A Cute Fleece-y Hat

Isn't this cute?! I made it for my sweet little niece. She is all about the color pink, right now. I hope it fits. She's almost 4 years old, but tiny. It was very easy to make from a free pattern on the Grand Revival blog. I used a super soft pink fleece. I didn't line it because I wanted it to be soft on the inside, too. I really like the shape of it. Hmmmm...I wonder if I can resize the pattern to fit me. :)

I've Learned A New Trick!!! Thanks Katherine!

Ok...this is probably not a big deal to anyone who has been sewing for any length of time, but for me, this is BIG. I've learned to machine embroider! I knew there had to be a way to do this, but even after reading my sewing tips manual (I have a middle-of-the-line Viking) I still wasn't getting the results I wanted.
Then, one day while visiting the Four Friends and a Blog blog, Katherine posted this wonderful tutorial. I don't know if it was the pictures, the step-by-step instructions, or the see through satin stitch foot, but it all made sense. I was embroidering appliques!
This cute bag was my first project after learning my new technique. Although the curly ended leaves were probably a touch ambitious, they still turned out pretty good. They're suppose to mimic the leaves in the fabric on the front side of the bag. So, a big "Thank You" to Katherine! She shares lots of fun projects on her solo blog as well. You should go visit her at Sew Me Something Good. :)

I hope to get back into the swing of things in a couple of weeks, or so. I've been completely bogged down with inventory, taxes, and year end paper work. ugh...I hate paper work.
I also have some pictures of the living room to share, as soon as I get the last pillow finished. And the kitchen sink and granite counter is scheduled to be installed at the end of the month. There have been so many delays, though, I'm not getting my hopes up.
Have a great week, everyone. See ya soon!

Fun Fabric Finds from Florence

Last weekend Mom and I took a mini road trip down to the antique mall in Florence, KY. I found a few fun things to add to the website. (The website is undergoing some changes and upgrading, and may be down intermittently). First, I came across 4+ yards of this wonderful green and brown fabric by John Wolf Textiles. Its only 38 inches wide, so from that and the colors I'm guessing it dates to the early 1970's. Next, I found a fun buckle and button set and 10 yards of vibrant orange grosgrain ribbon. I have a slight obsession with ribbon, so I HAD to have it. :) Bonus...it matches several of my new fabrics perfectly! And last but not least, my favorite find of the day was 2 sets of vintage 1960-70's daisy curtains. Completely fabulous! Still in their unopened Croscill packages (I opened one for pictures and to check measurements). A nice surprise to find that each package contained 2 curtains. And they have the sweetest smocked/gathered top! We had fun. I can't think of a better way to spend a cold, gray day. Have a great week, everyone! :)

Finally, One Bag For Every Outfit...well, almost

Has this ever happened to you?...You put together a cute outfit for a special outing, but at the last minute you realize that (a) you don't have a bag to match, or (b) you have a great new fabric that would be perfect with said outfit, but you don't have enough time to make a bag.

Well, it had happened to me one too many times and I was determined to find a solution! That's how this particular bag design came about. (I'm sure all the big designers will have their version in the stores next year, but remember, you saw it here first. :) LOL) The one pictured above is a basic natural linen tote with a slightly funky print for the interior and belt loops.

What gives this bag its character, is a simple little sash. The pumpkin colored one is the same front and back, but the one below has a different print on each side.


Tada! A completely different look in seconds!

I love how fast (I'm a slow sewer, and I can make a sash in 20 minutes) and easy it is to change the look of my tote. And lets not forget, economical! How much do we all LOVE these designer fabrics?! (Let's give a big shout-out to Amy Butler, Jennifer Paganelli, Heather Bailey, Tina Givens, Joel Dewberry and many others.) Not to mention the fantastic vintage fabrics. But, if I had to buy a whole yard of every print I wanted, I'd be in the fabric poor house. With this design, I get a lot of designer bang out of a mere 5 inch strip of fabric! Love that!

Here's the next grouping of fabrics being considered for sashes.
And I have another bag in the works that will allow me to use my most coveted vintage fabrics. Can't wait to show you.

My Sad Little Softie ... and Remodeling is Not For Wimps

Hi everyone! I know its been forever since I've posted anything...let me just say that remodeling projects in a small home are VERY trying and not for wimps. Unfortunately, I am a wimp and have complained through the entire ordeal...and its not over yet. The cabinets are in (yea!) and I do have a stove now(yea!) but, we're still without a sink and counter tops (boohoo).

I know it can't be easy to live through gutting a kitchen in any home, but I can't help but to think that in a larger house there is probably at least one room to retreat to that has not been coated in drywall dust. There is also, most likely, a garage in which to store the infinite number of large boxes containing the cabinets, hardware, sink, and major appliances rather than having them stacked to the ceiling in the living room, dining room, and hallway! (I still sound bitter, don't I? I need to work on that.) Its just such a mess here that I can't even bring myself to take pictures. Hubby has been documenting the process, though, and when its all done and I'm in a happier place, I'll share the kitchen reveal.

In the meantime, I have been sewing a little. I wanted to try my hand at one of these cute little softies. As a child I can only remember having one doll (a Thumbelina) but I had literally hundreds of stuffed animals. I just loved their cute little faces. While making a diaperbag/tote for a friend, I thought it would be so cute to make a matching "Purse Pet". I've never made anything like that before, so I thought I better use a pattern my first go around. The talented lady over at the Wee Wonderfuls blog provided a free print out pattern of this little bunny.

Now, my sad little softie bunny bares little resemblence to her cute examples. Mine is slightly lumpy, leans to one side, and I'm not sure what's going on with her eyes. LOL
But, as my first attempt, she will have an honored place in the sewing room. :) Hmmm....she still needs a name. Any suggestions?

A New Fall Bag

Well, today was the first day it actually felt like fall. We have had 80-90 degree heat nearly everyday since early July. But today was remarkably different...brisk air, slightly overcast sky, and leaves rustling in a swift breeze.
I knew it (cooler weather) had to happen eventually, so this past weekend I set out to make myself a new bag for the autumn season. I had just received this fabulous green print from fabric.com, and when I saw it next to the vintage embroidered trim (that was still out from the previous blog-post photoshoot) I knew they were meant for each other.

As you can see in the photo above, the trim by itself is just ok...eh, kind of flat.

So I layered it on top of a wide white grosgrain ribbon. Much better. :)

A simple twill lining and divided pocket finish out the interior.

What are you sewing up this fall?

Vintage Ribbons Buttons and Trims

I love clothes and accessories that have the little added details of ribbons and trim...and if its vintage, even better! I feel compelled to purchase these vintage "finishing touches" whenever I see them. Velvet ribbons are definitely a favorite. The light yellow ribbon, above, is my most recent purchase. It came from the Speckled Egg, a fun website featuring vintage ephemera and embellishments.

I love the cute red and yellow cherry ruffle trim, above. And you can't go wrong adding Rick Rack and bakelite or glass buttons to your project.

Embroidered ribbons and trims are great for sewing or crafting (prefect for gift tags).

The exquisitely detailed victorian petticoat edging, black lace and silk shamrock embroidered trim is almost too pretty to use. But, I like having it around to admire. :)