Sunday, December 30, 2012

Calendar Makeover

What to do with a calendar that has no pockets and isn't a color I particularly like????


Make a cover with pockets!!!


And yes because I live in Ohio I'm definitely a Buckeye fan!!


Next to my actual King James Bible, I have to have a calendar to keep me on schedule and get things paid on time.  I wanted to make sure that if I drop it things won't drop out so I added a piece of elastic to the back that comes forward to keep it all closed and together.

I'm very excited with how it turned out!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and Happy New Year!!!

Until next time!
Jodi

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Quilt for Christmas

Here is the quilt I got done for my in-laws
 

 
I'm very pleased with how it turned out and they were thrilled, I think my mother-in-law was actually crying.
 
I had several other things I wanted to get done for Christmas but it just didn't happen, oh well better luck next year.
 
Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate.
 
Until next time,
Jodi
 


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Update on sewing projects

WARNING!!!  PICTURE HEAVY!!!

Hopefully everyone had a nice enjoyable Thanksgiving and are now busy working on Christmas gifts, or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year.  I have been fairly busy working on new projects and some UFO's.

To start here's an update on my red and white blocks from Karen's block swap from a year ago this past May


The top is completely pieced together I just have to get the batting and decide what material I want for the backing.  It is a twin size and I have 1 or 2 blocks left to maybe make pillows.

I started this table topper


during our Guild's Quilt Retreat back in October, I had it to the point of cutting the corners diagonally and putting the border piece on with the pumpkin stems now I again just have to put the sandwich together and get it quilted.

Last year I made a quilt for my mom and step-dad for Christmas 


so I decided to make one from the same pattern for my mother and father-in-law, so here is the start



so I have 14 of 49 blocks made.  The cream squares have little burgundy hearts and the burgundy squares have a different pattern but it was the closest I could come to the burgundy hearts.  The cream and burgundy hearts will also be the squares in between.

I also did a special order embroidery job


one of the girls I work with purchased a 31 Gifts Sling Bag (I think is what it's called) that is a backpack, she wanted her nieces name put on it as a birthday gift.

Well hopefully I didn't bore you too much with this post but I really have been somewhat busy.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I've Been Tagged!!

I know I'm several days behind here but since I've been working so many hours of overtime I really haven't had time to keep up, so let's see if I can do this.

I've been tagged by Gayle from Embroiderymad and these are the rules:

1.  Every tagged person has to tell 11 things about themselves,
2.  The person that tagged you asked 11 questions, answer them,
3.  Ask 11 questions for the 11 blogs you are going to tag, the people
you are going to tag should have less than 200 followers,
4.  Mention the blog that tagged you but don't tag them back

11 things about me...
1.  I am a Christian that loves Christ,
2. Married to Earl for 27 years
3. Have 2 children Stephanie 25 and Brandon 22
4. Became a mother-in-law in 2011 to Ryan
5.  Became a grandma in August 2012 to my wonderful Silas
6.  Live in Philo, Ohio (very small rural town)
7.  Love to sew, machine embroidery, and quilt
8.  Dark chocolate is my favorite!
9.  Enjoy family time
10.  Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons, I don't like it too hot or too cold
11.  Have 2 dogs and 1 cat

11 Questions to answer
1.  What is your favorite craft?  Right now it is machine embroidery
2.  Do you have a special room for craft? Yes
3.  Do you live in a large city or small town?  Small town
4.  What are your favorite colors? Purple and Red
5.  Do you have animals? Yes, 2 dogs and 1 cat
6.  Do you like to cook? Only when I'm in the mood
7.  Do you use recycled goods or do you always by news for you craft?  Depends on what I'm working on, I'm trying to do some crocheting with plastic grocery bags
8.  Do you grow your own veggies? No, we tried but our ground is mostly clay
9.  How many craft books do you have?  Too many to count!
10.  What is your favorite TV show?  Bones
11.  Do you check emails and blogs as soon as you get up in the morning?  No, lately I've been lucky to check them once a week, except for work

I want to thank Gayle for inviting me to play but I don't know that many blogs with less than 200 followers to continue.  Sorry Gayle!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know I am a couple days early but I have been working on re-arranging my sewing room (along with cleaning it out!!) and doing some machine embroidery along the way and didn't want to miss telling everyone HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

I have been doing some sewing but haven't gotten around to taking any pictures so once my sewing room is all nicely cleaned and straightened up I'll get some pictures posted, hopefully by Friday or Saturday. 

