A VERY QUICK PROJECT...

I have wanted one of these pressing boards FOREVER!  For the past four years I have been using the fold up ironing board that J had in college...and even that takes up too much room on my table!  However, I really didn't want to spend any money on the supplies to make a smaller version. 

Today J was helping us purge through some things in the garage.  We came across an old shelf that was headed to the trash pile.  I asked J if he would cut off a portion of the shelf, which he was more than happy to do.  I used a scrap piece of Warm and Natural directly on top of the board and topped that with a scrap piece of InsulBright.  Since we don't own a staple gun (and I'm not about to buy one, LOL) I used duct tape on the back of the board to hold the batting and InsulBright taut.  Then I found a bright piece of fabric, wrapped it all around and duct taped it in place.  I think MAYBE if I am very careful with pulling off the tape on the fabric, I MAY be able to wash this cute little button cover if it gets dirty.  If I can't salvage it to wash and replace...I'll just wrap it with a different piece of fabric and once again hold it in place with duct tape!  Between MacGyver and J...I've learned to love the stuff!!!

I NEED A HANDBAG...

...so this morning I cut out most of the pieces to make myself this ADORABLE Miranda Day Bag! 

My current handbag is wearing badly (it's pleather).  I really wanted a cute little fabric handbag to take on vacation.  Something lightweight and fun...but sophisticated enough for an adult woman.  I would have loved one of those expensive fabric bags (you know which ones I mean), but I REFUSE to spend that kind of money on a handbag that will eventually wear.  I've spent big money on handbags in the past, but they have always been made of high quality leather from the brand name companies who truly stand behind the lifetime warranty on their products.  No matter what the manufacturer claims, fabric handbags have limited lives.

Then I remembered a wonderful handbag pattern that was somewhere in my big box of "patterns to make" (someday, sigh).  After a quick perusal of the box, and quite a few "ooohs" and "aaahs" as I came across forgotten patterns, I found what I was looking for.   An even quicker check through my stash and I had come up with sufficient fabric and batting to complete the project.  But, I was missing interfacing.  I hopped on Ebay and found a store that was offering a great price on the interfacing the pattern recommended (thank you, Shoreline Handwerks).  I was amazed at how quickly it arrived!

I intend to follow the pattern for MOST of the handbag.  However, there are several pieces of my old handbag that I would like to cannibalize and use on this new one.  While the silver and black handles should be an easy adjustment, the closure mechanism...not so much.  My current handbag is a bag by Miche.  Miche handbags are great in that the outside of the handbags are interchangeable...held in place by a VERY strong magnet system.  This strong magnet also holds the top of the bag completely closed so nothing falls out if my handbag tips over.  I'm HOPING (notice I said "hoping", LOL) I can cannibalize the magnets out of the worn out exterior of the bag and use them on my Miranda Day Bag.  Should be an interesting endeavor, if nothing else!

Over the weekend I plan to find a few minutes to begin the first steps of the pattern.  I'll keep you posted on how my "project" is progressing!

Toodles...

SLOW GOING...

,,,but I'm having FUN!  I have a total of 14 tumblers completed, 7 in each direction.  It is going to take me FOR-E-VER to finish this quilt!  However...it is a charity quilt and that makes it all worthwhile!

 

I won this WONDERFUL scrap bundle from Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts!  THANK YOU, BROOKE!  As you can see, one of your scraps is front and center of my two latest tumblers!  Several of your scraps are used in the two tumblers before that.  Thank you, again, for helping me fill out my scraps to complete this quilt!

Toodles...

AND THE WINNER OF THE SMS GIVEAWAY IS....

LauraWilson25

Laura Wilson is the winner of my SMS Giveaway Day prize!  This giveaway was SO much fun...well except for fighting with the random number generator, LOL.  As you can see, I was unable to get a copy of it to show up here!  Last time I took and photo and inserted it in my blog post, but my camera is giving me fits today too!  Time to go back to bed and start over, LOL.

Laura, please email me your address as soon as possible and I will mail your goodies out to you!

Toodles...

IT'S SMS GIVEAWAY DAY!...

Today is Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!!  To join in the fun I am giving away a set of 4 fat quarters from DS Quilts with matching zipper, thread and buttons!  To enter, simply follow my blog (in whichever format you prefer) and leave a comment telling me that you are now, or always have been, a follower. 

That's all there is to it...easy, peasy!  The giveaway will end on Sunday and I will notify the winner on Monday!  For more fun, check out Sew Mama Sew's page for more giveaways! Open within the USA only. 

MY TRAVEL EPP KIT IS FINALLY IN MY STORE...

Two of my wonderful testers have emailed me photos of their completed projects, along with some suggestions to make the pattern easier for all to understand.  I am so thankful for the suggestions made by ALL of my testers, even if they haven't quite finished their EPP kits yet!  As we all know....life gets in the way of our best laid plans! 

Thank you, Joan, for your wonderful MooseStash EPP kit!!!

Thank you, Lorene, for your wonderful Monogrammed Kit!!!

I have had a great time developing this kit and hope that you will have as much fun making and using it as I and my testers have had!  ENJOY!