LIFE AS IT IS

It has been a couple months since I posted to this blog.  But here is what I have been doing. 

My granddaughter sent me a message after Christmas that she was being deployed.  Big issue---YES.  Then she says---"Grandma?  Will you take my puppy and train him while I am gone?"  Soooooo being the grandma that I am I said "Sure".  I think I had a memory lapse.  Puppy????  Big PUPPY!!!!  Shepard mix!!!  Syrenn by name.  I picked him up a month ago in Florida.  He has gained just shy of 20 lbs in one month.  AND he is definitely all puppy.  My 2 dogs are not totally thrilled.  Their laid back days are not the same.  So until September we are working around the visitor.

On to the sewing.  There isn't a lot of it going on.  I have picked a few things I can do while I give myself time out from the pup.  I have been going through scraps and sewing them together.  For what I am not sure yet.  But they will figure it out.  I have also been cutting out small projects, such as clutches and small snappy bags.  One day he will be extremely good and I can start sewing them together.  How much fun will that be when all those things come together.  Yayyyyyy!!!!!!!!

I have decided it is time for me to make me a new purse.  That means I get to check out some patterns.  I have a couple print patterns that I really like.  I don't use many patterns but this one appealed to me enough
 that I bought it.  This pattern can be bought through     http://pursepatterns.com/

I am in no way affiliated with either Lila Tueller or Pattern Pile.  I just really like this pattern.  Now to see if I have the right fabric.

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WOW WHAT A YEAR

I have finally started to get things back in line for sewing.  This last year has been sooooo hectic.  Too many things going on in my life.  I am afraid this Blog has suffered badly.  But I do have some projects to show you that I have managed to finish this year.  Although not many, here they are. 

 Quite the mix.  I do hope you will forgive me and I will do my best not to be gone so long.

Hi Everyone,


I have been so busy destashing that I have totally lost track of time.  I have been needing to do this for a looooong time.  Way to much of everything.  I acquired fabric and craft stuff from my mother and cross stitch stuff from my MIL.  I never realized how stressful this can be.  I am not a BO (born organized) person to begin with.  I tend to be a sentimental and I might need that keeper.  So far I am eliminating books.  Using yarn which I downsized a couple years ago. Sorting fabric and getting rid of a bunch.  I may have to go through it again but I am making progress.  I have organized beads which is a TV craft.  


I ventured to Goodwill the other day looking for a few summer tops.  Last years are too big and are hanging very loosely.  As I was getting ready to head to the front to pay for my finds my attention was averted to a very large stack of bolts of fabric.  OH NO!!!!  Here I am making headway at home and Goodwill has FABRIC!!!  So what do I do?  I had to look.  The one thing that save me was that most of it was knit and polyester.  But in the back of the pile I found 2 bolts of some I thought I could use.  Now one of these that I thought I could maybe make some shorts or long pants out of had about 14 wraps on the bolt. Needless to say I snatched it up fast.  The second was kinda like a very light denim AND it had about 24 wraps.  So I snatched that too.  Now we are talking approximately 14 yards on one and 25 yards on the other.  I didn't even hesitate.  WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING???????  Well I will tell you.  They were $3.99. A BOLT.  NOT a yard.  At that I figured even if I gave 2/3 of it away I was still ahead of the game.  It went home with me and I am still wondering what I was thinking.


Back to the destashing till the next time.

HUGZ

KATHY

COCO

I have been working on this design as a tester for Christine at

http://chriswdesigns.typepad.com/blog/             The best part of this 

pattern is it is FREE.  You can download it from her blog.  Yes you 

did hear me right, I said FREE so go check it out.

Have a great sewing day

HUGZ
KATHY 

Uphopstery & Hair

My latest bag!!!!!  I made a trip a couple weeks ago and found some hairy fabric that just yelled at me soooo loud begging to be taken home.  I did!!!!!! Along with a piece of upholstery from the remnant bin.  I knew what I wanted to do with this combination.  Some of the ladies who work there figured I was going to make pillows out of this hairy fabric.  Well do I have a surprise for them.  It was never meant to be a pillow.  It was meant to be a bag.  Nothing fancy.  Just outside and inside and no pockets at all.  I couldn't get to carried away since this was a step out of the ordinary.  These are the fabrics.  A little crazy huh.












