On the Road---with my Blinged out Apron

I can't post for a week.
I have to pay for my crafting habit and my love for shoes...

So, Hi-Ho Hi-Ho...it is off to work I go...

I am leaving you with this project.
It is my work apron.
Notice the pink flower...
It coordinates with the fabric on the pockets...

A little bit of stitching,

Some bling,

And a few felt flowers brought all the details on the apron to life!

Amy Butler Cosmo Bag Finished!

Wowzie!
Definitely not a beginner bag!

Amy Butler Cosmo Bag.

I agree with Lisa the directions need more photos or a YouTube video.
Much ripping out occurred on this project...
Sewed the handle on backwards...
Didn't cut out all the pieces...54 pieces (did I mention it wasn't a beginner bag?)
Yelled at it many times...
Cried...
Took it to Grandma's for repairs.

On the bright side...
It is big and roomy.

Has a large 1 1/2 inch covered button on it.
Great pockets on both sides of the bag.

Bonus pockets inside of the bag!

Made from interior decorating fabric so extra sturdy.
Which made it extra tough to sew.
Blah, blah, blah...

I am glad that I didn't sign up
 to make one bag a month or
You may have had to
 admit me to the
Sewing Psycho "Ward".

But, I did make a personal goal
to sew one project a month...

February's project I have had for almost a year...
Another Amy Butler pattern....
It is a cell phone or Ipod case.
Cross your fingers this one is a little easier for me...

Think Spring with Fabric Flowers!

All this snow
had me dreaming of bright, warm days.

With a little fabric
and a button,
I made these flower corsages.

This McCall's pattern helped guide
my first flower. 
I used view "C".



I went overboard creating the flower pins....





Here's the how to:
1 strip of fabric 2 inches wide by 30 inches long.
1 strip of fabric 1 1/4 inches wide by 30 inches long.
Place the strips on top of each other so the right side of the fabric is visible.
Stitch a basting stitch by hand or using a sewing machine.
 If you use your machine,make sure to set your stitch size at least a 5.5.
Pull the bottom thread, to gather the fabric. 
It will coil into the shape of a flower.
Sew it together and add a button to the center.
If you like leaves, cut a leaf shape from the fabric. 
You will need 2, a front and back to your leaf.
I put fusible fleece between the layer of my leaf and
then stitch an outline of the leaf on the sewing machine.
I hid the backside with a felt circle cut using my old fashion
Sizzix Machine.  Sew on a pin back.
Ready to give or Ready to wear!





The flower is dazzling with rhinestones in it's center.




I had to leave you with a picture of a hawk
 having it's dinner on our swing set.
Not something we see everyday in the city!



Think- Betz White Thursday...

I have always admired Betz White.

I picked up her book
Warm Fuzzies at my craft store.
The cover just spoke to me and
the inside was full of clever ideas.















I was fortunate enough to meet Betz White
at Silverbella.
It was a quick, how's it going introduction.
She was sitting at her vendor table with all
those cupcakes from her book's cover in front of her.

I had to have one!
It is a pincushion.
She also had kits for sale to make this!

A Cup of Joe pincushion.
I LOVED IT!
I thought it looked like hot cocoa.

(Mmmm...drinking some tonight.)

I bought the kit and here is how mine turned out!
Finally finished it today with my mom.
I was scared to start it
but Betz had easy directions with pictures....
The pink and green colors are 100% ME!
It is made from recycled sweater pieces!

Tomorrow,
 hold your breath,
I am cutting out the Amy Butler Bag!
Sigh!!!

Why not Wednesday?

Why not?

After looking at my friend Lisa's blog,
I thought to myself...
why not?

"Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge".

I just happen to thumb through Amy Butler's new book
"Style Stitches" at Urban Arts.

I was so inspired by the patterns, the colors, and textures.
It was just beautiful!

So (sew),
Why not?

• make something I love,
• something I will use,
• time I can spend with my mom sewing

Perfect activity for a blizzard-y Wednesday.

The first challenge is to make this bag!

Jemellia helps by giving tips, linking to websites for advice, etc.
It is a sewing support group!

You just gotta love that!

I loved the shape of this tote..
The over-sized button,
and the option to make a long handle
or a short handle.

The next step was to choose my fabric...
Urban Arts carries a lot of Amy Butler fabrics.

I was drawn to a cool palette of ocean colors.
I must be dreaming of summer!

Lisa went with these fabrics.

And Jemellia choose these fabrics.

A flickr group has been set up to view all the finished bags!


I did not sign up for the challenge.
I just couldn't commit to make every bag in the book.
Even though, sweet Jemellia will allow you to customize
how many bags you wish to make. 
She listed great reasons to sign up for the blog challenge.

I hope you sign-up
so I can see what fabrics you choose.

Maybe after I get one bag sewn,  I will sign up for real!
Pinkie promise!
For now, I guess I am a lurker...

Do you want a sneaky peek at something else?
Oh, yes!

Before it is in the stores?
Mmm hmm!

Do you love to craft?
Raise your hand high and nod very big....

GO HERE!

( I told you it was worth it)

I {heart} Brenda Walton Olivia Rose

Embroidery has become so popular. 
Having a template for stitching makes it a breeze to stitch on paper, on clothing, and on accessories like scarves and purses. 
Brenda Walton came out with this stencil set. 
It is called Olivia Rose and is available at Michael's Craft Store
I found mine on clearance.
S-C-O-R-E!

It comes with embroidery floss, plastic templates, buttons, and sequins.
It is called Brenda Walton Olivia Rose Stitch-On Template Kit
30-576711

Here is the hoodie and gloves I created using the templates.
Check out the easy stitch guide pictures.

I found my hoodie at Target for around $20.
It had a fur like inside...
I attached vintage trims, lace, and even a felt heart to it.
I used scraps of fabric and a cloth measuring tape.

Would this be cute on jeans?
Breath new life into an old pair of worn jeans with a few cute patterns and some stitching!
Happy Crafting!

My Sew Called Life

Meet "Jan-O"(Janome). She is my new friend. For a long time (since Summer), we haven't been speaking to each other. We would fight about sewing straight, winding the bobbin, and other unmentionable issues. I am happy to say, we have worked through our differences and look what we can accomplish together.



A pretty pink pillowcase-for traveling.
Sewn with a little Amy Butler and a little Heather Bailey.
I found the fabrics at Urban Arts + Crafts. So easy and only 1 yard of fabric needed.



My photo doesn't show it well-these are a pajama bottoms. They have sweet velvet looking ribbon. It is actually nylon ribbon found at Wal-Mart. The fabric came from Harper's.

What shall my next project be?

I am thinking patchwork looking cuff bracelets.
Can't wait to show you!

XOXO,
Kara & Jan-O

Yo, yo-yo

This is one of my favorite little craft books. It is full of so many clever ideas. The Yo-yo necklace below is one I made from this idea in this book. I loved the color palette. All you will need is your fabric, beads, beading elastic, and buttons to cover.







Here is the next project I am dreaming about. It is from this amazing book. The vintage vibe and the antique buttons makes me want it even more.




I wonder what kind of necklace Alice would wear? Maybe something with rabbits on it or little tea pots charms...I am sure it would be extra fabulous. Just like little Miss Hayden-She is now Small Alice in her schools production of Alice in Wonderland. We are so proud of her getting a main role.






For those of you wondering what happened to my pink/polka dotted background. I really don't know, but it was acting strange for 2 days. My screen showed visions of lavender and aqua. I took the background off and will try to reapply it or something different soon.

XOXO,