Erika's Chiquis

1000 Posts and What I've Finished

2013-04-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah! This makes 1000 posts. Granted the first year I just transferred all my photos from tribe thinking it wasn't going to be there anymore. Well, it is sort of gone as no-one is on their anymore.

Anyway, I did get a photo of the sweatshirt of my son's sweatshirt that was in my to do list for this year.Post is here

Here's the before picture

Here's the after.

I didn't make it into a hoodie which is a good thing since my son informed me he doesn't like them. I know I have to show you my other UFOs that are done as soon as I get a chance.
I am still working on the Xmas Quilts and have a bunch of blocks for my other Xmas gift quilts.

Anyway, I spray painted the mason jar lids today in black and what a difference it does make. It didn't take too long and it cost 1.00 for the spray paint. I will also show photos of that and the rest of my sewing room soon.

Diy Storing Ideas for Sewing Notions

2013-04-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I just redid my sewing room. I didn't like how it was turning into a mess again and I didn't like how I stored a lot of sewing items. Too many things out in the open made it look messy. I will post photos of it soon with before and after shots but for now I thought I give you some ideas to make your storage solutions for notions.

A nice rack for ribbons and yarn. Details on here

Better Homes and Garden ideas here

More info here

How to paint mason jar lids and add fabric from the Cottage Home-here

From Mothering in a Shoe -How to dye clothes pins -Here

Here's what to do with those painted mason jar lids from Always Nesting-here

Here's another Example of painted lids on mason jars from Amy Giggles Design-here

From Spool and Spoon-using the clothespins for organizing floss-here

Wrapping ribbon around the clothespin from Delightful order -here

Sewing Sheds 2

2013-04-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

More Photos here from Readers Sheds-Look
Shed is owned by Manjit.

From Three Pixie Lane her work area shed-here

From Heart Handmade UK-her shed here

Palm Tree Princess Studio - Here

Steampunk Quilts

2013-04-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

From EPBOT.com -Here
"This is Epbot reader Kelly (who lives in New Zealand, so you know she has an awesome accent) with her award-winning "Steamy Dreams" quilt. Isn't it fabulous? I love the circle of keys with the padlock in the middle - and the soft teal is so pretty with those browns and coppers!" quote taken from EPBOT.com

From Etsy Shop Aranel-here

From WaterPenny Blog-her Steampunk Gears,Octopus,Balloon and Key Quilt -here
I am working on a Steampunk quilt for myself but it isn't has fancy at all like the lovely ones above. I don't even have the fabric I would like for it like the following:

I'm also thinking about some other themes for quilts but that's another post.

Super Hero Fabric

2013-04-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here's my stash of super hero fabric. I've collected a few here and there. It was a lot harder to get some of these fabrics but the super hero craze going on right now has made it easier to find awesome fabrics. I will be making a quilt for the youngest for Xmas. Perhaps save some for another project.

New Year-Finish Project 3

2013-04-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

        I haven't posted recently on my progress on the UFO list. I told you that I had finished the top for the belly dance outfit, my son's sweatshirt and the shirt. I will post photos of those soon. I've also almost finished the Xmas quilts-yes, there was enough fabric for 3 quilts. I have to put the backing on 2 of them. I plan on finishing them this week. I know I had Feb. and March to finish but I was working 6 days a week sometimes 8 to 10 days in a row.
    So, my next project will be finishing the Mata Hari inspired costume that has been on hold since 06. I want to finish this by the end of this month. Then the next project will either be the Halloween quilt or the belly dance skirt. I've looked at the skirt and found all the fabric for it. I even have the design of what I wanted to look like still pinned to it.

    I've bought even more Halloween fabric. I have so much of it I could probably make 2 but I plan on making a King size quilt.
   One last thing-I found the pattern for a dress I wanted to make awhile ago. It isn't on my UFO list as I haven't even bought the fabric for it.
   So, I've been sewing away the UFOs and PHDs. I also want to finish some of the Lolita and patchwork skirts that are half way done.

