Monday, October 11, 2010

Retro Bag

Quite a bit of sewing yesterday and today and quite a bit of "unsewing" because I had problems with my metallic thread and didn't realize it until I had to stop and clean out my bobbin case.  Interestingly enough, I didn't really get upset, I was having a good time just doodling.  It is going to take some time to fill in the applique pieces, and hopefully it will be worth the effort.  If nothing else I figure I am practicing my free motion skills. 
Today I worked on and completed my version of a Retro Bag pattern.    http://www.etsy.com/listing/58676102/retro-fun-bag-patterns?ref=em, I purchased from Greta's Blog.  I added 3 inches to the width of the bag  and made the handles longer because I want to use it for a tote for work and also this was my practice run.  I am happy with the outcome and can't wait to make a few more in different sizes and true to the pattern (which is much sleaker).  She has a picture of a small version, which I think would be a really cute accessory to match the bag.  Front and back
The pink areas on the front of the bag are big pockets, the back has a zippered pocket. and the inside
Fully lined, pockets on both sides.  I used a piece of a remnant I purchased at JoAnn Fabrics for about $3.  It was a drapery remnant.  I think her instructions are great, lots of pictures and tips.  I had never put in a magnetic snap before and it was easy peasy.  NAYY,  but check out her patterns and her quilting is fantastic.   Happy Sewing. Berning

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Scrapbooking Retreat

I recently went to a scrapbooking retreat at Craftman Lodge in Colorado.  My good friend Diane and my oldest DD are both avid scrapbookers and have kind of made me a scrapbooker too.  My first love is sewing, but scrapbooking is fun too and similar to quilting with pictures.  When I think about it, the memory quilts I have made are scrapbooking with fabric. 
Happy Scrappers busy at creating. That's my buddy Diane in the top photo.  Here we all are along with the sweet lady who organized the weekend Teri and my beautiful DD (in the red top and white shorts).  This was a beautiful lodge, slate and marble all over the place and the weather was perfect. 

And last but not least, some of my creations


I completed 12 new pages, which is pretty good for me, but what was really nice was to spend some time just being creative with my daughter and good friend.  We thought about planning our own mini-retreats and hopefully that is something we really will do.  Happy Wednesday! Bernie

Monday, October 4, 2010

Creative Courage

Actor Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion:

Courage.
What makes a King out of a slave? Courage.
What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage.
What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?
What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage.
What makes the Sphinx the 7th Wonder? Courage.
What makes the dawn come up like THUNDER?! Courage.
What makes the Hottentot so hot?
What puts the "ape" in ape-ricot?
Whatta they got that I ain't got?
Dorothy & Friends: Courage!

Cowardly Lion: You can say that again.

That is what came to mind tonight.  Why can't I take this

And this

and transfer all of this practice to the real deal? The quilt top I threw together (rather sloppily) just to practice on?
Courage.  I am afraid to "ruin" this top with my amateur quilting.  I have practiced and practiced, I have several stacks of all my practice pieces, but for some reason I cannot bring myself to put this quilt under my sewing machine needle. I will have to get past this mental block, because I know the only way to really learn this skill is to do it.  So I will set Friday as my deadline to put this in the machine and start quilting it.  Maybe the great and powerful OZ will give me courage. :)  
I have been busy, loving the first days of Fall, loving the cooler weather.   We had a nice little mini holiday when my husband's cousin came to visit and then I went to a scrapbooking retreat with my oldest daughter and a good friend and that was fun too. I will be following up with pics on that adventure later.  Today is my favorite aunt's birthday and I had a nice long phone chat with her.  Happy Birthday Aunt Marion! October is my birthday month too, so I am making resolutions and plans for the coming year.  I want to try to work outside my comfort zone in quilting.  Here is a sneak peak of one of my current projects.

I am freemotion basting the applique with invisible thread and plan to thread paint it with metallic.  I am going to use a wool batt because I want the applique to stand out after quilting without having to do trapunto.  Hope everyone is sewing happy.  Bernie