Monday, January 24, 2011

Valentine Tic Tac Toe

I made this last year for Zara for Valentine's Day.  All of the pieces fit inside the big heart.  It's all made out of felt.  The hearts have just a little stuffing to make them poufy.  Can't show you this year's V-Day gifts yet, you know.  Still hoping the Christmas gifts arrive soon.  : (

More bags?

A friend gave me lots of scraps of decorator fabrics, so I made her a little "thank you" clutch out of some.  It turned out so differently from the earlier fabric clutches I made because the fabric is so stiff.  It just looks more formal or dressy, I guess.  Not sure I like it as well.  Wish I would have made the strip narrower.  Really wish I would have made it into a ruffle.  But some things like that you I just don't see until it's all together.  Next time.
And another bag for the church project.  It's always interesting how these turn out because it all depends on the size of the scraps I'm given.  There wasn't enough fabric for a single color inside and outside, so I did a quilted piece again.  But this time I put it on the inside.  I think I'm happy with that choice.  Also, I thought the outside needed a little pizazz, so I added a narrow little dark strip.


And of course, the flower.  I keep working on making these less wonky, but so far, they still aren't very even.  I think this picture actually makes it look worse than it really is.  I hope!  I'll keep trying...

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Colorful Bag

This is another bag for church.  I was given the blue dot material and looked quite a while before finding this fun print.  I used ideas from a couple different bag patterns to make this one.  I added three little pleats on each side.  It's lined with the blue dot material.  Once again, I wish I had made the handles longer.  Why do I keep looking at the same pattern to get the measurements for the length?  Rrrrrr.

Then I decided to make a fabric flower.  I keep seeing these on blogs and thought the bag needed one.  I couldn't find the directions for making the flower I wanted, so I tried to remember what I had seen.  It turned out pretty well, but I hope I can find the tutorial because I know it's not quite right.  I don't think this picture shows it off very well, but I like the way it looked on the bag though.  I used a covered button for the center.  Next time I will "mess up" the edges a bit, I think.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Ideas for repurposing these beauties?

When I was cleaning closets today, I found these handmade pieces that were passed down to me.  They have been laying in a drawer for too long.  I really want to make them into something useful or fun or just neat to look at.  If you have any ideas, let me know.

 This is a buffet cloth with beautiful embroidery in the corners.  And I love the crocheted edge.

 This is a full size quilt.  It has some dark spots that probably can't be removed.

And finally, there's this quilt top.  Not as old as the others.  I think I made it in the late 70s, as you can probably tell by the fabric and colors.  I hate to throw it away, but really!  

Quick and Easy Fabric Napkins

I have been wanting to make some cloth napkins.  Then I found a great tutorial for making neat corners.  When I tried it out, I couldn't believe how easy it was.  Now I want to get some linen and make more.


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

What's taking so long?

In case you're wondering what happened to the rest of the posts about Christmas gifts....

The package of homemade goodness I sent to the Seattle kids has not yet been delivered by our fearless, neither rain not snow, postman yet.  Was supposed to arrive Dec 24th.  At this point, I don't care that it's late.  I just want it to get delivered.  Hopefully before Claire outgrows what's inside.  I keep hoping that it's just because of the Christmas rush.  Of course, I didn't add tracking when I mailed it.  I know, I'm crazy.  Or else just too trusting. (But really, should that not be included??)   Maybe today will be the day!  If not, I go to the post office tomorrow.  Next time, UPS!  Better yet, I'll take it myself.