It's been so long!

It has been almost  a month since I posted anything here!  This season at school is always my busiest and most stressful -- lots of testing, reports, and IEPs to write, besides the every day teaching.  I'm sure a little sewing and blog writing would help to relieve the stress, but... I just haven't gotten much of that done. Exciting things have happened, though, since the last post.  Last weekend I attended two family weddings.  The first one was for my niece, and the second one for my Mom!  Both were lovely weddings, and both women were beautiful brides!

I left things hanging on my last post about this girl's dress.  I DID finally (on the third attempt) get it to work.  I sent it home with my sis to see if it would fit her youngest granddaughter.  I forgot to take a picture of the finish product, but it basically looks the same as in the picture above.  Spring Break is here for me, so I'm hoping to get a little sewing in along with a LITTLE spring house cleaning.  We will see which one wins out!

Help! I'm stuck...

A surprise snow day has made for a delightful day -- a chance to tidy up the house, to finish reading a book, to do a bit of laundry, and try to finish a little sewing project.  The problem is that I'm stuck.  No, not stuck in snow! I saw the cutest simple, reversible, little girl dresses the other day at a fair trade store, and as I usually do, thought to myself how easy it would be to make.  I have no little girls to sew for, but if this works I'll find someone to try it out on!  I made the pattern myself, and thought I could figure out this "simple" dress, but it has gotten the best of me.  For the second time I am going to need to take the dress apart and try again!  Here it is so far.

I thought I was so smart and -- at my second attempt -- had finally figured out how to do this ....

Here's side 1.  Looks good from here.

Side 2 -- Ok, so what's the problem?

Opps!  How did this happen?  These sides were supposed to be together!  And I need to figure out how to get the shoulders together as well.  

 Now it's off to trial #3.  My seam ripper is close at hand, and I'm ready to go.  Maybe this time I'll get it! :)

And the Cindy Apron goes to...

The number chosen by Random.org for the Cindy Apron is ... Comment #3 ... and I couldn't be happier!  I'll explain below the comment.

AnonymousFeb 23, 2012 09:29 AM

Cary, you make me cry and miss her so! A happy thought... I saw that my friend in Africa was on line in FB, so I got to chat with her this morning. First time I've done that, isn't that crazy?! Can't FB Heaven, but I should invest in that simple way to stay in touch while loved ones are here on earth. Our sister was a lovely person, inside and out, as you are, my dear sister. Thank you for honoring her memory.

Making its way soon to the western USA.

If you are "Anonymous" and sent this message, please contact me.  You left a very big clue, though, so I know who you are! How appropriate this apron should go to you!   So...from one sister, to another sister, in memory of our sister ... the apron goes to you!

A new lunch bag

I've been wanting to sew a new lunch bag for some time now, and wanted to use a laminated fabric.  A week ago I stopped in at a fabric store and found an iron-on laminating product.  I didn't have a pattern that I really liked, so decided to just "wing it" and try a combination of ideas.  Here is the end product.

I cut 2 11 x 12 pieces of outside and liner fabric, then followed the product instructions for ironing.

It worked great!  Ready now to sew.

I wanted a zipper on this one sew stitched each zipper side to a front and back.  

Stitch right sides together using a zipper foot.  

Do this for both sides.

When you zip the zipper together...

You will have the front on one side,

and the lining on the other.  The zipper was too long, but that actually made it easier to sew in.

Just stitch several times on the end, and cut at the edge of the fabric.

Top stitch along the zipper edge.

Then WITH ZIPPER OPEN part way, pin right sides together matching right sides together of outside and right sides together of lining.  

Sew along outer edges, leaving about a 4 inch opening at bottom lining to turn right side out.

Box each corner.  I measured about 2 inches from the point.

Turn the bag right side out and ... here it is.  Oh yes, you do need to stitch the opening at the bottom of lining (I use my machine to sew a narrow edge to close the opening.)  I also had an old belt I cut to make a handle.  I sewed this on after the bag was finished, attaching it along the top seam.

The plastic was a bit "wrinkly" when I turned it, but I "pressed" it carefully making sure to use the protective paper covering the plastic when pressing.  This helped a bit.

My Bento box fits perfectly!

My new lunch box!

Ready for a Giveaway?

I'm ready for a giveaway.  How about you?  :)  My Cindy Apron is finished, and I love the way it turned out.  I'm tempted to keep it and pretend I never promised it as a giveaway, but... that wouldn't be much fun for you.  So... Here's the scoop.  Just leave a message on this post sharing a happy thought of any kind -- perhaps something that was an encouragement to you today.  I'll keep the giveaway open until March 1.  This project is in memory of my sister, who was such an encouragement to everyone she knew.

Cary

I created the apron without a pattern, however, it was inspired by several aprons I saw on Pinterest.  Follow the links below to see them.
http://pinterest.com/pin/84653667965549083/ 
http://pinterest.com/pin/84653667965653283/

Finally a Snow -- or should I say "Sew" day!

I was shocked this morning to find that we had a snow day!  Finally.  All winter I've been dreaming about one, and today we have one.  The odd thing is that as I look out my window there is no snow in sight!  Somewhere in the county there must have been enough to close school.  I will take it any way it comes! :)  I'm hoping by the end of the day to finish my "Cindy" apron http://creativemomentsbycary.blogspot.com/2011/03/cindy-apron.html.  I'm really liking it so far, and couldn't wait to post a few pictures.  Here's the progress.

I found this vintage piece at a thrift store.  Part of the lace was missing on the other half, but this side was perfect for a unique pocket.

I'm not following a pattern, but cutting and figuring as I go.  Hopefully by the end of the day this apron will be finished.  This one will be a give-away!

Valentine "Yummies"

I'm not sure what to call these -- perhaps Valentine "Yummies"!   They are quick and easy to make, and not overly sweet.  

You need: Cherry pie filling, Nutella, and a roll of fillo dough (thawed)

Lightly spray 3 sheets of fillo dough with oil. Cut shape with cookie cutter. Dipping it in water first helps to cut through the dough. Place on cookie sheet (lightly sprayed), top with a bit of Nutella, a dollop of cherry pie filling, top with second heart.  Lightly spray top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned and crispy.  Cool slightly and drizzle with icing.