Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Handmade Fabric Keychain Hand Sanitizer Holder


Rhyah, wife to Nick, mom to Nadija, 2 and Kanen born on 6/28/09 says she has a serious addiction to fabric, loves to sew and can't get enough of the handmade revolution!

I wanted to show you what this talented young mom does in all of her spare time!
She may show up and hit me.......since the youngest peanut is only a few days old......spare time?? Ha ha!

These fabric key chains hold travel size bottles of hand sanitizer. How smart is that?!
Very smart, considering all of the Swine Flu scare etc!
You can visit her Etsy shop by clicking here and her Blog.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Amy Butler Softwares is better than I imagined!


Today the Amy Butler Softwares sewing projects on CD were delivered.

It is WAY past midnight, I'm dog tired, but simply HAD to open my copy to take a peek!


My! my! my! It's a treat and is better than I had imagined.
Amy Butler designs keep getting better & better!


Rest assured I will be blogging more on this soon.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Wonder Wallet


Wonder Wallet, originally uploaded by glenna/sews.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Wonder Wallets, those Cute Handmade Fabric Wallets!

I swear I heard my scrap box talking which sounded like "Sew something small, fast, useful & cute".

When I sew a purse or tote bag, I like to make something with the leftover scrap fabric.

This little wallet is very small and can make good use of the scraps. The Wonder Wallet isn't a wallet which I'd want to use every day, but it isn't necessarily meant to be used every day.


There are times when you don't wish to carry a purse, but need a drivers license, credit card and a little cash. THIS is when this tiny tike comes in handy!





Why is it named a 'wonder wallet' ?

Well.......it is designed to NOT require a zipper or extra Velcro to hold coins. Brilliant! See the compartment where the coins are sticking out in my photo?
This compartment holds coins and after you close the Velcro front flap, they won't fall out! It is wondrous. Wondrous I say!


Since these are so simple to sew, I've made them while watching re-runs on TV.

click here to buy this pattern

Add Image

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fabric Selection for sewing the Amy Butler Field Bag & Tote

The Patterns we've been waiting for showed up at the door yesterday. Oh Happy day!
Both the Mini Dress/ Tunic/ top and the Field Bag and Tote patterns look easy to sew.

I am having a hard time deciding WHICH I want to make first. I will be sewing the Mini Dress/Tunic in the Wildflowers - Turquoise fabric which is featured on the pattern cover. Amy Butler likes it and so do I!

I will be selecting fabric for the Field bag from this bundle........
Or this bundle.....


Hometown Swap


I've never joined a swap before, but knew the minute I read Shannon's blog I would enjoy it! Shannon put together a great swap and it must have taken quite a bit of effort on her part. You can read about it here.

Karla received a gift from me which included a can of boiled peanuts from Georgia. Visit Karla's blog@ Zander and Me to see what I sent her.

My Goody Box arrived today all the way from Washington State!

Amy from WA sent me a gift box containing items from her state. When I opened it yesterday, my heart skipped a beat because I had hit the jack pot!

She selected a generous cut of fabric made in her town! Not just any fabric....but Pendleton Wool! A lovely plaid wool! A very warm, snugly wool!

Amy sent me a nice letter explaining she went to my blog, & saw I enjoy sewing. She knew exactly what I'd like and she could not have done a better job at making her Hometown Swap selection!
Amy, you out did yourself!!! Can we do this again next week?


I'm not sure what I'll sew with this piece of plaid Pendleton Wool just yet. Those of you which sew, know something such as this must be pondered and planned!

Shall I make a skirt? A shirt? A jumper? A shaw? Hmmmm?

I've got several months before the weather turns cool in Georgia to decide.

Amy also included a jar of Marion Berry Jam which she made. It is a hybrid of blackberries and raspberries invented in Marion County OR. Yummy!

Her home is located in a small town in WA and is VERY rich in history. She included a post cards and a nice Lewis and Clark coloring book from the local museum. You see, Washougal, WA was an important camping site for Lewis and Clark during their travels across the country.
The coloring book is as much of a history book as it is a coloring book. I'm sure the grand kids will enjoy it!

I'd love to vacation in WA and hopefully someday my Husband & I will take the trip. For now, The Hometown Swap gives me a piece of that part of the country.