It developed as I went since I wasn't totally sure where I wanted to go with it but this is the end result.  Let me know what you think.

Hugz
Kathy

DIAPER BAG

Hi everyone!!!!   I promised pictures of the diaper bag for my niece.  This is it.  I also made a sheet for the bassinet.  It all made for a really cute set.  I did expect he to have a bit more of a tummy since she only has 2 months to go but she just has a little pooch for now.  Of course I personally know that can change in a very short time as she gets closer.

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The flags were just appliques on and satin stitches around and for the handles.













  I put elastic on the top of the pockets and eased it in at the bottom so there is some fullness there.  The pockets are divided so there are four separate areas.    















 This is the diaper bag and sheet (and book) in the bassinet.   I apologize for not having a better picture but I was taking them at the last minute.  The bassinet has been used for the babies in the family since 1922.  My grandfather was in WW1 and was injured.  He had rehabilitation and part of that process was to make something.  He made the bassinet.  My aunt added the hood and has been used for over 30 babies in the family.  It is a real special thing to all of us  and now will be used for another one.
                                                                              

Diaper Bag

I am finally working on a new project.  FINALLY!!!!!  It is for my niece who loves Disney.  In fact she loves Disney sooooo much they were married at Disneyland.  My new project is a diaper bag for her.  Surprise surprise the theme in her son's (yes they are having a boy) is Cars.  Gee a Disney movie.  I found some really cute Cars fabric which is what I am using.  Picture???  Yes I have a picture of the fabric.

This is it.  I have been tossing around ideas all day on pockets.  I have figured out what I want to do.  But I will do it with muslin first to see if it will really work the way I want it too. 

You will know soon.  My iron is hot so off I go.  Check back on the progress.

Hugz
Kathy

Mug Rugs

Well I managed to finish a set of 4 mug rugs. This is front and back.  They measure approx 8 1/2 by 5  1/2 in.  I have a few others but need to put a back on them.  

It seems shopping and hubby with issues that are going to require surgery have taken over.  This may be my sanity stop for the next 6 or 7 months.

Short but sweet.
HUGZ
Kathy

A New Tote

Well hello all.  I am afraid the need to only think about bags is not really over yet.  It has been a slow summer.  I am still working on those scraps and have a few of these in varying stages of being done.  Unfortunately I am working on the mats and forgot to line up fabric for the back.  So when I get closer to the bottom of this scrap pile I will look for backing.


In the mean time so I can have a break from the scraps I have started a new denim bag for a friend.  I have most of the pieces cut and am working on a couple pieces for the gusset and handles.  Since I am limited in this fabric I am having to find pieces that work.  My goal is to be putting it together, at least started, tomorrow.


I also made a tote in a sew along in one of the Yahoo groups I am in.  I really like this pattern.  It is called the "Mill House Inn Tote" at the Moda Bake Shop.  here  It was a good pattern for a quick tote.

I am off to the denim bag pieces.  But I do think bedtime is going to come early tonight.             


Hugz 
Kathy

OH THE SCRAPS

I think I have found my way back.  I have been working on the MOJO  again.

I decided that you might all have the same problem I have been having.  Yup!!!  No MoJo.  AND way to many scraps.  I have been sorting and resorting and it still doesn't feel like I have all these scraps so I can just run with it.  As an explanation I must say that when I do my patchwork I use a double sided fusible web.  EEEEECK!!!!!  Oh misery!!!!  That only means that for one I can't press these pieces unless I am pressing them to something else.  Well I could but what an awful mess that would be.  Yuk!!!!!  Soooooo  I decided these were the pieces I needed to use up first.  This is what they look like tonight spread all over my kitchen table being the largest flat surface (other than my bed) in the whole house.

Now some of these pieces are getting pretty small in the bottom picture.

