Jet Designs

Table Top Runner

What am I doing to myself?

Another project! - I am itching to do some sewing and found a really simple (I hope so) table runner come lap quilt that I am going to attempt to complete.

I have a stash of 5" charm squares that have been sitting in the draw for far far far too long - and I have decided that before I go and spend money on fabric and I going to use what I have! -

I found this tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop blog - I am yet to have a good look at their site, not game to at the moment, in case I find something else that I want to create.

I have never backed a quilt or sashed a quilt so this is going to be a huge learning curve for me.  Given the fact that I haven't outlayed money on new fabric, I am quite at ease using the charm squares that I have in the draw and happy to experiment with them.  If it all goes pear shaped I might make them into cushion tops or placemats.  But I will have a really good try.

I whipped the first two of nine squares up earlier tonight.  I didn't give much thought to the layout of the charms as I didn't want to get bogged down in decisions, I just wanted to get sewing.  I hope the randomness of the layout all fits together at the end.  Bold and retro!

Ella Clutch Revisited

I have made a couple more Ella Clutch Bags today - but I have added to them - I have replaced the magnetic button with a self covered button with loop ( this was out of necessity as I ran out of magnetic buttons at the shop) - I added a little pocket inside the lining and I used some ridged boning inside the handles which makes them stand up to attention - they even look a bit cartoonish.  I found some excellent Loralie Designs fabrics at our local remnant fabric shop - which sells end of lines at 1/2 price - $12 a metre for these beauties - if you are visiting Ipswich go to Bargain Box Fabrics in Darling street - but of course come and visit me as well.

I found a free pattern for a square pincushion on the Heather Bailey site I am yet to have a good look around her site - but it looks very exciting and fresh.

I will be selling the finished bags at the Handmade Expo in Ipswich on Saturday - so if you are local be there!! - Ipswich Showgrounds 8 - 2pm

Fly Birdie Fly

I found this fantastic little birdie pattern a couple of weeks ago on Spool Sewing Blog and I had a few hours free today at home to do some craft.  I am going to make a few more out of my Amy Butler Scraps and put them in my shop on display -   This project is a great way to use up those left overs - I think they would look great in Christmas colours and put them on your tree - I think I might just do that for the shop Christmas tree ( I think I better start now to get that task accomplished)

I have also been up to some machine embroidery today - I am embroidering little bibs and size one singlets - for a market day coming up in Ipswich soon.  There are some ladies trying to organise the "Handmade Expo" which they are hoping to hold once a month in a covered location and the first one is to be held in August - so if you live around the South East Queensland area and you are interested in selling your handmade wares just email me and I will pass you on the the ladies organising the event.

Crafty Time Managment - Tania Style

Last night I found my time management skills.  I have a few projects on the go and because I am sooooo impatient I though I would do two things at once. 

I have been wanting to make a crochet roll for all my hooks - as this is a new craft I am into thanks to certain inspiring bloggers such as Lara - Thornberry - just from reading her site I have wanted to do some crochet - well I can certainly say that I am now finding heaps of projects that I want to do, but at the same time have to make sure they are in my capabilities as a beginner.  Also thanks to Lara's site I have joined Raverly - which has just kicked my addiction up a level as I am also learning knitting ( I have  ladies teaching both Knitting and Crochet at my shop - so advice is always around which is fantastic).

So last night as I was watching my new embroidery machine embellish the material that I am going to use for my crochet roll, I was crocheting my first project from Raverly - Float Away Scarf - I think I have made a couple of mistakes, but I am sure this is all part of the learining process - as long as it looks ok and keeps someones neck warm I will be happy with my attempt -

If you are into machine embroidery I found a fantastic site for designs at the most amazing prices - The Embroidery Library - This is where I got the designs for the paisley butterfly in the picture

This morning I decieded to make Ella (yes and me) some Chocolate Chip Biscuits - I must say they are from a packet mix - Ella wanted to help - and this is the first time she has licked the spoon - so I thought I wound capture the moment with a photo - when she was licking the spoon she said "Ohh Mummy I love this!"

Ella is turning three next Saturday and I have a picture of the Invitations  that I made on my Cricut Machine for her party - very cute - it will be a BBQ & Cupcake Affair!! - Can't Wait should be fun!!

Anyway there is one cookie left and I hear it calling my name - Jim is at work and Ella is having a nap - I will make the most of my ME time!!

Addictions

Well I must say that in the last couple of weeks I have really been doing alot of sewing - I can now see how addictive it can become -  But what is a girl to do when she has more than one addictive pursuit?

I am now officially addicted to

Lampwork Beading
Sewing
Crochet

How am I supposed to organise and divide my time and yes money between them?

I really don't have any answers - I think my shop is partly to blame as I have access daily to all the new craft books available - which is a nightmare - it really plays havoc with my brain cells!!

Anyway, I should really get to my post about what I did this weekend -

I have been looking around the forums and have seen alot of handbag organisers being made - so I wanted to do one as well - a bit of simple sewing was what I needed this weekend.

I found the tutorial here - but I might add that there is a bit of a mistake - when it says cut 1 from the fabric - you actually need 2 - one from the outside fabric and one from the inside fabric.

I added some ribbon so that I could tie it up so it stayed closed

Very simple to make and you can customise the divisions to your needs.

Free Amy Butler Pattern

Last night I got an email from Amy Butler Designs re their new pattern release - I have already pre-ordered for the shop (Can't wait to get them).  She also had on the email a new FREE pattern - which I downloaded last night and had a go at sewing up this morning - I made do with the scraps and notions I had at home.  The only thing I did wrong was a slight misplacement of the Velcro tab - but it will do for the first go - I will use it myself as I never seem to have my business cards on me when I want them - now there is no excuse with this funky little wallet!!