Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all ! 

This year has been my most productive for sewing . I haven't blogged everything I've made ,but it will try to before the end of the year. 

This blog is mostly for me to document my sewing -I do appreciate those who stop by & comment .

Christmas sewing

I said I wasn't going to do much sewing for others this season , but ...

I was asked to make some door prizes for my CCS Charity Sewing group luncheon. 

My Bernina store has a monthly club of Pickle Pie embroidery designs .

In October the project was oven mitts in the hoop, 

Well I got hooked or obsessed might be a better way to say it.

I decided they were fun & easy so I made 18 ! Yes 18! 

I got them all finished last night . I delivered 6 oven mitts & 2 skillet handles to the luncheon chair today . 

Everyone on my list is getting the  same thing -ha ha ! 

Whew now some sewing for ME ! 

Oh maybe one more small project for a family gathering for the little ones , but then sewing for ME !!!!

Last holiday table runner finished

Last table runner of the holiday season ! Yeah 

For some reason I got on a table runner kick. This Christmas runner was started last year & I'm very 

Happy to have it finished . 

On the sewing table today also finishing a knit dress I started a few months ago . We have a party on  Friday I'd like to wear it to. 

Low key Thanksgiving here as neither of my boys or their families are able to be here. 

I'm just hosting my brother & sister in law . Then friends house for dessert . 

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!

In NYC -but no time for th Garment District

Hi there ,

I'm in NYC for a quick visit to my son, DIL & DGD . My son is running the NYC Marathon -his first Marathon . So no time for the Garment District ,  but time with DGD😍😍

Since it was a last minute decision to come here , I didn't make anything for DGD. 

It has been hard to make clothes for her  because of the distance, not hearing back if things fit or are even liked & clothing tastes can be different . 

 But I'm lucky to be here & see family 😘😘😘

Done is WAY better than not done !!

I finally finished these 2 table runners . Both were projects from Sept Bernina clubs . The pumpkins are embroidered & the stockings are appliquéd.

I love my labels from Dutch Label shop . 

I bought them for clothing , but I think it's nice to use them for other items as well .

Now if I could just get my garment sewing mojo to return !!!!!!!

I cleaned the sewing room today & found a knit top I started last winter. So ...

I actually worked on it this afternoon. 

That's huge progress to sew for ME for a change . 

Embroidery in the hoop

I've had a great week sewing . It's club week at my Bernina store. Embroidery DIVaS was a fun topper for bags. Gourmet Sewing club was Kimberbell birthday pillow. Both projects almost done .

I made these door hanging pillows for gifts -they are Janine Babich in the hoop .

The hot mitt is Pickle Pie . Lots of ideas for Christmas .

The wristlet is also Pickle Pie for a friends bithday . 

Also 2 sessions of Layette sewing this week. 

Time to rest -heading to Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow for a week long hiking trip . 

HE doesn't know if scoped out some fabric stores ! 

The knit dress didn't get finished but almost 

Yikes I haven't blogged in a month - but I am sewing !!!!

Sewing is a dangerous hobby !!! I have this table runner almost finished -amachine quitled etc &  stuck my finger with a pin & got blood on it 😂

But it all came out !!!!

It just needs to be trimmed & put on binding . 

My second Passionately Sewn dress is almost done. I'm playing with the neckline so it looks a little different than the first one . 

It's finally fall in AZ - well at least highs of 80-85. So I will be able to wear a sleeveless dress for a while & with a sweater at night. 

As usual I have several projects going at once. My Embroidery club pumpkin table runner is ready for me to machine quilt & bind .

Most of my time in the last week was used getting a new computer & getting my Embroidery software designs reloaded etc. I got the  Bernina software update & tried to upgrade to Wi dows 10 & it crashed my computer. I'm NOT a computer person so it's taken a while to get up to speed. 

I'm also organizing all my software club lessons, Embroidery club lessons & Gourmet Sewi g club projects. 

I had let them get in total dissaray so it's time consuming , but needed .

I also managed to make 30 baby onsies for my Christ Child Layette group. These are mind,ess so they help keep my sanity . 

Thanks for stopping by ! 

Sewing for 30 minutes a Day

                  

 
             

I love  this idea  of sewing for 30 minutes a day ! You can accomplish so much this way .  Most days like everyone else this is easy to do . But it's a great reminder to just DO IT . 

Thanks www.starsthreads.blogspot.com 

for this great idea 

I have these 2 gorgeous Art Gallery Knits next up on the cutting table . I plan to make at least one of them into the Janneen Scot knit dress pattern  I fell in love with . It's called My Fit & Flare Dress.  I'll use the blue/teal knit on the right . Not sure what I'll use the black for -possibly a top . 

This weekend I've been busy finishing a Halloween table runner I started at least 2 years ago . I'll blog details when it's finished - a good incentive to finally get this thing done. 

