Three More

I made three more little change purses. I apologize for being so repetitive, but when I find something I like, I can't just make one!!!

I have 3 or 4 more all cut out and ready to go and then I think my change purse kick might be over and it may be time to move on. I really want to make a bag from my new Bag Boutique book, but I have to find some printable fabric first.

Here are the change purses:






I have some of them for sale in my Etsy Shop.

My new addiction!!!

Ok, I'm not quite over the wristlets yet, but on the same theme, my new addiction is change purses!!!! I have quite a few charm squares that I've been trying to figure out how to use up and I started making little change purses and I haven't stopped yet!!! It's a fun way to play with the different stitches on my sewing machine. I've also had fun playing with my button collection. This isn't even all of them, I gave a few away before I took pictures.

I had a successful trip to Value Village at lunch today. I never seem to be able to find crafty books or sewing books at my local VV, but today I was lucky!! I got two sewing books, and they are in the other room right now and I don't feel like moving, but trust me, they look good!!

Winter has arrived!!!

I hate winter. Period. But the thing I hate most about winter is ICE!! Why?? I'm clumsy. On a beautiful Spring day, almost three years ago, I tumbled on my way out of the hairdresser's. I shattered my elbow and broke my arm in 4 places. Needless to day, I'm always extremely careful now when walking. I'm terrified of falling again and if there's a patch of ice, I'll find it.

I snuck out of work a few minutes early today. We are right in the middle of a freezing rain storm here that started last night. I snapped a few pictures, although it doesn't begin to capture what's going on outside. Trees are down, power is out in places (not here), and the city is a mess!!




I'm happy to be inside where it's warm and dry and I have power so I can still sew!!

Catching up

Well, I survived the first week back to work after the Christmas Break. I found that after I got home from work, did some housework and made dinner, all I wanted to do after that was flop on the couch, and that's pretty much what I did all week!

Yesterday, we went geocaching and shopping in the States. I would like to personally thank the people who hid so many geocaches so close to Jo-Ann's Fabric Store!!! Joe dropped me off and returned just over an hour later after finding 5 geocaches. He assures me that there are still plenty more for him to find the next time we go there. Anyways, in an hour I managed to spend quite a bit of money. I bought a ton of fabric, some thread, and a few other little odds and ends. I think my favourite purchase was this:



I am in love with most of the bags in this book!! The book starts with some very good bag-making instructions which is always good to review. My favourite bag in the book has to be the cute little bag in middle of the bottom row on the front cover of the book. In the book, there's a link for the bingo card image. You are supposed to print in on printable fabric and then applique it to the bag. I think I've seen printable fabric before, but I have no idea when or where. Now I have to get my hands on some!!!!!! I have also been searching for a good solution for tags to put into my bags. If I manage to find some of this printable fabric, I may try to use it for tags as well.

I received this beautiful hand-made pillow from a friend for Christmas. My friend has made the most beautiful raggy quilts. In fact, it was her that inspired me to make my own. Here is my new pillow, and I LOVE it!!!



Since I had a not-so-crafty week last week, I've already made up for it today. Here are three wristlets that I made this morning. The Flea Market Fancy one has been in my mind for while now. It's not quite what I imagined, but I do like it alot.






Anyways, I'm on my own for the day and my sewing machine is waiting for me...

Back to school

The first day back to school after any sort of break is killer, but yesterday was worse than ever. I had so many loose ends to tie up from December and all I really wanted was to be home with my new sewing machine.

I dashed home, got dinner on, tidied up a bit and headed to my craft room. The first thing I worked on was another set of cat cards (by request). I wasn't sure about the paper, I didn't have much selection, but I really like the way they turned out. Not quite as "matchy" as mine usually are.



The second thing I really wanted to try was a coffee cozy from the book that I purchased just before Christmas called Fabric Leftovers. I love love love my coffee, but my favourite coffee place doesn't provide those little cuffs for the cups to keep you hands from burning. I always ask for it to be "double cupped" because otherwise I can't hold it. I thought this was a cute solution.



