My First Machine Applique

This is my first attempt at machine applique.
It isn't too hard. It just requires LOTS of steps.

Sorry for the blurry picture!

2010 Christmas Outfits

All of my Grands are getting Christmas outfits this week. There is a catch though...their parents have to have the kids pictures taken in them and give me a copy!
Such terrible motives I have....pictures of my grandkids all dress similiarly. Don't you love the red, black and white?

Belated Birthday Gift for Jaime

Back in April Jaime requested an apron for her birthday...well better late than never.
She wanted it to be retro/vintage.  I found this cute fabric and when I was putting on the finishing touches I remembered some really old rickrack that my mom had.  It was the perfect color.  So Jaime has an apron with a  real vintage touch!  A special gift from her Geemaw. Happy Birthday Jaime 2 months late!

Somehow this post never did got on my blog. So here it is.  I guess that makes it a belated belated post! 

Candy Corn

I got this cute Halloween embroidery design!  I love it!
I took the pieces to Colorado and Jaime made the jumper.  It turned out so cute!

I Spy

I made this for Carter for his birthday.  It is my first quilt!!!!  Don't look too close...I'm no Grandmother when it comes to piecing a quilt. But I think he really liked it. He really likes the page where he has to find the monkey doing yoga!!!!  I took a picture of each quilt block uploaded them to Snapfish and made the book.  Thanks to Aunt Vickie who quilted it and Aunt Laney who helped me bind it!

Selfish Me

Look what
I made for myself!
(How does one take a picture of ones camera?)
I used this great tutorial!
http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2009/08/strap-cover-with-pockets/

For Sara Beth

Last time Brandi and Sara Beth came to "the country" Brandi designed this onesie for her little precious.  I finally finished it today by adding the ribbon and bow.  As fast as Sara Beth is growing I really needed to get it done.  Monday they are coming to spend the day...so photos of Sara Beth in it will follow.

Carol's Collar Coolers (made in Macedonia)

With daytime temperatures of 102+ I've been worried about the hot men in my life.  So I made some of these...

Key ingredient is...

There is a great tutorial at littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com

You just soak them in iced water for 10 minutes then wrap them around your neck.

Guys sure hope it helps!

Need Your Input

Look at these two cute fabrics.

What could I make?

T- shirt Makeover

I started with a t-shirt and cut the neck band off.

Then I faced the neckline using bias tape. 

I made tucks on the sleeves.

I added a ribbon tie.

I added elastic to the neckband. 

Now Olivia has a girlie tunic made from a souvenir t-shirt.

Lily's Outfit

This is the outfit I made for Lily's birthday present.

Latest sewing projects

Laney and I spent the entire weekend sewing...look at these two cute projects.

Christmas in February

I told you that I am starting my Christmas present making early...here is my first ever quilt top.  This is going to be more than a little quilt...hint   ;)

Christmas Quilt

Vickie and Grandmother finished our quilt.  Doesn't it look beautiful on our bed?

This belongs on Laney's blog

I am modeling the "cozy"
that Laney made for me.
I love the color of it and
get compliments each
time I wear it.  Sissy, you
can sew for me any time you
want to! But only sew for
fun, right?
p.s. Note that I blurred the
picture.  Wish I knew how
to elongate it so I'd look taller!

This Weekend's Sewing Project

I can hardly wait until Payton's party next weekend.  This is what I made for her.

Making Your Own Piping

Having the the right tools for the job always makes a project come together better.  This is a piping foot.  It is grooved on the bottom so that the cording itself rests in the groove and allows you to sew close to the cording.

When cutting your strips of fabric (especially if you have to go around corners like on a pillow) it is best to cut the strips of fabric on the bias.  This means at a 45 degree angle to the selvage.  I used my cutting mat which has this marking.  That sure made it easy.

Here you can see how the cord is in the fold of the fabric and the piping foot is running with the groove on the cord. I displayed this with the fabric open just to show you where the placement of the cord should be. When actually sewing it the fabric will be folded over...not open.

Here is the finished cording. After I finished the cording I put it on the pillows that I made for Jaime.

My Black and White Weekend

Yesterday morning I decided to thread my sewing machine and my serger with black thread and finish two black and white projects.  I had so much fun. 

Tell me what you think about the new zebra purse. 

The pillow covers are for Jaime's office.  I bought the fabric and took it to Colorado in September.  Then in December, I brought it back home and finally made the pillow covers. 

I am especially excited about learning to make the piping on the pillows.  I'll show how to do it in another post.  Thanks Laney for loaning me the piping foot for my machine.  It worked great.

Christmas Hints

Thought I'd give a little Christmas hint...very little!

My Sewing Room!!!

Laney came over Saturday and helped me clean organize my sewing room.  It looks great.  I think I can actually get some sewing done now.