iPad Case

About a month ago I was directed to this fabulous pillow tutorial at the blog Sew, Mama, Sew! I fell in love with the quilting techniques used in making that pillow and knew I wanted to use those techniques at some point in time -- either to make that gorgeous pillow or something else. Shortly after reading that tutorial I designed and created a Kindle Case for the Kindle I had received for Christmas. When one of my daughters-in-law, Mia, saw that case she mentioned that she would love something like that for her iPad! My thoughts immediately went to the tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew! and a design for an iPad Case was born...

Mia's favorite color is green, so I found coordinating fabrics in my scrap stash. I followed the instructions in the tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew! and sewed some strips of fabric together. I then used my rotary cutter to cut across the sewn strips to produce a colorful strip of fabric! 

Those strips, along with some white flannel and earthy muslin, were joined together to make the front of the case...

I absolutely love the white stripe and soft texture of the flannel next to the more course fabric of the muslin. Delicious!

I'm not entirely happy with the dimensions of the case. Next time I would make it a little smaller, but I am very happy with the design...

I used the same fabric for the back and lining. It's called "Pom Pom" and it's from the fabric line "Flourish" from Studio E by Alicia Place Frost. Love it!

Fusible fleece was attached to the front and back pieces and the lining pieces of this item, so the case is well-padded to give some protection to the iPad. If I make another one of these, I will make it slightly smaller and post the specific measurements for the case.

All in all I'm very happy with how it turned out.

iPad Case...

About a month ago I was directed to this fabulous pillow tutorial at the blog Sew, Mama, Sew! I fell in love with the quilting techniques used in making that pillow and knew I wanted to use those techniques at some point in time -- either to make that gorgeous pillow or something else. Shortly after reading that tutorial I designed and created a Kindle Case for the Kindle I had received for Christmas. When one of my daughters-in-law, Mia, saw that case she mentioned that she would love something like that for her iPad! My thoughts immediately went to the tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew! and a design for an iPad Case was born...

Mia's favorite color is green, so I found coordinating fabrics in my scrap stash. I followed the instructions in the tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew! and sewed some strips of fabric together. I then used my rotary cutter to cut across the sewn strips to produce a colorful strip of fabric! 

Those strips, along with some white flannel and earthy muslin, were joined together to make the front of the case...

I absolutely love the white stripe and soft texture of the flannel next to the more course fabric of the muslin. Delicious!

I'm not entirely happy with the dimensions of the case. Next time I would make it a little smaller, but I am very happy with the design...

I used the same fabric for the back and lining. It's called "Pom Pom" and it's from the fabric line "Flourish" from Studio E by Alicia Place Frost. Love it!

Fusible fleece was attached to the front and back pieces and the lining pieces of this item, so the case is well-padded to give some protection to the iPad. If I make another one of these, I will make it slightly smaller and post the specific measurements for the case.

All in all I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Linked to:
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Friday Fun Finds @ kojo designs
FFAFriday @ Sassy Sites
Show & Share @ Just a Girl
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Hookin' Up with HOH
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori
Anything Related @ All Things Related
All Things Domestic @ Crazy Domestic
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
The DIY Project Parade @ DIY Show Off
Craftomaniac Monday @ Craftomaniac

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something...

bold & gold!

Clockwise, starting top left:

"Electric Windows" Fine Art Photograph

Headboard

Vinyl Wall Decal

Wooden Lamp

Vintage Trunk

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Another Application for February's Plaque Attack...

{ Go here for the original "February Plaque Attack" post! }

Last month one of my readers sent me an email letting me know how she used December's Plaque Attack document in an original way! She copied the document onto fabric and made a beautiful pillow. It gave me a great idea! I've used this same technique of copying images onto fabric before using my home printer, so this month I thought I'd show you another application for February's Plaque Attack in this adorable Valentine pillow that I made...

I love a frou frou pillow as much as the next woman, but every so often my heart yearns for a simple paneled pillow. This one fit the bill for me this time. 

I created a tutorial a few months ago about how to print on fabric from your home printer. Go here for that tutorial. It's a deliciously simple procedure! Simply follow the tutorial by printing your "February Plaque Attack" Word document onto a piece of fabric. I used a beautiful earthy, natural-looking muslin. I already had a 16" square pillow form, so I cut my pieces to fit that form. If you'd like to make a 16" pillow too, cut your fabric in the following sizes...

Please remember that this type of printing on fabric is not washable. If you get the ink wet it will bleed, so be aware of the purpose of your project and whether it will "last" under your circumstances!

