Just Trying To Do My Part

"I'm just trying to do my part to help the economy." At least, that's what I've been telling myself as box after glorious box of fabric arrives at my door. LOL

Have you SEEN the great sales on fabrics lately? Most of the fabrics shown here came from Fabric.com , JCaroline , and one of my local B&M quilt shops.

Beautiful designer fabrics from Jennifer Paganelli (Sisboom), Anna Maria Horner, Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, and others at 25% to nearly 50% off! It sounded like a great time to stock up to me. :)

I owe a big THANK YOU to Kim over at the True Up blog for her tireless efforts in putting together her Sunday Sales Alert posts. Every week (in addition to the most informative posts about the fabric world in general) she brings us links to the best deals on fabrics around the world at online stores, Etsy Shops, and B&M retailers. If its not one of your weekly or daily reads, you really need to think about adding it to your bloglist.
How cute are these two fabrics together?! Amy Butler's Martini and Robert Kaufman's Sweet Tooth. (Please ignore the wrinkles... haven't gotten around to ironing yet.) Not sure what I'll be doing with these, but the colors are just perfect for each other.Well, its a cold snowy day here in Ohio and I've got sewing to do. Have a great week everyone!

A Couple of New Bags

This first tote and pouch set was made with that gorgeous Anna Maria Horner fabric from her Drawing Room line along with linen. There's enough interest in the art nouveau print, so I kept the bag pretty simple.

This set was recently donated to a local cancer benefit silent auction. Mmmm mmm...I just LOVE that fabric!

The next one is a mix of old and new. Another Drawing Room print is used with a fun vintage fabric from the 1950's. This one is on the website. (or will be soon)

I think the fact that I'm already sick of winter and cold weather prompted me to use the cute patio print. :) The backside is a little more sophisticated, having just the linen and teal print.I'm also trying out some new things with the straps in an attempt to find a handle that I don't hate making.

Really, that is my least favorite part of sewing bags. I think I might even try the rivet thingy so I don't have to sew through all those layers. If anyone has any suggestions, or if you've used the rivets, I'd love to hear how you like them.

Studio / Sewing Room Design Board

This is my attempt at getting organized before jumping into a project. When redoing a room, I usually don't have a direction, but rather just collect things and ideas as I go.

Sometimes that works out fine, but more often what happens is...by the time I've gotten to the last elements, the first things collected no longer fit in.

So, with my sewing room/studio/office, I've put together a game plan. I've got a basic color scheme (wall and accent colors) that are built around fabric and accessories that I want in the room.

My main work surface is a vintage 40-50's enamel top kitchen table. It has cool red deco styling and the top folds open and rotates to make an even larger area if I need it.

That cute clipboard is from Jane's Apron. As you might be able to see, I don't have room to use my cordless mouse on my desk surface. So I've always used a clipboard to hold it in my lap. (Its also much easier on my shoulder to work this way.)

My old clipboard had seen better days and I was ready for a cute one. I had seen Julie's projects with vintage patterns on her blog and when I saw this one with the pink and red full skirt, I knew it was for me!

Like I said, this is the game plan. I'm sure some things may change before its completed, but at least I have a direction. :)

Now I just need to find a free week to put it in action.

Guess Who's on Apartment Therapy!!!

ME! (well, my bedroom, anyways) I know, I can't believe it. Go and see it here and then come back. :)

Beth just emailed me last night and I had no idea the post would go up so soon. They've been doing a series on bedrooms and they have included my little Mantel Headboard pictures and step by step instructions from the Easy Weekend Project post.

AT tends to lean more towards the modern/contempory side of decorating, so I'm hoping that the comments won't be too critical of my vintage style bedroom. Oh, if only I had more notice, I would have recovered it in the bold Aqua 1960's geometric fabric I've been dying to use. :)

Our Small Home and Yard ~ A Mosaic Tour

The House

The Yard

Snap Wallets ~ A Very Easy Project

I thought I would end the year with a very easy project...Simple snap wallets or card holders.

If you don't sew or if you want one of the fun vintage prints above, they are available here on the website or on etsy.

I'm sure there are a dozen or more tutorials out there for these in one form or another, but just in case you needed one more to prove how easy they are, here it is. :)

First you'll need :

* 2 pieces of fabric (main fabric and lining) approx. 5"x10".

* 2 pieces of light weight fusible interfacing approx. 5"x10".

*No-sew snaps (I used pearl, but plain metal are fine, too)

*Snap set tool (Not necessary, but I recommend it for the pearl head snaps as they can crack if hit too hard)

Step 1 - Apply interfacing to your fabrics according to manufacturers directions.

Step 2 - Sew your main fabric to your lining, right sides together. Leave a small opening at one of the short ends. Clip corners. Careful not to snip your stitching!

Step 3 - Turn right side out through the small opening. Press and stitch along the one short end to close up the hole. Step 4 - Fold up about 3.5 inches and press. Make a centered mark where the bottom half of your snap will go.
Step 5 - Attach bottom snap according to directions on package. Then fold down the top flap, press, and then feel for the nub of the bottom snap. Place the prongs of the pearl head over that and set the top snap (use your set tool). This was the easiest way I found to have the snaps align perfectly.Step 6 - Starting at one of the folded ends, stitch along the edge. Backstitch when you reach the wallet opening for added strength. Continue up and around to the other side and your done.
Step 7 - Add your cash and cards. :) They're also nice for giving gift cards...adds a personal touch. Happy sewing!

Boho Chic Meets Tailored Classic

So, this is what you get when you take design elements from opposite ends of the style spectrum and combine them into one bag. . . Boho Chic meets Tailored Classic.
I've tried to blend the best of both worlds; the richly textured vintage fabrics and generous size of Boho chic and the more structured lines and forever classic linen of a more tailored style. I've used an awesome vintage cut velvet upholstery fabric from the 1960's as the main part of the bag and a rich brown velvet/velveteen for the gusset.


A natural linen is used for the strap and front flap. A magnetic snap keeps items secure.Tying all of the elements together is the velvet rose and leaf detail.

This is just the "prototype" and will be offered at a reduced price on the website. I'll probably tweek a couple of things before I'm completely happy with the bag. For one thing, the interfacing I used on the lining is a little too heavy, so I'll probably change that. I like that it gives some structure to the bag, but I don't like the wrinkles. Not a major issue, but something the perfectionist in me would like to correct. :) But, for the most part, I really like how this bag turned out.