I went to a class a week and a half ago to learn or see how someone else does machine embroidery on toilet paper.  Yes I said toilet paper, back in June I did the following for my daughter and son-in-law for their first anniversary 


It was done pretty much the same way, I'm planning on doing some for Christmas gifts and hope they like them.

Well the sewing room isn't getting worked on while I sit here so I'm going to go work on it some more,

Until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Latest special order

My cousins daughter asked about a special order shirt for her daughter's first birthday.  She bought the shirt, fabric and had the number designed already done,  I think it turned out pretty cute.  I have never done applique like this before
 

Please ignore the photography, that is definitely not my strong suit.  I think if I ever do something like this again I'm going to suggest using 2 different thread colors.  Maybe a lighter color for the outline of the number and a darker one for the lettering.
 
But overall I'm happy with how it turned out, I put Floriani No Show Fusible Mesh on the back to help with the scratchiness of the embroidery.
 
Well until next time,
Jodi
 


Monday, October 29, 2012

Craft Bazaar

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted, I've been so busy at work that normally by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is be on the computer.  No to mention trying to get items created for a craft bazaar.  Here is a picture of my booth from Saturday

Maybe too many items to choose from, maybe just not what people were looking for, lousy weather, not really sure but definitely not a good day.   Didn't even sell enough to cover the cost of the table space.

The beautiful young lady in the back ground is my daughter Stephanie with my grandson Silas in the stroller.  Wish I would have taken his picture but he wasn't having a good day.  He had on his dragon costume getting ready for trick or treat at the Avon Distribution Center where my daughter works.

This explains why I prefer to do special orders, at least that way I know someone is getting what they want.  Speaking of special orders my cousins daughter has ordered a birthday shirt for her daughter who is turning 1 in November.  She wants a 1 appliqued on a shirt with her name.  Now I just have to get myself in gear to get it done, was really hoping to get it done last week while I was on vacation but it just didn't happen since I was trying to get some new things made for the bazaar.  Had I known it was going to turn out like it did I might have worked on it instead of making the extra items for the bazaar.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Very Busy Week!!

Be prepared this is a photo heavy post!!  I've been very busy this week and it feels good no make that great!! I've spent most every evening in my sewing room and have produced some very nice things.  The first thing I accomplished was a Twisted Christmas Wall Hanging


Then from the scraps I created the mini version


Same process so I didn't take as many pictures of this one.

Then I decided to make some mini composition notebook covers, I purchased this material several years ago at a flea market and really hadn't decided what I wanted to do with it so I used some of it for these

I think they turned out very cute, I'm planning on making more with different fabrics for a craft bazaar I'm doing the end of October.

Now I'm working on birthday presents for my 2 youngest nephews, well not the 2 youngest any more we got a new addition to the family yesterday evening, Mr. Aiden Charles Roberts arrived about a week early so it postponed his older brother and cousins birthday party for a week or so.  Now I have 3 nephews and 2 nieces under the age of 5.  I also have 2 older nephews, 1 is 21 and the other is 18 soon to be 19.  I have several more nieces and nephews on my husband's side of the family but these 7 are from my brothers and sister.  It's so fun to enjoy them but not as much fun as my grandson who should be coming sometime today for me to spoil.

Well until next time,
Jodi
 

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Finally Some Sewing Going On!!

Well finally I've gotten some sewing done! Not a lot but at least something.  I had been wanting a bigger cross body bag to carry so I looked at several on line to get some dimentions that I like and this is what I came up with


It's approximately 11" X 12 1/2" and is just the right length to fit right on my  hip.  I have another purse started but not quite finished I'll share it when I finally get it finished.  I have also been working on a quilt for my grandson Silas, the top is all pieced and I got it all sandwiched together yesterday, now just to find the time to sit at the sewing machine and get it quilted.  Hopefully that will happen this week as it looks like a pretty quiet week but we shall see if it stays that way.

Until next time,
Jodi


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Grandson

Well my grandson finally arrived Saturday evening at 6:16 pm on 8/18/12 and weighed 10 lbs 10.6 oz.  He was estimated to weigh around 8 to 8 1/2 lbs but he amazed everyone with how big he was.  He is 20.5 inches long so he's quite the little cubby guy.

This is Silas and mamaw!!  He is such a good baby the only time he gets up set is when he is hungry or dirty.  But other than that he's a pretty content baby.  Well now to get some more sewing done for him.

