nichol magouirk

Weekend Sewing Projects

I have offiically caught the sewing bug.

I have been collecting fabric for awhile now in the hopes that one of these days I would actually get a chance to use it. Now, that my big classes and projects for the spring are finished I took a little time over the weekend to sew up some projects that I am so excited about!

First up, are these adorable ruffled towels:

The minute I saw these on Sweetwater's Blog HERE I was smitten and waited patiently tapping my foot refreshing nonstop until they had the kits up in their Etsy Store HERE. I bought 3 kits, requesting one of each color because they are just too pretty and summery for words. The original kits are sold out (waiting on the shipment for their newest fabric line, Lucy's Crab Shack, to be in stock but you can pre-order these kits HERE. They come with the towels, twill, fabric and instructions to make these ruffled lovelies! 

And, by the by, I will be buying up as much of this line as I can afford to make all kinds of yummy sewn goodness for our home. This line is perfect, perfect for summer, boys, pretty much anything! You guys know me and color, I love it in my patterned paper and I love it in my fabric. :)

Here they are hanging on my oven handle:

And look how cute they match with my new summery table runner...

I grabbed up THIS kit as fast as possible too. And THIS one as well. Wouldn't it be great for the 4th of July? The one made from Lucy's Crab Shack is sold out but is available for pre-order as well. Or you can pick up the pattern HERE and make it out of whatever fabric you like!

I am thinking coordinating placemats and napkins are in order. I love the look of a table set with placemats and cloth napkins (plus I try to use cloth napkins as much as possible since they are more environmentally friendly and I am usually less than impressed with the offerings in stores. Love making my own!).

One little last thing I started on Saturday...

 

I am using THIS tutorial from the Moda Bake Shop BLOG and pretty much following the directions. I am a huge fan of the Vintage Modern fabric line (okay I am a huge fan of all of the Bonnie & Camille fabric collections and I have quite the stash going!) and I wanted to make a throw and some pillows for our family room using this line. I got most of the front of the quilt pieced together (the excpetion is the 4 white borders) but I ran out of solid white fabric for the borders and the backing so I needed to order more. I have big plans for having my ideas all come together. I'll keep sharing and updating as my little makeover the family room project progresses....

 

***WINNERS of NSD $25 Gift Certificates to Kerri Bradford's Online Store***

Congratulations to:

Rachel Rerko said...

I am going yard saleing and spending time with my kids. I hope that DH will take them for a few hours so that I can do some scrapping!

ReplyMay 04, 2012 at 12:55 PM

melissa said...

This would be great to win!!!

ReplyMay 04, 2012 at 01:12 PM

 

I have emailed you each a gift certificate! Enjoy!

Camera Strap for DSLR

For months I have been wanting to sew a camera strap for my camera but it kept getting shoved to the bottom of the to-do list. As we are getting ready to embark on a little Spring Break adventure, I decided it was time to just do it. I felt like sewing last Friday so I grabbed some of my favorite new fabrics from the Ruby Fat Quarter Bundle by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics. These are my favorite colors and favorite color combo so I thought what better fabrics to use for my camera strap? ;)

Next, I needed a pattern. I probably could have figured this out on my own but I really didn't want to take the time and there are so many talented ladies out there who have shared amazing tutorials for camera straps that I just picked one. THIS was the second tutorial I clicked on and I think I chose it because I love the look of her blog and I loved her camera straps she shared. I am visual. If it's pretty and looks good I am hooked.

And here's the finished camera strap.

It was easy. Which I love.

And quick. Which I love.

I started it late, late morning. Cut everything using my favorite rotary cutter and healing mat to make it easy. For the patchwork, I just eyeballed it. I didn't measure each piece, I just cut random lengths all at 3.75" wide. I went to lunch with my husband. Came home and sewed the patchwork border and sewed the pocket. Ran to the store for fusible fleece and went to school for Kindergarten reading with parents. Picked up my kids, came home and sewed for about 20 minutes. Took the kids to see The Lorax and then finished it in about 20 minutes when I got home. It was a great project for a totally random run-around day! ha.

Arent' these colors yummy?!!!!

It is so soft. Feels good around my neck. So looking forward to vacation now!

Perfect little sewing project if you feel like playing with fabric. :) I see more of these in my future. 

Next on my sewing schedule: window seat cusions and coordinating pillows for my daughter and youngest son's rooms. I'm going to use THIS cushion tutorial. Wish me luck!

 

Kitchen Table Quilt

I finished putting the last few hand stitches in my tabletop quilt this afternoon.

My very first real quilting project.

I dabbled a bit off and on last year but this was my first full-fledged attempt to machine quilt. 

I am hooked.

I have so many ideas swimming around in my head now. Sew much fun.

I still need to wash it to get rid of my little chalk lines I drew to follow when stitching. I have no idea if that is even the right way to do it but I tried to stitch a straight line just eyeballing it and it was so badly crooked that I ripped the stitching all out, grabbed my ruler and chalk pencil and drew lines. :) 

I didn't do any fancy machine quilting, just straight lines. I figured to get my feet wet I didn't want to try anything too advanced. Besides, I am a linear kind of girl so this kind of worked for me. ;)

Payton helped me get a picture of the front of the quilt:

And the back:

I pieced the back of the quilt together with fabric scraps that coordinated. Got this idea from the uber talented, Susan Weinroth. I think it adds some character to the back of a quilted project, don't you? 

This is the pattern I used:

My Simple Kitchen Pattern available at the Fat Quarter Shop HERE.

I am a huge fan of Camille Roskelley's work. Her style and fabric and patterns are right down my alley. Plus her blog is pure eye candy. Check it out HERE.

I used fabrics from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet Collection. I love the bright and vibrant colors in her collection. Perfect to give my kitchen a little color. Makes me long for spring and summer!

This went together really, really quickly. I was surprised by just how easy and quick it was. I will most definitely be sewing (and quilting) again...soon! :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We have been playing the heck out of Harry Potter Clue with the big kids and Dr. Seuss matching with the little guy. Happy times!

Thanks for stopping by. xo

 

My First Crafting Love

Last week I just happened to come across two cross stitched projects I had completed years ago and have never had framed. Insert the loser sign on my forehead here.

The top left project and teddy bears were finished well over 5 years ago and I have never done anything with them. Always meaning to get them framed and never doing it until finally they got shoved in with some fabric and I hadn't seen them in well over a year and a half.

Fast forward to December 2010. Out of the blue I wanted to find these projects and get them framed. I spent hours searching and couldn't find them. I was afraid that I may have accidentally tossed them or put them in with goodwill or something. I was devastated. Hours upon hours of work gone.

Last week I decided that I needed to go through what was left of my cross stitching stash from when I had purged a few years ago. I was surprised to find that I had really only kept the things I honestly still loved and so other than a little tidying up and finding a better home for my small stash of stuff I didn't need to purge anything. But I still couldn't find my two finished projects. I did find this little Autumn Sampler, though. Almost complete except for adding the beads. I had even added the date I had, ahem, completed the project, "2007". Sort of funny, since I never added the beads that would qualify this as a completed project.

On a whim, I decided I wanted to finish it up over the weekend. I had the beads. I had the instructions. I set it aside with plans to start the beading Friday evening.

Then, because I was all over the place last week I decided to reorganize my fabric. Like I needed another project, right? I sat down on the floor in my studio and started pulling out fabric and I literally gasped and squealed with delight when what did I find but my two long lost projects. Seriously. I could not believe it. Happiness, I tell ya. I don't do so well losing things. I rarely ever lose anything for an extended period of time like this and I had almost written my projects off completely.

I spent 2 hours on my Autumn Sampler over the weekend and now it is really finished.

All three projects are being framed and I can not wait to share the finished pieces here. :)

So what is the point to my little story here?

