Merry Christmas...Happy New Year...and on and on...

I've been gone a while.  Being sick and busy can do that to you.  I'm still not perfectly well as it seems I'm getting one thing after another.  I've decided to no longer take orders and while 2013 was the year I was going to return to booths, it just isn't going to happen for now.  I am still sewing for fun, for my sanity and such.  I plan to show you projects as I get to them.

Yesterday, I made my daughter a poodle like skirt out of a Liberty of London fabric.  I got the fabric from Fabric.com.  It is part of Fabric.com's exclusive Liberty of London Tana Lawn Hello Kitty collection.  The particular fabric I used is no longer available but they do come out with new prints every few months.  My daughter loved the twirl factor, which was the whole point of the skirt.

I love the fabric but admit it isn't everyone's taste.  There are a lot of colors.  It is pretty psychedelic.  This print is called Wonderland and it definitely holds up it the name.  It has a silky texture.  It is pretty thin, so I lined it with a matching pink.  I didn't use a pattern.  Just the square method for poodle skirts.  If I didn't have to line it, I would have been done in about 90 minutes, start to finish.  With the lining, it is still less than a 3 hour project.  Not bad for a Saturday morning.

There is a zipper on the back and I added two over laps because I cut the waist a bit too big.  My plan will be to rip those stitches, as she needs space in the waist.

This was a fun and quick project.  Exactly what I need, for now.

Expect to see my Etsy shop close for a while.  I will probably focus less attention on Facebook and, instead, start a Twitter account.  Facebook is becoming less small business/free blog friendly.  My blog updates will still be posted to Facebook but I have no idea how many of you will actually see them.

Till next time...

~SLBY~

Nap mat

This all in one nap mat cover was a really fun project!  

The Kinder mats from Walmart are what this cover is designed to fit.  The cover includes a sham like enclosure and separate compartment for the mat, a pillowcase that will fit a travel size pillow, and a blanket.

  

All parts are one sewn piece.  This allows for easy storage, easy up keep and easy carrying.  It is also machine washable.  Which is essential for nap mats!

I'm making these mats available for purchase as a custom item on Etsy.  You can see the listing here.  This was made for a customer of mine but I had my daughter try it out and model it for me!  She said it was quite delightful.  

~SLBY

Store update!

Can I say that the absolute charm of Lockhart lies in the town's ample supply of superior BBQ?

Dude brought his helicopter to the restaurant!  My husband and kids were able to get a closer look, I had to run to the bathroom, after a very long drive.  He asked the pilot and friend what they were up to and I guess they were just flying in the area.  Found themselves hungry and decided to drop in.  Who does that?!?!

Awesome people, that's who!

My kids not only got to eat great but got to watch a helicopter fly off, half way through our meal.


I finally made it back to Simple Sewing Solutions!  The store definitely has a larger supply of fabric than before.  I believe they now have over 1000 bolts!

Almost as much fabric, as what's in my personal stash...

Can someone say "addiction"?

The employees I dealt with were extremely nice and helpful.  The counter top is gone but the same charm still exists.  Lots of samples, notions, and books.  If you haven't noticed yet, I'm big on samples.  I love inspiration. SSS still has some of the best prices I've seen at any LQS.

They've also updated their website with location, hours of operation and their calendar of classes and social times.  The store may have changed hands recently but beyond the missing counter, as a customer, I can't tell the difference.

Now rumor has it, and by rumor I mean Facebook, that Lockhart has added on another quilt shop called Calico Crossing.  And on their Facebook page is that coveted countertop.  I'm probably going to be the first person explaining to the police, "No, officer.  I wasn't going for the register.  I was just moving it, so I could steal the countertop."

I think Lockhart is trying to give Giddings a run for their money.  Nothing makes me happier than multiple LQSs in small towns that I pass through often.  I think my husband may have to start dining alone and bring me the leftovers.  The next time we happen through Lockhart, which unfortunately won't be for a while, I'm hoping to stop by Calico Crossing and share that new store with y'all.

I have two other stores to review, one in Shiner (the place with the BEER) and one in Corpus Christi.  I'm passed the crazy part that is the beginning of school, so I should be able to get those to y'all shortly.  And in one of those, I'll share a new iPhone app that will make finding LQSs much easier for you, in your travels.  

