Christmas Sewing

[Click to enlarge}

I have been working on some Christmas gifts... I made this cute coffee sleeve for myself... I am making some for my staff that will include a Starbucks Card... I just love the Red poka dot fabric with Grinch Green Monogram! Super cute and even easier to make.  I have stitched the monograms on all of them already now I just have to sew them all.  I hate those cardboard bands.. these are so much cuter.

Thanksgiving is Coming....

I absolutely love Thanksgiving and wanted something new and fun for my dinner table. So, I thought the easiest way is to make some placemats. I found the little turkeys on Embroidery Library.  I purchased them for $1.49. So worth it.... and then I went to my favorite local fabric store, Beverly's. I found this great Robert Kaufman orange fushions fabric.  I will definitely be using green and red when I start my Christmas crafts/sewing...  The brown is Kona cotton.

[From this .. ]

Started wtih this



[To This..
Click on picture for close-up]

And got this...

[Click on picture for close-up]

I just love how they turned out. The orange is so bright and cheerful. These just make me smile. I LOVE THEM.. I made a set of 8....



I love the Fall..

Anybody and Everybody that knows me knows how much I love the Fall.  Especially Thanksgiving...I love everything about it. The cool crisp days, the beautiful colors the trees change too and especially getting together with my family for no reason.  Just because I love them so much and love their company. I do however miss my sisters alot. They do not live here in California but I speak to them almost every other day. So, they are always close to me.

[ click to enlarge]

So, I was so happy when my sister, Betty, asked me to design something for her Thanksgiving Dinner.  She wanted some napkins but she wanted them a bit more fun. So, we decided I would embroider a beautiful saying "Bless All who gather here" on them and the fun part, we decided to do them on a Bar Mop. I love the idea.  Not formal as a linen napkin but very absorbent since it is more like a towel. I just ran a test and LOVE the way it came out. The leaves are from Embroidery Library. I did have to do some editing to it but I love that company. ~I forgot to iron a bit before I took picture~ this is right out of the washer and dryer after I embroidered. Beautiful!

Towel update

I just finished the other towel for Corina's fairy towels. I bought this towel on clearance for $2.

 From Drab

                                                                        To FAB!!    

Aren't they beautful together??  And for only $3 bucks!

Some new towels..

I found this really cute orange w/burgundy tea towel  at Ross and knew it would match Corina's kitchen. Unfortunately, they only had one but it was on clearance for $1...  I embroidered a beautiful fairy on it with burgundy and gold thread and I just love how it turned out. I can't wait to give it to her.

I also purchased a few towels at Wal-Mart to make some Halloween towels.  Turned out cute but I hate the towel material. It came out of the washer looking like it had a million snags. And  I won't use these in the future.  I will stick with tea towels or terry towels. They always turn out so beautiful. Click on the image and you will see what I am talking about.

Happy Halloween Banner

Click on the picture to enlarge

I made a great Halloween fabric banner today.  It turned out so cute. 

I have it for sale on my Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/thatsastitch

What do you think?

Black Yellow and Gray Birthday Banner

Click on photo to enlarge

I made this banner for one of my co-workers.  She loves Black and Yellow together and when I found this fabric~ it screamed "Sally"...  I used Black for the calligraphy fonts.  I just love how sophisticated it looks. 

Since I was not going to be at work for her birthday, I had to sneak these pictures of it in an unused office at work. I should have centered it under the light but was in a rush....  But don't you just love the fabric??

Don't you just love this fabric?

Birthday Banner

Click on photo to enlarge.........

My niece will be having a birthday party next month for her son. The theme is Disney. So, I made a birthday banner from fabric for the party. I made my own letter appliques from a Disney Font. I have seen these online but I refuse to pay for something that I can make myself.

I love the way it came out. I just hope she likes it...

Lauren's Beach Towel

I picked up this cute towel and knew I had to make it for my niece,Lauren.

 I had to print the letters out separately and then figure out where I wanted to place them. Then I chose the colors that I felt brought out the colors in the towel best. I love the colors.

I am still learning how to get everything lined up the way I want. The letters are a bit off but I still love how it turned out.I hopefully will be seeing her this week so she can use it this summer.

I just love love love the pink and orange together.

Kanji Towels

My oldest son, loves all things Japanese. I know he's not but sometimes I wonder if he's not part Japanese.



  I thought I would make him a couple of bath towels.  He absolutely loved them.





He wants me to make some pillows for his bedroom at his apartment.  I also see sofa pillows in my future....

Father's Day Gift

I didn't have time to make the actual apron, so I purchased one fromWal-Mart. I purchased the "Grill Master" embroidery file from http://www.emblibrary.com/  I just love this website. They always have sales.

Well, my honey caught me making it. Oh well, after 28 years of marriage, there aren't very many suprises anymore. Except...uh, if I told you, I would have to hurt you...

Sorry about this picture, not very good.

I really like how it turned out...

Corkboard

I bought this picture frame at Marshall's on clearance for $2.50.  I took the remaining broken letters off, primed it and painted it Glossy Black (already had).... I removed the glass and replaced with cork (already had).  I was going to cover the cork with fabric but decided not to for now.  I had some colorful clips already.

Thank you to my sister, Betty who told me not to be afraid of a little spray paint. Now I am addicted. I primered this in a suit before leaving for work, 1st coat of paint when I got home and 2nd coat before I went to bed.  Woke up at 4am, and cut cork and put all together. Thanx Betty!

It can either be hung or it actually can stand up as seen in this picture. So this project just cost me about $3... I love it...

I may add Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner above the three openings to put a daily menu on it and put it in my kitchen. Or just leave it on my desk. I kept the glass just in case I want to make into Dry-Erase Message Board.  

