The Ayumi Bag

Do you know Lori and Monica?

They are my favorites,

I love how fun and crazy Monica is 

and I made my quilt from Lori's first fabric line.

Last week they posted about these super cute bags they were both making.

They made it so fun by swapping each others fabrics and treats.

I saw what fun they were having and thought I would give the bag a try.

I was already at the Joann's buying fabric for the swap.

I found a super cute fat quarter bundle.

Came home and went to work and Lala got this bag.

I was trying to get the fairy on the bottom of the bag 

to be in the center.

I did not account for the boxed corners.

What I think is so fun about this little bag is the 

drawstring bag sewn into the top.

See adorable, and I don't have to worry about 

her running and things falling out.

Not that I really have to worry about that, but still.

I also love that it is fully lined.

How cute are the fairy wands.

Now I wish I could say that I was done 

with one bag and we could move on.

Nope!!

I went crazy, and made this one for me.

I took my scraps from my quilt,

pieced them together, and voila the cutest thing ever.

I did contrasting bands and I love it.

Lined it with this super cute daisy.

I think it is fabulous, it is currently holding my smocking.

All the girls including Baubi are getting smocked dresses for Easter.

I wasn't done though.

I then called my sister and told her she needed to make one too.

She got this super cute fabric,

She was suppose to get five fat quarters and got six instead.

She said that I had to use all of them and

she wanted me to line the drawstring part.

I didn't want to do, but now I like it better.

Super cute insides.

I am loving this way to much.

Then on Saturday Baubi came into my sewing room 

wanting to know how to sew a dress.

The amazing part of that whole sentence 

is the fact that she doesn't sew.

She has fought with me every time I try to get her to sew,

and has told me "Why do I have to learn when I have you"

I told her she should start with a bag 

instead of jumping all the way to a dress.

So here is her's.

I was gifted this fabric and it sparkles, 

all the best things for a teenage girl.

It is kind of hard to see but it really does sparkle a lot.

Even the lining.

Look at how cute she is.

Please look at her and not my messy room.

I told you not to look at the mess behind her,

or the mess around her either.

I still have more to say about this,

 but it is going to have to wait for later.

I have to go meet with Baubi's school counselor.

She starts High School in the fall.

How did that even happen.

The Rumors are True

One day last summer I went to Quilts Etc.

It is a great place, they have everything, and it is just too fun.

They have a whole room that is just depression fabrics.

Anyway I was looking at their novelty fabrics and over heard a conversion.

There was a lady at the cutting counter talking to the lady cutting her fabric.

Like most quilters she was complaining about the ridiculous cost of cutting blades.

That is when I heard the most amazing thing.

She said, "Have you heard about Harbor Freight Tools?"

I was really beginning to wonder what in the world a tool store had to do with quilting.

She went on to say

"I heard they have 45mm blades for like $2.00"

"I think they are for a carpet cutting tool or something"

"I think I saw it on a blog, is it true"

The cutting lady had no idea what she was talking about.

Flash forward to last month.

Over Christmas I got Good Looking to paint Baby sister's furniture.

It is now bright yellow and adorable.

I wanted to find really gaudy vintage pulls, and spray paint them orange.

I went to the re-store and they didn't have what I wanted.

Then I thought maybe Harbor Freight might have some.

I went in and asked, the nice man said they don't sell cabinet pulls.

I thanked him and turned away and then a small voice said in my head

"cutting blades"

I quickly turned back and asked him 

"Do you have round razor blades?"

He said "Yes they are for carpet cutters, but I am guessing...

(while giving me the up down look)

that you want them for quilting"

He walked me to where they lived and I found them.

Not only do they really exist, they really are less than $2.00.

On the day I was there they were on sale for only.

$1.79

I was so excited I bought a bunch.

There are two per package.

I quickly grabbed all my rotary cutters, and went to town.

The blades fit perfectly in these fiskars rotary cutters.

Look at those beautiful sharp edges.

Truly makes my heart go pitter pat.

Now before you start cutting all your squares for the swap,

run don't walk to your local Harbor Freight, and get your self a nice little stash.

If there is not one near you I found them on their web page.

Go here and get them shipped directly to you.