Until next time,
Jodi

Monday, August 13, 2012

Here I go again

I can't believe its been 3 weeks since I posted last, there really hasn't been much sewing going on right now, I did get the bumper pads and a sheet made for the cradle for my grandson.  Who by the still isn't here!!! Don't have any pictures but will have to get some.  Nothing fancy just plain blue bumper pads and sheet.  Need to get a couple more sheets made but trying to find time to sew if proving to be difficult.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Monday, July 23, 2012

Finally Some Sewing Going On!!!!

Well I finally got to spend some time in my sewing room!!!  I have so much more to do but I'm so glad I got to do something, my nieces birthday is tomorrow but they had her party on Saturday so I put this together for her, she will be 3

Her party was Hello Kitty theme so I made this bag, bought a Hello Kitty activity pad & crayons, Hello Kitty gift bag and Hello Kitty card.  I think I had it covered!!!

I did get some more done on my red and white block quilt top but not enough to take and post pictures.  Hoping to find some more time this week to get more completed on it.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Monday, July 16, 2012

Power Update & Misc

Well we got our power back at 7:30 pm on Sunday, July 8.  Nine whole days without power!!  So no sewing got done that week at all, we were living with our daughter and son-in-law in town who didn't lose power, but we were making several trips home each day to take care of the dogs and cat.  What a week it was 95+ each day with high humidity.  The house was like an oven most days and the poor cat and our indoor dog suffered, the outside dog did as well especially since I normally bring her in each night to sleep in her kennel inside.  She just couldn't understand what was going on.  She was so happy when we finally were able to bring her back in each night, then it cooled down tremendously last week.  Then VBS started and I still didn't get any sewing done!  I did get some work done on a crochet blanket I'm making for the baby.  Oh by the way, we're getting a boy!!!  I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself!

My daughter is pregnant and her baby shower was this past Saturday and I had planned on getting so many things sewn for the shower the week we had no power but it just didn't happen as planned.  We were amoung the fortunate ones that had no damage just lost some groceries that can be replaced easily.  Although now my frig is as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard!  I've been to the grocery but it just doesn't seem to be filling up very fast with the amount of money I seem to be spending.

Well hopefully this week will produce some results from the sewing room.  There are so many things I'm wanting to get done and I'm running out of time!!!

Well until next time!
Jodi

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Power Outage

Well there isn't much sewing getting done around here, we lost our power Friday evening when the storms hit so unfortunately my normal sewing night was stopped before it even got started.  Friday nights always seem like a good time to sew, normally I'm home alone so it makes for a great time for me to get some sewing done.  Hopefully it will dome back on soon, but we are blessed that our daughter and son-in-law have power so we have been staying at their house.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Red & White Block Update

Here is an update on my red and white blocks, I'm pretty happy with how they are progressing

10 minute blocks completed

Faux cathedral window

First part of sashing added

Corner stone and second part of sashing added.

Now I'm working on combining the blocks to create the top.  My problem is that I've run out of the white material I'm using as sashing so I'm trying to decide how to finish it.  When I purchased the white I bought all the quilt store had so I guess I'm going to have to go on the hunt of something close.  So hopefully it won't be so hot on Saturday that I won't want to go shopping.  Yea you guessed it the heat probably won't stop me!!

Well until next time,
Jodi



Friday, June 15, 2012

FNSI Results

Well I think I'm finished for the night but I got most of what I wanted done finished.  Here are the pictures



The top one is another graduation blanket, I have another one to do but I need to get another blue blanket, the bag is a special order.  A friend wanted a bag to carry blankets in to football games.  I think this should fill the request.  I also got the corner blocks and sashing cut out for the red & white blocks that I have been working on.  I'll post pictures of that top when its all pieced.

Until next time,
Jodi

Friday Night Sew In

Well I signed up so I guess I need to get sewing!!  Have a few items on my list, hopefully I'll get some done. I'll post later whatever I get done.

Until next time,
Jodi

Monday, June 11, 2012

Wedding Gift and another Graduation Gift

My husband is a member of this private club and 2 of the members got married this weekend so I was trying to come up with a gift for people I really don't know very well.  I though about doing the pillow cases again but then I didn't know their last name so that wasn't going to work.  I like doing towels so I came up with these


Since I don't have any idea what colors they use in their home I picked white hand towels, but it wasn't the best choice once I decided on the design.  The white tub on HERS doesn't show up very well but it worked.

