Another Font

Here is another new font. I like this one way better. It is more like how I write. I am addicted to this font program. Think of all the cool fonts I could make.

I made the pin boards yesterday and I am quite proud of them. The first one I made the lines before attaching the fabric to the board and that was a pain in the butt. The second one I drew the lines after attaching the fabric and it worked like a charm. Now I need to make some fabric strips so I can start weaving. I have a lot I want to do before tomorrow, so I don’t know what to decide on.

I have my American Sewing Guild (ASG) meeting tomorrow and we are doing a show and tell about everything we got at Sew Expo!. I want to finish the table runner before I go, so I can show that off. That is the only thing I thing I am going to take, so I really have to get it done. I also want to get some of the weaving materials for the placemats done before Thursday, because I am babysitting at Tim and Amy’s and I think if I have my weaving it will be fun to work with the kids. There are also about 10 projects sitting in my WIP/UFO basket I need to work on. Plus the 5 other projects I really want to work on. Two of the quilts I want to work on I still need a lot of black cotton for the backing, like 6-8 yards of fabric. I have been to the store almost everyday in the past week, so I am not going today, but on my way home from my meeting tomorrow or from Amy’s on Thursday I will pick up the fabric I need. Although I might just wait until I finish my basket of projects before I buy anything. I have a lot to do today. So, I Sew.

My new Font

So I found this great site that lets you use your own handwriting to make a font, for FREE. I did mine and here is the rough draft. I love it, but it definitely needs some work. The site is call YourFonts, I have been searching for a cheap way to make my own handwriting and haven’t found anything reasonable until now. If you do this let me know and email me a copy of your fonts. I would love to see what everyone comes up with.

My New Favorite Quote

Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long.
We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious.....And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
-Walt Disney

This is from the movie Meet the Robinson's. I love it because it keeps me motivated. If you don't keep trying and keep going on towards the future, what are we really here for? When I am down I think about this and I realize the past is the past. I hope this inspires you to think positively and 'keep moving forward' So, I sew.

I won!!!

So I read a large variety of blogs during my week. I particularly like ones that are crafty related and I found one called Bolsa Chic, that I really like. She has great ideas and inspirations. Well about two weeks ago she was offering up some of her fabric stash to some lucky commenters to her blog. Guess what? I won one of the three fabric packages! I hardly win anything and when she posted a comment on my blog saying I won, it made my day. Thank you so much Bolsa Chic, I can't wait to see what you have packaged up for me.

I have doing a lot of sewing in the past couple days, due to no jobs. I really need to find a permanent job, but that is another post. So, anyway I have gotten a lot done:

• 6 pairs of lounge pants made
• a picnic tote and 2 placemats (late Christmas present)
• an oven mitt
• a pot holder
• some sample coasters
• a crocheted scarf
• crocheted wrist warmers

I also have cut out my next 10 projects, which include:

• Emmeline apron
• 2 lunch totes
• 3 grocery bags
• 3 large tote bags
• Fabric strips for quilt

I still have 4 more projects to cut out that I already have fabric for. I also need to find some fabric from my stash to make a tote bag, and a fabric basket, some placemats and coasters, and various pink goodies.

I agreed to do a personal swap with Peppermom from Craftster. She really wanted to make a purse for me, which was something that she wanted to make for me in the pink swap. I have some great ideas for her, but need to get some of the birthday present sewing done first. I might squeeze a project or two in, while working on the other stuff. I have to send my March 6, 2009, so I have lots of time to get it all done. So, I sew!

Things I can Make for You

I have decided to try and sell some of my goods. I plan on doing mostly custom orders, so I don't have a store. I do have a web album the things I can make for other people though. You can customize the fabric on most projects to fit your needs. I also will not post prices. I believe that custom made items are to be bid out, which means when you show interest in an item and give me details of what you want done, I will give a price. This album will also be a great resource for my swap partners. It will give them idea of what I am capable of making, so they have an idea of what to ask from me. I will try to update this album as often as I come up with stuff to make. So, I Sew.

Things I Make

Redone

I reorganized my craft room. I made it easier to use the floor area for cutting and fabric layout. I also got rid of the two dressers that were holding all my fabric. I put the fabric in the mesh cubes I have had stored in the garage. Now I can see all of my fabric and how much of it I have. I wrapped all the fabric onto Comic Book Boards and calculated the approximate yardage of each. After totaling the fabric I have about 320 yards in 196 different cuts. There are only 3 fabrics that I have multiple cuts in. I am going to focus on using as much yardage as possible over the next 6 months.

