Cosmic Cow, Lincoln, Nebraska

I’ve been told on MANY occasions to visit the Cosmic Cow over in Havelock here in Lincoln. Why I never stopped before is way beyond me! What an incredible little shop that offers quality quilting cottons. No, I don’t quilt. Nor will I EVER quilt. But the fabrics just go on and on…. and the colors and designs were almost overwhelming. But so much fun.

The Cosmic Cow, Lincoln, NE

It is in one of the oldest neighborhoods in town, and its building is old and eclectic – just the perfect style. Wooden floors and high ceilings. And the older couple that was working in there today were outstanding and very helpful. I’ll bet they never have a dull moment at that little shop.

After rolling through the shelves and aisles of beautiful colors and prints, I realized that these people had made fat quarters available stacked on top of the rows of fabrics, matching up what with what was below. What an idea! When you don’t want yards and yards, it’s the perfect way to shop for high end cottons. WOWZERS! I couldn’t help myself, and spent a little cash – see what I got!

7 Sets of coordinating prints (2 each)

I can’t wait to dig in and make some iPad clutches – and SOON! Realized there isn’t any blue in that grouping. Hmmm. Must mean I really don’t dabble in blue too awful much.

So stay tuned for some exciting clutches – can’t wait to show them off.

Happy creating and have a wonderful weekend!

Mar 21 2012

Going To Havana With the Ricardo’s?

As you may well know, I was on a mission to use some beautiful leather scraps we’d purchased last year. After only a short time trying to sew what was pictured in my head, I realized that leather is not my gig. Not even close. I need to stay with fabric and yarn to design things. Don’t get me wrong though! Leather is awesome and will hang on to those scraps for decorations of some sort on future project.

So I get out fabric.. ahhh. My old friends. Picked a piece for another crafting/knitting/crocheting tote and dug right in. I’m SO in love with this print, and the lining that was found at Joann‘s is absolutely over the top fun. Take a look!

The large leaf and fronds print will be the outside of this tote while the cotton 'travel stamp' fabric will be the funnest (is that a word?) lining ever. This shows the side panel on the outside of tote, and one of the pockets that will get sewn to the lining.

These pieces are the front with zippered vinyl pocket, the back with the elastic two pocket approach, and the one slab of pocket that gets pleated for the inside. Are you loving it yet?

I’m a leaf fanatic. If I could use fabrics that have nothing but leaf designs, I’d be in leaf heaven. But really, is this NOT one of the best couple of prints ever? It cost me, but the colors and design just said ME! I really can’t wait to get more of this done, but off to my real job I go.

Keep checking in and watch how this will all play together – it’s just one of those projects that makes me smile and think of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on TV. HA!

Would love to hear feedback from anyone who’s here to take a peek. Happy Wednesday everyone and go dream a little. It’s good for you.

Mar 20 2012

Leather With a Side of Insomnia

Do you ever have one of those nights where thoughts much jump in your head and it wakes you up? Then you lay there thinking about how this and this, and that with a side of this and how it could work into a design? I woke up thinking LEATHER. What a goofy thought! So I lay there trying to get to sleep, but images and ideas kept invading my space. Sometimes it’s easier to just give up and let the thoughts roll on through.

I shared this beautiful stack of leather scraps we located at some point with you all. I checked the date on my original photo and it’s really been almost a whole year without using these pieces. So I figure there must have been a reason, and my insomnia may have come up with the perfect idea. Trust me, the leather hasn’t sat dormant really, we do get it out on occasion and mess with the colors and textures.

Awesome leather scraps! Love the colors.

Didn’t think there would be time to blog this week, but this way it stands out as one of those “So let it be written, so let it be done” projects. Yeah, that’s one of our favorite lines from “The Ten Commandments” movie with Charlton Heston.

What’s on your crafty agenda today? Have a creative and fun day!!

Mar 18 2012

iPad Clutch

Totally switched directions this afternoon after looking through the old scrapbooking stuff. Didn’t feel like cutting another bag out today, so something smaller with a lot LESS detail looked rather good. I had some awesome fabric left from another project and there was JUST ENOUGH (do you believe it?) to complete this project. There was not hardly one inch of anything left over. That’s what I’m talking about! LOL

That cute button there on the bottom left of the flap? It’s not a button! It’s a jewelry bead I found somewhere and that good old German glue is doing its work on it as we speak. That baby isn’t going anywhere! I really like the tight fit these clutch’s give the iPad. No room for a notepad, just loose papers maybe in a pocket on the inside. And one day I will figure out how to SIMPLY put the magnets on that silicone skin inside. Those things are ruthless to these hands! Any suggestion, I’m all ears.

OK, that’s probably the last blog for the week! It’s a six-day work week for me this time around, so if anything gets done in the craft room, it will be a miracle.

Happy crafting and thanks again for stopping by!

Mar 18 2012

Happy Orange Sunflower Tote – Completed

I adore this bag…… I still have a few things I want to incorporate into the next bags (which, by the way, are lined up ready to get cutting on). But for now, we are happy campers and this fun and functional bag is ready to go.

Orange Sunflower Tote and Ditty Bag

Lots of 'guts'. tee hee

Now we must continue on with some Sunday fun for the two of us. That pretty much means going to Sam’s and enjoying each other for a little bit. Cleaning will just have to wait for another day. Did I say cleaning? ACCCKKKKKKKK :)

I this bag trips your trigger, you can find if over HERE on Etsy. Thanks for looking and have a super Sunday!!!

