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 ! 

Christmas sewing

I have been doing lots of machine embroidery projects this season . 

These little pillows are so addictive - in fact I've made 8 of them . They take about 45 minutes on the machine , but that time gives me an opportunity to clean the sewing room -ha ha .

Some holiday sewing done

Holiday Sewing for the New Yorkers done & delivered . It was a great Thanksgiving being with them . A certain 2 yr old has captured our hearts !!!

My embroidery machine worked overtime to finish the projects below. 

I made 14 of the pumpkin silverware holders - a picklepiedesigns.com 

I love her $5 Friday specials .

The napkins are Gingerbread Bites by Claudias Creations - she's a hometown girl & teaches at MY Bernina store :) 

The bottom photo is an Advent Calendar you string on a ribbon . It's another picklepie design ! 

Not sure what else is up next on my sewing list , but have a couple of pillows, table runner or 2 & of course some skirts for the holidays.