Book cover design

I really enjoyed reading the proof copy of my book.  I decided that, while the cover was cute, I wanted something more professional looking, so back to the drawing board for me.
I spent several days on this, working from morning to night, but I think I've got it where I want it.
Here's my new cover image (I used the first one, but am wondering if I should have used the second one.

WOOHOO!!! The Proof of my Book is here!!!!! Woohoo!!!

My first (proof) copy of my first published book!!!

Apron, Dad

Here's my Dad, BBQ-ing while wearing the apron I made him for Father's Day.

Father's Day and my Birthday

OK, it's a week later, but here's the pic of the raincoats, lol:

Yesterday was nice.  It was my 46th birthday...I can't believe it...and my family and I went out for Chinese food, then back to my parents house for cake and coffee.

Today I'm going to go out to the cottage to celebrate Father's Day. I'm busy sewing a BBQ Apron for my Dad; just popped online while taking a break.

I'll post pics later.

Dog raincoats out of dollar store tablecloths

Well, I finished my second dog raincoat, using a red Hawaiin print vinyl table cloth from the dollar store.
So now Annie, the mini poodle, and Mac, the standard, each have one. I still have to make one for Ben, the toy poodle.  The size small is too small and the size medium is too big so I'm going to have to  hand draw his pattern...something halfway between the small and the medium.
I'll probably have to wait til Monday, because tomorrow is my Birthday, and Sunday is Father's Day.
I'll take some pics when I'm finished Ben's raincoat.

Proofs of my book have been shipped!

I'm so excited. The proof copies of my book have already been shipped, and i should get them soon.

My birthday is on the 19th; it would be so cool if I could hold my book in my hands on my birthday.

Woohoo!

And now...back to sewing raincoats for my dogs, lol.

My New Book!!!!

I just ordered proof copies of my new book, which is soon to be published by Magic & Make-Believe Press (which is a company I started).
Woohoo!
I am so excited!!!!

Oodles of Poodles and Birds of a Feather

Dog shirt from bathing suit cover up!

I made a new shirt for my dog, Mac.
I used this cool pattern:
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/40669/how-to-make-a-recycled-dog-sweater/page/all

I started with this icky bathing suit cover up...it has bleach on it and it's really worn; I never wear it.

And I ended up with this cute dog shirt.













How it's made:


I cut a rectangle 16 wide by 28.5 long for the main part (as per the instructions on the tutorial).  When I make this again, I'm going to do one 17.5 wide by 29.5 long, as I'd like it a bit bigger.

Then I cut a triangle, 16" tall by 16" wide.  I'd make this bigger too; maybe 18 by 18 next time.

The triangle is pinned onto the rectangle, just under the neck line (which is the back band of the cover up).  I left the pocket, bug got confused...it should have been right side facing right side and I messed up.

Here's Mac waiting patiently.  He loves clothes, LOL.

And here's Mac's new shirt.  I embroidered the edges because it was too blah looking.

And here's Mac wearing his new shirt!

Clutch Wallet

Woohoo; I finished the clutch wallet!  I can't believe that I'm sewing...and loving it!
Here it is.

Placemat Purse

I had to make a new purse because the purse organizer I made the other day didn't fit in my purse, LOL.
So, I tried a simple placemat purse, and I'm happy with the results!
I added a pretty pink lining, and even managed to put in a zippered pocket in the lining.  It's not perfect, but I'm happy with it and it feels really good to make something like this.

New Kenmore Sewing Machine, woohoo!

Well, I bought a brand new Kenmore 167 stitch computerized sewing machine today and I LOVE it!!!
I was a little worried that maybe it would be too  hard for me, but I brought it home, watched the video a few times, and pulled it out.  I had no trouble winding the bobbin, loading the bobbin, or threading the machine.

I decided to make a simple project that I was drawn to when I was searching the Internet earlier this week.  It's a purse organizer, and I found the free pattern here:  http://thegivingflower.de/?page_id=78

Here's my new machine, and my new purse organizer in the open position:



And here it is, all wrapped up and ready to go.  I can't believe how much I can pack into it!




I even monogrammed my name onto this, but I used a light pink thread because I didn't want to mess up if I made a mistake, so it doesn't show up in the pic.  I can see it in real life though.

I had to switch to the satin presser foot and  I was a bit stressed out over trying, but it worked out fine and was super simple to switch feet.

I bought a ton of bobbins and extra needles, and even though this machine came with 10 feet, I bought a walking foot...the only foot that wasn't included.

I'm really happy with this machine and I'm really looking forward to learning how to sew on it.

Woohoo!

LOL.

Puppy Weenie Wrap sewn from Boy's Underwear

The other day I did a tutorial about how to turn an old pair of undies into a weenie wrap for dogs.  Today I tried the pattern again, using a new pair of dollar store boy's undies, and I'm really happy with the result.
Here are a few pics of Ben's new weenie wrap.