A quicky! :D

I just found out from hubby that we're going on a last minute Buffalo run tomorrow (YAY!) - since we leave @ 6:00 a.m. that means an early bedtime, but I wanted to get these 2 pics posted before June turns into July :)

 I'm quite enjoying appliquing these upcycled (from DS2's worn out work jeans) zipper pouches - here are some girl ones - a gecko, a whale, a croc and some sharks :)  It may be obvious that I'm also enjoying playing with the evil eye beads, LOL :)  These are all about 8.5" tall x 6.5" wide :) 

This project is being posted to 2 linky parties -  it's a toddler messenger bag that will be a Christmas gift - I made it using a new-to-me tutorial :)   I changed up the tute a bit - it worked out perfectly, and I already have another one cut out, lol!   This one actually falls under the Pinned and Then Made category as well, as I pinned it quite a while ago!

Linked to:
New to Me in June and Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew :)

I'm officially foxy - in my own mind, at least :D

Here are a couple of zipper pouches I just finished - I cut up the last of DS2's worn out work jeans into zipper pouch sized pieces, and decided to work on my applique skills.  It seems I'd been using the wrong product for my appliqueing activities for the last while - I was using the non-sewable stuff.  No wonder my poor sewing machine needle was getting gluey, LOL!  Thanks Nanc for the lesson on fusible versus sewable, and I'll see you Friday morning for our adventure ;)

Mr. Fox isn't acidentally crooked - he's leaning on a rakish angle - deliberately, lol.  I used the pattern from this project for the applique :)  Bag measures about 8.5" x 7.5" :)

This is Mr. B - the brontosaurus :)  The bag measures about 8.5" x 6.5", and the free applique pattern is available here from Heather Inks :)

Both of these bags will be going to Blue Hills :)

My peony is blooming right on time, despite the horrid winter :)

Rainy peony - June 11/14 :)

Here's my lovely peony bush earlier this week - it bloomed the very next day, and is in full bloom right now.   And here it is on June 12 last year - despite our really harsh winter this year, it bloomed at the same time as last year - much to my surprise!  I was at our oldest son's house today with him - he has several peony bushes there, and they're blooming beautifully as well.  He doesn't appreciate them as much as I do though, lol!

I've been working on my pink/orange D9P quilt this month - it's almost finished so that's taken up a lot of my time.  I did manage to complete a few small projects though, including some new-to-me designs :)

Patchwork scrap zipper bags (9.5x9.5 and 9.5x7) made with leftovers from quilts I've made over the last few years :)  Zipper pulls are polymer clay rockets.  I showed them to hubby and he said they look like penguins, lol.  So they're penguin rockets :D

Dinosaur bibs for a great-nephew :)

A new to me project - a fox zippy from this tutorial.  I added the tab because I always do - this bag doesn't need one.  Will leave it off next time.  It measures about 5" x 5" :)  This one was made with fabrics from my scrap bin - next time I'll use foxy-er colours :D

Drawstring gift bag (13x17) - using up the tail end of the pink fabric :)

HAHA I'm rather partial to this bag - it measures 10" X 17", and is lined with white.  The monster applique is from Adorable Animal Applique :)  His hair is ricrac - it's 3D!

I love how these zippies (7"w x 6.5") turned out - they're made from upcycled denim from our youngest lad's work jeans - the croc applique was inspired by this pattern (NAYY), and the shark was a picture I downloaded from somewhere online.  The zipper pulls are inexpensive charms purchased from Ebay :D

Hey Sittin' at the Dock of the Baye - no blue balls here!  ;)

Owl be uploading the picture now ...

Owl also be smacking myself for the bad title pun :D

Here's a "finish up the fabrics" zippy that I finished a few days ago - the owl fabric was a long-ago Joanns purchase :)  It measure about 9.5"w x 9" :)

Notice something different about one of the owls' eyes?  I'm addicted to those evil eye beads, LOL!

