Summer Bag Sewing using Manchester Metallics

As mentioned in a previous post, I am participating in a summer sewing challenge sponsored by Sew Mama Sew using Manchester Metallics by Robert Kaufman fabrics. Here's a sneak peak at what I am working on.

I love collaborating with Sew Mama Sew.  The challenge is summer bag sewing and these are the fabrics that I chose:

1/2 yard of natural Essex E014-1242 NATURAL 

1/2 yard of onyx SRKM-15373-181 ONYX

 1/2 yard of indigo CCCX-14114-62 INDIGO

 

You can't tell by the picture but the Onyx is very sparkly and shiny.  It's more silvery grey than black.   I decided to use it for the applique for this project.

I am using shiny silver thread because it was in my stash.   I haven't used this thread since I made myself a silvery Halloween costume.

 Here's the finished applique.  If you've seen my work, you'll know that I love to applique on everything.

 Look, it's a bike!

But we are not done yet... time for some quilting.

 I didn't go over the applique, just stitched straight lines around it.

Were these pictures enough of a hint as to what I am making?  Stayed tuned for my next post for the big reveal...

DIY Gifts for Teachers

It's the last day of school and once again, I am behind on posting about the teacher gifts. I always have so many ideas but find myself sewing or crafting at the last minute.  In spite of my procrastination, things tend to eventually get done. 

I am so thankful for the teachers we have had this year.  Both of my kids flourished and learned more than I could have ever imagined.

In no particular order, here's what I did:

Our grade 2 teacher was given a gift card, crayon roll, and a handmade soap (I'll post more about the soaps another day.  So much fun to make and so easy!)

Our kindie teacher was given a handmade linen bag inspirated by a pattern from purl soho, a crayon roll, a lotto card, and a soap.

Lastly our other kindie teacher got a lotto card and soap.   She's also getting a wedding gift.

I also had the kids fill in this template from CBC kids just to make the gift giving extra special.

Hurray for the last day of school!  I am so excited for the summer!
 

Fun things in the mail and another Sew Mama Sew collaboration on the way...

I rarely get anything in the mail but in the past couple of days, I've received a couple of really cute things in my mailbox. 

This one came from my little guy in kindie.  So sweet.   I really appreciate the small things and his kindie teacher is fantastic

My crochet needles came in and they are great!   I haven't had a chance to use them but they feel fantastic!

Saving the absolute best for last... another collaboration with Sew Mama Sew is in the works. More to come...

I love getting mail!!!!

Fun Fair and Weekend Festival

Summer starts for our family on the night of the school fun fair.  Our school holds a fun fair on the first Thursday in June.  The first Friday in June is always a PA day so we can all recover from the fun.  Then once we have recovered, it's onto Saturday and Sunday for our main street's weekend festival.  By Monday, I am usually exhausted and ready to send the kids back to school.

This year, my two gal pals and I co-led the Silent Auction portion of our fun fair.  The silent auction is a key component of the fun fair because it brings in much needed money to support our children's education. Between knitting club and silent auction, things got a little bit nuts at the end of May.  

This is what my place looked like after we wrapped everything. 

Those were just the baskets.  We also had gift certificates too.

Like seriously, look at this yummy basket from Ferrero.  So good.

When I think of summer, I think of breezy linens.  So I whipped up some crayon rolls to include in the "craft" themed basket.  Linen is such a nice fabric to use but it's not always easy to sew with.  I made the crayon rolls above and then made a gift card wallet for the "gift card" basket.

I didn't have time to take many pictures during fun fair but my guys said they had a lot of fun.  So much fun that they didn't mind that Mama was manning the silent auction tables.  Unfortunately I had a hard time bidding and trying to keep things organized.  I left empty-handed :o(

The next day, we had a nice stroll down main street and then went back for the craziness on Saturday and Sunday. 

One highlight of the festival was the duck race.  Yes, those are rubber duckies.  You buy the ducks which are pre-numbered and you have a chance to win some $$.

The parade was also a hit.

There were so many fun things for the kids to do:  games, sports, food, etc.  It was also nice to bump into people we knew from school and the neighbourhood. 

#1 was thrilled to practice his climbing skills.

He was such a good sport and hammed it up every chance he got.  #2 disappeared every time I tried to take a picture.

It was a great 4 day weekend and it's just the start of more fun.  Summer, we missed you!