Bag it Up

I've been meaning to make a plastic bag holder for sometime now. I don't know why today I finally cracked and got one put together. I love projects that can be completed in virtually no time at all and are extremely helpful.


Last weekend I also made a trip to the fabric warehouse and picked up a bunch of new stuff from Riley Blake and others. There is always to much there that I get overwhelmed. I wish I could just get everything, but that might be a little tough on the wallet.

Valentine Box

At school this week I am having my students create mailboxes for their valentines. I made mine this weekend so they can have an example of what I wish for them to create. I used one of my favorite children's book authors, Eric Carle, as inspiration.

From the top:


Side:


Side:


I used some small heart shaped brads to add a little Valentine's Day feel to the mailbox. I am excited to see what the kids come up with.

Valentine's Day Bunting

I completed this little gem this weekend.



(Don't worry that the picture is off center, I have recently re-hung the buntings to make them centered.) :-)

I used my embroidery machine to make applique letters with red felt. I want to make some other Valentine decorations using the same colors, but I haven't felt too inspired yet. Hopefully something will strike me before Valentine's Day. If not, at least I have a little bit of decoration for this month.

Sewing Strings

I've been working most of the day on my black and white string quilt that I started a few months ago. I had put it away for awhile and decided it was time to get it back out. Now I remember why I put it away. Sewing the same little lines over and over again gets pretty boring. Being bored isn't completely a bad thing because it inspires me to start other projects. I think I need to put the string quilt on hold for a little while and do some projects that can be completed faster.

My inspiration for my next project comes from a winter hat and mittens that I think are cute, some items I picked up while out with the girls this weekend and something my grandmother sent me. I'm also inspired by this link, so I think I'm going to make one to spruce up my non-festive living room.

Here is what my sewing room looks like as I'm working on these two projects:



Inspiration:

Yes, it's Vera

I made a bag for my friend Becca for Christmas. She has a slight obsession with Vera too, so I decided to use Totally Turq fabric for her bag. I was really happy with the color contrast.





Just don't look too close if you are familiar with military units. I put a patch on upside down...which needs to be promptly fixed! My friend didn't notice the mix-up and of course our husbands were too nice to comment...til a few drinks later. Luckily it is an easy fix! Happy New Year All!

Christmas Eve

I'm super excited that it is Christmas Eve because I will soon be able to post some of the lovely items that I made as gifts this Christmas. I didn't get to do us much sewing as last year, but I think the recipients will appreciate what I have created.

Two days ago I made another jaunt to the fabric warehouse in Osan. I could spend hours in that place! Here are some pics of the loot. I need to think of some great ideas for these items.



I think I will use the fabrics below for a new quilt. I will need to start searching for a design to use.

Where in the World

I know I have been seriously delinquent in keeping up with posting to this blog. Let's just say teaching takes up pretty much my entire life and when I do have time left over I spend it with family and friends, or I'm sewing. Christmas is approaching and I have been having a million ideas running through my head...some of which will be revealed after Christmas. My students were the recipients of personalized pencil cases for their holiday gifts. They really seamed to like them. I'm also excited that students will have a place to store their personal things. I made 21 cases in all.



It is hard to imagine that our Korean Adventure started almost a year ago! I feel like I have much more to explore. With that, I feel a resolution should be made to keep up with my blog a little more. We can only wait and see how that goes!

P.S. I'm loving these. Hint, hint. ;-)