Something New, Something Old

And yes, something blue as well, but nothing borrowed, so don't you go reading into it, I am not getting married. Very happy the way I am, thank you. Although, judging by the lapse of time since I last wrote here, I would have had ample time to get married and go on a honeymoon around the world!

The reality is that summer has taken me by surprise. We've had beautiful weather in my little corner lately and so I spent much more time outside, enjoying every minute of it, than I have spent sitting in front of the computer. It's been very good for me, I've even got a hint of a tan.

While I may not be working much on my sewing projects these days, something big is about to take place in my craft room. I am planning a complete reorganization of my space, a major decluttering, a definite end to the infernal chaos! And I've hired some help: my out-of-school-for-the-summer devoted boyfriend is drawing the plans of what will be my new fabric armoire. I just can't wait to see it built and filled with all my lovely fabrics.

But this is only one part of the plan. My goal is to turn my bland, messy space into an organized, inspiring one. I started working on the blandness problem las weekend with a "something new". This, below, is my ironing board with its horribly boring grey cover.

I've had this board for years and never bothered getting it a nice cover. Enough of it! I splurged on some favorite Nicey Jane fabric and sewed my own cover using this easy tutorial. Et voilà! So much better now. Honey, bring me your shirts, I'll iron them for you!

Now, to the "something old" part. It's just a little thing that I am glad I came across. We went to flea market on Sunday morning, and I have to mention that we're not huge fans, but we like to go once or twice every summer. We don't buy much old stuff, but we do like to add some vintage elements here and there in our home. And so, I just couldn't resist when we met a nice lady selling these old glass electrical insulators.

I simply love them, their shape and beautiful teal color, and the way they catch light. They could make cute paper-weights or book ends, or even some garden decorations like these. I haven't decided, but for now I am content to hold them and admire them.

Must go now. Happy Canada Day to all Canadians out there, I sure will celebrate!

Sylvie

Sew & Tell - Sew last minute!

I almost didn't make it - again! But I spent the morning handstitching the borders on these and here they are, my new summer placemats. They are part of a little series I've decided to make, which already included winter and spring. The pattern is from Pink Penguin, although I changed it a little by reducing the size and using patterned fabric for the center piece. I was looking for a way to make a patchwork while still giving a big spot to my fruity fabrics, and I think this works nice, although it might look a little too busy for some people, but I think that summer is the right time to go a little overboard with patterns and colours.

I have used really small flowers for the backing, some cute FQs I scored for 1$ a piece on Etsy.

P.S.: My machine quilting abilities have yet to be developped, so please don't look too closely at the supposedly parallel lines! For much better quilting techniques and great projects, head on over to Amy's blog.

Enjoy your weekend! Some great weather coming my way, looking forward to some outdoors handstitching.

From book to fabric

I came across this book last weekend and I just had to buy it. I've been leafing through it since then and I love the beautiful pictures and the cute little projects, all designed by Corinne Crasbercu from Marie-Claire Idées magazine, a favorite of mine.

It makes me feel less guilty to have bought the floral fabric in the background without any idea of what I might make of it, because now I am thinking of using it to make a bag like this one:

What do you think?

Winners Revealed

This giveaway has been an incredible experience, I am overjoyed with the response I have received, and of course I will participate again in SMS events, as well as organizing my own little giveaways now and then, like this one I had a few months ago.

Reading all the comments has been really sweet, and very inspiring. I have been given many ideas of projects to use up my scraps, and now have a longer list of things I want to try! So, thank you to everyone who was kind enough to visit and share their ideas with me.

Now to what really matters, the names of my winners. First, the scrap pack goes to:

#367 sandandstarfish , who said she likes to make cards and re-usable totes.

And the winner of the Keri Beyer squares and the Timeless Treasure half-yard is:

#167 manomine , who said: "I make mini/midi/big toys and often need to make clothes & quilts for my plushies. I mainly use small peaces of fabric, so scraps are ideal :) "

Congrats to the winners, I will be in contact with them soon to get their addresses.

Happy creative weekend!

Sylvie

May Giveaway Day

It is time for Sew, Mama, Sew's big Giveaway Day, and I have a little something to offer to two of you.

First winner will get a scrap pack of some fabrics I have used in the past few months on various projects.

Second winner will receive 18 3X3" squares of Proud by Keri Beyer, two of each designs shown below, along with a half yard of Timeless Treasure, pictured in the background.

If you want a chance to win, please leave a comment on this post, telling me what is your favorite projects using scraps of fabrics.

This giveaway will be opened until midnight, EDT, on May 20, 2010. Everyone can enter, I will ship to international addresses.

Please make sure to leave a way to contact you, either an email address or a link to your blog. If I don't have any way to reach you, I will have to draw another name, sorry.

Winner will be randomly selected and I will post the result sometime on May 21, 2010.

Thanks for visiting and best of luck to everyone!

Sylvie

Sew & Tell - Twice the fun

I am very proud of myself this week for finishing not one, but two projects. Ok, these are not exactly queen size quilts, but I'm not ready for that anyway and so I am very happy with my small accomplishments.

First this tiny handbag, made using the very simple Butterick's Retro Tie Bag pattern, which you can download for free from their website.

The outside fabric is a nice little pied-de-poule print that I simply adore, and which looks great with my spring jacket. Inside are hidden huge colorful flowers.

My second finish this week is Pink Penguin's Fabric Basket. I love this pattern and the fact that it allows me to use some really small pieces of fabric, like the tiny japanese prints that I've used for the patchwork on this one. I only had scraps of these fabrics, but there was enough for one basket. I think it looks at its best with really small prints, and I have one more in the making with other japanese fabrics.

Don't miss out all the great links on Amy's blog, plus the most adorable baby picture!

And come back to visit me on Monday as I will be offering some goodies in the Sew, Mama, Sew's May Giveaway Day.

Sylvie

Sew & Tell - Just for fun

Ok, so this is not what I had planned to finish this week, but sometimes I get diverted from my main project and just want to have fun.

I got my copy of the new Stitch magazine last weekend and instantly fell in love with this:

I knew I had to make one for myself, and it could not wait. Of course, I don't have such beautiful passementerie as they have used, but a little search through my ribbon jar brought some great finds and I could assemble this little pincushion.

Don't forget to check out Amy's blog to find out this week's beautiful finished projects and to meet her sweet little Maggie.

Have a great weekend!