Time To Tackle Some UFOs...

Waiting to become a table runner.

I have a list of UFOs just waiting for my attention. Some have been waiting months, and I don't usually have lists of projects stacked up. I've let my "start-itis" get the best of me, I guess.

 Some are newer to the stack than others, but they're still counted among the "unfinished".

Cut and ready-to-assemble Classic Organizers

I'm not quite sure how these things got away from me, but I know I need to turn them into "finished objects" soon.

Yes. More Brynwood Wallets!

They need to be finished so I can have a clear conscience when I start new ones. I have a whole list of new projects filling my head, but they'll just have to wait a little longer. My short term goal is to have all these UFOs finished by the end of next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Getting Organized Again...

Saturday was the perfect day to make a new organizer - just for me.

The last one I made that looked like this one went home with my friend, Carol from Serendipity blog. I took it to a lunch date with Carol over a year ago, and she insisted on buying it from me, right then and there. She wrote a check on the spot and I ended up emptying it and carting my tools home in my handbag.

I pulled out the same fabrics I used in the original, and another set of Michelle Palmer artwork (from my "Palmer art-filled tin"), and by the end of Saturday, I put the last stitch in the binding. Done!

It's the same, right down to the acorn charms on the zipper pulls.

The organizer only stayed empty for the few minutes it took for me to take photos, and then I put everything away that's been sitting in a basket since that lunch date.

Oh, yeah! Doing my happy dance.

Everything is right with the universe again. (giggling)

I have three commission orders to finish in the next week...one tablet cover; seven matching mug mats; and a wallet...and I also have two classes to teach in the evening. This is "busy" just the way I like it! I can see a great week ahead. How about you?

Just A Little Finish Work To Go...

 The five Classmate™ organizers I wanted to make as gifts this year are

 finished, with the exception of the final hand sewing for the binding on three.

They turned out better than I'd hoped, and I know they'll be

appreciated when I finally give them to each special person on my list.

 The fabrics and trims were chosen specifically with each friend in

mind. I'll finish these before Christmas, even though they won't be

gifted until after the holidays. I can sew the binding at my leisure

after all the other gifts I'm working on are shipped to new homes.

They say that you should give gifts you'd love to receive yourself.

Well, I can tell you that these really fit into that criteria. I love 'em all!

 I know I'll be making more!

It Matches...

 As predicted, I finished my newest Classmate™ organizer yesterday.

 I used the same fabrics for this organizer as the ones used for

all my sewing machine/serger covers in the studio. Using one

of Michelle Palmer's pieces of art tied them all together, too.

 I used this soft sewing tool-themed fabric for the interior...

 and I added split rings and acorn charms to the zippers as decorative pulls.

 When I was finished sewing the binding, I added my tools...pins, my magnetic 

acorn needle holder, thimbles, cutter, ruler, Thread Heaven™, a tape measure, 

Wonder Clips™ (tucked in the little "Love" tin), glue pen, seam ripper, Frixion™ 

pen, needles, Brynwood labels, stiletto, and my squirrel embroidery scissors.

Because of all the pockets, I still have room for more, so it will be really useful.

 

And, of course, it will coordinate perfectly with my other studio accessories.

I'll be off to Coffee Club again this morning.

Today, we're hoping our dear friend, Fay will be with us to celebrate her

Birthday. We're all praying that her husband is healing and able to go home

soon. If you'd like to lift up your own small prayer on his behalf, I know that

Fay and her husband would really appreciate it. I'll be sharing photos of her

gift from the group after I know that she's seen it and taken it home. 

I surely don't want to be the one to ruin a surprise by sharing it too soon!

I hope all of you have a wonderfully restful and creative weekend.

Another Classmate...

 After accomplishing a few household errands yesterday morning, I went

back to the studio for the afternoon. I started cutting out fabrics for another 

Classmate organizer that would match all my sewing machine covers.

 Of course, there will be one of the acorn pieces Michelle Palmer

created for me, and the same fabrics that I used for the covers.

 By dinnertime, I had the interior completed and was ready to start

assembling the outside. I should have it all finished by noon today.

(Don't you love the sewing tool-themed fabric? Perfect for this!)

 I'll also get back to cutting kits for my Shabby Tote class next week.

(I've got a full class!) I'm going to make another tote, too, but this

time I'll be taking lots of pictures for the pattern I'm writing for it.

"Busy Hands, Happy Heart!"

Happy Friday, y'all!

Classmate Success...

 I played in the studio yesterday. I was anxious to sew up the "Classmate",

so I set aside the entire afternoon to cut, fuse, sew, bind and finish it.

 I chose two fabrics from Blank Quilting Company for the main and 

contrast fabrics. I got this fabric at Crazy Quilters, but I also have the

same fabric in a russet color that I got at Sandy's Quilt Shop last fall.

 For the lining fabric, I used a tiny dot from Moda's "Pure" line.

The color coordinated perfectly and I had plenty in my stash to use.

 I really like the pockets, both zippered and plain. All are lined and inter-

faced, so the entire organizer has a nice, sturdy weight to it. It's roomy,
too, measuring 8" x 12" when closed, and 8" x 21" when open.

There are pen holders, and I even have pockets behind pockets...

 and pockets behind zippers! I have places for needles, threads, scissors,

patterns and fabric. This will be just the ticket for taking on our travels.

 Best of all, this pattern was well-written, easy to understand, simple

to execute - and I know I'll make more of them. I think they'll be 

perfect gifts for my creative friends. It will be fun to personalize them.

I thought I'd share the pattern cover again in case you're interested in

getting a copy for yourself. If you already have it and are wondering if

you should make it up, I'm going to recommend that you give it a try.

I thing you'll be glad you did!

***This is an unsolicited and uncompensated endorsement.

Classmate...

 I'll be working over at Crazy Quilters today. I'm helping out for a shop hop

event. The more, the merrier! I'll be working with Pam C. and I'm really

looking forward to seeing the demo she has planned and meeting new people.

I haven't sewn much at all this week, but after I tidied up the studio, I pulled

the pattern, fabric and notions to create this "Classmate" from Atkinson Designs.

 One can never have too many organizers (or shoes, or purses, or...oops. Nevermind.)

I'm hoping to make this over the weekend. I'll show it to you when it's finished.

Happy Friday, y'all!