Thursday, May 29, 2014

Happy Little Sewing Project - Thimbleanna's Purse Thingy


I enjoy small projects because I've figured out I'm an instant gratification kind of gal. Big quilts call my name -- I've made a few and have several planned -- but give me a tiny sewing project that is ready to use or gift in a few hours and I am sooooo happy. And they're great for using up scraps of fabric.

Now let me tell you what happened at Hobby Lobby yesterday. I always make a quick run past their little fabric clearance section because I can do so much with those just-under-a-yard pieces that they mark down. A woman (and I'm guessing her daughter) approach me. The woman looks extremely serious and says, "Can I ask you something?"

Now I'm wondering if she thinks she knows me but I don't recognize her and we're back in the corner of the store with no one else around. Let's be honest here. Most people who sew and quilt and craft are the nicest people you'll ever meet but you know there has to be a few nutjobs in the mix and Murphy's Law says this might be my moment to meet one.

So I say, "Sure," and brace myself. She gestures to the small bundle in my hand and asks, "What are these little things of left over fabric called?"

Still confused, I look down at my hand and back up at her and say, "Remnants?"

And she hollers, "REMNANTS!" And throws her hands up in the air as she turns to her companion. "That's it ... remnants!"

I had to laugh and said, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't remember things like that!" I'm still giggling about it.

So if you like quick little scrap busting projects, too, let me tell you, you'll want to make this adorable Purse Thingy by Thimbleanna.


She provides a wonderful tutorial. The back piece that cushions your cell phone is quilted before assembly (I used a layer of flannel inside). I just stitched around and around in a square from the outside in.


In Thimbelanna's original version, she includes a see through vinyl ID window, which I omitted, just keeping the front solid fabric.



I still put the little pocket inside as a divider.



Here is the back with my cell phone tucked into the pocket.


This is a graduation gift and we included a Visa gift card. Is this sweet or what?

Thanks to Thimbleanna for the fabulous free pattern/tutorial!



So many projects, never enough time ...

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

B is for Baby Boy, Blanket, Bib and Burp Cloth


Rough year so far. We had a family funeral out of state the second week of March and bid farewell to my beloved mother-in-law. Missed a week of work. Then our youngest daughter was married in our back yard the last week of March. So much fun celebrating with a small group of family and friends but it was at our home so lots and lots of sprucing up and organizing and decorating and cleaning. Missed a week of work. Two weeks later, I'm at work feeling flu-ish. Ended up with lots of lovely symptoms that led to walking pneumonia/bronchitis/viral infection. I had more medical tests than I can count, several dozen doctor appointments, spent a night in the emergency room. Missed four weeks of work. Spring 2014 will be remembered as one of my not-so-favorite seasons, even though the wedding was beautiful and amazing.

So the last thing I posted was the cute little pre-quilted alphabet blanket that needed a simple binding. Much later ...


Also with the green gingham-checked fabric, made a burp cloth lined with flannel and backed with a cute navy blue print with white stars. And a bib with my first attempt at appliqué (the baby's name starts with a Z). Both are reversible.


One of my smile.amazon.com** purchases made during the delirium phase of the illness (if Hubby knew I was ordering stuff online while out of my mind, he'd have taken away all my devices) was a KAM Snap Setter. I've fought with the metal snaps pliers forever and I like the idea of the plastic snaps. Ruined a few snaps and took a little bit to understand how much pressure you have to put on these pliers to flatten the prong, but once the snap is in correctly, it is terrific! Love it!


Glad to be on my feet again, back to work and looking forward to quality time in the craft studio.

So many projects, never enough time.

** I order occasionally from Amazon and have found out that they have a philanthropic site (smile.amazon.com) that allows you to choose your charity of choice. Then when you order using the smile.amazon.com site, a percentage of your purchase benefits your chosen charity. 

Mine is SOS Rescue Baton Rouge, an amazing animal rescue group in Louisiana run by wonderful people!