Christmas Sewing Party- Final Update

I love this pattern.  It is such a cinch.    I took this picture, which turned out dark (sorry) to show off that since I didn't do a scrappy version of the outer bag...I did a fancy decorative stitch.  I really like how the leaves complimented the focal fabric.

I did use a different idea for the handle...I love it!  I will definitely do that again.  I love the one strap versus two handles.

I used batting on the outer bag (scraps!), and I used a craft pellon on the inner lining so it is super sturdy.

I think my friend will love this Christmas present.  Here is a shot of the inner lining...love the print.

Getting Started- Christmas in August Sewing Party

So I thought a lot last night, and I have a plan.  First of all, I decided to go with the Manhattan Handbag pattern instead.  I am going to do the non-scrappy front option because I think this big fun print is too cute to chop up.  This is a picture of the Benartex print, super cute, right?  I am also not going to do handles.  I am going to do 1 long shoulder strap, and I might even put some hardware in the mix like I did with the Kati Cupcake Bag.  I am pretty excited about this one.

We were all up late last night because the boys were camping the backyard.  I am running a bit slow this morning, but after some yummy french toast hubby is making, some coffee, and a quick shower...I will ready to go.  LOL.  I spent a bunch of time already cleaning up the ever messy sewing space.  I just could not think about sewing in that sty.  LOL...it was zapping my creative juices.

Update...my bag is done!

Christmas in August Sewing Party

Tomorrow, I am going to be working on a present for my friend, Amy.  I think I am going to use the mini bow tucks pattern by Quilts Illustrated to make her a purse.  She picked out some fun fabrics by Benartex.  I will do a post update tomorrow of the fabrics when I get started.  Happy sewing everyone. 

I have added an update.  Go here.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It seems my days keep filling up super fast.  We had a very short, but fun family vacation at an indoor waterpark.  Buddy had a great time. 

Our room had a kid's cabin in it with bunk beds, they thought that was great.

Jake was happy to see us when we returned.  Although, he has been being  a real pill ever since.

I did crank out a couple of more pouches prior to leaving though.  I had several of you share that you have tried this pattern, too, and that you find the zipper super easy!  Thanks for sharing that. 

I hope to do some sewing this weekend.

For all of you who fear zippers....

We at Dandelion Quilts use to fear zippers.  Yes, it is true.  Until this post, changed it all for us.  That's right.  I had a fear of zippers passed down to me from my mother, who feared sewing zippers.  Raise your hand if you fear zippers.  Go ahead, you can do it.  I know you're out there.  No one is looking, raise your hand.  The first step at overcoming a fear is acceptance.  You can do it. 

I know you've been watching the blogs and you see all of these cute pouches out there with zippers and you really want to try one.  REALLY you do.  I know it.  Well, remember last time I said that I wasn't much of a zipper person and even I liked that project?  This project.  This project that I am working on right now, is truly a piece of cake.  You can do it, you really can.

This is a design by Lazy Girl Designs called Perfect Pouches.  I found it today at Joanns.  The entire project cut to finish takes under a half an hour.  LOVE IT! It has great directions, with easy to read diagrams.  It is the easiest zipper project that i have ever tried.

This is the smallest of the pouches (there are 3 sizes).  I think it measures about 5.5 X 7.  I stuck a small pair of scissors in there and a pin book so that you can see it really is quite big.  Now the one on the bottom I made for the college girl that I am also sending the coffee sleeves that I made last week too.  I thought it would be perfect to put a Starbucks gift card in.  I thought she might want to use it for lots of things, so if you look closely, you'll see I added a key fob on the end with a swivel hook.  I thought she could clip it to her backpack even, if she wanted that way.  That was my own touch, but if you need to know how to do it, shoot me an email.  I will be glad to help.  You could also put a small handle on the end, and it would make  a great wristlet.

Anyway, I loved the pouches so much that I couldn't stop.  I made 2 more.  I am digging using up scrap material, I tell you.  This set, I actually had a colored zipper in my stash.  Love that.  I will have to get more.  The second set, I corrected my only oops on the first.  I had the zipper zipping the wrong direction, oops.  Oh well. 

I am anxious to try the other 2 sizes of the pouches.  This is a great purse size.  The others, I think, might be great for school supplies or cosmetics, etc.  This size, for those of you that still deal with this, is perfect for those female products we have to conceal.  Actually, those of you with teenage daughters, these are perfect for that at school.  Just the right size.

Happy sewing!

Double Crunchy Rhubarb Crisp

Dandelion's Double Crunchy Rhubarb Crisp

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:

Crust and Topping-
1 1/2 c light brown sugar
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/4 c rolled oats
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c melted margarine

Filling-
4 c chopped rhubarb
1 c sugar
2 TBSP cornstarch
1 c water
1 tsp vanilla

In a mixing bowl, combine all crust ingredients.  Mix until crumbly.  Press about 1/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a sprayed 8-inch square baking dish.  Place your rhubarb on top of the mixture.  On the stove top in a medium saucepan, bring the rest of the filling to a light boil until the mixture turns clear.  Stir constantly with a whisk.  Pour over rhubarb.  Crumble the rest of the topping on top.  Bake for 45-55 minutes or until topping is golden and the mixture is bubbly.

