Snow Day = Sew Day

Actually, Tuesday was more of an ice day here in Southern Ohio, but that didn't rhyme quite as well. ;)

The January 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living had a great article about log cabin quilting. As a novice to the sewing world, I haven't attempted any quilting yet, but it's something I'm really interested in learning. After reading the article, I was inspired to try a couple of the projects, starting with the iPod case.

I knew by the forecast that I'd likely spend most of the week indoors. So, I decided it would be a good idea to head to the craft store and get the few supplies I needed to work on the projects. Okay, who am I kidding? The only thing I didn't have was batting and I could just as easily have picked that up where I grocery shop. However, it was a good excuse to go to Joann's!

The iPod case in the original article was made of denim, but I decided to make it out of felt (like the eyeglass case in the same article) because I have a TON in my stash from a sale last year.

When I sat down to begin the project, I realized there were great instructions on how to create the log cabin pattern, but no step-by-step directions in the magazine or online for this particular project. The Type A side of me started to freak out a little bit. I've often said that I'm "crafty, but no creative." I like to be told EXACTLY what to do when it comes to most projects. After some deep breathing, I carefully examined the picture and came up with a plan.

Since there were no measurements given, I measured the iPod and then guesstimaed based on the picture. To start, I cut several 1.5" strips of the teal felt. Since the center piece wasn't a square, I started with a 3.5" section and built outward from there. I used 1/4" seam allowances throughout.

Sewing the front and back pieces together was by far the hardest part. I decided to add batting to both the front and back panels for a little extra padding. My machine made it through 4 layers of felt and the batting with only one broken needle. I'm calling that a success.

Then came the true test. Would the iPod fit? Like a glove! Height wise, the end of the iPod lines up exactly with the end of the case.

This was a fun 1st foray into quilting. Although it's not perfect, it helped me build my confidence to try more. I really like the process of the log cabin and I'm eager to create more with this newly-learned technique.
I'm linking up my project to this parties:

Joann's Haul

Yesterday I went shopping at the nearby outlet mall with my BFF on her day off. She's 4 months postpartum and in that weird "maternity clothes are too big, pre pregnancy clothes don't fit" stage. We've been BFFs for about 20 years and like similar things, but our tastes in clothing are very different. She asked me to come to be her honest opinion and so I'd encourage her to try things on that were outside of her clothing comfort zone. She found some really great pieces at great prices!

I didn't buy a single thing...until I made a pit stop at Joann's on the way home. :)

In my defense, I had a $10 coupon that I earned with a previous purchase and I didn't want to forget to use it. I also needed some embroidery floss and new embroidery needles for a cross stitch project I'm ready to begin. I found those right away:

That didn't add up to my $10 and I wasn't about to let any "free money" go to waste in a craft store. I decided to use the other coupon I had for 50% off one cut of regularly priced fabric. After literally 45 minutes of wandering the aisles, I finally settled on the damask that kept catching my eye:

That still put me just shy of my $10 so I ventured to my favorite place in the fabric store: the remnant bin. I absolutely love digging through the remnant bin. Besides the fabric there being discounted (always a plus), it's fun to see what other people have been buying that resulted in the leftovers. I always wonder what they used their cut of fabric to create. 

My hunt for a remnant to fill in the gap resulted in my buying 9 remnants:

All of them cost $1-$3. I don't have specific plans for any of them yet. They're all just cotton so they're versatile and I'm sure I'll find something. 

Oh, dear. Those are the famous last words of someone with a fabric addiction, aren't they? :)

My Fair Baby

Yesterday my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and I took Peanut to her very first county fair.

It was a bajillion degrees and extremely crowded. Blech! We didn't stay very long. 

Of course my sister-in-law and I had to check on how our Home Arts projects faired in the judging and take pictures of our items on display. This was my main motivation for even wanting to 

My digital scrapbook took 1st place in its category:

My vacation scrapbook got a 5th place:

Neither of my sewing items placed. No shame there considering I'm an extreme novice. You should have seen the incredible pieces they were up against! Not gonna lie, I swelled with pride when I saw them on the display shelves even though there were no ribbons there. Regardless of how well they did, I made those and other people saw them. :)

 

I kinda wish they would have at least straightened the letters before putting it on the shelf. Oh well.

My sister in law did pretty well with her gift wrapping and baked good projects. This is sort of pathetic, but we're already planning projects and categories to enter for next year. The 2010 fair isn't even over yet!

Off to the fair!

I just got home from entering my projects in the county fair!

I showed horses at my hometown county fair when I was younger, but I've never entered anything as an adult. My sister-in-law entered things for the first time last year and has been trying to talk me into it since then. Until recently, I wasn't diggin' the idea. There's just something about putting my work out there for people to see and judge that makes me nervous.

As the fair actually drew near, my sister-in-law's excitement was contagious and I decided to enter a few things. It would be nice to win for pride and for the cash prizes, but I'm not going to be devastated if I walk away empty handed. I'm just really proud of myself for letting go of my insecurities and it will be neat to have my projects on display.

Here's what I entered:

honeymoon scrapbook (digital category)

Girls' Cruise 2006 scrapbook (vacation category)

felt ABC pillow (miscellaneous pillow category)
template from Martha Stewart

stuffed fish (stuffed toy - cloth category)
Thanks to Kristan for introducing me to this Stanley pattern from Fig Tree & Company. I did sew a smaller piece of black felt onto the eye after taking this picture because it just didn't stand out enough for me.

I also entered a plate of 5 Roma tomatoes from our garden. I'd hoped to have more veggies to enter. Unfortunately, our hot peppers peaked too early and our squash haven't come on yet because we were a little late in planting. :(

The judging is tonight at 5pm. Any good vibes would be much appreciated!