Shout out to Dritz....

So I had some nice comments about my Berry Sweet bag...and I got to thinking, that I need to share with you one of my favorite sewing tools.  It is called the Quick Turn by Dritz.  I found mine at Joanns some time ago.  I use it occasionally for purse handles or apron straps.  Makes like fast and a snap.  In this case, I used it on the strawberry leaves.  Yup.  You take the blue tube, put it into the unturned leaf, take the dowel rod, and gently shove the fabric through the tube.  EASY PEASEY.  I think I had all 12 turned in less than 2 minutes.  So, do yourself a favor and pick up a set.  They are relatively inexpensive.  The next time you have something to turn, you will be glad you did.

Berry Sweet Bag (Fig Tree Quilts Pattern)

 So we have a little friend having a birthday soon, so I whipped up this Berry Sweet Bag by Fig Tree Quilts.  What a great pattern!  I sewed this up this morning.  Sorry, I don't remember the name of the fabrics  used, but I did think they worked well with the pattern.

Then I stopped over to Noodle-head and followed her fabulous tutorial for this quick little wallet. I thought it was the perfect size for this little purse.

New bag

I've wanted a new purse since about August.  Today I decided...today I am going to sew one.  I found this new pattern a couple of weeks ago (first time I have been to a quilting store in months).  It is called Paula's Slouchy Sack.  Great directions, easy to follow, a nice big bag like I like for hauling my coupon clutch, wallet, and such...not to mention Buddy's DS occassionally.

I haven't worked with elastic much.  I ran into Walmart to grab some the other night and all they had was the woven, which was a mistake.  I couldn't get it snaked into that tight spot.  I had some smaller, so I used that for now...next time I make it to Joann's I will replace it with a wider version for that more puckered look.

That zipper pocket on the front is pretty fabulous, too.  This is the "medium" bag.  I think it is perfect.  There are also measurements for a large bag, that is mostly just longer.  This bag called for 1 y for the outer bag and less than a yard for the lining, which is exactly what I had in my stash of this pretty fabric by Windham fabrics.  I do like fatter handles, so I add 1 more inch of fabric to them (which when folded the way the directions call for ended up being a 1/2 inch wider).  The only thing I would change next time, I would sew in a key fob on the inside, I like those.  That was an after thought though.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family.

Sewing some presents

So, I have been working on this Christmas present.  A small Strawberry Fields quilts perfect for a wallhanging or table topper.  I just need to finish sewing that binding.  

This is a small signature quilt I made as a Best Wishes present.  I appliqued the little stars as an after thought because I thought it needed a little zip.

This is that hanky quilt.  Those of you loyal followers will remember I finished this top a year ago.  LOL.  But, I quilted it today.  Those are my grandma's vintage hankies.  This is going to be a Christmas present for my mom to hang in her kitchen.

In other big news, Buddy finally lost that tooth that was dangling for a week.  I thought tooth fairy might have to leave a note of encouragment, but finally he got it out.  Unfortunately, he has forgotten how to smile normally.  It took me 20 shots to get this one.  No joke.  Either his teeth are stuck together unnaturally, his eyes are squinted shut, or his tongue is sticking out that gaping hole.  (notice all the above in this photo.)  Heaven help us, he is having his pictures professionally taken tomorrow and I am hoping we get a couple that are good.

What are you up to this Saturday?

Stitching up some Christmas presents

I had some fun last weekend making these coupon clutches.  It seems coupon clutches are the most requested gift around here.  I will be out shopping with a friend and they will see me pull mine out and then they say....hey, I'd love one of those. This is the one I made for myself. I've made several color ways in the past that were pieced with a brick pattern see here for a past gift.    These were some I made last Christmas.

The original Coupon Clutch Pattern came from Julie over at Moda Bakeshop.  It is a great pattern, even for a beginner.  I made some obvious variations on mine this time as I had some pretty focal prints I wanted to use.  So, I added some ric rac and yo yos.  I thought they turned out super cute.  I really like the PDF she uses for the inserts/organizers.  Make sure you have some tag board for those. 

What has been keeping you busy lately?

My Memories Suite Giveaway Winner Announced

Congratulations to Jen W. who left the second comment.  I used the random number generator and she was the lucky winner! 



Remember, you can still cash in on a really good deal on the software for yourself by using my code:

STMMMS44407

The code will also save you $10 off your order at My Memories!

My Memories Suite Digital Software GIVEAWAY

When Buddy was a baby, I was convinced I was going to be this scrapbooking mom.  Then reality set in.  I was tired.  I had no energy to haul everything out and set it up just to make an even bigger mess.  A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by My Memories (a digital scrapbooking company) about trying out their digital scrapbooking software.  I have a friend who is really into traditional scrapbooking, so we tried it out together.  I think it is quite fun, mess free, fast, and DO able.  It is even addicting! 

This is just one of the pages made....cute, right?  My friend made another one that was really sportsy.  A real eye catcher!  It featured her son wearing our team's football gear.  I'd love to show it to you, but with internet predators I felt it had too much information like his last name and our town name.  So, you will just have to trust me....it was cool.  If you want to see some eye candy inspiration this page has loads of cool examples.

If you think you might be interested in digital scrapbooking, you should visit their online store.  They have lots of cute templates and kits.  You can even read about the software here.  I think it is really reasonably priced!  IN FACT, I can offer you a $10 off the software coupon code!  My code is STMMMS44407

You can also use the same code (STMMMS44407) and save $10 off your total purchase at My Memories.  That is a $20 value!  Just highlight the code, right click your mouse and copy it.  You can paste it into the code box at checkout.

Now, I know some of you are waiting to hear the word giveaway....well, one of my lucky friends is going to win this nice software for their very own computer and scrapbooking fun.  To enter the drawing, simply visit the store and pick a template that you think is cute or that you would use.  Come right on back here and leave me a comment telling me which one is your favorite. 

If you would like an additional entry- visit their blog, leave a comment, come on back and leave me a separate comment telling me you did so!  This week on their blog they had a halloween scrap page challenge...the entries are so cute!  Be sure to check them out.

If you would like a third entry, head on over to their facebook page and "like" My Memories and come on back and tell me about it.

So, three great chances to win!  Plus, a guaranteed code STMMMS44407 to redeem at My Memories.  Giveaway ends Wednesday.....but you can continue to use the code.