Having Fun

Yeah it was fun!!!! I was sitting quietly one morning and I had this idea for a purse. I have mentioned before that I love trying different techniques. Well I used one of those techniques in this purse. I have a book called "Simple Chenille Quilts" by Amy Whalen Helmkamp. I have made placemats using the faux chenille technique in this book. I didn't want to make a quilt--which I have never really tackled before--so I decided to use this technique for a purse. I am sure I will use this again because it has such a cool effect. One of these is a gift, but right now I can't tell which one in case she reads this blog. So what do ya think? Are they winners?

Saga of the 25 (part 3)

Like I said--Everything I had in mind was no longer available. After another couple weeks of searching I finally found another 4 to go with the original one she picked out. So the race was on. I knew that the first 3 would be patchwork and the rest of the 18 would be dumbed down as I called it. That was the expression I used for making it much more simple. With about 2 weeks I had the 3 patchwork one well on their way to being done as far as the outside went. The linings would be a breeze compared to the patchwork.

The patchwork were finished and I was pleased. I thought by now I would be starting to get sick of the colors. Well I had to move on to the dumbed down versions. That made it all new--not sick yet. The ideas all came together and I started cutting strips for this version. It took longer to cut the strips and get them ready to be applied than it did to put them on. Now keep in mind--each bag had 18 strips per side x 2 sides = 36 x 15 bags = 540. Yeah that's right 540 strips I had to cut and apply. I would cut cut cut and apply apply apply. Finally about the middle of April I had them done. When I would get sick of working on that part I would work on linings. I had an assembly line with about 5 different stages being worked on at the same time. Tires me out just thinkin' about it.

Just about the time I figured I would have them done by the end of May I get a phone call saying "Mom, this is Martha, I need 4 more bags. Will that be ok?" Of course I couldn't tell her no, now how mean do you think I am. One of the biggest events in this girls life and I am going to tell her NO!!!! I don't think so. So again I was on the hunt. Fabric was running low as far as 4 went, all but the crackle. Here's Murphy again laughing--loud enough I can hear him--couldn't even get to him to stuff his mouth. So I finally found a fabric that fit in the color range which was the main thing so they would all co-ordinate. I looked like wallpaper but I kinda liked it. Didn't have much choice now did I. Then I was paid a visit one night by the Martha family and oh---she needed 3 more for a total of 25. Uhhhh ok.......... I think I ate, drank and slept sewing 16/ 7. You don't sew when you are tired ya know---cause Murphy is waiting around the corner.

To make a long story a bit shorter. The new fabric (looked like wallpaper) wanted a trellis added to it to break up the bouquets----it had to settle for a picket fence. I worked like crazy. Had the bags done (25)-----had the linings done (25)-----had the handles done (50). Put them together---4 at a time---pin 4--stitch 4---press 4. Had to do them that way to break of the monotany. I pushed and did not make it by the end of May. But by the middle of June they were done. Yes DONE. D-O-N-E!!!!!!!!
Called Martha--they were picked up---And by now they have been passed out to the 25 girls to be used for the next year.

All I can say is Whew I think I need a break, at least for a couple days.

Saga Of The 25 (part 2)

February was getting a bit late in the month and we still hadn't been able to get together for the fabric planning session. I was starting to panic. I felt like I needed to get started by March and that might be cutting it close depending on life itself. Ya know, the best laid plans line or that guy Murphy who owns a monkey wrench. Well, I finally decided to have her pick up the main fabric and I would go from there. We decided on about 9 yards and she could get more if need be.

Finally about the 2nd week in March she brought the fabric. Orange, tan(light and dark), pinky( which I could get to go a couple ways by shade used). Now for you to understand the way I was feeling about then---Yellow is my least favorite color. I like the pale, I actually like yellow. Now you are confused I bet. Well to explain. I like yellow on other people---I look jaundiced. Don't wear it and don't stand close to anyone who does. Orange is very close.

Any way she brought the 9 yards and I figured it should be enough. I ordered an orange crackle that I knew would be perfect for the linings. I ordered 15 yards, planning on having enough left for a few other projects. I also had a bit of some other fabrics that would be perfect if I could find them and they were available somewhere.

I will have you know I couldn't find them anywhere. Murphy's law ya know. So the search was on and the panic was taking hold.

Check back for more of the Saga

THE SAGA OF THE 25

This is the first installment of the Saga of the 25. 25 WHAT!!! You might say. Well some of you in some of my favorite Yahoo groups have been following the job that I have tackled. I have also posted a bit about this job in previous post. But I will start at the beginning.

One day, a friend of my sons who is a member of Job's Daughters, which is a girls organization, was at the house with her mother and sister. She was talking about her installation as state queen and the fact that they give tote bags to other girls around the state. She was looking at my photos of some of the bags I have made and the conversation ended up with would I consider making her bags. 18 was the number and I figured given enough time I could do it. No sweat. But she had to let me know by February so we would have time to talk fabric. That sometimes takes a while to find just the right fabric to all work. It takes 5 or 6 different fabric patterns to make my bags.

To be continued.

At a loss

I have been at a loss for words. I have been really busy sewing and working. Four days in a row. My granddaughter is graduating this year and next year my grandson. Oh to be that young again and have your whole life ahead of you. They have so much to learn and so little time to appreciate life. I hope they find their passion. Something they love to do that will give them a reason to start everyday.

I have been doing a lot of sewing as you can imagine with 25 bags to do. They are coming along fine. I have 3 days that I won't be able to do any sewing so I hope that doesn't slow down the process to badly. I have about 2 weeks to have them finished and somehow I will do it. Then you will all see the end results.

Quiet Days

There really aren't too many of those in my life. A week ago we celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. That is an accomplishment these days. Our son took us to dinner for Chinese. Yummy!!!! We also picked out a couple plants for the yard and managed to get them planted within a couple days.

Other than that I spent the weekend sewing. I have piles of bags in some state of completion all over my sewing areas. Yes in this case it has to be AREAS, multiple. I have outer shells being stitched. Linings that are ready for pockets and pockets in the process. All cut, some sewn, some turned right side out and some pinned to be sewn. Soon, very soon this will all be done.

My stash is calling. I have not been through it since March, and oh my, I know there are things in there that are wanting to get out. Patience. I have to learn that every day. I must put all these ideas on paper so I don't forget.

Ok, good luck with that one, it takes quiet time. And we are right back where we started with not much of that valuable commodity. So on to the projects for the day. Maybe I will even get my dishes done.

ROLLIN' ALONG

I have been so busy, but here I am.
I am making fantastic progress on this huge project!!!! I have been poked by pins and burnt by my iron. Small pieces with edges folded over and irons almost guaranty burnt fingers. At first I just thought it was because I had the steam on-----that wasn't it. It is just HOT.

I am gearing up for a 2 day stretch of sewing over the weekend. The male members of my family will be fishing--yea fresh fish--and I will be sewing and reading.

I am stepping over the dog today because he thinks he is a rug. Well he could be but he would be mighty bumping. This is Ice. He is 5 yrs old and pretty spoiled. But he loves to go duck hunting in the fall.

Well the purse project calls.