A little crazy but still standing

I went a little crazy the other night with making the name strips for christmas presents. Don't you love the royal blue ultra suede. You just want to pet this stuff. So I got excited and tried another book cover and the font I used was to big. We all know you can only shrink it so much before it's way to dense, kinda like me yesterday. I had thought to name my site Caroline's creations, but some used the name and is an embroidery shop, in New Orleans. But I liked the look and wanted a notebook cover to hold my doodles and notes as I sketch and such.

As you can see there are puckers and then I ran out of bobbin thread. The C in caroline was stitched twice, because the bobbin thread went crazy and came on tiop of my fabric. I added a topper and started over right on top which I thought would be good. A nice double layer to pop off the fabric. You can still see the bobbin thread in some places.

I'll rescue most of the fabric and use the Caroline's somehow, maybe a luggage tag. Hmmmm

Then I decided that my blog needed a real heading. Designed by me. So I found a nice snowdrift font and converted it and added some snowflakes. It really looked good on paper. But the font doesn't stitch out the snow, it just leaves a blank area to simulate snow. Big Sigh. I added redoing the font to my to do list in Vegas. The Caroline's Creation font down sizing it too. I can't shop the whole time.

While the embroidery machine was cranking away I took some of the name strips and made them into Luggage tags. The black are for the hubby. I used some old belting material. The tan one is backed with more ultra suede. I liked it.

Well I gotta go, I'm off to Grand Rapids, MN not michigan for the embroidery club meeting. It takes me an hour and a half to drive.

Love Ultra Suede

Before I tell you all about ultra suede, I need to show you what I've been doing the last few days. I made more wristlets with embroidery and gave them as gifts. One hour happy sewing and happy friends. Love that and they show people who want one. Happy advertising for me. One girlfriend wants to order two for each of her three daughters. We're going to pick out fat quarters when I get back from Vegas.

So I've sewed those two bags mentioned in last post; still not happy with the bulk of the bottom seam. I showed the manager at Ben Franklin and she said, with a straight face "write a new tutorial and sent it in to the magazine." Genius. So I am writing a new tutorial for the Pick a Pocket bag from the Quilts and More magazine.

I wrote down what I liked and didn't like. I changed up the straps and made them detachable with snap hooks and D-rings. I eliminated the bottom seam, which made me change the pockets. I will post the tutorial this weekend. I have two test sewers who are happy to try it for me. One is an English major, who'll check for spelling and phrasing as well as sewing. whoo hoo.



Ultra suede love it. Love, love, love it.

One of the guys who works with the Hubby is going overseas to Germany and he likes the idea that we make things as gifts. For Christmas all of our friends got something handmade by me or the Hubby. So I made him a Journal Cover in ultra suede with his name embroidered on it. This is so simple. Measure the notebook. width , height and depth of the spine. Add 1 inch to height, (8 1/2 + 1) width times 2 plus spine plus 1 inch (5 1/2 x 2+ 1/2 + 1) so I cut the ultra suede 9 1/2 by 12 1/2. I marked the right side of the cover 3 inched from the right and 4 3/4 from the top. My chalk pencil didn't leave any chalk but the suede had nap so the movement of the pencil left a simple mark. This is to center the embroidery. I got the directions from an Anita Goodesign pack for Snowflake Accessories, with ultra suede. I cut two of the cover and then two 3 inch by 9 1/2 inch for the pockets to hold the book cover. I taped the pockets to the inner cover while the embroidery machine chugged away. Make sure the nap is going the same way. If you tilt your head you can see if the nap doesn't match. (This warning is from personal experience. My business card holder has one pocket that doesn't match.) lol. then you trim the tear away stabilizer and layer onto the pocket inner cover and sew 1/2 inch seam the tape held the pockets in place while I sewed, because the suede to really thick. It sews like butter. just go slow. Peel the tape and trim your seams. Waa laa.

I also made him luggage tags with the extra ultra suede.

My picture isn't great but the tags turned out great and the suede is cut to one inch and sewed onto the web belting and a snap hooks is attached. I scorched the ends of the belting. I actually recycled an old Scouting belt of the Hubby's. I gave him back the removable buckle.

I got carried away and made a bunch of name strips for many of our friends. I need more 1 1/2 inch web belting and more snap hooks. The ultra suede is so nice the embroider, you just find yourself petting it. I designed a few more book covers and I'll stitch them out tomorrow. Tonight is Pizza Night and the teenagers voted to go out to a local pizza place. Which means I need to put on a clean shirt not covered in thread and lunch.

New Bag Pattern

I tried a new bag pattern today. It was in the Quilts and More magazine.

I liked it. But the bottom seam is really bulky and you can feel it. I also had enough fabric left over to make a wristlet to go with. Better picture below. I made another wristlet with enbroidery on it for a friend, the thread is tone on tone. My picture doesn't do the bag justice.

I decided to make another because it is a quick and easy bag out of this turquoise (can't spell) blue home decor fabric and more Micheal Miller fabric for the inner bag. plus enough to make a wristlet.

