Reflections and Predictions

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Sewing Industry Reflections + Predictions ~ What do YOU think?


Looking back at the 2011 sewing scene, what trends stand out in your mind?
Needle work, hand quilting and playing with threads on applique.  I love the unique handmade charm it adds, and  gets rid of that cookie-cutter look in some projects.

What were some of your favorite things related to sewing this past year?
Color, Color, Color, I have been inspired this year by the reds and aquas and  the crispness of white.



What did you make that you’re most proud of? (Share a photo in your post!)
This modern baby quilt modern baby quilt that I designed and made for my nephew. and this map quilt that I am working on. 

Modern Baby Quilt

Map Quilt (in progress)

What sewn projects have you seen this year that you absolutely love? I love that people are incorporating more recycled things into there project. Re-cycled T-shirts for one!


Do you have a favorite sewing book or pattern from the past year to recommend?
I picked up a few issues of Mollie Makes and absolutely loved them. I also think Scandinavian Stitches Scandinavian-Stitches is inspiring.

Are there any trends you’re over and done with?
Mug Rugs. Sadly. I made some this year and enjoyed it, but I'm ready to move on.

What are your thoughts about social media? How is it going for you? What do you love or hate?
I love it! Facebook, Pinterest, Blogland. I find it helpful on a personal level to stay in touch with friends and family. On a creative level it challenges/inspires me, I am also humbled by all of the talent out there.

Did you have a favorite fabric collection or print in 2011?
I woud have to say Alexander Henry's  Farmdale Crossing

What do you predict for 2012 in the sewing industry?
Yikes, I don't have a clue.

Can you tell us what to expect from you in 2012? Any big projects or life-changing goals?
I am going to challenge myself to participate more in blogland activities. I'd like to get into an I Spy Swap, or quilt-a-long, step out of my comfort  zone.

Zippered Laptop Sleeve

I found this tutorial over at Crap I've Made .

 Not only am I afraid of zippers, but the idea

 of concealing both sides of a

 zipper on corners! no less was unthinkable.

This nice little tute led me through just fine

(although there is one part where I believe

 I was sewing blind!)

The end result was worth it, I do like the

 tidy-ness of the zipper over the envelope

 cases I made here , here and here 

Sewing Buddy

Meet my new sewing buddy!

The Hemostat!!!!

Dear Whom-ever reads my blog,

If you walk away with only one bit of info let it be that these are the most amazing things ever.

                                Love, Me 

Trying to stitch up that softy? hemostat

Trying to turn that long strip inside out? hemostat

Fabric to thick to pull that needle through? hemostat

I could go on...............

Anyways, THANK-YOU to my Good friend B

for giving them to me for Christmas :)

Angry Birds

 I found this great Angry Birds Tutorial over at Obsessively Stitching!

My hubby (mr.incredible) plays Angry Birds all the time,

on his computer and phone. The bonus is he has a dog .

So I figured they could play Angry Birds together.

(note the slobber in the post-played-with-pics?) 

 and that took care of two presents in one.

I tweeked the beeks a little,

 I liked them shorter and thicker than the

one on the pattern, but they were easy to make.

Taggies

Taggies for my nephews for Christmas

these were very easy to make and 

I had fun playing with all that ribbon.

they are  the size of a very large pot holder.

I need to make more of these from scraps to have

on hand for little ones

T-Shirt Scarf 2

 They say that necessity is the mother of invention.

so true.

I was more than willing to pay for a black and white scarf,

but I could not find one exactley like my daughter had in mind.

enter thrifted t-shirts

and yet another reason for me to hoard them.

( a fancier t-shirt scarf here. )



Giveaway Winner

                   

Thank you all for your comments, and participating in the SewMamaSew giveaway. I am still trying  to check out all of your fabulous blogs.

So....... this little guy is getting ready to travel

 

All the way to Virginia to be with commenter # 109

sarcasticquilter

Its been alot of fun participating, I think I had more fun hosting a giveaway than winning one!
now it's time to get back to work
 I am off to finish more Christmas presents
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
~Kelly

Give-A-Way Day!

SewMamaSew

 

Hello, Bloghoppers! Glad you stopped by

I thought I would join the fun this year

and give one of these hedgehog pincushions away.

I know your all in a hurry to get to all that fabulous crafyness out there

So I am going to keep this simple:

(The winner will get this little hedgehog AND the package of pins in the picture.)

All you have to do is leave me a comment saying where you are from

I would love to see how far or near you all come from.

I'll Start :) 

I am from Western New York, USA

Rules:

1.  I will leave my giveaway open until December 16 at 5 p.m. PST.
2.  I will ship internationally!
3.  Winner will be chosen randomly from a hat. Low tech I know ;)
4. You must leave a comment (where you are from)
5. I will contact the winner by e-mail by December 18th.  and ship the item by December 24th



Coming Soon!