Steve now has a girlfriend :)

Stella & Steve - 9wx6t :)

I wish I could say the same about my sons, but heaven knows I would never interfere in their love lives (or lack thereof!) *ahem* :D  I made Steve last week and immediately knew he would need a girlfriend - he's just too cute to be alone.  Stella arrived today, and it was love at first sight for the 2 of them :)  I wonder if they'll make little Mostracci babies?  Time will tell!

BTW - both of them are made completely from scraps - the denim is upcycled from jeans, and the fabrics are from my scrap bins! 

Cleaning off the desktop photo uploads :D

Here are a few pictures I needed to clear off of my desktop - this is my latest QAYG D9P quilt under construction - I purchased 6 x 1/2 yard cuts of fabric a few years ago, and decided to use them up.  I have 8 of the 9 blocks finished that I need (positions 4 and 5 have 2 blocks each, although it's hard to tell) - once I get the 9th block done I can start the quilting.  I have enough of thefabrics left over to make scrappy binding for the quilt - it'll be toddler size (approx. 50" x 50").  The backing will be that dark pink that makes up the little squares in each block :)

I haven't figured out yet how to do a slideshow, so here are photos of more May finishes - most of these were "use up the last of the fabric" type of projects :D

Tried something new, but it wasn't exactly successful, lol

 This was my first attempt at a boxy bag where the top box was a different width than the bottom one.  Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat, you ask?  LOL this was the tutorial I meant to follow, but after I studied her instructions, I went ahead and tried things on my own without referring back to them.  Consequently, my scale is way off (so is my bathroom scale - it LIES!).  You can't tell from the photo but my sizing just didn't work.  As well, I should have put a tab on both sides of the top boxes like she did - if I had checked her page before sewing, I would have caught that :)  The bag certainly isn't horrid or unusable as I made it, but it's not quite what I wanted, so I'll be trying again :) 

Sorry about the yellowish background on this picture - both were taken at the same time in the basement, but ... ???!!!!








Linking this project up to Celtic Thistle Stitches' "New to Me in 2014" May linky party :) 

Peony monster :D

A few days ago I posted a sneak peek of the project I was working on - I finished him last night, and today he hopped onto my peony bush for his photography session.  Rather cheeky of him, I'd say!  ;)  His name is Steve - he's named after my neighbour's budgie :)  He was copied from inspired by this post at Mostracci Handmade :)  The denim background is worn out jeans I've upcycled from DS2's worn out work pants - Steve is a green zippy!  ;)  The zipper and lining are royal blue, and he measures 9"w x 6"t - I'm very happy with him, and a girlfriend is forthcoming to keep Steve company :D

Speaking of peony bushes - here's mine - it's late blooming this year due to the dastardly winter we had :D  Another week or two and we'll have beautiful flowers, I'm sure :) 

I'm a terrible photographer I don't have a great camera so I couldn't get a really good close-up of this little guy - this picture of a peony ant is dedicated to Sally and her bumblebee photo :D  She has a better camera than mine, plus she bakes cookies.  Hi Sally!  ;)


Linking this project up to Celtic Thistle Stitches' "New to Me in 2014" May linky party :) 

Sneak Peek :)

Here's a little project I started tonight - I pinned the original project a few weeks ago and decided tonight to give it a whirl :D  The denim is upcycled from a pair of our youngest son's worn out work jeans, and the eyes are each 2 pieces - a button with an "evil eye bead" (no affiliation - that's the Etsy store I bought them from) layered on - ever so cute, if I do say so myself!  I have to see if I can find these eye beads in a larger size - these ones are 8mm (about 1/3") which is pretty tiny.  I think 1/2" ones (12mm-ish) would be extra fun!

I'll try to get the project finished tomorrow after my doctor's appointment :) 

Mother's Day and beanbags :)

All my boys! 