Stash Organization by Fabric Therapy

2013-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fabric Therapy:Fabric Organization

If you want a detailed instruction on how to store your stash,UFOs,scraps and other sewing items-you have to see Teresa
on her blog Fabric Therapy. She has it all outlined and you will be amazed at this lady's detail and organizational skills of her sewing area and fabrics.My favorite thing is that her sewing area is in the basement so I can relate to her way more than to those super fancy sewing rooms that I will never achieve. Plus, my goal is to organize my sewing room better which this section is fantastic.

As you can see at the top of this page this is some of her fabric stash in her quilt cave.This is her first section on organizing fabric-here

Fabric Therapy:Scrap Organization

Her organization of her scraps is amazing. I can't even do it justice talking about it here. Just take a look on part 2-here

Fabric Therapy:UFO Organization

This section on UFO organization will inspire you to organize and start finishing up those long lost projects-here

Fabric Therapy:Tool Organization

Awesome ways of organizing all those items we use to sew,take apart,etc-here

Fabric Therapy:Organizing Books,Magazines and other paper work.

Here

Cirque Du Soleil Costumes

2013-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

How to Make Resin Jewelry

2013-03-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

This is an awesome tutorial for make resin jewelry this simple. I want to try this sometime soon.
From Beading Daily tutorial -here

How to Make a Bustle Steampunk Skirt

2013-03-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

How beautiful are these skirts? Tutorial on how to make them -here

How to Make Steampunk Goggles

2013-03-28T23:00:00.000-04:00

I know there's many tutorials on how to make goggles but I thought this was really cool. From Fifi Versus the World another view of her tutorial -here

Crochet Mini Top Hat

2013-03-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Crochet this top hat for your Steampunk Circus outfit. Pattern from Treasures for Tots-here

How to Make Crochet Flowers

2013-03-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

I like these crochet flowers-pattern here

Steampunk Crochet

2013-03-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a cute pattern to crochet a gear from by Lemon Tree Designs -pattern here

Pattern here

Crochet Necklace Pattern

2013-03-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

This pattern is designed by Elizabeth Lowe. I thought it was gorgeous and thought I would share it.
The pattern is available here on Ravelry

Ansuya

2013-02-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite videos of her.

Kata

2013-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes not practicing kata enough makes you forget moves. Sometimes you combine a move from another kata.
About a month ago I couldn't remember half of the Kata's I knew and I was angry at myself for not practicing more. So up to YouTube I went to remember and I am happy to say I just need help on one to remember. I found these kata videos on YouTube and I really like these.

Fabrics,Fabrics and more Fabrics

2013-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know I shouldn't have bought this but fabric makes me happy.

Yes, I know I don't need anymore Halloween fabric but I am addicted to it so I added these three.

These are some fat quarters I bought. Left is going towards a Steampunk bag and the right a circus bag.I'll put pictures when those are done.
Later this week I'll show you my Superhero fabric I bought for quilts for Xmas.

Unique Sewing Rooms

2013-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is an older post I had in my drafts since 2011 that I never put up so I thought I post it now even though I've already put up some of these sites before.
I have been enjoying seeing all kinds of different sewing/crafting rooms. I thought I post some up so you could enjoy too.

From a Box of Trix a cute Woman Cave. Very nice. More pics on her blog.

This from Home Designing on their Craft Room and Home Studio Ideas

From All Sorts this awesome bright studio.
More here-check it out.

From Home Sweet Home she has a picture of this sewing room original from Better Homes and Garden.

From Sew Many Ways is a lot of photos of her sewing room.

Centro Architectre has more photos of this lovely room.

This colorful room is from Mod Kid Boutique is wonderful. Check out the site for more photos.

I hope that was fun and maybe inspires you do something cool in your sewing room.

