Leaves Keep on Fallin'

 This is a fun little project I whipped up for Singer.  These fun fall leaves are similar to the ones I created for another Crafts n' things project Falling Leaves Apron although simplified to fall color Kona's. I used the same Accuquilt die to cut the leaves but hand cutting is always an option.

 

Go and visit this fun project at Crafts n' things or Singer.com. 

So once I had the pile of fall leaves sitting on my table I had to find more things to use them for. I love the straight out of the dryer wrinkly and showcasing every layer of the Kona.  I created a paper bag wreath and pinned my beautifully crinkled leaves in place. I just love fall don't you?

Special Announcement!

Try as I might and my friends at Crafts n' things have tried as well....we could not get in touch with the winner of the Riley Blake/ Accuquilt winner from Septembers blog post Pillbox Pincushion. So sad for her but excited for my peeps here on be still my crafting heart. I get to reward one of you with this fabulous prize. So all of you who put the time in on entering the contest in the first place were all back in the running.

As a brief refresher

this is the prize...

this was the project....

AND this my friends is the new winner...if she chooses to respond!!

Phyllis

Phyllis*

So I will be awaiting your response Phyllis.

In addition I have the long awaited winner of a pre-cut kit to make your very own pin cushion.

2 winners one blog post crazy I know.

The Kit winner is...

Bizy Stitches*

look forward to hearing from you!

If you are interested in getting your very own pre-cut kit give me a shout below or shoot me an email, I have so many fabrics to choose from. $8 per kit shipped. Each kit includes all the pre-cut fabric you need to make a pillbox pincushion with pockets (12 tumblers and 2 circles). 

Have a fabulous week!! 

*winners chosen with random.org

great finds friday

I will post an actual picture of the Crafts n' things blog prizes here but for now I am sitting the the jury selection room so I am a little limited. So make your comments for your extra chance to win the fun sewing basket full of clover product!
Good Luck!!

 UpDate...
What a week! Trying to play a little catch up now...
Finished jury duty where I think I  got some germ buggy, then on to my battle with chiffon (don't think I need to say more about that I'm putting it behind me although the bride will look fabulous!!)..now back to work.

Lets get right to the fun stuff... I have a few late additions to the prize package on Craft n' things blog.
Creative Options was sweet enough to send along a few more storage options that can store your small bits an bobbles right inside your tapered tote (at front of picture)!

Double sided micro utility perfect for the tiny bits buttons, beads and the like.
Four stack jar organizer ideal for keeping pins, needles and other notions.


So much fun so I am going to up your chances one last time since we are down to the final hours....
Share the link...get more people to come and enter...1 extra entry for a tweet, 1 extra entry for a facebook post...then come on back and let me know how many entries I owe you. 

Cut and paste this link with your comment on your social media page for your extra entries...

http://blog.craftsnthings.com/?p=9209

Get it all entries in by midnight PDT tonight.

May the odds be ever in your favor!! 
 

Crafts n' things Blog coming out party

I feel as if I have arrived...but where exactly I am I can not say. I am super busy and get to do awesomely fun things like create friendships with Editors and design fun projects to share. Although my projects have been published many a time in several different forums there is something about captivating the online realm through a blog post that is exciting. I know I don't have a huge following that isn't really what it is about for me, I am about the projects and the love of crafting sewing and all things creative.

Since I do hopefully have new visitors today coming from Crafts n' things I want to say WELCOME! So glad you took the moment to click on over, if you are only here to get an extra entry I totally hear that, I LOVE getting fabulous product for free! Take a minute and cruise on through and let me know what you think about the projects I have posted and what you would like to see.

Come on back next week as I will have an exclusive giveaway to go along with my Crafts n' things blog post "Great Finds Friday: National Sewing Month Edition" next week.  Plus I should be announcing the winner of today's fabulous prize on that post as well. And there should be another fab giveaway you won't want to miss.

