nayarx8

The moonstone just totally makes the necklace!

LOVE the top pair of earring; nice work!

I love those earrings! I personally like the teardrop-shape. Ive been using them recently myself.

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!! Bet it smells delicious too:drool: !

They all look so pretty, but I like the breast cancer awareness ones the best!

Have you tried www.sewingpatterns.com? I got a pattern off there a few months ago. They even have the option of printing it out on your computer. HTH, Linaya

I have a friend that is 4 months pregnant, and moving to Las Vegas in July. I wanted to make her some baby things to give to her before she leaves. I started sewing on Monday evening, and in 48 hours, completed 9 items for her. I sewed everything by hand because I STILL dont know how to use my sewing machine:laugh2: ! The burp clothes are kind of fancy, but I think they turned out cute. I'd use them when you wanna show off your cool baby stuff somewhere! Pic 1: yellow flannel padded burp cloth with giraffe iron-on transfer (I accidentely smeared the transfer with the iron onto the fabric as you can see in the pic:cry2: ). And, a sparkly red poinsettia padded burp cloth because she is due in Dec. Pic 2: My version of a Breakfast at Tiffany's burpcloth; turqouise swirly fabric on one side, and a silver-flecked white cotton on the other side. And, a pink/purple floral with a lavendar satin backing. Pic 3 & 4: The front and back of the two pillows I made. One is a fun zoo print with a green fleece backing. The other is a multi-floral with a rose satin backing. Pic 5: This started out as a knotted blanket. I screwed that up pretty badly, and decided just to sew it instead. Because I had to cut off 6" from the part I messed up, this didnt turn out to be big enough for a blanket. But, Im calling it a changing pad now;) ! Soft on the baby's bottom and machine-washable. Pic 6: A quick blanket with a yellow floral butterfly side, and a mauve fleece on the other. Pic 7 (my personal favorite): I LOVE this one! Did this w/o marking the fabric, and it surprisingly came out fairly straight. It looks so perfect for a baby girl (which Im hoping my friend is going to have; we wont know for a few weeks).

I dont order fabric from websites too often, but I get a catalog once a month that always makes me drool! The website is www.keepsakequilting.com There are a few fabric sites I used 3 years ago, and I cant remember what they are; I think one was MJ trim or something. I like to check Ebay every so often; you can get some really good deals there IF they have what you are looking for!

Ok, she is WAY too cute for words; an absolute doll!!! And, the flip-flops look adorable on her!

Is that a button in the middle? So cute; bet they are super comfortable too! Are you going to take a pic of her wearing them for us:wink2: ? Pretty PLEASE?!! There are alot of sellers on Etsy that do some similar stuff; might be a good place to check out. I just went through all the listings for flip-flops two weeks ago, and there is some cute stuff! Most people used store-bought flip-flops (usually Old Navy), and decorated them with ribbons, fabric, and Swarovski crystals. I do searches on Etsy every so often to see what everybody else is doing; and then I go in the opposite direction when I try to make something (obviously, you've seen my stuff; lol) Nothing is normal in my world:grin2: ! I wish Ava was old enough to keep flip-flops on; gotta alot of ideas in my head!

She can walk really well in them. This is the seventh pair Ive made since last week; Ive done ALOT of testing for her ! lol

Ok, I finally finished the polka dot shoes for Ava. I was able to try these on right before she went to bed, but didnt have a chance to take a pic with her actually wearing them yet; but I will tomorrow with her all dressed up in the matching outfit. They do fit very well. I used an insole this time, covered in fabric. The sandal was only supposed to have the ankle strap, and the strap over the foot, but that was too loose on her foot, so I added the third strap down the middle of the foot. I learned alot from making these. Like, dont use your teeth to pull the needle through three layers (2 layers of cork, and one layer of foam insole covered in fabric). I actually chipped my two lower front teeth doing this today!

Havent tried a staple gun yet; Id really have to make sure the prongs were completely bent down and secure! I had thought about using studs and my Bedazzler thing, though.

That would be great! Do you use a pattern? I have made probably 10 purses in the last few years, and have never used a pattern. I usually pick my dimensions, make my own pattern out of paper, and then just use that. But, I have never been able to get my straps to last no matter how many times they got glued down, sewing down, or whatever I have tried in the past! I think once, I even screwed them in with a screwdriver ( a few years ago), and they still came out within a month.

