Christmas Gifts #3: Apron

I guess this is the only picture I have of this apron I made Mindy.  I can't believe I didn't take a picture of this on her.  I suppose being sick with the flu on Christmas Day might explain it.

Christmas Gifts #2: Purse

Made this little felt purse for Sophie.  She giggled as she carried it around on her shoulder.   So cute!  Just cut out the front piece and blanket-stitched a flower on, made the back piece a little longer to allow for the flap.  Made a 2 1/2 inch-strip for the side.  (Actually I made each of these pieces double thickness for extra strength and firmness.)  Used a 3-inch strip to make a handle by doubling the sides into the middle, folding in half and stitching on the machine.  Blanket stitched everything together.  Used velcro to make it stay shut.  Filled it with things every lady needs like chapstick, a phone, a tablet, a book.   Ha!

Christmas Gifts #1: Car Mat

Had lots of fun making this play mat for Lucas for Christmas.  Bought decorator-weight fabric for the background.  Painted the roads with acrylic paint.  I got the idea here.

Chick-fill-A is Lucas' favorite restaurant, but I couldn't figure out how to make the logo.  So I ironed freezer paper on fabric to stiffen the fabric and ran it through the printer.  It worked fine.  I thought the red was a little light-colored, or dull, so I went over it with marker. 

 I wasn't sure how to put the dotted lines on until the last minute.  I thought about zigzagging or using Steam-a-Seam.  But I thought they would both take too long.  Finally I decided to use freezer paper.  I cut out the shapes on the freezer paper (actually I made about 5 of these stencils), ironed them on the roads, and then painted the lines with yellow acrylic.  Worked great and went fast.

Used this fun material for the back.  

Found these great wooden trees, street lights and road signs at Hearthsong. 

Bargains and More Bargains

So I've been using lots of felt for projects lately.  Just purchased more of some colors you see here that I needed to replenish.  So Joann Fabrics has felt on sale for 50% off.  Regular $4.99 on sale for $2.50.  And I had a coupon for 20% off everything, even sale items.  So, if I figure right it cost $2 a yard.  But the pink on the bottom was a piece that was an inch short of a yard, so the clerk gave it to me for half price, which was really half of half price, or $1.25 plus 20% off.  I think that's $1 a yard.  Whoo hoo.  

May not look like much but this is my new fabric organizer.  Wish I would have taken a before picture.  This is a big improvement, believe me.  And I love just looking at some of my favorite fabrics.  Plus, ta da, I got the shelf 20% off at Sauder Outlet.

What's Going On?

You might think I have put my sewing projects on hold. Not so! In fact, just the opposite. It has been a busy Santa's workshop around here. But since some of you are the ones who will receive the things I'm making, I can't post pics until after Christmas.  But I will give you a sneak peak, and you can keep guessing what the elves are up to around here.