Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness!! This has been quite a few past months.  I have been so busy with school that I have barely had any time for much else.  I am so glad the semester is over, and I have a few weeks break before going back.

Let me just say how I have MISSED you all and blogging. I didn't expect to stray away for so long.  Unfortunately, to cram as much school work in as possible I have to be a tad bit more disciplined toward it.

Are you all ready for Christmas? I can't believe that it is almost here.  Seriously, only a day away!! I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

So I have been working a few items for after the holidays.  I didn't get it ready in time for Christmas, but I think this break between semesters is a great time to catch up on my designing and sewing.  My sewing mood changes a little too quite frequently and honestly it drives me nuts and so I have to do things when the mood strikes me.  So lately I have been dabbling in all sorts of things.  But the most recent endeavors has included lots and lots of felt....

Where Have I Been + Free Printable

Hi, lovelies!  Oh my!!! It's been such an awfully long time since I've had time to blog.  I've wanted to, trust me.  I started back classes this fall at Auburn University after being out of school for 2 long years, and boy! is it an adjustment.  This college is so much bigger than the one I attended last.  With that being said, I haven't had much time to really do anything that I like concerning crafting or blogging because I'm usually always studying.


I have a textile class that I am in love with.  I had a project in there that dealt with making a swatch kit, and it got me to thinking about fabric organization (and how I really need to do some!)  Then I thought about how for years I had been wanting to do a fabric organization binder myself.  Obviously, I never got around to it.  Anyway, I sat down and created a fabric swatch sheet printable and I wanted to offer it.  It's away to say that I'm sorry that I've been gone for so long and that I really do miss you!!

It's nothing very special, and I'm sure there are tons out there that look much better than what I can offer.  However, this is something that I've really been wanting to do, and so here it is!

It features three places for swatches with fields like Fabric/Design Name, Content, Amount, and Notes.  The swatch square is approximately 2" by 2".  There is also an "Ideas" section at the bottom, in case you like to group together fabrics that are similar in colors or styles.

Download the pdf file here.  Simply print it on regular paper or cardstock, attach either a scrap of fabric or a photo of the fabric, and add your info.

I hope you enjoy! Let me know if this works for you. And...please send pictures if you use it to lani5287@yahoo.com.  Hopefully I won't be gone too long again!!!

A Few Bad Habits to Break

Because I have been sewing a lot of garments for little miss and for myself lately (more on those later), I started thinking about some improper habits I have created out of mostly laziness and impatience but also out of limited time and materials.

Here's my effort to ward you away from making these same terrible mistakes.  These are in no particular order.

Today...

I'm just dropping in to give you a glimpse of what I have planned today.  Not really a whole lot, but I am starting to tackle my horde of vintage sheets.  I'm finally going through the ones that I have at my home.  I still need to get the tons more that I left at my parents' house. Bleh! I hate trying to decide which ones I want to keep versus what I don't.  I have to keep reminding myself that I don't want my child(ren) to talk about me, though, if they have to have an estate sale after I'm dead.  It's better to purge now than then I suppose.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Oh My! Where Have I Been?

     I have truly missed you guys something awful! I hadn't realized that it has been months since I've sat down and blogged. But I suppose it has. I didn't mean to go this long; honestly I didn't.  I have been busy with volunteering, kindergarten, custom orders, and trying to get myself back into school.  If you follow me on Instagram, then you have seen the custom orders and things that I have been making my way around. Not even including the barrage of emails I've encountered.  But enough of this stuff! How have you been my darlings?!?  I hope great.

     I've been working on phone clutches lately, and I'm really into them actually.  I've had requests for monogrammed clutches.  To tell you the truth, I didn't even think about it until a client of mine asked for it.  So those options will be in the shop shortly.  Here are some for example.

     A couple of weeks ago I made a fabric purchase from Fabric Shack.  I very rarely purchase designer fabrics online.  I'm not sure why.  I think it's because I'm a very tactile, visual person.  I generally have to have things in my hand and see the true color of it to get my gears turning.  Well, I decided to check on the website anyway in their sale-a-bration section and found some really darling fabrics for a really good price and not to mention the half price shipping they offer!

     I ended up with a bunch of new fabrics that I am in love with.  One of the perks I'm noticing about shopping online for fabric is not only the vast variety (er, duh!) but the availability of stock and the prices are much cheaper than my local quilt shop.  Because I live in a sort of small city, it takes awhile for trends to catch on out our shop; and when they finally do come in they tend to be very expensive there.  Also it's hard to get a plethora of variety at our Singer shop, and I'm not the one to make special orders or requests for fabric.  I definitely will be purchasing more designer fabrics online from here on out, especially from Fabric Shack.  That bundle only cost me $3 to ship.

