Inspiration Challenge 2

This was the inspiration photo and color palette for this week's challenge from

My Life Under The Bus.

Isn't that just the cutest picture?  And the colors are just gorgeous!  This is what I wrote down as

I looked at the picture:

Halloween

Little girl

Cutesy scary

Keyhole

Pumpkin

Blues

There wasn't anything in my stash that inspired me so I headed for the fabric store.  I was really

drawn to the blues in the palette but I just didn't see any fabric that excited me.  I began focusing on the pumpkin color of the keyhole and before I knew it, I had a fat quarter bundle in my hand that was the closest I could come to the palette.  Not what I really had in mind but it would have to do.

Next step was deciding what to make.  I drew a blank here until

the last minute!  I found instructions for a bag that looked interesting and went with it.  After reading through the instructions and getting the general idea, I got started and made it my own.

First I cut a piece of muslin as the base and then tore one inch strips from each of the fat quarters.

I sewed the strips to the muslin and then added additional fabric strips, old and new lace pieces and vintage buttons.  I had fun going through the buttons and finding the different browns and oranges.  I actually found come really cool buttons I didn't know I had!

I sewed up the sides and added the lining.  The instructions called for cording for the strap, which I went and bought later, after I bought the fabric.  Guess what?...it didn't work with the fabric at all!  I didn't want to spend any more money so I decided to cut more strips, sew them end to end and cover the cording.  The nice thing about it was, I could make the seam on the outside and it was okay because of the frayed seams on the bag!

I wanted to do something with the keyhole but I was just drawing a blank.  So I used orange thread for all the stitching since it was going to show.  In the end, I am pleased with how this bag turned out.  This one won't go in the shop but with some tweaking, I might make one that is shop worthy!  The best thing about these challenges is that I'm learning about my personal creative process.  And I've enjoyed it...that's something!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Sunset

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago when we were on our way home from a day trip.  All of the pictures were taken from the car so there are some poles and wires but you can still see the beauty!  The ones of the water were still taken from the car.  We were on the TJ bridge crossing the Patuxent River from Calvert county to St Marys County.  There's something magical about seeing the sun's rays!

I hope you have a beautiful Thursday!!!



The Deer And The Fabric

Michael was on his way home last night when out of nowhere a deer appeared.  There was no time to react and he hit it doing 50 mph.  The damage could have been far worse and I'm just thankful he wasn't hurt. 

On a brighter note, I found the fabric I'm going to use for this weeks challenge

 from My Life Under The Bus.  I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet and time is running out!!!

It's not too late to join in the challenge!  Go here to see the inspiration photo and color palette.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Inspiration Challenge Reveal

I was so excited when Patty at My Life Under The Bus started this challenge.  She gave us this picture and color palette as inspiration to create anything we wanted to! 

I was looking at the picture and took a cue from Patty and wrote down my first thoughts.

Spring

English Garden

Flowers

Sunshine

Strolling

Frames

Victorian

Next, looking at the color palette, I saw fall or autumn more than spring!  Oh no!  Since I had no idea what I was going to make, I started pulling fabric from my stash that worked with the palette.  That's when I found this

It had all the colors plus the flowers and I knew it was the one!  After pulling other fabric to go with it I had to decide what to make.  This is when I realized something new about my creative process.  I tend to use fabric that tells me what it wants to be!   Sometimes I buy it with a particular project in mind but I also buy fabric that I fall in love with.  It will tell me later what it will be!  If you sew, please tell me you know what I'm talking about!!  Anyway, this fabric was saying apron and tote bag.  After going back and forth for half a day, I settled on apron.  I hope you like it!

The upper left corner on the pocket is waiting for a butterfly charm!  The ones I have are too small and the wrong color!  I'm very pleased with how this apron turned out.  Once again I've proved to myself that I CAN be creative given a little inspiration!  Thanks Patty!!!

I think you can find others who completed the challenge on  My Life Under The Bus.



They Make Me Smile

I was going through the pictures I took over the weekend and these made me smile...

Shylee, Annie and the flowers on my dining room table.

In fact, they just plain make me happy!!

What is making you smile today?



Giveaways and Challenges

Whether you are a beginner seamstress or have been at it for years, this giveaway is sure to please!!  Head over to Maureen Cracknell Handmade for a list of all the goodies and a chance to enter to win!!

Maureen is also having a giveaway for those of you who love to knit!  Just look at all the knitting goodness you could win by entering here!

If you're up for an inspiration challenge, go to My Life Under the Bus for details of this awesome weekly challenge.  Patty will provide an inspiration photo and color palette, and it's up to you to decide what to create!  Go on over there and take a look....you know you want to!!!!!

Have a terrific Tuesday!!!

Silent Sunday

Happy Sunday!!!

Blogtoberfest ~ Day 15 ~ Scrabble Addiction

I admit it...I'm addicted to Scrabble.  The only way I can even play it these days is on Facebook with my blog land buddy, Patty, from My Life Under the Bus.  No one else will play with me.  They say it's because I win all the time.  That's not true!  I let them win occasionally!  Here are some fun Scrabble items I found on Etsy.

I Love You Scrabble Note Card by dbPhoto

Scrabble Board Coasters by Avril Loreti

You Rock Scrabble Magnets by Bug Bug Studio

Scrabble Tile Cuff Links by Precious Pastimes

Scrabble Journal by Littleputbooks

Do you Scrabble?

Blogtoberfest ~ Day Fourteen ~ Did I Really Sign Up For This?

Did I really sign up to blog everyday?  Yes.  Yes, I did.  Well, I missed yesterday because I was just so busy the night before I forgot.   Every time I sat down at the computer yesterday,  my mind couldn't focus on much of anything.  In fact, I've been staring at the keyboard for the last two hours and my mind is a blank.

 

I have an index card I keep next to the computer so I can jot down ideas for blog posts as I have them.  The reason for doing this was so I would have something to write about on days like today.  There are 23 ideas on that list and I still can't think of anything to write about! 

Sometimes, we just have to give ourselves permission to take the pressure off and relax. 

I hope you have a relaxed Thursday!!!



My Favorite Son

Some of you may remember reading this two part post where I told the story of having a broken leg while I was pregnant.  The baby I was pregnant with turns 27 years old today!  Sean was a happy little boy full of energy and mischief. 

He loved Ghost Busters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Batman and Sonic the Hedgehog.  When he had to have nine baby teeth pulled by the dentist, he giggled and laughed so hard the dentist couldn't pull his teeth because he was laughing just as hard as Sean.  Nitrous caused the fit of giggles!

When he was 18, he saved his money and bought his first car.  He was so proud of it, and we were proud of him for the discipline he had to save money for it.  Today, Sean is still happy and somewhat mischievious!  He is laid back and easy going and has a fabulous sense of humor.  Dry at times but nonetheless fabulous!  He's one of my favorite people to be around!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN!!!! 

(Aren't you glad I didn't use the naked baby pictures???)