let you all know.

It is raining and with little interruption I plan on confining some of that sewing energy today to make some progress. 

Later Kathy

It's Finished

Yes I finished it.  What fun!!!!    What aggravation!!!!!  I am not someone who likes a lot of choices.  Give me 1 or 2 and that's fine.  I HAD TO PICK FROM 42.  It took me 3 weeks!!!!!!  But here is the finished product.  It is the " Purse-onality Plus"  bag by "The Teachers Pet"   Or vice-versa.  I can never remember which one.  But it is very easy to follow if you think you might want to try this one.  You know me and patterns---I don't usually use one--but this one caught my eye.  So here it is.  Lots of pockets--inside and out.

Jelly Rolls & Bali Packs

Where does time go.  It is July already.  I didn't really mean to put you all off and I really don't know what came over me.  But here I am. 

Here is what I have to say and I am sticking to it.  My machines (2) were in the shop getting a good cleaning and tune up.  I think maybe I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't sew.  But I have one back and will pick up the other one tomorrow.  I have been drawing pictures.  Pictures of bags I want to make.  Ideas, ideas and more ideas.  I used to have horses and I was thinking back on those days and kinda missing that whole experience.  Ya know, you can tell all your secrets to those critters and they never tell a soul.  They just look at you and wink as if to say "Your secret is safe with me.  Now give me another flake of hay please."  Anyway I have one idea from those days.  Shhhhh   I can't tell.  It's still a secret.

Presently I am working on a "Teachers Pet".   I can't wait to get it done.  I needed the guidance to put in a drawstring so that it looked good.  This is the pattern I chose to do it.  I never realized it consisted of so many choices.  A jelly roll and in all my out of whack wisdom I chose a Bali Pack (Cotton Candy) instead.  Now at least in a Jelly Roll you have doubles.  BUT in a Bali Pack EVERY one is different and there were 42 choices.  I hate making those kinds of choices.  Give me 2 or 3 maybe but 42 and all I could pick were 19 and I changed that to about 10.  Oh my I didn't think I was ever going to figure out which ones I wanted to use.  But on the upside.   I now have enough left to make another bag my way since I will know how to do the drawstring.  And I have ideas already how I want to do it.

Like I said I should have it done in a day or two and I can't wait to show it to you!!!!!

OOOPS

Yeah, that's an oops.  I promised to post this picture of the diaper bag my friend gave as a gift.  She supplied this fabric.  It is really cute.  Suzy Zoo!!!!!  I decided to use the black to pop the little eyes.  I really wanted to fuzz up some yarn and put over the dandelions on a couple in the print.  She had no sense of humor with that one and said "No no no" so I didn't.  It still ended up good and she was happy.

Oh I SEW WANT To

 Well I was hoping to post before now.  I am still not sewing.  I want to make a new purse.  I have the pattern picked out.  I have fabric strips laying all over my table and I can't do anything with them.  My machine is getting some TLC.

My room in the making is STILL being worked on.  Hubby's new job is kicking him good right now.  4:30 comes mighty early when you aren't used to it.  All that means is he is worn out when he gets home.  AND every time he plans on working on it something goes crazy.  Over time is one thing.  Good for the pocket---bad for getting things done.   No power is another.  That was yesterday.  Found the problem and have a temporary fix which will be totally fixed today.  We are such a spoiled society.  Who would dream of not having running water.  And you can't have an outhouse where I live anymore. 

Well enough of that.  I have fabric laying all over my table.  Just waiting for the machine to come home.  Of course I have to make choices and I have 42 to choose from.  Somehow I have to whittle that down to about 19.  Oh this is so hard.  These are gorgeous Bali strips.  No 2 alike.  "Cotton Candy"  I absolutely love them.  The pattern  (yes I did say pattern) I have picked out is "The Teachers Pet"  by "Purse-onality Plus!"  I need to know how to do drawstrings for future designs and I will learn that from this pattern.  Hehehe and I liked it well enough to buy it.

I promise (hope that works out) to not wait so long before I post to my blog again.

Mindless Chatter

Well here I am, once again, sitting in front of this computer screen after a days work and playing Mahjongg (or however you spell it).  But I have not disappeared.

I have started a diaper bag.  My friend Vanessa has a baby shower in a couple weeks.  She had some fabric she wanted to use for a gift.  And who else would she get to make her diaper bag but yours truly.  When it is finished I will show you the end result.

In the meantime, we have some catching up to do.  My remodel project is coming along, although not fast enough for me.  When it is done though I can sort out fabric so I know what I have to work with.  I also have some leftover yarn scraps that may get used for some embellishing.  I have decided that I really need to use some so I can buy more without getting overloaded.  Too much means confusion for me and I just don't know where to start first.  I do think though that since I have a small container with small pieces I may make some cosmetic type bags to use them.  That means I will have a start on the church bazaar for this fall.  Maybe even something for this summer.

I have been wanting to do some more crazy quilting and crumb piecing.  Many many ideas have been floating around.  I have started putting them on paper so I don't forget.  That is where the ideas, crazy as some of them may be, end up.  If only I could do these things as fast as the mind conjures them up.

I have been visiting some blogs that have giveaways.  Don't you think they are fun!!!!  I may have to put that idea in the pot with the others and think about that too.

I should probably shut down and decide where I will start tomorrow after my 2 cups of coffee.  Catch ya all soon.

