Did you know quilting is a cult ?...

I had a revelation..as I was walking out of a thrift store after making a fantastic score on a piece of vintage Pyrex ----------------->
1.)  I didn't know there was a large and VAST group of folks out there that LOVE Pyrex as much as I do! I have been collecting the stuff since I was 22 here and there... I didn't relize how amazing the stuff is..I loved it for its wide variety of prints,colors,sizes,shapes and usefulness.. Pyrex is not just for cooking... its a "Shelf statement" or "Trend setting" .My hubbers, brother and I ran all over Portland,Oregon to thrift stores because I was looking for a few items for an up and coming "Spirit" week at work. I just happened to stumble upon that ---------------------------------------------->

2) I pay so much attention and detail to others blogs and photos that I forget just how creative and artistic I am. The fact that I spend at least 1 hour a day reading blogs,browsing flicker and keeping up with others creativities and contests I pick up "habits" and one of them-which has already been a habit from the past that I haven't really had come to surface until recently.. has drug me into a CULT! &&& Laughing at self!!! &&& --------------------------------------------

3) Others-Fabric trends and ideas- sparks ideas and trends within my own studio and fabric is deff. like a pair of cute shoes or nail color... so, I see an awsome quilt, pops of colors and I see patterns in the trends..this drags me in... recently... I began to partake in a few contests/sew alongs/ fun things online via other bloggers pages and ...Purse Palooza has sucked me in! I've made 4 bags for myself and then my best friend decided she wanted one too so... we headed to the fabric store and she fell in love with Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt and the fabric store only had these prints left but..she was in awwww..

<----------rough peiced need to seam rip

I will have better photos to come once i'm actually done. I took the night off after running around Portland which was also after working a full day at work. The bag has a large outer pocket on the front, a large zipper pocked on the bag for the full height and width of the bag. A pocket in the interior one for a pen, one for her IPhone and one for...gum? :)  The bag is a good size and made from the same pattern as all of my other bags I have made for Purse Palooza. 

..................................Thus quilting is a cult..its an addiction..with a fab. group of people of all kinds ..... truely.. The BEST cult EVER! 

With that said....................................................Have a fantastic night! 

Texting while doing what now?

I am over joyed to have found some fantastic prints in text for The texting while sewing contest over at During Quiet Time. Amy is a fantastic sewer and im thrilled to be able to do this contest! to expand my love of sewing..and now quilting. My first ever quilt..The Zakka Quilt in the Design Collective Zakka Style book by Rashida Coleman-Hale .....
was a little "tough" for me..even though I can look at somthing and sew it like I had invented the idea..and most I do for myself..as in my bags.......

Anyways back on track.......... I have so much fabric and i'm shocked I didn't already have some stash with text... after re-reading the very few rules to this contest I feel silly. Because I bought ONLY all texts for the 12 inch block...and thats what i'm going to use..it will be challanging but, I think I will have a lot of fun with it and hopefully be pretty unique in that sence that maybe some ladies will go by the examples and use other prints too. I didn't get prints that have objects in them except one with coffee beans and lines. ... apparently Instagram hasn't uploaded my photo yet or i'd share it..but they are super duper cute and im really excited needless to say. I have a design in my head and now just needs to DO IT.. :)

well anyhoot...i've got to run..work calls..

Another one bites the dust!

4th bag for Purse Palooza and im IN LOVE with my newest bag..I know I said that about the last too but..hey! whatever! I found the main fabric at Craft Warehouse-they have some amazing deals on clearance fat folds and I was just walking by- no intention of buying this fabric-but..I couldn't live without it! something about it was just calling me .. This is my OWN pattern! I designed it myself- I have a photographic memory and at times of restlessness while laying in bed I think of the oddest things and this-was one- I began drawing my pattern,what I wanted it to look like, so I could visualize it and the next day I steam pressed some cut out wax paper and started cutting away! my first bag was a little tricky because I forgot a key element-make the back panel longer so the folded over parts to make the zipper wouldn't shorten the bag. I forgot to sew down a flap over the backside zipper and didn't use the right kind of interfacing-I had in all intentions to make a light weight bag anyways because I have shoulder pain now and then from a past work related injury. - I don't suggest tearing a muscle- its the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced- im not yet a mom so, I don't know what child birth is like.

Back on my subject- so, this is my 3rd version of my pattern, I shortned the front pocket, added an elastic loop and button closure to keep goodies in the pocket secure(er) and didn't add an inner zipper pocket-because I didn't need it. I didn't add bias tape or any frills on the backside where the turquoise zipper is located- because I didn't want this bag frilly- just simple and bright! and that it is! I used Michael miller ta-dot (mustard) orange for the lining of the outside pocket, some patchwork on the adjustable strap and the outer flap. I used another dot (Michael miller too I think) in almost a coral for patchwork on the straps and the flap. I used a Riley Blake green button on the front of the bag-I wanted a "goddy" large statement button to be featured on the front to add more of a "POP" to the bag..did you know the Riley Blake is the husband and wife teams names of there children? Riley and Blake..had no idea- quilters/sewers are seriously the coolest group of people EVER! ;-) (I know im awesome! ) I used a really thick interfacing (fused) to ALL pieces of this bag except the two interior. Talk about pain in the arse to turn the bag right side out! I used fushia bias tape for the pink detailing and machined bias tape to the inner folds of the fabric to add a more finished look. I used a Kona cotton for the interior layers (light blue) I used fused fleece for the lining of my adjustable strap. I cut out peices of the main fabric to applique to the inner flap of the bag and to the inner pocket. And of course I used a turquoise Zip It Zipper!  Hope I didn't leave anything out!