Crazy Quilts on Etsy

2013-02-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

From NH Quilt Arts this beautiful Jungle Print -here

From North Lakes Craft Shack this lovely quilt-here

From Kitty and Me Designs this lovely purse -here

Flora's bee crazy quilter
Witchipoo Hat here

Craft Rooms

2013-02-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

I found this interesting showcase of craft rooms on Craftaholics Anonymous.

Yes, tours of 44 different craft rooms. Once you click a photo, it will bring you to the post with lots of photos of that room, the person who owns it and descriptions of it. It is definitely a must see. Below are some of the rooms featured but go to the link for the complete list.

My Crazy Quilt Blocks

2013-02-16T19:58:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by this quilt and especially the block with the flip up skirt(it's the 3rd row down -2nd one in that row)Even though mine isn't the applique type it still made me want to do this circus themed one. I plan on trying the applique kind soon.

But it's Samantha Walker's Quilt block that I love the most.

Here's her blog with the details-Here

This is a block I started and finished pretty much the same day. I used crochet flowers I had left over, left over buttons, trims, fabric. I also made the two polymer clay buttons a while ago and didn't know where to use it until now. I also added broken jewelry to it. I really like making crazy quilt blocks.

Patching Jeans

2013-02-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

I've been patching up my 10 year old jeans. He can make a hole in a knee as soon as he puts them on.
I've patched up many of his jeans 2 or 3 times. Some have patches on top of patches because he made a hole through the patch. This kid plays hard and his jeans know it.

Anyway, I bought some thicker twill with awesome boy themes on them. Took it home and got started on re-patching 3 pairs. First I had to cut it out and then I did a rolled hem on the edge of them so they wouldn't fray. I then ironed on the applique bonding to the wrong side.After I peeled it off and ironed them on the knees , I sewed around the patches both by machine and by hand. I am hoping these will last a few months.

New Year-Finish Projects 2

2013-01-31T09:02:00.001-05:00

Well, I did finish numbers 1 and 2 projects and part of 4. I actually cut out all this projects fabric. Yes, I'm on a roll and now I plan to finish these projects(except the Halloween Quilt) by Summer.

This isn't the correct photo for it as these quilts are done but you get the idea. I actually found out after I cut the fabric out for it that I had enough fabric for 3 Xmas quilts. Now I have no idea who wants a Xmas quilt or another type of quilt. I'm still making the 3 quilts as I made 7 quilts last year for Xmas. I'm sure someone will want it for Xmas. I'll decide later who. So for the month of February, my goal is to finish the 3 quilts and it is okay if I go into March to finish them. Since I will have to purchase fleece or flannel for the backing of it.

Anyone else have a goal for this coming month? Tell me about it.
On here are some links to blogs with the same idea.

Link

Crazy Quilts n Other Things

2013-01-28T07:49:00.000-05:00

While surfing the web and checking out crazy quilts, I came across this blog. What a gorgeous quilt.

From Kitty Me Designs -Pamela Kellogg-take a look here too
I have been working on my to do list and actually finished my son's sweatshirt. At one time it was going to be hoodie until my son let me know that he doesn't like hoodies. I also didn't know I was almost done with it except for the ribbing on the neck and sleeves. I would have shown you a picture but my batteries died on my camera and my kids took all my spare batteries. I'll be posting it later this week but at least I finished my project for this week.
I also finished another project from my list. I finished my shirt that at one time I wasn't even going to make. I'll get a picture of that too. I'd also found green fabric for a second shirt that I was going to make. Will I make it? Most likely.
One last thing I did was almost finish that pirate dance top that was on my list. I had a skirt to finish for a customer so I kinda went wild with the rolled edge on my serger. I actually finished rolled edges on a few things from a pirate skirt I made years ago, on my petticoat and some other fabric while I had the black thread on it.

So later this week I will put pictures of those items. I am ahead of schedule on my to do list. I guess treatening myself to burn that fabric if it isn't finish is one way to get me to finish it.