Sewing Machine Cover

My dad bought me my sewing machine when I was 13; this was my first ever sewing machine. We had just moved to the US at the time, and I was so excited to have this machine that does magical things. I remember this White Sewing Machine was around $400, very expensive back then (still is). My brother and I were such good kids that my parents wanted to reward our good behavior. My brother got a nice bike, and I got this beautiful sewing machine. I remember going to the sewing center to learn how to operate this sewing machine in English. This was the nicest gift I had ever received at the time, and I have treasured it to this date. I still use the same sewing machine, and I am so proud of my dad for getting me such a special gift.

I have been sewing all these years, but it never occurred to me to make a nice sewing machine cover. I did some research over the weekend and didn't find any sewing machine cover pattern that I liked, so I sketched one up to match this nice pouch I received for Dawn from a swap this year. This pouch currently stores all of my sewing tools. It's always on my sewing table, so I figured I would make a machine cover to go with it. It was my first time working with Dresden, and I enjoyed it. It was so late when I started working on this, so I ended up just making my own Dresden template! Got to strike while the iron is hot, right!?

My machine all dressed up :) 

I even created an opening for the plug. I wasn't sure if I was up for the challenge, but this YouTube video tutorial on how to create binding for inside corners helped tremendously.

It's not perfect, but it will do.

My sewing table has a nice finish that I don't want to ruin, so I made a sewing machine mat to go with it. I usually have my sewing machine sitting on some type of mat. 

Double sided. I used the same cherry lining for the sewing machine cover.

Cherry lining for my double sided sewing machine cover.

This is how my sewing machine cover used to look like.

Bunny Rug Mug and Sunbonnet Sue

My friend, Dorothee, is a cat lover and has the biggest heart. She looks all tough and stuff, but deep down inside, she is always thinking about other people and the first to help and give to those less fortunate. I wanted to celebrate her kindness this holiday season by making her something special. She is a huge tea drinker so I decided to make her a little cute coaster/mug rug for her to use. It looks similar to a mug rug I made for a swap. I hope this will remind her of how awesome she is every time she sips her tea.

I usually add little buttons to things like this, but didn't think that will work well with cups!

Before my trip to Maui, I finished making a simple wall hanging for my sewing corner. Many of you know that I love Sunbonnet Sue. I love the fact that there is no facial expression on her face so I feel like I can determine her mood based on how I feel. I just love this little character. About three years ago, I started making Sunbonnet Sue blocks from "Sunbonnet Sue and Scottie Too." This book features charming childhood activities, such as jumping rope and reading. I made about nine blocks and decided to turn one of them into a wall hanging. Because this wall hanging is so small and light, I used Command's damage free strips. They are great and work just like double sided tape.

Interesting look with the strips, right!? It was so hard to line them up!

Lastly, remember this slouchy cable hat I made awhile back? I have this project posted on Ravelry, and the pattern designer reached out for permission to use my photo on her pattern page! I was beyond ecstatic! Check out AZURE KNITS. She has the cutest stuff. 

Have a great weekend doing what you enjoy!

Paper Pieced Yellow Fox

Say hi to another fox I finished piecing over the weekend! This is the same as the one I made last week, except this one is a mirror image. Now I have two foxes facing each other with their tails on the outside.  I think I am going to paper piece a heart in between them and make a wall hanging for my sewing corner.

I participated in a White Elephant exchange with my knitting group last night and scored some pretty purple yarn. I am going to have to think about what to make with this gorgeous yarn! I am so fortunate to have gotten to know these ladies and to be able to share my hobbies with them :) 

Maui, Hawaii

I returned from a short trip to Maui with my husband this weekend. It was so beautiful, relaxing, and fun. We stayed in an area called "Wailea." It's a really nice part of Maui that doesn't get very rainy or windy. I finished reading two books: Sarah's Key and Heart of the Matter. Both of these books were really good and tear jerking.

The sunset was breath taking. 

We had breakfast by the beach with the rainbow. 

Visited a cutest coffee shop in Pa'ia and had the most delicious/smooth Kauai coffee.

My husband knew that our trip would not be complete without taking me to a quilting or yarn shop of some sort, so when he saw this article in a local magazine, he was determined to take me there :)

The shop had tons of Hawaii quilts on display and kits available for purchase. I find Hawaii quilts interesting, but not enough to actually purchase them. Check out the Hawaii prints I picked up from this shop. 

I am thinking to make Aloha t-shirts with these fabrics.

 A Hawaii quilt on display at the store. 

We also came across another fabric store in Kahului on our way back to the hotel from our drive to Hana. The store was also super close to the airport. This store carried so many Japanese fabrics, and they were so cheap! However, I dislike how I had to dragged these big bulky rolls of fabric to the cutting table. I mean... hello!? Seriously? If I wanted to buy up the whole store, does that mean I have to physically carry all of them?! No, thanks!

Love these big floral prints. 

Tokidoki fabrics from Japan.

Has anyone heard of Tokidoki before? I had no idea what it was until the shop owner mentioned that it's a very popular cartoon thing in Japan? Whatever, it was cute so I got tons of them! See those sushi?

Maui was amazing. I will definitely go back again. Maybe I will stay longer and take a Hawaii quilting class. If you haven't visited Wailea in Maui, I highly recommend it!

Wow! I Paper Pieced Something!

I have always wanted to try paper piecing, but was intimidated by the process. Have you heard of or tried paper piecing before? You are basically trying to sew a bunch of small pieces of fabric together using a sheet of paper. Yes, sewing with paper! How weird is that, right?

Anyways, I finally gave paper piecing a try for the very first time today. Instead of trying with something simple, I went with this little fox. And O M G, I did it! Take a look!!!

Isn't she adorable!? 

That's it. I love paper piecing! You bet I will be making many more; I plan to make a yellow fox to go with this one. The eyes took me longer to embroider than this entire fox, arg!

SO happy :)