Quilted Travel Sewing Kit

I found a gorgeous tutorial for a sewing kit, but it was kind of a FAIL for me! First, a picture:

Eek!  The binding is a total and complete FAIL. I followed the directions on what size binding, and followed the tutorial to the best of my understanding.... but obviously this isn't right. And I really couldn't even keep this giant binding on there straight, as you can see from my wonky stitching!!

After watching a Jenny Doan tutorial, I realize now what I was supposed to do, and that purchased 2 1/4 inch quilt binding is not the same as making your own binding, but honestly I am not going to rip this all up!

Here is the inside:

It's still functional as a travel sewing kit, even if it ain't pretty.  I am going to chalk this up as my beginner problems, because plenty of other folks commented on the tutorial about how great it was.

Problem exists between sewing machine and chair! :)

I made the front pieced section using the Jelly Roll Race technique I'd seen on a Jenny Doan video because I wanted to try that out with a few small strips, without the pressure of a whole jelly roll!  So as for that part of it, I'm happy with it. But as for the binding part, definitely a fail! lol

- Susan

Beginner Quilted Bag

I have completed my first-ever quilting project! This quilted bag was made from a precut Moda 2wenty Thr3e charm pack. I fell in love with this fabric and bought it while browsing at a local quilt shop, even though I don't usually sew and have zero quilting experience.

I've made some basic sewing projects in the past, mostly rectangular panels for the windows, and a couple pillows too. But this bag was a stretch!

I pieced the 5" squares with 1/4" seams (learned watching free episodes of Quilty!) Then I added the batting and a matching liner fabric, and machine quilted the panel in diagonal lines. I had trouble the first time around with my binding and had to cut it off and try again. The second time was presentable enough for me to leave it!

The handles are premade ones I found at Joann Fabric, and I attached them with tabs (it is kind of a hack job but I was too close to finishing to cut it all off and try again!)

So here it is, my first-time quilting project!

I am really proud of it and I hope you like it too!

- Susan

(shared at Crazy Mom Quilts!)

2 page spread

Here's a 2 page spread from my art journal, I think I never like the 2 pages as well as just a single page. I guess I need to work small!

- Susan

Black and White Collage

I meant for this to be all black & white with the hint of neutral in the number cards, but as you can see I accidentally bled some reddish paint from another collage onto this page. Whoops! I still love it though, mostly how those large numbers really take over the page.

Shared at Glue It Tuesday and Art Journal Every Day!
- Susan

Pure and Healthy Collage

I like this one more in person that I do in the photo, not sure why! The more I look at it, the more I think it isn't quite done yet. :)

Susan

Spring Door Hanging

I made this 3 part hanging to put on our front door in place of my tired, old, faded Spring wreath! Each panel is chipboard, and the papers are SEI Field Notes, along with some random odds & ends I found in my craft room. This really brightens up the front door!

Decoupage Spring Tray

This tray started life as a wood box that our Melissa & Doug toys came in. Rather than throw out or recycle the box, I painted white with a touch of yellow, and decoupaged it with some SEI Field Notes papers.  After seeing the tray, I think I'm going to add some little feet on the bottom to raise it up a bit off the table.

The bottles are beer bottles rescued from the recycling bin and painted, then covered with some trim I already had.

Total cost for both is ZERO as everything is from the recycling bin & on hand in my craft room.