one shabby chick

Scrappy wallets

I had been trying to think of some small items I could make for the craft fair and decided on some little wallets/coin purses.

I sewed up one with just two different fabrics and then I spied my coin strips. They are so perfect and I already have them sewn up so it's not that much work to finish them.

I added a layer of batting and a layer of fusible fleece to make them soft and add some shape to them.

I love these snaps too - they go through all the layers so well.

I made a larger one I thought could even be used as a camera cozy.

I promised my sister-in-law I'd make her a guitar strap so I've ordered some cotton webbing (to use as interfacing) and I'll give you guys some sneak peeks when I get it started (I think it will be a Christmas gift).

** It seemed time to change up the blog - I want to go back to the all-white version once I get a new banner made.

Inventory

I haven't sewn much the past couple days but I'm trying to make up some stock for the craft fair on Dec. 12th.

I was going to do another one at our church's annual Christmas dinner but it was cancelled because of a rock slide due to the heavy rains last weekend.

But I'm loving all the sewing so I'm just gonna keep sewing anyway. I figure I'll have stock for some Spring craft fairs next year (or an Etsy shop).

I got these in the mail today - business cards! And apparently I have an Etsy shop (but nothing in it - yet)! I figured I would put it on the cards in the hope of getting some repeat customers (from the craft fairs).

I'm a little nervous about the whole "Etsy shop" thing but guess I need to just dive in.

I'm using the small ones as price tags - I love them.

I have had these quilts finished up forever and just needed to wash them. Now they are crinkly, priced and ready for the craft fair.

Back:

(this one has pink chenille on the back)

I have had trouble figuring out what to price things - especially the quilts. They take so much time so I priced them accordingly and figure I can always give them as gifts (or keep them all) if they don't sell.

Of course I'm keeping this one...my first long-arm quilt.

 

I think I'm gonna hit a few craft fairs this Sunday....that's about the extent of my Thanksgiving weekend shopping - except for online of course!

Brown butter frosting and Tennessee pecans

I'm really not the baker in the family..that's my sister's title. And I'm not in charge of making any desserts for tomorrow but I've been craving these cookies for a while now so I finally made some.

I like baking but I really don't like having my kitchen messy - I think one reason is because there's not a lot of counter space so I feel the need to clean constantly while baking. Another bizarre syndrome I'm sure.

My grandpa has a pecan tree in his yard in Tennessee and sent us a bag. I saw this recipe while thumbing through Martha's book last night and made a batch of them as well.

I'm actually making mashed potatoes (which are horribly fattening the way I make them - cream cheese, sour cream and milk) and cranberry fluff (which we somehow make much different than any recipe I could find - it's basically red jello, cool whip, chopped cranberries, and mini marshmallows) tomorrow.

So these are just for us to munch on :-)

I am so glad calories don't count Thanksgiving week - right?!

Hope you all are feeling very thankful for everything you have and the family and friends around you - I know I am.

Sewing

I got my last (soccer) game out of the way on Sunday..the storm hit on Friday night but by Sunday (thankfully) it had stopped raining.

So now I'm free to sew to my heart's content (well, besides taking care of my family).

I'm done with all the tote bags I cut out and have 3 aprons left to finish but I'm already itching to start something else. I'm forcing myself to finish the things I've cut out first.

I want to make some dresses and burp cloths and maybe a couple more quilts. Not to mention I have a big list of Christmas presents I want to make too. And I have to figure out what to price things - ughh!

I have been getting fun mail too - all my quilt blocks. They are all so gorgeous. I think I'll have to wait until after Christmas to finish my quilt though. I got this in the mail today - yep, I won something else!

I've been putting up all my Christmas decorations too...It's even been chilly here (you know, like upper 70's - ha ha!).

And cruising Etsy....fun, new shops!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving (to all you USA-ers)!

Busy

This week is (hopefully) our last soccer game. It all depends on the rain but we are all hoping for a nice day on Sunday to end our season. I'm ready for no more soccer practice so I can get to work on Christmas presents and craft fair goods.

I cut out some aprons and tote bags and sewed a couple up today yesterday.