Funny you say that; I started them yesterday using the black polka dots for the insole, and the pink w/black polka dots for the straps. Got one shoe done, still have the other to do! But, Ava and I ran to Old Navy last night, and I got her a plain hot pink skirt, and a plain black t-shirt, so she will have an outfit to match! Ill will post pics when I have them.

That is too cute; I love that cherry fabric! Your straps looks so professional too. That is the part I always have problems with. I made a Breakfast-at-Tiffanys inspired purse a few weeks ago, almost finished, just needs the straps. But, I cant figure out how to do it so they will stay! Texasbrat, I always love seeing your latest projects!

Pm'd ya again with more suggestions!

Ok, Im wanting to try making another pair of the handmade shoes for Ava. This time using fabric (thanks again for tutorial, Texasbrat!), and an insole for comfort. I went through all the fabric I have here, and got it narrowed down to a few choices. Im thinking of doing one color on the bottom of the top of the shoe (does that make sense? the insole part) and another color for the straps. But, it doesnt have to have two colors; one is also fine. My problem is, and always will be, matching colors and fabrics. Thats where I need some help! 1st pic: cotton fabric; reverse polka dots (thought it might be cute to have to insole as one fabric, and the straps made with the other. 2nd pic: All three fabrics are cotton, but I cant decide which floral looks best with the solid, or if none of them do. Or, if one of the florals by itself would be good. 3rd pic: pink sparkly cotton, and a large yellow pattern. I like this, but think the pattern might be too big for this project. 4th pic: just a blue cotton floral 5th pic: high quality light green suede; probably would be the most comfortable on the foot. But, it seems kind of boring. 6th pic: just basic black and white cotton. Can be used alone, or paired with one of the others. Ok, what would you think would look the cutest for Ava ?(last pics are of Ava) (right-click to enlarge the images) Thanks in advance for any and all ideas! Linaya

Thank you Texas Brat for the link to the tutorial. They used glue to hold the soles together; after trying it that way and sewing it, I think I would only trust sewing it. The shoes havent fallen apart yet, but I think the strap on the right foot is just too big; trying to figure out a way to shorten it w/o re-doing ALOT of sewing.

Well, my best friend paid for my down payment and first two months tuition on Monday, so Im already enrolled:yay: ! I get to learn so many cool things; working with metals, cutting and setting stones, jewelry and watch repair, learning to make a wax jewelry mold (I already have experience in playing with wax; lol) and lots more! Some of my class projects are making a monogram pendant and earrings with wire, setting a garnet ring, setting a black onyx ring. I took my first test on Monday and got 100%!

Yep, MAJOR creativity weekend again! Got the idea in my head on Saturday morning, spent all day researching and thinking about the design, went to Michaels that night, and made these on Sunday. Now, these are sized to fit my daughter perfectly, and they do. She can actually walk in them. BUT, Im not going to have her wear them because I doubt they would be good for her feet. I only did her size first so I would have a smaller project to start with. Now, Im getting my design ready to start the pair for me:D . These took about 8 hours total; handsewed the cork soles together, handbraided the straps, and sewed them on, and attached the ribbon accents. A little tip, glue does NOT work on cork well; it just kind of seeps into the cork w/o adhering. So, I had the sew everything, which is probably better in the first place. You cant see it in these pics, but I also painted the bottom of the soles with copper paint to help seal the cork, and make them a little nicer looking. And, today Im going to go get a Dr. Scholls insole, cut it to size, and fit it under the straps for comfort. Also, I want to thank everyone here that has been so supportive in my crazy projects lately. I really appreciate everybody compliments and constructive criticism.

Thats so cool; my dad would love it!

Those are very nice! I have the stuff the make those, but never got around to it.

Im so excited! Ive been researching schools for awhile now, and FINALLY found one that works for what I need. Plus, the coolest thing is, my older brother is going to pay for it; all except $150 of it. Hopefully, I can earn the money selling jewelry in the meantime:undecided . My brother borrowed money from me a few years ago, and said that its about time to pay me back, and this is PERFECT! Only thing that sucks is he cant start paying the tuition for another month or two, so I cant start until then. Yeah; this is going to be so cool!

Very nice! Much better than my beginner stuff (or some of my stuff lately). You will soon become addicted:p .