No Stash for Me

I, for one have a large amount of fabric. (I refuse to say a huge amount, for that would mean I would have a lot of trouble justifying buying more.)  So in my own defense and for the peace of mind of all my fabric  and patterns buying friends out there in the sewing world, here is my new explanation (and making my self not feel guilty) when purchasing more fabric than some think I need or any type of supplies for any number of sewing project that I deem necessary it shall, from this day forward, be referred to, not as my stash but as my RESOURCE CENTER.  We all know that we need lots of resources
 LOL  now don't we.

Livin' Life

Well it has been way to long since I added to my blog.  I did finish that bag and a friend of mine saw it and absolutely loved it.  Sooooo I gave it to her.

My son is spreading his wings and is living with 3 of his friends.  At this point is a trial.  But he needed to give this a try.  The day after he took the jump I had half of the carpet pulled from his room and the following day the rest was off the floor.  Plans are working out quite nicely for this room.  It is just not going fast enough for me.  Paneling will come off, drywall and paint will go on.  Laminate on the floor. Light fixture.  All the fun stuff is pretty much planned.  Hopefully it will be done soon.

Because of all that going on the sewing has kinda been slow.  What do I mean kinda.  There has been none going on.  I did order a couple patterns from "fabric for quilts and more".  I need a boost in the sewing department.  Too much work and to little play.  I am really excited about these patterns though.  I have a couple small things that I may pull out try to start.

Spring is hitting Michigan.  We have been having 50 degree temps.  But alas it is only March and we will probably have at least one more big snow storm.  We saw our first robin the other day and are now waiting for the hummingbirds.  They are so much fun to watch.

Well the spare room is calling.

Following Patterns

Some of you know me from Yahoo Groups--others don't.  Well, those who do know that I like doing my own thing when I make bags.  This week I followed a pattern.  Yes I DID!!!!  It was really hard for me to stay on track with this one because that little voice just kept saying "But!!!!!!  Don't you want to do it this way.  It might be better this way.  Come on, ya know ya want to."  Well that was what I kept hearing.  I did do a few things a little different.  But nothing that would affect the appearance of the original pattern.  Right now I can't get a picture in here, but as soon as I can I will.

This is the Hobo Pattern from jcaroline.

http://www.jcarolin ecreative. com/Merchant2/ merchant. mvc?Store_ Code=JC&Screen= HOBO_BAG

I had the idea for members in the Yahoo Group "sewingtotebagsandpurses" to all work on the same bag so that some could help others with problems, just being funny in the suggestion.  Well of course I had to join in, it was my idea, oh my, not even thinking that far ahead when I mentioned it. But it was fun and I learned something new.  That afterall was the plan.  To learn something.

Now that bag is done I have enough fabric left to make another bag of some sort.  I really haven't figured out where I am going with it yet.  I have about three others that I am working on.  I don't quite have them on paper yet.  They are just floating around.  But the night is young and Bob is at his cousins watching the Super Bowl.  So it's me and the dog.

Boxed Bag Bottom

  This is my first tutorial. We are going to hope I can make this understandable enough.

There are different methods for squaring off bag bottoms. I am going to try to explain my method which may or may not be like anyone else’s.

I am not going to go through the process of getting to this point. Only from this point to make your bag bottom.

You will need:

Your bag with side seams and bottom stitched together

Ruler that is at least 4 to 6 inches X 4 to 6 inches. (mine is 4 X 13)

Pins

Fabric marking tool

Iron

Sewing machine ready to go.

At this point the bag will look very similar to this. Wrong side out and flat. Very flat. Pressed to the point of maximum flatness. The goal here is to be able to see the crease in the bottom.

.

The next step is to press the seam open part way to the corner on the bottom. DO NOT trim the seam at the bottom or cut off the corner. This will be used in the squaring process.

Now with a bit of finagling (what a word) that seam is laid flat to the bottom of the bag and matched up with the crease to the seam. This is shown in the picture below The crease is shown with a purple line so it is easier to see. Then grab the point (shown in the last picture)of the seam and pull this point out so that the stitching is the point.

.

Now the big decision-----How big do you want the bottom of your bag. I know decisions, decisions, decisions. Well now is the time. For purposes here we are using 4 inches.

The seam is laid to the side at the point and press making sure the crease and seam match (like above) and the stitch point is a point.

Now to make the bottom a bottom. You will need your ruler at this point. Line up a mark with the seam and 2” deep. When this is lined up perfectly it should also measure 2” either side of the seam. This is why it is so important to have the point really pointed. Whew I hope that makes sense.

I then mark this with a fabric marker, pin and stitch opening that seam to eliminate bulk. I usually sew across, pivot and sew back on this line.

Then press and turn right side out. You can trim off the triangle or leave it. Whichever method you prefer. Poke out the corners and press again.

Please give input.  I would really like to know if there is something that is not clear and feel free to contact me with any questions.

2010

It is January 1, 2010.  Another year starting with many hopes for the new year. My first hope is that my husbands job goes from temp to permanant.  My 2nd is that maybe I can go visit my older children in PA and FL.  The rest don't mean much compared to these.

My creative juices will take me where they will.   I have made many friends in the yahoo groups I am in.  I am moderator in one, it is really getting to be a fun group.  But the main thing is that there are like minded people who love doing the same things I do. 

But to all of you I sure do wish you all a wonderful New Year with all the blessings that may come your way.  Enjoy the adventure.  I received a text from a friend today that said this--Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book, write a good one.  I loved that thought and am passing it on to you.  HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010