You'll note that this plaque has red lettering rather than the black lettering that I originally used when I wrote the February Plaque Attack post. (Fonts courtesy of KevinandAmanda.com)

If you would like the red lettering to try a project like this please leave a comment below, then email me again. My email address is on my sidebar under "Contact Information".  

Just put "Red Letter February Plaque Attack" in the subject line of the email and I will shoot you back a document with both the black and red lettering. {Yes. You're right. I should have had both of these in my original document, but I didn't think of this project till later! Wish I could learn to be more organized! Ugh!!!}
 

Important: By requesting this document you agree not to sell copies of this document or sell products with this document on them. You may make as many copies as you would like for personal use or gifts.

Linked to:
Typography Challenge @ CSI
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Friday Fun Finds @ kojo designs
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Free for All Friday @ Sassy Sites
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori
Show Off Your Stuff Party @ Fireflies & Jellybeans

February Plaque Attack is here!

  { Important }

I'm changing things up a bit for the

Plaque Attack Club, 

so puleeeze read all the way through

this post before you 

request the 

plaque!

{ I have many questions asked me each month. All will be answered in this post! }

Thank you!

To receive February's Plaque Attack please leave a comment below, then send me an email with the words "February Plaque Attack" in the subject line of the email. My email address is at the top of my sidebar under "Contact Information." If you are requesting more than one month, please let me know which months you would like in the body of the email. Because our Plaque Attack Club is growing by the hundreds monthly, I'm finding difficult to reply to each email that is sent, however, I love your sweet comments and your fabulous ideas about how you have used the plaque document. In your comment below tell us how you have used the document, and please include any links to posts that you've published using the Plaque Attack document. That way all can enjoy your fabulous creativity! If you have a particular question, please don't hesitate to include that in your email. I'd love all to benefit from some of the original ideas that you ladies have shared with me through your emails! Thank you so much! Please remember that you have to check back monthly to request each individual plaque.

February is a month filled with sweet Valentine wishes, chocolate and kisses and February's plaque certainly reflects those sentiments!

Whether you are planning on making the plaque right away or later next month, please request it as soon as possible! On February 8th I will be wending my way to my daughter's home to spend some time with her family, so I will be unavailable to send the plaque wording to you during that time! (Any email requests received for the plaque wording from the 8th  - 11th, will be emailed on February 12th!)

 

I have to admit that this plaque is my favorite of all that I've made. Did you notice the cute fonts I used? These free fonts can easily be downloaded to your computer by going to {Kevin&Amanda.com}. They have hundreds of fabulous fonts for the taking. So kind of them to share their talents so freely! 

Remember:  If you would like to make this plaque leave a comment below, then email me requesting the document. If you are requesting more than one month, please make sure you specify the month(s) you are requesting in the body of the email. My email address is at the top of my sidebar under "Contact Information". No purchase necessary. After receiving the document all you'll have to do is select a sheet of scrapbook paper, print the document off, and follow the instructions in this tutorial.

Important: By requesting this document you agree not to sell copies of this pattern or sell products with this pattern on them. You may make as many copies as you would like for personal use or gifts.

Update: Some have asked where to find the wooden plaques for these documents.  I buy mine at Hobby Lobby ($1.47), and I imagine most craft stores have these plaques. If you can't find them in your area, you can purchase them online at Hobby Lobby -- go here! If that doesn't work here is another source for a 6 3/4" square plaque for the same price!
 

Linked to:
Friday Fun Finds @ kojo designs
Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life with Lori
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Show Off Your Stuff Party @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Get Your Craft on Tuesday @ Today's Creative Blog
Challenge of the Week @ The CSI Project

Love Birds & a Preview for the February Plaque Attack!

I've been noticing many cute Valentine decorations in blogland. I don't generally decorate much for Valentine's Day, but I love the idea behind the holiday, and I look forward to expressing my love to the Valentines in my life by doing something special for them on that day. A few days ago I had an idea for a very simple and inexpensive Valentine decoration.

The first thing I did was go into my backyard and collect some twigs and branches...

Then I got my trusty can of glossy white spray paint and painted away. If it had been about 30 degrees warmer outside I would have done a better job painting those babies. As it was they got a light dusting of paint.
 

Before the paint dried, while it was still a littly tacky I sprinkled on some glitter to give the branches a little pizazz. I love the way the light plays off the glitter as the sun shines through our window throughout the day...

Then I placed the branches in a container and surrounded them with kisses. Literally.

