CLUTCH PURSE

My first attempt at a clutch purse.

I used faux suede.

I feel like I can control the universe now that I can do zippers

Not to worry Velcro,

 you are still the next best thing since sliced bread.

And those command strips...

 aren't they something?

Also on my top ten list,

amazing little boogers.

The back.

I was a little tight to the zipper. 

Lesson learned.

The little binding on the zipper needs a little work.

I even used binding on the inside seam.  

Not being familiar with the zipper world,

 I didn't think when I purchased this one,

It was a double sided one.

Since I bound the inside seams that makes it reversible.

Win Win!

As I was sitting admiring my fine job, 

and patting myself on the back.  

I looked over at 

Callie,

(my dress form) 

and noticed this beautiful pin on her.

  AUCTION!

Could it be more perfect?

I was going to go out an get an outfit to go with it, 

but just happen to have the exact mustard colored top hanging in the closet.

The fabric I purchased in Flagstaff AZ.

Been sitting in my stash for about 5 years.

The only cost was the zipper.

COSMETIC BAG

This is the bag I was using as my guide. 

I am a pro at putting in zippers now,

I've done three!

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/07/25/the-boxy-cosmetic-bag-tutorial/

This is what I ended up with! 

It's so big it can hold a six pack.

(of pop of course)

I couldn't figure out what I did wrong at first.

Well the vertical seams were suppose to be 5" TOTAL.

I made mine 3.5 from the center,

leaving my bag 7" tall. 

It looks ridiculous!

It is lined with oil cloth to wipe up any spills.

I was so proud of myself until I turned it inside out.

My Sissy said she wanted it. 

I think it was out of pity, 

but she did ask if I could put a strap on it.

Going to give it a try. 

She has little ones, I'm sure she'll find use for it.

  

PADUCAH KY

 Ethel and I went to Paducah Ky last month. 

Largest quilt show in the country.  After being there I think it is the largest in the world!  

Can you believe it, right in our own back yard... 

Besides meeting fellow quilters from all over the US, there was a plane of women that flew in from England. What!!

And a bus from Calgary, Canada. 
Egypt tent makers were there sewing. 
I think there hands went as fast as my machine.

 It was amazing and the quilts were breath taking.  

The talent these women have left my jaw dropping 
at every turn.  
We took a bus with Quilts and Kreations, in South Amherst.  We didn't have a seat on the bus at first, 
we were on the waiting list.  

Thank you Jesus we got on!
We called daily the week before, 
I know they got sick of hearing from us. 
When she called and said we were on, I squealed!  

  The cost was 515.00. I thought that was a lot, until I talked to the lady from Calgary who paid 2000.00, by bus, and that didn't include anything.  We had beautiful rooms at the Harrah Casino in Metropolis, IL. 

Saw Superman! 

Tickets to all the shows two meals a day, and a life time of memories.  

We want to go back next year.

So we are starting our Paducah Fund. 

As of now we have some loose change, 

a paper clip some rubber bands.

We are going to see if we can go for nothing.  

We are going to sell junk we find and see how much we come up with before next year. 

We have something at the auction right now. 

Can't wait to see what that goes for. 

And here are 2 perfectly good sinks.  

Found on the side of the road. 

They will be hitting the auction block soon.

I sent this picture to my daughters to show how packed the show was.  They asked if we were the youngest ones there.

These women were from the

 YOYO CLUB, 

yes there is such a thing.

Here is their professional photo.

They look very proud don't they?

Could this be the future of Ethel and Mabel?

Now for those of you who don't know what YOYO's are                 These hats have several on the brim. 

There were about 4 women all supporting the same lid. 

Very proudly I might add, see her friend in the background smiling, she had one too!

 

This is Quilt Man 
He had all the appropriate super weapons on his waist band, ready for action, measuring tape, rulers, seam ripper, rotary cutter, minus the blade, wouldn't want to cut anything thing off.  He was very entertaining.  Can't wait to go back!!!!

EAR BUD/CHANGE HOLDERS

 My first attempt at a zipper. The zipper wasn't the one they suggested to use, but I had it on hand and was excited to get after it. It worked!  

Never knew you could sew right over them.

It's a little over 3" cute as it could be!

Here is the correct size zipper, and these were for my other daughter and her husband.  I got better as I did more.  

Only took about an hour. 

I put a little ring on the pull tab and they can attached it to their keys.

I've made several they are fun quick gifts!

Here's the how to link:

http://erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/

T- SHIRT RUG

Saw this method on... 

where else,

Pinterest!

  

But they used denim.  

Thought that might be a little rough on the piggys. 

And I have made a few t-shirt quilts, and can't bare to throw any of the scraps away.  I have drawers full, bags full, and hidden under the bed scraps,

 knowing full well I would use them some day. 

Well today's the day!

I took an old towel. Perfect size for on the side of bed. 

Or bath mat!

I want to do an all white one.

Drew a 1" grid all the way around with a sharpie.

I'm sure you could go in any direction.

But your spacing needs to stay consistent for full coverage.

Dug out the stash. Decided to use OSU colors. 

Or PHS colors.

Stacked and cut 1"x 2" rectangles.

Grabbed what ever color was on top. 

I layered black, grey, red, white, before I cut them.

Then I just piled the little stacks on top of one another..

Center a piece on the line.

 

Gather it up and just sew!

I followed the measurement on the directions. I think you may be able to cut the pieces a little longer than 2" but you have to keep in mind, you need to see the line to follow. 

The denim may have been a little hard to gather, so it was best at that size. After I completed one time around, I sewed it again, just to secure it.

On my next one I will try to cut the pieces a little longer.

Start in the center seemed to work best.  

There wasn't any bulk in the throat of the machine. 

I just kept sewing in a circular direction.

Instant Gratification!

It feels fantastic on the pigs.

When I get to the end, I will put a backing piece of what every I have on and bind like a quilt.

I'm sure it would be fine without the backing, but I think it will give it a more finished look.

Felt Farm

Traced and cut out the shapes for these sweet little animals.

They are a little tedious, so I can only do two in an hour.

Hand sew with blanket stitch,  then stuff them.

I can't wait to complete them all. I have about 4 more to do.

Raegan and Hunter are going to love them.

Milly

Tony

Carrie and Milly

Rudy

And Bob!

Monster Knee

Here is something I made for my grandson,

I can't take the creative credit for this, 

saw it on Pinterest.

Quick fix for the big hole he had.

Here is a quilt a fellow quilter is doing. 

It went from this:

To this:

Using a template you place on the squares 

then cut and turn and sew them back together.  

I did one a while back.

Check out the size difference on the two.

There is quite a bit of waste. 

But the look is so nice.

The star on the top did not stand out so she is going to embellish it with something..

I'll take a shot of it when she finishes it.

Good job Linda!