Finding these little treasures got me to thinking about how I sort of shoved all my other interests out of sight, out of mind when paper crafting overtook my life as my favorite hobby. That is a little sad to me as cross stitch and sewing still bring me much, much joy. Don't get me wrong, this blog is all about paper crafting but just to balance out my crafting loves a bit I have made it a goal to cross-stitch one new piece this year for our home and to sew a couple of things too. Besides, playing with pretty floss, fabric and more inspires me so, so much in paper crafting. 

This brings me to some changes I will be making regarding blog posting/shares:

I want to focus more on creating projects and sharing projects and therefore I will be discontinuing the What I'm Using This Week Posts and Videos indefinitely. Unfortunately it takes quite a bit of preparation on my part to get those posts ready. Time that I feel would be better served creating something. I will still be sharing products I love and links for those from time to time but I will not have a set day or video or post for them. I apologize if this disappoints anyone and I hope you all understand.

Good stuff: I feel that with a weekly From Start to Finish video feature on 2peas (and also shared on my blog) plus the Stampin' Fun Friday that two videos a week are plenty. ;) And those weeks that a new Scrapbook Stamping Class goes live you get three videos that week. 

I am hoping by making this small change I will able to fit in more things that I want to do and thus be able to share more. Things such as my Project 365 album and little sewing and crafting projects that I have going on.

Tonight I'll leave you with a little something I started over the weekend.

Remember the fabric from THIS What I'm Using This Week post? Well, it took me months but I am finally sewing a little kitchen table quilt using THIS pattern. I am giddy over it. Hoping to share by this weekend at the latest. :)

Wishing you all a fabulous week! I'll be back to paper crafting tomorrow. :)

Little Camera Case (a sewing project)

While in NYC a few weeks ago with Jennifer and Kelly, somewhat out of necessity (I forgot my camera battery and charger at home....I know, I know...I am a scrapbooker! How this happened is beyond me. I blame it on getting older and becoming more forgetful!) but mostly out of Kelly's enabling, I purchased a new little point and shoot camera to carry in my purse (and to capture some shots of my trip to NYC!). 

Kelly had the cutest little camera, a Canon G11, and I think Jennifer and I both fell in love with it's smaller size and it's ability to capture great images! I love my Canon 30D but not so much for lugging all over the place or in my purse on a daily basis so I have gone to carrying a smaller camera around for those spur of the moment shots. This camera is my new go to camera. Thanks KP! 

Now, I needed something to protect the camera from the other riff raff that resides in my handbag. Kelly had sewn herself the cutest little camera bag from fabric that she uses for hers so I came home and got to working on an idea to sew my own. That girl is such an enabler! In fact, I was there with the two biggest enablers I know but that's a story for another day! ;)

I came up with this cute little quilted camera bag. I sort of resized and tore apart the first one and learned as I went. I wanted it to be fairly snug so that the camera didn't have a lot of room to move. It may not be perfect but it sure does work for what I need it for. The fabric is all by Sweetwater (Authentic Collection) for Moda. I made two. One for me and one for the other girl who got enabled into buying the G11 and who celebrated a birthday recently. Shhh....don't tell her. I just got it shipped to her today!

 

 

I quilted the pieces before stitching the case, just to add a bit of interest and texture. I love that it's a nice neutral black/white on the outside and you open it up to a fun green.

I'll be back tomorrow to share some pic's I've taken with my new little camera and a new card share!

Until then.... night!
 

Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines | June 2010

The June edition of Making the Most of Die Cutting Machines is up at Two Peas, click HERE.

I am super thrilled to share some of my favorite tips and ideas for incorporating the Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine into not only paper crafting projects but home decor and apparel as well!

Take a look:

The Big Shot is my personal favorite of the manual die cutting machines on the market. In fact, my "go-to" die cutting machines are the Silhouette (for an electronic die cutting system) and the Sizzix Big Shot (for manual die cutting with steel rule dies).