SewMamaSew Give-a-Way!

Here is the date for SMS give away.

And I am going to be joining in the fun this time!

 They will be leaving it open for a week

Which means I will have alot of time to cozy up 

with my slippers and coffee and drool over 

all that creativity out there in blogland :) 

Picture and info on what I will be giving away coming soon

Hedgehog Pincushion

 I know this is not an original idea.

this prickley lil' guy is

 ALL over the web

in felt and fabric!

 This is my version and he is oooh so cute!

I made a nifty little pattern that

I was going to scan and post

BUT I have been to lazy to do.

 So if anyone is interested your just

going to have to leave a comment

 and beg me to post the pattern :)

I should have posted this sooner
I cannot remember how I put it all together
but an advanced sewer could probably figure it out
if I can be of any help just leave a comment.
Feel free to use any of my ideas/patterns as
you wish, My Blog is here as an encouragement
for others sewers.

Chicken Wire Bulliten Board

I got this idea from Pinterest.
Chicken wire+oldwood+homedecor= My style
Never been to Pinterest?
DO.NOT.GO.THERE.
you will be sucked into its vortex of ....of everything.
don't say I didnt warn you.

Crate Covers

Here is proof that I did get something done this summer.

I found this crate cover tute over at lauragunn.typepad.com

Genius!

I went to the thrift store and bought old white bed sheets



and made LOTS!
this should take care of the wayward shoes in the back room

Signs

I made this sign back in the spring.

I thought I would try out freezer paper stencils.

but freezer paper stencils and painted wood are not very good friends.

So I scrapped that idea

and did it he old fashioned way.

kind of like paint by number.

Creative Pillowcase

So. My 14 year old came up to me the other day.

And asked if I had any extra pillowcases.

(it just so happens that I had a like new thrifted one)

score 1 for me.

She cut off the corners and made ears

then embroidered a kitty face on it!

score 1 for her.

Gray Quilt

Finished.

and just in time

A certian young man arrives home today.
and I thought this would be a nice surprise.

Quilt Top

Finished. One quilt top

for child #2's dorm room.

Re-Do Reveal

Here it is...

Before
After
Before
After
Before
After

Inspiration

Yes.I.Did.

I bought the first issue of Mollie Makes .

(There are exceptions to my cheap and thrifty rules.)

and Yes, that is a yard of Alexander Henry's Farmdale Fabric

Child #2 has graduated and will be leaving the nest. Leaving in his wake,

a spare room in the house.

LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN.

Spare room?

Spare room?

Spare room!

No, I will not make the spare room a shrine to my son's life,

sorry that shrine is in my heart.

and THIS room is getting a re-do
My Way :)

stay tuned.

Grandpa Pants

You know what I'm talking about!? The kind of mens jeans that are stiff and plain AND just begging for someone to stuff a hanky in them? Where the back pockets are spaced so far apart you could park a Hummer?

Yes, those jeans.

Well, to get to the point.

I've always wanted to try moving the pockets on a pair of jeans

(serious bucket list stuff here)

anyhoo

Enter:free-jeans-my-size-I'm-cheap-I-know

I ripped off the pockets and the small "roebucks" tag.

( a girl has to have some standard ya know)

And sewed on this cute bit of ribbon.

I grabbed a pair of my favorite jeans,

with pockets in just the right spot to use as a guide.

and stitched them right back on again.
only now there's no parking space!

Book Bag

Child # 3 was in desperate need of a new book bag for school.

She picked this delicious fabric from JoAnn's.
We mixed some old with some new
and for $3.00 she has a fabulous bag.

I used the shopping bag pattern from the Green Bag Lady
and added a lining and a flap.

Mother's Day

I did simple for Mother's Day this year.

Mug Rug's and Coasters.

She really deserve's a standing ovation.

but this this will have to do.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Quick Photobooth

I've been struggling to get good pictures from my camera. As blogland grows I see better quality pictures out there. You know the ones I'm talking about, where you can see every detail of the fabric- the grain-the stitches- the loveliness. I'm really not one to keep up with the Jones's. BUT, I do like a little stitchy eye-candy once in a while.

More than once I've seen someone make a photobooth out of a cardboard box, which is great except for the fact that you have to have a place to store the box when your not using it. So I decided to give this a try.

isn't this a delicious picture!

all I did was lay some posterboard around the bottom and back of my basket. Draped white fabric over the top to soften/even out the light and a little aroung the bottom. Ideally it should have a light/lamp on the sides too for a better pic. But I'm not complaining.

aren't these little peepers darling!