{creating myself}

donna's sewing bee

On Monday nights, Mom goes to a sewing class with her friends. Of course, I can't attend. It would be a long commute each Monday from Florida to NY. But this week, I got to spend my night in a supercute studio with these supercrafty ladies! Everyone worked on different projects.. check it out!


[my mom]


[my cousin Kelsey]


[Kelsey's ornaments]


[Kelsey's cupcakes. She's a real Martha!]


[cousin Lori]




[I totally want to make this!]


[busy bees]




[hand stitched by one of the ladies!]




[a peek at my project]


[me, hard at play.]







I've been wanting to make this bunting for a long while, and finally got around to it! I cut circles, probably about 2 inches in diameter, and decorated them with tiny pearls, rhinestones, and circes cut out of glitter paper. My project didn't quite fit in with the others, but that's what was fun about it!

new years eve!!!

The post title deserves three exclamation points since it's my favorite holiday of the year (!!!)

I'm hijacking my Resolutions Week (so fun, by the way) to announce a New Years special in my shop...



I have a few 2011 agenda books left, and I'm selling them in the shop for all you who have "Be Organized" on your own list of resolutions.

Read more about them and choose the one you like here.

Oh yeah, any planners ordered on New Years Eve or New Years Day will ship for free!



Have a wonderful night, be safe, and enjoy 2011 :)
I'll be back later with Day 6 of Resolutions Week.

Quilted.

I've been working (playing) with this quilt for a while now and I thought I would share some of my photos. I'm in love with it... mostly the fabrics and the softness of it, but also the quilting process.

When I visited New York, my family helped me out a bit... we had a basting party :)

It was the most fun ever! :)

I'm quilting by machine (my aunt is making fun of me.. she says that's not "real quilting"...) and I'll share those photos too.
If you're wondering, several of the fabrics came from this great shop.

I've also started collecting fabrics for my next quilt... bright pinks, yellows, and oranges... Do you have the name of a good fabric shop?

Recent Thoughts.

• I'm thinking I need to buy a bicycle. I would ride it to the library, and then put the books in my pretty basket. I would also ride it to the gym, and to Target. I might also ride it to Publix to buy a turkey sandwich. And all other places within a few mile radius.
  
  
  +via
  
  
  
• I've started my first quilt, and I really love it. A lot. Even more than my first boyfriend, or the above-pictured bicycle.
  
  
  
• I'm having a hard time motivating myself to work out lately. Sometimes I love the gym, sometimes I hate it.
  
• I can't get enough of this stuff. I should, but I don't.
  
  
  
• My friend Carol made me this pillow and I LOVE it! Thank you Carol!
  
  
  
• I finallyyy scored a madebyhank purse last week. It's prettier, but smaller, than it appears! I want everything she makes.
  
  
  
• I finished my Summer of Love book.. I can't wait to share more! I'll try to photograph it today.
  
  
  
  
• I've been spending a lot of time in my car lately...
  
  
  
  
  
  The End.

a fun project!

I made another sewing project this week! It's for my friend's baby. Her birthday party was yesterday, and I wanted to make something special. I don't have any experience with blankets, but I think it turned out okay. Not perfect, but definitely happy and pretty!

Materials used: Dora fabric (Emma's favorite), solid fabric (both cotton), batting, and blanket binding.

Blankets are really fun to make, they don't take a great amount of time (a few hours at most), and in my opinion, make the perfect gift!

Okay enough rambling... want to see photos?

  









I hope she loves it! :)

Playing Dress*Up: i love purses.

(this is the inner panels)

(the making of the handles)

(I couldn't help but to add some buttons and lace)

My mom is in love with her new tote.. and so am I!


I was so excited to make this, I couldn't finish it fast enough. Unfortunately, it was before I bought all my supplies...

I didn't even have a ruler, fabric scissors, or anything! Not easy. I love how it came out... I want to make more and more and more :)

If I did make more, would you be interested in purchasing one? Please let me know :)

xoxo, amy

This post is part of a weekly feature called "Playing Dress*Up". Each Friday, I post fashion-related ideas and photos.  Some topics include handmade clothes, accessories, shoes, body art, makeup, hair, home, and jewelry.  If there is anything you would like to see or you have an idea for a contributing post, please e-mail me at amylapi@gmail.com. See past archives of Playing Dress*Up here.

Playing Dress*Up: Tales From Behind the Machine...

Once upon a time, there was a creative little girl who's tiny fingers were getting tired from hand stitching.




She asked her mama for a sewing machine for her birthday.




First, she learned how to spin a bobbin.




Then, she learned how to thread the machine! This was a toughie, but she now has it down pat.




Then she got tired, so she took a break.




She stopped at the library for a couple of books. She is definitely a "complete idiot" when it comes to this machine. Hopefully these help... she hasn't had a chance to look them through yet, but she'll let you know how they are.




Then, a little pin of this, a little pin of that...




And voila! A pretty new shirt.


The End.


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This post is part of a weekly feature called "Playing Dress*Up". Each Friday, I post fashion-related ideas and photos.  Some topics include handmade clothes, accessories, shoes, body art, makeup, hair, home, and jewelry.  If there is anything you would like to see or you have an idea for a contributing post, please e-mail me at amylapi@gmail.com. See past archives of Playing Dress*Up here.