Monkey'n Round Bag

I finished this little bag this morning.  I didn't follow the pattern in the book but instead developed my own design.  The body of the bag is quilted.  The top edge has been bound as you would a quilt.  The flap and strap were attached.  I did a velcro closure with a botton sewn on top.  It will go in the mail tomorrow to a little girl in Calif who is having a 4th birthday soon.  I hope she likes it. 

If time allows I'll develop a tutorial and post later this week.  I plan to make a few more with other novelty prints in my stash.  Fun project and everything was in my studio.  (My little Featherweight is stitching wonderfully. It is such a wonderful little machine.  I received it as a birthday present two years ago.)

Today's Project

This is my project for today.  I continue to use fabric from my stash.  This lovely Monkey fabric was purchased at a little quilt shop in Danville, Kentucky last fall.  The fabric is Monkey'n Round by Moda.  I don't remember the name of the shop but it was right on the town square and filled with beautiful fabrics.  Yesterday I found this great book at JoAnn's and decided to try one of the simple little bags from the book.  I'll post the finished purse later.  I had my Featherweight serviced last week and was told to bring it home and sew with it.  So I'm following orders!  LOL!

My GD wants to learn to sew this summer and I decided I would have her use the Featherweight since it is small and simple.  We are planning on doing the classes in July.  I'm going to make a special place for her in my garage (it's air conditioned) with a table set to her height.  I think this will be easier than having her sew at my Koala cabinet.  She is looking forward to learning to sew and wants to make a pillow as the first project.

Happy Father's Day

This is a photo of my Grandpa.  He visited our family in Arizona one December.  This photo was taken in the desert near Phoenix.  The young "skinny" blonde at the top is moi.  My sister and cousin from Kentucky are also in the photo.

I have many fond memories of my Grandpa.  He and my Mama had nine children and twenty grandchildren.  We spent most holidays and Sundays at their home with other family members.  He loved to watch baseball.  His favorite teams were the Reds and the Yankees. 

I'm so blessed to have been born into a family with wonderful fathers (grandpas, uncles, and of course my dear DAD). 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MY DH AND SON!

Completed Magnetic Memo Board

I completed the magnetic memo board for my son's Father's Day gift today.  The GDs spent the afternooon and we took pictures to put on the board.  I also added the word DADDY in Scrabble letters.  They are also magnets.  The girls were thrilled with their gift for Daddy.  We wrapped the board and placed it in a large gift bag. 

I had purchased a white and blue cowboy hat last weekend in Payson.  They were perfect for the picture on our front porch.  I also bought the quilt at WalMart in Payson last weekend.  It looks great on  the white porch bench.  The blue wooden pony also has a special place on the front porch.  I thought the photos turned out great.  The oldest is 7 and you can see where she is missing some teeth. 

Father's Day Magnetic Memo Board

I made this Father's Day memo board today.  It is another of the "using my stash" projects.  The frame was purchased from Goodwill for $1.00.  The images were leftover from a class I took over the weekend. I already had the round magnets and covered them with some of the leftover paper.  I did purchase the magnetic paint but there is enough to do many future projects.  The background was cut from a cardboard box and painted with the magnetic paint.  My original idea was to cover the paint with a scrapbook paper but I decided I liked the look of the paint.  I still need to add magnets to D A D scrabble letters and place on the board. 

June Fabric Postcard

This is my June Fabric Postcard for Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  We don't have a theme this month.  Since I had this fabric left over from the jelly roll bag, I decided to use it for the postcard.  I made the flower by twisting one of the jelly roll strips and sewing along the edge with the hemming stitch on my machine.  I had seen a flower made this way but it was glued to a felt circle .  I decided that I would try stitching the flower to my quilted background.  It worked and I plan to try some on other projects.

I wasn't in the studio on Wed and Thursday.  I am providing transportation for the GDs to attend summer camp and classes.  The five year even has homework for her Reading Readiness class with ASU.  But it's fun and she likes it.  The seven year old is in theater camp and loves it.  She told me the other day that she is going to be an Actor.  They play "Director May I" instead of "Mother May I".  She told her little sister that a director was the one that gave instructions to the actors.   She is looking forward to turning eight.  Then she can audition for the Children's Theater plays.  I'm off to a quilt show this weekend.  Hope to post pictures next week.

Jelly Bag

I completed this Jelly Bag today.  It is another of my "use my stash" projects.  The jellyrolls were left over from one of my tablerunner kits from Fat Quarters Shop.  The kit included fabric that I cut into jelly roll strips.  There was enough fabric to cut two jelly rolls from each piece.  The tablerunner only used one of the pieces.  You can see the tablerunner here.

The bag pattern was given to me by my friend Susan.  It is a Jelly Roll Friendly pattern by Bunny Hill Designs.  I had everything I needed to complete the bag in my studio.  Even the covered button kit.  I'm having fun using some of my fabric stash.  Still have lots to go!  I think I know who will receive this bag but I'm not saying at this time.  It will be a family member.