Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wicked Blog Hop, My day!

Hello Dear Hoppers!
I love these hops!  I like looking at what others create and I love the extra push to get what I would love to create done, in fact this hop around I finished up super early.  I want to Thank Madame Samm and Wendy for making this a fantastic hop.  I first heard about Sew We Quilt during last year's Wicked Hop, so it is so cool that I get to participate in this years.

Now for who has been wicked, I am sure you have seen these fabrics, the Ghastlies.  I can just imagine that this is what they are saying.
And that is what I did, I made a lovely Sewing machine cover, with this group of gals on the front, plus some ruffles just for fun.

I invited the whole Ghastlie family over to be a part of this sewing room gift set.
Sewing Machine cover, Quilt Shop Wall Hanging, and a pumpkin pincushion.
  This Sewing Room set is on it's way to America, in fact I really hope it arrives tomorrow for Halloween, if it didn't today.  It is for Roxanne of Scrapbook-ChickADoodle, we did a PIF exchange, she sent me this lovely package and I was able to make a sewing machine cover with the material she sent, so I thought I would make her one too, she said she loved the ghastlies and the color red, so I hope she likes it.
The interior of the sewing machine cover can be used as a sewing mat, with pockets, you just put it under your machine while sewing.  The red fabric is actually an up-cycled Victoria Secret bra shelf tee, where the bra shelf did not fit and so was never worn, a really nice material to have against the skin or in this case against your machine.

I bound it with a silk ribbon and also made them as ties.
A sewing room isn't complete with out your very own Quilt Shop Wall Hanging, this is a modified version of Carrie Payne's "Quilt Shop", I own the pattern and plan on making a real one in a few months for my sewing room.  This is the "Wicked Girl" version, because I am sure every little girl calls all fabric MINE!

This little girl has shelves loaded with Boo Crew and Road 15 fabrics from Sweetwater, plus her sewing machine and lots of orange fabrics.
click for larger view.
A picture framed of her parents and a 3D blankie.

I also made a pumpkin pincushion to go with the sewing set and now it is perfect, Thank you Madame Samm for a great tutorial.

Make sure you check out everyone else's Wicked creations today.
October 30th
            AnnieOak Designs

 P.S.  I am going to America in less than 2 weeks, check my itinerary and if you know a good fabric shop along the way, please tell. We will be driving from Colorado to California,  I will be coming back with lots of goodies and just might share with a giveaway. 

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October Finishes

October Finishes

And another month passes by,  I am so proud of myself this month I did a  fantastic job on my list.

  1. Secret Tote for Swap, needs to get finished DONE
  2. A Sewing Machine Cover DONE
  3. Matching Mug Rug to go with cover (being gifted for the PIF) DONE
  4. A Traveling Bag for Arthur (my husband) DONE
  5. A Backpack for my daughter Katerina ALMOST DONE
  6. A Messenger bag for my son Nik DONE
  7. My flying geese Double Wedding Ring Quilt (now bed-runner to lazy to do more Foundation Paper Piecing) NOT GONNA GET DONE :)

Pretty good heh!
Here is the blog post about my Secret Tote.
 The sewing machine cover and matching mug rug are part of the Wicked blog hop, so you can read more about that here.
My husbands double zip pouch was a breeze to make, he saw my triple zip and requested something for money and the passports and to be able to wear it across the body under his jacket.  I came up with this.
It looks really good with the triple zip I received, I just made it a little wider to hold the money easier and skipped the bottom zipper.
the one I received on top, my husband's on the bottom.

The backpack for my daughter is almost done, I have run into a pattern dislike and will be making "Modifications" I did finish her pillow.

Nik's messenger bag is all finished but I am saving that for the "All About Boys" Blog hop.

And the flying geese paper pieced project is now on the back, back burner, not sure when it will be coming back to the front burner.  I saw some other people's double wedding rings and realized mine would look horribly cheap next to them, so it is going away as a UFO for a little bit.

Am I the only one that always thinks of movies when I hear a word.
"MODIFY" Tow Mater on Mater's Tale Tales.

