Gearing up for sewing in 2016

It seems like I am continually looking for "a better way"  a "neater way" to have all of my gizmos and still be "neat".  Crafting in any form is sometimes "messy" so the key is to have places to stash your stuff.... In that being said I have too much "stuff" so I just did a major revamp of my studio and replaced my "cube island" and my "scrapbook cube storage" with 2 Hemne 8 Drawer Dressers from Ikea.. I love Ikea how about you?  In case you are wondering the glass cabinets are also from IKEA they are the Billy System... Love them!  I have also been asked the size of this room, it is 12X14 and that does not include the closets.  For those who have asked the dressers with the board on top is 38 inches tall.

So I have been destashing and keeping what I am currently using....

Oh and all of the bright light coming through the windows is the reflection of snow!  Where was it last week???

I went to Lowes and had them cut a board (it was Birchwood in 3/4 in thick)  the correct size to fit onto the top of both of the dressers (my hubby put a 3/4 inch strip around the outside so it would not shift) and then covered it with batting.  The whole thing can be used for an ironing board when I remove my cutting board.

I also always get asked about the sign above my sewing area "God Is Good all the Time" it came from Hobby Lobby a year ago.

I also get asked about the irons, the black and white is a Euro Steam which I LOVE it is the best iron I have ever had.... the purple and white one is an Olisio I purchased recently on Black Friday at Joann's, I got it for times I did not have a lot of ironing to do.  (The Euro Steam has to be emptied EVERY time you use it!)

In the above picture you can see my sewing closet with my Juki TL2010q, now that machine will sew through about anything!  I love it!

I do not think I properly introduced you to my new friend "Bernie"  I think we will be best of buds!  (I have an embroidery attachment also for her)...  Bernie is a 770QE

Pretty much my wall of shame..... (Because I have way too much yarn,...)

Just to keep this post real this is under my sewing area.... It will soon disappear too!  It is loads of scrapbook paper!

Hope you have a great day today!

Nancy

Since we have been in our "new to us" home, we have certainly enjoyed our bird population.  The squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, mice and snakes I could definitely live without!  We are near the Mighty Mississippi which I am sure might help the population!

Here are a few of our most recent visitors....

 I was delighted when my granddaughter spotted this in my trees!  We have rarely seen a Pileated
Woodpecker in our trees!

 I believe the next one to be either a Purple Finch or a House Finch, they are beautiful!

One of my favorite birds is the Tufted Titmouse!  They are so cute!!

We are inundated with Downey Woodpeckers, it may be the bark butter that they love that entices to come back!

We have had a surplus of Goldfinches since spring!  They are not as pretty in their winter plumage but still one of my favorite visitors!!!

So there you have it..... I must be a crazy bird lady!

Nancy

Easy Street Patterns

 I have recently finished two Test Patterns for ChriswDesigns,   Christine has launched a new line called Easy Street Patterns, which are simpler but awesome patterns.  The first two in the line up are Brandt's Boulevard (a tote bag) and Abbey's Alley. (an awesome wallet)  Both of these patterns were easy to make!

Abbey's Alley is a really neat tote, in which Christine had a unique way of making the pockets.  I love to try different patterns because each one always challenges me and makes me learn something new! 

The Abbey's Alley would make a nice knitting bag, (because of the size and the pockets), but I plan to use mine to take to swimming at the Y!

Approx. size: 45.7cm W X 31.8cm H X 13.5cm D (18” W X 12 1/2” H X 5 ¼” D)

Two large outer pockets on each side of the bag and also on the inside for a total of 8 pockets!!

Brandt's Boulevard could be described as an awesome wallet that packs a punch!  It has  4 credit card

slots, an ID pocket, slip pocket for notes or bills, zippered coin section, smaller slip pocket and a phone slip pocket that will hold an iPhone 6 Plus or a lot of receipts or coupons.   It also has an optional removable wrist strap.

Once again Christine outdid herself with this creative wallet!

Approx. size when closed: 18.4cm W X 10.8cm H X 2.2cm D (7 ¼” W X 4 1/4” H X 7/8” D)

Hop on over to Christine's Shop and buy yourself a couple of patterns.  ChriswDesigns  is the place to go.  You have plenty of time before Christmas to make some for yourself or for someone else!

Nancy