Fabric Love Friday - Curious Cats

Curious Cats by Elizabeth's STUDIO

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

Fabric Love Friday - Sew Vintage

Sew Vintage by Benartex

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

I realize this one leans more black in the background but  I thought I would add it anyway.

This is the eighth in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Studio L2E Planner Stamps

Planner stamps with Studio L2E.

Perfect compliment to my Erin Condren Life Planner.

Each set of stamps comes in a sleek clear envelope sleeve with a piece of white heavy card stock behind the stamps so you can easily see the images.

First off, I am loving these stamps! I am a stamper and these are the perfect size for my life planner they are just the right height in the plan it and list it series for the headers in my planner. If you haven't seen my previous post, see it here for how I use my life planner.

These first two I have to share are the Plan it and List it stamp sets. Each one contained basic planning phrases that I wanted to use in my life planner. If you're looking for some good starter stamps that will get you organized and planning these are the ones.

Next I have everything hexagon... Hexagon Numbers, Hexagon Builder, and then Hexagon Alphabet.

I will admit I have played around with these and love them, however I have not as of yet used them in my everyday stamping. I think they will be great for special days and events in my planner and also used in greeting cards.

Next up... Today's Weather and BeYOUtiful Plans.

I simply couldn't resist the little weather symbols. I probably won't use them everyday but on days we're outside or they're something special going on we can look back and say it was snowing or sun-shining.

The beYOUtiful plans stamp set I though was adroable I enjoy playing with makeup and pampering myself every now and then and this allows me to schedule it right in. I also love that it has "girls night" and "pamper" because sometimes you just need to do something for you.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the seventh in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

The Quilted Block - Headbands variation

The Quilted Block - headbands variation

This type of quilting I have practiced a little bit more so I had more confidence when I quilted this.

I always love how the back of the quilt looks.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the sixth in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Erin Condren Life Planner

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of my very first Erin Condren Life Planner!

The colors I chose for my cover were light gray and plum.

I know many of you who are finding this have already seen the insides of an Erin Condren Life Planner so I'll be brief on the intro and get right into the way I plan on organizing my life.

PS: Click the pictures to enlarge!

First off here's a blank month for reference.

This is November, our current month and when I received my planner. 

I like to use Washi tape to map out my work days since as you can see they are all over the place. Yikes! I have nothing written in the goals section to the right and much of this looks empty and that's because the months nearly over. I want however for my monthly spread to highlight the major things that are happening in my life and work is a big part of that. I will also add in birthdays, family events and other major happenings to this page. I'm planning on using part of the goals section for my bills that are due because I like to see those laid out over the whole month to make sure everything gets paid on time and check them off as I go.

Here's the first weekly spread of my Life Planner, it starts in the last week of October which was weeks ago so I decided to use this as a brain storming page. I thought really long and hard about my life goals and what I want to accomplish and set to lay those things out in these categories. I know things will probably change and evolve as I grow and I love that the blank format of this life planner allows for that. If you get your planner and have some extra weeks in it that have already gone by use them to find out what works for you.

After I decided what I wanted out of each section I decided to map out the whole week. I wanted to see it in full view, so I took another one of my extra weeks and set it up. 

I decided the first section of my day would be my "to do" list, chores, errands, appointments.

The next section I wanted to focus on my passions, my dreams. Which is really anything crafty, sewing, card making, crochet, etc, but  my main focus being my blog and my Craftsy.

The third section I had a hard time deciding what would get that spot but as soon as I realized there is more room at the bottom a decision was made to make it "family time". Now family time to me is as simple as the time I spend with my husband and our cat (i.e. date night, or TV time together) to something more literal like a family gathering. Also I would include it to mean time spent with friends and being social.

Lastly in the small lined section is my space for my health goals. I use a fit bit so I really don't need to document it on paper but I like the paper as a reminder to stay hydrated and workout.

Finally we have the section on the right which doesn't belong to any particular day but rather the whole week or really whatever you want it to be. I want to record what I am currently reading as a reminder to put that device down and pick up a book. As for the rest of the column I haven't decided yet.

And finally I have the start of this week, today is Tuesday and there's still a lot of blank space. I don't want to have my planner swallowed up by stickers and tape. I am practical planner first and pretty second. I will use stickers and tape but carefully. As Tim Gunn would say "use the just fab accessories wall very thoughtfully"

I think my advice to new planner owners would be "leave yourself some room to grow"

If you haven't checked out Erin Condren's life planners yet then click this link to visit her site.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the fifth in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

The Quilted Block - Echo 3

This is the third type of echo quilting I have done on this block. This is just another variation using the same methods as in the previous two.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the fourth in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

The Quilted Block - Echo 2

This is the second echo design I came up with for this block.

I really like the gentle curve that was created following along the pieced design. I used my walking foot and gently guided my block through the machine.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the third in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Classic Curve bag - Pattern Reveiw

I feel a like I have been sitting on this on a while and it's because I really dislike writing this as a negative review. However I have to be honest in my opinions because that's what I would want from a review.

With that said perhaps I'll do a pros and cons list of this pattern and let you decide if it's worth the purchase.

Pros:

• I like the curve of the bag, very classic look like a high end Louis Vuitton or Dooney Burke, Coach, really a lot of high end designers have used this curve.
• I like the double zipper, again this element is present in many high end bags.
• I really like the zipped inner pocket and the instruction was fairly clear. Again high end bags use this technique.
• The materials needed is very clearly listed
• Nice roomy size

Cons:

• I did not care for the look of the handles and that's just my personal opinion so I altered mine. However the way the instructions say to sew and turn the handles is a nightmare. I could not get mine to turn without a struggle so I ended up making my handles the way I knew how without the headache. There are easier ways to make handles than this...
• The inner pocket ended up too tiny for me.
• For me the long handles did not fit comfortably over the shoulder and I realize this will vary from person to person but you should never say "this will fit over your shoulder" when it's cut that close. And yes I made my handles longer per the instructions.
• I could have really done without the pages of pattern layouts
• Drawings instead of pictures, I find pictures to be worth a thousand words so the more of them the better.

