Scrappin' Sunday

I love scrapbooking. It has been a passion of mine for a while now. I used to do the "traditional" scrapping, but as a bit of a neat freak and organization junkie, the mess drove me crazy. Then I found out about Digital Scrapbooking and became hooked. It is so nice to be able to create beautiful pages and only have to open my laptop. There is no mess to clean up when I am done. Even better, if I get a creative block, I just save what I am working on, and move on to something else. Easy as pie! Actually, there is a bit of a learning curve with Digital, but if you ever want to learn I can point you to a terrific site that has been a load of help for me.

Anyhow, I must admit to not keeping up with my daughter's current scrapbook. My goal is to make one a year, which I give to her as a birthday present. (More for me at this point, but she will appreciate it later.) Waiting until the last minute isn't an option, yet I still put it off. So I was a bit surprised with myself when I put together her Halloween page. Woohoo for one page down! I may try to make it a goal to get one or more layouts done each week and then posting them on Sunday. But who cares about that. You want to see the layout. Well, here you go:

I am very pleased with how this turned out. I highly recommend digital if you are wanting to start out in scrapbooking. It has a bit of an initial cost (photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop Elements is your main expense), but in the long run it saves you bundles. I am always happy to help steer you in the right direction, should you need any help.

Most of my elements came from ScrapGirls.com (a highly recommended site). I did make a few color changes, and I added the Polka Dots to the red paper. Not as time consuming as one would think. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Mac, but am hoping to upgrade to 8.0 or 9.0 soon.

If you are interested in checking out her first book, you can find it here. I designed all the pages (using supplies and some templates from Scrapgirls) and had it printed through Shutterfly. Great customer service. I had a small issue with the first book and they immediately re-printed and overnight shipped me a new copy at no additional charge. AWESOME!

Hope you all had a safe and Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Check out my little girl in her costume, over at my other blog. She is stinkin adorable!

Finished!

Holy Cow! I finished the quilt! I thought it was going to take much longer to quilt, but I was able to quilt and bind it all, yesterday. Before I tell you how I feel about this quilt let me show you some pictures.

I really love the colors of this quilt. BRIGHT! I feel like my living room can be a bit dark at times, so this quilt adds the pop of bright color it really needs. May not fit well with fall and winter, but who cares. I don't pretend to have a designer decorated home.

Now let me tell you that this quilt is far from perfect. It is only my second, ever. The quilting has a lot to be desired. Stitch in the ditch is not my best. Lots of stitches roaming out of the ditch, and let's not even start talking about the puckers. Do I care? Heck no! I wanted a quilt that I could cuddle up on the couch with my daughter, and that is what I have. I think the finished dimensions are about 62"x66", a nice large lap quilt. I can't wait to use it! But not tonight...tonight we have football with friends.

WAR EAGLE! Go Auburn!

Productive

Wow! I am truly amazed at what I have accomplished so far this week. My 16 month old has reached the tantrum stage, so you can understand how difficult it can be to just unload the dishwasher, let alone do any sewing. Somehow, I managed to get most of the things on my to-do list done!

1. Finish the Embroidery: DONE!!!!

Isn't she just adorable. The perfect centerpiece for Delilah's Doll Quilt!

2. Household Notebook: IN PROGRESS

         I have many of the documents completed, I just have to print and place in binder. 

3. Piece Quilt Back: DONE and then some.

        I don't have a pic of the back to share with you, yet. But I do have a pic of the THEN SOME:

That's right, I basted the quilt last night. I wasn't sure I would be able to this week with everything else going on, but I found some energy last night to get it done. My secret: Project Runway. That show always seems to get me motivated. Now I just need to quilt and bind. I am probably going to stitch in the ditch with this one. I can't think of any other way. Any suggestions? 

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend! And in case I don't post before Sunday...Happy Halloween!

Goals for the Week

1. Finish the Princess and the Pea Embroidery, which will be used for Delilah's doll quilt. Isn't she darling?

Half way done.

2. Make a Household Notebook, similar to the one below. I'm a sucker for Organization!

Photo and idea found here.

3. Piece together the back to the quilt below. The coordinating fabric went on super sale! Possibly baste and quilt, if I'm feeling frisky!

I think that is enough for this week. I will keep you updated as I check things off my list. 

Have a great Monday!

Halloween Costume

It's done! My little girls costume is done, and it is SO cute! It was easy to make, just a little time consuming. Tying all that tulle took forever! I am very happy with the end results. I had seen similar costumes on Etsy, but couldn't justify spending so much $$. This maybe cost a total of $10. I can't wait to see her in it. She is going to be the cutest lady bug ever!

I am linking up to Sew and Tell Fridays!

Hand Embroidery

I love to hand sew. The binding on a quilt is one of my favorite parts of the whole process. I tend to cross stitch from time to time, but I really hate the counting of teeny tiny squares to follow the pattern. So how am I to fill my urge to hand sew when I don't have a quilt to bind? Hand embroidery.

