Almost a New Year

Hooray for almost a new year! I have been very busy lately, but not with what I want to be busy with. I have been shopping with my mom. I got some great pink fabric from Craigslist and some great Christmas fabric from Wal-mart. I got some new workout clothes, to accommodate the fact that it is cold and shorts and tank tops don't work well in the winter. I have started my January to do list. It isn't quite finished, so when it is I will post it. I also did a little sewing.

I made Sanders, the head wrestling coach some coats for his dog. It was a special request for his Christmas gift, so I went and got some fabric that I thought would work, but when I got home hated it. I made them anyway and I have a really great idea for him that I know he will like. I just need to get the fabric for it and I will be set.

I have started my very own swap on Craftster. It is a Deck out your Kitchen Swap. If it goes in a kitchen or dinning room it is a go. Placemats, aprons, oven mitts, art, decor, containers, tablecloths are all ideas. I have been wanting to do my own swap since I started co-organizing the Fill a box of holiday wishes swap. This idea popped into my head when I decided I want placemat for any holiday and season. I love to make aprons and placemats, so I'm sure others do as well. Right now the swap is still in the sign-up phase, so I have a little while before I get to craft for it.

Another swap that I am in is the Pink, girly Swap. All about being a girl and loving girl things. I am very patiently (read impatiently) waiting for my partner at this point. Everyone in the group but 4 of us has partners. The organizer is waiting for an answer from one of the participants and then she will assign the rest of us.

The funny part of this story is that one of the other people waiting is Kaymadben, who I met in the Christmas in July swap. She was my partner for that swap, then my next swap, Fill a box swap, she was my partner again. Then her and I decided to co-organize together in the Holiday wishes swap. Now she and I might be partners again in this swap, and then she went and signed up for my Kitchen swap. I don't mind at all though, she is an awesome person and I love to craft for her.

I am off to clean up all the Christmas decor, a yearly tradition. I sadly have to do most of it by myself, but that is ok. I really don't mind. It gets put away the way I want it to be put away now. Then off to the craft room to work on Amy's birthday present. So, I sew.

Weekly To Do December 28-January 3:

1. Sew 2 placemats
2. Sew 2 singlet grocery bags
3. Sew 2 lunch totes
4. Sew a workout bag
5. Sew a work portfolio
6. Sew a picnic tote
7. Sew 2 doggie coats
8. Fix our backyard fence, so Nibbles can go back outside and get out of our garage

I've been busy

I have worked very diligently on a few crafts that I have been wanting to do.

First up a crochet blanket that I have been wanting to make for about 5 years now. When I first learned how to crochet I started with blanket. That was the first mistake. I couldn't read patterns very well at the time and failed to really try. Needless to say, I used the wrong yarn, the wrong hook, the wrong gauge and the wrong finish size. The only thing I did get right was the actual stitch. Well I didn't realize that I hadn't done what the pattern said until about a year later when I actually learned how to read patterns. I love the twin size blanket even if it is all wrong, it sits on my couch and I cuddle in it all the time. Anyway I decided on Christmas night to make the one that I wanted to start with, the right way. I told Nick to pop in a movie and I would crochet. I used Homespun yarn in two different colors (waterfall and modern) held together with a Q hook, with single crochet in back loop. I finished it last night, they are so fast with such a large hook. It took a total of about 6 hours to make. The finished size is 45"x45" (supposed to be 60"x45"). The only thing wrong with this one is the finished size, but I didn't want to go buy more yarn, I only wanted to use what I had. It is just the right size to snuggle up and read.

Last night when I finished the blanket I decided to make a Scoodie using Vegbee's tutorial. I went and found some black fleece, and some cotton that I liked, but didn't really know what to do with. It sewed together really quick, but I remembered how much I hate sewing fleece. I made the scarf part about 8.5 feet long and it wraps around my neck a couple times. Nick doesn't think it looks good on me, so naturally I wore it all night (even to bed), just to be a butt to him.