Mother's Day was celebrated at our oldest son's house - we picked up take-out from Mandarin, and popped over to his house to see his new patio set :)  Great way to spend Mother's Day - other than waiting in a huge line-up for the takeout, I pretty much didn't have to lift a finger the whole day - NICE!  I think it should be a tradition to spend the afternoon at someone else's house - Nick - you're it until Chris gets his own place!  ;) 

Here's another beanbag set I finished this month - I also got the drawstring bags done to hold this set and the one I posted a few weeks ago :)   My favourite anagram for this set is the first one - mimosas!!!!

And here are the beanbags in their nice gift bags - I had a lot of fun making these sets - I think these make really nice toddler/pre-schooler gifts!

Posting to Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew (May) :)

A friend's win became MY win ... and I'm 12 :)

I got another beanbag set finished - this one will be a Christmas gift. I just need to finish the drawstring bag to hold it - will get that done later. In the interim, I went back to being 12, and played again with the online anagram generator :D If you're surprised by one of the words I left in - you should see the one I LEFT OUT!!!!

Fun with anagrams :)

These are the fabrics on the reverse of the bags :)

A bloggy friend of mine (hi, Vera!) recently won a giveaway from crazy mom quilts.  It turned out that the giveaway was only available for US/Canadian residents, so Vera generously donated her gift to me!  Such a sweet lady :D  I got it in the mail yesterday - its as lovely in person, as it is on the blog!

Photo Source  ... and fabrics from RJR Fabrics :)

The colours are very rich - it's a gorgeous collection.  I'm going to look for some rich floral prints to use these with - I think a quilt is definitely in order with these :)

I have cool neighbours :)

My doorbell just rang - when I answered it, there stood my neighbour with a (still warm!) plate of DELICIOUSITY!

Chocolate chip banana muffins, and mint chocolate chip cookies - baked by my lovely neighbour Maria :D

Note to self, and to others:  if you have a neighbour that loves to bake and cook, that's a GOOD neighbour to be friends with ;) NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!

Anagram time :)

Playing with the beanbags ...

I had fun playing with the online anagram generator, lol.  I'm easily entertained :D  Here's the completed set - a new project for me :)

Drawstring bag (to hold the beanbags) is about 16" x 18", and the beanbags are about 5 1/2" square :)  They have some plastic poly pellets in them for weight, and are stuffed with poly filling.  The letters are from the recipient's name  :)  Did you know our last name is Yolk?   Just kidding!  ;)

Here's a cute little Corvette basket I made to finish up the last of that fabric.  It measures about 8.5" x 4" x 4" :)

I bought some "fancy" carabiners from Ebay - these were about a buck each, IIRC - they're the perfect finishing touch :)  This is going to Blue Hills :)

Gnomes ... and a free bonus ;)

QAYG D9P quilt finished a few weeks ago.  Backing is the same red as the binding.  This is for a little girl who is turning 3 in the summer :)

 And now a free bonus - for today only!!  It explains well why cats will one day rule the earth ;)  It auto plays music so if you're at work or the baby (or hubby) is sleeping, hit mute first :D

Sneak peek :)

Here's a little preview of the project I'm working on today - I hope to finish it tomorrow :)  It's a birthday gift - I think I may end up making a few sets of these :)

A small Christmas finish :)

I got a Christmas gift finished this month - I know the recipient doesn't read my blog so it's safe to post it, even with the initial on the bag :D  The apron is the largest size of this pattern, the tiara is from here, the drawstring bag (in the middle) has been appliqued with the recipient's initial, and the superhero cape (in ladybug fabric!) was made with a Georgia Leigh Designs pattern from her Etsy store.  There's also a penguin zipper bag for the package, but I forgot to include it in the picture - I blogged about it here :) 

I'm posting this set to the April Ho, Ho, Ho and On We Sew linky party, here :)

Catching up on photos ... and a shark fail :)

For your viewing entertainment ...a shark fail :D  I was trying to make a shark hooded towel.  Apparently, my hand towel wasn't the same size/proportion as the one in the tutorial, as this is what I ended up with - quite unusable!  I asked DS1 to model it for me, and he was upset that I wouldn't let him take it home with him, lol.  I need to keep it until I get the sizing right, so I'll have an example of what size NOT to use - he can have it when I get it figured out :D  He may look grumpy in these pictures but he wasn't - he thought my end result was ridiculously amusing :)

Monster drawstring bags - 10" x 17" :) 

Christmas drawstring gift bags :) 9.5x18, 14.5x20, 9.5x18.  HAHA oh no - I just noticed the "type your text here" watermark - I have no idea how I got that there, LOL!

