2nd update on the Coconut Cake--See link below. 

This cake was wonderfully moist and delicious! My husband, my daughter and I loved it. Karen was right that the hardest part was letting it sit in the fridge for 3 days. I confess that we tried it on Day 2. It was so good on day 2 as well! It was a bit moister on day 3.

Incidentally I discovered that triple sec is yummy on the cake. I think the next time I make this cake (and there will be a next time) I will soak it good with triple sec for a little extra fruity flavor. Garnished with mandarin oranges would make a nice presentation!

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Update on the Coconut Cake!  May 11, 2013
Karen's Yummy Coconut Cake -- Sew Many Ways!

I read Karen's directions wrong!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The cake has to sit in the refigerator 3 days after it is all frosted. I thought when I originally read it, it was ready to eat on the third day!

Lesson learned: My memory is not what it used to be....Please be sure to read all of the directions before starting the cake and if your memory is not any better than mine, print out a copy to have in front of you while you are preparing it.

Today and for 3 Days: It's All About Karen's Coconut Cake!

                                (See below for Link to this Post--Sew Many Ways) 

Today will not be a sewing day for me! Though my plans for the day drastically changed at the last minute (making my day a bit easier) I still have a few things to do during the course of the day that will not be conducive to starting a sewing project.

First I have to get my dog to the vets. She (Ellie) needs a vaccination. Shouldn't ordinarily be a big deal but it is! My husband left very early this morning too work out-of-state and he normally comes with me for this
two-man job of getting Ellie to the vets.

Why a 2-man job? Well, Ellie does not like to sit in the back seat or even in an empty passenger seat. She prefers to sit on the driver's lap. Personally I find this a bit distracting, as she is a 65 pound flat-coat retriever. Commands of "no", "down", and "flat" do not register with her when she is going for a "bye-bye ride" in the car.

Ellie:  Look at how adorable she is!

I have decided that today I will try to lug her very large crate out to the car and transport her in that. I am hoping she has completely forgotten her last vet experience which included surgery, an overnight stay and leaving with a very large lampshade collar which she immediately got out of, chewed up and hid all evidence of behind her loveseat upon returning home.

After I get home from the vets, I am going to begin making that lovely, 3-day coconut cake that Karen from Sew Many Ways posted a week or so ago. Click here  "Yummy Sounding Coconut Cake"  to see her post and  photos of the preparation of one delicious looking cake. I saw that photo, read through the recipe and went straight out to purchase all of the ingredients. I haven't made it yet because I haven't had a schedule that would allow me to be home to complete the cake on the third day. So I planned the cake into my schedule for the week. It's a Mother's Day gift to myself. I will be home on Sunday for Mother's Day and I will be eating Coconut Cake! Thanks to Karen!

Well, gotta go pack Ellie's crate into my car. Wish me luck! I will let you know how the cake turns out! In the meantime, if you would like the recipe, Karen has a step-by-step recipe with photos on her blog. Click on the link in the paragraph above!

Favorite Bag Ever!

The Two-Hour Tulip Purse

Two years ago I needed an idea for a handmade birthday gift for a friend. The year prior I made her a tote bag which she loved.  I wanted to do something similar but not the same. My last statement probably makes no sense to you but it does to me. I can be confusing at times, just ask my husband!

Anyhow,  someone I know had been making up the cutest little bags/purses and I was interested in finding the pattern. I went to a quilting shop and found the pattern: The Two-Hour Tulip Bag by Janice Pope. 

Pattern by Janice Pope

Closer up so you can see how cute this purse is!

I found some really pretty red fabric and coordinating gold fabric and made this bag up in the two prints. It went together so easily and came out so well that I made one almost exactly the same for myself. I used that bag so much, the fabric started to wear by the button. (as you will soon see)

My much used bag made up in red. 

You can see where it has worn from use (or overuse) Also I need to resew the button on tighter or I am going to lose it for sure! This bag is ideal for me because it opens wide and you can see everything in it. I am constantly losing my keys in my other purses--but not in this bag!!! Looks like I am going to have to make a repair or two!!!! 

I decided to make my mom the same purse from a black, brown olive paisley print for Christmas. She loved it and she has been using it ever since for two years. Hers show absolutely no wear and still looks brand new. I am extremely rough on my bags and I tend to overload them as well.

Mom's first purse.....it is so cute! Looks even better in real life!!!!

