A Slight Change of Plans...

 My original plan was to show you another finished table runner today. I

 forgot that I had a class to teach yesterday when I wrote my last blog post.

So, rather than play in the studio, I headed over to Crazy Quilters and shared

my pattern and techniques for creating Shabby Totes (pattern available here). 

Don't get me wrong. A good time was had by all, and beautiful totes left the shop. 

I just can't show you another completed table runner and matching napkins today.

 Guess you'll just have to wait until Monday! 

I'll be heading over to Coffee Club this morning. 

It's always nice to see the girls. 

Later, I'll be found stitching these pretty plates onto the ground fabric. 

When I finish doing that, I'll be able to put together this table runner set. 

I'm thinking I might have to make something else with these fabric choices 

after the holidays. They're so soft and sweet, and they feel like "happy" 

colors to me. The world needs more soft and sweet, don't you think?

I hope you enjoy your weekend, my friends. 

A Very Good Weekend...

Jessie Wilcox Smith image

A very good weekend, indeed!

I finished writing and proofing my pattern for the Shabby Tote.

I'll be uploading it to Craftsy today.

Jessie Wilcox Smith image

The weather was perfect. Low 80s, breezy with no humidity, so I 

worked in the yard for a while after riding four miles on my bicycle.

web image

I spent two hours on the telephone talking to a loved one who I've

been missing. I think we caught up on years of events, and I'm sure

we even solved a few of the world's great dilemmas. It was so nice 

to share those few short hours and I hope to do it again very, very 

soon! I think we'll need to make a regular occasion of it.

web image

After dinner with Handsome (and Tag), I even managed to spend a few

 hours stitching while we watched the Green Bay Packers whomp on 

the Minnesota Vikings. What a fun game! Woot Woot Of course, 

we're Packers fans. Once a Packers fan...always a Packers fan.

Did you have a very good weekend, too?

Tag is very excited to visit with you tomorrow. You're gonna love

what he has planned. I'll finish my stitchery and then start on some

 of my Christmas gifts. I have a fun project list planned this year.

I hope you have a great week. I'll be back on Wednesday! 

Quick Studies...

 I managed to get photos of three of the totes that were created by my

students yesterday. They really caught on fast and made beautiful bags!

 In fact, they said they couldn't wait to go home and make more.

I think I see Christmas gifts in the works!

I'm just finishing writing the pattern for Craftsy and will add it to my online 

shop tomorrow. Kits will be available to purchase by the end of the week. 

Today will be my "catchup" day. Chores are calling my name. (oh, joy!)

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!

Not Too Shabby...

...for a Shabby Tote, that is.

I finished the model for my next class. Now, to write the pattern for it.

Sewn with sweet, floral fabric, vintage lace and button, a dreamy image

and a floral accent on the pocket, all merging to become one girly bag.

 It can be sewn with or without batting. Then, add a pocket inside

for your keys or cell phone and voila! Grab your tote and head off

to the nearest flea market, shop or event to show off your creation.

You know your friends will want one, too! They make great gifts.

I'm really excited to share my pattern and techniques with the 

students who sign up for this class.  It's going to be so much fun!

Just imagine them bringing all their own laces, buttons and trim

to class and then letting their imaginations run wild. Wheee!

Once the pattern is written, I'll also be able to share it with you

via Craftsy. I'll let you know when it's up on my shop site, so you

can play with your vintage stash, too! I'll also have little kits that

will include the outside fabric, and image of your choice with

coordinating vintage lace, just in case you'd like a little headstart.

I'll put those up in my Etsy shop. I guess I'd better write that pattern!

Today, I'll be teaching "Flutterby" at Crazy Quilters. 

There really is nothing quite so rewarding as the look on a student's

face when you can tell they've learned a technique you're teaching.

I'm going to be looking for that today.

I hope you have a creative day today, too.
Later, girlfriends!

Shabby Project...

 I'm going to start another class project today. I'm creating a 

Shabby Tote to teach sewing and quilting techniques at Crazy Quilters.

 I know I'll be using these fabrics and lace, but I haven't decided if I'll use 

the little cardinal with it or another image. I'll make up my mind after I 

start cutting and sewing. I have a tendency to "hoard" my sweet little pen 

and ink drawings from Michelle Palmer. I know my students will want

them, but I'll have to send them to Michelle's Etsy shop, because I won't

want to part with my own private stash! I'm sure she won't mind a bit.

 

I'm looking forward to sewing up the tote(s) and creating the pattern 

for my students today. I know it will be a fun class to teach, too.

I'll show you what it looks like later this week. Time to create!