Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's out there! I hope you all have the day that you deserve : )

Nikki tote

Surprise surprise ... another post, another swap. As I type this, I am actually taking a little break from cutting out a brand new project that is for ME, not for a swap! Of course, I don't have pictures or anything, but I do have pictures of the Nikki tote.

I joined the Goodie Bag Swap, and my partner's mosaic showed lots of bigger bags (totally my style), and I decided to make one for her, one for me!! Choosing the fabric was difficult. I think my partner's taste may be a little brighter than mine. Now don't get me wrong, I like bright, but she seems to like bolder patterns.

I chose the Nikki tote for a couple of different reasons. First of all, I wanted something that would suit both of us. Secondly, I wanted something that I would use more than once! This pattern seemed like a perfect fit.

Anyway, I started with these three fabric choices:



Without giving anything away .. I have to tell you that my partner may or may not have commented on one of them (I don't have any idea if she will read this post, so I have to be careful not to give away the secret).

I ended up with this bag:



The pattern was very simple to follow. The only change I made was to add in an inside zippered pocket. Please excuse the dangling thread that I haven't trimmed yet.



Then, on to the second bag. I went bolder and brighter for this one:



I am super pleased with both to be honest .. and now I just have to decide which one is making the journey to it's new home : )

Hope everyone had a Great Easter!

We had a nice quiet Easter with just our family this year, and it was really nice! I hope you all had a great Easter weekend too.

I have been busy lately, which I suppose is a running trend in my life. I have been sewing, but never as much as I want. What has been taking up more of my time are things that don't really seem all that exciting to share. Taking my daughter to gymnastics, finishing up the hockey season with my son, working. The normal boring everyday stuff.

I do have a few things to share.

I made this hoop travel bag for the Pretty little pouch swap. My partner suggested that this may be something they liked ... so I stuck with that. It is a pattern from the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, and it was really quite easy.





I added a little bit of embroidery, and an initial to the front (which isn't shown here, since it's a secret swap).





We have also started building a new garage .. which equals really muddy messy backyard.



I thought keeping my floors clean was hard before! This takes it to a whole new level.

I also just finished up a bag for the Goodie Bag swap, but I will save that for next time : )

Salvaging mistakes ...

So, remember this?

I decided that I should try and make something with it. I knew that I wouldn't be able to use the whole thing since some of the half squares were really wonky. I used my trusty seam ripper .. and salvaged some mini squares.

I have joined some more swaps (I know I thought that I would be slowing down on these), and one of them was for pouches. So, I thought I would try and make a little pouch to get some practice!





Pretty good right??!!

And since I was on a roll using up some scraps, I started making my potholder for the PP7. This is to go along with the bag that I made. The theme is ``not square``, so hopefully this is going to be something my partner will love.



I used all scraps, and did some random piecing, and finished this top up really fast! Now, I just have to find some insulbrite and finish it up! Some of the scraps came from Kerry (verykerryberry), so I just want to say an extra thanks to her!

Sometimes when you mess up it's better ....

So, I made a bag today. It's a Wrap it up bag, from Penny at Sewtakeahike.

Now, I will start by telling you that this pattern is great! The mistakes are entirely my doing.

For starters, the pattern calls for quilting weight cotton. I didn't use that. I used some Essex Linen, some Echino linen cotton blend, and some canvas. Here is a close up of the Essex and the Canvas.



Originally I was going to use only these two, but at the last minute I thought I should add a little punch of colour.

So the first mistake happened when you have to pull the lining through the handles. It didn't work, probably because the fabric is way heavier than what is supposed to be. I tried really hard to make it work. So hard that I ripped the linen. Like really ripped it. I fixed it by adding a little bit of Echino in the handle instead.



Fun right?? I am soooo glad that I decided to rip it : )Even though I cursed when it happened. I have forgiven myself because of the result.

Next mistake ... the strap that wraps it up?? Well clearly I should have made it longer to account for the thicker fabric. Result?? You have to roll that bag sooooo super tight or else it won't work. Next bag, I will make sure that I make it longer.



Overall, I am super happy with the result!!



I made this bag to swap ... but I don't want to send this one, I want to keep it for myself. So, I guess I will see lots of these in my future!!

Spicing up the Kitchen - Received!!

So .. I received an another awesome package This time it came from Amber!





Poor Amber was soooo worried that it wasn't going to arrive. It took nearly a month to come from the U.S. to Canada. Now, I don't like to complain, but that seems a bit crazy doesn't it? I guess things must be busy in customs these days! We were both really relieved when it arrived, and it was worth the wait!! I am super pleased.

Aside from receiving this great swap - not too much going on in the world of sewing for me.

I started reading this book .. and of course, it's part of a series, and I can't stop! So, I have been reading. A lot. I am on book two of five. Which means I might be in trouble.

I will try and come up for air and drop in for a visit!

Urban home goods swap = Received!

So ... I received my Urban home goods swap!!!! It is pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.



There is a great bag:



A cute pouch:



A great pincushion:



... and a whole bunch of other fun little treats!!

All this is from Nichole! HUGE THANKS!!