Finally several groupings of love birds were added to these sparkly branches. I think "love birds" are an appropriate decoration for Valentines Day...

 But wait...there's more! 

Along with this grouping of love birds and kisses, 

there's a little something else that has been added! 

That's right, 

the February Plaque Attack is almost ready and

it is (bar none) my most favorite Plaque Attack yet!

Please don't email me with your request yet.

Just wait until the post on Monday to find out 

specific instructions on how to receive your Plaque Attack Document! 
(You can find out more about how to "join" the Plaque Attack Club on my sidebar!)

Have a great weekend!

  

Linked to:
Craftomaniac Monday @ Craftomaniac
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye some...

fabulous textures

Clockwise, starting top left:

Deer Ornament

Beautiful Flower

Vintage Crochet Thread

Love

Pear Pincushion

Cardboard Chandelier

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

{skirt spurt}

I've had a burst of sewing activity today, but let me start at the beginning... Is it just me or have you noticed that there is a dearth of women's casual cotton skirts on the market these days? (Please don't tell me I'm totally out of style, cause I love cotton skirts.) Three to five years ago you could go into any clothing store and find a myriad of casual skirts to choose from. These days the stores I'm frequenting aren't carrying any. (A sure indication that I am totally out of style, but when you're 54 years old style isn't your only consideration -- comfort is right up there at the top of the list. It's one of the blessings of reaching a ripe old age. You can march to the beat of your own drum and be perfectly comfortable.) There's nothing I like better than a skirt and a cardigan with a little tee. So comfortable. Today I decided to remedy the situation. I sew all the time, but I can't remember the last time I sewed an article of clothing for myself. I was a little skeptical it would all work out, so I went to Hobby Lobby for some less-expensive fabric, picked out a pattern, and skedaddled home. Here's the pattern I chose...

Do you see the words "Easy to Sew" on the pattern? They were not kidding. This went together in no time. It's a really great pattern for beginners. 

I love a skirt that rests on your hips rather than at your waist, and this one fits the bill in that department...

Combine it with a cardigan and a tee and you have a casual, comfortable outfit...

Gratefully, the skirt fits perfectly. The pattern is very similar to a skirt that I already own, so when I took the pattern out of the envelope I put the pattern pieces up to the skirt I own and chose the pattern size that matched best. It ended up being 1 size larger than I would have chosen if had gone by the size I normally buy in a store. Odd, but it worked out just fine.

I have another piece of fabric that I bought today ready to be whipped into another one of these lovelies! Can't wait to have two new skirts in my closet! This skirt cost about $12 for the materials (fabric, thread, zipper). That's another reason I'm happy!

Inspiration...

It has been awhile since I checked in with you all. Last week I visited my newest little granddaughter and her parents. So much fun. There's nothing like holding a newborn in your arms. It's heaven on earth.

I'm home now, and I'm trying to get things in order. My husband and I have decided to move ahead with a rather intimidating project. We're basically dynamiting the whole upstairs of our house and starting over. At least that's what it feels like. Thank heavens we're not moving walls, but the master bedroom and bath are getting a complete overhaul. We're also going to renovate the guest bathroom and there will be new floors installed in all those rooms and the two guest bedrooms upstairs. Like I said ... kaaa-booommm!

We hope the redo will start toward the end of next month, but in the meantime we'll be making decisions and choosing the flooring, tile, cabinets, lighting, bathtubs, showers, etc., etc., etc. In the middle of all that I'm taking two more trips to visit children and their families. It seems a bit overwhelming, but it is exciting and fun all the same!

There is one decision, however, that we've already made. We know what "inspiration" we are going to work off of as far as colors and textures are concerned for the master bed/bath redo. This last year we've spent time visiting family and places in California. Both the hubs and I were raised in California, so we have a special affinity for sand and sea. We hope that by the time the renovations are complete our master bedroom and bath will remind us of some of the colors and textures found at some of our favorite beaches in California. Below are some pictures we took at a few of those choice locations that supply plenty of inspiration!

 A gray, stormy day at Half Moon Bay...

Cerulean skies, 

a turquoise sea, 

gnarled driftwood, 

and white sandy beaches

in Carmel...

 

San Clemente --
white frothy waves,
a few puffy clouds,
an old wooden wharf,
a bronzed surfer dude,
and ruffled sandy beaches...

so beautiful!

 

You won't see any conch shells or starfish in our rooms, but we hope to bring some of the colors and textures found at the beach to our landlocked abode in Colorado.