Friday, August 21, 2009

Passport & document clutch


I set out to make a little purse I could use in Aruba for a few essentials, and ended up making this little clutch that could serve that purpose, but for the flights ahead will instead organize our passports, boarding passes, etc. Who knew a little week vacation would inspire so many crafts? I didn't even get to several of the others I had planned.

Black and white flower fabric from Kauai, yellow lining fabric from JoAnns. Pattern from (and on the cover of) Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol.

Ayo! (That's goodbye in Papiamentu)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Another skirt?

When a girl who has only worn skirts for two straight months asks for a new one, it's not hard to oblige. After making so many, I have it down to a science! This one took exactly one hour.

Pink mushroom fabric and ribbon hem from JoAnns.

We'll see if it beats out this one for the top spot.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Drawstring bags


Drawstring bags based loosely on the pattern in Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. For organizing random stuff like snacks and sunglasses in the huge Aruba bag! The countdown has begun...T minus six days!

Green gingham scraps from a rummage sale, lime green Fabric Temptations ribbon.

Vintage pillowcase from a yard sale or thrift store, yellow ribbon tape from Fabric Temptations in Arcata.

Hand-me down fabric, pink ribbon tape from Fabric Temptations.

Very thrifty projects!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Safe Motherhood Quilt Project

The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project is a national effort developed to draw public attention to the current maternal death rates, as well as to the gross underreporting of maternal deaths in the United States, and to honor those women who have died of pregnancy-related causes since 1982. In 2005, the United States reported 15.1 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 7.5 per 100,000 in 1982. The quilt is made up of individually designed squares; each one devoted to a woman in the U.S. who has died of pregnancy-related causes since 1982. One quilt square is designed and dedicated to each mother's memory. The Safe Motherhood Quilt is the voice for women who can no longer speak for themselves.

According to her obituary, Judy Dominguez Trunnell, age 33, passed away May 5, 2009 in Harlingen, Texas. She dedicated 8 years as an educator at the Mercedes Independent School District, serving children with special needs. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. She is survived by her loving family: husband, Steven; two daughters, Hannah Rayne and Gabbie Ella; parents, brother and sister. Provided by the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, Judy had slipped into a coma while ill with swine flu two weeks previous to her death. Her healthy baby girl was delivered by c-section, then she died.

I struggled a bit with this project, but for some reason was drawn to blue and stars, along with some nursery items pictured on blue fabric. This was my first experience with printable fabric, and I'm pretty pleased with it. A simple square, but it serves the purpose.