Quilted Pot Holder

This pot holder project goes with the apron I just made before it.  This was very quick and simple to make.  Literally, it took me about 20 minutes from start to finish including the cutting.  I, of course, used the same dessert fabric again.  Then I backed it with hot pink and made my own bias tape out of the polka dots.  I quilted a wave pattern on it, because I know I am not talented enough to quilt much more than a wave or diamonds.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  My only issue was that I used a quilt batting and I don't think it is thick enough.  It would be better to use a heavier batting piece.


This project was provided by Singer Sewing Company at http://www.singerco.com/.

F2f: What the F2f is going on?

I am getting really frustrated!!!  It doesn't seem to matter what I do, I just don't lose anything.  I weighed in on Monday and I was up another pound...right back to the starting weight.  Then I weighed in on Wednesday and I was down 2.5 pounds.  But, this morning I was back up 1.5 pounds...which gets me back to the first week.  AAAAHHHH!!!! 


It is time to get drastic.  Maybe I should try a liquid diet...or take on a drug habit...or try the Survivor diet of a spoonful of rice and a coconut everyday.  Except I hate coconuts, drugs are too expensive and I don't think I could handle drinking all my meals. 


Whats a girl to do? 


I guess I will just stick with what I know and double the exercise.  I am planning on doing a 5K walk (or 10K depending on how fast I walk) next weekend and then I am going to do an 8K run on Memorial Day.  I am going to just focus on training for those and hope that will make a difference.  Somethings gotta give eventually!  Hope everyone else had a better week than I did.

Gathered Apron

As you can probably tell from the last apron project, I love making aprons.  I was excited to see another project sheet for a different apron.  Although, after finishing this one, I will say that I like the tea towel apron better.  I think it's because I am not great at folding the ribbon over a seam, lining it up and making sure I catch the ribbon on both sides.  I always have a few spots where I missed the ribbon on the back side.  Regardless, this did turn out pretty cute.  A little long for me, but I am only 5'1"...so, it is probably the perfect length for people of a more normal height.  Plus, I made this a little more difficult than it had to be.  I had the perfect dessert fabric that I wanted to use, but I only had it in fat quarters.  Since it wasn't big enough, I just pieced it with polka dot fabric to make sure I would be able to use it. 

This project was provided by Singer Sewing Company at http://www.singerco.com/.

Fabric Bookmark

Finally, I have come across a project for something I can actually use.  I love to read.  I probably have over 100 paperback books in my house, but not one bookmark.  Usually, I use junk mail.  So, I am so excited to not only have my very own bookmark (how sad is it that I get excited over having something that I can buy at the store for less than $1?), but to have my very own personalized bookmark.  I was going to paint my initial and applique something else, but the fabric I chose as the back didn't work with the paint I have.  So, I appiqued my initial instead.  Very quick project, and fun as well since you get to design it exactly as you want it.  What a great gift!!!


This project was provided by Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Studio at http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/.

Butterfly Mobile

What am I supposed to do with another mobile?  Actually, this is the only one I have because I tossed the last mobile. It was sooooo stupid.  This one is a little better, but I don't really have any use for any of them.  So, just to make this one a little more exciting, I made it out of all shoe-related-fabrics.  I am not really sure why, because I know I won't be hanging it up in my house...but I did it anyway. 

This project was provided by Ellen Luckett Baker at http://www.thelongthread.com/.

F2f: The truth is...

The truth is I had planned to weigh in every Monday and then blog about my progress, but here it is Thursday afternoon and I haven't blogged about it yet.  Here's the deal.  Last week, my monthly gift arrived.  It didn't stay long, but it sure caused a lot of chaos while it was here.  I won't go into details, but I will say that I did lose my ability to think rationally for a small amount of time and may or may not have made a batch of Ghiradelli Double Fudge Brownies at 8:30 at night...allegedly.  Luckily, I regained control of my ability to make sane decisions and I took them to work the next morning to avoid finishing off the whole pan by myself.  Crisis averted.  Whew!!


So, I was really feeling OK about it all when I went to weigh in Monday morning until I actually stepped on the scale.  WHAT?!?  I had gained a pound back. 


I convinced myself it was all water weight and I would be able to blog about my real weight loss if I just waited a day or two.  But, last night I realized that I am just fooling myself.  A week is a week is a week...I can't just stretch the week out because it didn't go my way.  So, I will stand up and take it. 


I gained a pound.


I hope everyone else had a better week than I did.  AND I hope we don't do this again.

Bunny Baby

All I can say here is ....  SERIOUSLY?!?!?






This project was provided by Jana P. Nielson at http://www.lolaagain.blogspot.com/ and http://www.gracielous.com/.

Bunny Pocket Pillow

Another pocket pillow?  Why is the crafting world obsessed with creating all these little projects with a pocket?  Do the crafters have all these little trinkets lying around with no place to put them?  And if I don't have that problem...does that mean I am not a true crafter?  Is pocket loving a prerequisite?  I sure hope not, or I am going to have to find a new hobby. 