Drawstring gift bag 9x17, made from a Joanns FQ :)

My version of a project I pinned - I like theirs better, LOL.  My scale isn't as nice as theirs!  Denim is from a pair of DS2's worn out work jeans :D

Drawstring gift bags made from Amy Morinaka's Zakka Handmades book :) - I upsized the pattern by about - IIRC - 50% - mine measure 7.5"w x 9"t :)

Use-up-the-last-bits-of-fabrics pillowcases :)

Michigan - a very lovely state!

Hubby and I just got back from a long weekend trip to the lovely state of Michigan - we went to visit my friend Allie (and her mom - hi Pat!), and to do some shopping.  Joann Fabrics was having their annual Daffodil Dash, so I decided this was a perfect time for a road trip ;) 

It was fantastic meeting up with Allie and her mom again - I think it was 2 or 3 years ago that we saw them last?  We had a great time going from store to store, we had a lovely lunch at a Red Olive (great restaurant - I wish we had them here in Canada!) and our late evening ice-cream run to Cold Stone Creamery (requested by Pat, who was having a dessert craving, LOL) was a blast :)  I think that the annual Daffodil Dash should now become the annual Allie and Pat and Dennis and Sandra Do Novi trip :) 

I unloaded my new goodies onto my kitchen table this morning, and got a few pics to share (pix edited with Fotor) - I think there are a few items missing, but this is most of what I bought ;)

The large photo is pretty much most of my crafty/fabricy purchases.   Clockwise, from bottom right:  fabrics I bought just because I liked 'em, notions, my favourite fabrics to have on hand (including my favourite tone on tones), fabrics I bought with specific projects in mind, and the two new patterns I bought :)  

I think I may just have enough fabric for now ... but ... I'm not betting the farm on it ;)

I hope this makes you smile - it sure worked on me! :)

I love this guy - I'd give him a big hug too!!  (If the link embed doesn't work, here's a clickable link to try)



Notice how most of the men actually pick him up? LOL!  Adorable!  BOSTONSTRONG!  :)

April sewing - several finishes :)

Drawstring gift bag - 10" x 17" - birdy applique from Shiny Happy World :D  The pink gingham seersucker was from remnants given to me from someone's auntie's sewing room clean-out :D  I have enough to make another 4 or 6 bags :)

Co-ordinating aprons for 2 x 3 year old BFFs - these are the largest size from this tutorial, and are part of a Christmas gift set.

Ladybug superhero capes (the gingham print is the lining).  These are size 4 in the pattern from this Etsy store - both are gifts :)

Christmas gift tiaras from this tutorial - note the Santa jingle bell embellishment, along with the "jewel" bling :)

Tall pouch made with floral fabric from the auntie's fabric clean-out :D 11"w x 9.5"t x 3.5"d

A rocket zippy!  A ROCKET! LOL!  My first attempt at this new-to-me pattern - it didn't work out completely perfectly (I cut the vinyl window too small and then I accidentally melted the seam allowance with my iron, oops) - my next ones will be better :)  Fun pattern!  Including fins, it measures 9"w x 6.5"t :)

Handled boxy bag (10"l x 4"w x 3"t) made with sushi fabric :D  I took a closeup picture of the zipper pull - it's an owl jingle bell so it doesn't match the sushi theme, but it was the right colour for the bag, so I added it for fun - I don't think anyone will complain :)

ETA:  Rocket zipper bag uploaded to the "New to Me in 2014" linky party @ Celtic Stitches - here :)