I've been sewing and making a pile (basket) of things for hand sewing like slip stitching the linings closed then I do that watching TV. I think these bags are going to be gifts not for sale because of the bulky bottom seam. I did trim down the blue one, but until I'm totally finished tomorrow is when I'll decide to add to the store or not.

Friday playing pennies I broke even. I walked out with the same amount of cash as I walked in with 3 hours earlier, including buying lunch. Not bad. I hope Vegas is much better. I've been looking on the Internet for embroidery stores and sewing stores to maybe take a class while I'm there. I can't (CAN) shop all day long for five days, while the Hubby is in his conference.

playing hookey

Ben Franklin Rocks

I'm going to play hookey today. I'm going to play pennies with a friend at a local Indian casino. But even with the crazy running around in the last few days, yesterday I took two hours and made three more wristlets. I took them with me on my errands and hand stitched the linings, while waiting for my appointment.

I loved this blue so much I couldn't waste any of it. I need to add more pockets on the inside.

I found matching material at our local Ben Franklin, for the gold and maroon that has the same pattern as the blue. I can start the bag tomorrow, for that. I decided that I love Micheal Miller's tone on tone fabric for my lining. It feels fabulous. The manager at ben Franklin told me I did not need to pre-wash this because the quality is so good. I'm old school, I don't know.

I also matched two other fabrics for bags. I probably looked weird with my swatches. That's why I like the small Ben Franklin, they're willing to order stuff for me if I ask. We were talking about the new natural (organic) fabrics, she and another woman mentioned bamboo. I am allergic to bamboo. I tried a set of bamboo pillowcases (because the sheet set was so expensive). I washed them first to remove the starch and the pillowcase still sucked all the moisture from my head in three hours. I woke up at 2 am with my eyes swollen shut and not being able to breathe. A steamy shower fixed me, but if you chose to try this expensive fabric test it first. Even the Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine has articles about bamboo and other natural fabrics like hemp. I need to write to them to mention that if you could possiblely have a grass allergy to avoid bamboo and hemp.

I looked for fabric at fabric.com but I got a better deal at my local Ben Franklin with a 17% off sale for St Patrick's Day (weeklong sale). why 17%, I don't know but I'm not knocking a discount.

etsy store

The etsy store is open. I posted wristlets and the tote bag for sale. But I had the weirdest thing happen, the Hubby is so proud of me, he brags all the time. I'm keeping him. Weird thing, he called and wanted the website to the store and the blog and my gut response was MINE. Hubby was selling my stuff for me to the ladies he works with and they are curious and all, but MINE. MINE. MINE. I think I'm over it. MINE

Yesterday I did what looked like a bunch of nothing. I've been working on embroidery designs. I need a cow and a grill for an Apron. I'll post it for sale when I'm done. I can see it in my head and I working on getting it on paper and into the computer. The flames are almost done. for the Apron "Grilling Good", that's what I'm calling it. Well I beeter get off the computer and go pay bills, they don't pay themselves.

Sewing up a storm

Wow, I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. I vow to do better. I have been sewing. Since I last left you, the family went to the twin cities and I visited SR Harris. I started to take pictures but I was being stared at. So I stopped. I made a tote bag out of some of the fabric I bought. I love the fabric, I bought it in gold and burgundy. The embroidery says" Machine Embroidery is more than a passion, It's Life Altering." I always make my straps really long, 30 inches. And I made the folded pockets, so there are eight pockets inside and one outside. I also made a zipper pouch to match. These are going in the etsy store. Minus my junk to show the pockets. LOL

I got a little pouch crazy and made a ton for the store.

Showing off the new phone in a pouch.

This one I added pockets on the inside for cash and cards, with room to spare for my phone.

I also finished the new bookcase, the instructions sucked, but with the Hubby's help we finished the shelves and I put all my books and such away.

I also embroidered on a deep green pouch for a girlfriend who is into turtles. I figured out how to embroider before I start to put the pouch together and how to lay it out to make sure the embroidery in not on the lining. Been there done that.

Our son in the army leaves tomorrow, he's driving his new (used) car back to Texas. He's excited about the road trip and all. His Dad is nervous. The Boy is 23 and a world traveler, but Dads worry. It's funny I'm not worried, maybe tomorrow.

Morning after

The morning after the Bang. I began to clean up, but with our trip to the cities. I had to run errands. I scored a new ironing board. I also bought a cheap bookcase versus trying to figure out how to hang the brackets better. Hubby's idea. The old ironing board went to the recycling center on the way to the bank. I grapped some zippers and hardware for more wristlets. I looked at Dress forms on the the computer last night, but couldn't make up m mind. I'm a big girl (full figured) and trying to decide is tough. Maybe tomorrow after fabric heaven, I'll look for a dress form in the sewing stores down near the Mall of America. I ended up in Ace hardware for the keyring clip out of hardy metal.

This is a close up of the ironing board cover, not boring silvery, stained cover for me. Blue paisley or tan. I liked the blue, of course.

Oh the youngest is home from college, I better get off the computer. LOL. I'm ready to go, just been waiting for her. She sold two more wristlets for me at work last night and a tote bag, showing off her prizes. She normally gets first dibs, on my experiments. I might have to start paying her a commission. Shhhh don't tell her.

