Or, the one in which Eunice is looking for her Mr. Larrabee. But wait, you say, Howard Bannister just moved into your house in December, and you loved going into the closet with him! Well, yes, I did. But sadly, Howard Bannister just had too many issues. He really couldn’t stand up to all I put him through. And when I took him in to be repaired for the third time (2nd time for the same issue) I just knew he couldn’t come home with me.

And then it hit me… I jinxed him by naming my serger Eunice! Because we all know that Howard Bannister belongs with Judy, and Eunice should be with Mr. Larrabee. So there you have it. I am looking for Mr. Larrabee.

There is a chance that an industrial machine – two actually, a sewing machine and a serger – will be coming to stay at Busy Bean headquarters. Negotiations are pending. But I’d still like to find a Mr. Larrabee to keep Eunice company. And to quilt on.

So, all you sewists out there… any suggestions? I’d like to keep the purchase relatively inexpensive, but it’s got to handle my new quilting addiction. I will be sad to be without the embroidery abilities Howard Bannister possessed, but I’m pretty sure that an embroidery machine is not in the budget right now.

Fare thee well Howard Bannister. We won’t forget you.

And if you’re confused by this post, you need to see this.

Well, today was definitely not one of those days. Last Monday I had one of THOSE days. I really gave up after a few things went awry … I sat on the couch, I watched a lot of recorded TV shows, and I did basically nothing. Towards the end of the day I finally pulled out Kelsey’s quilt and finished the binding. Yeah. One of THOSE days.

This week, I was not going to let that happen again. I got so much done! Here are some sneak peaks:

Played with some new Fall fabrics. Made a cute peasant dress with Laura Gunn’s Lantern Bloom collection.

Then I moved on to my new Art Gallery fabric from the Paradise collection.

Tried my hand at a knot dress, with a little twist.

I put the knots in back so I could tie a big bow.

I love these fabrics and I can’t wait to get them on some cute little models at the photo shoot coming up. Next week it’s time to make the boys clothes. Excited for more little new somethings.

Then I worked on a few blocks for my Quilting Diva’s bee. I wanted to get farther, but when I discovered I didn’t quite make this one big enough to meet the 12.5″ requirement I didn’t have the heart to either rip the seams or cut more squares. I’ll try again this week.

So instead, I started on an owl hat for my niece. I finished this cute one for Lottie, and of course her little cousin needs one too!

Okay, he’s not quite finished. I need to add some buttons to his eyes so he doesn’t look like he’s just seen a ghost, but he’s still super cute!

All in all, I’d say it was a pretty good day.

That was the plan anyway.

Then Katie called and needed someone to watch my adorable nephew Liam for the evening while she was on a photo shoot. And what kind of a small business-woman would I be if I didn’t help out another?

So, Liam came over and we all went outside to blow bubbles, run around, and weed the flower garden. Okay, maybe just my hubby and I weeded. Lottie piled dirt on top of herself, Kelsey ate grass, and Liam ran around like the uncontrollable almost-two-year-old that he is. Adorable. And I didn’t take a single picture. Oops.

I did manage to finish a few things though…

I put together one block for my NewBee Quilting Bee. Valerie asked us for two star blocks and sent these yummy green and yellow/orange fabrics.

I played with the layout of the other block. I have all the half square triangles pieced together, now I just need to decide where to put them!

Then Liam arrived and I took a break for three hours.

And then I went to bed. But, I took a project with me.

Earlier, I had finished up the machine quilting on my little Kelsey-bug’s 1st birthday quilt.

I followed the tutorial at Oh Fransson! and I love how it turned out. I am basically in love with everything Elizabeth Hartman does. I walked step-by-step through her quilt making basics to finish Lottie’s quilt. She makes it so easy to understand. Anyway, this quilt will be for Kelsey’s first birthday next month. I did a little bird applique:

And then quilted those loopy flowers all over. I can’t wait to throw it in the washer and dryer to let it crinkle up. But, since last night I got about this far on the binding (before I just curled up and slept):

I will have to wait for the crinkle. Soon, very soon. Then I will post pics of the completed quilt.

I had lots of fun trying to sew all night. I will definitely join in the party again!

Oh wait, that’s not all… it folds out into a full-sized towel!

Now your kids can carry their own stuff to the beach – or just down the street to the neighbor’s backyard pool.

Available now in my shop, or stay tuned for a tutorial tomorrow to make your own!

(Tutorial is posted here)

Here’s what I’m working on:

a diaper bag for a good friend. A “must-do-today” kind of thing, considering the fact that her water broke this morning. Do you see the problem here though? Let me help you out with the dimensions.

That’s right. I turned all of the pieces sideways when sewing the inside, so it’s 2″ smaller than the outside. You’ve heard the saying “snug as a bug in a rug?” Well, that saying did not apply here.

Not great. So, I started unpicking the side, cut it off, and sewed it back up. I wasn’t having the best day. Until the mail came. And look what arrived for me today!

New labels.

Lots of woven labels.

Of course, they came in a little cardboard box. I can’t leave them in there… not pretty enough for the labels, you know? Good thing  I’ve got an infant in the house.

An infant who is eating semi-solid foods right now. Thank you Gerber for your awesome plastic (not glass) stackable containers! Instead of ending up in a landfill, these will be on my shelf showcasing my pretty little woven labels.

And they look great on my products! So excited to get them on some little clothing items…

Sure, I made one for Lottie quite a while ago, but I think Kelsey’s is cuter.  I used a little Marabella fabric by Amy Hamberlin. (Who, coincidentally, I just finished testing a pattern for – super cute dress, and I’ll post a pattern review after they are released. She has quite a few new patterns coming out soon.)

With a little Art Gallery Girly Girl for the lining.

I am in love with Art Gallery’s new soft cottons. They feel a little silky almost. I used their Sugar line for the dress I made Kels. I will post how cute that turned out soon… just need to get some pictures.

I’m also {slightly} obsessed with cover buttons. I am using them on everything! Good thing I’ve got me a supplier to buy them on the cheap. Is it abnormal to have a gross of them on my shelf?

Purple is a great color on my little Bug. She’s getting so big now. Sitting up on her own and everything. Of course, this was a revelation to me this week when I finally saw her do it. I got all excited and shouted for everyone in my family to see. It was not really a big deal to them. I brought her home and told her to show daddy what she could do. He looked at me like I was crazy. Turns out, she’s been doing it for a while – just not in front of me!

The lady at the fabric store thought I was a little crazy. I was looking for the perfect shades of blue, pink, green and orange. I think it’s the orange that threw her. She kept trying to talk me out of it; kept telling me that orange would just ruin the finished product. Well, I’m pretty sure I proved her wrong with this:

Okay, some people might not like the orange – but trust me! With the room all decorated it will look awesome.

This was the first {real} quilt I have ever made from start to finish. After I pieced it together, I machine quilted it using the directions here. It really wasn’t that bad. Although, I tried out using the contrasting brown thread on swatches of all of the fabrics, and I loved it. I’m not so in love with it when it’s all over the quilt. I think it’s a little too busy (and also easier to see my mistakes). But, I did have fun adding little personalized touches like her name,

the word love, a flower, some hearts and

If you know me, you know how I love giraffes. Of course, I had to put that touch in there for her too.

I took it outside to take some pictures. After I started snapping away, I looked at what I had just taken and found this one:

I guess she didn’t want to let it out of her sight… after all, it is hers! She loved climbing up on my lap while I was binding it. Or sitting on my feet and wrapping it around her.

I have discovered that quilting is addicting. I already have a top put together for Kelsey’s quilt and I want to get it done right away so I can start one for my bedroom. I’ve already got an idea of what I want for when we redecorate. And by redecorate I mean actually decorate. We haven’t done anything in that room since we moved in 3 1/2 years ago. I’ve got an inspiration picture and a gallon of paint just waiting. Now if I could only find the time.

To celebrate this new item, I’m joining in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

I will choose two winners to each receive a camera strap cover in their choice of fabric. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and I will pick two random winners on Thursday, May 20th! If you win, you can choose any of the straps pictured above.

Edited: This giveaway is now closed. Click here for the winners.

Well, I didn’t forget Penny. She just needed a little refinement before being brought out into society. But she’s ready now.

May I present:

Penny

She’s a cross-shoulder “mail bag.” Which is why I could only think of the name Newman way back when I was picturing her in my head. {You know, Newman from Seinfeld?} Yeah, this bag is way too classy for that. She can be worn across the shoulder, but she’s not too tall to drape on one:

She’s casual enough to go everywhere with you… from the laundromat to the movies… and classy enough to go out at night. A button closure keeps all your belongings secure in style.

With an extra wide strap, she’ll be comfortable even when you fill her up! And she’s got plenty of room inside to pack her full of stuff.

Big enough you can even carry several books… with pockets to keep your cell phone, keys and a pen handy at all times. And of course, a zippered pocket to contain anything you may want to keep secret!

This particular version, in black and white with a touch of pink, was created especially for Kate, who named Penny. She may be the only one who jumped up and yelled “YES” when I asked if anyone remembered Penny. She picked the fabrics about two months ago, and has been so patient while Penny was perfected. I can’t wait to get this bag to her and see what she thinks!

Penny will be listed for sale soon in my shop, along with a few other goodies I’ve been working on today. More on those soon.

P.S. – I hope you can appreciate the crispness of the seams on Penny. I learned that everything looks better when you press the seams. Although my foot does not thank me for learning that lesson. Today my foot learned the lesson that hot irons leave a mark…

I was at the fabric store with my mom on Saturday, and I was picking up some buckram to stabilize my new wallet design. I’ve used buckram before, and it’s pretty sturdy. Gives you just a little bend, but still helps hold a shape. I thought I would try it out in this wallet (which I will show off soon). The amazing woman cutting for us suggested I try something else.

Peltex.

If you’ve never sewed with this before, you have no idea why it’s so scary. If you have – you might have an idea of my woes.

*Side note: I was shopping at JoAnn Fabric. Some of you might be amazed that the woman behind the counter did anything but cut my fabric. But she did. She spent time helping my mom figure out cushion covering issues, then complimented mom’s purse and started talking to me about the purses I was making when she found out I had made it. She talked to me for quite a while and suggested a few things. Great customer service!

Anyway – this woman told me it was kind of tough to sew Peltex, and she gave me some pointers. I used big stitches first, then went back and used my regular stitch. It worked really well. Luckily I was only sewing straight lines on this one.

While I didn’t have any troubles sewing it – forget about pinning it! This stuff is so thick that even if I got a pin through it, it would be so puckered I wouldn’t be able to sew a straight line. So, I had to think creatively. Maybe I’m not the first one to figure this out, but I thought I’d share with those who may not have thought of it.

Bobby Pins!

They held the thick layers of fabric together better than they ever held my hair where I wanted it.

And see how straight that fabric is before going under the presser foot? No more little wiggly lines where I didn’t quite get the pin out soon enough to press it flat again before going under the needle.

Now, instead of the bathroom cupboard, my little box of bobby pins resides next to my box of straight pins in the sewing room.

Give it a try, I think you’ll like it!