The Spunky Diva

I am completely stoked at what I found at Hobby Lobby last night to use for the Tutus I am creating for the Tutu Drive .  My goal is to make 5 tutus for the drive, and I have all 5 planned out: - Leopard Print something, with fuzzy trim, and brown ribbon - Layered Hot Hot Pink with Lime Green, with a fun ribbon from the discount bin ( always a plus ) - Purple crushed velvet and Hot Hot Pink tulle trim with black ribbon ( also from the discount bin! ) - Pale creamy orange with flowers ( not sure if this one will have ribbon or just elastic ) - Hot Hot Pink with Black Ribbon and Aqua Satin topper! Plus, the hot pink beads are to string on black ribbon to make the perfect gaudy dress-up necklace perfect for any child ( over the age of 3 of course )! Now we will just have to wait and see if what I create actually matches the list I just gave, LOL! My Mom went with me, and found a very fun summer print to make a new curtain for her kitchen and some matching towels.  She...

Here are the party links that I have joined up with today.  If you have found my little corner of the web through one of these feel free to take a moment to check out my blog.  I currently have a Spunky Diva Giveaway in progress, ending June 20th ( Giveaway ).  Feel free to enter as many different ways you would like!  Thanks for visiting, and I hope you leave a comment so that I can return the favor.       I have submitted the Binkie Bag link as my June submission for the 2010 Sewing Challenge.  I am very happy to complete this months challenge, after washing out last month, LOL!  Feel free to join me in these challenges.  The more the merrier!

Here is how I made this cute Binkie Bag for "K" to give to her friend.  This idea was inspired by an Etsy posting, but I can't find the link to that seller's store again.  If you have seen a binkie bag similar to this on Etsy could you post the link?  This Binkie Bag is a finished size of 5.5" x 6.5", with a ribbon strap to attach it the crib rail, and will hold 4 to 6 binkies.  This is a real life saver in the middle of the night when you can't find the binkie you know is in the crib.  You just grab the next one in the bag, plug the hole, and see if that is what baby is crying about, LOL! Ingredients: - Piece of fabric 14" by 12" or larger - Thread - Straight Edge - Rotary Cutter or Scissors - Coordinating Ribbon - Matching thread - Design and materials to personalize however you would like.  You could use freezer paper stencils, hand embroidery, machine embroidery ( as in my example ), or any other "baby-safe" way to personal...

I may have to admit defeat on this one.  Boy, has it been busy this month!  Isn't it funny how life can just go from nice and easy to 90 miles an hour over night?  I have a quick trip to Joann's planned for this evening, and we desperately need some couch pillows redone.  So, there may still be a shot at having something to submit for this month's challenge.  Now back to my "wonderful" to-do list, LOL!

The May sewing challenge is to do an enclosed zipper.  This is going to require some research.  Do you think an enclosed zipper is different than a regular zipper?  Either way, the May project will be on the shelf until next week.  Right now I am in a mad dash to finish up all the new items I am creating for this Saturday's craft fair!  Wish me luck!

One month down... Here is my completed lined zipper pouch.   Putting in the zipper was easier than I thought it would be.  The tutorial I used (link in earlier post) was very easy to follow, and I am happy with the end result.  The layer of felt, I added by sewing it to the outside fabric before piecing together, gives this pouch a nice substantial feel.  Unfortunately, my guesstimate measurements did not create a pouch big enough for a paperback.  Oh well, it adds one more matching piece to my purse set, and holds lots of odds and ends.   As was my hope when signing up for this challenge I learned more about sewing, and used more features of my sewing machine than I have yet.

I have my pieces cut for the zippered pouch.  The finished size of the pouch should hold a paperback book in theory.  I tend to stick a book in my purse for when I have a spare moment, and the pages can get bent when not protected.  The embroidery design for "Kimberlee" is from Heart Strings Embroidery a great site that has over 6,000 names digitized in three fonts. Hint: Use spray temporary adhesive when stitching a design on a piece of fabric smaller than your entire hoop.  As a personal preference I always add pins outside my design area to ensure the fabric is secure to the stabilizer.  If using pins make sure to check the area your design will cover prior to starting your machine.   Here is another look at the hooped fabric prior to stitching out the design. To make the zippered pouch have more body I am adding a layer of felt between the outside and lining fabrics.  I am planning on doing some decorative stitches and the felt layer will help ...

I have sorted through the scraps left over from making my purse, and came up with a pile to use for the April sewing challenge.  Still a go for the lined zipper bag (I have even found the zipper I had stashed away).  I googled "zipper pouch tutorial" and found this tutorial that seems easy enough to do: zipper pouch tutorial .  We will see how "easy" this project turns out to be!

So... I have joined up for Carolyn's 12 challenges in 12 months (of course I am starting on the fourth month of the year, but hey!).  Details are available at the link I have posted.  April's challenge is "Something Line".  As it is already halfway through the month, I am thinking something fairly simple is a good idea.  And with the new fabrics I have just finished prepping from my Hobby Lobby excursion the possibilities are swimming around in my head.  Here is a question: If I combine two months' challenges, can I use one item for both months?  LOL!  Somehow I don't think that is the point of this challenge, :).  My first thought for this challenge is to make a lined, zippered pouch to match my butterfly purse.  Let's see if that is what comes about.