Dare I add one more giveaway for the day? I think I shall...comment on this post by Friday Sept 13th midnight PST and enter for a chance to win a precut kit for this fabulous pillbox pincushion! Like me on Facebook for an extra chance to win!!! I soo love giveaways!



thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Cover Story: Hexie Handbag

Updated info @ bottom of post for those having issues understanding the printable pattern on Sew News...

This has been my busiest summer on record...Girls camp, family camp, working, trips and kids. I think back to school will be a rest...well except all the forcing kids out of bed, getting dressed and off to school then home, force them to do your homework, do thier chores and get to bed on time...but that time in between I might actually be able to catch up. Back in the saddle...back to the gym...back to me.  But before my last summer trip to Tahoe I received a package...a box from Sew News a returned project and the issue it would be in...and what a fun surprise...

=

I might have been as giddy as a little girl when I got my August/September issue of Sew News Magazine.  I squealed with delight when I saw my project donning the cover. My husband thought it was one of the kids...and I am okay with that. I am so thrilled to share this project and honored that it was cover worthy.

Sew News is also featuring the project online so click it..make it and share it!
Make a Hexie Handbag and let me know how it turned out...post me a link, send my a pic... I will share your version.... I would love to see your take on this tote.
Have fun and make it you!

I received an email with questions on the making of this tote...first THANK YOU! glad you like the tote enough to want to make it! From what I understand the pattern can be a little challenging to piece together...so to help simplify the situation here are the piece measurements...

Cut each of suiting, lining and craft weight interfacing:

Front and Back: 2 – 14 inches x 12.5 inches

Side panel: 2 – 14 inches x 6 inches

Bottom: 1 – 12.5 inches x 6 inches

Side Pocket: 2 – 7 inches x 6 inches

Front pockets: 2 – 10.5 inches x 12.5 inches (point at center and drop to 7 inches at sides)

Handles: 2 – 24 inches x 4 inches

Cut each of velvet and light weight interfacing:

Hexagon: 8 – 2.5 inches tall

Let me know who it turns out!

Leaves are a Fallin'

This apron was a project in the planning...picking the right dies and dyes makes all the difference. I can't emphasize enough how having the right tools and supplies makes all the difference in your finished project.

For full instructions and supply lists pick up a copy of Crafts n' things Fall 2013 issue.

This is what you are looking for...

 Let me just say Accuquilt knows what they are talking about when it comes to cutting fabric. These leaves with their intricate detail where crisply cut with no lingering string. What a delightful way to cut 100's of muslin leaves.

Once cut, dyeing was made simple with  Tulip One Step Dye the brush blending ombre technique gives you all the control and makes you look like a crafting hero. You will want to try this!

 

Special thanks to Annie for asking me to design and create this apron for Crafts n' things, I love a challenge. Pattiewack from ilovetocreate.com for her support and amazing Tulip One Step Dyes. And to Lynn @ accuquilt for having the perfect die for the job. 

forever corsage: a peek behind the process

Go visit Craft n' things for a full tutorial.

If you have ever wondered, and maybe you don't even care, what these ideas start out as...

Well if you do care to find out you will continue on if you don't you will just follow the link above to make your own. Each projects starts as a sketch...inspirations for a project can come from anywhere...this one was inspired by this cotton lace I found in the clearance bin at Hancock. So before I even had a project in mind I had to have every bit of it, this might be why I have such a large stash of potential (fabrics, ribbons, lace...,man I should clear out so I have more room to craft and space for new acquisitions). Once inspirations strikes I flesh out my ideas on paper with a pencil, I played with the lace to find out what it wanted to be. I try to make notes of supplies, steps and techniques I want to use so when it comes time to start a project I compile everything I need and don't have to stop in the middle to run to the store.

In the creative process with the original lace.

 

Here is the original sketch (don't judge, I'm not an artist) with the finished project...did it end up as it should have? Personally I think it turned out better then the sketch but that is my 2 cents.

I would love to see what your working on...your version of the forever flower...share!!