Monogrammed Coffee Sleeve

I love using my own Monogrammed Coffee Sleeve each day. The fabric makes me smile and the fabric is so much more comfortable on my hands then those cardboard ones. I have had so many people ask me about them that I started selling the pattern and will begin selling already made sleeves through my Etsy Shop. That's A Stitch

Here are two I whipped up last night while watching American Idol. I just love this fun bright fabric.  Doesn't it make you smile?

Cute Dish Mat

I have seen a few cute Dish Mats surfing the net and knew I wanted to make myself one of them. I bit the bullet and purchased a Walking Foot for my sewing machine. GEEZ, those are pricey, this one was $80 but worth every penny. My new gadget made this project so easy. You see, the bottom of this mat is a hand towel. And when you use a regular foot on your machine, it is very difficult for the towel to feed through the machine own feed dogs.  And for those of you who have followed my blog, I used my favorite fabric and it goes great in my kitchen. I have brown tile counters.  I just LOVE IT!!!! It is Kaufman Metro Market Apples Green/Brown. I can't get enough of this fabric. My next project is to make some placemats with it. Did I tell you... I LOVE THIS FABRIC!

I used a white hand towel for the bottom so it will be absorbent

This is a picture of it in use.

Reversible Market/Grocery/ Tote Bag

Well, I spent most of the day yesterday sewing and putting together a Reversible Bag Pattern for my Etsy Shop. I love making these bags so much. They are so easy that any beginner can make one but whomever you give it to will think you are a "Rock Star".

I hate those ugly reusable bags you can buy at the store. The fabrics they use are so ugly.  This fabric makes you smile it is so bright and cheerful. I have made quite a few of these bags over the years and made this one for a dear friend of mine.  I'm giving it to her this week, I really hope she likes it.

Monogram Pocket Key Chains

Well, I was able to get a few Monogrammed Pocket Key Chains done this weekend. I just love this project. I got it from FiveStarFonts a while ago.  I have made myself a few of these key chains. This time, I made a few for some friends. I just love how they turned out.  I love them because I can fit my drivers license, debit card, Costco card and some cash into the pocket on the back. I just clip my house and car keys on and away I go. No need for a purse.

I also tried out a new project I bought from DigiStitches. It is a zipper pouch.  It comes in 3 different sizes but I tested it on the 4X4 size.  It turned out really cute. 

I have made purchases from both of these websites and have been really happy with the results and prices. Very easy to follow instructions from both. And if you have any questions, they are always willing to help..

Easy Monogrammed IPhone/ IPod Case

I purchased this Monogrammed IPhone/IPod Case In the Hoop project . Oh my gosh.  I just love it. It was so EASY to make.  The only issue are those pain in the butt snaps. I haven't put them in yet. I want to practice a bit on scraps before I put them on this beautiful case. I have a DroidX, so this case is a little short but I will use for my Ipod Classic.  I purchased the project from Digistitches. They are great.

Just love it... Especially this great green and brown apple fabric. I am going to make some placemats out of it. It makes me smile.

Super Simple Easy Pillows

Tim talked us into gettting rid of his bed and putting a futon in his room.  His cover is plain black.  I told him that I would make him some throw pillows to add some color to the futon. 

First of all, I refuse to pay $15-$20 for pillow forms for a teenagers room that allows his black lab to lay on his bed.  Enough said...  So, I purchased regular bed pillows at Wal-Mart for $2.50 each.  I cut the length down to 20" to make a 20' square. Pulled some of the stuffing out, and sewed it shut... Created my own pillow form  for $2.50 each.  YEAH

I had  purchased some great Marcus Fabric a while ago. I cut 4 20"in squares but I cut them on the fold, so I only had 3 open sides.  I was going to make these an envelope closure on the back but decided, I just wanted something simple, so just made them Easy Pillows. 

With right side together I pinned them along 2 sides and part of 3rd side, I left about a 10" opening between the corners.  So, I sewed down one side, done the 2nd side, and down part of the 3rd side. Started to sew again on the 3rd side to the end.

I trimmed the corners, to make sharp corners. Turned right side out.  I pressed the opening to the inside. This step will help when you stitch closed.  I then worked my pillow form into the opening. Be patient or you will rip your stitches.  After you have the pillow form in, using pins, pin closed with several pins.  I then hand stitched the opening closed. 

Timmy and I love how the turned out and they were so easy to make. And since they were cheap to make, I won't care when I see Pearl, the black lab, laying on them.

Central Coast Wildcat golf shirts

 We have always been a Green & Gold family.  I graduated from MHS and our two older sons graduated there as well.  And now our last one, attends MHS.. So you can imagine that you open any of our closets and Green & Gold is everywhere... Go Dores!

Well, after almost 20 years @ Monterey High School, Chuck has been working at Central Coast High School. The school colors are purple and white.  Do you know how hard it is to find anything Purple in the mens section.. Well, I found a few golf shirts and embroidered Central Coast Wildcats on them.  I love how they turned out.  I just wished they had more shirts.  I could only find 5.  So, that is what I did pretty much all day, embroidered these shirts and watched Chicago lose to Green Bay. So, will it be NY Jets or Steelers joining Green Bay in Dallas for Super Bowl in 2 weeks?  I'm hoping it will be NY Jets...

Well. back to the shirts... how do you like them?