Sewing Swap - What I Made and Received

Hello everyone! Remember when I posted about the sewing swap I was participating in? Well, we have all gotten our assignments, sent off and recieved packages!

I was paired with Jen, and from the survey questions she answered, I found out she likes the colors green, purple and bright pink, and that she loves coffee. Based on this, I wanted to make something with those colors. I also found some coffee fabric in my scrap pile and I thought it would be perfect!

Side 1 of the coffee cozies

So, I decided to make her some coffee cozies. I combined several different tutorials I found because I wanted the cozies to be reversible and have a button closure. Since they are reversible, she has four different choices!

Side 2 of the coffee cozies

The cozies fit a standard size cup from Caribou or Starbucks (they would fit other cups of similiar size too). I bought a small coffee from Caribou just to be sure! It gave me an excuse to buy coffee! They work great and are much more prettier than the cardboard sleeve.

The ugly cardboard sleeve!

I had so much fun sewing for Jennifer and I was so happy to hear she liked the cozies!


The pretty fabric sleeve!

I had so much fun sewing, but I was also very excited to get my own package. I don't get much mail here at college, so I was jumping with excitement when I got an email saying "You got a package." As soon as I could, I went to the front desk of my apartment and picked up my package.

Kevin sewed for me and he did a wonderful job. I am so happy with what I received!!

 

 

It's a little purse/clutch with some of my favorite colors! I love turquoise and green. The outside fabric is not cotton - it is heavier than cotton, but not as heavy as home decor fabric. I'm not sure what type of fabric it is, but I really like it. The lining is black felt.

It is the perfect size to carry with me when I only want to bring a few things and leave my larger purse at home.

 It has a very pretty button on it with a closure. When I opened the bag, I found another surprise inside:

 A felt tissue holder! It will be perfect to have when I'm at class or out and about. I will have a place to put my tissues and I will know where to find them! I love the flower details on it too!

 

Thank you so much, Kevin!! I will be using these a lot.

 

~Elizabeth

A Sewing Swap!

Hi Everyone!

This is just a quick post to tell you about a sewing swap. Ashley from the Little Willow Tree is hosting a sewing swap. You can find more information about it here or by clicking the button on my sidebar.

It sounds like a lot of fun, so I hope you'll join me and everyone else participating! You have until September 9th to sign up!



~Elizabeth

A Scrap Map and An Idea

Last year, I came across this tutorial from See Kate Sew. It was a scrap map and I wanted to make it immediately. What seamstress doesn't have scraps? Who wouldn't want a map made out of fabric? It took awhile, but I finally finished it.

 

 

The project requires a printed map, scraps, heat and bond, an iron, a piece of muslin for the background, and sewing machine. You cut fabric scraps and heat and bond pieces big enough to cut the state out. You cut each state out, fuse them onto the muslin and then topstitch around each piece.

 

The topstitching was definitely the most difficult, especially around the smaller states. I used mostly cotton scraps. However, I used a piece of flannel for Minnesota because it's cold here. I used a piece of fleece for Alaska because it's really cold there.

 

All in all, it was a very fun project! Maybe I'll make another one someday. I have more than enough scraps!

 

 

 

Tonight I had the most wonderful idea after talking to my friend! She wants to start a knitting club at her college and that got me thinking...I could start a sewing club at my college!! People tell me all the time that the wish they knew how to sew. Sewing is my passion and I would love to share it with others! We could have "learn to sew" meetings.

I thought it would be great to incorporate community service projects. Hospitals always need blankets! I have made some dresses for "Little Dresses for Africa," so that could be an option. I'm excited just thinking about it!

Do you have any ideas for me? I think it would be a wonderful opportunity, but I would love to hear any suggestions!


~Elizabeth

New Baby Sister, County Fair and School

Where did this month go? August just flew by. I have projects to share with you, but I have been very busy!

A couple weeks ago, we had our county fair. That was a lot of fun and bittersweet because this is my last county fair as a 4-H member. However, I am excited because I am bring my dress to the state fair! I have not been there for a few years and I think it's a great way to end my last 4-H year!

One week ago, my baby sister was born! She is so adorable and I love her a lot! She is number nine in my family. Now there are six boys and three girls. She has a head full of black hair too.

Aww, so sweet!

haha!

 

This week has been busy too. I moved back to college for my sophomore year. It is nice to be back, but I miss home, especially my baby sister!!! I will be going home a lot this year. I'm excited for my classes though. So far they haven't been too much work. My fun class is Ballroom Dance. It will be interesting since I have never danced, but I think it will be fun too! My hardest class will be Chemistry, but it's required for my major, so I'll make it through!

So that's what I've been up to lately. I have been sewing in between everything too, so I'll show you what I've been working on soon!

Have a wonderful night!


~Elizabeth

19 things before 20

Last week, I turned 19 years old. Where does time go? I had a wonderful day spent with my family. We walked around our town's czech festival and I enjoyed some frozen yogurt with my mom.

