Cell Phone Cases, a Purse, a Favicon, a Participant Event, and Badly Dressed "Women." What A Day!

Hello!  I hope everyone (in America) had a great...and safe...holiday weekend!  To those not in the USA, I hope you had a great weekend, too!  I can tell you that my dog is glad the fireworks are over.  He has been petrified since July 1st!  He's finally able to come out from his hiding place under the bed and resume his domination over the cat.  Go get her Wallace!

I accomplished a few sewing related things over the extended weekend.  First, I finished the third, or is it the fourth, cell phone case?  I have been tweaking the design since the first one I made was completely unpractical for me.  My final (I hope) design is the same size, but instead of batting, I used two layers of flannel.  I tried one layer and found this too light weight.  For this final design, I also slipped a piece a stencil plastic in between the layers on the backside in order to stiffen this part of the case.  I used Velcro and sewed both pieces on with invisible thread.  The button is for decorative purposes only.  It serves no function.  I've given the case to a friend who has the same phone as me.  She has been tasked to carry her phone in this case and report back its practicality, etc.  What do you think?  Oh, this time I got the birds going the "right" direction. 

I also got my hands on some of the fabric I bought Friday.  I decided to try Simplicity 2396A Sweet Pea Totes  with the black and red fabric.  I found this pattern was written well and surprisingly easy to follow.  I really like the design of the bag and I love the pleats.  One thing I might change when I do another is to lengthen the straps.  They are a bit short for my taste.  The fabric is delicious. 

I'm very pleased with this bag.  I might have to keep this one for myself!

Have you noticed my favicon?  That's the little image that appears in your open tab or toolbar when you are on a site that has its own unique icon.  Mine is a shrunken version of my profile image.  As I have stated numerous times, I am not a super techno savvy mama.  This favicon was a HUGE accomplishment for me.  I have been working on it for days.  Last night when I clicked and finally saw the image, I nearly jumped out of bed!  I felt like I had won the lotto or something!  Now that I am an expert, I am willing to help any of you who would like their own favicon for their site.  Send me an email and I will let you know how I made mine!

BREAKING NEWS!!  I've got a participant event I am working on.  I'm sorting out some details, but I'll give you a hint...are you a Gen X'er? A Babyboomer? Do you still wear your favorite Chic jeans from the 80's?  Do you drool over Audry Hepburn fashion?  Mull over these questions and come back for the reveal!  I hope to post the details in the next day or two!

Okay, one last thing....I saw these "people" today as I walked into work.  I say people because I'm not quite sure if they are horribly dressed women or men in ugly women diguises...Happy Birthday America!  Only here can you walk down the street in slippers, rollars, and outfits like these!

Toodles for now!

Tutorial Posted at Craft Gossip!

Good news and bad news.  First, my Belt Buckle Purse Strap Tutorial was posted at Craft Gossip! Anne Weaver sent me the nicest email.  Her website is great and there is really great information there on all sorts of different crafts.  I hope that a lot of people make a bag using my tutorial.  If you are one of them, I want to see it!  It is really very easy...give it a try.

Okay, now for the bad news.  My cell phone case did not work out very well for me today.  Backstory:  I got the new HTC Droid phone a few days ago and I have been paranoid about breaking the camera or scratching the touch screen.  This is the reason I wanted to make a case for it.  My phone fits perfectly inside my new case butit  really isn't very practical.  I mean, I can't get it out quickly when it rings.  So, while the case protects my phone great, I'm going to have to come up with another design.  The first change I am going to try is simply use velcro for the closure instead of the button.  I've already cut out fabric for two new cases.  I've decided to use flannel instead of batting.  I think this will "de-bulk" the case.  Hopefully, I will finish these up tomorrow.

One last thing...did you notice Wonder Woman's makeover?  Anyone that has been on this blog journey since the beginning knows that WW is special to me.  I only recently changed my profile from her image.  I'm not sure what to make of her new look.  I'm going to have to ponder this new look for awhile before I make up my mind.  What do you think?

NYDailyNews.com

  Toodles for now!

Droid Cell Phone Case Complete!