.......
In the summer, I often buy lots of rhubarb.  I clean it, chop it, put 4 cups into a freezer bag and freeze it.  Then I can have crisp anytime I want by just letting it thaw and draining it.

Shout out to Jen....don't those terrific potholders you made me really compliment my retro baking dish?

Another scrappy project

My scrap pile seems to be out of control lately, that is why I enjoy these projects I can use scraps on.  This project came from SWAK Embroidery.  What a cute little owl, don't you think?

In other news, buddy had a great week at soccer camp.  His coach was from the UK and she was just a delight.

 His team also won the World Cup, which was a huge victory!  :)  Loads of fun.  They finished up the week with a super soaker fight, and I think that was a hit.

A Quick Gift

So, I picked up the new issue of Quilts and More.  LOVE IT!  A big shout out and congratulations to Vicki for making the cover...very cool. 

This is a project featured in the magazine.  These beverage sleeves are very quick to make.  I made 3 using scraps.  :)  I even love that I finally found a use for some of my smaller batting left overs.  I am going to care package it with a starbucks gift card to a college student in the fall.  I think it will be perfect.

I found those perfect retro flower buttons at my grandma's house....I think they compliment the fabric nicely.

Summer Tote Bag Swap Dandy Bag Winner Revealed

First of all, I want to thank all the ladies involved in this swap.  All packages have been shipped, I believe.  You are all so creative and gifted.  The bags sent out this time were some of the best I have seen.  I want to thank everyone for the time, creative efforts, thoughtfulness, and for following through.  As a swap coordinator, I couldn't ask for anything more than that.  I also want to thank several ladies that offered to make an extra bag if needed, which was fortunately not the case.  But, I appreciate the thought just the same. 

As promised, those of you who shipped on time were entered in a drawing.  My son drew the name of the winner of the Dandy Bag pictured above.  The winner is Brenda V.  Brenda, I already have your shipping information so I will get that out to you early next week. 

Thanks again to everyone for participating.  I have some other fun stuff planned in the near future, so keep checking in. 

Revisiting my goals- I think I have quilter's ADHD

I decided I best revisit my goals....I think I am getting a bit off track.

Goal 1- Finish quilting my Schnibbles for the contest and put the binding on it.   Done!

Goal 2- Make another Camielle's Bag this time out of LOVE by Amy Butler. EDITED 7/1/10: I may opt to make a Phoebe Bag instead. It is a new pattern I'm itching to try. It is free and you can find the link here.  Done!  I actually made 2.

Goal 3- Make 2 bags of my choice out of this new fabric I picked up.  (WELL, I made 1.)

Goal 4- Get the quilt top done for Plan C out of Attitude Girls.   (HA!  I don't see this happening.  Instead, I think I am going to try to get my quilt top done for my Jelly Roll Quilt Along.  Why start yet another project until I finish that one?)

Goal 5- Sew on my sashing and border strips to my Pinwheel Quilt Along.  Done!  And, it is at the quilter's.

Goal 6- Make 2 Birdie Slings one from Moda and the other from Free Spirit.  (I made one and then decided to make another Camielle's bag out of the other, which I at least have cut.)

Goal 7- If Baby cooperate, finishing the center square and putting the blocks/borders together for this baby quilt. (At least this one is out of my hands.  Darn baby!  :)

Goal 8: Make this little wallet (Koin Keeper) for my bag partner.   DONE!

And, as usual...I got a bit distracted and added a couple of projects.  I think planning for 2 months is hard, I change my mind way too much to think that far ahead.

4 goals done is better than none, I suppose.

Summer Tote Swap Drawing

I haven't forgotten about our drawing for the Dandy Bag.  Trust me.  I am still waiting to make sure everyone receives their bags.  I had one sent late and one currently not sent yet (although I am still hopeful that it will be sent).  I just want to ensure that everyone gets a bag before I go giving one away that I have made. 

I just wanted you to know that I am on it.  I have sent many reminders.  I haven't forgotten about those of you who sent on time either.  I really appreciate it.  I have documented it in my notes as well.

Thanks!

Verna's Cutting Garden Tablerunner featured in Soiree

I went to Moda Bake Shop for some table runner inspiration.  I made Verna's Cutting Garden Tablerunner for a friend as a house warming present.  I also made a matching towel, but I forgot to snap a picture of it.  I really liked this tablerunner, which you can make from charms or jelly roll.  It is super simple to follow the directions, even a beginner would like this one. 

I am thinking of making some of these up for Christmas presents.

Looking for a good photographer?

We had buddy's 6 year old pictures done.  Our photographer is the best.  Corey Verdin of Starlite Photography is located in northern Indiana near Pokagon State Park (just across the Michigan/Indiana border).  She is very good, very reasonably priced, and gives you loads of good shots to choose from.  Her website is located here if you are interested.  She does family shoots, baby shoots, weddings, and seniors.  Here are just a few of my favorite pictures she did of my son.

Thanks Starlite Photography....year after year, you never disappoint!

Want a chance to win a prize?

Then head on over to Kelly's Charming Chatter.  She is hosting a Schnibbles Contest, and she needs voters.  She is giving away some very nice prizes to those that vote, so head on over there and you may win!  OR you may be inspired by the beautiful quilts she has posted, which is very nice, too!

Thanks to Kelly for all of her hard work on this contest.  I know I have had fun participating.  :)