Sew Sunshine

I am really excited that I signed up yesterday for the Skill Builder BOM over at Pileofabric.com.  If you watch the video that Alyssa made she will convince you that you can do it.  I have signed up in the past for the Craftsy.com BOM with Amy Gibson from StitcheryDickoryDock.com. I have two blocks left to go on that one and then quilting it somehow someway.  Not to miss out on anything I signed up for the Craftsy.com 2013 BOM class too.  I think dreaming about this all night left me a bit dizzy this morning and with a slight hurt foot from all the sewing and running around in my dreams....or I have a sinus issue coming on. Either way sitting around will accomplish nothing so why not sign up. Go to Pileofabric.com for more details. I hope to meet some new friends and get some fabulous blocks put together.  www.pileofabric.com

Well I love fabric but I also have a love for pretty paper. I am not a huge scrapbook person though I have made a few. I just really really like pretty paper. Doing things with it...not so much!  Today I broke out of that for a minute to make this cute magnetic message board. I think it will make a cute addition to my sewing room walls which have gone bare way too long.  Here is what it looks like: This is a great recycle project too. I used and old 8 x 10 photo frame. Scuffed up the finish with sandpaper to give it a worn look. I had my trusty husband bring some old scraps of sheet metal home from work before Christmas. He cut them to fit the opening (s). I think it is so cute I might just make a couple more since I have the old frames sitting in a pile.  I made some cute little lacy doily (from stickers) type magnets and there it is. So cute!

Okay, so most of 2012 was not the best of years. I did however get a few things done with the added pressure of wanting to make my Christmas gifts this year.  I made some really cute little quilted bags that can be used for make-up or art supplies or what not.  I call them my "quilt as you go zipper bags". I tried to use many scraps of fabrics and small pieces of batting up. The trouble with that is I keep finding more. That is maybe going to spur me on to make some e-reader bags in the same way. I have some great fabrics that I have been hanging on to just for something like that. Here are a few of the bags. Now if I can figure out how to set up a tutorial on them I will.

Yesterday I figured out something.  I have been sewing for years and have actually completed some things while others tend to the UFO variety.  I found that when I just complete the simplest thing I feel empowered. When you feel empowered you feel invincible and you can do anything.  I think this is the best way to end a year and to begin a year.  So with that said I set up a design wall in my sewing room.  I have this quilt I started back in July made out of Kaffe Fassett fabric.  I think it is mostly his 2010 fabric.  The pattern is called "Bordered Diamonds" from his book "Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts".  The kit I purchased from Material Girl Fabrics in Grand Island, NE. My camera skills I hope to improve on this coming year.  I think you get the idea thought.  I just love the ease of using a design wall. Mine is made out of an old piece of insulation board my husband had in storage.  I covered it with an old piece of twill sportswear fabric I had in m