Well now that I think they are sorted and muslin is close by I will start tomorrow and see how much I can get done.

Wish me luck

Hugz
Kathy

Olivia Finished

I love this pattern.  It is by ChrisWDesigns here.  She has many patterns that are awesome.  Take a look around her blog.  I will definitely make another one of these when the right fabric jumps out at me. Please ignore the old barn in the back.

That and adjusting to 3rd shift has been keeping me busy.  I have sooooo many ideas flying around right now that I must be trying them out so I have samples.  If you remember my Saga of the 25, I have been asked to do that again.  I am not sure if there will be 25 but I know there will be at least 18.  That means I won't be dong much extra for a while.  I am trying to figure some things to do that will make them look wonderful and maybe cut down on some of the work.  Wish me luck there, I may need it.

Life has been good.  Granddaughter in the Air Force will be visiting soon.  Maybe in time to see the fall colors appearing.  That would be great.  I miss her a lot.

Now I need to take a few days to plan out and try to get some samples done for next year.  The more I can show in physical form the better she will be able to picture it.  Other projects include trying to clean up the garage.  Yuck!!!!  To much stuff.  But then I can sew with a clear mind. 


Hugz
Kathy

Life & Sewing

Hi everyone

Well it has been stupidly crazy around here lately.  My DH went on 3rd shift.  Now that takes some getting used to.  He is not having trouble with the sleeping part as I have the room really dark thanks to a couple cheap bamboo mats over the windows.  He can sleep almost anytime anyway.

The biggest problem is me trying to figure out when to do my stuff without causing issues.  I am finding that if I get up when texts me to say he is out of work I can do the noisy stuff then.  When he leaves for work I am not wanting to do any of that stuff.  I am fixing dinner and making enough he can have it when he gets up.

Now on the positive side, I am sleeping like a log.  Taking my half out of the middle.  Then again so is he.

Sewing is taking a big confusing hit.  I spend most of my time in the computer and sewing room.  But I am kinda lost.  Last month I said I was going to make some organizers.  I DID!!!!  Ahhhhh  I made one.  Now I have to enlarge it and make one the way I want.  I used the Lazy Girl pattern for the Suzi Purse Insert.  WAY WAY WAY TO SMALL.  Here are pictures so you can see what I have done with mine.

I am in the process of cutting out pieces for a new bag called "Olivia"  by ChrisWDesigns.  This is a really nice looking bag.  I can't wait to get it finished so I can show all of you.  You can visit her site and see this pattern and others here.  Check it out here.  

This from the one who doesn't do patterns so ya know I was impressed.

Hugz

Kathy  

One for Me, Finally

Well here I am.  I have 2 bags I am going to show you today.  I was asked to make a bag for a giveaway for our states Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall.  Our local building supply store does this every year.  Being a product of that generation, how could I refuse such a great cause.  This is the bag.  

Of course it's camo.  Can you see the sequins?



Now, if you have read the previous post or two, you will see that I have been making a few denim bags.  I decided I needed to make myself one.  What is not surprising is that I keep tweaking it with every one I make.  But this is my tweaked version of the Katti Lynn bag.

I am next going to make a few organizers.  

Hugz
Kathy

Denim Bag--Keep getting better

  Well I finished the 3rd denim bag.  I made a few changes along the way.  But I think they only made the bag better.  I changed the shape of the flap and I added pockets to the outside.  When I finished this one I sent my friend Marti pictures.  I will tell you in a bit her choice.

Marti and I have been friends since kindergarten.  We went to school together right through till graduation.  During school we both had a love for horses and we would go riding together.  Actually I was on the back, behind the saddle, on her horse.  What fun we had.  Lots of conversations about boys, what else at 14.  But we have reconnected and that is when she saw my bags.  She asked if I could make her a denim bag as hers was wearing out.  I told her I would give it a shot.  She is also going to be taking in babies in her state. 

NOW for her choice.  She really liked the patchwork and I told her I thought it would work for a diaper bag or a purse.  So she chose----are you ready--- drum roll please.  She chose the patchwork and the last one (pictures below).  


