My Gathered Clutch

I hope you guys all had an awesome holiday weekend, we sure did.



Awhile ago I made this gathered clutch using this great tutorial. I wanted something to take my money in and my iphone when I don't have to take a diaper bag, which is hardly ever, but a girl wants to be stylish. I used Nicey Jane fabric and some older Heather Bailey beads along with ric rac since I LOVE it.



On the inside I didn't make the divider like the tutorial says but I did do the slots for your ID and a credit card so they are not lost in the mix. It is a great tutorial but next time I will use a smaller zipper. Using the 9" zipper from the tutorial made it very finicky for me to work with so if I do make one again, I know I will, I will use and 8" or smaller zipper just so it will be easier for me.


 
These clutches are the best so if you want one go to the tutorial it is laid out so easy for you.

My Star Mug Rug

So over on flickr a bunch of people are making Mug Rugs or really a larger version of a coaster.  When I was telling my sister in law what I was making she said that it sounded unnecessary and I tend to agree but not when you think of them as a fashion statement and another fun cute decoration, then they are TOTALLY necessary I must have one.

So I made me one yesterday. It is 12.5"x 6" which is a great size.  I LOVE LOVE wonky maverick stars, plus as you know one of my favorite lines is Amy Butlers Lotus line & I also used Kona Cotton in Ash, scraps leftover from this quilt .





Here is the back, I made it reversible so depending on your mood you can have either side.





Here is my favorite cup on my star mug rug. I have mentioned before that we are big Angel baseball fans in this house. I won't mention what a crappy year they have had though, to depressing.





I don't drink coffee or tea so it is Rootbeer with the occasional Sprite or water that sits next to me while I sew. I sew on my kitchen table and I used to sit my cup on a book so that it didn't leave a wet circle mark on the table, but know I don't have to! You also get a sneak peak of my 2 machines which I will be talking about soon.





Erin is having a giveaway for one that she made, it ends today so go over and sign up if you want one. I entered since hers would be perfect for my husband to use on his nightstand as he always brings water upstairs to drink in the middle of the night which leaves rings on his nightstand.  Click here to enter.

Little red skipping under a Christmas Tree

I finished this Christmas wall hanging the other day and I LOVE LOVE it. I am not really a whimsy person but I had someone in mind when I was sewing this and after I finished it I decided I wanted it, but don't worry it is going to one of my swap partners.




I used raw edge applique for the tree with steam a seam to help hold it in place, so if my secret partner wants more of a ragged look they just need to wash this mini quilt/wall hanging a couple of times!




I did a wonky Maverick star as the star on the tree and as you can tell from previous posts I really love them. I also made a fabric ribbon so that my partner can hang this mini quilt, but I didn't do anything permanent ( as you can see from the safety pin holding the ribbon in place) just in case my partner has other ideas for it. You can also see my choice of quilting with this picture. I am OBSESSED with loppy free motion quilting. I totally love it.

And the winner is.....

#98 Jeni Have you seen her blog??? Click on her name to check it out. I love that she has a bunny, my brother Devon and I always had bunnies and they would run around our backyard until my Mom decided she was done with them and got rid of them :(

Congrats Jeni. Thanks so much everyone for the support! Our weekend away was GREAT, still can't believe that it has been 10 years. ( I know everyone says that but it is soooo true). I have emailed Jeni and just waiting to see what fabrics she likes and I will get thinking of what to make her.

Here is a quick peek of something that I made yesterday more of it later. (picture taken with my iphone)



Now I am off to Disneyland with my family and even my in laws. Disneyland really is the happiest place in the world. Here is a picture (again from my iphone) of my girls waiting for the Casey Jr. ride when I took them (alone) to Disneyland on Wednesday.

Sewing something Christmasy

I was in the mood to sew something Christmasy today. This is what I started with



I love wonky stars. This block is 18"



I think it is the beginning of a tree skirt for one of the Christmas swaps that I am in.



What do you think it is a good start?

If you want to enter the Grand Opening Giveaway click here to enter.

Grand Opening Giveaway! CLOSED

Today is my 10 year wedding anniversary so it seemed like the best day to open my etsy shop!