^^^^The first version-inner-see how "flimsy" it looks?




-------------------> the backside, the zipper is hiding under that lace. 



And for some reason or another, I don't have photos of the front and right now, my feet hurt too bad to go take another photo :) .............so there we have it!

.......Next project- This weeks project for the Zakka Style Sew Along!

Whats going on in the world of my crafty space....new additions to the space!

What a lovely day I had with my other mum today!
I picked her up at 9am and we headed to Jim and Pattys in Portland,Oregon,
My favorite drink there is the soviet mocha-NUMM! made with sour cream-don't knock it until you've tried it ya'll! Jim and Pattys is the org. Coffee People. After the buy out of Starbucks (boo!) Coffee people no longer....was Coffee People- total bummer! I hadn't lived in Oregon for very long at the time they had released the information that they were going to be selling out and no longer be around... so sad *insert hypothetical tear here* ...................Then about a year ago..my husband was crusing the web and saw somthing about "Jim and Pattys, The Org. Coffee People" ..when I saw the photo..BINGO! it was them!!! they had a cafe! I was totally stoked- few days later we drove to get our paws on the goods....and.....its like it should be..all over again... without the drive threw-the treats are still amazing and the coffee still so delish.......... okay...so i'm done rambeling!
So, after we had left Jim & Pattys we jolted to IKEA... because..how can you not LOVE IKEA!
I had been pondering how to "cut off" my sewing/craft corner (AKA- use to be our dining room that was never used in our apartment) from the rest of the place...I needed a little space to allow my creativity to flow and our bedroom with a King Sized bed wasn't working so, I did a little research. I began to think I would buy a sound board- to block out the noise- a fake wall to bolt to the ceiling, cubical walls to add a little privacy. Then it donned on me! IKEA! they had the answer!! The key to my "issue"......
A wire "rod" that you hook to the wall or ceiling by two brackets that bend and voila! The only problem was- I wasn't sure how i'd do it. So today, I took the leap. Invested the $12 somthing on the wire rod and another $15 on the curtains to boot... a large savings over the "screen" I would have ended up with that is really..not private at all-and would become a chew toy for my house bunny. We had also browsed- I ended up with a rod and 3 hanging thingy majigs and a $10 as-is rug that matches a fellow grey rug we have from IKEA also-which i'm going to move into my craft area and put the old grey rug back into the living room- The red plays off our red couch too much-clashes!

This is one corner of my area-see the curtain peeking by? Jar full of thread spools ..and of course the cup that reminds me.... :) The new rack with pink "buckets" newly installed today-very clever...those IKEA Designers!

The print of my new curtains- Black and White- Birds sit upon the branches

Messy Yet organized..those blue boxes sitting on the floor have TONS of notion goodness-vintage and other misc. Still trying to figure out a wall for those! and of course, my mess-need to be folded bins of fabric!

A small opening for the walkway to the living room

Kind of a mess still. This is my cutting and computer desk-I working in a small space

I just whipped this up really quick tonight as the boys were watching a movie. I just measured and cut, thats how I like to do things! The linen was a vintage table cloth that had gotten ruined by company so, rather than tossing it I cut it up for a sewing machine cover! The bias tape is vintage- JC Penny & Co.. The floral fabric was a steal at Fabric Depot (Approx $3.00 a yard!) I thought it was wicked cute! The cotton lace was $.25 cents a yard!!!! I bought almost all they had!

Another part of my mess! The chair under my photo box was my Grandfathers, the table is at my aunts..im waiting to go get it once I have space, for now the chair is all I could take :) It use to have mates but age takes its toll. The set im sure is over 50 years old. All those purses hanging on my poor mani are bags ive made for either The Zakka Style SAL or for Purse Polooza :) poor Mani is getting weighed down..Those resin dolls hidden in various places of my craft area are- Berries & Co- I collect them

.............my mess..............
Anyways..just wanted to share!

