Gathered Clutch Tutorial

So my sewing machine is finally back from the repair shop. And working better than ever! I had thought late last year that I needed a new one. But this one just keeps on tickin'. Not unlike my Nissan Sentra. So, I can now get to the point of this blog, trying out tutorials. I had wanted to give the Gathered Clutch tutorial a shot, (from Noodleheads) weeks ago, but due to unforseen circumstances, didn't get a chance until now. I think it turned out soo cute! This first one was really just a trial, I know I can do a better job. This was honestly my first time using a zipper foot and my zipper setting was not my neatest work. So, I must try, try again. A really easy tutorial though. Probably only took about an hour or so of sewing. My kind of project! I think I'll add a wrist strap next time.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

If you happen to be in the Baltimore/Washington area, the first weekend of May, don't miss the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It's like a state fair with crafts and more yarn than you've ever seen!

The Final Dishtowel

I came home for lunch today, after I had a mini-panic this morning, after I realized that my wallet wasn't in my purse. I have to travel for work tomorrow, so not having my driver's license would be a bad scene at the airport. I was 99% sure that my wallet was in my smaller purse and that I just forgot to transfer it, but my mind just got fixated on this and given that I live VERY close to my office, decided to just come home and check. Thankfully it was exactly where I thought it was. Crisis averted! And now it's going to be difficult to go back to work, especially since it's dark, dreary and rainy today. A day I wish I could just stay in bed! But, back to the crafts. Last night, I managed to finish the 3rd dishtowel, pictured here still in the embroidery hoop, (mentioned in this post), but we were having bad thunderstorms and thought it was best to stay away from the computer, my electricity kept flickering. I used heat 'n bond lite to apply the birds and branch, then did a running stitch around everything with embroidery thread. Would have gone MUCH faster with a sewing machine, but since mine in the shop, I used this alternative method. Pretty cute, no? And yes, that is supposed to be a mama bird and a baby bird, fitting since this will be part of my mom's Mother's Day gift.

The applique pattern was found here: Bird Applique from Lolly Chops

Sewing Machine Maintenance, Resorting to Hand Sewing

Is this something that other people do regularly? Clean and oil their sewing machines? I was trying to figure out how long I've had my sewing machine...probably for 15+ years. It is far from fancy, was incredibly inexpensive and is held together in a few places by duct tape. It seems to be working fine, until recently, when it started making some groaning noises when in operation. Still working, but not so great. While doing some mindless work today, it occurred to me, that it needs to be oiled! I have no idea where the owner's manual is, but found some simple instructions on-line. I picked up some sewing machine oil and went to work. Seemed easy enough, once I figured out how to take the top off. Put it all back together and it was working beautifully, until I had to wind a bobbin. I somehow broke this function. So she's off at the repair shop. I hope that it's a simple repair.

Of course, I had big plans this weekend to make the Gathered Clutch from Noodleheads, but guess it will have to wait until next weekend. Hopefully my machine will be back by then.

So, in the meantime, I've been working on some dishtowels for my mom, to accompany something else as her Mother's Day present. (It's early this year!) I embroidered two and am working on appliquing one. (The applique towel is still in the works, but suddenly realized this morning that I have a really busy week, including some travel, so thought I'd go ahead and post before time got away from me. Stay tuned for the third one in the series.) I think they turned out quite well! I found the patterns here:

Birdcage from Little Deer Tracks

Bird on Flower from Butterflyfishband (converted from a coloring page)

WIP, Back to Regularly Scheduled Programming

I've been quite busy lately. Traveling, working, having visitors, etc, etc. Long story short, have not had time to blog or make stuff. I've missed both! So, finally, this weekend, I had lots of free time. Lots of things are now in progress, nothing really completed yet and many planned projects are actually presents, therefore can't be posted until they are given. So, just because I haven't posted recently, doesn't mean that I'm not hard at work! Good to be back to regularly scheduled programming.

Business Card Holder

I've recently been asked for a business card several times, not by a colleague, but by a friend or relative and have been embarrassingly caught without one. Then this weekend, I received the nicest package from the Mid Atlantic Make A Wish chapter (where I volunteer). In celebration of National Volunteer week, they made me my very own Wish Granter business cards! So nice! These recent events has sent me rummaging all around my kitchen, desk and dresser for a business card holder, I know I have several. Cannot for the life of me find one of these. So, decided to just make one. After a quick search online, I came across this tutorial on Schlosser Designs. This was a super easy project, came together in about an hour. Including, pressing and cutting the fabric. The interlining I used was probably a little thicker than needed and my pathetic little sewing machine struggled with it a bit. But overall, happy with how it turned out.

Given that it's National Volunteer Week, I have to give a plug to volunteering. I spend a few hours every week on my volunteer work for Make a Wish. I definitely get far more out of it then I give. Find a little time to give back...it's so rewarding!

Downtown San Francisco

During my recent vacation, I had a little time to kill while my friends were at work. I bravely took the BART into the city, from Walnut Creek (where I was staying) and knew I had to visit Britex Fabrics. I had heard so much about this fabric store and it didn't disappoint! Unfortunately, they didn't allow visitors to take pictures on the inside, but there were four floors of fabrics, trims and notions. To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed. And it was rather pricey, many of the fabrics were $30-$40 a yard! But I did manage to find some fabrics, which I will reveal in some future sewing project.

San Francisco doesn't have an official garment district, but there was something garment-y going on, on the same street as Britex... Look what I spotted in a window. Patterns!

As I continued my shopping trip, I came across a sign touting a flower show at Macy's. I decided to go check it out. Turns out a local floral designer created a new, big floral arrangement every day! That day happened to have an Alice in Wonderland theme. Amazing!

This was the really beautiful and impressive window display advertising the flower display.

Here's the REAL reason I went to California. To visit my friends, Sarah and Mariah! (And also Kelly, who was visiting from Illinois, who kindly took the picture, therefore is not pictured.) We met up later for happy hour. Miss you all!!