Transformatin of an old cardboard box

Student were leaving odds and ends on my ironing table and around the classroom on a regular basis so I needed  a spot where I could drop these things in.

Waaa-laaa!

We have an old carton box all dressed up to work as my organizer.

I've had this fabric for years intending to make hubby a shirt from it but my sewing pals thought not.

I still don't agree but maybe they see something I don't.

 

Well, the fabric is perfect for this project! Did I mention that my classroom is suppose to make me feel like I'm still in Hawaii? Everything in there is tropical and I have big plans to add to my collection -

I smell a palm tree in my future!

Apron

I wanted to keep this apron even though my name is not Janni!

This was my second attempt, somehow first ones never quite make it.

Personalized Covered Chair

oooh-la-la!

I love this.

My own lepeord skinned office chair. I can't take all the credit for this - I had a very talented student work on this. I started it and she took over and this is what we ended up with. It was relatively easy and adds so much spice to my workroom...

Josalen is here!

Hubby's first grandchild is a girl and she is named Josalen, a combination of her proud parent's names- Josh and Lena. She is precious!

Here is an embroidered blanket made especially for her.  The font is Pretoria and it is bordered with a bean stitch.

Perfection no more...

Here's today's label.

I had to improvise on the ribbon size since I can't find the width I'd actually prefer so instead I have sewn togther two widths. It's "good enough" - a novel concept that I have embraced in my mid life wisdom.

No more hunting endlessly for the perfect whatever...those days are behind me, thank goodness.

I wasted an unbelievable amount of precious time driving to the ends of the earth to find exactly the perfect button, trim, fabric...


Not any more.

This girl is a little wiser and alot more tired ...

Homemade labels

My latest obsession is label-making so you'll be seeing alot of these little creations. They are labor intensive and far more work than I had imagined. It seems so simple - just pick a font and type my name...

It's my nature to take the simple and complicate it as much as humanly possible or I just don't feel right.

Happy 4-Thread Industrial Embroidery Machine = Lot's of headaches

This is it!

This 4-head embroidery machine is amazing and as intimidating as it looks.

I am still trying to tame it and am making progress slowly.  I am a beginner digitizer and there is never a dull moment in my day. 

I've experimented with label making a bit and am now ready to get serious about making some nice ones. I think they will be a perfect gift for my sewing galpals. We are meeting up once a month and my great plan is to have a new one for them each time we met. There are 6 of us so I'll be busy.

This one here is my first one with the new embroidery machine. I am testing out color combinations. I think I like the red better than the beige so my next test-out will be with all red flowers on a golden satin ribbon. 

~Frilly hostess apron~

Aprons have become all the rage in the past few years. I've seen them for as much as $130  at one boutique in Clairemont Village.  I have one for every holiday now. This one is from a collection that I made for my classroom in hopes of inspiring students to make their own.

Fleece pillow sham and blanket

Fleece is a dream to work with.

Didn't have a daughter to dress up...

I didn't have a daughter I could dress up so my son had to do...

He had the fanciest hats this side of England.

Label

Trying my hand at a personalized label

My absolute favorite...

A labor of love. Too many hours to count...

What can you do with your old leather mini skirt and rocker belt from your heyday?

Recyclying at it's best

Dressform sewing bag

There was only a itty bitty piece of this dressform fabric - maybe 1/2 yard so I had to make the most of it! I used this to transport my  things to sewing class.

Vintage apron made with love and far too much time

Vintage Apron Pattern

Days and days of bias tape making but so worth it~

Quick sweater that would not cause me any pain...

Needed an easy quick-to-make sweater to dress up an outfit. Couldn't be any easier than this.

What to do with scraps...

3 piece outfit made from leopard pattern fabric remants that I had from past projects. The skirt pattern makes great use of scrap fabrics. Tulip shaped skirt is quite flattering.

A Summer bag delayed...

Sweet summer bag made in dreaded chiffon.
Backed with fusible fleece to make it worthy of my limited time . Beaded .
Did not photograph well, it's lovely though!

Started making this in the Summer of 2008.
Completed Summer of 2009.

Black and White

Funny thing.

I have been stopped on the streets when I have worn this skirt.

For some reason, everytime I wear it I get at least one compliment.

I've never had a garment that has gotten so much attention.

If I'm feeling particularly introverted, I don't wear this skirt.

There's also a matching headband.

I now have 8 skirts in this pattern,

someone stop me!