Please help me spread the word about the giveaway and the shop opening. I will be offering to the winner a choice between these fabrics. I will be making the winner something from the fabric that they choose that is personally just for them. I will be looking at their blog and/or flickr to find out what they like so that I can make them something special.

choice 1 - Farmers Market by Sandi Henderson


choice 2 - Recess by Moda


choice 3 - Flea Market Fancy by Denise Schmidt


choice 4 - Park Slope by Erin McMorris


Here is what you can do to be entered into the giveaway:

1. leave a comment on this post

2. blog about this Grand Opening Giveaway

3. become a follower of Stitches & Scissors.

4. post this giveaway to your facebook page or status

5. add my button to your blog and/or website

Please leave a new comment for each thing that you do so that you will be entered into the giveaway those amount of times. Goodluck!

I am so excited to now have a etsy shop but scared to. I am just looking at it as an adventure. To go to the shop just go to my tab bar and click on My Shop or click here and check out all I have listed. Right now I just have quilts, pillows, blankets. I will have children clothes up for sale but I am perfecting my sewing on those so that they are perfect! So stay tuned for clothes.

To celebrate our anniversary we are going away for a long weekend so I will keep this giveaway open til next Thursday September 2. I will announce the winner on Friday the 3rd.

Sewers Interview Series - A Good Yarn

This month's installment of the Sewers Interview Series lets us meet Ann of A Good Yarn. Here is her sewing space, isn't it awesome??




Q: How old were you when you started to sew?


I made my first garment at 9 years of age with my mother’s help. A simple top in a
pretty floral cotton.


Q: Who taught you to sew?

My mother who was a competent home sewer and my grandmother who was an
excellent seamstress. I never tired of spending hours watching them create beautiful clothes from wonderful fabrics. I especially loved shopping with them for fabrics back in the days when there were lots of fabric shops in our town. Each shop had different patterns and prints to choose from. It’s still one of my favorite activities although the fabric shops are thinner on the ground these days.



Q: What sewing machine do you sew on? Do you like it or do you have one that you wish for?

I was given an electric Singer sewing machine for my 13th Christmas – the best present I ever received. Now I use a Janome QC6260. It’s reliable but I wish it had a bigger throat space as I like to machine quilt my quilts.


Q: What do you know how to sew?

Garments, home furnishings, quilts, accessories, costumes. I’m not a seamstress just a home sewer. I can’t draft patterns but I’ll give just about anything a go! I also enjoy silk ribbon embroidery and candlewicking.


Q: Have you always used patterns?

For most things and certainly for clothing. Some of my quilts have been my own designs. I have the greatest admiration for those who design patterns.


Q: What is your favorite thing to sew?

Fabric! I know that’s a cheeky answer but I just love to sew – so it doesn’t matter what I’m making. Hours spent in my sewing room are among the most enjoyable.

Q: Do you have something that you made that is your favorite?

Lots of them! From years and years ago....my school formal dress (styled on Princess Diana’s wedding dress – that’s a scary thought now, isn’t it?); an exquisite Swiss spotted lawn blouse inset with strips of handmade French lace; a raw silk blouse with a concealed front and French cuffs; a wine colored velvet tulip shaped skirt; a summer blouse in a self check voile embroidered with pastel colored butterflies. Ah, the memories!

More recently...the garments I made two summers ago; all but one of the quilts I’ve made and every item I have ever made as a gift for family, friends and swap partners.

Q: What is your favorite fabric line/ Designer?

Right now I adore the 3 Sisters ranges of fabrics – Aster Manor, Martinique, Park
Avenue, Luna Notte; Bonnie & Camille – Breakfast at Tiffanys; Gipsy by Felicity Miller; Sanibel by Heather Mulder; Penelope Two by Holly Holderman; and that’s just this week!

I also like reproduction fabrics and modern prints. There are so many to covet!


Q: What are some of your sewing secrets?

Enjoy yourself! But that’s no secret is it? I don’t think I have any secrets or useful tips that you haven’t read elsewhere. That’s where I get mine! I can say that I sew for the pleasure it brings and I don’t like stressful deadlines.


Thanks so much Ann for letting me pick your brain on all things sewing that you love. Stay tuned for next month installment to learn from another great sewer.