Linking up to a Lovely Year of Finishes.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Wicked Blog Hop Schedule

I have been a wicked girl and didn't get this put up in time, it has started today, a good time to be had by all, make sure you go and see what everyone is creating.  See you on the 30th, as a side note I already finished my project, I know don't spit out you drink in amazement, I am amazed myself, no last minute do's on this one, it is finito!

October 22nd

October 23rd

October 24th

October 25th
October 29th


October 30th

October 31st

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fylerion Bag

I joined the Secret Tote Bag Swap on August 30th, but it took me a while to find something that I liked, especially a pattern that I wouldn't have to buy.  And I found the perfect bag on Sew Sweetness (not looking for any bonus points or anything :), the Fylerion Bag, not only is it a FREE pattern and tutorial but Sara has also made a Video Tutorial, I am such a visual learner and this was a huge help for me.
My secret partner requested: I would like a quilted tote bag with some type of closure at top and an inside zippered pocket. Any other extra pockets are great but not imperative. I really don't like anything too big and I prefer shorter handles since I rarely use shoulder bags. 

The Fylerion Bag Pattern:  You only need to print 4 pages for the pattern, this is nice I so don't like it when I have to print a massive amount of pages.  Each pattern piece is labeled with what fabrics and interfacings you need to have cut.  The tutorial and directions can also be printed from the PDF download or you can just read them on-line on Sara's blog.  The video can also be found there and I watched this first and then read the directions and printed the pattern pieces.

The Back

 The Supplies:  Are also listed both on the PDF download and on her blog.  Now if you are like me and live in Europe where it is hard to find the beloved American interfacing company Pellon, well Sara has made the conversion to the more readily available Vilene here.  Instead of using the Pellon SF-101, I used Vilene G-700 (which I love by the way) and I didn't have fusible Thermolam and since I was going to be quilting it I used Vilene Sew-In Volume Fleece 272 Thermolam, BUT only on the exterior pieces of the bag and not the interior, I did use it on both pieces of the paneled sides.

The Instructions:  Can I just say VIDEO!  The written instructions are also nice, I love the way she labels each step first by numbers (there are only 8 steps, easy right) and then alphabetically, it makes it so easy to follow along.  It was also very easy to sew and put together, I did break a needle when going over the 4 layers of thermolam and I am so glad that I only had it on my panel sides and not for the whole entire bag, I think it would have made the bag to "thick".

The Inside:  Is equipped with 2 pockets, but since my partner requested a zipper I made one pocket into a zipper pocket.

A few Modifications:  I didn't know how big the bag was going to be, it looked a little small to me, so I added 2 inches in the height and width.  This made it hard to know what size I would need for the side panels and so at first I didn't angle cut them like the pattern requested but after sewing it together I ripped it apart and trimmed as suggested, it looked and fit together much better :)
I had major issues with the magnetic closure, first I lost the ones I bought, couldn't find them anywhere so I went back to the store I bought them at and she was all out, this was on Friday the 5th when I was supposed to mail my package.  The store owner told me she would have them in on Monday, in typical Greek fashion when I went on Monday she said she would have them on Tuesday, when I went on Tuesday she said she would have then the next day, and I am sure she would have continued along.  Well on Tuesday I was like where are the ones I bought?  I looked everywhere, well I could just use a button, so I look in my button bag and lo and behold there are my magnetic closures.
I put them in and sew up the bag, only a few days late, but then when I tried to pull the closure open it was pulling the fabric and I was afraid it would rip.
The next day I ripped into the bag to change out the magnet with one from my fridge, lol, don't suggest that it doesn't work to well.
Next plan a sew in button snap, that worked well.
Since my partner didn't really want over the shoulder I made the strap the way Sara suggested then cut it in half and sewed it in near the flap.  To make a hand straps.
I also added a Large Swivel Snap Hook to the side of the bag to hold a wristlet bag that I made.  I appliqued the accent pattern piece for the front panel and then I used a decorative stitch to adhere it on, instead of folding it underneath and sewing.
The Fabric:
Now the reason I did a "double" accent piece was because when I made my quilted front panel I put it on my table to cut and next to it I had been auditioning some fabric for the charity bee I belong in and the purple Ty Pennington fabric looked so good next to the Art Gallery fabrics I had been using, so I added a second accent piece.
AGF Nature and Floral Elements along with Naturella plus Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax, Aurifil 2312 looks great with the Linen Flax, this is 1 of the threads in Pat Bravo's bold beauty box's and I used Aurifil Variegated 4653 to "quilt" the front of the bag.
The back is a foundation Paper piece pattern called "Feathers" by Alison Glass, I turned 2 feathers side ways and "added" a branch to make it look like leaves, at least I hope so, this tote swaps theme was "Nature".
Second time doing some FMQ
Linking to Sew Sweetness Purse Palooza 2013
and Linking to Such a Sew and Sew: A Stitch in Time Linky Party.
October Finishes
this is also on my list for October A Lovely Year of Finishes list.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Alison Charm Swap and Giveaway, Last days

