Some Guest Posting - Hexagons and Elementary Fabric

Maybe you've noticed already...

I've been doing a bit of guest posting

over at Bear Creek Quilting Company blog!

I just finished a 3-part blog series,

using a fat quarter bundle of Elementary

by Sweetwater for Moda.

I had been drooling over this line of fabric

since the first time I saw it...

it must be because we have so many teachers in my extended family!

In Part 1

I test-drove a new-to-me specialty ruler,

called the Creative Grids Hexagon Trim Tool.

I can only begin to describe how FUN this tool is to use.

You can make such a variety of hexagons,

each one using similar simple steps.

There's a video here, that I referred to for lots of ideas.
Sometimes the simplest designs are really stunning.

These hexagons are a lot like snowflakes...
each one unique, and also beautiful.

{Oooooh! I just inspired myself...I think I'll have to try making some in wintery fabrics!}

In Part 2

those hexagons were put to use

when I created Textagon Mug Rugs.

Each of these would make a great gift

for a teacher or a student,

don't you think???

For Part 3

I decided to design a Library Book Bag,

featuring hexagon blocks on the front and the back.

Like it???

You can follow the tutorial to make your own

Library Book Bag.

I've got some leftovers from my fat quarter bundle,
just begging to be made into gifts
for teachers and students.

Stop back soon to see what I'm going to make
with this A+ Elementary fabric. 

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A Little Kitchen Spice

I'm in the mood for sewing projects

to spice up the kitchen!

As a big Flickr fan,

I know there have been swaps for that,

but I haven't ever participated in an Official Swap before.

{My mug rug swap with Amanda of The Patchsmith was the closest thing I've done yet, and that was such fun that I'm sure I'll sign up for an Official Swap someday.}

Flickr has dozens of sweet and spicy projects for inspiration!

From Flickr

Do you see that adorable tea towel in the upper left corner of the mosaic???

Well, I did a little bit of research online,

and I found the tutorial at Pin.Sew.Press

for the Stay-Put Kitchen Towel.

{Isn't that the cutest idea?!?!?!}

I found some soft, cushy tea towels at my local craft store,

just like those waffle weaves in the mosaic above.

{I got three of them to start with...barn red, white and turquoise

...and I just went back for more today.  There was only one of the green ones left!}

I found some pretty prints and got started.

Here's the first one I made, 

using a barn red towel.

I love the cherries and vines in the black and red colorway,

 both from Recipe for Friendship

by Mary Engelbreit for Moda.

{I like to name my projects...I call this towel Black Cherry.}

For the turquoise towel,

I used some polka dots paired up with a print

from Bonnie and Camille's line for Moday called Bliss.

{I shall name this one Dotted Bliss.}

I love the ribbon ties, but I started to think...

and I started to worry...

will those pretty ribbons make it through

dozens of wash and dry cycles?

Hmmmm....

For the next towel I finished off the sides with covered buttons,

instead of ties at the sides.

{I still needed to use ribbon inside the casing, 

to gather the towel for shaping.}

I was going to name this one Cherry Vanilla,
but instead I've decided to call it Mine.

{Yeah...I'm keeping this one in my own kitchen.}

Do you know of any fun kitchen tutorials?

{Please share in a comment, if you do!}

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A Peacock Wedding

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful bride,

with four lovely bridesmaids to attend her.

The bridesmaids gowns were a brilliant shade of teal called Mediterranean...

we call it Peacock in my real-life workplace.

{But that's another tale...don't get me started.}

{Source:  Pinterest}

Each gown came with a fabric stole, 

made from the same teal fabric as the dresses.

The bridesmaids felt certain that they would NOT want to 
wear stoles for the August wedding.

{Can you blame them?}

{Source:  Pinterest}

Someone suggested making little purses from the stoles,

and I was asked to make them!

{Yay!!!}

I knew right away that this Sweet Pea Totes pattern,

the Zip and Go Wristlet,

would be a perfect choice!

I made up all four of the wristlets from the silky taffeta peacock fabric,

which has a fantastic, rich sheen and wonderful texture.

{I lined the fabric with Pellon ShapeFlex 101SF,

and it made perfect pleats.}

For the interiors, I chose four different prints to match.

I used one print for the pocket and the other for the lining.

{I switched up the prints, so that all four coordinated,

but each was unique. These are from Paula Prass and Jennifer Paganelli.}

For the interiors and the pocket, I used Pellon 987F fusible fleece interfacing.

The wristlets are soft, but hold their shape, even when empty.

{Man, I love that stuff...I buy it by the bolt!}

This pattern is fabulous!!!

I've used it many times and it's fun every step of the way.

{Here are some of my favorites...}

I bought a bunch of colorful zippers,

because they add some "zip" to these great bags! 

{I got mine from Zipit on Etsy.}

I do follow the fabulous well-written pattern exactly,

except with two modifications I like to make.

1.

I prefer some extra shaping to the bottom of the bags,

so I make darts in the corners.

2.

Secondly, I LOVE putting a skinny shoulder strap

on my bags, instead of using them

as a wristlet.

They can be carried on the shoulder, or even cross-body.

{When I go to an amusement park, I can tuck mine inside my shirt

for the roller coaster rides!}

I generally make a matching key fob, too...
so I made up a few for the bridal party.

{You just can't have too many of these key fobs!}

{I have a few of these purses for sale in my shop on Etsy,

or you can always contact me if you want me to sew something just for you!}

I had some more of the peacock fabric left...
and I used it to make up a drawstring bag
from this tutorial by Jeni of In Color Order.

I love the lively accent fabrics, once again by Jennifer Paganelli...
It's for the bridal dance, so of course
it's got to rock!

And for the final chapter in this storybook wedding...
the bride needed a pretty purse, too, don't you think?


How lovely is this?


{Made from elmstreetlife's Bow Clutch Tutorial 
that I've already posted about here.}

The lining is from a Jennifer Paganelli's print called Matt's Tux.


{I do so love names that sound like they match the occasion!}

Wishing the bride and groom, their family and friends
a beautiful wedding day!

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Bow-Accented Clutch Wristlets Are Here!

I think my favorite thing about reading blogs is

finding a great tutorial.

{It's kind of like a giveaway, where everyone wins the prize!}

Recently I stumbled upon this most fabulous tutorial,

by Whitney of elm street life,

for a Bow Clutch.

I asked Whitney for permission to sell some of the bags I'm making from her tutorial, in my shop on Etsy, eamylove.

She said, "Yes."

{Thank you, Whitney!}

I thought you might like to see what I came up with...so far.

I started with this sweet little cherry polka dot number.

For the interior, I wanted a high contrast, high interest print.

How about black and white, with red all over?

{This makes me think of Minnie Mouse every time I see it.

And then I really want to go to Disney World.}

How fun is that?

For my next bag, I wanted to continue with the picnic feel,

but make it even more charming and dainty.

I can always count on my Darla prints by Tanya Whelan...

Inside, I'm loving the yellow gingham!

I have a collection of colorful zippers for my purse-making pleasure.

{They add some..."zip"...to every purse.}

For the yellow bag, though, I really love the crisp fresh white zipper!

Moving on to my latest bow-clutch purse,

I craved a bit of classic sophistication, so I chose a

black-and-white houndstooth print in a light home dec cotton.

What should I put in the interior this time???

{Obviously it's time to call in some Sis Boom here...}

I love this hot pink print by Jennifer Paganelli,

from her Flower Power line.

Weddings, picnics, a trip to the city,
vacation, or a night out...

these little clutches will go anywhere
and look great with any outfit!

Perfect for summer,

all of these bags have been listed in my shop on Etsy,

eamylove.

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