I'll post pictures of fabric heaven. Love, Love, Love SR Harris Outlet.

My day ended with a BANG

Day three of the sewing room makeover. I got up really early and got started on the room again. I wanted to clean off my sewing machine and sew today. I found this great tutorial at http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/ on a lined wristlet. The directions were really simple. I knew what fabric to start with and all.

So I moved the old small bookcase from the laundry room and placed it on top of the dresser. Fit perfect. Then I loaded lots of fabric washed folded, and cut or ripped to size, ready for a project.

And then the Hubby got up and wanted to take me to Home Depot.

Okay. He bought me this nice drill for allowing him to spend money at Home Depot. It fits my hand perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I'm a power tools and gizmo girl all the way. We got home and he headed for the garage to put the sanding belt on the grinder, etc. I headed for my sewing machine. I unburied the sewing machine, the ironing board and the embroidery machine.

I made the first of many wristlets from the Heart of Mary tutorial. I love how she encased the zipper. But now I need to got to Joann's and buy more zippers and key chain hooks. I cut out and began five more wristlets.

Arrrg you mateys, throw me a life preserver.

My daughter (19) loved it. She's always using the kangaroo pouch on her sweatshirt to carry her keys, phone and wallet. This is more better. (Yes More Better).

She headed off to work and the boys were starting to forage for food. I shut things down for the night and made supper. Mexican, Minnesota style. Each of my kids eats a piece or part of the dinner, so everything is put into separate containers.

After dinner the boys headed over to a friends to play video games. The Hubby wants an air respirator for working with the wood and after yesterday's dust and such he needs it. We didn't find what he wanted at Sherman Williams or at Home Depot. I suggested he look on the Internet. He came got me to buy what he found and BANG.

Yesterday's shelves hit the floor. I even used those expander things, because I only hit one stud. It broke my ironing board. My sewing machine, the iron and the door to the closet are okay. I just laughed and took pictures to show you. I couldn't even think about messing with it tonight. I guess I get to use my drill tomorrow after another trip to Home Depot.

I was so going to tell you about this book I got in the mail, yesterday, but I can't think about books. I got two more in the mail today. I'll take them with me to the cities tomorrow. I love getting $21.95 books for $5. Half.com rocks.

Sewing Room Makeover Day 2

So today I put up shelves, yes by myself. I sorted all my craft books.

You can see I sorted the books by category. Quilting, machine embroidery and embroidery/design books. Clothing was another category and other books. I found I had a few duplicates. I'll post them on Half.com for sale. That is where I buy a lot of my books. I toted books from the sewing room (paperbacks) for storgae and my sewing books to the sewing room. I also moved all the sewing books from upstairs next to my chair where I watch TV. I also moved all the book from out of my office floor. I had two big plastic boxes with books. I really need to trim down my books, don't let the hubby hear that. He's been telling me that for years. I read one romance book every two days. Even with sewing, I still read and watch TV in the evenings and early morning, before I get motivated to get dressed.

Then I started on the plastic shoe boxes.

I sorted and labeled the shoe boxes so I can now know what is in what box. All the elastic is in one, seam binding in another. I used 3 x 5 cards taped to the inside of the box. I found that I had project boxes too. I couldn't stop laughing when I found a skirt cut out for a size 12. I haven't been a size 12 in quite a few years. Maybe one of the daughters might like it. In the project box was the pattern, the material, thread and all the other notions. This method used to work for me, years ago.

I even found old material for my daughter, when she was a kids size 8-10. She's now 23 and has a four-year-old daughter of her own. Funny huh.

I wanted to be finished today, but this show is

to be continued.

I played hooky from all my regularly scheduled Weds activities. The hubby is home on vacation. He took the whole week off. The day was so nice out, he spent most of the day in the garage. It was 40 degrees (above zero). A few years ago, I heard that to have a good marriage after retirement, each person needs their own hobby. The hubby's new hobby is turning wooden bowls on a lathe. He's getting really good. His Dad sent him some Ironwood, so he was working on that all afternoon. He needs a new sanding belt for the sander, a new saw blade for the band saw and more sanding pads. Ironwood is so dense. I watched him show someone that ironwood won't float.

I have to tell you about the new change over to Verizon, for our area. They sent us a card saying that my phone won't work with their data and I got to pick a new phone. I decided on the one with Navigator, but the phone arrived without it. I can't do anything until 22 March. That's our date to switch over. I tried to visit the new store, but the lines are three hours long. Not a happy camper.

Sewing Room Makeover

My husband took off this week for the Army Son being home. I put him, them to work. First my cutting table got wobbly, so I cleaned it off and we flipped and glued in all the screws that had come loose.

A couple of before pictures. Stuff in piles.

A couple of in the middle pictures. I am taking over an extra bedroom that had beome a storage room. My sewing room was in my laundry room. I'm now moving everything from the laundry room into the bedroom. Whoo Hoo my own space.

I had two big white bookcases and this old white 8 drawer dresser. The boys moved for me. Now for the fun part I can put up shelves and put all my sewing books in one spot and can get my fabric out of plastic shoe boxes and actually be able to use my serger.

Hopefully I'll be done tomorrow so I can sew again.