Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A finished apron...

My 5th Cindy Apron is finished and ready to be mailed.  The special young lady this apron goes to is a fellow "apron wearer!"  I love it!!  To me, and maybe to her as well, an apron is a thing of practicality (for those of us who perhaps are not the neatest cooks in the world), a thing of comfort (it just feels so good to be wearing an apron!), and a thing of beauty.  Really -- wearing a pretty apron makes one feel like they can cook AND be somewhat organized!  Let's check that theory out ... I look down, and, yes,  I am wearing an apron even as I write this blog.  Hmmm...do I feel organized and as if I'm accomplishing something?  Well, yes, I think I do.  I could be "resting my eyes" in front of the TV after a long day, but...not yet.  Am I more inclined to wash the dinner dishes wearing this apron?  Probably, but that one does not always pan out.  ;) Did I cook tonight?  I'll have to answer half way on that one -- I did make something to go with baked chicken from the grocery deli.  The apron certainly came in handy when it was time to remove the chicken from the packaging and put it in the oven to keep warm, though!   Whatever the case may be, I'll always be an apron wearer at home -- enjoying the practicality, the comfort, and the beauty!



Friday, April 19, 2013

Sewing time ... where are you?

It's been a busy, busy few weeks -- with a little bit of sickness thrown in there.  Where, oh where, has my sewing time gone?  I'm hoping to find some this weekend!

The start of my Cindy Apron for Cara.  My goal is to finish it over the weekend.  It should be waiting for you, Cara, when you arrive in the States!  I'm not sure yet how and if all these pieces will end up on the apron.  It's the kind of designing that just happens as I go! 

Friday, April 5, 2013

Across the Pond April project...

The April project for the Across the Pond Sew-along is to make a notebook cover/holder.  This month's project was chosen by Susie from susiessunroom.  She has included links to several tutorials, and shows her own lovely version of the project.

I had made a sewing journal cover several months ago (see here), so decided this time to make a smaller version to fit a 6 x 4 spiral notebook.  Pinterest comes in handy when it comes to finding patterns, and I came across this tutorial for a shopping list holder.  Here is my version...

I found this beautiful line of fabric at an antique mall in a little sewing booth.  It's not an antique, and the price was right!
My project this morning...
...and this afternoon!  I had to put just a touch of  Zakka with the running stitch.  Opps...the button should be centered.  I don't know how I missed that during the process.  We'll just call it my own tweak to the design. :)


The center has two pockets and a pencil holder.  The triangular pocket could hold small notes or cards.

The back

Composition size on the left -- 6 x 4 notebook size on the right.
 I'll be posting my pictures on the Across the Pond Sew-along flickr page.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

One Work in Progress Completed!

There are several Work in Progress (WIP) projects in my sewing room, and this evening I am happy to say there is one less!  The messenger bag started a month ago was completed today.

This morning the project looked like this...

...and by this afternoon -- A Messenger Bag!



The bag above is the second messenger bag I've made.  The first one was made as part of the Zakka Sew-along, and looked like this...
Messenger Bag #1

For Bag #2 I found a gray linen fabric at my local thrift store.  The linen was quite thin so I fused it to a heavy-duty fabric to give it body.  For the lining and front design I paired it with a fun print from a line called Everything But The Kitchen Sink, by RJR Fabrics.  I chose a hexi design rather than the leaves for this one, and really like how it came out.
The side view

The back -- I split the back pocket on this one.  On the first bag I felt it was too much of an open pocket.  This seems to work much better.  

Colorful inside!
Yep!  I blurred the edges so you could not see the dust on the mirror!  :)   After all -- when sewing, who has time to dust?

Monday, April 1, 2013

Apron winners...


Easter celebrations with family yesterday, spring break beginning today, and give-away winners to announce.  What a great way to start the week!  This morning I pulled a few numbers "out of the hat," and am happy to say that Cindy Aprons will soon be on their way to .... Cara .... and Amy!  :)