Monday, September 29, 2008

My First Zippered Pouch

Alex told me she got my package, so I decide to put this one up first while I am still organizing the photos from my trip.

Remember the kitty cat pattern I stitched almost a month ago? Well, I finally found a zipper foot for my sewing machine so I wanted to put it together as a return gift to Alex. And here is my very first attempt on a zippered pouch.

IMG_3094

Pattern: Novalee02 "Chatchatchats"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 18ct oatmeal aida by Regency Mills
Stitch Size: 3" x 2"
Completion Date: 09-05-2008
Finishing Date: 09-20-2008

Zippers always had frightened me. But after reading Anna's tutorial on how to make a zippered pouch, it doesn't seem so complicated anymore. I couldn't say that my outcome was perfect, in fact, I couldn't even keep the lines straight.... But I was satisfied with my first try, I'm sure practice makes perfect!!

To make it more personally, I also made a fob that goes with the pouch. I have to say tiny things are not the easiest things to make.... I had to used a cord to cover up my lousy hem stitches.... But all in all, I think it is cute - just don't look too closely.... ;-)

IMG_3101IMG_3100

Now I look at all the perfect finishes my fellow stitcher do, and I wonder how they can make things so perfectly!! I hope someday I can stitch as well as they can, too!!

I'm Back!!

Just came back from our trip up north. I'm soooo tired right now, but we had a lot of fun~ I really enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery, and here is a little peek of what I've experienced this weekend.

IMG_3322

I need to go to bed now cause I can hardly open my eyes..... I'll write more tomorrow when my brain is functioning again~

Thursday, September 25, 2008

A New Start

Since I've finished up all the unfinished project this pass weekend, I can finally move on to stitching some design that fits this fall season. 

I'm the kind of person that seems can only handle one thing at a time.... If there is an unfinished project, I will want to stick to it until it is done. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, cause when I'm stitching a big project, I want to be more flexible and do small project at the same time. But I know it will bug me when there is an unfinished project..... Oh well, maybe this will motivate me to stitch faster??  ;-)

IMG_3115

I picked this Pumpkin Keeper design from the Drawn Thread to make, and I just love the colors I picked for this design. As for the fabric, it took me a while to decide.... I originally planned to use a 32 ct linen, it had a darker color, but I didn't like how the thread colors shown on that linen. So after digging through my limited fabric stash, I decided to use this 18 ct aida fabric again, and I think it works out better.

I know I'm kind of getting the easy way out by using an aida fabric, but I actually like this oatmeal color very much. I thought this will be a nice little project to take with me on my way up north when I go visit my sisters this weekend, where I got to experience some REAL fall atmosphere~

IMG_3149

This is what I did in one night. At this rate, I think I might be done before we leave town!!! Maybe I should choose a back up plan just in case......

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Garden Pleasures Tote Bag

It has been a month since I finished stitching this lovely Garden Pleasures pattern, and I have been looking for something perfect to finish it up. When I saw this tote bag on sale in Hobby Lobby, I knew it will be a great fit~ It turned out I was right, the red on the handles and edges is a perfect match with the colors I used in the pattern!!

IMG_3077IMG_3078

Pattern: Little House Needleworks "Garden Pleasures"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft
Stitch Size: 5.5" x 6"
Completion Date: 08-01-2008

I have to say this is my favorite so far, and I can't wait to carry it around when I'm out shopping~ Please excuse the wrinkling, I still can't get it to flatten out.... I hope with time it will eventually smooth itself out.

Monday, September 22, 2008

A Gift from Alex

I received a gift last Saturday from Alex. She said to me a long time ago that she got these cute giraffe patterns and was going to make something out of it for me. I almost totally forgot about it until I got this surprise in the mail.

IMG_3071IMG_3072

She made the cover and backing out of foams and all the pages inside are from papers she recycled from work. What a cute little notebook!! Now I can scribble down my ideas in it rather then a piece of scrap paper which I can't find every time I need it. Thank you so much, Alex~

Sunday, September 21, 2008

A Little Tag for a Dear Friend~

This was a nice little project to do~~ I really like making tags, cause it's quick and easy. I always have trouble with the corners, though. It is so difficult to keep the corners tight and neat....

I found this pattern from Nina's blog, it is a very simple but elegant design. I really like the color combination, it's so soft and pretty. I think I will use this combination again somewhere in the future~~

IMG_3061IMG_3062

Pattern: Freebie from Nina
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft
Size: 2" x 1.375"
Completion Date: 09-19-2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

Sisters Forever~

Finally, a finish..... I was really surprised that this took me so long to stitch, or maybe I'm just a VERY slow stitcher...... I always admire those who can stitch so fast and so good. I hope I can be like that someday~

My elder sister's birthday is coming up, so I decided to make her this bag for her birthday. Originally I was going to make the bag myself too, but it took me longer then expected to finish the stitching, plus I found these canvas bags on sale in Hobby Lobby, so for $2 a pop I decided to use this bag instead. I think this will be a nice size for her books or knitting stuff~

IMG_3042IMG_3052

Pattern: Heart in Hand "Wee Sister"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct antique white evenweave fabric by Charles Craft Size: 4.75" x 2.625"
Completion Date: 09-18-2008

The bag is a bit wrinkly after I washed it.... I tried my best to flatten it out but this is the best that I could do..... Does anyone know any tricks to flatten a canvas bag?

I'm still a beginner in using a sewing machine, so I had A LOT of trouble when I was sewing the piece onto the bag. I even almost broke my machine.... But the finish product turned out better then I've expected, so I'm happy about it. I hope my sister will like it, too~

Friday, September 12, 2008

Moon Festival

This coming Sunday is the Moon Festival in Chinese culture. We have just received a package from home packed with delicious moon cakes.  Sam's mom also threw in a whole bunch of ginseng tea bags~ It's always great to receive packages from home!!

IMG_2993

Usually we eat the moon cakes with family under the full moon during moon fest, but I couldn't resist and opened one this afternoon for my afternoon tea time. There were like four or five different flavors of moon cake in the package. I picked one with pineapple fillings, and it is so delicious!!!

IMG_3012IMG_3019

Thanks for Ike, I don't think we will be able to see the moon this Sunday. The news make it sound so serious that I'm really started to worried. We have plenty  of food and water so I don't think we will be in much trouble. I just hope it won't do too much damage when it passes through.....

Monday, September 8, 2008

New Stash has Arrived~

I've ordered some new patterns a few weeks ago, and was anxiously checking the mail everyday for its arrival. Today it is finally here!!!! I was so happy!!!

IMG_2959

I know I still haven't finish all the LHN patterns I got last time, and probably broke the bank again this time. But all of these designs are so beautiful I just couldn't discard any one of them! There's so many projects I wanted to do, I better start stitching~

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Kitty Cats

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been stitching... really!! In fact, that was the only thing I wanted to do all day everyday, but there were some other things I needed to take care first, so I banned myself from stitching for a few days.

I wasn't going to do any stitching before I finished my work, but couldn't resist after just stopping for 3 days, so I broke the rules and whipped out this cute little freebie by Novalee02.

IMG_2936 

Pattern: Novalee02 "Chatchatchats"
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 18ct oatmeal aida by Regency Mills
Size: 3" x 2"
Completion Date: 09-05-2008

I changed the design a little bit and only stitched 3 of the 5 cats, and I loved how it turned out~ Novalee02 really captured the postures of a cat. I plan to finish it up to a little pouch, but I need to find a zipper foot that will fit my sewing machine first. I couldn't wait till it is finished!!!

Back to work again.....