I need to adjust the size a little bit from the pattern in the book. But it was soo much fun to make!! I wouldn't have been able to do it on my old machine.

The last thing I wanted to do last night was make another patchwork wristlet. I have it in my head how I wanted to do it but I ran out of steam at around 8:00 and hit the couch. Hopefully tonight.

Sew on and sew on....

It wasn't quite the day I had planned, I didn't get to spend as much time sewing as I would have liked to. Every time I turned around I found something that needed to be cleaned, washed, swept, etc. In between cleaning and getting ready for work, I did manage to make two more bags.




I was able to play with some of the fancy stitches on my sewing machine, it was a lot of fun. I goofed on the blue bag though. Somehow, even though I am always very careful NOT to twist the handle before pinning it, there managed to be a half twist in it. I didn't notice it until it was too late and decided it was a "feature" rather than a mistake ;)

While I was sewing, I did get some ideas for other bags. I can't wait to try them out!

UNFORTUNATELY, the holiday is over. It's back to work for me tomorrow. I guess it's time to count down now to March Break.

Alice is my new best friend!!

I had my sewing lesson today so that I wouldn't be afraid of my new machine and I can't believe how awesome it was!!!! First of all, the shop owner and Alice (my new best friend) loved the patchwork purse I brought in to show them. We started off on a good foot. I also brought a wristlet in progress and Alice gave me a few tips about how I could do it better. I don't think anyone would notice the subtle difference, but I sure can and I love it!



A few days ago, some new tags I ordered from here arrived. They are cotton iron-on labels. I was just sick of the labels I had been using (iron-on transfers on ribbon) and wanted to find a cheap alternative. Delivery was super fast and I'm pretty happy with the labels, although they are still not the answer I'm looking for. The great thing about them is that you can order any font you want and they can even add image to the label. I played it very safe, but if I were to order more I would jazz them up a little bit. Here it is in all it's glory:



A while back I was approached by another new Etsy seller regarding a trade. Some of my cards for a pair of her earrings. The earrings looked beautiful on the website so I happily agreed. Well....they arrived today, and let me tell you, they are absolutely STUNNING.



This picture does not do them justice. If you're ever looking for a beautiful peice of jewellery, I highly highly recommend blueberry jewellery.

Two New Bags

I NEVER want to go back to work!!! I'm having so much fun during my time off. I've been re-organizing my craft room and planning lots of future projects.

Tomorrow is my big lesson on my new sewing machine. I can't wait!!

Today I made two more purses.




I'm hoping to make a quick dash across the border tomorrow to stock up on some more fabric and sewing supplies. Did I mention I never want to go back to work??? :)

Today's my lucky day!!

First of all, I've figured out the freekin' automatic needle threader. After a bit of internet hunting last night, I found different instructions on how to do it that were much more clear than the instructions in the user's manual.
I also think I might have found a solution for the problem of sewing through layers of fabric. On the Singer website (which the link isn't working to right now, of course) they suggested using something called the "Jean-a-ma-jig".

Apparently the needle breaks when the presser foot is angled trying to sew over heavier layers. You are supposed to insert this "Jean-a-ma-jig" before you get to the extra layers to prevent the presser foot from going on a crazy angle. I hope that makes sense. The link that isn't working right now explained it really well.

I'll give this a try the next time I need it and report back.

Mike, the sewing machine guy, was extremely helpful! He reminded me that I get a free lesson on my new machine. I was thinking that I didn't really need it until he showed me a couple of quick things on it that I never would have figured out by myself. I'm getting my lesson later this week I hope.

Feeling all happy after visiting Mike, I trotted over to Value Village and I found three awesome sewing books. I NEVER find any good books there, so I was thrilled!













The second one is my favourite (Sew a beautiful gift). I can't wait to go through these books this afternoon!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I can't believe it's 2007, where did 2006 go????

We had a good time last night, but I wasn't too fond of geocaching in the rain at midnight though. It was good company, good food, and a good night all around.

I'm so glad the holidays are over. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, I love spending time with family (especially when it's at the Casino), but it's such a relief to get life back to normal. Joe and I did pretty much nothing today. I woke up with a whopping headache (not a migraine) as a result of not enough sleep the past few days.

I had a chance to play with my new sewing machine again, and I'm feeling much better about it now. I finally figured out the automatic needle threader, thank goodness!!! I know that Joe is relieved to hear that because if I didn't figure it out, I'd still be up at 2:00 in the morning, googling "sewing machine troubleshooting" and feeling extremely frustrated.

I made ANOTHER wristlet. I know you're sick of them and I'm almost sick of them, but they are a great way to practice sewing on my new machine.

Before Christmas I splurged and bought myself two Christmas presents.

I honestly haven't had much of a chance to read through either of these books, but at first glance, both look extremely promising.

Although I have a bunch of running around to do tomorrow, I'm hoping to get a chance to flip through these books and pick a new project to try.

Relaxing

Joe's gone geocaching today, allowing me to play with my new sewing machine for the first time. I made this wristlet this morning.

I love the new machine! It's so much quieter than my old one. I can't wait to play with all the fancy stitches and all the different feet on it. Although, I must admit, I'm slightly disappointed with one thing. The sewing went well until the very end when I had to sew all the seams and the zipper together. I broke two needles in a row. I moved over to my old Singer and it went through all the layers like butter.
Does anyone have any advice?? I never planned to get rid of my old machine, in fact, I have both set up in my craft room. Do I do all the sewing up until the end on my new machine and then use the old one to finish it off? That's what I'm thinking.

I also took a picture of my new button organizer. It makes me so happy!!! It's silly really, but now that the buttons are all organized it is so much easier to choose the ones I want!



We are headed out to dinner tonight with some friends, I'm totally looking forward to it.
Tomorrow night (New Year's Eve), we are doing a "stupid geocaching thing". We are going out with friends for dinner (again) and then going geocaching at midnight. It's not my first choice, but I do really like everyone who will be there and we had no better offers. Joe really wanted to go so I told him that if he wants to do that "stupid geocaching thing" on New Year's that's ok with me. He looked at me and we both laughed. I meant it to sound nice and it didn't. So when people now ask us what we are doing, we both answer "That Stupid Geocaching Thing". he he he

Spoiled Rotton

Wow...it seems like forever since I've posted!

I had a fantastic (but BUSYYYYYYYYYYY) Christmas. We went to our friend's for Christmas Eve and had a very yummy dinner with them. On Christmas Day, after opening and playing with our pressies, we went to Joe's sister's house for Christmas Dinner. We had a great visit with his family.

On Boxing Day, I drove 1.5 hours to go and pick my Mother up. She spent the last three days with us. All we did was eat and gamble at the casino for three days straight. It was soooo much fun!! I managed to turn her Christmas present to me into enough money to buy a fancy digital camera (thank you nickel slot machines). I'm looking at the Canon S3 IS, but I'm going to wait and see.

Santa (aka Joe) bought me this:



I have yet to sit down and figure it out. I was hoping to do so today, but I can't move from the couch. My head hurts and I feel like I'm getting sick. Blah!!! I'm so excited to use it though. I have been using my 15 year old Walmart Singer, I have never used anything fancier than that, so this should be fun!!

My Mother also surprised me with goodies. She gave me her button collection. I can't believe how pretty these are!!



She also gave me a jar full of buttons, already separated by colour!!!! Can you believe she did that??? I haven't had a chance to open them up yet, but I can't wait to do so.



Despite the fact that I feel like I'm dying, I ran over to Walmart this morning and bought one of those organizers for nails. The kind that is like a mini chest of drawers with a zillion little compartments to organize all my buttons. If I can drag my big-fat-I-ate-too-much-at-Christmas butt off the couch, I will get that organized this afternoon.

Last minute crafting and tagging!

