I DID IT!!

I was browsing around on the blogger-sphere of course and I came across what may be my new favorite blog. It's www.bluecricketdesign.net
She has a ton of tutorials (TONS) and every single one was something I wanted to try to make for myself. I am such a copy cat. The first project I decided to try was from a guest poster at Flamingo Toes. Her inspiration was a necklace from Anthropology (why don't we have one of them here in PA?). Here's the original necklace I think it's adorable, I love the color the fabric and everything but who would pay $38.00 for a necklace? Someone, but not me.So she tackled the project herself and her result was adorable. Here's her blog tutorial on the fabric necklace
For a novice sewer like myself this project was about an 11 out of 10. I sewed and re-sewed, and threw out and unstitched. OH it was so aggravating. I've never been so frustrated. I bought beads to use and couldn't get them to fit, I was busting seams, my material wasn't right and yadda yadda. I don't have during pictures but I have my end result and I am very pleased with myself.

Floor Cushion - I Did It!

If you haven't been over to "The Crafty Charlestonian" blog yet, stop reading and sprint on over (or click). She has amazing blogs about every topic imaginable. One of these blogs was "a land of Nod inspired floor Cushion". The idea came from another blogger who is also a must follow, "Living With Punks".



The tutorial for these cushions can be found HERE


I have never used a sewing machine outside of a small pillow project in Home and Careers, and even when I attempted sewing a scrap piece of material to test out my new sewing machine it was a bust. never-the-less they said this was an easy strep by step tutorial and even a novice could do it, so I decided to try.



What I used:

-1 yard of upholstery fabric (finding a boy pattern was hard) - on sale for $6.99

-2 packages of pre-made piping (i had to buy twice because I had no idea what to find... what you want is the bias tape with maxi piping (usually near zippers). Joann carries Wrights brand and it's around $2 a package

-thread (it's good to have a contrasting color from your material and a matching color (to finish)

-16-24 ox fiberfill (wal-mart/joann). The 16 ox bags are like $4 but I like a lot of stuffing (luckily I had a ton lying around from my wedding)

---total cost ~$20 for everything



go HERE and read the tutorial, and here's what i made!!!!

it's roughly 17" across and 9" high. I'm not near my normal computer so there aren't more photos to show you (long story) but this came out so adorable. Of course I stuffed mine to the brim with fiberfill but you can leave yours a little more pliable.

I also didn't leave the handle as slack as I should have in order to carry but it still works.

I will make one small adjustment. When you cut the big strip to go around, I would sew the handle on first, instead of later as you will notice in the tutorial, especially if you are short on room and/or talent like me.

ENJOY, and if any of you make one please share it with me!!!