Love Fabric

Here is a sampling of some of the new fabric I got in recently. I tried to pick some fabrics that made me think of spring. I especially like the black, yellow, and white fabrics above. I have to confess, I've never really noticed before how well gray and yellow go together. Maybe the black is what helps them hit it off. This fabric is just begging me to make some bags....cute little handbags.


This fabric just screams Girly Valentines! I made my little girl some more ruffle pants from the heart and stripe fabric. They turned out really cute, but I imagine you are tired of seeing Nona all dressed up, right?

Red, cream, and blue .... not just for 4th of July. I have a couple of new bag patterns to try out, and you saw the vintage-like fabric used in the heart tutorial.

Now, for the fabric I had been dying to purchase from the day I first saw it. The fabric above and below are from {Amy Butler's L.O.V.E } line of fabrics -- and I LOVE it. Don't you? It was love at first sight for me, and I knew I had to get my hands on some. The colors are beautiful and the designs lovely. What to make?


I have my eye on this fabric next. The above swatches are from {here}.

Fabric Valentine Heart Decor Tutorial

This is a really simple tutorial for making some cute fabric heart decorations for Valentine's Day -- or ANY day. Start with some fabric, any color -- you can buy some fat quarters or use scraps you have laying around. For the backing fabric I used inexpensive coordinating fabric that I already had in my stash. I cut a piece of the back fabric (about 16 X 24 inches) and ironed on some "Wonder Under". Wonder Under is used to glue the two fabrics together. Put the rough side of the Wonder Under on the wrong side of your backing fabric.

A really important step here is to follow the directions for the Wonder Under and "iron the heck out of it" -- my translation of the directions. Seriously, press the iron in one place for 5-8 seconds and then move on, overlapping your pressings. When the paper side of the Wonder Under is firmly attached and looks a little wrinkly like above, then you know you have done it right. Let the fabric cool a little and then begin peeling off the paper. The glue should stick to the fabric -- if not, iron some more.


Then arrange your face fabrics over the glue side of the backing fabric and press some more. If you are using scraps of cloth, be sure to use a pressing cloth (or another piece of scrap) to put over any gaps in the top fabric so you don't get glue on your iron. Press as directed above until the two fabrics are firmly fused together. I repressed the back side to iron out any wrinkles or bubbles.

Now the fun begins.
I used nesting heart-shaped cookie cutters for my tracing pattern.

I traced on the back side of the fused fabrics because it was easier,
and also so that I wouldn't have any tracing lines on the front of the hearts.

Some of the hearts I cut out with pinking shears,
some with regular scissors.

I then arranged the hearts over a satin ribbon, pinned them in place, and zig-zagged them onto the ribbon with my sewing machine.

Ta-da! Easy peasy. Hang the heart garland from a mirror
or a mantel as above. Simple and pretty.

Some of the other hearts I punched holes in and hung from narrower ribbon.

Then I went outside and cut some branches from one of the dormant trees in the front yard, arranged them in a pitcher, and hung the hearts from the branches. Instant seasonal decor for my buffet.

February Booth

Here are some photos of my booth this month. A few new things include cupcake pin cushions, vintage commemorative state plates (tag sale find), three new hand bags, a half-apron, and a few pillows. There will be a 25% off Superbowl sale this coming Sunday from 1-4 PM (I think).



The top shelf of my pillow rack is now sale items --some marked really low -- and these will be included in the 25% off sale.

I am also offering the nesting heart shaped mixing bowls and half-apron at a discount if purchased together. I think they would make a very nice Valentine's gift for that special someone, or you could just treat yourself!

The "Welcome Home" Shop

Welcome to "Welcome Home"! Welcome Home is a pretty little consignment shop in St. John, Washington. A few months back, the shop owner Diane White, contacted me and asked if I would like to put a few of my things in her shop. At the time I promised I would come out to her shop and take some photos for my blog. I am ashamed to say, I finally made the time to go visit her shop. Unfortunately, I forgot my REAL camera, and I also had 4 kids in tow so the visit was quite abbreviated. Sorry Diane!

Here are a few somewhat fuzzy photos of her shop. Be sure and stop in to visit if you are in the area. Her shop is right on Main Street right across from the new deli.

Butterfly Bag

I'm really loving this purse -- the colors, the flowers, the butterflies, the shape. (I am going to show my ignorance here: What's the defining difference between a bag and a purse? Anyone?)

The purse was simple to cut out, but in some places difficult to sew. It left me feeling like a contortionist! It has a stiff, yet supple interfacing so it will maintain its shape when set down.

It is lined with a complementary fabric and has a magnetic closure.

It is hard to tell from the pictures I took just how large the bag is, but at approximately 20" wide, is pretty substantial. Look for it in my shop soon. Feel free to contact me if you would like to purchase a bag such as this and I can set you up via Etsy.

Ruffle Pants

I have had {this ruffle pants pattern} in my stash for a few months, but have been so behind in my other projects that I hadn't taken the time to make them. I was pleasantly surprised how easy they are to make. I think I will start carrying some of them in my shop.

I just have to add, I love {Portabello Pixie patterns because Sandi Henderson} allows the home seamstress to make items from her patterns and sell them on Etsy or in a little booth like mine. Not many pattern makers allow this. I am grateful!

I took the time to serge every seam and top sew most of the seams. It really makes the pants look more professional and there are no raw edges to unravel.

At first she walked around the room looking at her feet -- I thought she was going to trip on the ruffles. But no, she didn't trip on the ruffles, she just ran into things because she wasn't watching where she was going!

Funny thing is, I had to make these twice because the first set wouldn't make it past her thighs! Poor girl, to have this problem so early in life. Good thing she doesn't have a clue yet. It's not her fault that she is so delightfully chubby -- it is entirely her mother's fault for not measuring before she sewed them.

Boy Bags

I have been sewing. Really, I have. I should be putting away all the holiday decorations, but I am sewing instead. I made these bags for the boys over the holidays. They picked out their own fabrics and buttons. Aren't there some really nice vintage looking quilting fabrics for boys right now? I really like both of the fabrics they picked.

Here are two of my boys modeling their bags.

Boy bags are not to be worn over your shoulder, don't ya know?

The bags are pretty simple. The first one I sewed the strap on the outside of the bag and the second I incorporated the strap into the top seam. I made a loop from coordinating fabric to secure the button instead of a button hole. *A tip: make sure the strap is not twisted before you sew TWO seams securing the strap. Don't ask me how I know this, I just do*

The bags are lined and interfaced with fusible felt. One has a pocket inside -- ready to be filled with rocks, toads, and toy cars. Go figure.