I'm also working on the background brick looking piece for a Christmas stocking table runner for Bernina Gourmet Club this Thursday . I have the stocking traced on Wonder Under so hopefully it won't be another UFO. 

I'm working very hard on my UFO pile of clothing & other sewing projects . I've also managed to get 70 onsies done for my CCS group to donate to newborns in local hospitals .

Kitchen remodel & painting of rest of the house gave me time to stay out of their way & in the sewing studio .  Yeah ! 

Happy National Sewing Month !!!

Sewing for 30 minutes a Day

                     

             

I love  this idea  of sewing for 30 minutes a day ! You can accomplish so much this way .  Most days like everyone else this is easy to do . But it's a great reminder to just DO IT . 

Thanks www.starsthreads.blogspot.com 

for this great idea 

I have these 2 gorgeous Art Gallery Knits next up on the cutting table . I plan to make at least one of them into the Janneen Scot knit dress pattern  I fell in love with . It's called My Fit & Flare Dress.  I'll use the blue/teal knit on the right . Not sure what I'll use the black for -possibly a top . 

This weekend I've been busy finishing a Halloween table runner I started at least 2 years ago . I'll blog details when it's finished - a good incentive to finally get this thing done. 

I'm also working on the background brick looking piece for a Christmas stocking table runner for Bernina Gourmet Club this Thursday . I have the stocking traced on Wonder Under so hopefully it won't be another UFO. 

I'm working very hard on my UFO pile of clothing & other sewing projects . I've also managed to get 70 onsies done for my CCS group to donate to newborns in local hospitals .

Kitchen remodel & painting of rest of the house gave me time to stay out of their way & in the sewing studio .  Yeah ! 

Happy National Sewing Month !!!

I finished something for ME

I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this dress. It's so comfy,stylish & it fit right out of the package.

It's the Fit & Flair dress by Janneene Scott. I used Art Gallery Knit from my Bernina store-Bernina Connection. 

They had this dress in this fabric as a sample & I jumped on it. I tried the sample, so I knew what size  to make.

My sewing mojo for myself has been absent this summer, but this dress is a huge hit . I'm already looking through my stash to find what else I can use to make this again. 

Did I say I love it ?????

Yeah ! 

I changed my blog name

I changed the name of my blog. While the original name -One More Day above the Roses (my favorite song) will always be special to me , it didn't seem to fit my sewing goals & style . 

So a name change & hopefully a renewed dedication to sewing . 

I'm still struggling with my love of sewing but finding it hard to sew for ME . I've sewn more in the last few months than ever before but nothing for me . 

It has been a crazy summer with lots going on so trying not to be too hard on myself as I really have sewn sooooo much.

London City Bag for my Sister in Law - she LOVED it -yeah.

Classmate tote for DGD s 3rd birthday 

25 Rare Bears for the National MPS Society fundraiser at family conference .

20 monogrammed zipper purse pouches for a family baby shower giveaways .

Tool tote for ME -really complicated pattern but love it -need to take a picture . 

25 Onsis for hospital charity sewing group -CCS

Crocheted baby blankets -1 for baby shower & 1 for CCS. 

So a great summer of sewing & it's not over yet!!!!! 

Rare Bears for the Nat'l MPS Society

I finished this years Rare Bears & sent them off to the MPS Society office today . These are truly a labor of love . They will be sold at the upcoming MPS family conference to raise funds for research for this devastating disease  . This disease took my beloved niece 4 years ago at age 17. 

Folks always comment that they take so much time & I'm so talented - neither is true as the embroidery machine does 75 % of the work . 

I'm very blessed to have the ability to help raise funds & awareness for MPS . These families & kids are truly the most amazing group !!!

On to the baby shower favors ! 

Can't spill the beans yet as I'm not sure if my niece will see this , but planning & sewing for this shower have been great. 

It's gotten more difficult to sew for DGD as she lives so far away & I don't see the items I've made .

I'm also making something to wear for the shower in the theme of the shower 😍😍😍

Table runners & a skirt are next ! 

Gourmet Club - Bernina

Yeah I finished 2 projects this month .  My Gourmet Club at my Bernina store is a fun, encouraging group of ladies . The Bernina staff are so helpful & encouraging as well. 

I also finished the DiVa club project but need to take some pictures . I am on a roll with sewing during the kitchen remodel - can't cook or clean so sewing is a top priority !!

Garment sewing has not been happening . I'm frustrated by that , but I have a few things cut out. It has been hard to start a bigger project like a garment when the house is torn up . It's a mental thing for me , but I am sewing lots of other things -so all is good . 

I also took a break from charity sewing for the Sumer . I love making the Onsies & items for the hospitals , but I have really been able to concentrate on other sewing . It surprisingly feels good . 

Lots of items & ideas on the cutting table 😍

Back to the pattern drawing board

Well ...