Features:

• $7.00 price tag
• 9 pages of instructions
• 2 pages on how to layout your materials
• 5 pages for your pattern peices

I think the rundown for me is this is a classic bag that has been made by many designers, particularly those on the higher end. The details such as the inner zip pocket is something you find on almost every purchased handbag hanging in your closet. With that said if you are new to making bags and want to learn some new techniques for construction that will give you that professional look then this pattern may teach you a thing or two.

I felt the construction of the bag started out clean and nice but when I got to that last few steps it failed me or the pattern pieces failed me. See the last picture for the bunched up bottom corner ugh! I want to love my bag however I am frustrated that it doesn't fit over my shoulder. Now before all of you expert sewers scold me for not measuring my strap needs remember I'm thinking from the perspective of the newbie or buyer who may not know how to alter and be equally as frustrated. Also I wanted to try and follow the pattern as is. That's why I started out making the handles as described even though that is a way I found to be difficult and in this case downright impossible.

Will I make this bag again? Yes with several changes, heck I may even start over from square one.

Was it worth $7.00?  Yes and No. I realize that this is not an answer but I honestly feel very on the fence about this purchase. I think the value is not $7.00, so worth buying just not at $7.00 price tag.

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

The Quilted Block - Echo 1

I started playing with a series of echo quilting with this block and in the next few installments you'll see the variations I came up with.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the second in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

The Quilted Block - On Point Grid

For this block I did a basic grid using my walking foot starting with the center lines and working my way outwards.

Some of these early designs might see quite basic but it's good to practice even the basics. When this quilt is finished I want a sampler of sorts of different techniques whether it be my first try at them or ones I've mastered.

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Grey Batik Edition.

This is the first in a series of grey batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Fabric Love Friday! Purple Batik Edition.

This is the eleventh in a series of purple batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Fabric Love Friday! Purple Batik Edition.

This is the tenth in a series of purple batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Mixer Cover Pattern

After brushing the dust off of my beloved kitchen aid mixer and baking a batch of cookies for my hubby a light bulb went off. I need a mixer cover to keep my kitchen aid clean and dust free so it's ready to go when baking inspiration strikes! So I decided to make one, and I created a pattern to go along with it.

I LOVE avocados so naturally I had to make my cover using this delicious fabric from timeless treasures.

The pockets on the side can hold instruction manuals, accessories, or whatever you want to have at the ready with your mixer.

Under my cover (oh my!) I have my splatter guard and my 3 different mixing attachments inside my bowl. My cord is securely wrapped around the base. All of this fits easily under my cover. There's even still room left in the bowl for other accessories. 

This is a great gift idea, perfect for: birthdays, bridal shower or wedding gift, house warming gift. Great thing is you can customize this mixer to coordinate with the recipients kitchen theme or colors.

Thanks for reading♥ Olivia

Fabric Love Friday! Purple Batik Edition.

This is the ninth in a series of purple batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Fabric Love Friday! Purple Batik Edition.

This is the Eighth in a series of purple batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

The Quilted Block - Concentric Circles

Quilting has begun! A while back I posted about making these blocks. I was hoping to start a block of the month type series but never quite made it past this one. I made over 49 of these and figure it will take some time to get them finished. I decided to try and do different quilting designs on each one. So as I get them finished I will show you the variations I've done in quilting this block. This series will be titled The Quilted Block so if your interested in seeing all the ones I get posted or perhaps just want to refer back I'll have them all labeled The Quilted Block.

For this one I did concentric circles of varying widths with my starting circle off center. For this design I used my walking foot went slowly and gently turned my fabric.

Back View

Thanks for reading♥

Fabric Love Friday! Purple Batik Edition.

This is the Seventh in a series of purple batiks that I have acquired over the years. I don't know the designer's or the collections since batiks have no description on the selvage edge. I would love comments if anyone knows the designer's and the names of these beautiful fabrics.

Cell Phone Pillow - Stand

Cell phone pillow stand. So far I've made a couple of these and I'm actually thinking of making a few more so they're handy in every room. I thought I would share with you how I made them.

First I cut a rectangle 10" X 6"

Then fold it in half, right sides together so your fabric is 5" X 6" with a fold on the left.

With the fold on the left sew along the top leaving an opening about an inch and also sew along the right side.

Next take the open end at the bottom and meet up the fold from the left with the seam from the right.

Sew along the bottom.

Through the opening turn your fabric right side out and at the closed end mark at ½" and 1"

Then I used a pencil I had laying around ( should be approx. the equivalent of a ¼" dowel) and cut it to 4 and 5/8"

Put the cut pencil(dowel) through the opening at the top and push it all the way down to the bottom.

Using my zipper foot I sewed a seam as close to the pencil(dowel) as possible. Should be approx. the half inch line we marked earlier.

Switching back to my regular foot I sewed a seam at the second mark we made(one inch mark)

Next I added some polymer pellets I had on hand to add weight to my pillow. I just added until I felt it was heavy enough if I get a chance I'll try and weigh this to see.

Then I stuffed with small pieces of stuffing until nearly full. I did not over-stuff. Finally I stitched my opening closed and done!

Sorry I have no pictures of my phone on the pillow but I needed my phone to take the pictures. But I have a Samsung Note 4 and it fits perfectly!

Thanks for reading♥