Talk To Me Tuesday # 14 October 24, 2017

Another week has come and gone in the blink of an eye yet again. We've reached that time of the year when time just flies. Another Tuesday has arrived on the calendar which means I have a new Talk To Me Tuesday video up on my RsIslandCrafts - Robin  Youtube channel. You can find the TTMT playlist here.

 This week I decided to play with some kitchen towels. Like most people we hang a drying towel from the oven door handle. And like most houses our towels are plain and boring. We're ready for some new towels and I thought it would be fun to gussy them up a bit. I did make a Sew with me video that you can find over here.

This one is from the new pumpkin fabric I found at Walmart last week. I didn't waste any time cutting into this fat quarter. I actually chose some Autumn type fabrics just for this purpose.

This turkey fabric is cute but I chopped the poor turkey's heads off lol. Well, Thanksgiving is coming soon, right?  I made the pumpkins first and then just carried over the same measurements to the turkey fabric without taking into consideration of the overall design. No worries, this towel will now become a Thanksgiving gift for my kids ;) We are celebrating the first Thanksgiving in their house this year.  They'll be so happy to have another clean towel that they won't even notice the headless turkeys. Sssshhh.

I made this towel using the same plaid shirt fabric from Robbie's quilt. The red plaid border is from the leftover binding from the plaid quilt. This will be part of Robbie's Christmas gifts. I'm not too sure he will even notice it came from his shirts.

We like to use hand/kitchen towels to protect the arms of our recliners and couch. I made NY Giants covers for Hubby several years ago and he was ready for some new covers. He basically had quilted placemats previously but they had a habit of sliding off the arms of his chair so I decided some towels would be a better option for him. I put a strip of Giants fabric on the top of both sides of the towel but on the reverse side it's at the opposite end and sort of upside down but not really. Clear as mud, right? To keep the wear even i thought that when hubby flips the towel to the second side he can also rotate it so the top where he puts his hand can now be the bottom where he puts his elbow. Wow, that was a lot of words to describe something so simple.   By the way, my recliner just has hand towels the same color as the chair. 

My oldest is a manager at Tijuana Flats and he is currently in charge of the dining room area of his store. Another manager is in charge of the kitchen area. When he inherited his area there were several chairs with torn or worn out seats. The seats are covered in vinyl. We spent a couple hours on Sunday and recovered 7 seats. WooHoo!! We can now add reupholstering to our resume. lol Not really but they did turn out really well. I've reupholstered a seat once before but it's so very easy that anyone can do it. I do think it's easier with two people though. Plus, it's  more fun. We have another 10 more to reupholster this upcoming weekend.  

I taught my kids well. My son went to Joann's for the vinyl and went right to the red tag section and found this bolt of vinyl and because I've taught him how to shop well he also used a 20% coupon from his phone that also worked on sale and clearance items. He bought all that was on the bolt so he also got the end of the bolt less than a yard discount that Joann's offers. I believe he said he bought 5.75 yards of vinyl, a staple remover, and a pack of 1,000 staples for less than $20!!  Great job Justin! Momma's proud!

It's a banner day!

I keep seeing fabric banners on Instagram and thought I would try making some. They were actually pretty easy and fun to make. Every time I see the above picture I always see a mouth full of teeth lol.

I made a little template to make pressing the triangles easy and even from a file folder. I like crisp edges so that you don't see the other fabric peeking around the edge.  One side has pink and the other is green.

I've moved my craft supplies around the house several times in the past and I couldn't find my bias tape makers so I had to make it the old fashioned way. Other than that these go together quickly.

This set would fun for a baby shower or to hang in a baby's room. Both fabrics have letters scattered all over. The triangles are about 3" across and 6" tall. 

They were fun to make and I want to make more but other than Halloween and Christmas fabric I'm not sure I have enough coordinating fabrics in my stash to make a cohesive banner. Might be a good reason to go shopping? I wish. I'm trying to use up what I have before I bring more fabric into the craft room. 

New Pillows for the Kiddos

My two oldest kiddos, okay adults, moved out earlier this year. I decided their couches needed some pillows. I made the forms from an old pillow a couple months ago but never got any farther. I decided since they were having a Memorial Day cookout I should hustle up and get the pillow covers made. I dug into my red, white, and blue scrap bin and came out with these:

One of their couches is a dark blue so I think these work really well for that couch. The other couch looks like something from That 70's Show lol. It's brown, orange, and gold or something similar. It's a sleeper sofa and only cost $5 from the thrift store so for now it works just fine.

I thought a log cabin pillow cover might be fun. I was going for a bit wonky but I don't think I wonked it up enough. It just came out like a rectangle but on a square pillow form. It's okay, it still works as a pillow and brightens up the living room so all is good.

I do like this patchwork version. These two projects didn't even make a dent in my red, white, and blue fabric scraps.