To give her a more seasonally appropriate purse for the upcoming spring and summer months, I thought I would try making one in a beige linen fabric. I had a hard time finding a lining fabric in certain colors that I had somehow conjured up in my brain but had eluded me in my search. So I settled for a fat quarter,  a small pattern that combined the colors of brown, beige and mauve. (kind of looks like a necktie fabric the more I look at it!) I figure it will work fine even for the earlier fall months....

Below are the pieces I had cut out along with the straps. (I chose to make reversible straps for this particular purse because the pattern included directions to make this reversible which I did--so I tweaked the straps a bit by using both fabrics...) It is actually easier and faster to make the straps as the pattern instructs but I was afraid the solid beige would look too plain. The coordinating strap looks really nice on this bag.

The linen was a little difficult to work with as it ravels so easily. I opted to stitch around the piece to prevent further raveling. I had zero experience sewing on linen prior to beginning this purse. Now I know what to expect the next time I pick a linen project! I have a few yards of this fabric left so there will be other linen projects for sure! 

Here is the finished bag....it is really cute!

I just noticed in this photo that I had a few wonky stitches in the top-stitching (top right)--that means I will be ripping out the top-stitching and doing it again....the top-stitching is important and gives the end product a very neat and finished touch. If I don't fix that top stitching I won't sleep at night!!!!  Oh the things that you can pick up on about a writer by the things they reveal about themselves as they write...

Button sewn in the inside directly behind the front button so it can be reversible! Two bags in one! ...and lots of room inside too!

Close up 

and of course a coordinated tag.....

I emailed Janice Pope earlier in the week to ask permission to feature her pattern on my blog as I wanted to post photos of my latest bag made from her pattern. She very kindly said "Yes". Here is a direct link to one of her site: Anything But Boring.  Two-Hour Tulip Purse . There is a link on that site to her blog as well and I just realized there is a catalog there too! I found a photo of the tulip bag made up in a pseudo-leather and I love it. 

Now I need to find fabric to make myself a new Tulip purse......I will try hard not to conjure up a particular fabric/color/look in my mind ahead of time because when I do, it often starts a very long, frustrating search which never yields quite what I am looking for. Some things only exist in my mind! I will walk into the fabric store with a completely open mind and pick something that suits my fancy right there on the spot!

If you are in the market for a pattern that works up quickly and comes with easy-to-read and easy-to-follow instructions, this is the pattern for you. By the way, this pattern includes 4 sizes and several options such as a magnetic closure, a flap etc. I used the standard size but I have seen the petite size made up and it is the cutest thing--still pretty roomy. There are two larger sizes that I have yet to make. Another day....

Buyer beware though: if you make this purse for a gift, you WILL be asked to make another one!

"Another day, another bag....."

Pieces Of My Heart

Today I was featured on Domesblissity--Thriving on Thursday party. Thank you so much Anne! There were some wonderful blogs participating and Anne featured a few projects (my cosmetic bag bundles were one of the featured projects) as well as a few recipes that look pretty yummy! I plan to try them. I am a sucker for trying a new recipe!! Please visit Anne at Domesblissity via THIS LINK and check out some of the other posts that particpated in Thriving on Thursday as well as Anne's blog. Lots of good stuff there!

I am also linking this post to The Charm of Home  via THIS LINK to participate in her Home Sweet Home Party. There are some  links to some wonderful posts here as well. Her blog is wonderful. A must see is her violet (edible) cookies....scroll through her blog and check them out!

OK, moving on to my evening agenda:

I was antsy after dinner tonight. I needed to do something so I played with odds and ends-- pieces muslin, lace, pearls on-a-string, etc.

These are the pieces of my heart.....various laces, a spool of old silk taffeta ribbon...I love the color!

My heart completed....

Tuck it here ....

or there.....

Close up of little crocheted flower my grandmother did many years ago...I added some muslin circles sewn together (with raw edges) and added some pearls....

Be still my heart.....

This reminds me of the beautiful wedding and ring-bearer pillows my mom used to make, though mine is a smaller version. I have one that she made for me 30 plus years ago....I think I will post that on my next anniversary in October.
Speaking of my mom, today is her birthday! Happy Birthday Mom! She is the person directly responsible for my obsession (maybe passion is a better word) with sewing and  "creating".