   Which one would you have picked?

Hugz
Kathy

Denim here & there & everywhere

Well here I am again.  About time you say?  I agree!!!

I have finished this last week 2, yes 2, denim bags.  One of my old high school friends asked me if I would make her a denim bag since hers is starting to wear out.  I decided to give her choices.  


The first was a Bootie Bag.  I couldn't quite get things to line up to suit me.  It doesn't look bad but seems like it is tweaked a bit.  There are pockets on the inside and a magnetic closure.  Here it is.

The 2nd one is a patchwork.  The lining on this one is actually sewn to the squares of denim.  I thought this would make is easier.  I did have a few issues with putting the pockets on but I finally finished it.

These were fun but now I have another idea for one more.  I will definitely post that one when I get it done.

Hugz
Kathy

In The Making

I haven't been doing much sewing of late.  I have done a booty bag, which I am not sure I like.  I also have pieces cut out to do a raggy denim bag.  That is all they are cut out.  I also have a yard of just denim to do one from one of my own ideas.  Maybe using the Katti Lynn with a few changes.  Who knows--but I need to get at it.

I am in the mode of throwing stuff away and boy do I have the stuff.  Not fabric unless it is very small pieces but I even have some ideas for those.  Did ya ever have so many ideas that they just ran into each other and you had trouble sorting them all out.  That is kinda the way I have been lately.  Back to the old focus thing I guess.

My focus has been on getting rid of and downsizing stuff.  No I am not moving or anything like that.  I just need to get rid of stuff that has been hanging around way to long.  This has been in the way of sewing.  

On a better note---I am taking time each day to focus on something to do with my sewing.  This seems to prod me along.  Maybe by the middle of May I will have a couple things to show you.  


Hugz
Kathy 

Yaaaahooooo!!!!

Well here are pictures of the 2nd tote.  I finished it a couple days ago and finally have a chance to show you all.  This one is a bit different.

Kathy

Another Tote

I finally finished this tote.  I started before the end of the year and just couldn't keep at it long enough to finish it.  But I should also have another one done this week.  I started both of them at the same time.  This one is a gift for my niece.  I sure hope she likes it.

Hugz

Get Ready, Get Set, Sew Again

It is now March. I should be growing green things all over. I don't know why this happens but here are some of my problems and solutions.

I think I have mentioned moving my sewing stuff into the computer room. I have figured out  that is not working. I don't have enough room for now. I can't sort anything out to organize it and then I can I can't find it later. It is a real good thing I have a good pair of scissors stashed because I haven't been able to find the ones I usually use.

The other thing I figured out is that it is not only way to cramped but the natural lighting is all covered up by shelves. I need more light and be able to look out the window. Guess what I did???? I moved the machine BACK to the dining room table and I have been sewing some for the last 2 days. I have lining ready for pockets and stabilizer. I put the embroidery on the linings for 2 totes today. Somehow I had lost my logo that was on the embroidery stick, so that needed to be redone twice till I had the right size. THAT is done now. Yeah!!!!!!

I have started figuring out which fabric will look best for the pockets. Sometimes that (like now) is a challenge in itself. The straps are cut for one but not the other as I don't have a piece long enough and I don't want to piece them.

This week I should have pictures for you.

Then it will be on to the denim a friend wants.


So for now big HUGZ

Kathy

Get Ready, Get Set, SEW

This is the day. I have finished 1 1/2 outsides to the 2 totes I am making. It seems like such a long process right now. It just seems like I can't focus on them. I am making sure I spend part of each day auditioning pieces in places. Today I should finish the 1/2. Then on to the linings and all that goes on there. You know...pockets, closures, handles, just all that stuff.

I am ready for spring!!!!! But for now I am just THINKING spring. I have a few quick projects in mind. Purse inserts for one. I really want to get craft show items done. Which means right now smaller items. Well I think I can do that.

The biggest hold up seems to be moving the craft room and finding room for everything. Bottom line....I can't find a darn thing when I need it.

Well, on with the day to get some of ^^^^^ accomplished.

HUGZ

KATHY