The backs are just a solid blue that I found in my stash. They are simple envelope style covers. I think it will be fun to make different covers for the holidays or to represent what my kids love. Since the next holiday is the 4th of July these covers will still work so I'm ahead of the game ;)

Assembly line sewing

 Whenever I decide to make something I tend to make several at once assembly line style. One day I iron and cut fabrics, then I start sewing them together the next day. The third day is usually for the end touches like turning out bags and ironing things.

I've been addicted to making monogrammed zipper pouches lately. I started with this basic pattern and then tweaked it for what I needed. It's a great tutorial for making a pouch with a zipper just change up the measurements to suit your needs.

This week my needs were zipper pouches with various initials. If you see one you like you can find them in my Etsy shop - RsIslandCrafts.

Flannel quilts

A few months back I bought a flat rate shipping box full of fabrics. In that box was 90   7" flannel squares all cut and ready to be used in a rag quilt. The box even included pre-cut batting squares but I knew there was no way I was going to make another rag quilt. I split them up and made a couple baby/lap quilts.

I've only used flannel for lounge pants so these are the first quilts I have made from flannel. I love how soft they feel. I do need to buy some backing fabric for them. I haven't decided if I want to use the cool feel of cotton or keep with the soft warmth and use a flannel backing. I'll figure it out when I go fabric shopping.

Samoan pouches

I signed up for a craft fair at a local church a bit ago. Unfortunately only 4 crafters signed up so they had to cancel the event. I did make some new items in preparation though.

I made these Samoan zippered pouches from some of the beautiful fabric I purchased from Barb. I have a bunch of scrap strips from my Samoan Stars quilt and there was no way I was going to throw anything away.

This is the front. I decided to use some black in between the Samoan fabrics. The front has batting and is quilted in simple lines.

I used the bold yellow Samoan fabric for the lining (which stills need to be hand sewn shut). The back is another piece of Samoan fabric. This is the first time I cut into this fabric. It just screams to be made into a tote bag. Even the zippers were from Barb. It worked out well that I had a few different colors for the zippers because I think plain white or black zippers would have been boring. These pouches will be going in the shop soon.

Does anyone have a good source for zippers? I like to buy them in bulk because I use alot of zippers.



* I made several projects prior to injuring my shoulder. I will be taking pictures and posting them during my recovery. I am following doctor's orders by slowly increasing the use of my left arm and strictly limiting the use of my right arm*

Last one

This is the last of 3 laptop sleeves that I wanted/needed to make for our trip at the end of the month. This one is for Rob (Hubby). I was going through some big plastic tubs of fabric the other day and found this forgotten fabric. It was actually partially sewn into another project that I decided to abandon because this fabric  has more of an upholstery  feel. It works great for this project though.

The inside is a nice light blue color. This fabric is too thin to use as anything but a lining. Two fabrics that don't work well on their own work well together :) Now on to the next project!

Laptop sleeve #1

My daughter is graduating from Army Basic Training at the end of the month. Hubby, Robbie and I will be flying out there to see her. We will be gone for 4 days and leaving our oldest behind to take care of the dog and the house.

empty laptop sleeve

Of course we can't be gone for 4 days without taking some laptops along with us. Plus, my daughter will have been without any internet for over 10 weeks and I'm sure she will want to do a bit of surfing and catching up with her friends.

I figure it might be a good idea to make something to protect our laptops while we are flying. I found a fun pattern over at Amy a la mode to use on my first ever laptop sleeve.

closed with laptop inside (front)

I found this fabric at a thrift store awhile ago. It is a whole cloth all over design.

back with laptop inside

I like fabric that does all the hard work for me.

I also used the same fabric for the lining. Makes it easier that way. The pattern calls for the lining to be quilted but I think I prefer for the outside fabric to have the quilting. I like the quilted crinkly look the quilting gives the bag.

Now I need to make two more and I can check laptop sleeves off my travel list. I think I might just wing the next one. Once we get back home we probably won't use these sleeves very often so I don't mind winging one or two now that I can wrap my mind around the basics.

Birthday Britches

Last Christmas I made lounge pants for my niece and nephew. Since they liked them I thought I could get away with making more for birthdays :) Christine is in High School now and is harder to make things for. Her birthday is this month (a few days ago actually) so I made her a new pair of lounge pants. They are blue with white stars. Baggy and long...just the way the kids like them.

Leftovers

Not a very exciting title for a post but it is what it is. Actually, that phrase (It is what it is) is the way I have been living my life lately. There are some things that you just can't change and you have to accept them for what they are. It is what it is. I keep telling my kids you can't change what other people do or think, you can only change how you react to them. It's a hard road to ride but it can be done. You can't let negative things or people weigh you done. OK, not what I had planned to say but sometimes you just gotta go with the flow :)

Earlier this year I contacted a few of DI's followers to donate blocks for memory quilt for her dear friend Mary that passed away earlier this year. I knew there would be two extra squares arriving after the quilt was finished. I ended up receiving three blocks. I was planning on making a pillow for Di's rocking chair because she seems to enjoy changing out the pillows based on her mood but a third block threw me for a minute or two.  I held onto these blocks trying to decide what to make with them. Then one day while in the shower (where I get lots of good ideas) I realized a tote would be perfect for Di. She likes to walk around town with her sister and go thrift shopping. She also travels to the library on a regular basis so I think a tote will come in handy.