The steel rule dies offered from Sizzix really give us so many more options for cutting different mediums for die cutting. Grungeboard, plastic, fabric, felt, etc. I love being able to incorporate die cut items in my home decor and to be able to cut more than just paper. :)

Class Samples:

Die Cutting and embossing Grungeboard:

 

 
 
Die Cutting Grungeboard and cardstock, embossing cardstock with Sizzix embossing folders and using Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders with the Big Shot:

 

 

Using other brands of dies with the Big Shot (Papertrey Ink) and other brands of embossing folders (Cuttlebug) + using Tim Holtz On the Edge Dies:

 

 

Die Cutting felt using Sizzix Steel Rule Dies:

 

 

Die Cutting Felt using other brands of dies (Quickutz):

 

 

Die Cutting Fabric (knit & tulle):

 

For supply lists, pdf handout and more, click HERE. 

Enjoy your Tuesday! 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cosmo Cricket + Silhouette

Good Monday morning!

I attended a Copic Marker certification class yesterday in Kansas City. I came away from the class with a much better understanding of the markers, the numbering system, how to choose colors that work well together and lots and lots and lots of ideas on how to use them to make them most of my investment. And thank you EllenHutson.com because I ordered a bunch of "must have" marker colors this a.m. The air compressor airbrush system is next! ;)

I have received several requests wanting to know what colors of Copics are must have's. I am by no means (at all!) an expert. However, on Friday, I will be sharing some of the tips and tricks I learned at the class on choosing colors and what I like. Plus if everything goes according to plan, I'll share something I stamped and colored. The class opened my eyes to what you really need (don't go buy sets!!!) and I want to pass along that info to all of you. Sound good? 

Next up, the point of today's blog post: 

Cosmo Cricket now has designs in the Silhouette Store!

I can't even begin to tell you how happy this makes me. Cosmo Cricket is one of my very favorite manufacturers, I *heart* their patterned papers so being able to die cut coordinating shapes (at the right size for my project) is perfection. 

Here is the featured layout (from last week) for the Silhouette Blog:

 

(c) Silhouette Blog | February 17, 2010

I used seven Silhouette shapes for my layout. 

FIVE of those are new Cosmo Cricket designs: 

sew_sweet_C00024_26102

 

sewing_machine_silhouette_C00021_26102

 

spice_C00008_26102

 

sugar_C00004_26102

 

spring_circle_flowers_C00006_26102

 
 
 TWO additional Silhouette Designs:

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Shelves_0094
 
 
 

Supplies:

• Farmer's Market Early Bird Paper by Cosmo Cricket
• Ribbon Sandwich Early Bird Paper by Cosmo Cricket
• Maple Nutmeg Cardstock Paper by Como Cricket
• White 12x12 AC Cardstock by American Crafts
• Farm Fresh Image Rub Ons by October Afternoon
• Report Card Label Stickers by October Afternoon
• Abode Sugar & Spice Flair by American Crafts
• Ribbon, Stick Pins (Making Memories)
• Clear Buttons, Photo Turn (CTMH)
• Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Machine
• Thick Media Replacement Cutting Mats by Silhouette
• Corner Chomper Crop-a-dile
• Black 1/4Inch Foam Squares by Herma
• Black 1/2Inch Foam Squares by Herma

The Sugar, Spice and Flowers are all Print & Cut designs. Love that you can resize these to fit your project. The sugar and spice were cut at 1" height and 3/4" height respectively so they appear to be "sitting" on the shelf. The smallest flower die cut from the set was used as an embellishment on the die cut sewing machine (looks like a knob, right?!!?).

The title was created by die cutting the title twice: once from the teal patterned paper and once from the brown. Then I layered them, slightly offset, for a shadowed look and adhered the whole thing using foam adhesive. Simple and easy!

One more thing, that apron my daughter is wearing...I made that for her a couple of weeks ago. It's an adorable Paisley Pincusion pattern. Fabrics were all purchased at Hobby Lobby. She was tickled to have an apron that fits her. :)

Have a great day! 

 

Silhouette Rhinestones (Christmas Decor)

I am so, so, SO excited about Silhouette's newest venture: Rhinestones. To learn all about this amazing new concept check out the Silhouette Blog HERE.

