I made the dress out of a silk charmeuse, but that is definitely not a beginner fabric. I pretty much hate sewing with charmeuse. It's slippery and slidey - not fun. Even so, I managed this dres in 2 hours.

Today, I'm making one out of a lovely iridescent cotton chambray. This fabric has a very similar feel to voile. I'd say it's more like a double layer voile, but definitely lighter than typical quilting cotton weight. It's by Robert Kaufman and is the Carolina Chambray line. It's not so much that it's iridescent as that it is a shot cotton so you get the iridescence (darker thread woven through the base color). You can buy it at equilter or other online shops by "googling."

Not the best picture, but crafters will get the idea. It does look a bit like a napkin in the first shot and well, I might just have to make some napkins!

I'm on a roll again with the Amy Butler Cami. This pattern is one of my favorites. It's relatively easy to sew and it's very flattering. I've made a number of them and at the moment, I'm going to make a few so that I capture the momentum behind that sweetheart neckline. You can buy the pattern online here.

The pattern is great but the neckline is a pain in the neck. hah. sorry, couldn't resist. All in all, it's a pattern well worth buying and making, at least one if not three or more.

My goal is to create something every day - my job requires creativity of a different kind altogether - but I'm talking about the tangible, hold it in your hands, object type of creation. Granted, I may not finish something everyday, but the end product isn't really the reward of the creative process anyway.

The last gifts I need to make are men's ties for my stylish boy-friends. Lucky for me, they all like more adventurous patterns and shun the traditional. So, here is my tie out of Liberty of London fabric. The fabric is whimsical and colorful. Hey, not every guy wants to wear pink, but most of the ones I know will!

There's a nifty tutorial for the tie at the Purl Bee and, you will need to buy the Tana Lawn fabric from Purl Soho. You can search around the web for other cotton lawn that is less expensive and very nice. I found some options for around $18/yard which is $20 / yard less than Liberty's Tana Lawn.

The tutorial is easy to follow but it's not an "instant" pattern. It has a fair amount of handwork and requires care in cutting and stitching. Beginner? probably not if you ask me but it's not exactly hard - just tedious.

I will be making more of these - I'm on the home stretch - only 3 more gifts I have to make before next week.

I love Valentines. I am an equal opportunity Valentine giver - not reserving the sentiment for one person, but rather, sharing valentine chocolate and paper treats with all!

This year, I got a really late start on Christmas crafting so I'm really just now in the mood. Thus, I will turn my efforts to Valentines and Easter. They really are right around the corner from a crafting perspective. I have a lot to work out but these are a few of my early attempts at creating some things to share.

A simple sewn card with fabric, crystal and stamping. less is more...

I love this little quilt. I enjoyed making it and it's been quilted by the fantastic Shelly Canon who lives and quilts in Oklahoma. Someday, I too may have a bit quilting machine, but you know, really, I'm happy having someone else do it, particularly when they are talented like Shelly.

It's a hit!

And a detail of one of the whimsical doggies...

I've become a little too obsessed with reindeer motifs (yes, my car has antlers and a nose)...I whipped up these quick gifts using my fantastic Bernina Artista and holiday designs.

Simple white flannel + metallic thread + swarovski crystal fixer = pretty decorative pillows!

The next holidays are V-day and Easter... the Easter version is available on my etsy shop - link over there to the right.

This is basically just one yard of each pattern, cut each into a 35" x 33" rectangle and sew together. I found it was easiest to put the flannel rectangles together (right sides together of course) and then iron them together - flannel creeps and it's easy to get them off. If you've cut them perfectly the same size, then just match the edges and pin.

After you stitch together (leave a 4-6" unsewn section so you can flip it rightside out), you can round the corners using a bowl of small plate as a guide - just draw the curve and then stitch along the curve - trim. Turn the blankie rightside out and iron the seam edge. I then used a decorative stitch along the edge to add interest.

I'm also just wrapping up a quilt for my nephew Noah (I'm late with getting this done for him), it's on its way to quilting & ready for Christmas I hope! I love these doggie designs by Lorelei. She has great little designs - very whimsical and humorous. I'll probably make at least two more of these doggie quilts in the near future.