May 6 2012

Cornhusker Crazy and Jeans RePurposing!!!

I was so excited to have three out of the five things I wanted to accomplish DONE already this weekend…. I just had to show you what has been going on.

Last weekend, there was a random question from a friend about a bachelorette party ‘bride’ sash. She was going to make it herself, but someone around here has a problem and said, “Why don’t you let me do it for you?” She gave me the theme and instantly I had the idea in my head for this unique Nebraska Cornhusker bridal sash…

Completed Bridal Sash – I don’t think anyone will miss this special lady!

Close shot of the ‘emblem’ that holds the ties together. Came out pretty close to what my mind was seeing! Kind of ‘pageant-ee’, don’t ya think?

So that was one Husker project, and I had one more I’d wanted to do, so I got-r-done.

Toddler Size Cornhusker Packpack – Personalized

Not real happy with the total LACK of room inside this one, but it will hold books or an iPad without them getting beat up. If I ever do another one, I will not follow the pattern and used and make it deeper. How’s this kid going to fit his trucks in it? *sigh* Oh, well. One lives and learns, right?

So the third project was just something I needed to prove to myself that I could do, and do it right….. Re-purposing little girl jeans into a cute little handbag. Just big enough for their lip gloss and comb. This project started with a pair of jeans size 12M. I pulled the elastic out of the waistband and cut the inside buttons off. Then I carefully cut the legs off (yeah, sounds painful, doesn’t it) and cut all the thick seams off those leg scraps. Turned the top part of the jeans inside out and sewed along the bottom. This took about 4 shots to do because the butt part of jeans just has different cut to it. But after playing around with it a little, and boxing off the bottom corners… this is what we had…

Base purse and scraps to make lining and a belt.

The handle was made by taking the jean legs and cutting 4 equal pieces and sewing them together. The wider handle should make it easier for a 3 year old to grab, plus it’s not floppy – I liked how that came out. Then sewed the ends of the handle to each side, matching them up with the side seams already in the jeans. The two fun fabrics I found were leftovers from a commissioned job last year. You got it! I don’t throw ANYTHING away! And I’m so glad because there was JUST enough of the paisley to make a belt. Here is the rest of the process….

Lining sewed up, just like the outside (with boxed bottom corners), and stitched around the top of the waistband. That way the lining hides any wear and tear on that inside belt line.

Belt sewn up and tied through belt loops, just like a real sash style belt.

Just another view……..

Complete! Velcro closure on front and back of inside for easy kiddo maneuvering.

And the back shot….. Pretty cute if I say so myself.

This will make a great little gift!! And as my super German glue is setting those velcro tabs on….. I will say adieu for now.

What are you up to this weekend? Recycle something – have a little fun.

Apr 8 2012

Easter Sunday Using The Gift God Gave Me

What a better way to spend an Easter Sunday (when there were no family plans) than using the gift God gave me. So I sewed, and sewed. I completed a special order for two portfolios this afternoon, which could lead to another order of three from this one client. How blessed could anyone be!?! So here is what she picked for her own two professional ‘padfolio’ fabrics – and they really are pretty classy.

Brown/Black Lace Look and Red/Black Lace Look Padfolios

Brown/Black Lace - opened. Hard to see all the pockets on the left hand side, but they are there.

Red/Black lace look padfolio opened out flat.

After those were complete, it was time to list the items that had already been completed. It’s one of my least favorite jobs because I am NO photographer of ‘stuff’. Give me a person or some nature and I can possibly pull it off. But this ‘object’ stuff is rough rough rough for me. But here are the listings for the iPad Clutches on Etsy! Give ‘em a look.

Butterfly Floral iPad Clutch

Olive and Aqua Designer Floral iPad Clutch

Purple and Green with BLING iPad Clutch

Thought I'd throw one in there with it opened and the iPad silicone skin taken off the magnets. These fold up SO nice into a clutch and have a lot more in line to make. (Yep, just got more magnets in so I can continue on)

I think it’s time to maybe cut out another knitting or craft tote. Everything takes time and there’s a little of that left until “The Ten Commandments” is on TV. It’s a must see for us.

Of course, I’ll be working on another special order while watching – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle crocheted hats. Yep, two of them. They MUST be completed tonight before the buyer gives up on my creative ability.

Happy Easter to you all – and hope it was a blessed day for each one of you.

Apr 1 2012

Olives, Purples, and Aqua, OH MY!

It’s been a great Sunday! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus for lunch and sewing all afternoon. Does it really get any better? All the laundry even got completed – THAT’s a miracle!

Just wanted to share two things that were whipped up this afternoon from that marvelous fabric I found yesterday at the Cosmic Cow. True to form, I cut two out and sewed them in Henry Ford fashion. At least that’s what Bill calls it when two or more like items are getting done at one time. LOVE love LOVE the colors of these two iPad clutches…. Take a look!

Purple and Green fabrics with a little jewelry bling secured to the flap.

Had to throw in one more shot of it with Leslie Nielson in the background. Pretty handsome guy, wasn't he!

Clutch opened out showing the silicone skin that uses magnets to stay put. Pretty ingenious if I say so myself.

A little olive with splashes of aqua on this iPad clutch. This is a Michael Miller cotton, and his stuff is FANTASTIC!

And a shot of this one opened up, just like the last one.

Can you tell I love Netflix? And Murder She Wrote? Had to watch an episode of ‘Bones‘ first, but decided Sunday needed to be a little more simple. Yes, when it all comes right down to it, I’m pretty spoiled when I sew.

Who knows when I’ll get these listed on Etsy, so if anyone of you reading this would like one, drop me a line or a comment.

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 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 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.

Mar 11 2012

I Knit, I Sew, I iPad….

The idea today was to get another unique knitting tote sewn before I ship out the original to my sister. So a pic got taken of the fabrics and colors, but I noticed my stack of knitted swatches off on the side of my sewing cabinet. They were just waiting to be paid attention to, so I picked one up and decided to fly with it. Here’s the story of the “I Knit, I Sew, I iPad” unique cover.

Great cotton fabric getting ready to apply those awesome mini magnets we got from China. The black thing is the silicone skin the iPad will fit into.

Those darned magnets are KILLER on my hands to attach, but they're on there for GOOD.

The felted knit swatch that's been cut down and rounded for the front flap of the cover. Since it's felted, it can be cut and sewn just like regular fabric.

Time to put the magnets on to the silicone skin. As no glue on this earth sticks to these skins, hence the idea for mini mags. They are finally attached in this photo.

...but magnets can scratch the electronics case, so sticky felt squares were put on them. Ahhh, that's much better.

The folder is all spread out in this picture. Skin is held now by the magnets directly IN the folder.

And you all know me well enough that a little bling or shine must be put on - somewhere. I had picked up this gold flower somewhere in a jewelry making section of a craft store. And German glue is KEY!