My mom made an amazing Triple Chocolate Cake. Doesn't it look delicious? I blew all 19 candles out in one try. We had mint ice cream to go with it.

My little sister is learning to sew. She made me a pillowcase with horses on it for my birthday. She is such a sweet sister! My 11 year old brother made me a card with 19 pennies on it in the shape of the number 19. It was so cool! I also got 19 pennies from my 7 year old brother.

My parents gave me a necklace and earring set, a pattern for a dress and some fabric.

Here's a picture of my birthday outfit:

The top is the Diane Kimono Dress pattern, from Serendipity Studio cut in tunic length. It is so comfortable to wear and it was easy to make! There is no zipper, it just slips right over your head. It is a perfect project for seamstresses of all sewing levels.

Once on a blog I saw a list of things to do before their next birthday. I was inspired, so here's my "19 things before 20" list:

19 things before 20

1.      Apply and be accepted to the Nursing Program at my school.

2.      Keep blogging consistently and write a tutorial.

3.      Run a half marathon.

4.      Take my siblings on a camping trip.

5.      Hike up the bluffs by my college.

6.      Sew another dress.

7.      Make an entire meal for my family.  

8.      Have a sewing party with friends from college.

9.      Wake up early and run before sunrise.

10.  Don’t complain about anything for a week.

11.  Learn how to Ballroom Dance.

12.  Go without junk food for a whole week.

13.  Learn a new song on my violin.

14.  See “The Hobbit” in 3D.

15.  Go kayaking.

16.  Have a roommate dinner night.

17.  Sew something for each of my roommates.

18.  Spend a whole day with my little sister.  

19.  Vote in a presidential election.

~Elizabeth

Wallets and Cute Little Brothers!

A few weeks ago, I went to visit my aunt and uncle. It has been a tradition every summer for the past five years now. Every year we do something a little different, but we always have a lot of fun!! My uncle cooks the best food when I'm there too. This year, we sewed some cute little wallets.

Here's mine:

I have been using my wallet a lot! It is just the right size for your phone, keys, money, credit cards, a pen and small notepad, and whatever else you want to bring for quick trips to the grocery store.

The above picture shows the best part of the wallet! The back pocket snaps shut. Do you know how? A metal tape measure! I think it is such a neat idea!

The pattern is called "Keep the Change," by the Stitchin' Sisters. It is a quick project too. It took my aunt and I about 4 hours. I have made more now, and each time I make one it is faster.

I came home from my visit, and my almost 4 year old brother saw my wallet. "I want one!" he said. His cuteness was too hard to resist and he kept asking for one. I had the perfect fabric in mind - Thomas the Train. He got his wallet and he is one happy little boy!

Although the wallet is small, it is very durable. Each piece, except the handle has interfacing in it.

The wallet is made using two fabrics - outside and lining. The lining is also used for the back pocket.

Isn't he adorable? Look how happy and cute he is! I even got a hug for making a wallet for him.

~Elizabeth

A Busy, but Wonderful Week!

So much has happened this week!! Thank you to everyone who commented on my dress! You all left such sweet comments! I linked my dress up to Sugar Bee Crafts for Take a look Tuesday and I found out I was featured!! I was shocked. I never imagined being featured on there.

Thanks for making my day!

I mentioned I would be entering my dress in the fair. Judging was Tuesday for Clothing and Quilting projects. There are two parts to judging. For construction they judge how well you made it. For Fashion Revue they judge how it looks on you and you model your outfit. I got a blue ribbon that afternoon, but we had to come back later for the public fashion revue where you model your outfit for an audience and find out if you won any other awards.

Modeling my outfit for the public fashion revue

My adorable sister modeling her outfit in her first fashion revue!

I won Senior Division Grand Champion and Overall Grand Champion for Construction. The judge really liked it when I talked to her; she said it reminded her of a dress she wore when she was a little girl. I won Senior Division Grand Champion and Overall Reserve Champion for Fashion Revue. I was so happy and shocked and excited!!! I have never won any ribbons higher than a blue for my clothing projects. This is my last year in 4-H, so I am very happy. I am going out with a bang! I hope to go to state fair for either construction or fashion revue.

Awards

On Wednesday, I took my state test to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. The written test wasn't hard and was only 70 multiple-choice questions. The clinical part was harder. You had to perform five skills in front of a tester. You had to be careful to remember little things like providing privacy and washing hands or you could lose points. I had to do washing hands, taking pulse, help feed my partner, do passive range of motion, and give a partial bed bath. Guess what? I PASSED!!!!!!!!!! I was so happy!!

On Thursday, I could finally relax. I just got back today from spending three days at my aunt and uncle's house. I had a great time. We sewed, went to a bluegrass outdoor concert, the farmer's market, we went running, had good food and a lot of fun! I will be posting about some of our sewing projects soon. They were small, but turned out so cute!

That's my busy week in a (large) nutshell. What did you do this week?

~Elizabeth