Follow my new blog!

To those of you who follow this blog with the Google Friend Connect. Come on over to my new site, and follow with my new Friend Connect.

http://sevidesigns.com

Thanks a bunch!!

New blog

New blog

http://sevidesigns.com

Giveaway on my new blog!!

Please follow the link to my new blog. I am having a giveaway!!

http://sevidesigns.com

Blog has offically moved!

Please take note of my new web address. You can subscribe to it to keep updated. I will be posting on that site only from now on :o) Hope you join me!! Grab my button on the sidebar.

http://sevidesigns.com

What do ya think?

Ok, so I have been working on my new site which has my blog and shop all in one. It is going to be thru Wordpress. I still have a lot to do but would love some feedback. Please take a look and tell me what you think please! You can leave a comment here or on the new one :0) Click Here!

Neglected

Unbelievable! It has been so long since I posted a real post. I have been so busy I have neglected my blog. My last post I was getting ready to hop on a plane to Vegas and see my father who was in complete liver failure. I am so glad I did go. He is actually doing so much better. He still has a ways to go. There are a lot of lifestyle changes to adhere to. But, everyday he has gotten stronger :o) I am so relieved about this. He is actually going back to work on the 9th of Feb. Thanks for all of the kind words and prayers. They really helped him, and me.

One really great outcome from my trip was my 2 almost 3 year old is no longer nursing...woo-hoo!! I was so done a long time ago but had no idea how to nip it in the bud. Well taking a trip for 6 days was the way to go. I am loving my freedom again!!

I have also been busy sewing and filling orders. Things have picked up for me a little bit, which is great. As some of you may remember I re-did my website a few months back....well, I am re-doing it again. At some point my blog will be moving as well. I will be using Wordpress for the both of them. That way they are integrated..which is what I wanted all along. Lets hope I stick with this and don't change my mind..AGAIN! ;o) I'll let ya know when I have everything done on the other site.

We have also re-homed our beloved boxer doggies :( This was such a hard decision(it took a year). But my son Devin is allergic to them and we think he Severe Eczema is so severe due to the dogs. He has had Eczema since he was 5 mos., as well as a lot of Food Allergies, and Asthma.
His Eczema got worse after we got dogs...DUH! Of course we didn't know cause of all of the foods we have found he is allergic to. I do hope this helps him. It's horrible to be so itchy all the time. I have to say he is itching a little bit less so far.

Here are some pics of some of the items I have made lately.

Custom crayon rolls:



Vinyl Lined


Vinyl Lined


Bag & Matching Coffee Cup Cozy:




New fabrics from Hancock's of Puducah. Heather Bailey for $3.98 a yard..STEAL!!



Hope you enjoyed my pics. I am working hard on items for my shop so expect to see more soon!

Come on play along...

Saw this here and thought it would be fun to play along.

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo -not in public, though!
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris-Well I visited the Paris Hotel in Vegas..lol
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating – fish. Just fish.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life-Not someone but one of my dogs...twice..really!!
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Okay - who else wants to play?

PDF Pattern Recomendations...

Does anyone else love PDF patterns as much as I do? I love the fact that you pay for them and then you have the pattern in less than 24 hours. When you get them you save them , and print them out yourself. The only issue I have with some PDF's is that they have sooooo many pages. But I have been lucky enough to find my printer ink at a few thrift store's. Another option to check out is places like Kinkos, & Staples. They offer services where you can upload the pattern thru the web, and they will print it out for you for a fee...That way you aren't waisting your ink and paper. I have yet to try this method. I print as I need them.

