Snap Happy with a Bit of Bling

This was this morning's project at Sew Holiday 2010. It is a 7 1/2" x 6 3/4" pouch from the pattern Snap Happy by Stitchin' Sisters. This uses 3/4' metal carpenter measuring tape as the "snap" in the top facing to open and close the pouch. The kits were all pre-cut, so all we had to do was the sewing! Most of the students used an embroidery of an open daisy-type design. I decided that since I have an embroidery machine at home, I would let the other ladies use the machines at the class and I would just use some decorative stitches to stitch the layers together. Plus, as you may know, I have been in a bit of a decorative stitch mood. Two of the teachers had a stash of hot fix crystals and we could use some to bling up the pouch. Now, those little crystals have been around for quite a while, but all of a sudden, I just think they are just what I want! No, I haven't put them on everything. Just here and there. The construction was pretty fast and I think I would like to make more of those little pouches. The pattern has several other sizes, and instructions to make almost any size you want. The trimming of the metal measuring tape wasn't too hard - you just need strong scissors that can cut thin metal. Duck tape is then wrapped around the cut end so that it is not sharp. I hope Carl doesn't notice a missing tape or two. By the way, I was pressing something today and the iron caught on fire! Sparks, fireworks, then fire. I didn't get hurt, nobody did. It was just a bit scary. I am so glad that I am here visiting with you tonight. Plus, my pouch was happy to be photographed in the Red Chair. Jerilynn

Quick Card Case

My nephew and his wife and their three daughters (my great-nieces, and I agree!) are here visiting from Arizona. The middle girl is 10 and is just the perfect age to learn to sew. Last night they saw the card case my daughter made, and uses to stuff all her cards in, and thought it was really cute and clever. So, this morning, I thought that would be a great project to start with. It is similar to the little case that has been around for a while, but my version is simplified and takes just about 10 to 15 minutes to do, with no raw edges showing. I let my niece pick out five fabrics, one for the outer side, one for the inside, and three fabrics for pockets. I did the rotary cutting - those round razor blades are sharp! She did the pressing, the pinning, and the stitching. She even sewed on the Velcro in just the right spot! I was very proud of her and she was pretty proud, too. Now, though, the other two sisters want one, and so does the mom...so, I think we have some more sewing to do before they leave on Friday. I am also thinking of having her try the Origami bag that I have seen on the web. I am sure there are lots of fun quick projects for her to try. I should put my pattern for the Quick Card Case up on my Etsy site in case those of you in Blogland would like to try it. Let me know if there is any interest. I might even get out the new toy I bought myself...it is the heat thing that you can put crystals on clothing with. Hmmm, not very good sentence construction. Anyway, I might be the only adult sewer in the world that hasn't decorated with hot crystals yet. Never too old to learn. Jerilynn