Today I was nosing around on Craftster and found a board that I have never seen before. It is the craft along board, where everyone crafts things and posts them for motivation and communication, but nobody sends anything (like swaps). I signed up for the de-stash along and through that I found a thread for a Rapunzel Scarf. Basically all your yarn and ribbon scraps that you hoard braided up into a long rope. I went into my closet and found all sorts of partial skeins of pink, gray and black that I could use. I ended up with a 7.5 foot scarf that is light weight, but still very warm. And Nick likes this one better.

I feel very accomplished, and it was all no pressure. I am so excited to be crafting for fun again. I keep dreaming about what I am going to make next. I have this bad habit of finding new more interesting things (Rapunzel Scarf) rather then crafting the things on my list. I will be working on that and hopefully getting better.

Holy Moly

I went through my computer and compiled my list of patterns and tutorials that I have saved on Craftster and in my bookmarks. I can't believe how many there are. I thought I was never going to finish. I made the list so that I can easily find everything, and if anybody wants to make me anything from the list they can. I think with this list all made up, it will be easier for me to complete my crafting goals for the new year.

I delivered my Christmas gifts to their recipients and now I can post what I made.

I made Becky some crazy quilted placemats and an Emmeline Apron:

She really liked the apron, and was ok with the placemats. These placemats were my tedious task of the last couple months. I am so glad they are done. I will never make 8 placemats of this difficulty again. I really like the pattern, but only for four placemats.

I made Kelahna some little aprons to go with her kitchen she is getting from Santa:

Amy loved the aprons, as did Kelahna. She wouldn't go to bed without one of the aprons on.

There is other stuff that I made, but those people have not gotten their gifts yet. When they do I will post the pictures.

Patterns and Tutorials:

Here is a list of pattern and tutorials I have found online. I know this list is long and daunting. Most of these I have wanted to try, but don't have the time. I could use tons of any of these. Most items here make great gifts to family and friends. If I have completed the project I will put an asterisk by it and a note on how the tutorial went. Please let me know if a link is dead, I will fix it if I can.

Bags, Purses and Wallets:

• Pleated Purse
• Oilcloth Lunch bag
• Hobo Bag
• Diaper Bag
• Quilted Wallet
• Bagsket *For my craft room, bold, bright blues, pinks, purples and white
• Zippered Pouch
• Lunchbox *I love these, I have made 4 of them.
• Messenger Bag
• Picnic Bag
• Gratitude Wrap (note card holder)
• Pleated Bag
• Funky Travel Bag
• Snap Wallets
• Messenger Bag
• Knock-off Coach Purses
• Reversible Tote Bag
• Credit Card Wallet
• D-ring Bag
• Duffle Bags
• Singlet Shopping Bags *I've made tons of these, but never have enough
• Sling Bag

Clothing:

• Pleated Skirt (I would want an adult version)
• Lounge Pants
• Drawstring Jumper Dress
• Wrap around Shirt
• Christmas Tree Scarf
• Candy cane Scarf
• Cheeky Panties
• Tiered Skirt
• Mod Outfit *I really love the bag, and cape, but it wouldn't be complete without the dress.
• Empire waist tunic/dress
• Tank Top
• Tie halter top
• Cloth Ballet Flats *I wear women's size 7
• Reversible Fleece Jacket
• T-shirt Hoodie *I wear size medium t-shirts
• Zippered Hoodie
• Flapper Dress
• Pull over Hoodie
• Kimono Hoodie
• Wrap Lounge Pants
• Tank Top
• Hooded/Cowl Dress
• Jersey Dress
• Tube Dress
• Nightgown
• Scoodie
• Belt

Kids:

• Nursing Cover
• Apron Top 
• Peasant Top *I have made tons of these, very easy. Would love more!
• Mei Tai Child Carrier
• Baby shoes
• Corset Dress
• Men's Shirt to Dress
• Tiered Skirt/Dress *super easy to make
• Halter Dress
• Reversible wrap dress

Home Decor:

• Fabric Boxes *For my craft room, bold, bright blues, pinks, purples and white
• Clothespin Apron
• Hangable Hamper
• Oven Mitts
• Patchwork Placemats
• Fabric Basket * Makes a small basket
• Boxy Bag
• Criss-Cross Coasters
• Fabric leaves
• Puzzle Quilt * I want a queen Size in blues and greens, or reds and creams
• Woven Bathmat
• Covered Crate *For my craft room, bold, bright blues, pinks, purples and white
• Sewing Machine Thread Catcher *For my craft room, bold, bright blues, pinks, purples and white
• Felt Strawberries *Any felted fruit to put on my table would be cool!
• Work baskets
• Car Litter bags
• Starry Night Light Box
• Button Flower Bouquet
• Wall Letters *my name spelled out (DEANNA LYNN) or (CRAFTS)
• Chalkboard Garden Pots
• Book Light
• Flower Lights *I would use LED lights instead
• Square Bottom Basket *For my craft room, bold, bright blues, pinks, purples and white
• Charging Basket *with or without the hole
• Paintbox Quilt * I want a queen Size in blues and greens, or reds and creams
• Fabric Cupcakes
• To Do list Holder
• Post Office Bag
• Cushions
• Reversible Journal Cover
• Oven Mitts

Paper Crafts:

• Sewn Bound Journal
• Mini Origami Star
• Small Photo Journal
• Pocket Advent Calendar
• Post-it note Matchbooks

Other:

• Pet Clothing
• Notebook Cover
• Hair Curlers
• Lavender Eye Pillow
• Business Card Holder
• Cloth pads
• Camera Bag
• Travel Tissue Cozy
• Lip Balm Cozy
• Shower Cap
• Key Fobs
• Tea Wallet
• Camping Chair
• Quilted Camera Bag

Weekly To Do December 21-27 2008,

1. Sew 2 placemats
2. Sew 2 singlet grocery bags
3. Sew 2 lunch totes
4. Sew a workout bag
5. Sew a work portfolio
6. Sew a picnic tote
7. Sew 2 doggie coats
8. Sew 2 oven mitts
9. Sew 2 potholders
10. Sew 4 coasters
11. Fix our backyard fence, so Nibbles can go back outside and get out of our garage

SNOW!!!!!!

It is snowing and that means no school, which means no work. I love it. Winter break has pretty much started for me today. Even if Yelm is in school tomorrow I won't be there. North Thurston School District, the district I live in, is already canceled for tomorrow, which means the roads are too bad to drive. I hate the snow until it closes school, then it is wonderful.

Because of the day off I was able finish my extra large Christmas present. I still have some of the other stuff that I want to make for this person to do, but the tedious part is done. With no school tomorrow I will be able to finish most of the rest of the stuff that I want make. Then I will have more of my real winter break to work on fun sewing projects.

I have decided to start making Christmas presents in January. I don't want to do anything too specific, but I am going to make a whole bunch of generic type gifts for birthdays and other holidays throughout the year including Christmas gifts. I also am going to be doing more swaps, when I finish with making all this years Christmas stuff. I love doing swaps, so I think I am going to try for maybe 1 per month. We will see how that goes, Nick hates me doing the swaps, because he thinks it costs too much. If I keep to my no buying goal it won't cost me anything, but the shipping.

I took a nap today so I have lots of energy and time to go work on some projects. So, I sew.

Something new

I have started something new today. I decided to post my weekly to do list. I need some accountability and my friends and family can help me with this. I sort of did this once over the summer, and that worked a little bit. It was a little too overwhelming for me. I have limited myself to 10 things for the week, and they can be anything from sewing to other chores. Once wrestling season is over I may be able to up the list, but I don't want to wear myself out, considering I only spend 4 evenings at home these days (some weeks even less). I hope this works out for me!

Weekly To Do December 14-20, 2008:

1. Sew 10 placemats
2. Sew 2 Emmeline aprons
3. Sew 2 singlet grocery bags
4. Sew 2 lunch totes
5. Sew a picnic tote
6. Sew 2 doggie coats
7. Sew 2 oven mitts
8. Sew 2 potholders
9. Sew 4 coasters
10. Fix our backyard fence, so Nibbles can go back outside and get out of our garage

It's gone

What is gone? you ask. Well my hair is. I got it chopped off today. It has been one whole year since I last got my hair cut and I thought it was about time, (and I got permission from Nick).