Now to the good part. I am going to be listing a bunch of great Etsy shops you can purchase PDF patterns from. These are sellers I have purchased from, and the items I have purchased...OK...Let the linking begin :)

Keyka Lou-Sweetheart Shopper, City Tote, Pixie Handbag, Business Card Wallet, & Clutch
ithinksew-Not the most concise of patterns!! Simple and Easy Bag, Easy Pleats, Pleats Shoulder Bag, Sunglasses Case, Clutch, Three Pocuches, & Document bag
ithinksew aslo has a store for kid patterns, the link is HERE.
Precious Patterns-Curvy Clutch, Tote Bag, Cell Phone Cozie, & Rectangle Clutch
JennaLou-She has a few PDF's, I have her paper version of Fiona Handbag, and Girls Best Friend Wallet
Sweet Pea Totes-Simple Chic Handbag, & Handbag
Ditty Pop-Run Mama Run Bag
Hyperart-Quickie Clutch
Aivilo Charlotte-Key Chain Coin Purse
Artsy Crafty Babe-Lily Beth

Here are some great links for Doll PDF's:

Bit of Whimsy-I haven't purchased any of the PDF's YET! But they are ADORABLE!!!
Herbst-Dot Dolly..I do have this one :)

That's all I have for now as for the Etsy PDF's. Can you say instant gratification :)

Well I won't be blogging much in the next week or two possibly. My father is in the Hospital out in Vegas. He landed himself there New Years Eve with complete Liver failure :( Things apparently are not good. So I will be flying out to see him.

Hope to be back soon.

Sunday Stash

Today's Sunday Stash is dedicated to Sandi Henderson and her Ginger Blossom line. Oh how I love thee!! I had several other prints but they were used long ago. This is all I have left.


Just lovely, aren't they! I have joined 2 new swaps thru Swap-Bot. The first is an Owl stuffie swap. The other is a Foodie fabric swap. I think for the foodie swap my partner will be getting a 1/2 yard of 1 of these. Or maybe I will cut 2 fat quarters from 2 of them..?? Not sure yet. I am excited about making an owl stuffie. My partner has 2 kids so I will be making 2 instead of one :0) I have to say the only downfall with Swap-Bot is that you get points..which is fine. But, it is difficult to fing good swaps that accept newbies :^( Anyone else involved in a good swap, or know of a good resource for swapping let me know.

Well I have to ends this post now. My daughter is tugging on my arm, making it difficult to concentrate. Not to mention very hard to type...Enjoy your Sunday evening :0)

What a way to ring in the New Year...

First and foremost HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! I am so glad the 2008 has come and gone. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year than last. It was not a fun year, let me tell you! But I am going to start this year off on a positive foot. This morning I woke up to several emails. They were for 3 custom orders for purses, and wallets...woo-hoo!! The other was a question in regards to my Woodland Bloom bag I had for sale in my Etsy Store. Well, it sold!! Finally, I sell one of my bags on Etsy. This made my day :0) I have already begun making a few more items to list in my Etsy Store. I am hoping to stock it well....and to take WAY better pictures. I feel like the pictures I have taken do not do my items justice. So I will be working on learning how to take better pics. Hopefully at some point this year I will get a better camera, and a better sewing machine....hear that hubby?!!!

I have also opened an account over at Artfire. I want to give it a shot over there. With their free account option there are no selling fees, and you can sell up to 10 items at a time. It's worth a shot. There is also a to check out Artfire click HERE. It seems to be growing :0)



Today seems like it is going to be a sewing day. I have already cleaned, and everybody around here seems to be in relaxation mode. Devin and my hubby Jay are playing the Wii, together. It's so cute they are playing Lego Batman. Sophia is plating with ALL of her toys. She is the master of disaster. It amazes me how quickly she can turn the house upside down. But she's so darn cute!!

I hope you all have a wonderful day! We sure will :0)

I'm an Artisan, what are you?

