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Flip-flops in need of Sun!

I am preparing my summer shoe collection--customized flip-flops. I have seen many instructions and ideas on how to embellish your flip-flops with sequins, ribbon, beads, etcetera such as this article suggests to do. All fun and decorative ideas; however, not my style.

At the same time, I have been rummaging through some 4" square scraps of fabric in my craft room. None really match or have inspired me to any ideas for quilts. Then, voila! I read Alisa Burke's post.

I loved the artistic freedom that the post allowed for. It did not give specific directions on how to do it, but great guidelines and how she did it. So I jumped in and this is what I did:

This is my first pair--ready for the Fourth of July holiday.

I hand-stitched with embroidery thread as Alisa eluded to. I used a variety of colors to give it some character. Like this photo shows:

My favorite part happened on a whim! Towards the end of my stitching, it happened that the word "Freedom" on one of the fabrics used was cut off to say "Free".......I was able to leave it as a tag look!! 

I am so thrilled and motivated with the product and the process that look here at what awaits me.........

But it's MAY you say!

And I respectfully respond: "and your point is?!"

In the PNW, the weather has been...um...well...wet...no surprise there. But, the wind and temps have also been a little higher and lower, respectively, than usual. I'm still occasionally wearing my fleecy, fluffy coat outside. Definitely have not put the winter clothes away.

No complaints here as I have seen the beating other parts of the country (and even world) have taken! But the bears were a little grumpy, soooo..........

I finished 2 fleece hats that have been sitting in my stash all cut out and waiting for about 2 years now! They're very happy and warm now!

Blame it on the Aliens!

Call them what you will---UFO's (unfinished objects) or WIP's (works-in-progress)---but they are keeping me from blogging. Well, sort of. And my mother called and said I hadn't made any posts like I said I would be doing, so I at least wanted to put up this one lol.


As you can see....the aliens have overrun my craft room in many areas: sewing, quilting, beading, scrapbooking, YIKES!! Therefore, I AM ON A MISSION......E.T. will be going home soon!



Don't give up on me....I hope to post finished projects for you to see soon Mom! (love you btw).

Baby's Changing Pad

To go along with the library bag I made in a previous post, I decided to customize a changing/lap pad for my friend as well. This is what I did:

I purchased a mattress pee pad, 30" x 34", and 1 yard of a cute kid's cotton material.

Lay the material down with wrong side up. Place the pad on top (eyeballing the straightness of the design). The pad has an "up" side (cloth side) and a "down" side (plastic side). Make sure the "up" side is to the wrong side of the fabric. Pin and trim around the pad.

To attach, I decided to go with the flow. Since the mattress pad had a serged edge, I decided it would be fine to do the same. Choosing a compatible color (dark blue in this case), I stitched around the edge with the appropriate setting on my sewing machine.

All done! Simple idea but much cuter than just plain white!

I was a fabric winner!

While perusing through the sewmamasew.com blog one Friday, I stumbled upon the board member introduction of Kasja from syko. Link here.

After clicking over to the syko blog, I couldn't stop myself from reading the archives and looking at the beautiful craftwork she has accomplished! I enjoyed it greatly and I loved the repurposing aspect of some of her projects! Anyway....I have it bookmarked and will continue to check it out! You should too!

Oh the fabric.....right. So I made a comment on Kasja which automatically entered me into the "Free Fabric Friday" drawing from Sew,Mama,Sew! And I was a winner! I got to choose 1 yard of fabric ....and if you think that was an easy task, well then.......go look at all the pretty choices in the shop. :p

Here is what I got:

Flower Fields Timber from the Modern Meadow fabric collection by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit.

Baby's Library Bag

A friend of mine will soon be having {HAD} a fine baby boy! In her eighth month, I attended her delightful baby shower. And of course, I felt compelled to “last minute” create-a-gift (sooo not like me…yeah right). In the course of conversations, we both expressed our belief of reading…books, books, and more books were desired! I told her I could supply her library quite well just by going in my basement! My child is now 20 years old and my friend is just beginning!

So to encourage the love of reading, this bag was created for those many trips to the library or bookstores! I found an owl-themed fabric by Debbie Mum at Joann’s Fabric store which worked out perfectly. The other fabrics were found in my stash and seem to work in the primary color theme nicely. I added a couple inside pockets for keys or cell phone or pacifier!

I followed the pattern for this bag based on Jodi Nelson's Hushabye Tote Bag via Moda Bake Shop . Link to it directly here. It worked out okay....but I need to make some changes if used again. I DO love her directions on how to do the handles! My favorite part of the bag.

Just look at that cute owl fabric! This is one of the bag fronts sewn together.

Last, she shared a cell phone pic of her tummy and the bag. He was a big one: 9lbs 11oz! Welcome to the World baby boy!!