On the sewing machine

I spend a few hours on the sewing machine last night and this evening.  I found this super cute notepad cover and just wanted to see if I could make it.  Turns out that yes I could.  I found it here http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/06/fabric-portfolio-and-notepad-holder.html

This is one of the blogs I read every single day, I love the cottage mama.  Her blog is full of wonderful things to make. Please check out her site. 

For all the exact directions please click the link above, she gives very easy to follow instructions.

                                                  Here is how I started:

I believe the hardest part of this pattern was picking out which colors to use where.  It calls for 5 different coordinating fabrics, I am sure that you can use just one if you'd like or any variation. Whatever works for you.

The next part...start stitching.  I love sitting up at the sewing machine at night after everyone else has gone to bed.  This is my quiet time, time that I don't have to be doing anything else. So this is the out side.~~~>>

I love ORANGE!  This fabric was screaming my name at Hobby Lobby yesterday.  It is just a fat quarter bundle so it had all 5 of the fabrics that I needed.  All orange in one way or another.  Yippee!

I was having such a great time I forgot to take step by step photos...so here in this picture is the outside, the inside and the pocket pieces.  I can see it coming together already. I can not say enough that if you want to make one of these for yourself, visit the cottage mama's site.  Her photos and instructions are wonderful.

Like I said a second ago, sew happy makes for far less photos that expected.  Here is the outside of my finished cover~~~>>  I had the button in a big bag of buttons in the craft box, I did stop by the local dollar store today to buy an orange ponytail holder so that my closure would match the rest of the project (its orange...hehehe)

Here is how the inside looks, I believe her finished product looks better than mine does, but it is after all the first one I have ever made.  I like it, there are a few things that I will do differently if I make any more, there is always room for improvement.  This is the back of the outside.~~~~~>>

Valorie and Brittnie have both already tried to claim it, but no.  This one is mine even with all it's imperfections.  I love it.  Mostly because it has lots of orange on it  :)

Quilting is really the extent of my sewing ability.  I have never really tried to do much more than that.  So this little project is helping me to explore all the other things that I can find to make on my own.  Next up is a checker game for my girls and a matching game for...well I don't know who it will be for, but it looked like fun to make.  So I am going to try it.  

Go dig around in your fabric stash or swing by Hobby Lobby and use the 40% coupon to get you some super cute fabric and try out this pattern.  Or anything that gets you out of the box you're use to sewing in.  It really was lots of fun to see it come together.

Have a great weekend.