The "fun" never ends...

I'm glad so many of you got a good laugh out of my last little mishap.  You'd think after how many times I said in my zipper tutorial to make sure your zip pull is at the correct end before cutting that I would have actually listened to my own advice.  Honestly, I'm sure I would have laughed along with the rest of you, except that right after cutting the zipper, then just sitting there & staring at it, wondering how I could have actually just done that, I saw this:

A big ol' tear in the plastic pocket.  AARRRGGGHHH!  I was trying to recycle one of those clear plastic bags that comforters come in, but I guess this one was a bit too old & brittle.  Plus, even though I carefully ironed it with a pressing cloth, I was still never quite able to get all the old ripples out.

And then I remembered that I had ordered my zippers online & only got two of each color, so I didn't have another to match the one for the zipper pocket.  It was not a good sewing day!

The next day I headed to JoAnn to pick up a new zipper since it would it would be quicker & cheaper than paying shipping on one zipper online, but of course I forgot the cut zipper at home so I couldn't even compare colors.  Things were just not going my way!  I ended up picking up 2 new red zippers since what they had weren't the same brand, and not quite the same red.  I know this bag is just for a young boy who isn't going to notice if his two zippers don't match, but I'll know!

While I was at JoAnn, I decided to check out their clear plastic since it would probably look nicer & hold up better than the plastic I was trying to use.  While looking for the plastic, I decided to take a quick detour through the quilting cottons to see if they had any of the DS Quilts fabrics in stock.  I should have known better, I really should, but I just couldn't help myself!  And of course the colors in the new line are just so gorgeous, and I do need a new diaper bag.....so I just couldn't resist picking up a few.  Plus it was on sale, and I had a 25% off coupon, so how could I pass this up?!

It's hard to tell, but the three skinny lines in the plaid on the right are aqua that perfectly matches the aqua in the one right next to it.  Actually, none of the colors are showing up quite right, but I just absolutely love them all.  I've still got a couple prints from the DS Quilts line last summer that I originally planned on using to make a bag for me, so now I've got a decision to make.

I think I'm going to use the new ones to make a modified version of Anna at Noodlehead's 241 Tote, but we'll see.  

I think the new fabrics make up for all my other sewing issues this weekend!  Now I just have to get to work on it all.

Until next time...

What's wrong with this picture?

Arrrrgggghhhh! This is what I get for not sewing for so long.

Sneak peak

Here's a quick look at one of my projects right now.  My sister-in-law is getting married next month & she asked me to make some totes to use as activity bags for her flower girl & two ring bearers.

I started adding some hand-stitching around the letters to help them stand out a bit, but now I'm not sure I if I want to do them all or not.  The stitching isn't making a huge impact, and I'm pretty sure the kids aren't going to care about that at all!  It's not taking long, but I can't decide if it's really worth it or not.  What do you think?

Until next time...

I need motivation

I haven't had much motivation to sew lately, and honestly it sucks.  It's not that I don't want to, it's just that...well, there are 100 other things I know I should be doing instead.  And now I have all these projects that I want & need to work on, so I don't even know where to start.  What I really need is something quick & easy to get me back into the swing of things.

I think this weekend I'm going to sit down with all my Keyka Lou patterns, and pick out one to make that I haven't made yet.  It's kind of sad, really, I have almost all her patterns, but so many that I haven't had a chance to make yet.  And there's no excuse!

Did you see Michelle from Keyka Lou even has a new pattern out this week?  Her Padded Camera Pouch looks like yet another perfect little pouch.  And like most times when Michelle releases a new pattern, she's offering 20% off all patterns right now!  You'll have to hurry, the discount is only good through this Friday, March 23, but use code camerapouch for 20% off any pattern.

 

I love that so many of Michelle's patterns come in multiple sizes.  A few times I've wanted an in-between size & can adjust it on a copy machine, but it's great that she already does most of that work for you on so many of her patterns.

Pleated Pouches

So what should I make next?  Maybe I'll just decide right now so I can't keep putting it off!  Here are the patterns I have that I haven't made yet, let me know what you think!

Zip Pocket Pouch

 

Strap Clutch

 

Ditty Bags

Pleated Pouches

Curvy Clutch

Fold-Over Clutch

 

I told you it was ridiculous how many patterns I own but haven't used yet, and I didn't even include the purses since I really don't need one of those right now.  I think I'm leaning towards the Strap Clutch since it's something I can throw in the diaper bag with my stuff, or use as a small diaper clutch if I don't want to carry the whole thing.  Plus, since my diaper bag is starting to rip (Again!  I've already replaced it once), I think I'm going to make myself one this time, and this way I can make something to match it.  I haven't decided on a pattern for that yet either, or if I'll just wing it on my own, but one step at a time! 

So tell me, what do you think I should make next?  Don't forget you can use code camerapouch to save 20% if you want to make something of your own.

Until next time...

all photos courtesy of Keyka Lou 

The Earth is flat...

...it must be, right?  Since I seem to have fallen off the edge of it!

I've been...in a rut...for a while now, and I'm sorry.

I know I owe e-mails to a few of you, and I know I need to get the Sew Along back on track.  I had originally hoped to start back up in February, but obviously that didn't happen.  Then I planned on starting in March, but that's not quite going to happen either.

At this point, I would like to change things up just a little bit.  I'm having a hard time finding (okay...okay...making) the time to sew, and unfortunately I don't see that changing much any time soon.  And really unfortunately, the last three bags in the books aren't my favorites (they're great, don't get me wrong, just not quite my style), so I'm having a really hard time convincing myself to make them.  I would like to have some guest posters for the last three bags, it could be one person per month, or a couple people.  If you are interested in completing one of the bags & sharing your thoughts, please let me know.  You don't necessarily have to finish the bag ahead of time (you all know I wasn't always able to do that either!), just have it completed before the end of the month.  I'll make a final decision on when to start up again once I get everything sorted out.

I want to sincerely thank those of you who have e-mailed to check up on me, and I'm sorry that I haven't responded to all my e-mails.  I've honestly hardly been on my computer at all for the last few months (I blame my smartphone, since I can do most, but not everything, on that now), and e-mailing from my phone is a pain.  Please don't think I don't appreciate your kind words, I do more than you know.

I'd like to blame this guy, but really, it's not his fault he's so irresistible!  :)

Until next time...