I hate when the idea in my head doesn't match the reality ! 

The voile just didn't work for the pattern I chose- so back to the pattern box ! 

Back in the saddle

I finished a birthday gift for DGD & my tool tote bag . Both projects were great & came out much better than I expected . But both projects required lots of concentration to cut out & sew. I'm glad those projects are behind me . I haven't made a garment for myself in many months so it felt good to cut out a top . I bought this cotton voile at Metro Textiles when we visited NYC in May for our sons PhD graduation . 

This voile has such a nice drape . I think it will be a nice cool summer top . It might be a bit sheer ,but I'm going with this pattern as it has tucks . So the sheerness may not be a factor . I can always add a cami if needed. 

Happy 4th of July weekend !

Sewing -sewing-sewing

A view of my dining table -full of projects, patterns etc. There are even a few clothing projects hidden in there . A shirt dress & a skirt to be exact. But I'm trying to first finish a couple of UFO bags & a birthday gift for DGD . The birthday gift a small tote called The Classmate- from Atkinson Designs. My Bernina Gourmet Club did this in the spring & I was sidetracked with a family emergency. But now it's cut out & in progress with a deadline of August . My girl friend made 3 for her triplet grandchildren -she set the bar very high !!!!

I hope to have more pictures soon of finished projects . During the kitchen remodel I hope to have LOTS of time to sew !!!! Besides it sure beats being outside inthe AZ. summer heat . 

The corner of this picture has the fabrics I'm using for the classmate . DGD loves yellow & Science like her daddy . The afghan is for a shower gift for a future nieclette! 

Really sewing this time !

I was stunned that I hadn't blogged since April - but the last 2 months have been a mixture of helping a family member , travel , #1sons PhD graduation , time in NYC with Son, WDIL & of course DGD . 

But as you can see by my smile as a sewer I managed to squeeze in some fabric shopping in Dublin. I bought 2 pieces of Irish Linen 😍😍

I also bought fabric while in NYC at Mood & Metro Textiles. 

The travel was wonderful & the family member I was also helping  seems to be improving as well so TIME TO SEW!!! 

What to make first can be paralyzing , but I'm spending some quality time in the sewing room thinking things through . I usually just jump right into a project & many times realize I either don't have enough fabric, or the fabric isn't right for the pattern. So..,

I'm working on slowing the process down & thinking !!!

My charity sewing is really helping that  process. I can sit at my serger & make baby Onsies for our CCS group for the local hospitals. While doing this I feel I have time to look at my cutting table for inspiration . 

Some loose cotton voile tops seem to end calling my name ! 

But that skirt & table runner ...

Yeah Sewing again !

Snap bags are such a fun,fast project ! 

I needed some quick gifts as I was meeting friends for one friends birthday . 

Maybe someday I'll make up these type of gifts ahead of time so I'm not always in such a rush . 

Ha ha 

I have my Gourmet Sewing club project cut out & pressed  for Thursday's club meeting. 

It's the tool tote by Penny Sturgis . Lots of pieces but will be very cute. 

Wed is Embroidery club - I don't have that project organized yet . We are embroidering the Lazy Girl Bendy Bag .

Garment sewing I miss you !!!!! 

Garment sewing

Garment Sewing 

I'm away from my sewing machines right now helping someone who needed an extra pair of 

hands & some extra prayers .  Being away has given me some time to reflect on just what my sewing 

goals are .  I do love garment sewing - garments were my first ever sewing projects & 

are still my first love. Then why am I not sewing more garments ?
Hard question to answer - if I am really honest it's because of my weight & not feeling good in clothes . But the other part of that is fitting . I need to make a more concerted effort to fit garments properly. I certainly have enough book, articles & Craftsy classes that I ought to be able to figure this out. It's not so much a time issue as a motivation issue .
I think I need to give this more thought & start taking steps in the direction of making great fitting clothes .


PS - this is not a woe is me post . Just some thinking out loud 😍
Day 3 of my mission of mercy is wearing me out a tiny bit , but spending time with loved ones is worth that . 

Make up bag for a special niece -

This was a fun bag to embroider . Our Diva club project & I actually finished it the within the same month. I had the embroidery finished in class so it was a quick finish. The embroidery is from fabric confetti . Vanessa is so talented -check out her website & ideas. 

I have Sandra Betzina's puzzle top cut out & ready to sew. I wanted to make this as soon as possible so. Wouldn't forget what I learned during my week with her in January . 

I also have some snap bags to cut out & finish for a friends birthday get together on Monday .

...the skirt & table runners are still staring at me on the cutting table !! 

Since I only have 2 nieces I'd better get started on one of these makeup bags for my other special 

Sweetie!!! 

Quilt finished in under a year !!!

I finally finished the quilt I made last year on a quilt cruise in April 2015 . If you finished within a year - the quilt shop would reprint the  pattern  cover with your picture on it. 

