Color Spectrum Pet Bed on Design Sponge

I love this tutorial for a color spectrum pet bed on Design Sponge!  The photos are clear and informative.  The colors are so cheerful.  This one is much fancier than the cat beds I've been making.  My cats are going to be jealous- I'll have to sew them each a new pillow.  Of course I always love a cute cat photo too!

Tutorial- Lined Tote Bag

Between sick kids and snow, I am not getting much done!  While I am finishing up projects to share with you, check out this previous post on how to sew an easy lined tote bag !  I get compliments every time I go out!  You could use sunshiny colors and contrasting prints to give it a very different look.  Check out the upholstery remnants for interesting textures and embroideries like my example.  Enjoy!

PDF Pattern- Attache Case to get you organized!

Want a pretty way to organize your papers?  Sew your own Attache Case !  Create your own look for meetings, errands etc.  Finished size is 15"x 12", closed.  Hold everything in 10 pockets, ranging from large to small zippered ones.  Attache closes with a button and loop.  8 pages of clear instructions in English.  Free shipping- I email it to you. 

 I designed this pattern to brighten up meetings and paperwork.  Happy Sewing!

Beginner Sewing Class Starts Soon

I am teaching a beginner sewing class for Henrico County Adult Education .  The deadline for registration is Jan.24th.  Students will learn how to sew while making an all-purpose drawstring bag with pockets.  Learn money saving techniques such as hemming and sewing on a button!  If you know of anyone who might be interested, please forward this info to them.  Thank You!

Stylish Blogger Award!

 Thank you so much to Ruth at a bit o sunshine for Giving me the Stylish Blogger Award!  I am having a great time checking out blogs.  I want to spend more time choosing, so I'll post the recipients later.

By accepting this award I agree to the following 4 rules:

1...Thank and link back to the person that awarded it to you.
2...Share 7 things about yourself.
3...Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great Bloggers.
4...Contact those Bloggers and tell them about their blog award.

Seven Things About Me:

1...I like to roller skate with my kids.
2...My husband calls me a compulsive teacher.
3...We have 2 cats and 2 rats as pets.
4...Given the choice between cooking, cleaning and sewing- I'll pick sewing every time!
5...I love walking.
6...My favorite season is whatever one we are currently in.
7...I love blogging about sewing!

Fancy Notes by Kathleen Chrisman

My husband gave me this beautiful notebook cover for Christmas.  Kathleen Chrisman made it.  She teaches at Quilting Adventures and does beautiful beaded things.

 The front has yarns and then net, machine embroidery and then beading on top!  The edges are machine satin stitched.

 Inside it has a pocket and pad of paper.  I like how she even covered the binding on the paper with fabric so it looks nicer.

Of course I love the cat face!  I can't wait for my next meeting now!

Hand Quilting Tutorial at Wee Folk Art

Ever wanted to learn how to hand quilt?  This week over at http://weefolkart.com/content/quilting-101-sort she is doing a step by step tutorial on hand quilting!  Even if you can't imagine yourself hand quilting a bed quilt it is worth a look.  Quilting can be used on a wide range of smaller projects to make them extra special. 

Quilting is Murder!

I just joined up as a detective on the Quilting is Murder site!  It sounds like fun- each week a new chapter in a quilting mystery will be revealed, with prizes to win!  Follow along for the story or join up (for free) to find clues and win prizes.  The introduction is available now and chapter 1 starts tomorrow. 

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum

 Over the holidays, we visited Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum on the mall.  We had just arrived (with 4 kids in tow) when I spotted beautiful colors in a room.  I went to look and my mouth fell open.  I started snapping pictures because I knew everyone really wanted to see dinosaur bones and the Hope Diamond.

 This is a coral reef made of crochet!  It is amazing.  I have dabbled in crochet, but, WOW!

 The colors are so vibrant.

 There are beaded ones and every type of yarn you can imagine!

 The main reef is huge too- taller than people looking at it. 

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum will be on display until

April 24,2011.  It is worth a look and admission is free.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/hreef/index.html

Book Review: The Style Checklist by Lloyd Boston

If your new year's resolution is to get your wardrobe in order, then check out Lloyd Boston's The Style Checklist, The Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials for You.  224 pages of advice, colorful photos by Robert Tardio, and a checklist of the essentials at the end.  Published in 2010, the fashions all look current, but classic at the same time.  I am pleased to say I already had some of the items on his checklist!  Entertaining to read.  My library already has a copy!  http://www.simonandschuster.com/