Frayed edge blanket and ric rac burp cloth

While these don't match, I wanted to try out these cute patterns I found at Sew Much Ado. She has some really great tutorials and obviously access to beautiful flannels. The first one I did was the frayed edge receiving blanket. I used a cute decorative stitch and then snipped in all the way around. The more you wash this one the cuter it gets. I then tried the ric rac burp cloth. Super easy and very adorable. I plan on making some of these for the arts & crafts day in October. I want to make some matching sets. (sorry for the bad pics-my camera is being weird)

Patterns: tutorials from Sew Much Ado

Fabrics: flannels and cottons from Hancock Fabrics

Recovered sewing stool

While I was in Hilton Head this summer, my husband and I went thrifting and that is when I bought the Necci sewing machine. We also bought an all wood sewing table that will need a little refinishing. It has a cute stool that you can store items in, but the vinyl on it was dry rotted. I recovered it Saturday and added new foam to the seat as well. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Fabric: home decor weight fabric remnant (scrap stash)

2 binky bibs done

These are pretty easy and the embroidery doesn't really take that long. I hope to make a few more of these for the local arts & craft day in October.

Pattern: Simplicity 2670

Fabrics: Felt, terry cloth and cotton

Binky Bibs Pattern

I bought this little pattern when Hancocks had them for $1.00. My oldest daughter and a friend have rented a booth for a local craft fair in October. I thought I might make some to sell. I am working on some other things as well, but tried this out last night. My husband thinks their funny. Why does the binky need a bib? I said it is all in the name of cuteness and for catching and wiping drool. I won't make too many, but a few will be fun. Pattern is Simplicity 2670. I am using terrycloth for the front and cotton for the back and tab. I have used both flannels and cottons for the applique.

Butterick 5474 Finished

I finally finished this apron that is for a friend. It needs a little final pressing, but I am so glad it is done. I sewed the buttons on yesterday. I ended up tacking down the collar in half because I felt like it was just too big or tall. I also tacked the sides of the bodice to the underside of the collar. They would look strange sticking out since I altered the collar a bit. This is a cute pattern but I had trouble with a few of the instructions. It was probably just me though. I used a vintage sheet for the "dress" part of the apron and orange cotton sateen for the apron overlay. It is very feminine and I might make it again. I won't use a stiff interfacing in the collar the next time. It would lay flatter I think without having to tack it. Looking forward to giving it to her tomorrow.

Creative fix

I am seriously hoping that my schedule will get a little more normal soon. We have been working very hard on our retaining walls and they are starting to look really nice. I have been trying to help my son get a schedule set up for filling out college applications while completing his classes and working a new job. He also has ACT and SAT subject tests coming up in October.

I was mowing last Saturday and made some hornets very angry, so one decided to sting me on the top of my head-very painful by the way! That's what I get for trying to keep a very large yard manicured.

I have still been knitting my second fingerless glove whenever I am riding in the car. I hope to have that done soon. Looking forward to wearing them when the weather gets cold!

On this last trip to Hebron with hubby, I went back to the GAP clearance store and bought 3 great Banana Republic sport coats for $19.99 each. One was all Italian wool and the other 2 were just navy linen like and khaki. Great deals and they didn't have any visible issues. I also bought this GAP body hooded shirt for $.25! It was seriously a quarter because it had a hole in the front. I decided to use some of the Amy Butler lotus fabric flowers and applique right over the hole. I thought adding more than one flower would look better. I blanket stitched with pink embroidery floss and I think it looks pretty cute. Now I can wear it and no one will ever know there was a hole. I also bought a cute Banana Republic dress with a broken zipper for $4.99 that I have been working on. Hope to get more sewing done sometime soon. All I have done is hem and fix over the last week, but that is helping narrow my boring pile of "to-dos" and that feels pretty good.

Colette Patterns Book

I was so excited when I caught a glimpse of the Colette Patterns book due out in November. I love these patterns. I have the Sencha blouse, the bloomers and the sorbetto tank. They all sew together so easily. The fit is great and the instructions are very clear. They are also patterns you can alter easily. One blogger made 7 sorbettos in 7 days and they are all different and super cute. She turned one into a 1920's lace covered flappers dress. You can pre-order it at Amazon. I am putting this on my Christmas wishlist!