I also got another graduation blanket done for my cousins daughter, 


it was a little late, but better late than never!!  I didn't realize she was going to be at my nephew's grad party, guess I should have since they are related!!!  But my mind was on other things that weekend.  So I gave it to her grandma to pass on.  This is a better picture than the previous ones I posted, since I actually remembered to take the picture before I gave the gift.  I really need to get better at doing that!!

Didn't get as much done as I would have liked but at least I got something done, much better than I have been doing.

You know too many projects and just not enough time to get them all done in the time I'd like, darn job gets in the way!!!  But I'm very thankful for the job I have, wouldn't want it any other way really.

Well until next time,

Jodi

Monday, June 4, 2012

Graduation Gifts

Well I did manage to get some sewing done Friday evening, I made 2 graduation blankets, I forgot to take pictures before I gave them to the girls but here's a picture of the girls with their blankets


and here's a picture of one of them up close

not the best picture and sorry about the cleavage shot!!  The girls really liked them and one of the fathers suggested he might swipe his daughters.  I prefer to give gifts like this than money since the money goes all too quickly.

I did get a few other small things done but nothing really photo worthy except the notebook cover and its laying in my kitchen so I'll have to take a picture and update this post later.

Well until next time,

Jodi

Friday, June 1, 2012

Some Sewing Getting Done

Well I'm having a very hard time getting my sewing mojo going!!  Not really sure whats up but just can't seem to get myself motivated, not for lack of projects Lord knows I have plenty and then some.  I did manage to get a small item made last week, I know I know I'm a week late in talking about it but I've had so much going on with out of town guests, nephew's graduation and party and car issues to name a few there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day!!  I have a yard sale I'm setting up at tomorrow and really wanted to have more crafty items to put in it than I do but I guess I'll have to make do with what I have done.

Anyway, on to what I did get done last week, in checking out Karen's blog at Sew Many Ways a project caught my eye made by Crafty Vegas Mom, it's an IPhone/IPad pillow.


It really was quite easy to make, I put crushed walnut shells in mine also to give it some weight. 

I do have a couple projects in the works as well, remember when I blogged about my red and white squares 

well I have all the centers looking like cathedral windows, now to get the sashing and corner blocks cut and then it shouldn't take me anytime to get them stitched together and have another quilt top that I'll have to make some time to quilt.  I also have been trying to work on the Amish with a Twist BOM
 that I picked up at Calico Cupboard

Maybe just deciding which project to work on would help with the mojo, I don't know???

Until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Nothing New

Not much going on around here in the sewing room, I did attend a Floriani Embroidery Seminar on the 5th, it was very informative.  For those that attended we received a package with thread, designs, stabilizers and other misc info that I really haven't had much time to look at yet, hopefully I'll get to it soon.  Some of her samples were absolutely beautiful and she made it look so easy, guess we'll find out in time.  Well just soon as I have time to put something together I'll show you pictures, have some ideas in my head now just to get them stitched out.

Until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Vacation Results

I was on vacation this past week and I didn't really get as much accomplished as I would have liked, but I did get some things done.  My brother wanted a set of corn hole bags made with embroidery designs on the front, I got half the set done but the design for the second half wasn't cooperating so I'm going to have to pick another design.  My daughter wanted a set and I have them made but hubby has to finish filling them with the corn, and I also had a special order set that I'm also waiting on hubby to fill so I can finish sewing them closed.  I will post pictures when they are completely finished.  

Last year I participated in Karen's (Sew Many Ways) 5" red and white square swap and received some really cute squares and couldn't make up my mind what to do with them, so they have been just hanging out in my sewing room until this past weekend.  At my quilt guild they showed how to do a 10 minute 3 seam bow tie block, check it out here.  So I decided that was what I wanted to do with my blocks


I wanted all my centers to be the same so I got some white fabric and started cutting out 5" squares to go with all my wonderful red and white squares.  I'm thinking I'm going to use white sashing with red corner squares for the setting to make a quilt, what do you think.

Well all in all it was a good week, very restful if I do say so myself.  I think I like those type of vacations the best, I do like getting away from the house also but this year it was just nice not to have to worry about where to go and what to do.  It was one of those that I decided most days what to do when I got up and got moving.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Friday Night Results

Well, I'm please with my results from last night, here are my pillowcases


Then I also got birth announcement blankets made for my twin great nieces and the neighbor girl


I know I'm a little behind in getting them done and I still have get the wash away stabilizer washed out but I'm pleased with how they turned out.  I now have to come up with something for the twins older sister since we are going to visit them tomorrow afternoon and I want to have something for all the girls.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday Night Sew In

I'm joining up!!! It's Friday Night Sew In time once again and this month they are doing something special, check out Heidi's website to get the full details but they are asking everyone to make a pillowcase for Conkerr Cancer and Arrow Sewing Cabinets is offering prizes!!!  How much better could it get???