I am loving that mustard tadpole fabric. It is just so cute.

I got my "prize" in the mail today. What cute fabric - I'm loving the Jay McCarroll ones - so cute! and of course Anna is always at the top of my list.

Rebekah sent me a link to the cutest felt food ever - and she even sells kits. And I found some great ideas on Flikr too.

And I just read this wonderful article about the Nielsens. What an amazing family!

I am sooo excited about the movie...I'm trying to figure out how to sneak away and see it today but it may be impossible. I may have to wait for Saturday or Sunday.

Best invention ever

How did I not know about these things before??

After my brilliant idea about the curtains, I decided my room needed some re-arranging too and I just happened to be in Walmart on Sunday and picked up a pack of these.

I am one of those people that is constantly moving her furniture around (or whole rooms). My husband has come home many times to find our bed in the living room as I re-arranged the whole house. I'm sure there's a name for whatever syndrome it is :-)

But I have never had the pleasure of using these miraculous little things before! They are seriously worth every penny. My only problem was I only bought a pack of four and so I kept having to move them after I moved a piece of furniture.

(my new sewing area)

I got all the Christmas stuff (boxes and boxes) out of the tiny closet so that was good...plus the room got a super-duper cleaning.

Now my sewing area is even bigger (I think?) and the room has a nicer flow to it.

I haven't gotten in there and done any sewing yet...it will probably take me a little while to familiarize myself with the new set-up.

I didn't plan my curtains out enough at all - I should have made the top part bigger so I could have a little ruffle at the top. I think I was just so excited to get it done. 

(and the pictures are dark because it has been raining for days now - nice and cozy weather though)

I saw a few fun giveaways and tutorials the last few days.

This giveaway is a so great! I love her blog - Head on over and sign-up.

And how cute are these bookplates and bookmarks? She's having an amazing giveaway too!

And this purse tutorial at oh fransson is so cute! I definitely want to try one of those.

A major prize

Whenever I think about winning a "prize", I think about this movie. It's definitely a Christmas classic around here. But no, I didn't win a wonderful leg lamp.

I won this! And I'm so excited!

I finished up my curtains today and then spent the rest of the day re-arranging my bedroom/sewing area. I'm exhausted - I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Long-Arm Quilting

I went over to my quilt instructor's house on Thursday and quilted my quilt (and totally forgot my camera! She took these for me!).

It was a little nerve-racking but very fun. It takes a bit of time to set it all up but it sure does come out nice.

I picked a pattern called roses and ribbons and then just followed the little laser across the pattern.

She was so helpful and I picked up a few pointers to use in my home quilting too. It took about 2 hours from the time I got there until I left so not too bad.

I need to get the binding on just have to hand-sew the binding and then it will be done.

I spent yesterday sewing up a few bags...none of which turned out as well as I wanted them to. Oh well...but now I know what areas I need to work on next time (mostly top-stitching).

I really like this Frenchie bag. I didn't use any interfacing because sometimes bags are a little too stiff for me but I will use some the next time. Really cute pattern though.

I have three quilts that I finally finished the binding on and just need to pop in the washer.

Oh, and I started on these today...

My curtains - The fabric came so fast and is beautiful! I'm so excited!

First attempts

These are my first attempts at felt food.

I need to do some online searching for ideas.

I made this little cake following a pattern in this book but it didn't come out that well. I took a flower I had from Pretty Little Things and sewed it to the top to make it cuter.

These are all for the play kitchen for Christmas. I making the girls some aprons too (and now I think my younger son also - he was asking for a chef's apron today). 

Our youngest son was busy doing a magic show today and decided he needed a cape and wand so I think those are on the list too.

I'd better get moving!

Oh - and tomorrow I'm going to quilt my "quilt class" quilt on the long arm machine - I'll try and remember to take pictures.

She's done it again

Well, Dana has gone and done it again - only this time she's giving away three (yes, three) quilts! Amazing!

So what are you waiting for? Get over to her blog and sign-up. Not sure if I can get it together to make a video...maybe my posting about it will be enough?