Mar 17 2012

Sunflowers Anyone?

When I saw this fabric, I was incredibly IN LOVE with it! And I’m not an orange person at all. The colors and design were exactly what I was looking for at our local Calico House. And talk about service, they are incredible there.

So here’s what’s on the block next. All supplies are at the ready and the lightweight interfacings have been applied.

Gorgeous sunflowers, just waiting for a little sewing action. Aren't these colors magnificent?

I need two more zippers, but I’m not too worried about it. They’ll pop up somewhere. So next is the embroidering of the TygerLily name and the Goodies word on the ditty bag.

Grateful to have a little geometry under my belt, and a fantastic sewing machine to do all the work. Happy crafting!

Mar 17 2012

Craft Tote Finale

Finally, the craft tote and ditty bag are completed and ready to list in the store. That’s my least favorite part because I never know what to say about it really. But thought I’d throw this photo up of the complete set!

Going into the Etsy store today.

This will make my 3rd listing today, but it’s time to get sewing again. There’s some wonderful fabrics that I found that will get worked up into this same design – yep, with ALL THOSE POCKETS!

Mar 16 2012

Tommy Bahama Fabrics

I’m in love with Tommy Bahama decorator fabrics, and one day I shall USE one of them for a designer tote bag. I came across this black and ecru color print this morning that really struck my eye…

Tommy Bahama Hawaiian Holiday Collection Leilani - Coal

Click on the collection name in the photo description to see all the marvelous fabrics! It just makes my mouth drool.

Has anyone every worked with these fabrics? The whole line of fabrics are incredibly beautiful and just speak peace and tranquility – ahhh, palm trees and beaches.

Weekend is packed full of sewing and getting a couple of the crafting tote bags up in the store. I’ve received some great feedback on the prototype and once these hit the machine, they will even be BETTER! Can you tell I’m excited to start!?!

Have a wonderful Friday, and keep on crafting and enjoy the gifts God has given you!

Mar 13 2012

Diaper Bag Possibilities

Whew, rough day yesterday, but we got through it. It felt good to get up and just say, “Come on world, I’m taking you on today.” And after working through all sorts of junk, but making progress, the mailman has this waiting for me when I got home from work.

Dick and Jane Fabric Panel

Isn’t it adorable? After opening the package and showing it off to my hub because I’m so excited, he asks the question, “Does anyone even know who Dick and Jane are anymore?” Oh, bust my bubble! I’m hoping there are some out there that still appreciate the simplicity and innocence of these kids and their pets. But I will continue on and hopefully make this up into my new craft bag design, but label it a diaper bag. Have to figure out a closure for the top, but that will come. Can’t you just see this worked up with some great blue gingham lining and primary color zippers and bias tape accents? And there has to be a fun kind of zipper pull out there somewhere, like a teeny tiny teddy bear. Hmmm.

Well, I’m off for the 12 hour day at my real job, but wanted to show off the next in line for Team TygerLily to get completed.

Have a GREAT day and happy crafting.

Mar 11 2012

Craft Tote Sewing Fun!

With two projects under my belt today, it’s time for a final blog post and then, yes, ironing. Blechhhh. But the last project I completed was the craft/knitting/crocheting tote bag. And I must say, it came out FANTASTIC! I would love to hear feedback on ways it could be improved or whatever – need to hear what people need in a tote back like this. So here is it’s little pictorial history…..

All the materials just ready to cut in to today. I've had my eye on this piece of decorator fabric for eons, and this was the perfect reason to finally buy it!

Working on the outside of bag. Vinyl zippered pocket on one side, elastic topped pocket on the other.

Outside of bag is completely put together. Loving the buckram for stabilizing - keeps that bag very 'perky'.

Back side pocket. I lined the outside pockets on this one to make the pockets more finished and professional. Have to remember that if I make another one.

Innards - two sides sewn onto front panel with so many pockets, I can't count 'em!

Of course, TygerLily had to be embroidered. I thought pink was good.

Trying different technique with attaching outer and inner layers. It was difficult pulling the last back through because of the vinyl. Here it's just pinned up and ready to top stitching.

Just another shot of all THOSE POCKETS!

Top stitched and sitting pretty. Handles attached and a little fun item for the zipper pull on that vinyl pocket. I questioned myself when I bought that tassel, but obviously it was for a reason. We both thought this added some extra fun to the bag.

Backside - showing handles (a little)

Can you tell I can't get enough of those pockets? Any crafter using this would have a specific place for EVERYTHING!

It's final bow - and I'm totally sold on this design. I still wish I'd have done one for myself like this. *sigh* Oh, well.

After this was completed, I was able to box up my sister’s bag that was posted about before. You know, the black/white/red one. I felt secure enough that I had done the best to replicate it, and even make it a little better by lining some of the pockets nicer. So Donna, it’s in the mail. tee hee

It’s now time to get ready for the work week – I’ve played enough today. Get me some Mio flavored water and turn the iron back on. AND it’s Celebrity Apprentice tonight, too! Personally, I’m glad George got fired. Tonight should be interesting.

Happy crafting, knitting, crocheting, etc….. from our house to yours …….. blessings.