The Bag - A Sewvivor Post

Let's start at the beginning.

Sewvivor challenge #2:

A bag. Hmmm, lets get clever Jess. Like outside the box. {brainstorming} What do you think no one else would do?- So, a sleeping bag was on the agenda.Yup, a sleeping bag with a full on tent just for the photo shoot- coolest idea ever. My kid was on board for the best twinsies pajamas, smores, photo shoot ever. All of it!  Except it was a HUGE FAIL- I mean I cut out fabric and pieced blocks together that took a whole day to finish. A WHOLE DAY!!! So, whatcha gonna do, right?? Make a bag. That was the point after all! A bag that anyone can rock and by anyone, I mean anyone! (Pattern by Handmade Therapy)

I busted out my Heather Ross/Munki Munki stash and got to sewing. Heather Ross/Munki is one of my favorites to sew with. I love all of her awesome prints! So I broke out my slim stash and got to sewing. I wanted to do something different and thought pairing my HR/Munki with some denim was something cool that I have never seen before. So...

In all transparency I felt like my original photo shoot sucked. I was mega bummed. But, I had a family obligation in downtown Portland, so on a whim took my bag- who knows, right? It rocked!! I asked some random strangers to pose with my bag. All but one said yes!! It was awesome!!! I met so many amazing people, it was one of the best opportunities ever!! And, they all ROCKED it!!

It ruled! Like serious. These peeps were awesome! It was not only rewarding to make a bag that I've never tackled before, but the people. The people- they made this challenge even better. They took me so far out of my comfort zone. They gave me praise for my bag not even knowing what it was (HR/Munki heeeelllllooooo?), or the time it took, or the anything. It was the best. The best challenge, the best stretch, the best everything! If this is as far as I come in this competition- I'm so pleased with it. I'm grateful for the people who appreciate handmade. The people who want to support, who give me joy by just rocking it! Isn't that what it's all about? Just sewing. Sewing to bring people joy with what my hands can create. Making them smile. Making others happy. Those random people, that I will never see again gave me what I was hoping to bring to them - Joy in craft. Joy in handmade. Joy in sharing. That's the most rewarding feeling ever.

Happy belated birthday Jen- I pray this bag brings you as much joy as it's brought to me!! I'm so thankful to call you my friend!

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE!!

A Sailor's Valentine - The Sewvivor Nautical Challenge Post

Here it is!! So so excited for the big reveal!!! My handmade Sailor's Valentine!!! What is a Sailor's Valentine? Let's break down.

Per wikipedia, A sailor's valentine is a form of shell-craft, a type of mostly antique souvenir, or sentimental gift made using large numbers of small seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890 and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one or loved ones.

I thought long and hard to select a great pattern and this Wheel of Fortune block by Wombat Quilts definitely called out "ship steering wheel meets compass star"- super nautical in my opinion.

As for the fabric selection- whew, what a process!! I tried to have each print represent something I felt was nautically themed:

• Yellow prints represent the hot sun
• Black prints are the night sky
• Linen reminds me of bon-fire smoke
• That Lizzy House print is for seaweed
• Pink wood grain is for drift wood
• Heather Ross seahorses are for, duh, seahorses!
• The background blue is for the ocean
• And to tie it all together- those steering wheel

I really wanted to create a real wooden frame for this piece and though I got mad love from my Home Depot visit- I apparently suck at math- angles are NOT my thing! So, a fabric wood fame was created and I just LOVE IT! I painted a few shells and added a sand dollar as my center piece.

I had a lovely photo shoot with my sweet friend Ale!! Even though our sunny Portland day was a wee be bright I think we got some pretty good shots.

This little gem is up for sale in my etsy shop. A wonderful woman Anne,was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 28. She just had a modified radical hysterectomy on August 7. All funds will go directly to Anne. If interested, please help Anne raise money for her medical treatment by visiting here.

And now... VOTING!!! Go, go go go vote right HERE for your favorite nautically themed piece. I hope you enjoyed seeing my Sailor's Valentine, there are so many amazing projects! Only 8 will make to the next round!!! EEEEEEKKKK!!!

Duffles,Sewvivor & Selfish Sewing...

What a super busy sewing weekend!!!

Do you ever commit to too much sometimes? I took on the task of making 9 duffle bags for one of my sweet friend's bridesmaids- yup, 9!! Repeat. 9! I've been cutting, cutting, sewing, sewing... I managed to finish two this weekend (woot woot) and love how they are coming along!! 6 more to go... I'm going to be a duffle making pro by the time I finish all of them!

Cargo Duffle: Pattern by Noodlehead for Robert Kaufman found here

On top of the cargo duffle sewing fest, I managed to make it into Sewvivor. What an amazing group of talented individuals- seriously! I've been brainstorming, plotting and planning for my Nautical theme challenge. I cannot WAIT to show you what I have up my sleeves! I hope you love it as much as I do. Here's a sneaky for ya!

While I should be getting my Sewvivor entry done, I decided a "Jessica Break" was in order. No more duffles, no more Sewvivor. What would a procrastinator like myslef think to do other than start a project for no reason whatsoever? DUH! Slacker Jessica in full force!!

The lovely Violet Craft has her new patterns out and the ever lovely new fabric line Brambleberry Ridge. Fabulous, yes? I've been eyeballing the Flying Falcons pattern for awhile and was elated to get to sew this up!! It came together quickly, and the pattern is very easy to read.

Be sure to check out Violet's AWESOME Forest Abstractions Sew-A-Along on her blog- AMAZEBALLS!! But I ain't got time for that! LOL!

My jam packed sewing weekend did include some awesome family time. We saw 7 shooting stars on Saturday night while hanging out at the pool. SEVEN?!?! So awesome! And I have a date with the best hubby... Dinner, Anchorman 2 (which I heard was okay), and dessert! :)

And... the lucky $25 Westwood Acres winner is...

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ALLISON SEWS!!!