Come join the fun!!

Until next time,
Jodi


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Another bag

Well I've done it again, I made my version of another Thirty One Gifts bag

 My version of the All In One Organizer, I don't have the pockets on the sides but its pretty close to the same size and I used iron-on vinyl on the inside of the fabric to make it waterproof.

I'm pretty please with how it turned out.

Until next time,
Jodi

Monday, April 9, 2012

Lil Twister Tote Bag

Well I liked using the Lil' Twister Tool so much I decided to make a tote bag with the twisted fabric on the front.
It's so easy and quick to do that I'm even thinking of using the tiny twister tool to make some with little twisters in it.  Not much sewing was done over the weekend it was so busy with Easter activities that I didn't have time to get in front of the sewing machine, I'm hoping that I can get some much needed sewing time in this week after work.

Well until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Sew Many Ways

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Karen at Sew Many Ways, she has some of the greatest tips for everyday things.  Check out her post about reusing business card magnets.

Until next time,

Jodi

Monday, March 26, 2012

New Purse

I made myself a new purse, I've been admiring the Thirty-One Gifts purses and decided to make my own version
It's fashioned after their Demi purse but of course I added more pockets to the inside, you just can not have too many pockets!!!

I'm not sure it's quite big enough for me so I'll probably have to go a little bigger to fit everything I think I need to carry with me everywhere!!

Well until next time!
Jodi

Gift

Well, I did manage to get a gift done for a friends wedding 2 weeks ago
I love doing these for friends and family.  I just think they are appreciated so much more.

Until next time!
Jodi

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Update on Projects

I can't believe it's been more than 2 weeks since I last posted, although I haven't been doing much sewing, I just can't seem to get myself motivated.  I have completed a couple projects, the first one is another special order


This seems to be a very hot item, I think I've made 5 or 6 of these Breast Cancer bags now.
The second thing I've done is made myself a cover for my new toy, a Droid tablet


I'm not tech savvy enough yet to figure out how to take these 2 pictures and make them 1, maybe someday when I can get my son-in-law to come give me some lessons.

I do have another special order, my cousins daughter has ordered an autism fleece blanket, I have a picture in my head of what I want it to look like so we shall see if it turns out.  Hopefully I'll get this done by this weekend and I'll have more pictures to post.

Until next time,
Jodi


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Saturday Sewing

Well Saturday was a great day, I got to sew most of the day and here is what I got completed



I purchased the kit from Quilters Quarters it is called Charmed Heart and you use the Lil Twister to make the pinwheels, I did however buy the Lil Twister from my favorite quilt store A Touch of Thread.  It was really easy and I love how it turned out!!!  Probably the most challenging part was laying out the 5" squares, I did get 2 of the same color side by side but it really doesn't look that bad, and no one at the store noticed it when I showed them the first step in the process.  This is something I will try again.  I've seen several patterns out in blog land that use this tool.

Well check it out and let me know what you think!!

Until next time,
Jodi

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

FNSI

I can't believe I haven't posted in a while, I did get some sewing done a week and 
a half ago, but really didn't get anything finished to sew.  I started a rail fence quilt top
to use as a decorative shower curtain, but didn't buy enough material so I had to go
back to the quilt shop and buy more and haven't had a chance to do any sewing since.
I've been hard at work trying to get everything together to file taxes, not my favorite
thing to do, yuck.

I'm hoping to get some sewing done soon so I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

Until next time,
Jodi

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Friday Night Sew In

FNSI!!

I can't believe I missed it this month, but then again this month is flying by too quickly.
So I'm gonna have my own FNSI this Friday, hubby will be gone for the
evening so that gives me plenty of time to sew.  I have a couple
projects in mind and we'll see what I get finished.

Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Until next time,
Jodi

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Not much happening around here

Sorry I've been AWOL but I cleaned my sewing room and now don't want to go in and mess it up!  Hoping to get some sewing done this the end of this week since I'm going to be home and not able to go anywhere.  I'll keep you updated.

Until next time,
Jodi