It makes me SMILE and I LOVE IT!

Click on picture to getter a closer look...

More Towels

Well, it was too hot to be out today.  So, that just gave me an excuse to play with my embroidery machine.  I made these really cute Red Apple towels. 

I was testing out the LiveLove Laugh flower and it turned out really cute.  I think I am going to use for a tote bag. I used some bright colors and just love how it turned out.

Scissors, Scissors, Scissors

Like most people who sew, I have alot of scissors. I am always fumbling around trying to find them and I have a solution. While thrifting this weekend with my sisters, I found this.. it was originally a bar utensil holder. I spray painted it with primer and then with glossy black and   NOW.....

it's the home for my scissors and rotary cutter. Now I always know exactly where they are... This is the first time I have spray painted, so there are a few runs but that's okay. I still love it

The cost $1.50... Have to LOVE that.

Cappuccino Kitchen Towels

I made these cute kitchen towels as my first project. I love the way they turned out. Since this was my first project, I had purchased some cheap kitchen towels from Walmart. They were a pack of 5 for $5.

I purchased the embroidery file from http://www.emblibrary.com/. I have purchased quite a few files from them. It is a great website. Has alot of great stuff and alot of help. I purchased quite a few for just $1 each. Have to LOVE that!

Now that I know it was so easy. I am going to buy some nicer towels to make some more. Can't wait.

I love this machine. I have never used an embroidery machine before and this Brother Machine is so easy to use. I just absolutely love it.

Embroidery Machine

Well, as some of you know, I have been looking at sewing/embroidery machine combos for a while. I just really couldn't justify the cost. That was until I got my Costco rebate last Saturday. It paid for 1/2 of it. So, I ordered it on Monday and it was delivered on Thursday. OH YEAH! I almost kissed the UPS guy. Here is a picture of her still in the box. Sorry for the horrible picture, was taken with my phone. Once I get it up and running, I will take a picture.

I have been sick all week with Shingles. So I haven't even had a chance to put it together let alone read the manual. I did however purchase two really cool fonts from Meringue Designs. Check her out at http://www.deepthoughtsbycynthia.blogspot.com/ or her Etsy shop at http://meringuedesigns.etsy.com/ I have purchased from her in the past and love her work. Check it out. Those of you who don't know what Etsy is~ it is like Ebay for Crafters but you don't bid, you just buy. There are so many talented people out there. I use it to sell my Lauren Tote Bag pattern.

Well, I may stay up tonight and read my manual so I can monogram something tomorrow. It is supposed to be cold tomorrow so it will be a great day to stay in and sew/embroider.

DIYDish Episode 9

I loved these hooded towels. But especially loved their sponsor today. It is Embroidery.com. I just ordered my embroidery machine yesterday so this was of special interest to me.

Skip to My Lou~ Made By You Mondays

I finally posted something to one of my favorite blogs~ Skip To My Lou~ Made by You Mondays. I am always in aw of the great talent out there.

Sophia's Baby Blanket and Burp Cloths

One of my son's best friend just had a baby girl. They named her Sophia.

I made this super cute flannel blanket and burp cloths for her. I put her name on the burp cloths. On the blanket, I made an applique with the fabric I used for the backside. The "S" took some time but so worth it. It turned out so cute.

My sewing machine only has 1 font. After making this project, it just makes it even more clear that I have to get a sewing/embroidery machine combo. And Costco is helping me buy it. I got my annual rebate today and it will pay for 1/2 of it. So, I am ordering it..... I can't wait...

After this project, I am so addicted to the monogramming. My family better sleep with their eyes open. I may just monogram their butts.

Crazy Life

It has been crazy around here. So busy with work.

I made this adorable cake for a friends daughter who was having a birthday party this weekend. She loved it.. It turned out so cute.

I'm making another one for Kenny's girlfriend's birthday.

Family

As some of you know, I was going to be working on a few patterns last weekend so I can put them in my Etsy Shop. One of my New Year's Resolution was to commit more of my time to my sewing.

Well, last weekend one of my brothers had a heart attack. He is doing well but it was a pretty rough week. So, this week, I will be working on finishing up my patterns.

Patty Young's Flora & Fauna

I just love designer Patty Young's fabric and her knewest line ~ Flora & Fauna is no exception. It is bright, beautiful and fun. The most difficult thing is actually bringing myself to cutting this great fabric. It comes in Raspberry, Mustard, Turquoise and Stone. I chose Stone but really love the Raspberry as well. I may have to order some in Raspberry since my local fabric stores do not have it in stock.

Don't you just love it... the pink dots are just regular Michael Miller dot fabric. I love how they work together, don't you?

Score! Beautiful Fabric

I went to Beverly Fabrics on my way home tonight. And I scored big time. I had a 40% off coupon~which normally is not for fabric. But they forgot to print~ Excludes fabric....

And since I buy most of my great fabric there, they let me use it for some brand new fabric that came in.... It is Michael Miller's Daisy Dots.... I love it, love it, love it...

Have some ideas what I am going to use it for however not sure..

Been Busy

Just checking in... Been really busy with work and a sick friend. I am working on a few new patterns. I have them in my head. I just need to get them written down and lots of pictures. I love a small messenger type across the body bag. One that fits your wallet, cell phone and car keys. One of the patterns I am working on is one of these types of bag but I am going to put the handles in differently so it lays flatter against your body then those that just have straps at each side. And I would really love to add a zipper closure but if I make the flap long enough, it really isn't necessary. I love hands-free shopping. Makes everything more enjoyable.





My hubby, Chuck turned the big "50" last weekend. We spent the day in San Francisco. We love playing tourist there. There are so many interesting people.

Happy Birthday, Chuck!