This past Sunday I made a To-Do list of 5 things I wanted to get done by the end of this week (Friday).  This morning I crossed the first thing off.

There’s no way I’ll be able to get the remaining 4 things done by tomorrow, so I’ve extended the week to include Saturday and Sunday.

Problem solved!  ; )

Here is what I got done, rushing around while the little one was napping:

This is a prototype monster I made up for a future item for my shop.  I’ll tell you later what it is intended to be.  Right now let’s just have a chuckle at it’s wonky-ness.  It’s pretty jacked up as is, but I’m off to a good start.  With a little tweaking, it will be right on.

Until then, I’ve got the To-Dos to tackle.

What have you been working on?

Jenn : )

Woolfelt dots for decorating my next round of pincushions.

And more dotty goodness:

Key Lime Dot Scarf made by Mountainavenbaby

Elephant Stuffed Toy made by SewnNatural

Stuck On You Card made by Michellenstamps

Jenn : )

Friends of ours have a little girl who’ll be having her first birthday in February.  I’m feeling very party-ish these days, but alas, I’m in no position to throw a party myself (hm…there is the first episode of the new LOST season coming up…I may take that back.) I’ve volunteered to help plan and set up for Robyn’s special day.  I want to contribute something handmade, but with a little one to watch over, this project has to be something easy and interruptible. I decided to make a pennant banner.  It’s the perfect project for me right now: it uses fabric (I have a ton of that!) and it can easily be worked on in stages (good for those days when I have only 20 minutes here and there).

Pennant banners are all over the place – you can find loads of how-tos all over the internet.  I’ve been surprised at how easy this has been to work on so far.  It’s a great project for using small-ish pieces of fabric and even smaller bits for the letters.

I used Heat N Bond, an iron-on adhesive I bought at Joann’s, to affix the fabric letters to the pennant triangles.  Then I had to Jenn Maruska it up with embroidered outlines.  I used a simple back stitch.

I think that makes the letters stand out better.

Above: before

Below: after

(Hmmm.. whose little feet are casting a shadow on my work table?)

Isabella’s!

Now I’ve just got to hunt down the right ribbon or bias tape to string the pennants together.

I’ll post a photo when it’s finished.

Here’s an even simpler banner tutorial over at the Purl Bee.

Party on!

Jenn : )

I’ve been posting for some time about a custom order I’ve been working on.

My friends Philipp & Renata are going to be married later this month and asked me to make a ring pillow for their ceremony.

I am honored to have something that I made be a part of their special day. : )

Without further ado, here is the ring pillow that I made for them:

I’m very happy with how the finished pillow looks,

and I’m thrilled that they are pleased, too.

Congratulations, P & R!!!

Jenn : )

No longer a wip – these three hotpads/trivets are finished!

Machine quilted with hand sewn binding.

Washed and pressed.

With a twill tab on the back.

Now to get some really good photos,

and then they’ll be in the shop.

Jenn : )

So, what’s been going on with those Japanese fabric scraps I blogged about awhile ago?

Well….

I got out my favorite Clover pins.

(Technically these are for light/sheer fabrics,

but I’ve used them for many fabric weights.

You can buy them on Superbuzzy, but I’ve also found them at Joann’s.)

Did a little chain sewing…

…see how you can save thread if you’re

sewing lots of pieces together at once?

Gave them a good ironing with my Clover Iron.

(Also purchased at Joann’s.)

Stitched them all together with a bit of linen in the center.

Ironed on a little teapot sketch.

Got out my smallest embroidery hoop.

And embroidered this steamy little fella.

Time for a tea break!

Be back soon with the finished piece!

Cheers!

Jenn : )

Finishing up new needlebooks.

Can you imagine my delight when I found a package from my Grandma in the mail the other day… and it was FILLED with vintage buttons?!?  I’ve been sending her photos of the items I make for my shop and she sent this package with a sweet note wondering if I might be able to use these.

Um.  I will FIND A WAY to use these, Grandma!

Some are just darling.

And, as fate would have it – I found buttons to match my new needlebooks!

Thank you so much, Grandma!

_______________________________________________

Thanks, too for the super nice shout-out, Andrea!

: D

Jenn : )

My Nina is back!  Yay!!

After being in the shop for three weeks with a blown circuit board – I’ve finally got my sewing machine back.  It’s good to have her home.

While she’s been away I’ve been hand embroidering like mad.

I’ve got new needlebooks to assemble.

Loads of sweet little button front coats, that will eventually be needlebooks as well.

And lots of new project totes to finish up.

All this should keep me out of trouble for a (little) while!

What projects are keeping you busy these days?

Jenn ; )

… I did some embroidery.

These will decorate new project totes that I’m getting ready to sew.

Hope you had a nice weekend.

Did you blog about something new?

Leave me a comment and I’ll check it out!

Jenn : )

I know this fabric just came out of the dryer and it’s still warm…

…..but it’s for making tote bags tomorrow.

Oh, okay….

…but just for a little while.

; )

Jenn