Giveaway @ Somewhat Simple

Yay! Everyone loves a good giveaway right?

Well today I am teaming up with Steph over at somewhat simple for her ABC: Create with Me feature for the month of September.

 Today the featured letter is 'Q' which of course stands for 'Quiet Book'.

 Click on over for a chance to win one of two prizes! Of course, you can always leave me some comment love over here, but it won't count as an entry. ;)

One person will win a completed my Colors Quiet Book

One person will win a Halloween Quiet Book Pattern & Kit

I know posting and new items have been sparse the last couple of weeks, but I've been taking a little break from sewing for a bit. But my machine is calling my name and I have a huge stack of fabric waiting to be sewn into something beautiful.

Thanks for reading!

LeAnne :)

Sewing on a Budget: Patterns - Which One(s) to Buy?

Do you ever have this issue: You see several patterns of things you want to make but can't make up your mind of which one to get?
or
You see some patterns you love but you don't love the price?

Well, first let me say this. Most of the patterns I buy are of the tutorial/made by a designer type rather than a Simplicity or  Butterrick type. Yes, Simplicity and the like have value, both cost and instructionally.  However, I find them very difficult to understand and read, especially from the new sewer perspective. I don't get the someone-is-standing-next-to-you feel that I get with designer/tutorial patterns. From the few patterns I have bought I've learned MANY great skills.  When I first started to sew, I picked out patterns based on a clothing skill I wanted to learn. Granted, with the internet you can almost learn any sewing skill for free, but sometimes I needed the extra guidance of how that skill yielded a result in clothing.  With all that said, I don't own a great many patterns. They can be expensive so I select my patterns carefully and only buy ones I know I am going to use.

Right now I have an obsession with little girl's jackets/coats. I wish I could just make one of the fly, sans pattern, but I don't quite trust myself yet. There are certain elements I want to learn in coat/jacket construction so I am looking for those elements as I search. (I really wish I could make this jacket that Dana from Made designed. It is darling. I hope that with learning some coat/jacket basics, I can!)  I don't live somewhere that gets that very cold. However, we do get some lovely 'jacket weather' so luckily I can look at jackets/coats based on the cuteness factor instead of is-this-going-to-keep-my-little-one-warm-enough-so-she-doesn't-get-sick factor.  I have to say that there are many cute jacket/coat patterns that are both very cute and very practical.

Without any further adieu here are my contenders:

#1 Uptown Girl by Make It Perfect - (I LOVE her patterns! She also has one called Downtown Boy which I love. Plus she made it with the yummy Farmer's Market from Sandi Henderson.)
Skills I'd Be Learning: hoodie, lining a jacket & working on my button hole issues

#2 Sweat Pea Fall Jacket by Heidi and Finn
Skills I'd Be Learning: lining a jacket, collar construction & I love that mid-waist band, I see that on a lot of tunics, tops, etc.

#3 Urban Hoodie by Heidi and Finn
Skills I'd Be Learning: cuffs, wide bottom band, hoddie, again...button hole issues, sewing with knit

#4 Trendy Pea Coat by dmkeasywear
Skills I'd Be Learning: collar, double-breasted coat, lining, again...buttons

Wow. Now that I see all of them. It is going to be really hard to decide. I love all of them for various reasons. 

The debate continues. Any suggestions?

Opps

If you have a reader...I hit publish when I shouldn't have. So...you get a sneak peak at my next big project.

Drat Google Reader. Why do you have to be so efficient? Argh.

Just An FYI: my colors Lettering Kits

FYI:
I only have one my Colors Lettering Kit left. Wow, I went through those fast. :)
I will be making more.
However, if you would like to be emailed when they will be available again, click here.

Thanks!

LeAnne :)

simple library totes

I was cleaning out some computer files when I stumbled across these pictures I took a few months back. The totes were for a customer who wanted library totes for her four children.  I loved how the set of totes turned out and all the colors worked so nicely together. The 'girly' prints have a scalloped medallion for the initial. The 'boy' print has a circle medallion.

 simple library totes

I love all the bright colors!!!

Michael Miller Sea Ta Dots

Pink Pindot

Lime Green Polka Dot

Riley Blake Wheels in Green

Happy Monday!

Halloween Aprons

I've been getting a little itchy to 'try something new'. I love my little 'niche', but it was getting time to try some new things.  So I while I was browsing the internet for some new fabric, my eyes kept drifting over to my large stash of fabric. I quickly exed the idea for new fabric and matched up these yummy fabrics to make a fun little Halloween apron.

I think it would be an adorable part of a witch costume. Don't you?

All fabrics came from my stash, oh it felt nice to use it up!

Polka dots, ric rac, gathers, and ruffles. What a marvelous combo.

Do you think it would look as cute in an adult size?

Oh and don't you worry Christmas ones are on the way too! The above pictured apron is up and listed in my shop.

Star Struck

How many of you have seen a famous person? I have only seen a handful and depending on who, I  think it is pretty cool or just 'meh'.

Well the other day I saw a famous person, at least in the sewing/amazing fabric world, and thought it was beyond cool. I was at Hobby Lobby buying binder rings and I glanced over to the next register and who do I see...Heather Bailey! Yep. (See even Heather Bailey shops at Hobby Lobby.)

I am beyond certain she saw me do a double take. Then I began to feel super self-conscious. Why? Because I was running around with the Marlo Bloom handbag that I made, which is her design. (However, I didn't use her fabric, the fabric below is Morning Glory from Amy Butler.)

I hope it made her smile, because I know I would if I saw someone running around town with one of my Owl Totes. Although one of my friends told me she saw someone at a show with one of my owl totes...that made me really smile....but I digress.  I wish I could have thought of something clever to say. 'Hi' would have been a good place to start. But sigh, I was beyond star struck.

So. Needless to say that little event made my very ordinary life seem a little more special that day.

Oh FYI, the Marlo Bloom pattern is beyond awesome and makes a great gift. Just a warning when you make it and use it, be prepared to be stopped ALL the time asking where you bought it. Then you get to say 'I made it' and most people won't believe you. ;)