Have you guys seen Alison Glass's Sun Prints?
Well hop on over to her blog if you haven't and enter in to WIN 74 FQ's

Also make sure to check out the blog tour post.

or if you love the fabrics so much then join the charm swap going on over at flickr.

Monday, October 7, 2013

October Goals

I am busy, busy, this month!
Goin' to America, Goin' to America!  In November so I need to get a whole bunch of stuff done this month.
  1. Secret Tote for Swap, needs to get finished
  2. A Sewing Machine Cover
  3. Matching Mug Rug to go with cover (being gifted for the PIF)
  4. A Traveling Bag for Arthur (my husband)
  5. A Backpack for my daughter Katerina
  6. A Messenger bag for my son Nik
  7. My flying geese Double Wedding Ring Quilt (now bed-runner to lazy to do more Foundation Paper Piecing)

 Linking up to a Lovely Year of Finishes

My Button

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Twist to the 60's Batiks, My Day

Hello, Thank you for stopping by my blog for this wonderful hop.
I would like to Thank Madame Samm and Mary Winegar for hosting and organizing a fantastic hop.  I also want to apologize to Madame Samm for not finishing what I wanted to show her since I made them with the Tokyo squares (the coolest fabric ever, is it a blender or a batik, both in a perfect world) that she gave me.

My very first fabric purchase last year in May 2012 when I first started sewing was some batik fabric from EBAY, I also got this Timeless Treasure print, so I thought "for sure" I should join in on this hop.
Organic fabric, with lot's of peace sign's on it.
The plan was to do a modern meets traditional twist on the Double Wedding Ring.
This was my first time doing Foundation paper piecing and I have decided I don't like it, the waste, it's crazy!  I have a jar of small scraps of fabric and a whole lot of my precious thread, plus the paper.  I am pretty sure I won't be ever doing it again, unless someone can tell me what to do with the little pieces of fabric and all of my thread?
The Plan

Plus it took a lot of time and now I am stuck on how to put them all together should I leave the paper in, or take it out and sew some curves or should ..... well as you can see I ran out of time.  I decided at 2 pm on Wednesday, when the kids wouldn't hang out with Grandma, that I better change gears and find something else to complete for the hop.

So I give you the Mom and Daughter Wristlet Set!

This is some of the fabric I bought on my first purchase it is a really cool batik that has embroidery already on it!  LOVE IT!
I made this for one of my Sister-in-Law and her daughter (my niece), they kind of match, but each one is different.  This is the third time I have made the pleated version, you can find the English Sub-titled You-Tube video here, and the pattern here.
The larger wristlet pattern can be found here, it was the first time making this one, it is a great pattern but I don't like the raw edges inside, so it will need to have a few changes.

I started making these 2 bags at 4:30 and finished them at 8:30 and that was with kids and animals interrupting.
When can I play with them Mommy!
 Yes she thinks everything I make is for her, and if you ever get a gift from me, you will have to realize that my daughter probably fondled it first.
even fabric gets touched by her first, especially if it is pink.
Please make sure you go visit my other crafty creators for the day.
October 3

Secretly Stitching.(you are here)

My new kitties PEACE sign on the back of his head, cool, he!
PEACE OUT!
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