I love the front...

The back looks pretty good too...

A nice roomy inside...

The third block became a mini table topper that Di already found a home for. 

...and the back of the 12" mini topper.

Now, since I received so many wonderful blocks and I ended up shuffling them around so much I'm not sure who made these blocks. Ladies, if you made these blocks please let me know which one is yours so Di can thank you personally?

More Elephants

When my step mother saw the owl backpack I made for the birdie swap she loved it and requested one for herself. I knew she liked elephants so when I saw this fabric at JoAnn's I knew it would be perfect. I also love the aqua and brown as you can see here. The drawstring is a shoelace. Perfect color and nice and sturdy. My step-mother will be taking her new backpack to Bristol next weekend for the Nascar race.

I used the aqua dots for the lining. I added some pockets and now it is good to go. I struggled with this backpack from the very first cut. The first cut made the elephants run around the bag sideways. Then I struggled with the straps and sewing in the lining. Then the drawstring gave me trouble. The bag looks great but I am so happy that it is done. Do you ever have one of those projects that gives you trouble from the start?

Table cloth progress

I've been slowly working on Tammy's table cloth. As you may have noticed I prefer bright colors for myself so it has been different working with these colors. They do remind me of Fall ~ which is just around the corner.  Plus, I hear Christmas is 5 months away. Yikes!

Little things

Not too much happening around here lately. I did finish up a couple little projects though.

This poor little bird was supposed to be a bit rounder but I missed an increase row so now he is tall and long instead of short and fat. I've done that several times in past projects.

I love the eyes on this little snail :)

This turkey pin cushion was supposed to be a flower wrist pincushion. I made the circle too big. When I started to put him together I realized because of the fabrics it looked like a turkey instead of a flower so I added the face. I think he came out kind of cute though.

Happy Birthday Mariah

Today is our Granddaughter Mariah's 12th birthday. Like any other preteen, Mariah loves High School Musical. I found this fabric and there was just enough to make a pillow case for her. I had this lime green fabric that I wanted to use for the band but of course it has "disappeared" somewhere in the stash. I guess it didn't want to be part of a pillowcase.

Lost my sewing mojo...have you seen it?

*** I'm featured over at Stitchin' Heaven today. WooHoo!!  Pop on over and say Hi ****

I can't seem to find my sewing mojo. It has got up and gone all of a sudden. I have a few projects I can work on and several more I would love to start but I'm not "feeling" them at all. Oh well. I have "forced" myself to sew a bit each day hoping to get back in the groove.

This is the mini quilt I made for the July door prize for the YOE swap. It's a Michael Miller fabric panel.

The back is a red with white polka dots....

I also made the last two blocks for the Patchwork Posse quilt along.

We just received the instructions for the background fabric and finishing instructions. I need to get going on this so I can call it done.

Off to go force myself to do some more sewing. HoHum.....

BackPack tested

During my 3 day holiday weekend I did get one project done. I made an owl backpack from the pattern I am testing for Katie.

I love this owl fabric. I made this bag from the stash. It still needs the little drawstring clamp but other than that it is complete.  I need to find somewhere I can buy bunches of the clamps because I plan on making many more of these.

It was a great pattern to work from. Katie did a really good job with it. I use my back pack all the time now and it works out really well. I can put it on my back and not worry about a purse slipping from my shoulders while I am shopping. It is also roomy enough to take a project in when I'm at the doctor's office. I had a knitting project in it and there was plenty of room for the needles and skein of yarn.

*****Happy Fourth of July *****

I hope everyone is having a great Fourth of July weekend!

I work every other weekend and was lucky that this is my scheduled weekend off. Plus, my boss said they don't need me on Monday so now I have a three day weekend. WooHoo!! I plan on spending it with the kids and Hubby. We are going to cook out all weekend and then light off fireworks Sunday night. From where we live we can also see a few of the big firework displays from the nearby cities. Unfortunately, Ft. Myers (the nearby city) didn't have the funds to purchase fireworks this year. They had one of the better displays too. Plus, we could sit at the end of our driveway and see them really well. Just another sign of the times.


I will also be spending as much time as possible with my sewing machine. I have several projects that need to be finished.

While out shopping this weekend I will be carrying my new backpack purse. I won this fun bag from Katie recently. This is a bag she designed. Isn't it great?

I love this paper pieced Uncle Sam on the flap! Katie has been preparing this pattern for a book she is working on. I asked her about purchasing the pattern but unfortunately since it will be in a book she cannot sell the individual pattern. But, she was looking for a pattern tester and asked if I would be interested. Of course I am!! I will be testing this pattern this weekend. It looks like it will be a fun bag to make in different fabrics.  The flap is such a great canvas to put all kinds of fun things on. I was thinking it would be fun to put some quilt block designs on it.