I just needed a little project tonight. Sewing up this heart (about 8" tall) took my mind off some other "stuff" and gave me a much needed break from reality. Sewing does that for me--stills my mind!

and of course, a quote for the project of the day:

"Difference between mind and heart; your mind tells you the smart thing to do, while your heart tells you what you're gonna do anyway."

unknown

Mission Accomplished

Remember this? (from an older post: All Tied Up )

I finally finished the five sets of cosmetic cases that I needed for gifts. The gray and white set made from the fabrics shown above was completed last night.

It turns out that the gray set is actually one of my favorites. 

Then I thought that it might be neat to try making a set from 

denim jeans. I still have a pant leg left from another recycled jeans project I had done and there was still plenty of fabric to make two bags. So I found a fat quarter that would match nicely. I made the larger bag from the fat quarter and lined it with denim. The denim also serves another purpose. Since it is a heavier weight fabric, it doesn't have to be padded. Here both sides of the bag are pictured....

Inside lining in denim below (from recycled jeans)

The denim lining went in so easily. There was no third layer. (fusible batting adds bulk and makes the top stitching a little difficult sometimes) 

Here are the pair....I added a strip of the fat quarter just to add a little oomph to the plain denim. All was well until I realized that the stitching on the top edge of the fat quarter strip was bad (my bobbin messed up). I had the entire bag sewn and the stitching came undone. DILEMNA! Should I take the entire thing apart. Nope! So I did the top stitching over by hand. It was late and I should not have attempted it but I did and it is not perfect. Don't look too closely!

Nevertheless, here it is...I did not have a roll of blue organza or wide ribbon to tie it up with, but I will purchase a roll because the denim went together nicely and I will definitely be making more. I have lots of jeans to recycle!

...and finally here are all five sets. I will be making myself a set some day to keep my pocketbook organized. 

There, mission accomplished! Now on to the next project on my ever growing list of projects to complete.

Update: All Tied Up

Did not get any sewing done yesterday. We had a college visit in Rhode Island with my youngest daughter. It was a three hour drive to get there and we were all pretty exhausted by the time we got home.We made our decision--finally- and she will be going to school there. 

As much as I would've loved to have sewn last night, I find that it is never productive to start a project when I am that tired. So the only thing I accomplished was to tie up my latest bundle in some turquoise tulle and I took photos of it. The lighting was not good so I took a better photo today.

My daughter would like a set of duffel bags to take to school with her in the fall. (in three different sizes so they can be stored inside each other to save space) I look forward to finding the fabric (most likely PINK--she loves PINK) and starting that project as well. I will most likely tuck in a matching set of these little bundles as well!

Third set done....was making five sets but may never stop making these now. Also have received requests to make some for others. So fast and so fun! Best part is tying them up in tulle, organza or gossamer.

This would be nice to use with....

this bag....from an earlier post   Click here!

I still have the gray set to complete and then another color combination.  I never did get to Joanne Fabrics to pick up that gray zipper I needed. Though now it appears I am going to need zippers by the carload. 

Next I would like to try sewing them in other fabrics and even embellished, embroidered, appliqued, perhaps with a wrist band. Once you know how to sew any basic bag, your  creative options become endless.

Sometimes I cannot sleep at night because so many ideas pop into my head.

When Life Gives you Lace

I have been sorting through a bag of various ribbons and lace (from the bin of fabrics and trims given to me by my mom last week) and trying to come up with ideas to use even the smallest pieces. There are so many delicate laces, edgings and ribbons in my new stash.

I decided to make a trio of jewelry gift bags. Mostly cream colored with a hint of peach....

This is the first little bag. It will hold a beaded bracelet, or necklace....

This one is gathered just by running embroidery floss through the fabric. Small 1/2" stitiches beginning and ending in the middle. Then just tie in a bow. Very delicate looking.

This one has a double drawstring on each side and then you can tie in a loose knot or bows. I sewed a cream colored, wide ribbon on the top front and back for an extra easy casing, then ran the peach colored, gathering ribbons through the wide ribbon casing. 

Purchasing these little gift bags can add $$$ to the cost of a gift. These sweet little bags whip up in 15-20 minutes and in my case, there was no cost. Plus I was able to use up some scraps of fabric and small pieces of embellishments.

To top it off, it is a thoughtful presentation of a gift of jewelry and it can be used to store the piece in a jewelry box or can be reused/regifted. I much prefer fabric gift bags over paper or plastic. It adds a nice touch! 

You can never go wrong with ribbons and lace.

"Whatever improves the lace and makes it more beautiful is right."

Sister Judith