Droid Cell Phone Case (front)

Backside

Well, I finished the case for my new cell phone tonight.  I found the tutorial for the case at Sew Mama Sew a few days ago.  I thought I was going to have to alter the measurements for my phone, but luckily, I didn't have to!  This is great because measuring/math is not my forte.  That sounds terrible for a sewist doesn't it?  I'm getting better, but I've been very guilty of "eyeballing" my measurements in the past.  I now pinkie swear I will no longer do this...Anyway, I'm pretty happy with my results.  My new "Droid" phone (I'm not sure what that means) fits inside perfectly.  I used a fabric from Tina Givens' Free Spirit line called Rachael  for the outside and decided on a pale pink flannel for the lining.  I thought this would be softer on the phone, which it is, but it also makes it a bit bulkier since there is also a layer of batting.  I will definately make more of these since they don't take a lot of fabric and it was a pretty quick project from beginning to end.  Maybe I'll change the closure on the next case I make.  Maybe velcro or a snap?  What do you think?

Just one more thing.  Awhile back I signed up to receive newletters and discounts from Simplicity, McCall's, Vogue, and Butterick.  I usually get two or three of their adds every day.  I got one from Vogue a few days ago and just opened it today.  In it I found their new collection.  In this collection is one gorgeous dress.  It is Vintage Vogue 1171. 

Vintage Vogue 1171

 

I also found what I am certain is the most awful dress I have ever seen.  Tell me what you think of this Mrs. Roper number, otherwise known as Vogue 1181.

Vogue 1181

Pretty terrible huh?  I don't have anymore words for this.

Toodles for now!

Knick Knacks, Rusty Lawnmowers and A Sweaty 40 Year Old, Ultra White (Now Sunburned) Lady. Is There Anything More Sexy?

Whew!  My first ever garage sale was a success!  I started setting up yesterday around 10:00 and made my first sale at about 10:15!  Although I made $127.75 total, I realize now that I could have been more successful had I started my sale earlier.  It was extremely hot and I think most "garage hunters" start and finish their hunts early, especially when the weather is super hot.  I have also learned that buyers are attracted to lawn mowers, plastic large outdoor play equipment, and bikes.  These items sold quickly.  Even though the heat was unbearable and my shoulders are now sunburned, I think I have the garage sale bug!  Except for the heat, doing this garage sale was pretty fun.  I met some really nice people, including Megan, a gal that bought a lot of my treasured cake decorating supplies, namely, my fondant and gumpaste cutters.  I sure hope she enjoys them as much as I did...I know whoever she makes the decorations for sure will!  I can't wait for my next sale!  Next time I will be more organized, start sooner in the day, and have more one dollar bills on hand for change!

I want to thank Dotty at Totally Tutorials for posting my Belt Buckle Purse Strap Tutorial.  This is my second tute and it was really fun to do.  If you have never been to Dotty's site, you should visit.  She posts all sorts of sewing how-tos as well many other crafts...even on blogging!

I'd also like to thank Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds for starting the Bloggerette Sorority!  I joined this group today and although I'm too late to participate in the "Rush," I can't wait to get involved in this sisterhood!  There are all sorts of different crafts represented by the blogging sisters.  I am sure I am going to learn a lot from these ladies and from being part of this community.  Check out the Sorority button.  Isn't is beautiful? 

Now, what should my next project be?  I am definately still looking for a design to cover my iTouch and new cell phone.  Anyone have a great pattern?  Send it my way.  I found a design at  Sew Mama Sew, but I'll have to change the dimensions to fit my gadgets...and you know, math really isn't my thing.

Sew Mama Sew

I've had a fantastic weekend!  I hope you all have as well!  Oh, and I am almost feeling back to normal after the kidney stone.  Thanks again for the "get well" wishes.  I have an appointment with my super sweet doc tomorrow and I know he'll be giving me the "all clear!"  (Fingers crossed)

Toodles!

iPod Case for ME

So, I decided to make myself something. This is rare. When I look at fabrics I usually look at them and decide, "oh so and so would love a bag made from this," or "wouldn't this be cute on so and so?" So, I decided to make an iPod case for ME. It turned out okay, but I probably should not have quilted it. I haven't done much quilting, well, I have only quilted one thing, a bib, before. But anyway, I thought quilting would protect my iPod, so I quilted. I think the zipper turned out okay, too. This is always my issue...and I don't think I uttered any curse words with this zipper insertion. Success!

I think I will try this project again, but this time I will go for something a bit bigger...maybe the size of a Nook? hint hint....

Angela