Here are my before and after pictures. It is not quite the haircut I was going for, but I still really like it, I think I will like it more then what I wanted because there are more options. I wanted a really short bob, and the lady said she would do this first and then let me decide. I decided this was ok, and in a couple weeks I can always go back and get it cut more if I want.

I am off to work on Christmas stuff. I know I am always saying that, but there is a lot of stuff to work on. So, I sew.

The weekend is here and gone...

Yesterday was the first wrestling tournament of the season. It went pretty well, and was nice and short. I was able to really teach the new managers how to keep score and participate in a tournament, which was great.

Today was my cookie swap, a huge success. Not everyone showed up that was supposed to, so there were extra cookies, but that is ok. Everyone made very delicious cookies, and Nick and I have been snack all afternoon. I am going to give some cookies to the other wrestling coaches, but I think I will still have a ton left over.

I am not ready to go to work this week, I will have to go the whole week, I am not sick anymore. But I will have wrestling on Thursday to look forward to. I will also have the fact that there is only 2 weeks left before winter break.

I really have to finish my Christmas presents for everyone. None of them really take a very long time, it is just the sitting down and getting them done. I hope I finish them before they are due. So, I sew.

I got all my Swap stuff

I received my Swap package yesterday. I love everything so much. Christy got so much stuff packaged up in the box, it made what I sent seem miniscule.

She sent me three each of check book covers, and tissue cozies. I have been needing the tissue cozy for awhile, especially now with me being sick, and now I have three to choose from and the rest will be Christmas presents.

She made this great lunch tote with placemat and napkin. I love the decorator fabric she used. The fabric is so heavy duty that it will make it through the toughest of lunches.

 

I got this stenciled shirt. This is the back, the front is blank. I really love the pattern, it is perfect for my personality. She also made 4 wire wrapped pendants that are really cool looking. I currently have them hanging from my inspiration board. There are a ton of hair pretties, which I took one and will have in my hair a lot. I have had it in my hair two days now. Three very scented candles, lilac, holiday berry, and lemon, my favorite smell. And a quilter's pouch. I know the perfect person for this.

 

A tote bag to carry all sorts of stuff. I saw this fabric on one of her posts on Craftster and thougth the fabric was cool, but in person the fabric is amazing. I love the very retro print. She made a notebook portfolio that I think I am going to use at work until winter break. Then after that I am going to use it for my swap journal.

 

She also managed to stuff in a complete kitchen accessory set. The set includes 4 placemats, napkins, coasters, and 2 potholders. This is very cool fabric, and I think my grandma will really love these. They are just her style.

Christy was such a great swapper. I love everything that was packaged up. I even have most of it wrapped up already for Christmas. She reduced a huge chunk of my 'to make' list.

I made all of my cookies for my cookie swap today. I even tested a couple (you know to make sure I didn't poison them)! They are so delicious. I can't wait for Sunday to try all the other great cookies that all my friends and family are going to make.

Tomorrow I have my first wrestling tournament. I am kind of glad the season has started, but I am also dreading how long it is going to be. The season takes a large chunk of my weeknights and Saturdays. Oh well, I get to spend time with Nick and the other coaches are cool, and the kids are very entertaining. I need to go get some rest this weekend is going to be a busy one. So, I sew.

It's Christmas time now

Nick and I took today off to get better. I feel better today, but really tired. I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep until 7:15 a.m. Then I slept until 10 a.m. I am still tired, but I don't want to take a nap and ruin any chance at sleeping well tonight.

With our free time today, Nick and I put up our Christmas tree. All the rest of the decorations have been up since the day after Thanksgiving, but we have be procrastinating on the tree. I wanted it up before Sunday, so the house is festive for my cookie swap. 

