A Slight Distraction

Did you see this super-awesome T-Shirt Memory Scarf project posted at the Craftzine.com blog? I saw it a few weeks ago, and I've been thinking obsessing about making one ever since! And yes, I really should be spending my time finishing up those last class samples. Or working. Or doing the laundry. But seriously, I just needed to make this project!

I followed the directions, and Rachel wasn't kidding when she wrote that this is a big and unruly scarf, it's three yards long!

Which is the perfect length to wrap around yourself a couple of times and still have plenty of scarf left over to tie up.

I am in love with this scarf, it is so cozy, soft, and cuddly! I have worn it non-stop for the past two days, even to the chagrin of my husband who thinks I'm nuts for wearing a scarf in the house. Love! It! The only thing I did outside of Rachel's directions was to stitch a zig-zag border around each square to help hold it together - and I really like how it looks.

Best part of this project is being able to see these tees instead of having them take up space on my shelves. A few of my very favorite tees in the scarf include this guy. I can't even remember where I got this tee, but who doesn't love a slice of happy toast?

And this commemorative tee celebrating the last coming of the 17 year cicadas:

And yes, the smoking nun.

Did I mention that I love this project?

;-P

Flowers everywhere!

I'm currently working on some samples for a class I will be teaching next year. It's an easy technique to create fabric flowers using a few accessory feet .

The flowers can be made in different shapes and sizes, and can be used to decorate any project you can think of - like this here pillow.

Or you can create individual flowers like this...

...or this. You can make these into pins, they are soooper cute!

This is a one-hour technique class where students leave with a few finished individual flowers just like these, plus the inspiration to go home and start making more. I'm offering this class next February and March through Fabrics Etc 2, a Bernina shop near me in the Chicago area. I'll be sure to post again in the new year with all the class details!

I'm right in the middle of making up another batch of flowers - so it's back to stitching!

Creative Spaces

I love finding inspiring photos of other artists and crafters creative spaces, like this here post from HandmadeSpark.com's blog featuring Harriete Estel Berman's design studio. Dude...did you see those vintage irons!?

And have you seen these creative spaces from flickr?
Melissa's craft room
Megan's crafty space
Fallon Aker's sewing room
Peacefulbean's sewing room
ThreeBySea's studio

And then there is this entire series of posts from Whipstitch!

So how about some sharing? Here's how I roll...

These two overall shots are a bit older (err, I mean taken right after a really thorough cleaning earlier this year and not current pictures of how totally messy it is) but you can see the overall layout. My inspiration was to have the most amount of natural light that I could, that's why I chose to paint the entire room in white - to reflect as much light as possible. And the apron-cafe curtains let in lots of light while still giving me privacy (you know, when I'm sewing late at night in my jammies).

What inspires your creative space? Do you have links to photos of your craft corner, sewing room or design studio to share?

What could be better than sewing?

Making new friends who sew, of course!
I recently joined up with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild who just had thier November meeting and sew-in this past Sunday. I first learned about the Modern Quilt Guild online,

then serendipitously had the President of the Chicago Guild sit at my table at the last Chicago Craft Social, who told me all about her passion for modern quilting. It sounded wonderful to me, so I joined up and was warmly welcomed by all the members I met! What I really love about this group of quilters (besides the fact that everyone is so open, friendly and supportive) is how many different kinds of quilters are in the group, from skill levels to esthetics and design preferences. I really am looking forward to sharing with this great group as I attempt my next quilt.

I also have met some stitchy friends online, and just found Jodi on twitter (@sewfearless) who blogs over at Sew Fearless. Not only does she share her sewing successess and foibles on her blog, but Jodi also shares her creative ideas via tutorial like this totally rad puzzle keeper (which I can really use since my living room is being taken over by wooden puzzles!).

And, now that I'm on the subject of meeting stitchers online, do you have a favorite sewing group or stitcher's blog that you just recently discovered? Do tell, because I love making new friends!

A Quickie

I found just enought time last night to finish this little project for myself!

I thrifted this vintage cake carrier a few weeks ago, and I actually hid it away from my husband because it looked like a total piece of junk. Other than needing a good cleaning, the only real problem was that the latches didn't quite hold the lid on anymore, but I had a simple solution in mind for that!

I made a wide strap that wraps around the whole carrier, through the handle, and secures with hook and loop tape. These were all scraps, most are from fabrics I bought at this year's Spring Quilt Festival, and the white with little red dots is a thrifted piece of vintage fabric.

Although the buttons were purely decoration, they actually help to hold the strap in place by not allowing it to slip under the handle. Plus it adds a place to grab and open the velcro!

The tray was pretty scratched up, so I made this waterproof liner by cutting a piece of fabric and sandwiching it in between two layers of iron on vinyl. I have never tried sealing fabric between two pieces before, and it worked really well! How it holds up over time will be the real test -  but right now it looks totally awesome!

I probably spent 2 hours total on this last night, and this was just what I needed - a quick project that turned out awesome! And, I get to use it this weekend to bring sweets to a sewing party, yay!