Lined Zipper Pouch

Ok please refrain from throwing anything at me. You might hate me after this post. I tried to warn you with my brain wiring post that sewing is coming pretty easy to me. With that said, here is my lined zipper pouch. I din't have fusible interfacing but that's nothing an easy trip to the store can't fix. It's not perfect, trust me and I have photos to prove it if you must see. I'm trying to keep in positive over here and not be my worst critique for once.  

  

Brain Wiring

Brandon and I have an inside joke. I'm bad at math. Anytime he asks me a question whether related to math or not, I'll blurt out, "I don't know, I'm bad at math." Honestly, I'm not though and it's no longer an inside joke. I've just given some really dumb answers to some really simple questions. Brain farts. We all get them. I do prefer a calculator though.


Math was probably my favorite subject ironically. With math there is usually one answer. It's black and white. Now there are several ways to get to that answer, but still, its one answer. 


Chemistry wasn't my best. I was always afraid of accidentally making an explosive device by combining the wrong chemicals. It was cool to see what things created, but the danger scared me off.


When it comes to English, well I just ain't good at it. I always got confused when we studied the parts of a sentence. Subject predicate blah blah. I love to write now for fun. Because no one, at least to my knowledge, prints out my blog posts and corrects them with a red ink pen. Oh I can feel the haunting now, my 9th grade english teacher was SO hard, but man I wished I would have paid more attention. 


I got bored with History and as they say it will repeat itself, I should have paid attention more in that class too but.. boring to this girl.


I'm just not a school person. Even in college I had very few classes that excited me. What did excite me was skipping class! I could have gotten an A in that subject. Skipping. Just thinking about it makes me smile. I couldn't help it. I was either a few minutes tardy which for me automatically meant I couldn't show up. Or I would be walking into the building where my class was and go right to the computer lab to kill time. Even after I drove 15 minutes to campus. Luckily I wasn't the avid blog reader/writer that I am today or I may would have failed out. 


I wonder how come I never ended up in any art classes or graphic design. What would I be doing differently today if my degree hadn't been in Marketing?


As I've sat at my sewing machine the last few nights, figuring out patterns with ease, I feel silly by how natural it feels. Just like dancing and coordination. How come my mind works so at ease with these types of activities but give me Algebra and a paper to write and I want to go CRAZY! Maybe for you you'd love the assignment of a paper or test but the idea of hot glue and glitter gives you the heeby jeebies. 

via

Glad I'm figuring out how my brain is wired before it's to late. That's all, thanks for listening.

Semi Fail

As promised.. my first semi fail.

See I found this adorable bag on Pinterest - duh where else - and knew I had to try it.

Now that I have a sewing machine I decided what better way to start than with something I've admired from afar that looks relatively simple. I can read and follow directions so I didn't think this would be too difficult and it wasn't. I started this project knowing it wouldn't be perfect but just to figure out what my weaknesses and strengths are. Now I said I could follow directions I just chose to skip some on purpose. I knew from the beginning I didn't have intentions of this pouch actually being of any use. 

• I used the wrong color thread. Not really a big deal on practice items.
• I skipped the lining process. Again..no big deal I chose to save this for later lesson.
• I  didn't have velcro or a flex frame to actually close the bag - skipped it. 
• The whole project turned out smaller than I thought. I can adjust im the future to make bigger.
• My peek-a-boos (pleats) turned out pretty good, will definitely try again.

I learned those lessons that's the best part about this. I wasn't even bummed that it didn't turn out perfect. Sometimes you learn more from the semi fails. I skipped the lining because I wasn't 100% sure how to do it. I've since done lots of research online and now found resources so I know how to line a pouch.Tonight I will be attempting just that - a lined zipper pouch - for my cosmetics. Wish me luck.

Ps. That IS my favorite nail color ever -- Geranium by Essie. If they every discontinue it, I'll be crushed!

Carry On

I'm sure you were wondering how to transport a sewing machine if you aren't traveling by land. 

First, there is the option of shipping it and waiting an extra long few days for the already highly anticipated new gadget.

Secondly, there is checking it with other luggage on an aircraft. Um fragile!?

Third (and also counting for an arm workout), - carry that bad boy on!

And carry it on I did. Can't say I've ever had that many people staring at me walking through the airport but I'm sure i wasn't the first to do it. 

I was worried that it wasn't going to fit in the overhead compartment. I called the customer service number to see what my best option was. They didn't seem concerned that it wasn't going to fit, but I wasn't convinced. Not until we landed back in Alabama. It made it, it's set up, and sewing. Traveling can be stressful as it is but way to go me for throwing another element into the equation. 

Later on I'll tell you about my latest sewing project. It wasn't a total fail but an excellent learning experience. 

Love Affair and Treat Sacks

I never told you how our first date ended. 

Well we are madly in love. 

And we will be heading home tomorrow..arm in arm. 

I was ready to sew instantly and sew I did. Haha.

My mom was taught to sew on old flour sacks.

Sure enough, I learned the same way. 

I hemmed all four edges and it was a little rough.

But the practice was good and I can tell my kids someday how I was taught, just like her.

I wanted something harder, more of a challenge.

An apron. I watched mostly but did sew several of the pieces together. 

It became a bit tricky so I let mom finish it & don't consider this my first project.

Then I lowered my expectations just a tad.

I started a project on my own and I'm a  little extremely excited about them.

I hit the fabric store to pick out something new.

I found myself touching every bolt of fabric in sight. 

I can see this being a problem in the future. I wanted it ALL.

I settled for a turquoise, pink plaid, and some muslin. 

I whipped up these adorable reusable treat sacks.

These bags will be perfect for Valentine's Day coming up and every other holiday.

Fill them up with you favorite sweet treats! 

It feels SO good to have made a project on my own! 

So simple and adorable. 

Linkin' up with I {heart} Naptime's Sundae Scoop and Tatertots & Jello

Tag - I'm It.

It's going around in bloggy town. 

I've been tagged by Katie

I didn't know I'd signed up to play tag but I'm up for it.

The Rules

1. You must post the rules. (and then break or create your own) 

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven how ever many new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag eleven a few other people and link them on your post

5. Let them know you've tagged them! 

Because SO many people have already been tagged I'm throwing out some of the rules.

  

My Questions from Katie:

{1.} If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

Hawaii was my first thought. 

{2.} Why did you start your blog?

I was scrapbooking and wanted to put some of my cards and craft projects I've made online.

They were paper shoes and dresses go check them out from almost TWO years ago.

{3.} Who is your favorite Disney Character?

Tiana from The Princess and the Frog - cause she chases her dreams and makes them happen.

{4.} What's your biggest pet peeve?

Used to be when toilet paper came from the underneath side. 

{5.} How many pets do you have?

Me and the Mr.... none together. Both our families have dogs and cats.

{6.} What is your favorite feature about yourself?

I take pride in my finger nails. Also very thankful for my straight teeth and smile.

{7.} Favorite color?

I love all colors. Red, navy, purple are top favorites.

{8.} Would you rather go to the zoo or the aquarium?

Aquarium, it seems romantic.

{9.} Favorite ice cream flavor?

I love the basics. Vanilla. Chocolate. Cookie dough. Cookies and Cream. Dip'N'Dots. Moose Tracks.

{10.} Your roommate/spouse calls because your house is burning down. They have time to grab 2 things for you. What are they?

I hate thinking about this. I don't think I'd know if I'm panicked - just for HIM to get out of the house mostly. ALso I guess my laptop because I have so many photos and memories on this thing. I better back it up now just in case.

{11.} Favorite way to waste time?

Pinterest. Facebook. Twitter. I don't see that as wasting time though if I'm enjoying it.

Tag your it....

BLAIR @ Oh you know..

HANNAH @ Snitkerdoodle

KAREN @ Journalista

SARAH @ Pracht Party of 3

LAUREN @ boy loves girl

...and if you don't want to play I WON'T be offended. 

Now 

ask some questions.

1. What is your go to snack this week.

2. If you had the whole week off what would you spend it doing?

3. What accomplishment are you the most proud of?

4. Favorite photo from 2011.

5. What are your guilty pleasure(s)?

6. What is something you wish you were better skilled to do?

7. Flats or heels?

8. If we hung out, what craft would you want to make together, if any?

9.  Favorite movie?

10. Are you doing something sweet for your Valentine this year?

 (I'm going totally cheesy by the way including lots of mushy stuff.) 

Image via Pinterest

Seasons

I'm not typically good with change but seasons I've always known. 

Now I live in Alabama where the seasons are not quite the same as Missouri's.

When we stepped off the plane on Thursday out into the fierce cold and snow flurries I was so excited. Finally winter. Anyways I'm over it after a while, like most but I do enjoy at least one snowfall and a very cold day or two. 

On those days I usually almost always daydream, at least once, about a hot hot summer day. Be honest, you know you do it too.

Winter

Spring

Spring arrives or doesn't depending on mother nature and if she fast forwards straight to summer. I love spring too. Fresh air and beautiful flowers.  Even the rainy days are not so bad.

Summer

Summers go by so quick. I spend many of these days at the ball park. I love the long evenings, sandals, and the pool on very hot days.

Fall

To settle down from the summer vacations Fall keeps us in check with the cooler weather, beautiful array of ever changing leaves, and routines of back-to-school. 

I don't have a favorite. I have favorites about each season but I love them all. 

Enjoying these cold temperatures made me thankful for the always changing unexpected weather we may have.