I am bored and was passing some time looking around the web when I came across this little 3 question quiz. This was my result:

Your Personality Is Artisan

You are both grounded and flexible. You adapt well to new situations. You are playful and free spirited - but you are also dependable and never flaky. You don't do well in conservative, stuffy situations. It's probably very hard for you to keep a normal job or stay in school. You are always up for fun and adventure. Most people are too boring for you. You take risks and bend the rules. And if things don't work out, you chock it up to life experience. In love, you tend to take things quickly - but you have a huge problem with commitment. At work, you need to make your own rules. You're best suited to be an entrepreneur. With others, you are animated and physical. You prefer doing something with friends to just hanging out. As far as your looks go, you tend to be buff and in good shape. Your spend more time on your body than your clothes. On weekends, you need to keep active. From cooking up a storm to running a 5K, you wear yourself out.

It's pretty true except for never being flaky, and the buff body part. More like flubby! My nice figure went out the door with pregnancy #1. I gained way too much weight. I have a thyroid condition that makes it hard for me to get the weight off. Thanks kids :) Now I have a womanly figure as I like to call it. To take the quiz go HERE.

Have a fun safe New Years Eve. Mine will be spent at home with the family :0)

Gift for my mom

Here is the bag I made my mom. I was in the process of making a zippered pouch to go with it when my sewing machine decided not to work. This was Christmas morning before we left for her house. She was very happy with her bag though. I really liked how it came out too....It was HUGE!! It would make an excellent overnight bag, or market tote.

On the flip side....


I used a Cotton Blossom's Charm Pack by Moda. The lining and handles were made using unbleached Muslin. I really like this Muslin. It is a new found favorite fabric of mine. The fact that it is in-expensive, and neutral is great. I use it to line my tissue cozies too :0) It looks great with this line of fabric with all the browns, blues, greens, reds and orange. I'll be making another one of these bags real soon! By the way the pattern is from JoAnn's Fabric Store. It's like $3.00 for the pattern. There is this one for charm squares and another for jelly roll strips..that's next on my list, for my Grandma.

Sunday Stash

The fabric I am sharing today is not the fabric I wanted to share. My camera is on the Fritz :0(
Oh well, there's always next week right? Today's pick is a very nice fabric...the picture is not the nicest..sorry! I have chosen to share Urban Chicks fabric, the line is 1974. I love this fabric!! I am actually in the process of making my first quilt using this particular jelly roll and charm pack. Since Christmas is over, I can now focus on my quilt. I can't wait!!


Here are some links to see the rest of the fabrics included in this charm pack, and jelly roll.

I am going to go finish being lazy today. I am exhausted due to the holidays..whew! Thank goodness Christmas is over. All I have to do to get ready for New Year's is pick which mixed drink I'd like to have :0) Which I have already done...Smirnoff and Cran-apple juice..mmmm.
The kids will be off to bed early and my hubby and I will have a mild celebration. I may or may not post again before then. If not Have a safe and Happy New Years!!

Happy Holidays!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy the company of your friends, family, and good food! I'll be back after Christmas :0)

One more down...many many more to go!!

As promised, I am posting my sisters finished Christmas gifts. Hopefully she will not read this. Generally she doesn't unless I want her to see something. So, I made her this bag. As well as a smaller version of this, to be used as a makeup bag. Then I had to make a matching tissue cozy, of course! Here they are, drum roll please......



Both sides of the bag. It is reversible, but only one side has a pocket.



The Makeup case, and tissue cover.



A close up of the covered button, and loop closure.


I love the covered button!! I also used a hair band for the loop closure, instead of the ribbon the instructions called for. I really like to used these as closures for things such as crayon rolls. They are much less of a headache. What I mean is A)Kids can open and close themselves, B) Kids are not constantly asking you to tie their crayon roll they keep undoing...over and over again! Just makes life that much more easy peasy!! Hopefully you all won't get too tired of me sharing my goodies. I just get so excited. Luckily our families live and hour and a half away or I would be gift giving early :0) Now I have one gift completely done. Off to finish some more. I will be posting again tomorrow. Hopefully with several more finished goods. Goodnight!

