DIY Business / Gift Card Holders ~ Tutorial Soon too!

I did manage to fix the business / gift card holder from a week or so ago where my snap pliers put a lovely hole into my fabric, stabilizer and all.  I had them ready for Easter, I just hadn't posted the pictures here yet.  

I first used Velcro that I sewed on in place of the snaps, then covered the hole and my outside stitching by adding an appliqued circle to it. Sorry this picture is a bit blurry, I didn't know until it was uploaded today and I already passed it on as a gift to a close friend.  I will be posting a tutorial on these great quick gifts soon!

The above picture shows the inside view of the card holder.  In the future if not already sewn together, I can do it in a way you wouldn't have to see the circle of applique that you currently see.

One more I made, just the opposite with the bright colors on the outside and a cute green button covering up any stitches from adding the plastic snap to the inside.  The pic was quickly taken when I had it ready to be mailed to a different friend of mine.

Did I mention, Spring is here!!!  It was in the 80's today!  Whewwww hooooo, bring it on Spring!  I am ready!  =) 

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

Easy & cheap (free) DIY 1/4 inch Sewing Guide Tool

This is a cool and easy way to have a quarter inch tool at your fingertips, even if you can't find your measuring tape or special clear ruler!  This tool was first given to me from my quilt instructor during my first quilting class when I made a beginner's sampler quilt, you can click this link to see it!  She told us how to use it so we would know when to stop while we are sewing on our binding.  When you see this special tool you may say something like "Why didn't I think of that?"  That is if you don't already know about this unique tool...hehehe.  Now take a seat if you aren't already, don't want you to fall over when you start to giggle. 

Yes, you are looking at a business card that can either be your own or one of the 100's you can pick up during a quilt convention for free!  Below is a picture of how I made my very own special tool, since I lost my original guide that was given to me from my first quilting teacher.  

Just place your ruler over the corner of the card and mark at the quarter inch mark, viola, it is that simple!  Now you can know exactly where to stop when you are putting on your bindings and need to pause and turn at the 1/4 inch spot.  Just be sure to use something that disappears and won't leave a permanent mark when you mark your fabric.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy Tweet

Pliers Snap Kit Issues - I'm Looking for your 2 Cents or More Please! =)

I bought this pliers kit so I could add a snap to the business card holder I made.

I used it and it put a hole almost all the way around the snap that was inserted.

So, I know how I plan on fixing the hole that was put into the business card holder with the snap pliers.  But I am wondering if anyone has a set similar that they have never had this issue with and they swear by?  I am returning this set and want to get a set that I won't ever have these issues with.  It was really difficult to use, I had to squeeze unreasonably hard to get it even to clamp enough to let go of the pliers, which I am sure why it has a hole in the fabric in the first place.  I love the variegated thread I used to finish the edges.  If you know of another brand that I wouldn't have issues with like I did this one, please leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you =)


Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

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March 2013 ~ Quick & Easy Quilt As You Go Method for this Baby Quilt I made =)

Baby season at my boy's school, I believe there were at least 9 or 10 pregnant teachers there at the same time.  Well, two of them happen to be my boy's 3rd & 5th grade teachers.  The first one due is my oldest son's and I had decided as soon as I heard that I would be making them both baby quilts.  

So my 5th grader didn't let me know their class had asked for permission from the principal to have a baby shower for her until the night before.  Thank goodness I had the quilt complete, it just needed to be tagged and binded.  Not my proudest binding to say the least but it isn't going to fall off any time soon hehe...

I used the simple flip & stitch method to make this quilt and I did it in an "Eye Spy" type of look.   I imagine her having her little guy (yes, it is going to be a boy!) laying on it and being able to teach him all of his colors and things like soccer ball, strawberries & cucumber.  I also made a whacky, funky binding where I mixed about 5 of the fabrics I used to frame it.

The kid's in his class were thrilled that I made the quilt and that they were all included as having given it to her.  I hope she thinks of each of them over the years he is using it, yes, I want it loved & dragged around everywhere he goes.  =)

This was the best pic I have of the binding and it was in the gift bag, I didn't take enough pictures. OOpsies =P

Picture before the binding was added.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

Saving the Old Singer Sewing Chair :)

I was recently down in the basement, who knows what I was down there looking for but I ended up over at my Mom Mom's (pronounced Mum Mum's) old sewing machine and ended up looking through the drawers.  I suddenly became concerned over where is her chair?  I didn't see it anywhere.  This was her set that I grew up watching her sew clothes, curtains, couch covers and comically mend my father's work jeans, to many funny stories of her leaving pins in bad spots, like the crotch.  She was a hoot that is for sure!
Sadly she passed away about 15 years ago.  I feel very fortunate to be the one who has it now.  Okay, so I need to get it cleaned before I can use it, no biggie this Singer sewing machine is apparently a work horse and fantastic for sewing on heavy things like denim.  Soooo, anywho, back to the chair search.  I wish I had thought to take a picture of where I finally found it hidden.  I know I saved it from a growing donation pile.  

The chair has seen its better days and even though I haven't had a cat for years, this chair ended up in the wrong claws at some point...hehe.  This is going to be a to be continued story, of me saving this old chair that got attacked as a defenseless scratching post to bringing it back to life and usable condition.  Now to pick the fabrics!  ***Anyone able to suggest the best type I can use that will hold up under the wear and tear of being sat on?  Let me know, leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!

PS...here is just an example of how much a chair like this would cost new.  Now my chair doesn't have the wheels on the bottom, but I am sure it could be added!  

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy 
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My 1 Year Blog / Website Anniversary! Dream it!

WoW!!!  Where has the time gone?  It feels like just yesterday when I was floundering around on my blog trying to figure out how to move widgets and gizmos around, oh yeah THAT did happen yesterday!  HaHa!  But really, in a way it feels like I have always had my blog.  I am so grateful for the friends who encouraged me to start it.  The friends who helped me get it going and the friends I still go to when I need advice on where the widgets and gizmos go.  I couldn't have done it without you!

The things that I have done in the past year, of course in my mind, I feel like I haven't done enough.  You ask my husband he would likely agree unfortunately lol :-)  I have all of these ideas floating in my head, and I get the most accomplished as I sleep, yes, I mean while I dream.  Those quilts come out perfect, the binding on simple as pie and then I wake up and then I realize I still need to get it finished.  Ohhhh and did I mention, I also win awards in my sleep for my quilts, they are my dreams you know...hehehe!  

So if I follow the inspirational quote up on my oldest son's bureau by Walt Disney that I bought him a few years back that says "Dream ~ All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."  This encourages me to remember that my dreams are achievable as long as I keep trying.  As I wander back downstairs towards the kitchen and look up on the wall and yet see another quote by Walt Disney regarding dreams, it says, "Dream ~ If you can dream it you can do it."  It reminds me yet again I need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.  Don't tell anyone I said, well typed that out loud, that is really hard to admit and especially put right out there admitting my flaws and imperfections.  But all I can do is be aware of it and move on from there.  And push the negativity to the curb.....Boooooo-Yah! 

So, I guess this past year with the start of this blog, my Twitter account, Google+, Pinterest (addictive) and my Facebook quilting page it has been about pursuing a dream and even though I have no idea how close I am to reaching it, I know that I am not finished until I get to that finish line no matter how many times that will be and run laps around the ballpark to thank all of my great friends and family for their encouragement, kind words and support along the way!  Thank you for my first year and I am looking forward to the next 99+! xox

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy