HayLeaves

merger...

2008-11-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

so after much thought i've decided to merge my business blog with my personal blog. you can now find my creations and day to day life here. come visit, leave a comment, let me know what you really think...

boutique!!!

2008-10-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

come check out my booth if you are in the area... the booth fee and the % the owner takes off the top are going to pay for another attempt at an IVF baby (not for me, for the owner!!!).

major slacker!

2008-10-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

i've been a major slacker when it comes to blogging as of late. it's been shop hop in our area and i've been working overtime trying to get all my samples ready. i'm also preparing for a boutique. it's been over a year since my last one, so it's been a bigger project than i anticipated. here are a few peeks at my life in the last few weeks...

these are the november apron of the month class that i am teaching at the shop.

and this is a FEW of the many quilts that have been slaved over in the last month

promise i'll be back on the bloggin' wagon soon!

free hand bag

2008-10-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

check it out...
www.handbagplanet.com

twirl skirt...

2008-10-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

this pattern was awful! no where does it state the seam allowance and you have to search to find out how many different fabrics it calls for. it was confusing as can be, so i just folded the pattern back up and guessed how it was put together. i'm pretty happy with the results, but next time i won't have as much fluff. i think it hides too much of the pretty fabric. i think i'll try another one later this week.

2008-09-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

i realize it has been forever since i posted last. it is a very busy season for us. between stocking up on food storage (bottling) and staring school (for both my kids) it seems i don't get enough time with my little kenmore. she has been feeling quite neglected. so this last weekend her and i took a trip to loa (yes, that is a real place) and stayed in a little barn and sewed all weekend. i don't have a finished project to show for it (maybe by this time next year...), but it got me into THE mode. so i am back on the working train and here is one of the fruits of my labor...

(yup, it's yet ANOTHER apron)

cowboy chapps

2008-09-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

i swear, everytime i think, "um... i should make something for hunter", my mind goes blank. what in the world can you make for boys that doesn't scream, "i'm a sissy boy!!!!". ties- cool, capes- got that covered. but i tried to make a button down for hunter and it may have well said in big bold letters on the front, "SISSY". so when i finally find something to make for my little man i get a little excited!!!! and little is a very major understatement! i know this doesn't quite compare to the skirts i've made for kamryn that she can wear every day. but if i know my little man, i'm sure he'll get alot of use out of them.

(front)

(i can't remember what these metal things are called, but i thought they finished off the chapps rather well)

winner, winner, chicken dinner!

2008-09-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

ok- so grandma stole my little girl till past bedtime last night. so the winner couldn't be picked until this morning. sorry!

so the tutu or cape goes to... (drum roll please)...

BONNY!

and i'm feeling supper nice today (quilt shop day) so i picked 2 runners up as well... the prize you ask? a headband for each. it's not much, but everyone seems to love them! so congrats to....

RACHEL H

and

THE OYLERS

if the winners could shoot me an email at HayLeaves@yahoo.com with their addresses that would be great!

2 tutu/cape give aways!!!

2008-08-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

tomorrow blog.craftroad.com will be hosting a give-away for me. the winner can choose between a tutu or a super hero cape.

just leave a comment on craftroad to be entered to win. i believe they will post the winner on the following friday. the only requirement is that you must live in the USA to win.

i think i'll kick things off a little early. along with entering the drawing with craftroad you can also enter here for a second chance at either the cape or the tutu along with a few surprise give-aways! to enter, simply leave a comment letting me know how you found my blog. if you post the give-away on your blog (and let me know) i'll put your name in again. simple, simple, simple... the winners will be randomly picked by my 5 year old out of hat (we are really scientific around here!) on friday night(september 5th) before bedtime (8pm mst). good luck to you all!

appliqued all the way!

2008-08-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

long ago, when i discovered the wonderful world of ebay, i found an amazing woman... she hand appliques everything from purses, to pants, to jackets. i love so much about what she does! i wanted a pair of pants for kamryn, but was unable to afford the steep prices she charged. it has been in the back of my mind ever since. well, today i was feeling a little creative and decided to take a stab at it. this is the fruit of my labor (and now i've decided it would have been worth every penny... this takes forever and i used my machine to applique them on!)

happy anniversary... and good bye to a treasured friend

2008-08-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

one day, not so long ago, i made a great friend. she was green, she had a million pockets and beautiful stitching... unfortunately her days were numbered! she was wearing old way to quickly and i had to trade her in (lucky for kamryn- she got 2 pair of boots out of it!). i was purseless... PURSELESS!!!! i was so in love with my green bag that i had thrown out ALL my old purses (granted- they needed to be retired), and that left me carrying around my wallet and filling my pockets with all the nick knacks that my green machine usually carried. when my husband agreed to take me to the movies for our 7th anniversary i went into a quick panic. where will i hide my can of diet pepsi? where will i stow his box of mike and ikes? it's too hot for a coat... no, i need a purse! and that is how this little baby was born...

she was thrown together in about an hour while the kids napped and jeff caught a few zzzz's before our date. i used both the wrong side and right side of some upholstery fabric i bought a few months back. she's the perfect size for the movies, for church, and everyday errands. oh, and i don't have to dig for my wallet or my phone... they both fit nicely in the outside pocket, or the inside pocket (it's reversible).

2008-08-25T06:19:00.001-07:00

my beautiful, wonderful, awesome, talented, gorgeous aunt marci is having a give away on her blog! just jump over to her blog by clicking the picture and comment on your favorite think about fall for a chance to win this pillow (and more)!!!!

dance bag

2008-08-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

(side a)

i searched high and low for light pink and black material to make my kamryn a bag for dance. no such luck! so i settled for light pink OR black. it turned out so well that i was almost tempted to keep it for myself... but she already knew it was for her- RATS! it has a 8 pockets (for her tap shoes, ballet slippers, tights, leos, water bottle, and a few extras). it fits her tutu perfectly in the middle with out mashing it to bits. she loves it almost as much as i do!

(side b)

(inside)

memory quilt

2008-07-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

i asked my grandpa if i could take a few of grandma's favorite things and make a quilt. there is every type of material in this quilt... seersucker, rayon, wool, corduroy, levi, and cotton. it is my first pinwheel, and will forever be my favorite. when i was pressing the blocks i would catch a whiff of my grandma here and there. i'm so excited to give it to grandpa. it's wild- but i can't help but to think of grandma every time i glance at it! we miss you "wild ruthie"!!!

sheered shirts/skirts

2008-07-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

after finishing this order i need to make a trip to the shop to pick up more material. i have to make kamryn a few of these for school. they look darling layered over a long or short sleeved shirt. the straps can also be tucked in and it can be worn as a skirt.

is it over yet???

2008-07-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

i taught my first class at the quilt shop tonight. what to say? what to say? i laughed my arsss off! the girls who took the class were so funny. they were good to practice on! i had no idea the class would take so long, but the time flew by and i think everyone had a good time. will there be a next time??? absolutely! next class will be 'beginning sewing' (aka- reading a pattern, knowing your machine, and a little sewing lingo). i'm not sure if i'll do it at the shop or at my house (i have a more room than the 100yr old house the shop is in). for those of you who asked for this class... is anyone day better than another?
-me

i promise, i'm really not obsessed!!!!

2008-07-10T19:27:00.001-07:00

so i finished my rush order for the trek clothing. i'm a little sad over the whole thing (it will probably never be worn again after this little trek and the work i put into them will never be fully appreciated :( ...) but, the pay check will be a nice chunk. new sewing machine here i come!!! any suggestions on what machine ladies? i've been using my trusty kenmore for the last 10 years. it is very basic (9 whole stitches if you count the auto button hole), but she has been a very trusty friend. i know there are so many machines out there that are much more equipped with what i need from a machine in my line of work, but i'm clueless where to start. i need something somewhat cost effective (this is a small business- i can't justify spending too much). does anyone out there absolutely love, love, love their machine???

no, i'm not obsessed!

2008-07-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

ok- so i know, this is my 3rd apron in 2 days, but this is yet another order. i'm quite pleased the way it turned out. although i'm kind of sad it will probably only be worn a handful of times on the hot and dusty trail of the pioneers (and by a teenager who will most likely not appreciate it at all- if she's like most teenagers!) so, i am saying farewell to yet another apron and hello to another pay check! i love women who love to spend money!

fits everything including the kitchen sink!

2008-07-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

i made two bags last night so kendyl and kamryn could have new beach bags for swim lessons. i forgot to take a picture of kendyl's but this is kamryn's. i also serged the left over lining piece so they could each have a matching lava lava. this is the biggest bag ever!!!! i know it looks large, but this thing can hold more than what you'd think. a package of swim diapers, 3 lg beach towels, treats and drinks an i bet is wasn't even half way full. it was perfect for the pool!!!!

what is it with aprons...

2008-07-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

the first 2 pics are of a simple butcher's apron. i just finished it and i love the way it turned out. i'm teaching a class on this apron on wednesday(just changed to NEXT wednesday 7/16) (nothing like procrastinating, eh?) so if any of you are interested you can email me and i can give you the details.

and here is the flower on the chest

this picture is courtesy of my 5 yr old. i hate having to be my own model!!! this was made for my sweet cousin and i had to get a picture before i sent it off to her this week. i love the black and white!!!

slacking days are over... i hope!

2008-07-07T17:38:00.001-07:00

well, i've been in a bit of a funk, so forgive me for not posting in forever. i hope not too many of you have given up on me.

i made this dress from a tutorial my friend showed me. it turned out so cute and i thought i was pretty handy to get this done in time for kamryn to wear on father's day (the dress is made out of her dad's old church shirt).

and the best part... i didn't have to do any button holes! the buttons on the back are from the front of dad's shirt. you can't get easier than this project!

and the flower is only because my little girly girl didn't think it was prissy enough... and i had enough gathering left over from the bottom of the dress.

samples for the store...

2008-06-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

last week i was asked to make a few samples for the quilting cottage. it took a few days, but i've had a few orders (and they take priority over samples). i finished it last night after my kids were in bed and my hubby was gone playing cards with the boys. i was waiting by kamryn's bed when she woke up... i couldn't wait for her to try it on, take pics, and post them. she is such a good sport for her mama!

the skirt and top can both be special ordered by emailing haley@hayleaves.com.

this is for you marci

2008-06-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

i borrowed a pattern from marci a few weeks ago and then decided to make up my own instead of using it. i love my new shower curtain bag, but i had an order come in for a diaper bag so i put the pattern to use... well, kind of. i used the instructions (to a point) but the measurements were all mine. it is completely reversible and the front and back pockets are different colors. i'm tempted to make me one now. how many bags can one girl have?????

do you know me?

2008-05-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

crazy thing happened this weekend. my family went up to a nearby reservoir to play for the day with some friends, the smarts. they also had a few other friends up there and some family we had never met. i was introduced to kenzie's cousins and she asked if our family had blog and if kenzie had a link to it on her blog. yup, yup, and yup. and then kenzie told her i had another blog called hayleaves. no way! your hayleaves???? yes, that's me. she has been wondering who i am cause everyone she knows has a link to my blog on their blog. how funny that all those people are my family or jeff's family or our friends. so thanks to everyone out there that has my link on their blog! i felt famous for a minute... well until i put the connection together that her little brother is married to jeff's cousin. but still- people are starting to recognize the name and every little bit helps in this business!

oh, and here is a picture of the little skirt i made up for kamryn from the valance i bought at the di. it turned out so cute! and the first person that saw it bought the other skirt on the spot.

something to snuggle to

2008-05-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago a girl i use to play bunco with called and wanted a quilt made for her mom. her dad passed away a year ago (today) and she wanted to give her mom something to remember him by. she asked if i could put their wedding photo on the quilt with some stitching. i can stitch, but not well enough (or quick enough) to sell that service so i called my aunt marci (her sister in law) and she took care of that part for me. when i got it all done i was very sad that i had put the picture in the quilt... cause i wanted to keep it. it turned out so nice and it matched my front room beautifully! oh well, i hope her mom loves snuggling to it as she thinks of her sweet hubby.

thank you denise for letting me do this!!!!

this weeks di finds...

2008-05-22T12:56:00.001-07:00

ok- so i posted on my family blog about my experience at the di this week. i wanted to show everyone my finds. the sheets are going to be made into lounge pants and maybe a few skirts.

but check out the cute white curtains. those are being made into little skirts. there is enough for 2 skirts- one for my little kamryn and one for???? anyone need a cute skirt for little girl? i'll post pics when they are done, but the quilter just called and i have to pick up my next project that needs to be done by saturday!

more refinishing

2008-05-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

and the chair to go with the desk... (yes, that is the di price tag)

(before)

(after)

finally done!

2008-05-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

i admit, i have a little addiction to ksl.com. i bought this desk a few months ago off it. i don't have a good place to refinish it in my house so i had to wait for warmer weather. it finally arrived this week. i couldn't sleep this morning just knowing that my desk was waiting for me out in my carport. and her she is.... (before)

and after a few hours of primping and priming, a day of fishing and an afternoon of guarding her from hunter with a paint brush her she stands...

some of you might be a little shocked at the color- jeff hates it!!!! but this is my baby, i have to look at her everyday, sit next her for hours out of my week and i wanted something fun, funky, cheerful and energetic. i couldn't be more excited at how she turned out! the bugger was trying to find handles for her. i've tried every place i've ever heard of and nobody carries the size i needed. so i had to fill in her holes with wood filler and i will be off to target to get these, or these, or maybe these. do you think the pink will be a little much???? please- give me feed back!

a little side tracked...

2008-05-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

yesterday i had every intention of not only finishing the laundry (lofty goal-eh?), but also of working on my previous post. while switching the laundry my old shower curtain finally made it through the cycle and i was 'inspired'. i've been dying to make myself a purse, but i can't find the perfect pattern or the perfect material... and doesn't free and 'going to waist in storage' not fit 'perfect'... perfectly???

(before)

(after)

(equipt with side pockets and everything!)

i raided my aunt marci's stash of purse patterns a few days ago, but just couldn't bring myself to make what i took. they are dang cute, but just not what i was envisioning for my next purse.

so from scratch and a picture in my mind this is my prototype ended up like . now i have to go back, make a few tweeks, and draw out the pattern. i bought some upholstery material yesterday that i think would make for some beautiful bags. i just hope they turn out close to the other pictures in my head!

more to come...

plans...

2008-05-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

my plans for this week.... my plans for this next weekend....

my work to good use!

2008-05-01T07:22:00.001-07:00

this is the blessing dress from an earlier post. i love to see my creations on the wee ones. just thought i'd share pictures of this cute little angel.

and this is my best friend from high school and the little squirt that grew up down the block (he's not so little anymore), their 2 kids plus the little angel. i would have never pictured these 2 together back in the day, but they are just too dang cute, and don't they make the cutest little kids!!!!

new in my etsy store!

2008-04-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

when i saw this fabric i HAD to have it. it fits no where in my house, but i HAD to have it. i have no baby, but i HAD to have it. i don't know anyone having a girl, but i HAD to have it! because i have no need for it i have added it to my etsy store... :(
the quilt turned out better than i could have hoped for! it has the most beautiful stitching (thank you peggy!) it makes me baby hungry.... almost.... but not quite.

(are the ric-rack and ruffles not to die for???)

(quilt back)

emiline apron

2008-04-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

when i saw the pattern for this apron i HAD to order it. oh, i love aprons... love, love, love aprons! my sweet neighbor is leaving on a mission with her husband in month and i've been waiting for something to scream "I'M MEANT FOR JUDY!!!" and when i saw this material it did just that. i hope you love it sister dowse.

gathered bodice-flattering for any size chest!!!!

reverse side of apron.

(multiple messy uses before needing a wash...)

'no headache' headbands

2008-04-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

well, after experimenting for the last few weeks i have come up with my final prototype on my 'no headache' headbands. they are ready for special orders! here are a few pictures of my new pride and joy. thanks jodi for this awesome idea!

the headband ties in the back

with cinch system

there are 4 velcro tabs to keep the headband from moving once in place

you can order them in 2 different widths

skinny (1.5") and fat (2")

this one is skinny

you can check out a 'few' of the fabrics here

the options are endless on these!!!! if you have a new shirt you need to match- email me a picture and i'll send you more options that could possibly work.

headbands are $10 each or 6 for $50.

email me for wholesale prices.

another one of a kind special order...

2008-04-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

today i put the finishing touches on the blessing dress i made for an old friend. i'm very excited how it turned out. blessing dresses are so much more fun than wedding dresses!!!!! a fraction of the time and all the vavavoom! hope you like it mare!

i love the way the yoyo flowers turned out!!!

shower curtain complete!

2008-04-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

today i cut out the rest of a blessing dress and realized i was out of interfacing. so while the kids napped i worked on my remodel of my bathroom. i've had the same shower curtain since i got married and i figured it was time for a revamp.

before:

here is my new ruffly, girly, polkadottie shower curtain!

and the re-painted the mirror in my bathroom- note to self- don't repaint the mirror ever again (pain in the butt!!!)
next up- paint the cupboard black and antique it... another project for another day. until then, this is what i am living with.

weekend projects

2008-04-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

saturday i went to work at the quilt shop... oh, how i love to work there! i have been in a major rut since the wedding dress episode. i just needed some inspiration. and a quick trip to the quilt shop will fix that- so imagine what a whole day at the quilt shop can do for me. after putting my kids to bed i worked on an order that needs to be finished this week. and when i was sick of looking at joanns fabrics (i tell ya, i'm a fabric snob) i worked on a few projects of my own. i have been loving the michael miller flannel line but i wasn't sure what to do with it. my friend at work showed me how to make these simple little 'lovies'. oh, the possibilities have just opened up a sea of projects for me- yay! i also bought some material to redo my shower curtain. i'll post pictures later this week of my 'new' bathroom.

an's big day

2008-04-03T19:07:00.001-07:00

lets start off by giving you the link to the dress an fell in love with:

http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/webcollection/bridal/runway/2007fa/02.html

today was the big day. the day to show off all my hard work. i only got a few pictures with my camera and of coarse kwynn (an's daughter) wouldn't cooperate with me and my canon. an promised me pictures from the photographer of her and kwynn in their dresses- there will be more to come, but for now, this is what i have...

she found a another picture of the dress she wanted on the web- different model- different pose- same dress. in the picture above she was trying to remember the 'awesome' pose the model was doing. i don't know that she quite found the right stance... this is what she was going for...

http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/webcollection/bridal/adcampaign/2007/05.html

and here is the true little princess for the day!

she ran away from me after i got this shot off.

happy birthday to me!

2008-04-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

so, i have a small addiction to 2 things, diet pepsi and blogging. i started my morning off by popping the tab on the first and checking the 2nd. my favorite is to check my map and see where all of you are reading from. this morning was the best... someone is reading my blog in canada! 'canada?' you say, no big deal... but for me, it is. i get excited when someone on the east coast has discovered me, canada is a whole other country!!! so that is my big news for today. well, that and i will be filling my etsy store this week. as soon as things are available to purchase i'll put a link to the side on this blog and my family blog. thanks everyone for stopping by, especially our neighbor to the north- you made my day!

2008-04-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

another down...
today i'm finished with all an's wedding stuff. no more wedding dress, no more flower girl dress. it's almost sad to see it be done... or is it??? and just in the nick of time- she gets married on thursday. i'll post pictures of both her and her daughter in their dresses thursday or friday.

quilting galore

2008-03-31T09:00:00.001-07:00

this weekend my little family took a trip up north. 3 hours in the car and a few hours shooting the breeze with my sister-in-laws and i was able to finish up a few quilts.

this first quilt was a special order for a lady at my church (the same that won the auction for the pink and chocolate baby quilt)

this next one is 'aunt gracie/crazy 8s'. this is a sample for the quilt shop, but it will be for sale with in the year. if anyone is interested please email me for a price - i've yet to work it up.

two more projects done, about a million more to go.

"i hate headbands!!!" (problem solved)

2008-03-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

i've had a few people request headbands, but i hate headbands. they never seem to fit right or they are always falling off or giving me a headache. i hate putting them in my little girls hair. i believe in doing her hair once a day and i shouldn't have to fix it over and over!!!!

problem solved!!!

after getting a few ideas from a friend and her sister my little kenmore popped this baby out. i wore it all weekend to test out my prototype and i loved it!!!! it didn't squeeze my head, it didn't fall off, and there was no headache! and today i let kamryn wear the same headband. i did her hair once and it stayed all day.

it closes in the back with a loop on one end and ties on the other. there is no elastic to squeeze your head. it also has 4 velcro dots to keep it from slipping. i'm ready to make a couple dozen tonight to match all kamryn's (and my) outfits and moods.
feel free to request colors or patterns.

headbands are $10 each or 6 for $50.

a space to cut

2008-03-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

well, a few of you may think i'm nuts for painting, and antique-ing something that looks just fine the way it is. it just didn't fit the feel i'm going for in my sewing room the way it was.

this is one of my ksl.com finds. $20, a can of paint and glaze i had in my storage room and presto chango, here is how it turned out...

yet another project that i didn't need to do right now is done... but i love the way it turned out!

just the zipper

2008-03-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

oh, the stess of wedding dresses... in the end i think it is all worth the effort- although that doesn't mean i'll be doing another any time soon. it is only lacking a zipper and train (if she desides it needs one). now i'll finally feel like i can get to the other dozen orders i have screaming my name to get done.

Inspirations and cravings...

2008-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Over the past week I have been swamped with orders (THANK YOU)! So I have nothing finished to post... everything is started, half-way there, and one 'just needs a zipper' wedding dress. So, instead of posting an unfinished project I thought I'd show you some things (and people) that inspire me. Because I believe in supporting the local stay at home mommies I thought I'd feature a few from around my neck of the woods. I've come across these ladies blogs or stores in the past week and I am amazed by there stories and talent. All this fun stuff really makes me want to have another baby... now if I can only get my husband on board with that!

When you think about crochet booties don't you think it would be something your grandma might pick out. Not these. I think these booties are the cutest thing ever. Just imagine the little toes they'd cover... You can find them at: http://kellymccaleb.typepad.com/ or at her Etsy store (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10366150).How cute (and different) are these hair clips. This lady has some darling clips!
http://www.tatertothairclips.blogspot.com/
This is just one of the many aprons that I love. Everyone is different! I believe that aprons are like potato chips, you can never have just one!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5058602

All Tied Up

2008-03-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

I'm just trying to finish up a few small orders before I dive head first into the wedding dress again. I have the top finished, but the bottom is screaming at me to "get 'er done" (my 'Larry the Cable guy' coming out in me). My poor dress form is going bottomless. Ann- I promise I'll finish your dress this week!!

But until then you can check out the ties I made today.It is a father-son set that was special ordered. The baby tie Velcros in back for easy removal after being spit-up on. Also, they are both machine washable. I suggest you hang to dry and iron as needed.
And if you can't tell, I'm playing with my camera again.

Baby's Ties- $12

Men's Ties- $20

Finally Done!!!

2008-03-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Well, here is one of the quilts I've been working on for the last few weeks- it's called a 'Turning 20s'. It's been done minus 1yd of the binding for about 2 weeks. I finally finished it yesterday while watching a movie with my hubby (he hates when I can't JUST sit and watch).

This one was made for my cute little niece for her birthday. It's just smaller than a queen and is backed with black Fireside (just as soft and cozy as minky, with out the dots)

2008-03-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

After many many many hours I was finally finished pulling up all these nasty carpet squares and scraped all that black rubber pad off my sewing room floor. Yay! And once it was finished the thought crossed my mind that I should have taken before and after pictures... to late now, cause I was not about to set it all back out just for the dramatic effect! So these nasty pictures of my wonderful old flooring is going to have to count as my before picture. And before I post the after pictures let me give you a brief description of the 'old room'. The walls (all but one) are made out of the beautiful laminate wood paneling. The last wall was wallpapered, although I'm pretty sure it was contact paper. Big and small, blue and yellow (pretty sure it use to be white in its glory days) flowers and it had a linen texture to it. Good old tile ceiling (like the rest of the house)... I think that about covers it. Just know that my description could never do the ugliness justice! And here are the pictures of my new room:

This first picture is of the paneling. It wasn't quite in the budget (or should I say I didn't quite give my hubby the heads up that I was redoing my sewing room) to put up new walls. So I just painted and put a glaze on them.

I HATE tile ceilings!!!! But of course, that is what my entire house consist of with the exception of my kitchen. I learned last year when redoing my living room that a little paint and a little glaze can make just about anything look neat. Instead of hiding the nasties, you try to make them a focus point. This is my attempt at it. Didn't turn out quite as nice as my living room (different tiles), but I still like it.

