Oh My, How You've Grown!

Since I bought my new sewing machine (back in February), I've become seriously addicted to buying fabric.  I probably have enough fabric picked out for...well, let's just let the pictures do the talking...

Here's a shot of my stash from February...

 

cute little stack...

And here are a couple shots from my current stash... 

Don't you love how it's all folded and stacked the same?!  It just makes me happy to look at it.  Check out this blog post from "Living with Punks" on how to fold your fabric properly. 

The Beginning of my Quilting Craze

As I said yesterday, I finished my first quilt!  I'm so excited...and addicted.  After I bought my new sewing machine, I knew I for sure wanted to begin quilting right away, but I didn't know that much about it.  I would be learning as I go.  So, I used a very simple YouTube video from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Here's the video...

The cutting and piecing is so simple if you watch the video.  Luckily I finished that part right before Spring Break and was in Houston for my mom to help me finish! We used about 5 yards or so for the backing (I got a good deal on Origins fabric for the back from the Fort Worth Fabric Studio.  Great customer service and I will definitely be buying from them again!).  I decided not to put a border on it because I loved the size of the quilt without it.  It's the perfect size for snuggling.

Here's a couple of photos of us laying it out at my parents' house as we were situating the batting and backing (so you can get a good look at the finished design).

Then came Mom to the rescue to do the actual quilting part.  And, here's the finished project...

Here's a sneak peak of the quilt that I am currently working on...

For this, I am using 1 Moda Jelly Roll (Central Park), and the turquoise triangles are made from some super cute fabric that I bought at JoAnn's.  The pattern is called "Dripping Diamonds" and it's in this great book.

Craft Catch-Up

 I know it has been a long time since my last post...so here are a few crafts I've been working on lately.  Once school is out, I plan on doing lots of posts, including some great tutorials.  Also, I'll be opening an Etsy store this summer...so stay tuned for those goodies!

Here are a few of my recent projects...

Cupcake toppers for a baby shower.  (More of these to come on my Etsy shop this summer.)

Tea towel aprons

Reversible Hobo-Style bag



Also stay tuned to see my first finished quilt!

On a separate and exciting note, I won my first blog give away.  Head over to Marcia's blog and check it out: http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com

Fun Fabric Flowers

So fun...and so addicting...

Here's a great tutorial for these quick and easy "rolled" fabric flowers...

I sewed these with needle and thread, and probably will never be able to recreate them, but I thought they turned out cute too...

Baby Shower Gifts

I have been getting a few hand made baby gifts together for an up coming baby shower. Making baby stuff is so fun!!  First of all, I am in love with this super-easy and super-soft flannel baby blanket!  My mom posted a great tutorial on how to make it, and I pretty much followed exactly.

Next, I made a cute covered diaper wipe case.

And of course, some matching burp cloths...

Last but not least, and definitely my favorite, a sweet little "ribbon security blanket"...

All together...

Framed Initial

Here's my latest Goodwill make over.  I found this awful picture buried beneath junk at Goodwill.

Yes, that's right...I dig through junk at Goodwill.

Only because I find treasures like this...I'm in love with the oval frame! It was originally a gold plastic hideous flaky mess.  I'm so mad at myself for not taking a "before" photo.  I took pictures of everything except this.

Then, I just flipped the backing over, covered it in fabric (I chose one that coordinated with the wreath on my front door) and then glued a glittery W on the front (with a zebra ribbon and jewels, of course!).

and here it is with the matching wreath...

Initial Yarn Wreath

Here's an up-close shot my latest wreath...

The Craft Room is Finished!!

So, I've spent a couple weeks now redecorating my craft room, and I am proud to announce that it is finished, and I am thrilled with the results.  It just makes me happy to be in the room...which is so much nicer than the "pit" that it used to be!

My new love, Janome!

My so-sweet towel made by my mom out of material used to make some baby dresses (shown in pictures).

Note the yarn wreaths--my new obsession.

Yes, I teach elementary school.  See the markers organized by color?!

Cute sewing decor...and another yarn wreath.

Too bad my middle name doesn't start with an "E"...

Ribbon storage

Bookshelf with Justin's grandma's old sewing machine displayed...sorry it's fuzzy

Fabric storage

Love this room!  And, note all the wreaths on the top of the bookshelf to turn into yarn-wrapped-goodness!

Happy Crafting!

Yet another wreath

I just finished another wreath....YES! Another Wreath!

 

I know this isn't the greatest picture ever...But I wanted to share anyway.  Seriously, these yarn wreaths are addicting!

My New Love and a Sneak Peek at my Craft Room

Isn't she beautiful?!

Janome QDC 3160

So, I finally broke down and used my Christmas money from Mom and Dad and got got myself a wonderful, beautiful, amazing sewing machine!!  

With all the snowed-in days lately, I've been working on organizing my craft room.  I'm not finished...but here's a sneak peek...

 

I got up early this morning and scoped out a few quilt shops in Oklahoma City.  I discovered two really great shops with beautiful fabric and helpful ladies to guide me in the right direction. So, I bought some amazing fabric and can't wait to start some fun projects.  

I might as well face it, I'm addicted to wreaths...

Today was a beautiful snowy day. I absolutely love snow days.  No school, no kids....just me and the dogs.  If I have a day to myself, I'm either reading or crafting.  Last "Snowpocalypse" I read 3 novels.  This time, I've made wreaths!  Yesterday's post shows the first one...the burlap wreath.  Today, I tried something a little more simple and a little less time consuming.  But definitely, equally as cute!

Check out this yarn wreath with felt flowers...

So, are you ready to make yours?

Start out with a straw wreath.  Leave it in the plastic.  It makes it so much easier to work with. 

All you have to do is pick your yarn tie a knot and start wrapping.  All in all, I used about a half of a roll of "I love this yarn" from Hobby Lobby.

Keep wrapping until you've wrapped the entire wreath.  You don't want it to be perfect.  So, it's okay if it overlaps here and there.  In fact, it looks better when it does.  When you're finished it will look like this...

That's all...well, almost. Now, all that's left is adding the felt flowers.  There are about a million different patterns and ways of making felt flowers.  I have two absolute favorites...the "rose" and the "pom pom".

First, the rose...

First cut a wavy edged circle out of felt.  The bigger the circle, obviously, the bigger the flower will be.Then pick a spot on the circle and start spiral cutting the entire circle.

Now, when you get to the end you'll have a little circle thing.  Leave that...you'll need it for the base of the flower.

Pick up the end where you started cutting (without the circle) and start rolling.

When you get to the end, hot glue the circle to the base of the flower.

Now flip, and admire your creation...

Now for the pom pom...

Cut a 2 inch strip of felt.  Again, the longer the strip, the larger the flower.

Now, fold your strip in half hot dog style (yes, I teach elementary school!) and glue JUST THE EDGE!

On the other side, make slits (not all the way down to the glue) about every 1/4 inch.

Start with one end and begin rolling (similar to the way you rolled the rose), except you'll want to dot some hot glue in every now and again to hold it together.  Make sure to use plenty of hot glue when you get to the end of the flower or it won't stay together. 

Check out my new CORDLESS hot glue gun!!  What??  I know, right!?  So exciting!  It was a gift from my hubby today.  Some girls get surprised with flowers...I get a hot glue gun!  I couldn't be happier.  

Anyway, when you get to the end, with all the hot glue holding the flower together, you're done!  No base needed on this one.  

No, my felt didn't change colors.  I just forgot to take a picture of the finished tan one. 

Now, just glue in whatever pattern you like on your wreath. Add ribbons or other embellishments for a little more pizazz!