Thank you again Amy, for the heartfelt gift. Thanks to Shannon for putting the swap together! Be sure to stop by their blogs: The A to Z Twins and Shannon's Nut House


Yesterday proved to be almost like Christmas for me.
I had just finished opening the Hometown Swap gift and the Postman brought another package!
A handmade pendant by RHB Designs.
Forgive the poor photo, but hopefully you can see that it has been stamped with the words: Faith, Hope, Love
I could have selected any words or lettering, but these words have a place in my world.
You can see more from this designer by going to http://www.rhbdesigns.etsy.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Amy Butler MINI DRESS, TUNIC & TOPS new!


We've been waiting & waiting & waiting for this one!
The Amy Butler Mini Dress, Tunic & Tops pattern comes in various length options: dress, tunic, long top and short top.

As an added bonus, this pattern INCLUDES Girls size 7 ,8, 10 & 12 as well as Adult sizes XS thru XXXL . That pretty much covers all of us!

I imagine this design could be worn over a little T Shirt to make this pattern span through ALL seasons and occasions. Happy Day!!!


click on image to order this pattern
be among the first to make yours!



The mini is all about versatility! Great details on this pretty frock compliment everyone’s style. You’ll find design options and sizes for both girls and women! The Tunic and Dress lengths have optional pockets.Amy Butler Wildflowers - turquoise

Monday, June 8, 2009

An Award for Your Fabric Place Blog

Not Once....but TWICE I was passed The One Lovely Blog Award !
Thank you Michele at By Your Side & Dawn at Two Pretty Little Skirts for sending this Lovely Blog Award my way. . Such encouragement to know you enjoy visiting my little spot in the cyberspace world.

Here are the One Lovely Blog Award rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my 15 blogs (random order)

1. Junque Drawer Chic
2. Everyday York
3. Zander and Me
3.Thimble Arts and Crafts
4. Marilyn Butler
5. Mintage Home
6. To Aire is Divine
7. House of Krom
8. Gus n Lulu
9. Mishy's Fire
10. Casualcottage
11.Happy Cherry
12.Handmade by Margo
13.Dalkullan Jewelry
14. Polkadots & Pirates
15. Amy Knits

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Multi Tasker Tote - a Sewing gift for Julie

Rightly named the Multi-Tasker Tote, this is a new sewing pattern by Anna Maria Horner.

My darling daughter Julie, spied the unopened pattern several weeks ago and knew she would like it for several reasons.

Her biggest reason: Large exterior pockets which could hold a child's sippy cup!
(see picture below)

Julie has all but given up on me giving her this tote bag!

For a while I was getting phone calls and Facebook messages asking if I had her purse finished. I'd reply, "almost done".

Three days later I'd reply "it is ready, but I want to show it to someone" and finally " I need to carry it a few times to see if it is comfortable".

A few days ago, she phoned to ask if I'd mind sending her a PICTURE of it ......which I did.

I can't hold on to it much longer before she'll consider the belated Birthday Gift a hand-me-down! Therefore, I'll be removing my keys & wallet any day now!

It has 4 corner pockets ( like a pool table) and interior pockets too!

My hat goes off to the Designer! It is an easy, yet interesting purse to sew. The pocket pattern piece(say that fast 3 times) goes together with the exterior & lining panels in a unique method.

It requires only basic sewing skills. If you would like to purchase the pattern click here.
If you have any questions about the pattern feel free to contact me.

Julie gets matching Glam Bag too!



Fabric used for this purse is Fortune - chocolate and Cathedral - zinnia by Anna Maria Horner

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Lily Top and Kerchief for Zoey

Cute as a button! Zoey could not be happier on the day which this picture was taken. After all, it was preschool graduation day!!

I wanted to show pictures of this little peasant style dress and retro kerchief.

When I think of these little triangle head scarves I think of old Mustang Convertibles & Sally Field when she played Gidget. I'm telling my age again......sigh.....just keep in mind that I was NOT old enough to be driving a mustang at that time!



This sewing pattern is named The Lily Top and Kerchief and is by Pink Fig. It features shirring at the neckline, sleeves and waist.
For shirring tutorial: click here.

Zoey wears a size 5 off the rack, and I sewed this dress from a size 5 on the pattern. It fits nicely, however there is not much growing room.
If your child is a perfect size 5 from the racks of major chain stores, I'd consider making the Lily Top in a size 6. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about this pattern.

To see another little girl wearing a Lily Top and Kerchief, click here

Like this pattern and fabrics? click here

Graduation Day
Life is good when you are 5 and graduating! Zoey's graduation day began with a lunch picnic at her preschool.

Teacher with the Grad


Activities during the Preschool picnic

Family's were in attendance for with blankets and special picnic lunches to kick off the event. Bottles of bubbles were handed out by teachers to let the fun begin!