This is my pride and joy for the room. I could stare at this wall all day! This was the one wall that had "wall paper". When tearing it off part of the sheet rock came with it. I bought a $10 bucket of mud and textured it myself. Added a coat of primer, paint, and of course, glaze.
I'm ready to redo the entire basement now just like this (another project for a time the hubby leaves to play with the boys for the weekend- he doesn't dare leave too often) Ignore the plugs. Yes, Jeff was an electrician, but I haven't talked him into changing them out yet. Just when I thought I'd convinced him this afternoon he got called out on a job... Convenient!
Well, this is a quick overall of the room before I try to furnish it. I'll post pictures once I get everything in and just they way I want it. I need to make a quilt for the bed (it's a guest room as well) and get some curtains and stuff like that. Give me a couple of months to have it looking all cutesy and I'll take more pics then.

Scripture Bags

2008-03-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Today I'd thought I'd show ya'll a few of my smaller bags. They are the perfect size for the medium size scriptures. They are also reversible for those that like change (like me!). Thanks Nat for showing me the ropes on these!

You can order these in any color/style and just about any size.

This particular bag is $15.

Dumb Dot Bag

2008-03-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

Dumb Dot Bag!!!

After a little sweat and tears my little Kenmore popped this baby out. I hate when I get an order done for a client and then realize that I should bought the material for at least 2 or 3 more. I am loving this bag. It is the perfect size for just about everything and everywhere.

Both the bottom and inside are made of a chocolate with salmon pink polkadotted oilcloth- for easy cleaning. The top, the handles, and the 2 bottle holders (inside) are made of 100% cotton salmon pink with chocolate polkadots, and the chocolate cotton tie is held up with 6 belt loops.

The bottom of the bag measures 14.5"x3.5", the opening is 17", and the handles are 23".

Projects Galore...

2008-03-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decided I suffer from ADD... can't start and finish just one project. I need about 5 going so when I get sick of looking at one fabric I can jump to the next, and then the next, and so on. Right now I have 2 quilts, 2 table toppers (for RS Enrichment), 10 scripture bags, 1 diaper bag, 1baby tie and an adult tie to match, a wedding dress all in process- and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Not to mention the demolition and remodeling of my sewing room. Lets just say tearing up carpet pad from the last 60s early 70s is not my favorite job!!!

These 2 quilts are my new favorites. The material is just so dainty and fun. They are waiting to be sent off to the quilter. Hopefully she isn't too backed up and I can get them back soon. I can't wait to see them finished!
Just look at all the ric-rack and pintucks ruffles!!!! Oh, scruptious!

Does anyone else have some fun projects going? I would love to see them all!

Quilting 101

2008-03-10T13:22:00.002-07:00

We'll I started out sewing clothing for little kids... and now, I've found a new love. That doesn't mean I've left my first love- just having a little afair with the second. It all started about 5 months ago. I was offered a job working at a fabric store (or at least that's how I viewed it). Turns out it is truely a quilting store- which I should have caught on to by the name, Quilting Cottage. For the first 2 months they kept trying to get me to cross over to the dark side. NO WAY! was I about to start quilting. It looked like a tedious and thankless habit. One day I bought this funky fabric to make a few aprons out of. I cut out the aprons between costomers that day and had all sorts of left over fabric. The lady I was working with talked me into making a SIMPLE quilt. When they say flirting starts affairs... they are so right!!! I still haven't make the aprons, but the quilt has been done for quite sometime! Oh, I am so in love (or at least lust). Check out this awesome quilt, which is my official "First". I am prefectionist, I admit, so yes it is perfect... and you would think I was an old 'mistress' at this quilting thing.

Just check out these yummy fabrics up-close!

The back is made of Minky. I love that you can see the stiching so well (although I can't take credit for that- the actual quilting is sent out- I just piece the top and bind it)

Seamstress???

2008-03-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

My name is Haley and I am a... SEAMSTRESS??? I'm not sure I really want to use that word. To me a seamstress sounds professional, right? That I am, but 'professional' sounds... trained. 'Trained', I am not (unless you count my sophomore Home Ec. class).
I am an ARTIST. I love what I do. Sewing is not only an 'out' for me, but it is therapy. Because I am not formally trained I can feel that I can create with out limits. Where you might see a dress, a 'seamstress' might see fabric, notions, measurements, and a map from point A to point B... I see the off road version of that map. Uncharted territory. Like the seamstress, I start at point A, but I take the scenic route to point B. I like to create my own path, add my own touch, and create my own style.