Map Project

A couple of years ago in the Pottery Barn catalog, there was a couch with a beautiful old map framed above.  The map was huge, the size of one the teacher use to pull down in school.  I have always wanted a big map and have my aunt, the antique auction lady, looking for one.  As I wait, I decided to use Cavallini Gift Wrap for my small map subsitute.  I bought three of these maps at Amazon for $4.50 each,  The size is 19 x 28 and I could only find one frame between Michael's and Hobby Lobby that would work.  These frames were black but I held out until they were on sale for 40% off and then I had a coupon for another 20% off.  I sprayed painted them Heirloom white but this turned out too bright, which meant adding some stain to darken the white.  Then the stain was a bit too dark, so I sprayed a towel with the spray paint and wiped over the frames.  It is better but I think I am going to have to find another color to repaint.

My hubby will be so proud and shocked, I used a level and a tape measure to get them just right. 

I am sharing this on

they are having a Pottery Barn Challenge. 

The nest pillow on the couch I made this past winter with my embroidery machine.

Turquoise and Red....

are Pantone's color picks for fall, at least that is on page 16 of my newest issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  Red is Kaitlyn's favorite color and her bedroom walls are more of an aqua so she is close to the hot hues for fall.   She has been wanting a new quilt, more of a fall/winter color scheme and she chose Moda's Blush for her quilt.  We picked up some yardage and a layer cake (42-10" precut squares).  I had purchased this nifty ruler while shopping with Ruth in Oklahoma City.  The instructions have you set the 10" squares together in rows, assemble it into a quilt top with 6-1/2" borders.  Here is the before:

Then you go to work with the Twister template, the quilt top will be 10" after completing.

Here is the after

Pretty darn cool, huh? This template takes ordinary to extrordinary, IMHO. It is off to the quilter tomorrow.


With the small 4-1/2" squares leftover from using the Twister template, I made a quilt for my month-old great niece (that makes me sound old!).  I added some fabrics for the border and her name on the bottom.

Next up is a new quilt for Meredith's freshly painted room, then back to garment sewing.  It was a weekend with no extra activities, so I have really been getting so much done in my sewing room, more pictures of purses/totes and notebooks to come.

Jalie 2919 Sleeveless Version

Meredith wore her Jalie 2919 to school, the fabric is a remnant from Needle Nook.  I had to cut the collar with the stripes running this way and the width is 1" shorter but it worked with just a bit of fabric leftover.
Doesn't she look cute?

close-up of pleats:

The original review is here.

Another Tote Bag

Another bag - Variation on the Charm Pack Bag- this one made with the Botany line from Moda.  I used one of their pre-cuts, a jelly roll and just started sewing and cutting.

The first day of school today, my babies are Sophomores, how did that happen? 

I finished another tote today and another just needs lining.  Plans in my head floating around for 2-3 more then back to garment sewing, sometimes I just can't stop!

Sewing for Friends and Last Day of Summer Vacation

School starts tomorrow and my girls will be Sophomores, hard to believe!  I have been sewing several things plus painting Meredith's bedroom.

I really thought I was finished making purses and totes but all of a sudden people are wanting to buy these big size totes.  I think girls are wanting them for their books and laptops.  Here is one I made this week: