"Sisters' Ten" May Block

It seems that May has been a month where I've needed to take a break from sewing.   I really wanted to accomplish sewing the quilt block for the sew-along I'm following, however, so this evening I started -- and finished -- the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month for May.  It is called "Aunt Eliza's Star.  I don't have an Aunt Eliza, but I do have many wonderful aunts from across the States, and world.  For my quilt, I'll call this "the Aunts' Star."

I did manage to get a Mother's Day (yes, it's late!) project finished over the weekend, but as it is in the mail to my Mom, I'll only give this peek at something purple.  Any guesses, Mom?? ;)

It's been too long!

It's time to get caught up with my sewing journal here!
I've finished two projects in the past week or so.  The first is a fun cafe apron, with a pocket featuring vintage embroidery.  Here it is...

I love using vintage features in my projects.  This piece was from what I believe was a dish towel.  It did have embroidery on both ends, so perhaps it was a small table topper??  

Whoever did this embroidery did fine work!

I'm calling it the "Pancakes for Breakfast" cafe apron.  I'm planning to sell this one.  

The other project I finished was part of a the Across the Pond Sew-along I am participating in.  The pattern was for a patchwork scarf.  At the time I just could not come up with a good combination.  This Saturday when shopping at a local fabric store I found three bins in the back with sample pieces of fabric.  The samples included different colors of each design, and I thought it would be perfect for the project.  So ... here is the "wild" patched scarf.

I'm not sure what the fabric line is, but it is a silky type fabric, and has a nice drape to it.
See why I call it "wild"? :)

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!

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! 

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.

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?

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!  :)