I am so excited for my cookie swap this year. I invited people from work this year, so it will be more then just family. I have the most delicious sounding cookie planned too. I am going to make peanut butter with a Reese's Peanut Butter cup in the center. They better turn out, or I will probably cry.

I should be getting my swap package from Christy today. I know I have said that already, but my post office is dumb. They scan packages as delivered and notice left, but put the notice in the box 1-2 days later. I tried once to just go to the counter and get the package without the notice and they said no. So I just have to wait for the stupid notice. I think I should find a way to complain. Depending on the date on the notice I might be able to complain today. I am off to the post office right now. So, I Sew.

In a daze

So despite my best judgement I went to work today. I was in a haze all day and hardly remember anything I didn't today. I don't think I will make that mistake again. I don't have any sick leave for work, but I will sacrifice pay to avoid the humiliation I endured today. I am supposed to be the one in charge of a 6th grader and he was the one in charge most of the day, making sure I was doing what I was supposed to do. I felt fine this morning when I got up, so I got ready and went to work. By the time I got there I had no clue where I was. I think I am going to stay home tomorrow to make sure I am for sure better. I will rest in the morning and maybe work on some low stress sewing. I might as well use my resting time usefully. Then my mom wants me to go to her house for dinner and if I am feeling up to it I might go. I don't think I could pass up turkey enchiladas. I am drooling just thinking about it. YUM!!!

I have got lots of sewing done in the past 24 hours, but nothing I can show yet. It is a really big project that if I show pics now, it just won't be done any justice for how cool it is turning out.

I got my crop-a-dile today, and I already put it to use. I made another coffee cozy with eyelets. I was hoping it would be reversible, but the eyelets I used are not pretty looking on one of the sides. Oh well I prefer the look of the cozies with eyelets and ribbon over the Velcro. This is one I made over the weekend. I didn't have the crop-a-dile yet and the eyelets were a pain. I swore I wouldn't make another. Then Siobhan showed me the one she just got and I bought one that day. I will probably put eyelets in more things now. It is way too easy not to use it for nearly every project.

I need to motivate myself to work on my large project, but I am so tired I feel I should just go to bed. Decisions....So, I sew.

Being Sick Sucks

So I have had this stupid cough for about 3 weeks and that is all that it was. Well if finally went away on Saturday. Last night out of the blue my nose is stuffy and my sinus' are full. Where did this cold come from. I have to be better by Saturday. I stayed home from work today to make sure I got lots of rest to get better faster.

Christy got my swap package and she was thrilled. Now I can post pictures.

I made two coffee cozies. I have been wanting to make these for awhile and got around to it for this swap.

I made another Emmeline apron. I love this pattern. It is fairly easy and it is reversible. I have had this butterfly fabric for years. My mom bought 8 yards, about 10 years ago to make dresses for Rainbow Girls. She made my dress, but never got around to making hers. She gave me the fabric when I took up sewing. I never knew what to do with it, so I thought this might work out. I wanted to do the dark blue as the second main color, but didn't have enough. I think it looks great the way it is now that it is all done.

This was a quick and easy notebook holder. You can put your pens/pencils on one side and a medium notebook on the other.

 

I made 10 fire coasters. They truly are a firefighters family. I got this fabric over the summer in a fabric swap. I didn't think I would ever use it, but then Christy came along.

 

These are about half of the cards that I have made in the past year. I love making cards, but never give them out to people. I decided to clean out my stash and give them to Christy. After they were all packed away in the box, I realized that she too makes and sells cards. I gave them to here anyway. I am glad that I did because she just loved them. The fabric basket was made from fabric that I bought on my very first fabric shopping trip, when I first taught myself to sew. I always wanted to make a tote, I just never got around to it. I think it looks great.

Finally I found this fireman fabric at GeeGee's in Yelm. I was just looking for inspiration and I couldn't pass this up. I continued to look around at the store and found the orange backing, which matches the flames on the front perfectly. It was a simple design, but I didn't really want to break apart the front fabric.

I am so glad that Christy liked everything. I should be getting my package in the mail tomorrow. I can't wait. So, I sew.