Finished my Little White Dress

Evening look

Daytime Look

Little White Dress

What fun! I entered my first pattern review contest! I have been a longtime member and have never entered before. The contest required entrants to take a minimum of 3 shots of the dress.  It proved to be more versatile than I thought.  The funny thing is, I don't believe I have ever owned a white dress, so I am not sure why I decided to enter this, but I am glad I did! I am already looking for the next contest! Meanwhile, I still have quite a few unfinished objects to complete. At least the little white dress was not added to that bin.

So far so good, $20

Well, this whole paying myself to complete unfinished objects is working so far!  I have another project (small though it may be) completed.  This is another bag that I just got burned out on making.  I had made two of the larger bags and just didn't have the motivation to finish this one.  And so it has set in a bag of incomplete projects for about 5 years or so.  It's funny because it really only took a couple of hours to complete it.  I am excited about closing out these unfinished objects!  the next one is a blouse that's only been around for about a year and a half.  And I have $20 in my completed UFO envelope too!  This is getting to be fun!

I'm not sure what I will use this for, but I will come up with something.  I am always losing things in my purse, so maybe I can put something useful in it.  It's a little big for things like my cardkey and trainpass.  Oh well, on to my next UFO.

Get the year started right!

Happy New Year! Happy to see yet another year! I am excited about what this year will bring. I saw a wonderful idea on the heirlooms creations site. it is a strategy to complete UFO's! Although I am not geographically close enough to participate with them, I decided to adopt the idea on my own. so I have made a list of my UFO's. there are 37. (I know, excessive) but, the first step is to acknowledge there is a problem. Worse yet, some of them go back five years. Yikes! I will say that another site had a contest for oldest ufo's, and someone has had an unfinished quilt since 1969. They have me beat... Still five years is too long and nothing to brag about. so, my plan is to tackle these unfinished objects this year. This should keep me away from the fabric store, and give me some sewing satisfaction and closure. I am going to pay myself $10 for each UFO Completion, and buy something special with the money.
I put together an excel spreadsheet to document each UFO. I put the pattern company name and number, the approximate start date, a short description and any notes on where or why I off, and who the recipient is. I can tell that I stopped on some because my sewing skills were not at the level to complete the project. Some I just never got around to after cutting the pieces. Some I needed specialty notions or interfacings and some, well, I just got bored. I have to admit, it was interesting going back down memory lane, and because my granddaughter has outgrown some of the outfits, charity will receive a few items.
Now, this will not stop me from starting new projects, but I will have a focus on these UFO's. Happy sewing!
Well, I did finish my first UFO today.  I don't know how often I will do this, but I am happy to take one off of the list.  This was a grocery bag I started about 4 or 5 years ago.  I had completed about 3, and just ran out of steam.  It is nice to take one off of the list.

July 2013 - Published late!

I love Summer!  Always fun to take some time off of work and relax.  Hope to get some sewing time in.  Made a couple of pairs of shorts, still working on the Jacket Express and the tailored shirt from Craftsy.  Truthfully, I haven't quite finished the Quilt from 2012.  Still taking my time finishing it.  Sounds like I need to sit down and complete a few projects. ok I never published this one, but I did finish the 2012 Block of the month quilt from craftsy! I added a second border because I wanted it to be a little bigger. 

2013 Comes to an end

I do believe this has been the fastest year of my life! I haven't posted as often as I had hoped, nor have I sewn as much, but I did contain some of my fabric spending. I have a ridiculous number of UFOs, which will be a priority for me in 2014. I have a few finished items to post. Happy holidays!

This is my 2nd quilt.  I went to a quilt show and bought the pattern, then tried out free motion quilting on it.  It is not perfect, but I definitely improved my free motion skills on this one. 

Finally back!

It has been a whirlwind few months. I have been sewing and going! Had a great milestone birthday party in April and decided to sew the 30 gift bags for my guests. What was I thinking? I used the tutorial from all people quilt (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/small-treat-tote_1.html) and used mostly scrap fabric. I also increased the size to 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 I couldn't resist going out and getting some fabric! I guess it is obvious I haven't succeeded in using my stash only--but, I am getting better...a little. This is not the best picture of the bags, but you can get the idea! I have one or 2 left that I may retake a picture of.

 Made a cute button down shirt for my grandson. I hadn't seen him in a while, and he is already a little big for this shirt.  They grow way too fast! The fabric has the "Cars" motif.  He is really into Lightning McQueen!

The Spring 2013 SewStylish magazine had the cutest peplum top on the cover so I ran out and bought the pattern, Simplicity 1699.  I was really happy with the top, so I made the dress also.  Both were quick and easy! I am going to work on a varsity jacket for my granddaughter. that should keep me busy all summer, maybe I will post it on this blog.

March fun

Well I don't seem to be doing much better than last year on the posting, but I am having fun in yet another Craftsy class. this one is the Sassy Librarian blouse. it was fun to make and pretty easy.  I also made a triangle purse that I hadn't posted.  I am also working on an evening clutch purse. I plan on tackling a few of my UFOs this week.