My Way

I saw this idea and I loved it! It's called "Kitchen Sink Bunting" and I knew I had to make one. Here's the link to the tutorial, http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitchen-sink-bunting.html. Here are some pics of my version. I also included some pieces of ribbon and some selvages. I plan to make several more of these babies and string them across the ceiling of my booth in Johnson City, maybe with some twinkle lights in between. This would also be cute for a Fourth of July get together made from reds, whites and blues with some star fabrics mixed in.

Happy Father's Day!

Moda Bake Shop

Moda Bake Shop is a great resource for free patterns. Here's a cutie that I just found, http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/10/ruffled-rosette-pillow.html#more. Of course they want you to use their pre cuts, but wouldn't this look great in batiks? Maybe with wider strips to make the ruffle fuller? Or in Amy Butler's "Soul Blossoms"? Oh the possibilities!

I'm In Love,

I'm in love and I don't care who knows it! Anybody recognize that movie reference? Anyway, I finally broke down and invested in another high end iron. I had been burned (insert groan!) in the past by a certain brand that starts and ends with an "O". You know the one that pops up. I'm not bitter. Not much.

After using a cheapie for about a year, it died when I needed it most, during a tshirt quilt. So I found a Rowenta Professional model that does not have an automatic shut off and I took the plunge. It is the best iron I have ever had. Lots of steam, a really slick stainless plate and a heavier feel make it a winner for someone who sews as much as I do. Since I am getting more forgetful in my advanced age, I am using a tip from my sister in law. I plugged the iron into a surge protector that also has a lamp plugged into it. If the lamp is on, so is the iron. Pretty smart, huh?!

So now I think I may need a new cutting mat. This one has not "self healed" in quite a while! I do plan to recycle the old one by cutting it into rectangles for tote bag bottoms. We'll see how that goes. What does one use to cut a cutting mat? That may be a question for HD to figure out!

Tape Measure Bags

No, they are not used for carrying your tape measure. I guess they could be, but there are a lot of other things I would rather use them for! They have sections of retractable measure in their casings to give a type of "snap" closure. I got this idea from Superquilter and her partner in crime. You can adapt many bag patterns for this method and it's a LOT easier than putting in a zipper.

The only complication that I for see is having enough tape measures. I shall have to begin prowling dollar stores to support my habit! Here's a link to a tutorial to make a coin purse with a tape measure closure, http://www.ladybirdln.com/2011/02/sassy-coin-purse-with-tape-measure-snap.html .

I made these bags with some scraps that my friend Kelleigh gave me after our last retreat. Recognize the flowers? Yep, those are from the Kanzashi in Bloom book that I gave the stellar review of in the precious post!

Book Review

Great! That's it. That's my review. Can you tell this is not a paid endorsement? If making flowers out of folded fabric interests you, this book has clear instructions and great pictures to demonstrate each step of the flower making process. It seems that these little folded flowers are popping up everywhere. Warning-they are addictive. Here's the Amazon link if you should decide to join the madness, http://www.amazon.com/Kanzashi-Bloom-Fold-Sew-Projects/dp/0823084817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=arts-crafts&qid=1306941990&sr=8-1. These are a great portable project. The middle pic is my small, folding table all set up to be moved in front of the TV. Stay tuned, in a couple of days, I'll have some pics of what I am doing with these cuties! It also involves using scraps. Surprising, I know!