Zakka Week 9 Stem Messenger Bag

Well, this weeks Sew along project for the Zakka Style Sew along find all the good info at LRStitched Bloggy was a little challenging for me! Zakka apparently, is all about linen and a lot of good things. Well, im kind of bored with linen only because the stuff gets me so fired up about how annoying it frays and does not do what you want it to unless you starch the bageezes out of it..I decided because Oregon is very wet most of the year and i'm not so tender with my bags..I wanted to make something a little more "sustainable" for my use and torcher it will receive by my busy life style.. So..I went with a Marine Synthetic materiel made from recycled goodness... and ..to my shock! it did not break a single needle!! On the standard machine I use! ..I was so very pleased with that.. but the stuff is hard to sew without it moving and deciding it'd rather head east than west... So.. with a lot of fuss I accomplished the project its a little kaddywhompus in spots but..it is what it is and I made it. I use to be very fond of making handbags when I was younger and I guess I got a bit bored. I will however be taking part in the  Purse Polooza this year and im pretty excited about that, Ive got my materials and my design drawn up and hopefully I can get it done in  a weekend! It is a great feeling accomplished.

So, I knew so little about any kind of spray adhesive for quilting (fabric) and after week 8's Zakka project I am in love... it worked so very well on the vynel! I was stoked! sorry for the junky photo but. The brand I used is "Spray n Bond" basting adhesive. I picked it up at the local Joann and it was normally $14.99 but had a coupon...YAY! (thanks hubby ;-) and its WELL worth it! I don't know what brand you'd use but this stuff is just as good ..I think? I hear the 505 spray is da-bomb.. anyways... I Sprayed the appliques with this goodness and they stuck while and had sewn them down. Goodie Goodie gumdrops! I had only purchased 1/2 a yard of the vynel because the stuff is SPENDY so I thought i was coming up short. I ended up cutting the peice for the flap at the very end of the madness and so to make up for the inch I was off on I used some left over scraps to make a ruffle............................

 

I had used pinking shears to cut the leafs so the edges will hopefully not fray. As for the ruffle, I came up short on that too (oh golly!) so I cut that fabric in half and carefully had sewn it  to the flap and TADA! 

The outcome is pretty darn tootin' cute....if I do say so myself................

 The strap is peiced toeather with the polka dotted print and the floral print because the vynel was waay to hard to turn it inside out.. The interior is red on the interior flap, and the bag part is orange. The outside wrap around pocket is polka dotted.

you can't iron the vynel or it will melt so the flap is a little kaddywhompus... whew! one project down for the week........................
Have a great day!

Wooty Woot.......woot....!!!! FABRIC AHOY!

I was totally stoked to get a brown box in the mail this evening........

WOOOT WOOOOOOOT!! haul aboard the happy train!
 I received my goodies from Fat Quarter Shop today and I was totally excited. I had impatiently been waiting for the arrival of these delisious cotton bits to arrive all day today! what a pleasent surprise when I had gotten home, As my husband waived it infront of my face like it was a giant sized coffee beverage..... yulp...this goodie box topped that a few times over! ....
The package dosent look like much but, there are a few layers hiding that you can not see. I ordered my full $75.00 worth of fabric from my gift certificate that I had won from the Zakka style Sew Along Click her to be directed to join in! you need the book Zakka Style... more infor here!    Anyhootie...

Happy Friday! im going to get started on the next project for Week 7.... "Zakka Block Quilt" Created by Leslie Good .............................................

Somtimes the little things really count!

A simple "hello" head nod from a passing stranger, a "have a great day!" from the store you frequent nearly daily for your morning coffee. . . The simple things really count to make me feel better.
So, on Monday the 14th after not going to bed until nearly 3AM after dropping my mum off in Goldendale,Washington and making the trip back home for the second time that day in 24 hours, I woke on Monday morning to my phone buzzing with all sorts of texts,emails and missed calls.
I checked my Email first because well, sometimes there is good stuff in there! so much to my surprise, I had won the first quarter Zakka Style Sew Along prize,
A $75.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop! I was so freaking excited! The 3rd week we had made Zakka Pin cushions..this was mine...

The one on the right is the one I had submitted to the entry link up. I thought it was pretty cute myself :)
So yesterday, after a busy evening running around town with my husband clothes shopping for summer- because its been in the high 70's to low 90's here for the past few days.... I was in dire need of summer clothes for work!
I watched Glee (yeah..really) and browsed . Fat Quarter Shop site for some lovelies...  I spent $14.00 of my own monies for shipping and a partial dollar amount for a yard of fabric. I am so stoked to have won this giveaway!! eepers jeepers! what an awesome giveaway and a donation of there certificate really, really made my day!
Fat Quarter Shop  has an amazing array of fabrics! I highly suggest you take a peak if you haven't already and order yourself some nummies! There prices are just as those as you'd pay at a chain fabric store for a yard of less quality fabric- i'm not hating on the easyness of buying from a big box store i'm just saying that the fabric on Fat Quarter Shop is quilting quality, decently priced, a huge array of fabrics to choose from, patterns, books, notions and Fat Quarter Bundles that are oooo sooo nummo! .....
Check them out! OH! and shipping is VERY decent!! you know that your fabric will be only the best when you buy from Fat Quarter Shop!

So with that said..... Happy Hump day ya'll! and today is "Wear purple for peace!" Day. .... so... im wearing purple to work today!

Peace! :)