~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

Packages tied up with string

These are few of my favorite things! Today I received an amazing package in the mail that was even wrapped with string! It was my ~sewing room swap~  !!!!! I squealed when I saw the return address cause I knew I was in for a treat! It was from the super sweet & famous Angela of Cut to pieces!  She totally spoiled me & the box was full of so many absolutely darling & well thought out goodies! I do love a good swap box & try to add lots of fun treats in the ones I send out as well. 

First peek!! 

 I simply adore these retro colored dipping bowls! Great find Angela! Also there is sweet vintage fabric, a beautiful vintage apron, (that may end up hanging in my kitchen with my other vintage apron.=)) More washi tape for my collection & tiny & sweet wooden buttons.

The whole amazing package!!! Its so, so gorgeous & I feel so very blessed to have had Angela as my partner!

Look at this gorgeous sewing machine cover!!!! Its so nice & sturdy, sweet fabric, beautifully done & quilted in my favorite lines.

I think the handle is a fun detail & again so expertly done. 

And as if that's not all, she also sent me this gorgeous mini wall quilt!!!!! Love the paper pieced bowls & embroidery. I'm still trying to decide where I'll hang this one. It would also be perfect in my kitchen! lol Too bad its so small & has almost no wall space.

I did try it out on the wall with my thread & its looks pretty good there, so it might just stay. 

Thanks again Angela for the swap package of the century & also Linda for organizing the swap & doing such a fabulous job at partnering!

I've got my package all ready to head out on its long journey, but I'll save that for its own post.

 

Happy sewing & swapping!! xKaren

Heather Ross Love

I'd thought I'd give you a few more yummy fabric photos in the way of a few new Heather Ross pieces I've acquired this week. First of all this A.MAZE.ING stack of the long oop Far Far Away that someone mentioned finding in a shop & of course I had to get a bit for myself! I wasn't "into" modern quilting & fabrics back when it came out, so I am beyond thrilled to have a few of my own! Its gauze & will be gorgeous in little dresses if I can bear to cut into it! :0

Next we have a bit of Briar Rose. Heathers newest line & still readily available in most shops. =) I'll blame this purchase on Kelly who let us all know that the charm packs were on sale for $2.50!! Too bad you could only get one, but I snuck a few other cuties in my cart that I hadn't had yet anyway. These colors are so beautiful & very vibrant in real life! I got a few close ups for you too since the little bee's & crickets in this line are just too darling!

Happy Sewing & stashing! xxKaren

Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap

Its the end of Aug. & I have two swaps ending within a week of each other, so this is has ended up being a crunch sewing week!

The Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap on flickr is in its first round & we are swapping a little pouch, small notion, & 50 charms cut from our stash. I enjoyed sewing a fun girly pouch using the GAYG method & Anna's fabulous wide open pouch pattern. Seriously if you've never used this tutorial you must! Its so easy & has the best shape of almost any pouch out there.

I received this cute sewing themed trim from my partner just yesterday & thought it made the most darling tags! I'm sure you'd agree!
As I mentioned I received this great package from Nadine of Modern Quilt Designs. She made me a fabulous sunglass case & sent me a bunch of charms that I didn't already have! I was amazed at all the great stuff I don't have! lol =)

Yum! Look at all these beauties! I'm afraid that sweet little Briar Rose nanny bee made me need more of her though & I may have placed another order. oops. =0
I'm in the middle of sewing for my Sewing Room Swap partner & will share that with you all when I get it finished up.

Happy Sewing & Swapping!    xxKaren

A fabric folding tutorial

I've received a few questions on how I fold my fabric on my shelves, so I've put together a quick little tutorial for you. I started with a one yard cut, but I also fold my half yards with this method.

1. fold fabric in half length wise

2.Bring top of fabric down to the middle

3. Bring bottom half up & fold it over the part you just folded down, making a nice clean edge on both sides

4. bring the left side over & fold it in half, matching up the ends again. Now you have a perfect rectangle ready to stack on your shelf!  

5. Stack & enjoy your nice neat pile of beauties!=)

I've always folded my yardage this way & really love the way it showcases the print & how neatly you're able to stack them. Now go & have fun folding some of your own!!!

Happy folding & fabric stashing!!    xxKaren

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!