No need to thank me, really it is the least I could do. 

Still open

My first swap is full.

Yeah I am so happy!!!

Swap #2 still has two openings,

So go sign up here

Kelly green and purple are the colors that are left there.

Swap # 3 still has a lot of open space.

If you already signed up for one and are thinking that you might want more fabric,

(scrappy quilts take a lot of fabric)

You can sign up here

I am going to be working on emails today with all the extra info.

I just have to wait for Good Looking to leave with the kids ;)

If you are still wondering if you should,

Here are some projects to tempt you with.

Not to mention all the scrappy quilts going on on pinterest.

You will like what you get back I promise.

OK go already and sign up.

Here I will make it easy on you,

I won't even make you scroll back up.

Sign up here

and here.

Have a great Presidents day.

Start you engines,or fingers what ever.

Today is the day!

It is snowing, and gloomy.

So let's get swapping.

If you are new, I will let you know what I am talking about.

Every spring I host a color charm swap.

It goes like this.

You go to the store (or your stash) and get ten fabrics of the same color.

All you need is 1/4 yard, or a fat quarter.

Go home and cut them up into four inch squares.

Here is a tutorial.

You then send me your cut squares in a SASE

(self addressed stamped envelope)

I take your fabrics, I do the little shuffle and you get back

200 different fabrics all the colors of the rainbow.

Now I am not going to lie to you.

I have had problems in the past.

I am trying something different this year,

I have set up a spread sheet in Google.

Follow the link, choose your color,

and add your info.

Now if you want to be in different swaps,

you can with out fear of being lost in the shuffle.

I am going to have three swaps this time.

Here are the links

Spring Swap #1

Spring Swap #2

Spring Swap #3

Just a reminder the colors are 

Red

Hot pink

Light Pink

Orange

Yellow

Lime Green

Kelly Green

Aqua Blue

Royal Blue

Purple

Also just a reminder,

This is NOT Yellow

This is

This is not Green

This is

This is not Orange

Yep you got it, this is.

I am excited to try out my new spread sheet system.

I hope it really helps keep everything straight.

OK are you ready,

Get set,

GO!

  Oh one more thing the deadline is going to be March 7th

I am going to Hawaii on the 4th of April and I have to have this all 100% done.

Oh and one more, one more thing, I am happy to have international swappers

It makes it a lot more fun. If you are planning on plying with us, I did have to change thing up for you this time.

 There will be a fee of sorts, I have to have in my Paypal account the shipping funds before I will mail your package to you, and with fees and such from Paypal the fees are going to be this. 

$13.00 US for Canada and 

$20.00 US for everyone else. 

I will send it back to you in a  priority package with a tracking number.

I hope this doesn't count you out but I had a hard time getting paid back last time.

OK, now lets go.

What to do, what to do

Have you seen what is going on over at 

Family Ever After?

I follow the sewing competitions

and I always wish it was me.

I think it would be so much fun.

I never think of my self as a competitive person,

but when it comes to my sewing I am.

I think I am awesome, and I think I should win.

(self empowerment is everything right)

First step is to link up.

Then you have to get noticed by the judges.

Those judges are going to be tough.

I am not to worried about some of the competition. 

I am sorry but I don't think the lady who made the napkins is going to make it.

I don't think they are looking for quilters,

so that narrows down the field.

So far there are 102 entries,

only ten are going to be chosen to go on to compete.

So here I am wondering what to do,

what to link,

what would best show the judges what I can do.

I could show some casual stuff.

Like skirts

I could show off my fancy Easter dresses,

from last year.

Maybe Christmas dresses

I could really rock their world,

 and show off my heirloom sewing.

 

I can not forget Halloween, 

because if you know me, you know I get a little crazy there.

Well that is all I can think of now. 

I am sure when it is all said and done, 

I will think of five other thing I could have posted.

Wish me luck, I hope I make it.

In other news I am going to Hawaii in April

I want to have the Spring swap done, and done before I leave.

Get ready it is coming. 

Can I just say once again that I am not a technical person.

In blogger the pictures were all organized side by side,

and then when I hit preview it is skwampous.

Sorry, I really tried but the computer doesn't think like I do.