We are headed to our friend's house tomorrow night for Christmas Eve. This is a HUGE deal for us because every year Joe has had to work until 2 or 3 in the morning on Christmas Eve. This is the first time we will be able to spend it the way WE want to. Joe just called me with an "emergency". Joe just discovered that my friend's husband (the ones we are going to visit tomorrow night) has bought his wife the same thing we got her!! AHHHHH!!! I am not going to spoil his gift by giving her our gift first so after I write this post I'm headed to the craft room to whip up a bag or a wristlet or something. Just when I thought I was done....

I've been tagged by Bonnie at Tres Bon Babble. It's called the Weirdness Meme. My mother, my blog stalker, called to inform me that I had been tagged (I was already aware of that but was still thinking of 6 weird things). When I told her there was nothing weird about me she said she would call me back in 5 minutes with a list, and she did.

Here's my mother's "weird things about me" list:

1. I'm a weird eater. I don't like tomatoes, mushrooms or ANY fruit.

2. When I was in Grade 2 I hated school and one day told the teacher that I had a dentist appointment after lunch so I wouldn't be back at school. Instead, I went to the neighbour's house to play with my friend who was not yet in school. Needless to say, I got caught.

3. I have weird bones. 4 broken arms, 1 broken leg, 1 broken finger and 1 shattered (and replaced) elbow.

4. I'm scared of mice.

5. I have a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR phobia of going to the dentist!!!!

6. I cry at sappy movies, for example, Charlotte's Web (the cartoon version), Benji and Frosty the Snowman (the cartoon).

I'm supposed to tag 6 others, instead I'm going to invite anyone to join in the fun!

My intent is to post a Merry Christmas post tomorrow....but just in case it doesn't happen, I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!!!!

The Clock is Ticking

Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Christmas shopping isn't quite done and I still have a ton of stuff to do to get ready for the pot-luck lunch at school on Thursday.

I wrapped a gift for Joe's boss yesterday, and I couldn't believe my luck. I had no idea what wrapping paper I had since I bought all the paper last year at the Boxing Day Sales. Look at my luck:



Red paper with white buttons on it! Apparently I need to make more of the snowmen gift tags tonight.

Have a super day!

Wristlet Mania

Well, apparently I'm enjoying making these wristlets. I made three more, again procrastinating.














I think it's the fact that they whip up quite quickly and are extremely useful. I've been using the brown one every day since I made it.

I'm just about done Christmas shopping. I've been a bit migrainy and Joe has been very helpful. He needs to know exactly where he's going and exactly what he's buying, but given proper directions, he's actually pretty good at Christmas shopping!

I have another celebration this week at school for the reading program. We are having a pot-luck lunch and I'm giving away a Nintendo game-boy system and an mp3 player to students who have been reading. It should be fun, but it's a whole lotta work during a week that I really don't have time for it, but it will be worth it. I'm off for two weeks over Christmas, thank goodness. I'm very much ready for a break.

Life's getting crazy!

I'm feeling stressed. Stressed about work and stressed about Christmas shopping. I have to review my list again and see how I'm doing. I've been really really good at procrastinating when it comes to shopping this year. The only shopping I've really done so far has been online.
We went to Joe's work Christmas party last night. It was a great time, even though I hardly know anyone there. Joe won Season 1 of Melrose Place. Funnily, he wasn't nearly as excited as I was. I remember watching that back in the 80's and loving it. When Christmas is over and Joe's back to work, I think I need to have myself a little Melrose marathon.
Since I'm procrastinating, and only doing things I want to do, not things I have to do (apparently), I finally made a wristlet that I LOVE!!!

It's a mini version of this wonderful tutorial. The finished wristlet measures 10" at the bottom, 8" at the top and is 5" tall. It will be put to very good use after Christmas when my mother comes to visit at the casino!!!

Welcome to the covered notebook, take III. I didn't like seeing the sewn stitches on the inside cover and I really didn't want to have to cover the inside of the cover as well, so I cheated. I stitched the paper and then used paper Modge Podge to stick the cover to the book. I added a library pocket to the front to store the yet-to-be-made bookmark. I'm getting there. You may have to witness Take IV, I'm not sure yet.