To see the Rhinestone products click HERE.

I just got my rhinestone product late last week and couldn't wait to break it out as soon as I got home from my girlfriends scrapbook retreat! I have been putting off sewing a few Christmas pillow covers and after seeing some of the cute new rhinestone designs I decided to take a break from "work" and dive right into a sewing project. Just the right medicine for a not-so-great-day. 

Here are the Silhouette Rhinestone designs I picked for my pillow:

mistletoe_C00341_2581

 

merry_C20091125002540_20509

 

christmas_phrase_C20091125004913_20509

 

I opened each design in the same window/project in my Silhouette software, using a landscape format so that the longer word would fit. Then I moved the designs until I found a design I liked.

A few notes:

• You can not change the size of the shapes or the rhinestones will not work. Each of the little holes is specifically sized to work with the rhinestones and can not be altered.
• I set up my designs to cut twice (I copied and pasted the design one right on top of the other). This helped my machine cut all the way through the rhinestone template material. I used the pink cutting tip and the "index 90" setting. You don't use a cutting mat with the rhinestone template material.
• I did use three different colors of rhinestones: red, green and clear.  I probably could have covered up part of the design with masking tape but I didn't want to go search for it so I was just careful as to where I dumped them on my design. ;)
• I applied the rhinestones to my pillow cover front and then I sewed the back panels in place. The front panel for my pillow was 14.5" x 14.5". 
• The back panels for my pillow were 14.5" x 12.5". (Cut two of these, fold the long end over twice and sew the seam in place. I created button holes on the back and sewed buttons on. That way I can remove the pillow cover after the Christmas season and put something else in it's place. :)

What the rhinestones look like on the template:

 

After the rhinestones are ironed in place on the pillow cover front (prior to sewing the pillow together):

 
The completed pillow:  

 
This one turned out so well that I'm making another one tonight. This time with cute little trees I think and on red suede fabric (the green on this pillow is suede as well). :)

More fun rhinestone shares coming your way tomorrow!

Have a great evening!

 
 

Fun With Type Fonts Layout + A Sewing Project

I am a week behind but wanted to share my layout for Kelly Purkey's Fun With Type Class from last week. The challenge was to use fonts. 

I used a font I had (Harlow Solid Italic) and cut it out of Kraft Cardstock using my Silhouette to create the background for my layout. A little bit different take on using fonts on a layout.

 

Here's a close-up for the background:

I am addicted to using the same color right on top of each other for subtle texture.

I also used that same font to create my title in Photoshop. I simply opened a digi kit and chose one of the papers and then typed my text right on top and printed it. Easy peasy.

I am also addicted to these little feltie monsters from Sassafras. Love them.

Silhouette designs used:

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thought_bubble_1819

 

Supplies:

Monstrosities Collection Kit by Sassafras Lass 
Monstrosities 12x12 Paper Pad by Sassafras Lass 
Line Up Double Sided Monstrosities Paper by Sassafras Lass 
Mash Double Sided Monstrosities Paper by Sassafras Lass 
Framed Double Sided Monstrosities Paper by Sassafras Lass 
Black 12x12 AC Cardstock by American Crafts 
Kraft Cardstock 
Monster Pal Brads by Sassafras Lass 
Silly Monster Felties by Sassafras Lass 
Tiny, tiny brads by CTMH 
Circle Punches
Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool 
Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz 
Slit Punch by Stampin' Up
DigiKit - So Caught up in You Page Kit by Michelle Underwood 
DigiKit - Curled Photo Frames White by Mary Ann Wise 

I spent the other day sewing. I would love to say I got more than one pillow cover done (as I had planned) but this one took me several hours. I sort of just pieced it together as I went. ;) I will get around to sewing several more pillow covers soon but for now I wanted to share this one:

I used the Sweetwater Authentic Collection Fabrics from Moda for this pillow cover. (It's an 18" pillow)

Here's the back:

 

Having the cover button on/off makes it easy to change it out with seasonal pillow covers or wash it when it inevitably gets dirty. ha!

For the flower I used some Therm O Web Heat N Bond Iron On Adhesive on a strip of fabric and then cut the "flower petals" from it, removed the paper backing and ironed then in place on the front of the pillow. Then I just randomly stitched around the petals to secure them and to add a decorative touch.

The center of the flower is a Prima floral and a MM Vintage button. :) Love being able to incorporate "scrapbooking product" into my sewing projects!

Fleur Danseur Arabesque by Prima Marketing 
Silver Buttons Vintage Findings by Making Memories 

 

I did remove the rhinestones from the Prima Flower. I didn't really like the way they looked with this project and they pulled off easily. :)

Okay, back to work I go! Getting ready for a big birthday party/sleepover tomorrow for my almost 9 year old daughter and then we're going to see Wicked as a family on Sunday. Can't wait!

Sewing Questions + Silhouette Shares

Good morning!

First thing, thank you for all your comments on the die cutting machines. Please keep those requests and comments coming. If you have a response please post it HERE on this post. I really appreciate all the feedback.

Next, some sewing stuff. :)

Yaneri asked: Do you know any blogs that are great with doing projects, especially for beginners! Please let me know! Or if anyone who posts......

Here are a few sewing links/blogs I visit:

Susan Weinroth: she is an amazing scrapbooker and sewer extraordinaire. Love her.

Heather Bailey: love her fabrics and her blog is eye candy.

Sandi Henderson: more amazing fabrics and her blog is full of eye candy as well.

Sweetwater Blog: you know that amazing green/black/cream fabric I shared on that t-shirt project? Well they have a blog. There are some fun sewing projects scattered throughout. I want to try making THIS quilt.

Moda Bake Shop: Some really fun projects posted here too. I've found several things I'm just itching to try. 

Fiskars Craft: There are some cute sewing/quilting projects shared here too.

Rhadonda mentioned youcanmakethis.com. There are some darling projects found here, too!

If anyone wants to share more links or websites let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Sweetwater Authentic Fabric

Robin wanted to know where I purchased my fabric for the t-shirt. I bought mine HERE at the Fat Quarter Shop. It loooks like they are sold out of the fat quarter bundle I purchased but they have several other items. You can also purchase the fat quarter bundle HERE at Hancocks fabric online. And HERE is a link to all the Sweetwater Authentic collection that they carry. You can buy individual fabrics, etc. at Hancocks. I purchased a couple of the jelly rolls to make a quilt. :) I can't wait.

Silhouette Shares:

Seeing how it's almost time for another release (get ready for some spooky and scary designs this coming Thursday!) I thought I had better share some of the rest of my projects from the September 10th release!

How about some Christmas Tags?

These tags were cut with this new Silhoeutte design:

tag_2130

I cut them out of craft paper, stamped them with Versamark ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder. Then I added ribbons, florals and stamped greetings that I embossed as well. I love these tags. I want to make a bunch of them for the upcoming holiday season!

Supplies:

Big Holiday Words Design Block Stamp by Hero Arts 
Stunning Snowflakes Design Block Stamp by Hero Arts 
Holiday Sayings Clear Stamps by Hero Arts 
Large Sentiments Clear Acrylic Stamp Set by American Crafts 
Versamark Ink by Hero Arts 
Zing! White Opaque Embossing Powder by American Crafts 
Zing! Green Metallic Embossing Powder by American Crafts 
Zing! Rouge Opaque Embossing Powder by American Crafts 
Silver Large Brads by American Crafts 
Misteltoe Poinsettia Blossoms by Making Memories 
Winter Mix Flower Shop Blossoms by Making Memories 
Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Machine by Quickutz 
$25 Prepaid Download Card for Silhouette 
Kraft Cardstock 
Baja Blue Ribbon by Stampin' Up 
Green Ribbon by MM 
Red & White Silk Ribbons by Creative Impressions  

Have a fabulous Wednesday!