This is the first tote I’ve ever made. It was pretty much an easy project. The part I found most difficult was making the straps. That was the hardest for me because the little bit of fabric I did use to make the strap was folded three times, then pinned, and then sewn. Truth be told my mother-in-law helped me a bit ☺. But other than that it was a simple project that probably took about forty-five minutes. I found the pattern for this tote of out a book my husband gave me for Christmas (Stitchen and Bitchen, or something to that effect).



This Needle Case was inspired by my mother in-law. She made one for her daughter to hold her crocheting needles. It was so much fun, and very satisfying to see the finished product.



My clutch purse was surprising a bit of a challenge. Being that I am a new sewer, I didn’t really have much experience with a decorative or embroidery stitch. My words of advice to anyone who is planning to use a decorative stitch would be: make sure you like the stitch before you start, and make sure sure sure you are sewing straight because decorative stitching will take hours to steam rip!!! I have found my most common struggle when sewing is sewing straight. Often I take my ruler and erasable marker and draw a line for myself to follow. Slow and Steady wins the race proves true in this case!
I also made three other clutch purses, all for Christmas gifts. They really are easy and fun.






I think the Messenger Bag style is my favorite. It seems to go with almost anything, and I really like the simplicity of the bag. The two purses I’ve made were also inspired by my mother in-law. I know, I’m just a copycat ☺. But hey, it was such a good idea I couldn’t help it.


I absolutely love this blanket. It is so unbelievably soft, it’s simply amazing. I had some leftover fabric from my needle case, and I just happened to notice the blanket and the fabric were perfect together. I would have liked to do a border around the blanket, but the squares worked better with the amount of fabric I had. This project was my first using a zigzag stitch. I’m really happy with the stitch because it seems sturdier than just a straight stitch as far as sewing the patches onto the blanket. It’s a bit of a messy look, which I also like.





My Bible and Planner were a take off of a photo album I saw in borders. The album had buttons plastered all over it. I really like the idea of a design with the buttons (like my bible). But I also like the random look of the planner.



My eyeglasses case was the first project I made with the sewing machine. Being that it was my first project, and I had no real instruction except a picture and pattern in a book, it was very difficult. I love the Asian style fabric that I used, the only problem was it was extremely slippery!!! In addition to that, it never occurred to me to iron anything. So, not only was the fabric slippery, it was also very puffy when I was finished. After three attempts (each time starting completely over) I finally got one I liked.



The Mosaic Tray was also a blast to make. My husband’s grandma has made a few really amazing ones, and suggested that I try it. I have made three since, but only have pictures of the first. First you find a tray you like, as well as plates. You break the plates into tiny pieces and arrange them onto the tray. I’ve seen trays with no patterns, and I’ve seen trays with designs. Both look great. You glue the pieces on with sturdy glue and let it sit over night. Next you grout the tray. Then you let it sit. When it’s done drying you clean it up, paint it, and your ready to go. I love them. I like to use mine for a magazine display. But I’m sure you could like of many uses for it.