I have never hand embroidered before, but I love the personalization it gives a project. Your design options are endless! I found a gorgeous design on Etsy that I plan to make into a doll quilt as part of my daughters christmas gift. (She is getting her first REAL doll, with all the accessories; cradle, bedding, quilt, clothes, etc.) Before I jumped into this very detailed pattern, I figured I should do some trial runs with easier patterns. Basically, I just drew out a few simple things on the fabric and gave it a go.

I really like the way it turned out. Very simple back stitches, yet so cut. I was planning to fill the heart, but after stitching the second row, I really liked the look as is. I plan to practice more, and hopefully start my new pattern this weekend. I will definitely show progress shots as I go along. 

Goals

I have set a few goals for myself this week. First, to follow along with the Sadie Shirt Sew Along.






I am also going to make Delilah's halloween costume. I have had the supplies for weeks! Amy, at Amy's Creative Side, is hosting a One Week Challenge with a fabulous giveaway. Just the motivation I needed! What are your goals for the week?

Table Runner

This week has been full of sewing DRAMA! I was faced with issue after issue with anything I tried to work on. My hobby wouldn't play nice.

In the last post I mentioned I was working on a camera strap. Turned out to be a bust. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to work with me. In the end, I had to scrap it. There wasn't anything I could do to fix it. Not to worry, I will try again. I just have to get more fabric, as I only bought enough for one.

I also worked on a fall table runner for my dining room table. I have had a roll of 2.5" strips of fabric from Joann's that I really wanted to put to use. Perfect colors for fall. Unfortunately I learned the hard way that Joann's doesn't cut accurate 2.5" strips. After taking the time to draw out a plan and take measurements, I had to re-work everything. SO frustrating.

Most people wouldn't have even bothered with the fabric (any fabric) from Joann's, but I am still hard pressed to spend a boat load of $$ on the designer fabric. First, it isn't in my budget. Second, as a beginner to all things sewing, I would rather ruin the cheaper fabric than the designer fabric. I have bought a few pieces of the quality fabric, on super sale, and as my skills increase (as well as budget) I am sure I will get more. Until that time, I am happy to use Chain Store fabrics, I just have to remember they suck at cutting an accurate straight line!

Back to the table runner. After re-working my diagram I started to sew. I am really getting the hang of my machine and feel like my stitches are getting more and more accurate. To quilt it, I stitched in the ditch. You can definitely see some mistakes in the first few lines of stitching, but as I went along it got better and better. I didn't rip any of the stitches out, mainly because I hate doing it and because it gives me a look at my progress. All in all the table runner turned out really nice.

My design is based off the tutorial on Moda Bakeshop. I changed the dimensions and the center. What do you think?

Cleaning Machine

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. Even more surprising is the fact that I haven't touched my sewing machine this whole time as well. SHOCKING! I was beginning to have some serious withdrawals. I have an excuse for the lack of crafting and blogging. I was in deep clean mode! We have been in this house about a year now and it never seemed to be organized to my liking. So while my husband trekked to Dallas for a football game, I got to work. My first action: the dreaded kitchen and laundry room. It took me about two days, but I think I have finally got it where I want it. It seems to flow better. I then worked on the upstairs, cleaning out closets and swapping out the summer and fall wardrobes. The only thing left on my to-do list is our guest room, which looks like a bomb went off. It seems to be the catch all room. I have until this weekend to get it done, so I am going to take a break and do some sewing!

I am very excited about a sew along coming up next week at Craftiness is Not Optional. Jess is going to give us a step by step tutorial on making a super cute shirt. This is exactly what I have been looking for to help me make shirts for D. If you are interested in trying this your self head on over to her blog to get your supply list. She is going to start Oct 18, next week, so you have time to gather everything you need.

I made PANTS!!!

Three pairs to be exact. With the cooler weather, it was time to get my daughter some pj/lounge pants. But why buy if I can make them myself. So, I set out to find a good tutorial to teach me the basics of pant making. I lucked out and found this tutorial that is excellent. (It is for shorts, but all you have to do is make them longer.) Using a pair of pants that fit, I made my own pattern and set to work.

The first pair aren't great. The waist doesn't seem to fit as well, and the back seems too low, like it wasn't fitting her diaper very well. When I drew my first pattern, I followed the curves of the pants I was tracing. For the next pattern, I followed the curve of the crotch, but then went strait down instead of curving back in a little (is that understandable). I plan to still use them, (in fact, she is in them now).

First Pair

My next two pair came together beautifully. I altered my pattern and was all set. I am so proud of how they came out. I just love the wide leg on her! 

The pictures above are of the second pair (the third pair are the same, just a different fabric). I used black thread just to see the outcome, I usually use matching thread. I made the hems wide so I can let them down as she grows taller. They are so stinkin' adorable on her. I plan to make several more pairs our of different flannel fabrics I have. 

I am also doing a little applique. I plan to make appliqued tops to go with the pants. I am just having a hard time finding plain white t-shirts (short and long sleeve) in sizes 12 and 18 months, that are CHEAP. I can't bare to spend more then a couple of bucks on something so simple. I would try to make them if I had any clue where to start. Any tips or tutorials for making shirts? The sleeves are very intimidating.

P.S. That Serger from the last post would have made things much faster. My machine comes with some great overlocking stitches, which make a great finish, it just takes forever. Hopefully Santa is listening!