Focus, That’s What I’ve Got!

I did sew up some blocks for quilt buddy swaps (just to say it isn’t all pen stuff here) and then forgot to take pictures of them.  Other than those two blocks though, it’s still all fountain pen play here. 

This time I decided that what I wanted was a two pen sleeve that would be really fast to open and that I could slip into a purse or book bag.  It took several tries on ones that just didn’t quite fit what I wanted before I finally got it right.  Now, this version I’m really happy with.

Sleeve open:

Sleeve closed:

From the back, snapped shut:

And because summer break ain’t over yet:

You know, I just can’t justify buying every cool pen I see.  (And I see a lot of them).  But I figure any dollars that come from selling pen wraps is totally fair game – which is why these are in my Etsy shop . . .

And why a new (old) Parker 51 has come to live with me.  Love.

It’s the Little Things

Well, it is, isn’t it?  I don’t always remember to keep my Five Good Things journal everyday, but most days I like to write down what makes me happy.  Sometimes it’s the big things (like a five year clear on my own true love’s cancer screening), but we live a pretty quiet life.  We just don’t get a lot of big things going on.  So, usually, it’s the little things.  It’s the gorgeous shade of green on the leaves of the honey locust in Spring.  It’s warm weather.  It’s summer vacation (okay, that’s a pretty big thing: no class plans, no classes, no papers to grade . . .  huge).  It’s the big grin on Mr. Cooper’s face when it’s time for his walk.

And it’s settling down in the sewing room again after another long hiatus.  I usually get back in pretty slow – those small projects I love. 

Is it just me?  I have a sewing room full of fat quarters.  And I have more unfinished projects, both large and small, than I have the moral fortitude to count.  I have to gear myself up to face them.  Really, I do.  So I begin with little things.  It makes me happy to use up some of those fat quarters: to turn them from just another piece of fabric stuffed in a drawer into a something, a useable something.

Which is why I have more pen wraps in my Etsy shop.  Because I love using bits and pieces and having something to show for it.

And then, because it isn’t all pens all the time (though it’s close), I also made up a little dog treat bag using my tutorial (linked on the side of the page if you’re interested).

Cooper says, “Hey, I saw what you just put in that little bag.  All right, then!  Let’s go!!”

Little things that make me happy: flowers in bloom on the deck, green grass, green leaves on the trees, that happy face.  Because Cooper?  He makes me smile every day.  He’s actually one of the big things.

More of the Pen Wraps

I love how these use up bits and pieces of my fat quarters.  Plus, easy and and fun to sew.  Here’s a look at the ones I sewed up yesterday.

I love this one with the beautiful Japanese fabric I bought years ago and haven’t known what to do with.  It’s just perfect for the pen wrap.

And then, some pretty in pink!

Fun times.  I have these listed in my Etsy Shop.

Fountain Pen Wrap Giveaway

I’ve been having fun in the sewing room!  Pen wraps are propagating . . . this one I’m giving away.
Here’s the interior.

And here it is with some of my pens inside and all wrapped up.

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment.  I’ll leave comments open until Friday evening around nine or so mountain standard time.  Then we’ll let Mr. Random Number Generator decide where the pen wrap is going.  I’m willing to ship international, so go ahead and enter if you are overseas.
(Side note on that though: I can’t guarantee when it will arrive.  I sent a mini quilt to Brazil the beginning of April and it still hasn’t arrived.)
I should probably clarify: the giveaway is for the wrap.  The pens stay home with me!
If you are interested, I have also listed some fountain pen wraps in my Etsy shop.

Fountain Pen Wrap

There’s always room for a new fascination and a new love, isn’t there?  And if you love to read and love to write, all things pen and paper make the list.  Lately, I’ve once again gotten back into fountain pens (more on that another day).

But, here’s the thing, if you have cool pens, then you need something cool to carry them in!  In this, as in all things fountain pen related, the Fountain Pen Network provided inspiration. 

So, here it is, my new pen case.

All wrapped up:

And with the wrap open and the protective flap down:

And with the flap up.  Check out the happy pens!

Given my addiction to little sewing projects, this is clearly going to be just the first of many.

How about you?  What’s humming in your sewing room these days?

Paper Piecing Sort

Today’s sewing room task involved going through my  paper piecing patterns.  I suspect a good many of us quilters have them – those perfectly lovely patterns that for some reason or other we never get to, and now the thrill is gone. So, these guys are listed in my Etsy shop, too.  Here’s a few to give you an idea.  You can click on the Daisy Fair link to see more.

And because finishing the French General pincushions reminded me of how much I like sewing those little guys up, I started another little grouping.  Here they are with the patches set up: some pretty red and white, some hand-dyes, a little Kaffe Fasset love, and shades of purple because, you know, purple. My lilacs are in bloom!

For any who are interested, I am, of course, using a Miniatures in Minutes foundation to make these up.  You can find pdf directions for how I use the 13-square foundation to make up pincushions on my Projects 2010 page.

I still have a lot of cleaning to do in my sewing room, but it feels good just to start.  Isn’t it odd?  There are times it feels great to collect.  Then, we reach a tipping point.  After that, it feels really good to de-collect.  That’s where I’m at. 

Most of the templates I listed are already on their way to a new home.  It makes me happy that 1) they are no longer in my sewing room and 2) they will soon be in the hands of someone who will actually use them.  Now, there’s a win-win.

How about you guys?  Are you in collect or de-collect mode?  (Oh, I should hope you’re in collecting mode – like hopping over to my Etsy shop and collecting what I’ve listed there!)

Declutter De Jour

I am still on my get things out of my sewing room kick.  That includes finishing up wee projects that have been hanging around too long.  So, today it’s some French General pincushions. 

I just listed these in my Etsy shop.  I still think French General is one of the most beautiful fabric lines to come around.  I love these little guys.  They measure just a little over 4 1/2" square. 

 

 

 

If you’re interested, just hop on over to Daisy Fair.

And, not to forget, to all who serve and have served, thank you.

Full Steam Ahead

It’s time.  Classes are done.  Grades are in.  I open the sewing room door and . . . and . .  . and wow, there is just too much stuff.  So, I’m paring down.  I’m going through my sewing room and letting go.  In that spirit, I just listed a few things in my Etsy shop.

To begin, I listed a couple of Perfect Patchwork Templates (A and C)  by Marti Mitchell.  I barely used these so they are in perfect condition.  They typically sell for 18 to 22 dollars.  I listed them for 12 and 10.

 

The A set even has invisible grip applied to the backs of the templates.

I also listed an Elisa’s Back Porch Quarter Circle Template for a 7" block and a John Flynn Wheel of Mystery 10" block template set for 6 and 3 dollars.  They’ve been rattling around in a drawer so the surface on the Quarter Circle templates is a little scratched but they are in perfect cutting order.

 

And, one final thing for today’s declutter is a set of six coasters I made several years ago and then just put in a drawer and never used. The photos don’t do them justice: they are very bright and happy (for those of you who dig the whole pink, orange, deep fuchsia, hints of purple and yellow thing).

I have a lot more stuff that I’m going to go through.  In any case, if you are interested, you can find them at Daisy Fair at Etsy.

Am I the only one?  Sometimes I just have to clean and declutter before I can even think about doing something (like sewing).

It’s May!

Now, if only Mother Nature would get the message!

That’s what I saw looking out my window first thing this morning.  It’s gonna be a fun bike to work today.

Meanwhile, we’re at the end of the latest Fabulous Little Quilt Swap. 

Here’s the amazing quilt I received from Melissa:

My picture taking skills just can’t do it justice.  It’s called “Refracted Light” and it positively glows.   The stitching on it is just perfect!  It looks like light beams.

And she sent such wonderful goodies along as well.

Great fabric just begging to be put into a mini.  And the cutest tape measure ever!

I mean, seriously, how cute is that?

So, it may be snow piled on the deck outside, but where I’m sitting?  It’s all rainbows, rainbows, rainbows!

Bookmarks USA

Just some pieced bookmarks in red, white, and blue.

 

About the Bookmarks Giveaway:  Mr. Random Number Generator picked Julie. 

Bookmarks Giveaway

Another day, another set of bookmarks.  Who knew when I won the MyMemories software that I’d become obsessed?  (SewCalGal, I blame you!)
I made up this latest set of bookmarks ( with this incredibly fun kit, The Persnickety Triplets) and decided it was time to share.  Are any of you out there still reading books that come in 3-D?  An actual paper product you hold in your hand?  If so, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m still having trouble taking pictures of laminated bookmarks.  This first picture is a page before laminating: it wound up with printer streaks on it, so sadly, it’s for file 13.  The good news, however, is that there’s no laminate glare.

Here’s the bookmarks laminated and cut up.  The color on these is a little too deep, but you get the idea.

A close up of two of them (the color still a little too intense but it’s ballpark):

I love the figures that Rebecca McMeen creates – just love them!
So, if they appeal to you and you want a chance to win a set, just leave a comment below. Comments will close Thursday night at 10 (my mountain time).   I will use Mr. Random Generator to pick a winner on Friday morning.
As always, make sure that I have an email address to contact you in case you win the drawing.
Cheers!

Bookmarks ‘R Us

Hi Regina,

Here’s some possibilities:

Patriotic

Pastel 1

Pastel 2

Pastel 3

And just cause I was playing, Asian fabric

I have been on a definite book mark binge here lately with the digital scrapbooking.  I picked up two new sets from Digizine, Cream n Sugar and Legacy of Love.  And made some pretty feminine bookmarks:

And I also picked up a little more steampunk fun, London Adventure and from Hidden Vintage Studios, Ladies and Men.   So, using those and my previous steampunk kit and some a little from the Graphics Fairy as well, I made up a bunch of steampunk bookmarks.  Here’s just a few of my favorites.

I’ve just been having fun making them up, so I’ve been giving them away to students.  A male student complained about the butterflies and flowers.  Jeez.  I’m on a quest now – to make manly bookmarks, which, of course, cannot contain any of the questionable material I found when I went on line looking for masculine bookmarks!