     I was in dire need of updated business/contact cards for my public outings and such.  Besides that, my tastes have changed.  So I sat down and created these fun, little jobs and printed them at home.  I used some kraft cardstock that I had purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I really like the look of anything natural like kraft paper and natural linen.  I paired it with social media icons in Pantone's color of the year Emerald (which also is my birthstone. Today is my birthday. Yay!); I think natural colors and blues work so well together.  That combination always makes me happy!

    

     I have more to show and tell but I have some photo editing to do before I can post.  And let me send my deepest apologies for these horrible phone photos (the pictures are from Instagram) and being gone for so long.  I promise to try to be back soon, mmkay?!

Err.., Happy New Year!

Hi gang! It's been a little space of time. I have been meaning to blog more frequently over this past month, but you know how the holidays can be.  All that's important is that we are here now! So how has 2013 been for you so far? I hope great.

I have been busy. If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen the bags and drawings that I have been working on.  I have started on some hand-lettered scripture drawings that correlate with my daily devotions.

Psalm 16:10

Psalm 91:2

2 Corinthians 12:9

John 14:6

Matthew 6:33

Hebrews 13:5

Hebrews 11:1

Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping this journal helps me in many ways: 1) helps break down the scripture in my words, 2) helps me get a better understanding of the Word, 3) helps me remember what I read, 4) reiterates God's love for me, 5) pushes my creativity, and 6) helps spread the message to others (since I post them on Instagram.) They also help to calm my spirit; I notice after I feel stressed out, I immediately want to read the Bible and do some hand-lettering.

I have also been sewing some, mostly bags though I do have some clothing wips. I have to be in the mood for clothes-making. And since I am one that hates trying on clothing, I oftentimes save clothes for the very last.

outside

inside

I made a faux leather and vintage canvas clutch. I got the idea from a good friend of mine, who said that she wanted me to make her an envelope clutch.  This was a prototype for what I'm going to make her. She wants a large one, and this little baby here would probably only hold a wallet, phone, keys, and some other small items (not that you would ever need room for much more.)  I added a little zippered inside pocket just to hold some other little items that might need to be protected.  I also attached a snap closure.  I rarely add magnetic snaps to bags because I have a fear of magnets erasing all the data out of any of my electronic devices, and we just can't have that type of chaos happen.

 

                                    

This little box bag is for my swap partner on swap-bot.  I believe it is for Sew a Pouch swap.  I lined it with a sunshine yellow and white zigzag fabric and quilted it with the same zigzag pattern.  It has a reversible zipper on it.  I just love these colors and fabrics together. I sure hope my partner can use it.

I've been working on some phone clutches as well. This idea stemmed from a phone holder that I saw at Target that really piqued my interest.  So I sought out a plan of attack to execute this design I had brewing in my head.  This is something that I needed a long time ago because I hate having my phone in places that aren't easily accessible (i.e. zipped up in a purse some place.)  It fits down in the outer pocket and is held in tact by a snap fastener while your essentials fit into the zippered compartment and your keys attach to the key fob/handle.  I have more prints and colors coming up that will be available soon.

Speaking of clothing, I made my junior some pajamas to match the vintage sheet pajamas I made for myself. I used the same pattern but a different colorway.  I also stitched some pockets onto pocket-less American Apparel tees using the pajama fabric and embroidered our monograms onto them.



Lastly, I'm going to show you guys some artwork that I did years ago.  I'm trying to get back into sketching and drawing because my mom has said if I don't use it, I'll surely lose it.  Besides I really want to do a portrait of my daughter soon.

pencil

charcoal

pen and ink (pointilism)

painting (watercolor)

Oh yeah! Side note:  Whilst perusing instagram for fabric ideas, I came across a lovely photo of jersey fabric some had taken.  Her caption had mentioned that she had picked up the four fabrics from her Wal-Mart for a buck a yard.  Since my Wal-Mart still carries fabric, I made it an immediate point to head to it as soon as possible, which was early the next morning. (BTW I rarely even step foot into Wal-Mart.  I only make the trip about once, maybe twice, a year and it's only for fabric on top of that.)

                                     
I brought home 9 yards of 7 fabrics for 12 dollars total. All but one of the fabrics were $1 per yard.  Only the jersey with hearts on it was $2 a yard.  The blue and orange striped fabric on the end is the same as a fabric at Hobby Lobby that is $7.99 a yard.  As much as I abhor Wal-Mart, I will go in there for the jersey fabric especially when I'm running low on it.

Procrastination Station

I signed myself up for a crafty show about a month ago.  It's next Thursday.  Out of all this time that I had, I decided to start making things last week.  I know; for shame! Well I'm just trying to move along, and I have tons of things to make. Luckily for my embroidery machine, I can whip out tons of little things without much of an issue. I have just been extremely unmotivated about life.  Good thing I keep up with reading my daily devotion or I'd be completely lost. I have managed to pump out some wallets and some infinity scarves however.

