~the sewing room swap~

In my last post I just showed you all the amazing Goodies I received from Angela in ~the Sewing room swap~ & now I'd like to show you what I made & sent off to my partner!

I was a bit unsure at first, since it seemed like my partners style was so different from what I'd usually sew, but she was also pretty open to anything. I decided she could use a sewing machine cover & something to hang on her wall for tool organization. I was very happy with how the machine cover ended up & kind of wished I could have kept it! I started out with a fabric pull that would fit her style/sewing area & was very happy with the positive response I got right away! It makes sewing for someone in a swap so much easier when they are involved & I want to thank her for that!! I also knew right away that I wanted to do some paper pieced letters on the front & of course what word is more perfect than this for a machine cover? =) I thought the mushroom would add a fun whimsical touch as well.

 I opted to just make this a one panel cover, binding it like a quilt & adding twill measuring tape ties to the side for closure. I really waffled on the binding color but am very happy with how the bright blue ties the whole piece together & I think it will be a perfect match in my partners space.

Its also fully reversible so she can switch it to this side if she gets tired of the other! Had to sneak in a tag to make it look more professional. =) The quilting is easier to see on these photos, just a simple organic line to mimic the pattern in the main background print. (Which is "Bye Bye Birdy for Windham Fabrics in case your wondering.) I love the structure the quilting gives this project & you cant beat it for speed either.

This is the second time I've made one of these organizer pocket hoops & I still love them! They are a fairly quick project yet so, so helpful in the sewing room! I use mine every day, for my cutters & small scissors. I had to add a bit of HR doggies since I know my partner will be thrilled with it.=) Some of you have mentioned wanting a tutorial on the hoop pocket, any more interest in that? If so I may be able to do one of those for you in the week or so.  

Here is the whole package right before I packed it up & sent it out on its long journey home. It includes, the machine cover, hanging hoop pocket, spool mug rug, (because who doesn't have drink setting next to them when their sewing?!) a key fob, baby charm pack & a roll of washi tape. 

I enjoyed this swap immensely & am already looking forward to the second round!!!  Thanks again Linda for organizing it! xx

 

Happy sewing & swapping! xKaren

My Sewing Room

This post has been a long time in coming & I'm so excited to share my favorite room with you all today! This room has been a "catchall" for far too long & I've been making do by sewing in the permanent disaster that it had become, but enough is enough & I'm so glad I finally gave the junk & misc. stuff the boot! lol I know I absolutely love drooling over others people sewing areas & fabrics stash's so I've got a treat for you. I'm warning you, photo overload ahead!

This is my main fabric storage hutch. My husband built this for me back when I was into scrapbooking & I must say I think it looks much better with fabric instead of paper on it! lol My machine is here & I have plenty of counter space to lay projects out on.

This is the first thing you see when you walk into my sewing room. My temporary design wall,(must get a bigger one asap!) cutting counter & most of my scraps & tools are right here.

 

On my wall are my current projects. Blocks I am collecting from my weekender friends to be made into a weekender bag & the beginnings of a scrappy pouch for a swap.

I made this valance last year with some momo layer cake squares I was given. Sew perfect don't you think?;-)

Another shot of my cutting counter. This is one of favorite views & makes me so happy. I'm also happy to report that I've been able to keep it clean & am more motivated after a project to put everything away so it doesn't stay messed up. Yay for me!

My husband also made this cabinet for me & I am so blessed to have such a talented & supportive hubby! The slot under the top is perfect for storing my poster boards.

This shelf is filled with a few fabric bundles I won & my charm pack collection.

Perle thread, vintage ric.rac & buttons hang out on this shelf. I use the clipboard with very sophisticated sticky notes to keep track of currant swaps & deadlines.

This lovely hanging hoop was made for me by the lovely Krista of Spotted Stone Studio. She was my partner in the swap & I simply adore it & use it all the time!

Scraps & leftover binding get tossed in this basket.

I received this beauty in a swap from the lovely Jackie of chloeandme. Its the perfect place to keep my more currant WIP.

Hoop wall art. Both swapped & thrifted for.;-)

My main scrap storage is this awesome metal organizer I picked up for a few $ at a garage sale once. It's already overflowing though!

Fat Quarters are kept in these baskets & in color order of course! This is the most recent piece of furniture my hubby built for me & I love being able to shelve these & have them looking pretty.

Just a peek into the baskets for all you fabric lovers!!

A few bigger WIP are hung on hangers & looking pretty hanging from the closet door. I can never hide this stuff away you know! It makes me too happy seeing it out!

To the right of my sewing counter, thread, a Christmas mini & vintage hoops. I find these for .50-.75 all the time & like to keep them around for quick projects.

My "collection" "stash" or whatever else you might want to call it!=) I can never pass up a good deal & I've been able to find a good bit of my collection for good deals around here where people are not very tuned into to "modern fabrics". That & I've also done a good bit of swapping, helped others "destash" & of course shopped for the most recent "must haves" online.

 I like to display all the adorable pouches & goodies I've received in swaps that aren't currently in use. I'm sure some of you will recognize the ones you've so lovingly made for me! I adore every single of them!!

My prized Heather Ross scraps & Fq's & my basket of echino scraps.

The view from my sewing machine! It's so happy!

My vintage button collection.

More vintage jars on top of my shelves. These hold anything from buttons, to vintage trims, to zippers, to key fob hardware.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my sewing room & if you made it to the end, yay!!! ;-) I promise I actually spared you about half the photos & if you beg ask nicely, I might even show you the more detailed fabric shots. lol

I'm linking up with Ellison Lanes & the Studio spotlight!

Pillow Talk Swap

I took the plunge at some encouragement from friends & joined in the newest round of the Pillow Talk swap! I was nervous at first, but when I got my partner information I realized she liked very much the same things I did so it would be easier to make her something. ;-)


This was my first fabric pull & idea. Low volumes with color plus's. After a bit of feedback I pulled the mustard & green & replaced them with brighter shades.

 

 

Here is it is all pieced & getting quilted. I really enjoyed the process of the hand quilting, even taking it along on our drive north one day.

 

My blocks ended up being a bit bigger than I had anticipated & so therefore I only got four on the pillow & that ended up being a large 22"! Good thing my partner liked big! lol

 

 

 

 I seriously love this pillow & am very happy to report that my partner loved it as well!! It looks great on her sofa & plays well with her other beauties.

I added this pretty AMH print for backing & sewed in an invisible zipper. I love the neatness they add.

 

Now the waiting! I am anxiously stalking my mailbox for the beauty that is coming to me! I really have no idea which one it could be so I'm thinking I'm in for a surprise!! ;-)

Modernista swap received!!!

I am so, so excited with my first time in the modernista swap!!!!! (you'll remember my last post with the mini quilt that I sent to my partner Marika .) I am happy to report that it was a huge hit & looks gorgeous in her sewing room!

I couldnt be happier with the GORGEOUS pillow I received from my partner Tiffany !!!!! I had a few ways you could go from my mosaic & she made a perfect representation of one! I love the x&+ blocks, as you know I had asked the girls in the Bee Modern group to make me x&+ blocks in aqua, grey & mustard yellow. I specifically want to incorporate prints from Lotta's Echo & Bella lines in my living room. Anyway, she made me an absolutely perfect pillow along those lines! I think I'll just stop talking now & show it to you.

Can you see how I am so blown away?!! So Fantastic. I feel so very lucky & sent a huge, huge thank you to Tiffany. It is just so perfect & seriously gigantic!! It measures in at 24" I think!! lol thanks again Tiffany for a awesome first time in the Modernista & I'm already looking forward to the next round! :)