Speaking of notebooks....a super-duper BIG thank-you to Leslie of Yarn and Needles Blog. She VERY GENEROUSLY sent me 5 composition books since I was having issues finding them in Canada. There are only 4 in the picture because I've already used one.

I've also added some Thank You cards to my Etsy Shop.

Ok, I now have to go and make lists, go grocery shopping, mail an Etsy order and hopefully pick up some Christmas gifts!! Ahhhhh!!!

More Christmas Craftiness

I had the students at school making some paper Christmas decorations for the library today. They were making paper globe ornaments a la Martha Stewart.

They had a lot of fun making them, but it became apparent very quickly that I actually had to do the cutting while they assembled the globes. Before long the globes turned into these snowflake-y decorations. I think I like them even more than the globes.

I was playing around the other night with Christmas gift tags. I think I know how I'm going to be using some of my newly purchased eBay buttons.

Lastly, Joe and I are going to his work's Christmas party of Thursday night. I decided to recycle an outfit from a couple of years ago. It's a long black skirt with a long-sleeved scoopy neck top. I like the outfit but it needed a bit of jazzing up.
I am not really into beading, but I am into crafting so I of course have a small collection of beads (I have no idea why). Anyways, a trip to the bead store and about $5.00 later I have these. I just love the sparkly beads!!

Stay tuned for take III of the covered notebook series. It's in my head but I don't know if I'm going to get to it this evening.

Not much news

I don't have much on the crafty side to report.

On Saturday I took a 2.5 hour seminar on digital photography. It was great to learn about some of the features of my camera. I really hope to learn more about photography and the seminar was a great start.

On Sunday we went geocaching for the WHOLE DAY. We left the house at 8:00 am and got home here around 9:00 last night. The two best parts of the trip were the casino (the boys dropped us off for an hour while they went and did a nearby cache) and dinner in St. Jacobs at the Sunday market.

I purchased some buttons from eBay. I just thought they were pretty.



I also purchased this very cute little notebook and bookmark from bookwormsuki's Etsy shop.

I've been tagged!

Thanks to Debbie for tagging me.

Here are my answers:

Four jobs I've had

Librarian at 3 different high schools
Chapters sales person
Public library clerk
I worked in a factory for 3 days as a teen and cried every night

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Pretty In Pink
My Cousin Vinny
Bridget Jones's Diary

Four Places I've Lived

Toronto, Ontario
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Newmarket, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario

Four TV Shows I Love to Watch

Anything on the Food Network
24
Survivor
Corner Gas

Four Places I've Been on Vacation

Las Vegas
Hollywood, FL
London, England
Prince Edward Island

Four Websites I Visit Daily

A zillion blogs
E-Mail
The Weather Network
Etsy

Four Favourite Foods

Caesar salad
BBQ hamburger
Dark chocolate
Pizza

Four Places I'd Rather Be

I can only think of one....the cottage.

Four People I'd Like to Tag

Feli from Life in Mono
Lera from The Sky is Pink

Mae from This Life: Part Two

Covered Notebook...Take II

OK, it's not really procrastinating because I came home and wrote all of our Christmas Cards. Once I got that done (and that was my only goal for the evening), I decided to try a fabric version of the notebook cover I played with yesterday.

I like the idea of a fabric covered notebook and I was really hoping that just stitching it on to the cover would work. Two problems with this one. The fabric is a bit thin and you can still see the cover of the note in bright light. That could be fixed by using interfacing. The second issue is the fraying edges. I don't know if the interfacing would help with that at all. I don't have any fancy stitches on my sewing machine that would help either. This was the first (and probably the last) time I played with appliqued circles. How on earth do people do that???? So, I think the solution for this is that I need to not be so lazy and actually HEM the sides before stitching it to the cover. Stay tuned for take III.

Also, a friend of mine, Mary, has opened an Etsy shop. She is a painter. She has a few items up for sale, but promises to have more up in the future. I love the little Chrismas trinket box!