Sunday Stash

Wow, these weeks are just flying by. Here is my Sunday Stash again, so soon...at least it feels like it is too soon. Here are this weeks choices, I can never pick just one to share :0)

All are Amy Butler fabrics from her Daisey Chain Line. The color is Rose. It looks purplish-pink to me. Two of these beautiful fabrics have already been cut and are going to be several Christmas gifts for my sister. She picked purple as her color...this is as close as I had to purple in my stash. I am making her this bag, and this, and this too. I think it's a nice little set. I will post pics when I am done. Hopefully tomorrow mid morning :0) I still have more gifts to sew and my baking to begin. Hubby will be home tomorrow so he can help...with the kids and baking. He can't however help with the sewing because he is banned from using my sewing machine(s). Yes, machines I have 2 of them. Nor can he uses my scissors...I caught that punk trying to cut paper with my fabric scissors. As you can imagine I had to lay down the law about MY STUFF!! Just like with the kids my hubby was scolded and told to NEVER, EVER touch my sewing stuff again!
I gave him a pair of his own scissors, and if something needs sewn he needs to let me know and I will do it. Control issues, what? Who me? Never! (hahahaha) Ok maybe I am a little bit of a control freak. It is what it is. :0)

Handmade X-mas Gifts Galore!!

There are very few days till Christmas as we all know. I have been so focused on Swap items, and orders I have really neglected my list of Handmade X-mas gifts. Now I am kicking it into high gear and sewing...sewing...and sewing some more. All orders have completed have been received by the those that have placed their orders. I am so pleased that they love all of the goodies I have made. Whew!! I try to make everything perfect, but still worry that they will hate what I made. But they didn't!! Here is a recap of recent items I made :0)


From L-R clockwise: Amy Butler Birdie Sling with Heather Bailey Fabrics; Small Handbag with Amy Butler Fabrics; Sandi Henderson Market Bag(boxy version) with HB Fabrics; and another Small Handbag with HB Fabrics.

Ohh and look what I got for my B-day! Aren't they Beautimus?!! Hopefully I won't kill them.


Now back to the purses and patterns. I love the Birdie sling by Amy Butler. I have read before that it is a large bag. I have to say I was still suprised to see how HUGE it really is. It also has 2 pockets on the inside...I love pockets. I am happy with how my work came out. Just as I am happy with how my Sandi Henderson Market Bag turned out. Again anothe good sized bag w/pockets :0) It was my first time using both patterns. I am always apprehensive the first time doing anything. But the instructions on both patters were great. The Birdie Sling is just A LOT of cutting...lots of pieces. But once you piece it and start sewing it's a breeze. It also called for more fabric then needed..so I have some left over for some smaller projects. I am going to have to do a post at some point dedicated to pattern reviews, hmmm....definetly!

Anyhoo, I have some sewing to get started, and finished. As well as some baking to get done. I am baking some goodies for my neighbors, and family members for X-mas. I live in a Cul-d-sac, so all 5 neighbors will ne getting Peppermint Marshmallows, Brownied, and a for Recipe Cards for Homemade Hot Chocolate, and such. Wish me luck (Wink) I'm going to need it due to there being so many hours in a day, and 4 days to do it all in. I'll leave you with a project sone by my hubby. He is from the Philippines. In the Philippines the have something called a Parol. It is a star shapped lantern that is put up around X-mas time. Well, he found some bamboo and made this star......


Then he found some holiday Cellophane type paper and it cam out like this....



Not bad huh?! He is quite crafty. I've caught him messing with my sewing machine...who knew!
Now I am off to make my handmade gifts. I'll post my Sunday Stash later this evening.

Market Bag Success Woo-Hoo!!!

I had a custom order for Sandi Henderson's Market bag. I am always a little apprehensive when trying out a new pattern. But I have to say that this pattern was AWESOME!! It was so easy to follow. With colorful pictures, and great descriptions it was a breeze. I think it helped that I followed the directions to a tee.....sometimes I am very bad about that. Maybe some of the success was from doing what I should always do when using Directions...you know following them :0) Here it is...it's so purdy. I made the boxier of the two patterns. Let me tell you I am going to have a hard time handing it over.....


and it is reversible, but the second picture came out funky....