I had 90% finished on the cruise . The long arm quilter took 5 months to machine quilt. So that put me behind , but done is done !!! Shop owner said only 20% had finished their quilts so I feel very happy that I finished !

Tote bag finished !!

Yeah ! 

I finished our Gourmet Club January project yesterday ! Wow I got so far behind - Decmber is not finished but it will be by next Christmas .

Belonging to 2 sewing clubs & 1 sewing software clubs per month can sometimes be a bit much .

But it is great to finish projects.

I finished the Diva Wallet but the hardware is drying so I'll take a pic later. 

The Everything But the Kitchen Sink tote bag was fun to make . It took over 3 yds of fabric & had many steps . I tried to do it in bits & pieces but finally took some time to concentrate & finish it . 

The pictures do not show off the inside of the bag as it has many pockets. It's also a reversible bag which I really like . A fun project I hope to get a lot of use from. 

More sewing

I made these Sew Trendy Bags in the hoop & Rare Bears . These are for an MPS fundraiser for my friend Kris . Her son & my niece died of the same rare disease . 

I also made 3 more bags for my upcoming Christ Child Society fundraiser . They are quick & fun to make . 

Also sewed some fun items for DGD - 2 year old are so fun to sew for !!! Just always wishing she didn't live so far away !!! The picture of her in the reversible apron, chef hat & oven mitt was so adorable . She said "I'm cooking hot " 

Now back to some sewing for me 

A skirt & table runner are STILL on the cutting table 

Sandra Betzina & lots of sewing

Wow I can't believe it's been over a month since I've updated my blog.  I've been in a small funk about the blog because my only follower is  I my #2 son. But then I realized it started this to document MY sewing adventures ! 

So I have been sewing !!

My trip to San Fransciso was fabulous . I loved the week of sewing with Sandra Betzina & learning so much from her & the other ladies in the class. The Marine Memorial Hotel was a great location & the sewing room was very well staffed & set up for sewing .

We had a wonderful dinner the first night at Sandra's home . I had to keep pinching myself that I was actually with THE Sandra Betzina . She is very down to earth . I finished her twist top & ponte puzzle pants . I love both of them , but need to tweak the pants as the leg is too full at the bottom. 

We were right around the corner from  Britex fabrics. I made several trips there & bought some great mesh & more ponte . 

We also took a field trip to Piedmont fabrics & Stone Mtn . Both places were great  I of course bought fabric at both places . I do love online shopping ,but nothing takes the place of seeing quality fabrics in person !!!!

It was a truly special week for me & I learned so much about sewing as well as about myself & sewing for my lifestyle !!!

Sandra looked so stylish every day - such an inspiration ! 

Sandra Betzina hands on workshop

wow-wow-wow !!! It was great & I'll do a detailed post after I get home . DH came up and met me after the week & we are spending a long  weekend in Napa. Pre BIG birthday trip !

Julia Cardigan - first make of 2016

My first make of 2016 was the Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations 

This went together so fast & was a much needed quick project to get my sewing mojo going for the year. I used a sweater knit that I had purchased at Michael Levine . I was a nice lightweight washable knit . The colors-black,cream & silver sparkles don't show up in the picture but make this a casual or dressy topper. I have many more plans for this pattern .

Christmas gifts finished

Woo hoo ! Christmas gifts are now all finished . 

I made an apron for DGD & sent at Christmas . It was Christmas fabric but I had also promised another apron . I never heard from them how it really fit so I had to guess again on the size . I also made a potholder/mitt & chefs hat. I was able to find those patterns free online. My girl friend measured her DGD's head . The apron is reversible & from Cindy Taylor Oats booklet of kids aprons. 

I also finished 43 Onsies for new babies at the hospital & cut up several hundred yds of ribbing for our group to use on the Onsies. The ribbing company sent the bolt in a huge format. We all called it the Whale & it was in the way in the storage closet & hard to lift to cut pieces off. But with some help from DH it's more manageable !!!! 

Now on to the table runner & skirt on the cutting table ...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year !!!! 

I did the above photo as a top 9 of 2015 . 

It was fun to look back at some of my makes of the year .

But somewhat surprising as I thought I had made more garments for me. I sewed more in 2015 than ever , but need to add more garments in 2016 . I know I love machine embroidery & do make lots of embroidered items . It was actually hard to pick my top favs from those. I made items for DGD also but don't have pictures without her in them. They don't want me to post her picture . 

I crocheted 10 afghans this year for the Christ Child Society of Phoenix. My goal was one a month so I was very close 😘. I also made 3 quilts & 284 Onsies for our local hospitals . 

I made many more things this year - it's nice for me to list those things , especially as a feel sometimes that I'm not sewing as much as I'd like . 

On to 2016 sewing ...

A skirt , table runner & much more !