Last minute

I decided yesterday that I wanted to make placemats for Christmas night. So while we were picking up the car from the mechanics - I ducked into Spotlight to see what I could find. I picked these 3. Not the prettiest fabrics - but they were half price. Gotta love that!
So after running a few errands today, and doing the christmas shopping and some christmas baking, I'm going to try making them.

Anything that you are making last minute?

iPad cover

 This morning I was reading blogs and landed on Ambers blog, which led me to her post here
and I fell in love, so I decided to make my own ipad cover using her awesome tutorial. Thanks Amber!!

I love how it turned out and used leftovers from my Amy Butler weekender bag. 

I finally had my oven fixed today - so I made some cinnamon buns this afternoon. Let the chrissy baking begin!!

Do you have a favourite chrissy recipe that you always make every year?
I'd love to try something new.
Have a happy Wednesday,

Awesome

We bought an LG 3DTV this week and it is beyond awesome!

You know where I'll be if you need me....at least for a couple more movies ;o)

Have a happy day

Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag

A while ago I purchased this kit from Joy. But with making my weekender and all the quilts I need to finish - I hadn't got around to it yet.

Last week, I cut out all the pieces out. Then on Thursday I attached all the interfacing. What I loved about this kit was that all I needed was a pair of scissors and some thread. I loved not having to run to the shops and get bits that I had forgotten. It was a very new experience - and one that I very much liked!

It really annoyed my that I hadn't got it done yet, and with Christmas creeping closer, it was putting the pressure on me! So yesterday I had to sew hubbys pants anyway - so I just did it.

Amy's pattern was pretty easy to understand. Although when attaching the bands, I was left with a chunk on either side that I ended up cutting off. But as I was putting the whole bag together - I'm thinking that the extra piece would have make it fit better.

 All in all it's a cute bag - and definitely one I'll do again. It has 2 pockets inside - very handy. And it's really comfy on my shoulder. Just gotta hope that Mum likes it. If not - I am definitely taking it back ;o)

So that's one present off my list.

Are you making any presents this year?

December Daily

December Daily is in full effect here. The Christmas spirit - not so much.
But here's what I've been doing

The cover - I sprayed with White Mister Huey & Chalk Glimmer Mist. Then a layer of Chandelier Glimmer Glam over top to seal it. I love sparkles.

Using Ali's DD overlays

And backing each page with different pp's from the kit - plus a couple extras out of my stash.
It's very simple. Just how I like it.
It's so quick to print out a pic from the day - and scribble some notes - and call it done.

Worked on my bag for mum today. Didn't get very far. Aiming for a little bit more tomorrow.
Have a fabulous week -

Amy Butler Weekender Bag

It's finally finished. I can't believe I did it. I absolutely love how it's turned out.

Keeping in mind that I am a beginner sewer, these are my thoughts on the bag:

• I think it was really worth paying attention to lining up the pocket panel and the main panel so that the design on the fabric lined up. (Too bad I forgot about the sides) But that doesn't bother me TOO much.
• There is a lot of cutting.(Naive me thought that was the worst part)
• I thought the way the zipper was installed was genius. 
• I don't think the straps are wide enough to be comfortable. Especially if you had a heavy load.
• I used heavy Duty interfacing instead of the peltex. It still sits quite nicely. And it was cheaper.
• If you make this bag - it's probably worth adding a new pack of pins to the notions list. (Mine are totally destroyed)
• Keep a pack of bandaids beside you when you are sewing the bag together. I had a couple of injuries with all those pins!
• It got really frustrating sewing the bag together, I thought it was never going to end. And I was muttering swear words in my head the whole time.
• Hand sewing sucks. Alot. I would pay to have somebody do all the handsewing.

But now that I sit back and look at my completed bag - I think I could possibly entertain the thought, that I might, one day.....make another. Eeek - did I just say that? Just not anytime soon!

What's in the box?

So yesterday afternoon some green boxes got delivered. Hmmm. What could they be?

Squeal!!
My new KitchenAid mixer & Ice cream making attachment.

But what colour did I get?



Why, only my favourite colour in the whole world....Aqua!

Oh, she is so pretty. And so shiny. And will be happily replacing my little hand mixer that I've had for 11 and a half years that is on it's last legs. Hooray!

Today - I'm off to sewing class to work on my weekender bag. Hopefully I'll get it finished today.
Wish me luck. I think there's a fair bit of hand sewing and I'm not so good at hand sewing.

Anyway have a happy weekend,

Busy hands

 Last night I went to my sewing class and made the sides for my Weekender bag.

And put in the zipper at the top.
Going back tomorrow so I'm going to be a bit more closer to being done. Woohoo!!

And yesterday I completed a quilt top, using this tutorial. I'm scared about quilting this one. Might start with the other 2 first. And save this one for last.
Slowly working my way through my to do list.
Now- some Weekender bag homework.
Have a Happy Friday -

Amy Butler spice tote

Yesterday I worked on my Amy Butler spice tote. Only to discover that I had sewn one lot of my handles on sideways. I decided to call it quits right then and there.
Fast forward to this morning - I got home, made a coffee, grabbed my scissors & upicker and headed out into the sun to get started.
It took so long. But I was determined to finish this project.
So I kept going at it till it was done.
It's not very neat but for my very first bag - I'm pretty happy with it.

I'm thinking I could probably get a small one out of the leftover fabric I have from it. Just not sure if I'm ready to tackle another one so soon. And my sewing to-do list is already long enough. I might try and get one of those quilts completed this week. Wish me luck!

TGIF

This morning I am enjoying my second favourite breakfast - tahini & tomato on sourdough toast with a coffee. Mmm.
My favourite being ham & avocado on sourdough toast - but I didn't have either in the fridge this morning.
Last night I headed off to my sewing class with all my bits packed in a crop bag

And in class I made the piping and the two pocket panels. It's going to be one big beautiful bag.

I am so excited to finish it. And I certainly can't wait to use it. I have a bit of homework to do today. Gotta make the handles ready for next week.
And I'm hoping my December Daily kit arrives today. I haven't played with paper in so long. I am really looking forward to it.

Well - I better go and plug my sewing machine back in and get started.

Have a Happy Friday. I hope you are getting time to do the things you love too -