A new creation

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Projects, projects, projects

I used the tutorial from here:

http://jonag.typepad.com/stop_staring_and_start_se/2008/12/your-christmas-gift-from-mean-apron-in-an-hour.html
to make this apron and actually I made two aprons, 2 towels and 2 potholders. One set was for a gift for a good friend and one set was for a gift exchange. The monogramming was done on my embroidery machine and Ilove this design that also stitches the snowflakes. After doing these I wanted to do a half dozen more for other friends and family but hello! I will have to remember to make some for next year. Time is just running out.

JOEY

Slipper Swap

I participated in a slipper swap (see button at right). I got my package off in the mail on Saturday and my partner received it TODAY. Pretty impressive for the USPS. The pattern that I was going to originally use got lost somewhere in my sewing room :( So I used the pattern from my "Sew Pretty Homestyle" book. I really like the way the slippers turned out. And after seeing them, my daughter wants us to make 5 pairs to give to her girlfriends for Christmas. That's so exciting! Both that I get to sew more and that I get to sew with my 15 year old daughter.



Check out my other flickr photos of the slippers. I had once seen that you can use puffy fabric paint to make a non-skid surface on the bottom of slippers and I used this idea for this pair.



JOEY

These Only Took 4 Years To Make

I had this idea to make stockings from thrifted sweaters and off to the thrift store I went. But I got stuck at only 4 sweaters and I neeeded 5 stockings. I wanted them to be a little larger than normal too so I really needd the 5 sweaters. Therefore, the 4 sweaters were tucked into a bag. To sit and sit and sit. I did think of them every Christmas. They moved with us to. First to our rental while our house was being built and now at the new house. Last year I finally found another sweater and finished the stockings and am just thrilled how they turned out. Just Thrilled! (Except, we've also added a dog and a cat and I need two more small stockings for them. )

Then my husband suggested that I make a tree skirt out of sweaters to match the stockings. So off to the thrift store we went last weekend. I actually found a throw in the cream colored knitted sweater look but there really isn't enought material in it to make a tree skirt. I'm really just hoping it doesn't take 4 years to make the tree skirt.

Oh, by the way. We don't have a fireplace or a mantel of any sorts and I found this faux mantel at a local craft sale that like 7 women host INSIDE their home with every room filled with crafts to purchase. I love it, I love it, I love it. (The craft sale and the faux mantel)

JOEY

Music To My Ears

Ok, I added some music to my blog but you have to go ALL the way to the bottom of the page to listen to it. I can't figure out how to get it to post with this post. But I did make a play list and post it to my blog. I'm excited about that but frustrated that I can't have it with this post. Anyways, enjoy some of my favorite music.

JOEY

Assembly Line Sewing

Assembly Line Sewing
Originally uploaded by joeysews

I have some orders for some bags (yea!). This is about all the assembly line sewing I can do. This is two bags of the same pattern. It's the Amy Butler "frenchy" pattern. I love that pattern. I have gotten a few orders in the last week and am so excited. I love to sew and I love making extra money (although, it always feels like it goes into the checkbook and from there I don't know where it ends up). But at least I get to sew.

I also have an order for 10 pairs of lounge pants made from "vintage" sheets. I have that order about half finished. They are coming out so cute. Each one I make I think "ooh, these are my favorite" then I make another pair and "ooh, THESE are my favorite"!

And then I have a long list of items to make for Christmas which involves more assembly line sewing. I had it planned out where I could sew on Saturday for 8 hours but that hasn't happened yet. And how many days til Christmas? and how much time do I need to send stuff to the West coast to arrive by Chriistmas? Did I mention I love to sew? I really do there's just not enough time!

JOEY

For ????

McCalls 5697
Originally uploaded by joeysews

I just love this pattern from McCalls and I wanted to make this jacket for our local quilt guilds holiday fair but didn't get it finished in time. Actually, I still don't have the buttons on it either. It's a size 7 ( would probably fit up to size 10) Might send it to my niece (lucky girl) but will have to ask her mom if it's her style- you know how girls can get picky!

It is made from a sheet I thrifted at a local thrift store and here's a funny thing. It's from IKEA. We don't even have an IKEA in Colorado (but I have heard rumors of one coming to Broomfield - anyone???). It's funny how these things just seem to find me and at the right price too. I think I spent $3.

I've made two other jackets with this pattern but this time I made the flouncy sleeve version - ooh, I really like it.. I want to make more, more more. I want to try one with a lining. Hmm, will have to think about how to adjust the pattern. Ok, off to the drawing board for that one.

JOEY