Possibly the coolest thing I have ever made...

Simple things amuse simple minds...and I think this toy is amazing :)

I bought this kit at a local shop called Knits and Bolts while I was up in Vermont. They had a sample of this toy by the register and I was mesmerized by it. It was actually easier to put together than I had thought, although the whole thing is finished with invisible thread from the outside. I have discovered that I do not like invisible thread.

I'm not sure the pictures can do it justice, but here goes:

The whole thing can be opened and closed different ways so that you get different fabrics on the outside. I just think it would be lots of fun for a kid to play with! Especially if you picked different i-spy type fabrics :)

Back to School, Back to School...

Even as a teacher, my favorite part of back to school is new school supplies. Fresh pencils and pens, cute notebooks and folders...it makes the whole process a little nicer.

So, I've whipped up a few things to ease the process...

Scottie dogs!

Green is my favorite color :)

For these ones, I used a tutorial here. The way she installs her zippers is different from how I usually do it, and I think it maybe came out a little neater than usual.

I made a larger pouch as well, following instructions here.Currently it is holding my embroidery supplies.

Enjoy the rest of summer, and be safe - Irene is coming!

Domestic Goodness

I've been home for about a week now, which means plenty of time for sewing, a bit of knitting, and even some needlework. I've also been making LOTS of peach jam - my parents have two peach trees, so for the last few weeks we have been drowning in peaches. It seems a waste to let them rot, so we've been preserving lots and lots.
Preserving peaches is messy work. The ripe peaches have to be skinned, and the juice gets all over the place. Ladling the jam into jars is a messy, sticky process as well. During the process, I discovered that my mother did not have a full apron - only half aprons, which just don't do the job. So, I made her one!

Rufio likes it.

This was really simple to make - I used an old pillowcase and a few kitchen-y scraps I had in my scrap basket. I used an apron I was given as a wedding gift as a template. 

 

What do you think of the finished product? 

Home Sweet Home!

And back in front off my sewing machine!
I have a few projects in the works, but Rufio likes this one the best.

More to come!

Crafting on the go

Since I have been away from home since mid-June, I have been working on some very portable projects in what little spare time I have. This spring I was inspired by this adorable quilt and this cute mug rug to do some hexagons...so I started with this...

And then I cut and basted and stitched...

and voila!
Not finished yet, since I will wait for home and a sewing machine...but I am hoping to make some pretty things to brighten up our home.