Bunny Bun Cover: Viking Club

I bought a Viking sewing machine at my local Joann's just this past January. The company offers monthly skills classes that if you bought a machine, you can sign up for.

I was fortunate enough to attend the April class this past week. The projects were for basket liners.

Check out my handiwork! The bunny bun cover (typically seen as a hen whose wing you would lift to access the warm rolls inside the basked underneath) is too cute. I was really pleased with how it came out. The wonderful ladies at Viking were very patient. I appreciate all the extra time they gave me and my questions.


I am getting better at using my machine, which is exciting. This weekend, I will be making some baby items for my sister and a co-worker. More on that later!

I Always Wanted to Knit!

I am really so excited. I think I might have the skills to start searching the internet for beginner's knitting patterns.

I took a class at my local A. C. Moore this past Monday not quite sure what to expect. You see, I had already attended a beginner's knitting class earlier in 2009 at my local JoAnn's Fabrics and had left that class feeling dejected and lost. Unfortunately, I think the class size was too large and the teacher to inexperienced with actually teaching true beginners for the class to have been effective.

My teacher at A. C. Moore was Beth from Beth's Creative Notions on Etsy. We had a class of three-- a young girl of 10 years old, my mother, and myself. I definately prefer the smaller class sizes. That way I get individual attention and get to ask my questions without feeling like I am annoying anyone.

You can't really see it here but those are even stitches. I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. We talked about ribbing and how combining the basic stitches could make ribbing and things like that. She showed me how to change colors (just like crochet, really) and how to pick up a dropped stitch. I also saw casting off but i am definately going to need to Google that one again when it comes time.

I will be making a pink square for my pink breast cancer awareness afghan as soon as I am done experimenting with this one.

I'm back!

Great 4 day weekend trip!

This was my first S.A.V.E. trip and it was a ton of fun. I set my alarm to wake up early and went to bed at 2 when they kicked us out of the reception hall.

One of the neat things about this trip in particular (aside from all the other crafty people you meet) is the oppertunity to learn new skills. I took a class called Funky Flag Book. In it we learned how to take two pieces of chipboard as the front and back cover and four 12x12 pages, cut down into an awesome book with a ton of movement, excitement, and really neat techniques. (I'll post a picture when I dig out my camera from my luggage!) Here is the class description: "This spin on the flag book is nothing short of funky and fabulous! Using Prima's new Tropic's line and some of their most gorgeous products, you'll create this mini-book filled with flips, folds, pockets, transparencies, and uniquely blinged-up treats. There's 5 different kinds of "bling" just on the front cover!! Be prepared to place with paint, ink, Glimmer Mist, custom dyed fabric, Blond Moments Pearls, Alcohol Inks, Stickles, and more!"

S.A.V.E. 2010

I just signed up for S.A.V.E. 2010. S.A.V.E. stands for Scrappin' Away Vacation Event. It is the ultimate scrap-over in the area, from what I hear. It is being held at a beautiful resort -- the Split Rock Resort in the Pocono Mountains (PA).

My sister went last year. She said that is is basically a ballroom full of tables, end to end. People come in and scrap until they are hungry or tired. After they break, more crafting occurs! Fun fun. There is also a "yard sale" where in you can bring any scrappy items you do not wish to keep anymore and sell them to the other scrappers. There will also be some classes where you can learn new techniques (and probably buy the items you need to use those techniques lol.)

My sister, her co-worker Amanda (whom I have scrapped with before), and two of Amanda's friends will be sharing a "party room" for 5. Cost savings - yes! The weekend is in January, leading up to MLK, but not including. I can go up as early as Thursday but my sister and Amanda cannot go until Friday. I know we can't all carpool (too many crafty items to bring!) so I am not sure if I will stay around and wait for them or go up earlier. What do you think I should do?

Information can be found at http://www.scrappinawayvacations.com/ if you are interested too.

Teen Sewing: Prom Purse

I like to learn new things. This past Friday, I took a sewing class a Joann's Fabrics in Marple Crossroads. I had already taken Sewing 101 and Upholstery classes that both involved sewing machines, so I thought getting a little more sewing experience would be good. Basically, I want to be skilled enough to make some curtains, pillows, and the occasional child's toy. There was a class called "Prom Purses" for teens that I decided to take after double checking that it was fine that I am 25 and taking a teen class, of course. Turns out, they just want your money and don't really care. Go figure.In the class we had the option of making either the black purse or pink. Based on which purse you were interested in making, they gave you a supply list. To Joann's credit, they give you both patterns in case you want to make the other in your spare time. I decided to go for the pink one as it looked more complicated (jewels, pipe trim, custom button) and I wanted to tackle it while I had the helpful support of a paid employee! Considering my newness and the design requirements, I had to complete some of the bag in my kitchen. Kudos to my mother for lending me her sewing machine! I really want one of my own but I can't validate spending all that money when my mom and her machine live less then 10 minutes away.

Anyways, the class consisted of myself (25 years old) and a little girl (11 years old). I guess it wasn't really a teen class!! Ha ha. I am thinking that teens attending the prom did not take the class considering it was so close to actual prom dates. I chose a purple/teal taffeta for the outside and black silk for the lining. I think it looks really nice with the back piping. But I digress... Check out my finished product:

When I showed it to my mom, she asked where I had purchased the purse! What a compliment. Now, she did ask that when she was not actually HOLDING the purse (or she would have see some uneven seaming on the back). Still, it was my first bag. I bought a pattern to try to make a diaper bag for my little (pregnant) sister. I am not sure if making the diaper bag will work out but I am willing to give it a try and curse at the machine a little bit more for my kid sister. I already made her crochet blankets and so on. Why not try my hand at a new medium?

Stained Glass Class!

I have always wanted to learn how to make stained glass. A co-worker told me there was local store where you can learn called Stained Glass Decor in Media, PA. The store is owned by a woman named Patty who teaches novices on the side. She was terrific!

The class was on Wednesday nights from 6pm-8:30pm and ran for 5 weeks. If you need more time to finish between weeks, she offers 4 hours on Saturday that you can come in a work while she is working on her own projects for customers. She limits enrollment to a maximum of 4 people to ensure hands-on and personal attention (as well as she has limited space in her store). At the end of the class, we ended up with a 8 x 11 project. We choose our own design so really you could come with your own pattern if that is what you want. I, personally, chose a pattern out of a book and Patty re-designed it for me for size and skill level purposes. I think it turned out really well (see above). It is pretty girly, which is pretty much my style. I like romantic, traditional things. Then again, I also like quite a wide variety of things so that doesn't always hold true to everything.

The class sessions broke down as follows:

Week 1 - Basics in glass cutting, choosing a stained glass design, and safety tips
Week 2 - Cutting glass for the project and filling to pattern
Week 3 - Grinding edges to fit pattern
Week 4 - Foiling glass pieces and beginning soldering
Week 5 - Soldering, framing, and applying finishes

The really awesome thing? Dawn (my co-worker) and I finished the class a week early so Patty had us both back for an additional class where she taught us to make boxes and solder in 3D. We learned how to work with mirror (the purple/blue glass in the top and on the bottom is mirror glass) and used bevels (also seen on the lid). Patty showed us how to make invisible hinges, which was pretty cool.

Dawn and I have now bought our own tools. I am making an area in my 2 car garage for me to work on projects this summer. I am really excited to make more stuff! Some of the glass out there is so cool and really inspiring. We are planning a road trip to some speciality stores soon. Wish us luck!