Sunday, June 23, 2013

Purple Polka Dot!



I finally decided it was time for a new lunch bag.  After making one for my Mom years ago, I got out my cute book on lunch bags and found this pattern.  Originally it was meant to hold a wine bottle with some little ties sewn inside but I'd never use that.  So I had a chance to use some laminated material picked up from JoAnn's a year ago and voila!  Duck cloth provides a sturdy base with the sides lined with fusible fleece to add extra support.  I think it's a winner!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

SOLD!



I love that feeling of complete elation when something you've made has been purchased by another person!  It's like a validation that you did good!  Certainly not the quilt I was expecting to sell, but very happy all the same and I'm sure some little boy's going to be very happy with his new quilt. 

 Motivation--that's what this is. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Great British Sewing Bee!!!!

So while catching up on some of the blogs I read, I came across a mention of the BBC show The Great British Sewing Bee, and how addicting and inspiring it was for my fellow blogger to watch.  So, looking for something to watch while I pin pieces for my latest quilt, I found the episodes on YouTube.  Hooked!!!!!!!  It was great! Sadly there were only 4 episodes made for this season.  Think Project Runway meets amateur home sewers.  They cover a variety of projects that experienced home sewers typically make: an A shaped skirt, a blouse, alterations, etc.  Great show, too bad it only took me 2 days to watch all the episodes.  However it's great inspiration, watching other sewers use different techniques, find pit-falls and success in competitions.  Because of this great inspiration I'll decided to finally throw away my old lunch bag and make myself a new one.  I've only made two so far, one was posted about a few years ago here.    Also, one of the contestants has a great blog that talks about sewing and how to start as a beginner!  Lots of pictures and easy explanations! She only started sewing 2 years ago and was picked as a contestant.  It's a great read for anyone interested in starting to sew things for themselves and their homes.  Check out Tilly and the Buttons blog.

The Great British Sewing Bee


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The Contestants, Host and Judges of The Great British Sewing Bee, from the BBC 2 channel.  

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Lovely Little Blue

I took some better pictures of my most recently finished quilts today and I think they look lovely!  All of them can be found on my Pintrest page and Cozy Crafts.








Now for a little Garden Update...

A few things have started to bloom.  I'm super excited to see this little Amsonia blooming.  I purchased it last year after the the blooms were done because my Aunt said they will have nice golden foliage in the Fall.

  

Here you can see the garden filling in.  Our climbing pink rose is starting to send up shoots while the Sedum fills in more and our Irises finish for the Spring.  Sadly, we've had a lot of rain the last few days, so the Iris blooms only looked their best for a short time before they started to look like crap.


This is one of our smaller Dahlias that we wintered and started growing in the basement early in Spring.  What a happy pink flower!


Our variegated Canna lily's.  They're hoping for warmer weather!


The end of the Asparagus.  We've got some super tall shoots that we're letting go so they can gather some energy for next Spring!


 Finally, just a cute picture of a struggling little Brunera that we've planted in an out of the way section of our yard.  Looks nice with the wheel barrow there.  Below that is a miniature hardy Geranium that's native to Wisconsin.  I wish it would spread more, but the little plant just comes back perfectly every year.