Anyway, I guess this pillow isn't all that bad.  And by "isn't all that bad"...I mean it would be better without the pocket and the stupid little bunny doll. (Sorry to the creator of this pattern...I just can't get on board with the doll.)  It was very quick and easy to make (except for the bunny...since it is so small, I missed a couple of spots when sewing the front and back together and ended up with a few open seams).  I think I will toss the bunny now that I have the picture I need and just keep the pillow.  I guess I should start working on my trinket collection though...it's only April and I already have a dozen pockets to fill!!!


This project was provided by Missy Ballance at http://www.craftycarnival.com/.

Shower Cap

I wasn't quite sure what to think with this project.  I thought to myself, "Self...this could be interesting or this could be a total disaster..."  And now that I have finished it, I am leaning towards total disaster.  Maybe that's a bit harsh, instead I will go with not so great.  Either way...this shower cap is in my donation pile for Goodwill.  Maybe this just isn't my niche, but I couldn't make this look or feel like a functional shower cap.  I know if I tried to wear this in the shower, I would just end up with a soaking wet pile of fabric covering my half-soaking wet hair.  Not exactly how I want the shower cap to work.  But, if you can make this one work...I would love to hear your tips on how.


This project was provided by Liesl Coulthard at http://www.hoppobumpo.blogspot.com/.

Fabric Basket

I was so excited to make this project.  I have seen many different versions of fabric baskets over the years, but have never made one.  So, I was thrilled to finally have a reason to make one.  I was, however, a wee bit disappointed that this turned out to be a wee bit of a basket.  After all is said and done, the final product is only about 6" wide, 4" deep and 4-5" tall.  So, now I am not really sure what I am going to keep in this basket...any thoughts?


Anyway, I am going to give this another shot (in my spare time...) and I will alter it to take it from a wee little basket to a large-and-roomy-are-you-ready-to-get-organized?-basket!!!  I guess I am going to need stiffer stabilizer or a double batch of the one I used for this basket.  Either way, if I ever get one made...I will post an update and let you know how it turned out.


This project was provided by Karin Darocha at http://www.orangeflowersketchbook.blogspot.com/.

F2f update

I am not sure why I agreed to start a diet the week before Easter...especially since all I could think about was the food I gave up for lent (which was wheat by the way). Needless to say, I strayed from a healthy diet at Easter brunch. But, all the candy and cupcakes are gone and I have put it behind me. At least I worked in two 45 minute nature walks around the park this weekend. So, after indulging the way I did this weekend...I was surprised to see that I had dropped 2 pounds when I got on the scale this morning! Typically when I start a new diet I would hope for more than 2 pounds on the first week, but since Easter fell in the middle there...I will take it!!!  Now, if the rain would just stay away for awhile so I can get to the park more often, then I will be a happy camper.  Wish me luck...I hope it is a good week for everyone!!!

Ric Rac Dahlia Brooch

Sometimes I look at a project sheet and think I just know how to make it without actually reading each step of the directions.  This was one of those times.  I skimmed over the directions, cut out my necessary supplies and sat down at the sewing machine and started to put this thing together.  However, unless you are just that good (and honestly that might not even be good enough)...this project is not one that can be done on the sewing machine.  So, I had to rip out all my mistakes, curl up in front of the tv with a needle and thread and make this the old fashioned way.  I still wasn't able to get all 2 yards of ric rac stitched into this brooch...more like a yard and a third at the most.  And that was a challenge in itself.  I guess it turned out ok...I am not that big on wearing a brooch, so I guess this will become a gift.  I am not sure I will make another one though.  It did take about an hour to stitch the whole thing (including the button) and since I am not smart enough to use a thimble, my fingers were pretty sore when I was done.  How did those women do it????

This project was provided by Hannah Kopacz and http://www.madewithlovebyhannah.com/.

Robot Doll Pocket Pillow

Ugh!!  Another pocket pillow!!  These are cute and all, but what am I going to do with these pocket pillows.  I don't have any idea what to use them for.  No kids...so no need for a tooth fairy pillow (plus, I already have a tooth fairy pillow that I don't need).  I hate giving gift cards, so that won't work.  And these aren't nearly big enough to hold the piles and piles of extra money laying around the house that needs a place to be stored...(don't I wish).  But, I made it anyway.


I made my robot pink and purple, because we all know robots must really be girls.  Aren't robots super smart, organized and focused?  And did I mention super smart?  Plus, if one part of their internal makeup is out of place, they just can't get through the day without a few malfunctions.  GIRL!!!  I think she turned out pretty cute!!  Maybe I will turn her into a Christmas ornament.


This project was provided by Lauren Brandy at http://goodygoody.typepad.com/.