I decided to use the assembly line process in cutting my fabrics.  Once I established a rhythm, everything went smoothly.  After cutting all the fabrics and stabilizers, I went through my zipper container and found coordinating zippers for each wallet.  Sewing only took a few minutes after all the organizing had been done. I see why people do it this way; it's overall way better.

I also decided to make myself a new clutch and keychain wallet.  I used some chevron and ikat print duckcloth that I purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I was just trying out something for the clutch.  I must say I like it.  Especially the pleats and the the snap.  It's small yet very roomy.

My daughter had Thanksgiving lunch at school.  I decided to doll myself up and head out. I look like I'm about to cry.  I think I had gotten choked up before taking this picture and my eyes were still teary.

After lunch with my daughter, a friend of mine called me up so we could go thrifting and found this print.  We thought it was beautiful, one of the best optical illusions I have seen in a long while.  I think the caption read "Beauty is Vanity."  But at an alarming $26 there was no way that was coming home with me.

I have been craving a shift dress lately.  I found this vintage printed jersey thrifting a couple of weeks ago so I decided to use it.  The name of the print is "Chevrons" by some designer.  The name escapes me right now.  It has an amazing herringbone print with polka dots floating about throughout it.

I didn't want anything to spectacular, just a little slip-on number.  This satisfied my hunger.  Now all I need is to get some opaque tights to toss on under here.

 This is me with all of my exhaustion.  (I have new neighbors that have only been here about 2 weeks now, and they have succeeded in keeping me away night and day.  They have an infant/toddler that is constantly crying, and they refuse to go to its rescue at anytime during its many bawl fits.)  That noise on top of my strain of getting this craft show stuff done has worn me completely down.

UGH!

Can I Be Honest With You.....Reallly?

This is so out of my comfort zone, but I have to get my emotions out. I hope some of you will lend a listening ear to me for a second. Here goes:

I feel so small lately. I feel incapable and inadequate. I have had a rough week and by no means am I trying to complain. I am merely stating the facts.  I feel angry and alone, mostly because of the problems that I am having to deal with and the feeling that no one empathizes with me.

It all started awhile ago when I began loathing my job. Not so much my job as much as the way the private business was ran. I felt like I was getting the short end of the stick and that the owners did not appreciate me as a worker. So I began looking for another job. I have been searching for another job for months with no avail. This is the hard part for me: after I have been at that place for well over two years, I was fired. for. no. reason. at. all. I knew the owners didn't like me; they didn't like me from the moment I walked into the door. That is totally fine with me. I wasn't thrilled about them either. The reason that they didn't like me was for the fact that I am not one that takes beatings lying down. I spoke my mind openly when approached and didn't allow anyone to run over me. My "boss" was one of the types that ran an establishment in fear. I do not respond well to things of that nature. I do believe you should choose your battles, but I also believe that you should not allow anyone to step all over your toes.

So mostly I feel hurt, disgusted, angry, betrayed and unappreciated for my great work ethic.  I have been battling with my emotions all week.

Earlier this week late one night, I whispered to myself, "Lord, I am tired." When I awoke the following morning and read my daily devotional, God responded with Matthew 11:28-29, stating, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  All I could do was cry. God has been plainly answering and talking to me this whole time, and my ears were stuffed.

I complained about the unfair treatment I was getting at the sour place.  I started getting anxious because I was anticipating something but wasn't sure what. I shared with my mom these feelings, and she said to me "You better get ready because something is coming, then." I told one of my coworkers one day that my days were numbered there. I had no idea, whatsoever, was going to happen, but God put those words into my mind and my mouth. God truly was preparing me for something bigger than me.  That place was a wonderful experience, but it disagreed with my being, my spirit, and my morality.  I am trying to look at as a blessing and not a curse.

I noticed that every day this week my devotion was speaking straight to my sinking heart. Wednesday I was told, "'Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I willnow arise,' says the Lord. 'I will protect them from those who malign them.(Psalm 12:5)'" This came in particular handy because I have been an actual verbal battle with my previous employers for part of this week.  They went so far as to take screenshots of my private Facebook profile and email to my former coworkers attaching a warning to it and forbidding them to speak to me.  Now I don't know about you guys but private means private for a reason. And as I explained to my coworkers who felt the need to share this with me, my business is my business; my FB profile is mine; and I shall share whatever it is that I please.  It is not my fault that the owner's wife decided that she was going to stalk me and misconstrue the profile picture that I had set.

To me it was entirely to trivial, especially coming from a person that I no longer spoke to the entire time that I worked there and no longer worked for at all now.

Whew!!! I am starting to feel so much better. I think this little breather has helped me see that God will do just what He says that He will. He will never leave His children's side, as I will never leave my daughter's. I just have to fully trust Him, love Him, and praise Him at all times because He is beyond worthy.

Thank you guys for listening to my broken heart ache. I am greatly appreciative of everyone of you!!!