A quick project

I saw this quick sewing project on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/84653667965434844/ and decided to give it a try.  The quilting of the lining took a bit of time, but otherwise it was an easy sew.  Mine is being used to hold pencils, and cell phone, or whatever by the bed.

I'll make a few changes if I make more to make them just a bit sturdier.  

That's it for this time...

Just a note to say I'm posting my necklace holder project today at

 

<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/" ><img src="http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/button2.jpg" /></a><br />

Check out some great projects!

China hutch door remake

Years ago one of my sister-in-laws gave me a set of old china hutch doors.  I love a good treasure!  During our two moves since then I've thrown a lot of things out, but never could get rid of those doors.  I kept thinking they would be so beautiful as SOMETHING.  It has taken 19 or so years, but yesterday I had an idea for one of them.  Here it is ... china hutch door remade into a necklace holder!  The pictures aren't the best, but here is a peek.

The old door.  I thought about painting it, but decided to clean it up and keep the natural color.

I used decorative paper for the backing behind the glass and grid work.

Add some small brass hooks and there it is -- a way to hang necklaces so they don't get all tangled up!

I'm hoping it doesn't take another 19 years to figure out what to do with the other door.

Trying a new Blog look ... and a project.

I find it interesting that I can be quite satisfied with my room arrangements at home staying pretty much the same.  Growing up, I used to love coming home to find that Mom had switched the furniture or the rooms around.  Every time I visit her the furniture is arranged differently.  (I love it, Mom!) She is an interior decorator at heart!  I enjoy changes, but don't have quite the same motivation to try a new way.  I've been doing this Blog for over a year and up until today was still using the same header and format.  Finally, it's time for a change.  What do you think of the new look?  Any ideas from my readers of things you would like to see here?

My first project of the year was to make a hanger cozy, a design from the Joel Dewberry book I've been working through.  I used some fabrics from Mom's scrap box, and am overall pleased with the project.  I would make some changes to make it more practical for me if I do another one.  Perhaps making it longer, with deeper pockets to hold my growing collection of scarves!

This went together quite easily.

Opps -- got a bit uneven at the bottom.

The instructions did not tell how to leave an opening for the hanger, so I sewed it and then used the seam ripper to open up a spot.

I love the automatic button hole function on my sewing machine!

A new year -- 2012

Part of the new year celebration for me always means to reflect on what has been, and to plan for what I hope to see in the year ahead.  Yes, plan.  The older I get, the more I realize that simply stating a resolution is not enough.  We have embarked on several "journeys" this year that have taken intentional planning.  Learning to play the harp was something I really didn't plan for a long time to do, but when I began lessons I soon learned that it will take a daily time of practice to accomplish what I hope will be a beautiful sound.  The practice is slow, labored at first, but I find as I practice a piece, eventually a melody begins to emerge.  The playing becomes a bit easier, a bit more automatic.  This is so true for many new ventures in life.  I find a lesson in that thought; that change, new situations, new challenges are like that.  They feel labored at first, a feeling that tries to take the path of what is comfortable.  The joy, however, is in practicing and listening for that melody to emerge. That is what I look for in the new year -- the melody that comes from new challenges and experiences.

On a "creative" note... a few pictures from some holiday sewing fun.

Two machines ready to sew...and a messy table.  Somehow when I sew there is fabric everywhere!

The finished bags