A Retirement Gift

I absolutly love making gifts for my family. I love the surprise on their face when they open them, and the fact that I know them so well, and I am able to make something that they will truely love!

My mom retired this year. She has been a teacher and an principal in the same school district for the past 33 years. She will still be working there next year, but felt this was the year to retire. Knowing that she was going to continue teaching, I decided to make her a few items that would look great in her classroom.

I found this really great print on PINTEREST. Love that place! This is the blog to go to get this print! After I got it printed I went and bought a frame and spray painted the wood! It came out so great and I wish I was teacher just so I could hang it on my wall!


The next gift I made was a small quilt. I purchased a bag of scraps from this shop. I never thought it would have so many pretty prints. I also used some Kona White. This was a very simple quilt to make. I sewed all the randomly sized strips in to one tall stack. Cut it at random widths. Sew a piece of your white fabric in and keep going! The backing is from this shop! This is the first time that I have done rounded corners. So easy! I haven't figured out how to do the binding on square corners yet. I also machine stiched the binding and was very happy with how it came out!




My mom loves her gift and can't wait to put it up in her new classroom! I am so happy that she likes it!

Binder Purse

Sounds different, right? Thats what I thought too! I had a customer ask me to make her one, so that she could use it when she was doing the extreme coupon thing!

So what is it really? A binder cover with purse straps so you can easily carry it! It has velcro tabs on the side to keep it from opening, and to keep all your items from falling out. Add a few pockets and it is extremely useful!

Are they fun to make? Somewhat! I love picking out the fabrics and customizing them to the customers needs. Do they take a while? Um...Yeah!

I made a tester one, just to get all the kinks out! I am keeping it for my self. I have all of my pdf patterns in it, notebook paper for making lists, and paper for doodleing!


I really love the inside of the front cover. It has 3 velcro pockets. Just to make sure nothing falls out! The back inside cover, has a pocket for paper and 3 pen slot pocket. There is one pocket on the outside and it comes in pretty handy too.

This order also had a custom pencil pouch added to it! This was the relaxing part of the sewing. I love how it came out. I used this tutorial for the measurments. I also added a detachable wrist strap!



I am thinking about making a pattern to sell from this design. I need to make a few more so I can get all the measuremnts and pattern peices ready. In the mean time and for practice I am going to be doing a tutorial on the blog for a Jewelry Roll! That will be in about 2 weeks! I have never done a tutorial before, so if anyone has any tips, I would love to hear them!
I am linking up to Sew Modern Monday's!

And Made with Love!

VACATION SALE

I really need to get posting! Sorry for the lack of posts, but I do have a sale going on that I would like to share with you.

We will be leaving in about a week and will be gone for 8 weeks. I really don't want to close my ETSY shop or deactivate the listings, it would be lots better if it was just empty. So to get it there, I have decided to have a 40% off sale!

Use coupon code VACATION.

Shop Update and Coupon

I updated the shop today with a few new things! There are 2 new purses, 2 reusable grocery totes, 2 Crayon totes, an ACU wristlet, and a Cupcake Ruffle apron! There are also lots of other goodies!

Use the coupon code SPRINGCLEAN to save 20%.

Here is a picture of one of the newest patterns I have bought recentely!

Simplicity Pattern 3802

I recently made a new apron for my daughter Jolie! She will be 4 in May and she loves to help me cook and she loves to paint. Her old apron was getting a bit small for her. I think I made it when she turned 2.

I decided to use Simplicity Pattern 3802 View D. I made the size 5 and it required 7/8 yard of fabric and 2 packages of double fold bias tape.

I have one problem when it comes to sewing. I am really bad at reading the instructions on patterns. However, with this one, I read as I was sewing and when something didn't seem right, I kept telling myself, it will turn out right. And it did! I think it came out pretty cute and it turned out very professional.

I am getting so much better at working with bias tape. It used to scare me but now I get pretty excited about it. It makes everything look so much better. I love that it makes the little pockets stand out!

I would say this pattern is for a experienced beginner. It may be slighty difficult for them, but they will not be afraid of bais tape when they are done!

Round Satchel Pattern Review

A few months ago I won a giveaway on the Sew Sweetness Blog and the giveaway was 3 patterns designed by Ali Foster. If you have never heard of her patterns go here and take a look.

Yesterday I made the Round Satchel Purse. I was a bit nervous about making this one, but it is so different from the purses that are in stores now, so I just had to try it.


I will honestly tell you that after getting the pattern pieces cut, I really didn't use the pattern. It is a pretty simple straight forward purse. I used a fusible interfacing and cotton fabric for the exterior layer, and I used fusible fleece and cotton for the lining. I like having the extra structure with the purse. I want my purse to be able to stand on its own and protect what is inside. There is one pocket on the inside. It measures 5 inches by 7 inches. I like that it is larger. The strap is 2 inches wide!


Are you nervous about the curves? Don't be! Just pin the heck out of it. curves can be scary at first, but just remember you can always use your seam ripper to take out the stiches. I do have to say, that I was lucky and didn't have any problems on the curves. I feel like I have improved so much on my sewing in the last few months!


Take it slow on this pattern if you are a beginner! If you are more experienced at sewing a purse, it shouldn't be much of a problem. It took me about 3 hours to finish this project!

Sis Boom Jamie Dress Sew Along

I am sewing along with this one and I am very excited about it!

Go here to get all the information! If you let her know that you want to sew along, you will get a discount on your pattern. There is still time to get in on the action! We won't start sewing until after the first of April! There are prizes involved!

Go check out all the information on the Sew Sweetness blog!