That "DUH!" moment

I spent Wednesday evening figuring out which Senior Portraits I needed for my son's graduation announcements & which poses I wanted enlarged for gift giving items for the grandparents.  I needed 40 wallets for his announcements so I ordered 50 to have a few extras.  Well, I was tired and not paying attention as I should have been before I hit that submit button on my order...(can you see where this is going?) and I didn't realize that there were 4 wallets to each 5x7 sheet.  I did but being tired it didn't register.  Needless to say when I picked up the order on Thursday afternoon I was surprised at the size of my envelope; I have 160 extra wallets, UGH!  I told my son to have at it & enjoy handing them out to his classmates.  I plan on adding an address label to the back for him with his college address & his contact numbers.  A good way for all his info to be in one place.

This was the pose he decided to include in his announcements.

Class of 2015

This one shows what his interests are besides just being a nice pose with him dressed up.  He gets to also show his love of music, too.  Now to get the announcements into the mail!  Graduation day will be here too soon.

Handmade Pillow Cases

Last evening I made a set of pillow cases for my niece and her fiance.  I needed a gift for her bridal shower this afternoon.  I had seen a video a few weeks back on making pillow cases with french seams or burrito style.  I went to YouTube and did a search.  These two links two links were the ones I liked the best at demonstrating the layout, pinning, stitching, and the entire process.

https://youtu.be/C7yrDQ7G9so?list=PLcxe-XfzZ-sT7xgcwdTckk83sBP7KyG-Y

https://youtu.be/5ZgMiHREZLQ?list=PLcxe-XfzZ-sT7xgcwdTckk83sBP7KyG-Y

Both of these videos had a lot of useful information.  I chose fabric that matched the design from my niece's wedding invitations.  Her theme is mustaches and smooches.  A very adorable theme.  I had ordered the material I wanted over a week ago when I was unable to find exactly what I wanted locally.  However, the last piece was NOT here on Friday to make my gift, Boo Hoo!  I spent Friday evening searching several fabric stores for a suitable solution.  I was able to find a solution, not my 1st choice, but it will work.

Above is the layout process and pinning for the pillowcases.  All fabric is laid right side up.  WOW this was so difficult for me to remember.  I did have to rip out one seam because I goofed and had the cuff laid the wrong way.  Double check before stitching!

Thie above photo shows the burritto all pinned together ready to stitch.

Below is a photo of my new walking foot for my machine.  I had also picked up a 1/4 inch foot too for my machine.

I have to say that this was one of the best $45 I've ever spent.  I can't believe that I have struggled for years with trying to get my fabrics to not "walk" as I'm stitching even when having it pinned.  Ah, it was wonderful to see such beautiful seams!  I am anticipating the use of my 1/4 inch foot on my next quilting project, I can hardly wait.

For my niece I decided to make her pillow cases opposites.  Smooches for her fiance Adam, and Mustaches for Krista, with the coordinating fabric for the cuff of the cases, and a dark taupe for the band.  I'm very happy with the end results.  Especially since it's the 1st time I've EVER done french seams.  My son was ragging on me that I've lead a sheltered life with sewing since he'd done french seams in Home-EC.  Gotta love it when the boy has done something that Mom hasn't, especially in an area we normally don't associate as manly things to do.

I can't wait to see my nieces response to the pillowcases.  I'll have to let you know later as this will be posting while I'm at the shower.  Below is a photo of her opening my gift.

I had some extra time before the shower today so I stitched some coordinating fabric on to two tea towels for her as well.  Below is a photo of them.

I got the gift wrapped & I'm ready to head out the door for an afternoon of fun.    TTFN

My 2nd T-shirt Quilt (#2)

When cleaning up today while getting ready for Easter Dinner tomorrow; I took a break from cleaning to discuss the quilt with my daughter & to get her input about making this one a rag quilt style.  She has SO many t-shirts that I can put them on both sides of the quilt.  I have 10 more to cut for the backing & then I can plan the layout for the 2nd side of the quilt.  My daughter & I laid out the top-side of the quilt which I'll call side #1.  Below is a photo of the first go round.  As I found with my son's quilt, there will be a few revisions with the layout before I'm going to be satisfied with the colors & flow of the quilt-top.

I was attempting to keep her band/school shirts to one side of the quilt and her cheer leading shirts on the other side.  However there is too much yellow to the one side and too much white on the other.  I am going to have to mix it up more.  I'm also still debating over the "D.A.R.E." shirt being in the center.  Thinking that maybe it should be her green cheer jacket instead.

This angle shows the lopsidedness of the colors.  I'd like it more balanced than what it is now.  I also have 10 more shirts to cut which I may do before I start cooking dinner tomorrow.

I'll also need to rearrange my furniture so that I have more floor space for working with full/queen sized quilt layouts.  This just isn't working. LOL!

My good camera is in Florida with my husband & son on a Band trip to Disney.  I had to resort to my cell phone camera which just makes my skin crawl, but I wanted to remember the layout of the shirts.  My phone did fairly well.

I am anticipating getting into this project to get it done for my daughter.  We did make a trip to Hobby Lobby tonight & purchased the batting.  I now have everything here to keep moving on this project in between working & everything else on my plate.  Hang on for the ride.