Thanksgiving Dinner

Just the two of us and a turkey for dinner. I am looking forward to a relaxing day of cooking eating and decorating.
We are also working on a load of handmade Christmas presents. I hope they turn out, or I will have to face the crowds of Black Friday shopping.
Today is a catch up day for laundry and the sort. I am also cutting the patterns that we will use tomorrow. If the project is a success I will post pictures of the result.

Project Un-Named

My latest project, is still unnamed. I started it a few days ago, and was in such a sewing frenzy, I made the 4 large blocks, and 3 small blocks in two days time.
The idea came to me as I was chatting on the phone, drawing out quilt patterns on paper. Then suddenly it appeared, the blocks with shadows tumbling down the paper, and it was perfect. The conversation ended, and the process of trying to piece the quilt started. My mind was whizzing, my pencil hardly keeping up, "I got it!" I said aloud, as if talking to a crowd. The only one there now, was the dog. She looked at me with her sad eyes, then rolled over with a sigh.
I grabbed my first color fabric and started cutting, and sewing, and I had a block done in no time. It was perfect. My favorite square I had ever made. Then more were following, I did not want to stop. The quilt is coming together, now I will applique the squares on to the starry night batik fabric that I got today. If only I could come up with a name.

Estate Sales

The other day I went to an Estate Sale, and it was big. There was something to be found in every corner of the warehouse. We took our time, looking and digging for something perfect. Then I heard my name, knowing that meant he had no doubt found something of interest, so I ran to the corner. There on the floor was an opaque projector. I was pretty excited, because if it worked and was cheap, I would no longer have to borrow one, I would have my own. It comes in very handy when working on quilt projects, other projects too. So i scurried over to the desk, to find someone to test the bulb for me. Sure enough it worked, now to find out how much it cost. Back to the desk I ran with my prize in hand. I asked the women at the desk, and she did not know what it was. I explained what it was and what I was doing with it, and she replied "neat, how's five bucks?" I of course said "PERFECT". So now with the opaque projector, I started my project. I was going to take a photograph and project it on the wall so that I could enlarge it and make a quilt from it.
So far so good, I have traced the photograph, and made a second copy to cut out. I sure hope this works. My next step is to cut out the pieces, and pick out the colors of fabrics, based on the original photo. Can't wait to work on it, will post more later.

Project Complete

I DID IT!
I made a messenger bag, and it really looks like one.
From beginning to end this is my design, I drew it out on a brown paper bag from the grocery store, and then put it to the fabric.
The little purple elephant is my second attempt at making a softie. The first softie I tried to make was suppose to be a giraffe, but looks more like a overfed dinosaur. I don't think I will post any pictures of him.
But, I like this elephant alright.

The unveiling of the recycled drapes from the Thrift Store into a newly constructed bag, just in time for Fall.

Thrift Store Finds

I found myself at the Salvation Army this morning, wandering the aisles. I was looking around, when a wonderful fabric jumped out at me. I never looked for fabric here before today, but I now know the error of my ways. This is what I found.

It was in disguise, hanging on the rack in drapery form. It was screeming to be reconstructed into a messenger bag, a headband, purse, belt, anything other than a sad drape.
It was my duty to save this fabric from a life of boredom, and so it goes. I, with my new vintage fabric, left the store bound for the washing machine first then the sewing machine.

I have the headband finished, easy. A simple one inch band with elastic in the back. I will post pictures soon.
Maybe a tutorial if anyone is interested.
My first attempt at a messenger bag will follow, then the belts.