Much love, peace and happy quilting!

~SLBY

One hour tote bag!

I don't usually like to call things "one hour...".  I find that title to always be false.  Like Rachel Ray and her 30 minute meals.  After 3 of them taking me, a relatively skilled cook, at least a hour, I realized Rachel Ray had one thing I didn't.  A band of prep cooks and dishwashers.

Not that I'm bitter or anything...

Anyway...

I have a friend who found herself in a position of sitting in a lot of doctor office waiting rooms.  We had previously had a brief conversation about how much she liked to knit but just couldn't find the time.  I wanted to do something for her, especially as a way to fill those long waits.  I decided to make her a knitting kit.  A few things that I love for knitting and (my original plan) a cute bag to carry it all in.  I gathered the knitting supplies but couldn't find a cute, small and easy to carry bag.  I decided to make one myself.

I found the tutorial at Snappy Stitches and Patchwork Notes.  I made a few changes but nothing major.  I didn't do the patchwork look and I changed the placing of the drawstring.  If you do the patchwork look, this will definitely take longer than a hour.  This is a really good basic pattern.  Easily changed to fit your exact needs.  

The inside is quite spacious!  I have a set of size 5 bamboo needles, 3 skeins of Sugar 'n Cream yarn, a small dishcloth pattern book and a set of scissors.  I should have included a measuring tape too but completely forgot.  This bag is the right size to throw into trendy large purses.  If you are like me and not trendy, this bag is easy to carry on it's own.  And really, has uses far beyond knitting.  It would be a great outing bag for kids' toys, makeup/toiletry bag, non perishable snack bag, etc.  I like that it is toss in the wash, machine washable.  If you don't prewash your fabrics, this may shrink some with the first washing.  If size isn't a big deal, then I wouldn't worry.  If it is, then wash your fabric first before cutting.

Don't let the pattern size stop you.  I see visions of wine bottle gift bags.  You will just need to elongate and thin out the pattern width a bit.  Next time, I want to change up the drawstring.  In this case, I used what I had on hand.  I see endless possibilities with ribbon, leather cord, adding on beads, etc.  

The fabric is Buddha Party by Terrie Mangat for FreeSpirit Quilting.  It is an older collection and a piece I've had for quite some time.  I adore this fabric but have been waiting for the right piece and person.  It is definitely a love/hate fabric for most people.  It is such a happy fabric.  The spirit of the fabric was an exact match for my friend.

I hate when people who ooze good, have to go through bad.  It isn't fair, much like the rest of life.  I hope that my tiny token of affection helps pass those lengthy waits a little more quickly.  

And maybe I'll get a dishcloth or two out of it!

~SLBY

I've been shopping...

We are back from vacation!  I hit two shops while we were out.  One was a new store, for me.  The other was a sweet repeat.  Can't wait to share what I bought with you all.

We had a great time at the beach.  It was a wonderfully relaxing 3 days.  The weather was great.  The room was perfect.  The food was good.  And the time together unforgettable.  I've feeling quite sentimental at the moment.  Hug your loved ones tight, as life is precious and all to often too short.

In the famous words of my almost 3 year old son, "Good bye beach!"

Time to get on to the new school year and fall.

~SLBY

What is on your machine?

As summer comes to a close and my husband out of school, we are going to jam pack the next two weeks with as much family stuff as we can.  I will be scarce but will try to share pictures as much as I can.  Remember to like my Facebook page for more frequent updates!

I am currently quilting this darling sampler table runner.  I have SITD outlining the blocks, petals in the blocks and I drew and echoed flowers that look similar to the ones in the border on the border fabric.  This is so girly, I love it!

See you soon...

~SLBY

Blog update!

I updated the areas that have pictures of various projects. Now they show on a nice neat slideshow instead of the crazy layout I had before.

 Visit the updated sections:

• Clutches 
• Blankets 
• Odds and Ends

I'm excited because this is an update that has been a long time coming.  Expect to see additional visual changes.  

I'm knocking out that summer list.  Who cares if I'm doing it all in the last 3 weeks of the summer.  

Procrastinators unite!!  

Tomorrow....

~SLBY