More Wallets...and Chaos

Here is the wallet I made last week for Vanessa. She requested the Bright & Funky wallet with skulls.

Here are the four (of many) wallets I worked on this past week...sending my girls to the in-laws for some serious sewing time! They have since been finished & look oh-so-sassy! I use binder clips to hold everything in place before I slipstitch the bottom closed.

I tried out some of the decorative stitches on my machine...and I LOVE how it turned out with the verigated thread...I see more of this in my future.

I have 3 more (potential) wallets coming out of the black/red/white geometric pieced top that I posted earlier and a few more Asian Inspired & Funky Fresh (bright w/animal print, etc) wallets too. I started on another black/red/white pieced top...they are so fun to put together! I also picked up some cute Michael Miller fabric with mermaids on it...super cute!

With all this sewing going on, my girls aren't getting as much fun mommy time as they are used to...which sometimes causes sudden outbursts of craziness. They had fun having a naked bead throwing party after their bath yesterday...I was on the phone with my dad & they took advantage of my distraction!!!! I just sighed & scampered off to grab my camera...figured I might as well get a picture! I did manage to get Kyra to sweep most of them into a big pile...now THAT was Victorious! lol!

Project Improv

I joined Project Improv at the last minute...last week! I committed to making at least 1 wonky log cabin block for charity & the deadline is April 1st. I really busted my tail to get these done...and it was my first time to top it off! I ended up making 2 for charity & 1 for me. Here is what I learned while making these fun blocks...

1. I need to use THICKER strips as I work to the outside...they were getting sooooo small!
2. It really sucks to over trim...measure twice & cut once...correctly!!!!
3. Minky is not easy to quilt with!
4. I prefer to press the seams open vs. to one side...it just lays so much flatter & nicer!
5. If you sew over pins, you'll hit them eventually (or often if you're me)!
6. I REALLY liked using Mary Ellen's Best Press (clear startch alternative)...makes the fabric nice & crisp & easy to work with.
7. If you iron your raised dots brown minky fabric, you will no longer have raised dots!!!!
8. I get really attached to my work..
9. I really love sewing.
10. I can't wait to do more sewing for charity.

Next time, I think I'll use lots more variety in the thickness of the strips. The minky was harder to work with, but I just LOVE texture and it seemed to work well with my blocks. I think I'll use more courdoroy too...it was very cooperative for me & added that texture that I love.

Block #1

The white is minky, the brown strips on the outside are minky w/raised dots, the brown strips inside are corduroy. I had to add the Michael Miller Hawaiian girl print in each one since I am part Hawaiian! =)

Block #2

Block #3 - This is the one I kept...it's also the one I over trimmed!

P.S. I literally kissed the blocks before I sent them off in the mail...it was hard to let them go but I know they will be put to good use! Find out more about Project Improv here: http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2009/01/project-improv-wont-you-join-me.html