I did all this because I am going to Sew Expo in Puyallup at the end of February and I want to buy some fabric. I have decided that I can only buy the amount of yardage that I use up this month. That way I don't end up with more then I currently have. I have quite a few projects that I want to complete in the next couple of weeks, so I think I may use up a significant amount of fabric.

My partner for the Kitchen Swap received so I can post pictures of what I made now. I made her an apron with some pink and lime green polka dot fabric. I also made some pot holders and oven mitts. I made a set of Betti Page magnets for her as well. I bought some rubber gloves and towels that matched the theme I was going for. I like how everything turned out. I think she liked it all as well.

I signed up for a fabric swap.

Getting new fabric is so much fun! This is a fun way to increase your stash and help someone else increase theirs, too. Participants will be sending out 1 half yard and 4 fat quarters to their partner.  In return, you will receive 1 half yard and 4 fat quarters. Participants have the option of sending (and receiving) 1 or 2 packages.

I asked to send and receive 2 packages, so I will be getting a great variety of fabric. I like this type of swap because I get fabric that I wouldn't normally buy or just haven't spent the money on yet. The organizer said that if we wanted we could send from our stash as long as our partner was ok with it. I hope my partner is, because this would be a great way to get rid of some of the fabric that I don't know what I want to do with. We should be getting partners later today. I can't wait. So, I Sew.

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

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!

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.

Likes and Dislikes

Things I Can Never Get Enough Of:

• Aprons - I prefer full size, but half are ok as well
• Grocery bags of all sizes
• Produce bags
• Pajamas - small-medium size
• Lunch bags
• Purses - messenger and designer knock offs
• Book covers
• Journals
• Notebook covers
• Portfolio - to hold a 9x12 note pad
• Embroidered Kitchen Towels

Various Things About Me:

• I'm a girly girl, but I don't have the budget to go full out
• I am a hiker/backpacker
• I would rather make it than buy it
• I try to be as green as possible
• I love to craft for my family - there are far too many people to buy for
• I love youth fiction (not too young, 5th grade and above)
• I work at an elementary school as a 1 on 1 shadow
• My husband is a part time assistant wrestling coach and I am the team manager
• I love to cook
• I am very organized - everything has its perfect place

Favorites:

• Color - pink, purple, blue, green, and cream
• Fabrics - flannel, printed cottons, novelties, and decor
• Big floral prints
• Retro prints
• Manatees

Dislikes:

• Goth inspired
• Neon - except if paired with black, but still no yellows or oranges

Never Have Enough Of:

• Quilting Cottons
• Buttons
• Thread
• Sewing Machine needles
• Ribbon
• Trims
• Lace
• Elastic
• Specialty Yarn - not novelty

Crafts I would like to Learn: 

• Stenciling - T-shirts, glass, fabric (I have dabbled, but I would like to learn more)
• Screen Printing (I would love to have my own kit)
• Embroidering
• Flower arranging

About My Family (the people I craft for):

• Nick - (age 24, husband) Environment Biologist. He loves Star Wars and Spiderman
• Debra - (Mom) Loves bags and purses. She is also very crafty, but doesn't have the time. She collects anything you give her. She loves vibrant prints, and natural colors.
• Persephone - (age 1, niece) A little princess, pink and dresses are a must. She needs easy to grow in clothes.
• Maribell - (age 2, niece)Our little all smiles, tomboy. She is always wearing a dress, but would rather be playing in  the dirt. Her nickname is ladybug, and we always give her things that relate.
• Kelahna - (age 3, niece) A girly princess. She is small for her age (2T). Loves art, drawing and cooking. Her favorite thing right now is Elmo.
• Billy - (age 4, nephew) Always on the move, watch out because he is sneaky. He loves cartoons and video games.
• Balin - (age 5, nephew) The tough little boy. Loves tie-dye anything. He loves to try and get away with everything (and so cute he usually does get away with it). Loves trucks and super heroes, and Star Wars.
• Timmy - (age 9, nephew) Loves comic books and everything that goes with that. He is a great wrestler. Enjoys being outside exploring.
• Ariel - (age 9, niece) Half girl, half tomboy. Always catch her with paper and pencil drawing something. She has quite the collection of purses too. She has to keep up with all the boy cousins and does a good job at it too.
• Tristram - (age 10, nephew) He is a very smart child. Always reading or playing the piano. He loves sports, especially soccer, but baseball and now wrestling are favorites too.
• Zachary - (age 11, nephew) The helper, even when you least expect it, he is there to help out. He is also a wrestler.
• I also craft for other family, but anything goes for them. Anything I might like, they might like.