Bonjour, mes amis

Today was one of those perfect days where the temperature is steadily rising outside but inside we're still holding onto the cool from the past few days.  It was supposed to storm all day, but I've seen nothing but sun.  I had some grand plans to take a dip in the pool today, but after careful consideration (I stuck the big toe on my right foot in) I decided it wasn't a good idea (so so so cold.)  Aside from that little adventure, I've spent the day getting a few projects together: lots of little bags, clutches, pouches, and sacks.  Here are just a couple of sneak peeks of what's coming up soon...  

While this last photo is most certainly not a photographic masterpiece, I feel like it just about sums up this day, and therefore felt obliged to share it.  Oliver was quite a pal today.  I hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I do!

Hearts and stripes blouse

Happy Friday!  I went out on a limb yesterday and decided to make a blouse pattern based on a basic top I own.  I traced the front and back pieces and cut them out of newspaper.  From there, I I added some darts under the bust line and a single pleat down the center.  To simplify the finishing, I used bias tape (I made it from simple white cotton) to encase the raw edges around the arm holes and neck.  I also added a simple Peter Pan style collar (out of the same white cotton as the bias tape) and sewed a matching covered button in the center.  And here is my new top!

It's comfortable, and simple enough that I put it together in the afternoon!  And my favorite part: since I used all materials from my stash (you may recognize this fabric from here and here) this project didn't cost me anything to make!  I just love it when projects work out!

I'm in the home stretch of my summer job, so I'm looking forward to having some "fun" time in the next few weeks before I head up north for school.  So hopefully that means more fun projects and pictures to share!  Happy almost weekend!

Holiday morning snapshots

Happy 4th of July!  I hope your plans for the day include food, friends, sunshine, and sparklers.  Since my day includes working, I took advantage of my morning off by bumming around the house.  But since it is July 4th (and since red, white and blue is one of my favorite color combinations) I'm sharing some of my favorite red, white, and blue photos from around our house.

 

Happy 4th of July!  Go have fun!

Pencil pouch

It all started yesterday when I found the most adorable pencils at Target.  Just look at those colors!

And they got me thinking: pencils like this need a proper pouch.  Like something that I can throw in my rehearsal bag and not be embarrassed to take out in public.  So I got to work!  I made a simple little bucket-style pouch, with a zipper on the top.  I made it tall enough that I could put in my pencils and still have room left for my other essentials (like rosin and candy.) 

For the main exterior of the pouch, I used some fabric I had left from this project, and a beige 7-inch zipper.  To make the bottom a little more sturdy (and a little more resistant to dirt) I used some floral brown cotton I had left from this project, and I stuck some crocheted trim on top.  For the lining, I used some white dotted fabric, left from this project.  Nothing like using up bits and pieces from the scrap pile!

This was such a quick and easy project...perfect for a rainy day off!  On top of this little beauty, I also got some great practicing in, and got the oil changed in my car.  What a day!  And I've got some more projects on my to-do list for this week, so I'll (hopefully) be back soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

Fly away tunic

I spent some time yesterday going through my sewing patterns, and unearthed a pile of patterns that I borrowed (read: stole) from my mom's pattern collection.  In with these, I found a pattern for a basic tunic that caught my eye.  In hindsight, the model looks so seriously unhappy (and a little confused) by the fact that her tunic looks like pajamas that she just doesn't know what to do about it:

But in all honesty, the text that reads "MAKE IT TONIGHT: An extra carefree pattern" sold me on the project.  While I am up for challenging patterns, I love being able to do a project from start to finish in a day,and the "MAKE IT TONIGHT" offer was just too enticing to pass up.  Despite the questionable photos on the package, I picked some fabric from my stash, and gave it a try.  I went with some adorable fabric from the "Nest" collection by Valori Wells that I ordered a few months ago.  And with a few minor updates to the pattern, I have a new tunic!

 The only real changes I made were to shorten the sleeves (I am in Florida in June, after all!) and to add a little embellishment on the front.  For some reason, I have been wanting a top with a scalloped embellishment on the front for what feels like forever.  And since this was such a basic tunic, I just couldn't resist!  At first, I tried a beautiful piece of blue and gold ribbon in the center of my embellishment.  While I loved the ribbon, it just didn't go with the fabric, so I covered it with this crocheted trim (although I left the ribbon underneath, and if you look closely, you can just see it poking through!)  I have some of the blue ribbon left, so I'll have to come up with something else to do with it...but I'm much happier with the crocheted trim for this project!  The most exciting part of this project was that I now have a basic shirt pattern, and I can't wait to play around with it!  I already have some ideas to change up the neckline, collar, sleeves, embellishments...you name it!  I can't wait to try them out!  Happy Friday!

Late night sewing

After finishing my work for the day and (finally) organizing my fabric a little bit, I couldn't keep myself from making a little something.  I wasn't up for starting a major project (or continuing one that desperately needs to be picked up) so I whipped up a much-needed case for my iPad.  I have a shell and a screen cover to protect from scratches, but nothing with padding to protect it from bumps and bruises...until now, that is!

I picked this stripey fabric up at our local craft store around Thanksgiving, with no specific plans for it (shocking, I know!)  For the lining and the buttons on the front I used some red and white polka-dotted fabric I had left from a Christmas project I did this year.  I used some Velcro pieces I had in my stash to secure the front (and the buttons are just for fun!)  

I used some flat batting between the layers, and after my first-ever attempt at quilting, I'd say the project was a success.  I used one of my all-time favorite color combos, the cover seems to be pretty practical, and it actually fits!

 
And now it is much past my bedtime.  I hope all are well and thanks for stopping by!