I love it!! I also made 2 handbags for a mother and daughter. One side is the same and the lining is different for each bag. I pulled the teal out of one for the lining, and the one pictures has the lime green. They are both reversible. I think reversible bags are great makes them a bit more versitile. Don't you think? I still need to add buttons and they will be Fini!! Here is a picture of one of them.


Tonight I need to finish Amy Butler's Birdie Sling. I have everything cut and ready to go. As soon as it is finished this order will be complete. Four custom bags in all..Whew. This is my third custom order. YAY!! Just a side note all bags were made using Heather Bailey Fabric. Except for the lining on the two handbags :0) I'll post pics when the Birdie Sling is complete which will be soon.

Swap Goodies!!

My first swap has been completed. The Happy Scrap Swap is where everyone was put in groups of 3. Each person sent a sandwich bag full of scraps to both of their partners. In turn all several small items were made for the partners form the scraps, and the goodies were sent. I have finally sent out my packages for my partners. I did however send swaps to the wrong person. She was very kind to actually make me some goodies and send them back to me, though she didn't have to :0) Thank You Heather! Thank you to all the ladies who participated. I have cooked up a new swap idea. Keep on the lookout for it in the new year. Here is what I have received thus far....By the way I have been playing with Photoshop Elements, it's great!


OK, now back to my swap gifts from upper left and then going clockwise; A new pincushion, Fabric flower magnet, key chain fob; Bird ornament, Stuffed owl, and zippered makeup bag; Margarita Doll (Doodle Girl); Bookmark, House Ornaments, Scarf, tissue cozy, and Needle book.


The doll was not part of the swap it was a gift to my daughter from my friend Abbie. Isn't she cute? Her name is Margarita. I will definitely be trying my hand at some dolls as soon as Christmas is over. There are some really great patterns on Etsy. Like Bit of Whimsy Prims, and
Herbst (which I have already purchased), and don't forget Wee Wonderfuls (I have these too). These come in PDF form which is awesome. I don't like to wait for patterns because I am a bit impatient. PDF's are great, you get them within 24 hours, and you can print them out :0) For the E-Book/PDF's that have more than 10 pages you can usually upload the file to Staples, Office Depot, at Kinko's. The prices aren't too bad, and your not waisting all of your ink!

I love my stuff, thanks again. I hope my partners like what I made them :0)

Also, I took a poll in regards to my website, and seems like the textured blue is the winner...It was my fave too...Thanks to those who took the time to vote, I appreciate it. I will be moving froward and working on finishing the site....eventually :0)


Well I need to go get my butt in gear. It is my 30th B-day today!! My friend has offered to watch my children so my hubby and I can go out on a date. Gosh, I can't remember the last time he and I went out together kid less...It's un heard of. Hopefully we make it home safe, it decided to snow today :0( Everyone have a good one. Stay warm!

Sunday Stash!!

Sunday is here again. I'm a bit late on my Sunday Stash post...sorry! I have been feeling pretty ill since yesterday. Last night was horrible as I was up half the night praying to the porcelain god. Now that I have shared more than most of you would like to hear, here is my Sunday Stash for today. The theme for today is "New found Fun". Because these are all new fabrics to my stash and they are all fun prints :0)



From left to right:Michael Miller Eiffel Tower in pink; Amy Schimler for Robert Kauffman Creatures and Critters, the third fabric is the same line as the second; lastly Robert Kauffman Polka Dot Chickens.

See I told you they were fun! I an still trying to decide what creations I will make from these fabrics.....any ideas? I bet you do have some. Let me know what you think would be a cute project for any of these fabrics :0)

I don't know about you but I am somewhat ready for X-mas. It really kinda snuck up on me. I still have a few gifts to finish making, and others to ship out. I guess I better kick my butt into high gear...but now that I am sick I really don't feel like doing much. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, as it is a new day! Ok I am off to bed, have a good one!!