Apple and Pear Placemats and Napkins

These were made as an anniversary present for my sister and her husband (this was there 2nd wedding anniversary).  I did not know that before I started planning and making these that the traditional second anniversary gift is cotton, which makes this a perfect gift for them.  This was also my first experience with appliqueing and the 4 patch block on point.  This project was also my own design from start to finish.

Apple Placemat

Pear Placement

The Placemats:
These placemats were made with a four-point block that was on point.  Since these blocks were quite difficult to get perfect I just added a rectangle block to the other side of the placemat.  The center of each placemat features an apple or pear with a inside showing.  Each placemat was made like a little quilt complete with cotton batting and all to give it a padded and crinkled look.

Apple napkin

Pear Napkin

The Napkins:
Each napkin features a four-patch block with a top and  bottom border on each block.  All of the seams were topstitched to added reinforcement.  In the corner of each napkin is an apple or pear applique.  The back of each napkin is the same fabric as the apple or pear respectively. 

Chenille-Looking Clutch

Here is my latest sewing project, a shaggy chenille-looking clutch.  I got the idea for the clutch from Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond.  The clutch is made from flannel that is cut to have the shaggy look of chenille.  I changed the original design so that this clutch could have a zipper and a cotton lining.   

The inside of the clutch and zipper closure.

Adventures in Quilting–Scrappy Quilted Sewing Machine Cover

Cover from the front

This is my first finished quilting project after getting back into quilting after a long hiatus (the last project I made was a wall quilt that was a wedding present for a friend that got married in November 2005).  My current quilting journey began when I started to improve my sewing skills.  One of the best tools that really improved my sewing and quilting skills was when I purchased my rotary cutter.  Have straight lines when piecing and sewing makes a HUGE difference in the accuracy of sewing and quilting. 

Since I have been sewing a lot more I really needed a cover for my sewing machine and what better way to practice quilting techniques then on a small project like this.  The idea for the main blocks I got from Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott.  The main shape for the I got from Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration by Malka Dubrawsky.  The entire cover was made from scraps and left over fabric from other projects (thus the name “scrappy” sewing machine cover).  I learned a lot about quilt making and what tools I needed while making this.  First I learned the necessity for having a ruler that does not slide (mine was sliding all over the place on me until I got grippers to put on the bottom of this).  It is really important that your cuts be accurate or your seams will not line up.  Also I learned the need for an accurate 1/4 inch seam.  I found a 1/4 inch foot and Jo-Ann for $5, which was a big help in achieving this.  Sine my blocks were not perfectly lined up I decided to machine quilt this with wonky and not perfect lines, which helped obscure my the less than perfect piecing.  Overall I really love how this came out.

Back of the cover

Daily Verse–June 20, 2012

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Daily Verse–June 13, 2012

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (NIV)

Daily Verse - June 13, 2012

"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:18:20 (NIV)

Insights from Daily Bible Study–May 28, 2012

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

My First Fabric Handbag

This is my first attempt at making a fabric handbag.  There were some challenges with making this bag.  I did learn how to make the next handbag better.  As with everything sewing is a learning process and the more you do the better I will get.

Mad for Zippers

Lately I have become obsessed with zippers.  I find myself buying three or four every time I go to Jo-Ann but I am finding that at 2 bucks a pop is it starting to take a toll on my pocketbook.  I then found this etsy supplier: kandcsupplies that I can buy zippers for less than $.50 each which is SOOOOOO much cheaper.  Know I just have to figure out what colors I want, hmmmmm…….

Insights from Daily Bible Study–May 24, 2012

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  I John 1:7 (NIV)

During my reading last night there was a lot of passages about light and darkness.  We should walk in the light for HE is in the light and not be clouded by darkness.  Also in this passage it mentions having fellowship with one another.  We talked about in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago that some people think they can worship with out being in the body of Christ.  Speaking for personal experience when you are not going to church regular or being in fellowship with other believers it is so much easier to slip into a sinful life.  Since I have been attending church regularly I find that I am striving more for daily Bible study, being more discerning about what I watch and listen to, and just trying to live a more God honoring life.

Insights from Daily Bible Study–May 22, 2012

Matthew 6:19-21
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is so easy in today’s materialistic society to get caught up with accumulating the latest and greatest.  But in the end it is all just junk that will rust, rot, and decay.  We need to be focusing our attention on the eternal and not what we have in the here and now.

Insights from Daily Bible Study–May 21, 2012

Starting today I am going to start posting passages and insights from my daily Bible study.  This will help keep me accountable to keep up with my studying but also share what I have learned.  Here is the lesson I learned from what I read last night:


Matthew 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

It has always been a struggle for me to show to other non-believers that I am a Christian.  This affirms that we are display to others that we are different, not hide under a rock.  I am going to make an effort with I am out in the world to be a light on a hill and not hidden under a bowl.

Encouraging Passage–May 11, 2012

 

"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Encouraging Passage–May 10, 2012

"You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1, NIV

 

Encouraging Passage–April 28, 2012

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

New and Improved Handbag Designs

I have changed the way I sew and design my knitted handbags.  I have perfected the way I sew the lining since I have developed better sewing skills.  I have also learned how to make fabric key fobs.

All of my bags will now include a matching fabric key fob, like this one.  Some of them will have the hook on the key fob and others will have the hook inside of the bag.

All of the bags will have a strap sewn into the lining to attach the key fob to.  If the key fob has a hook on it, then the strap will have just a ring.  But in the key fob does not have a hook (like the one pictured, then the strap will have the hook).

All of the pockets will be double sided with the contrast fabric in the inside.  There will then be a strip of contrast fabric holding the product tag to the pocket.  On the reverse side of the tag will be the wash instructions.

A lot of the new bags will also have a rolled fabric flower on the outside, like this one.

I also plan on coming out with a line of handbags that will be from coordinating collections, like the one above.  I will post all of the collections to photobucket, so that way buyers can select other collections.

Daily Encouragement–April 17, 2012

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

Daily Encouragement–April 15, 2012

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)

Daily Encouragement–April 13, 2012

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)