Laptop Sleeve

So I got a new laptop on Friday (very much needed). I was pretty stoked to get it since it wasn't supposed to ship until 3/28! It's an HP dm1z and I love the fact that it's very compact (11.1 inches) and light! I can fit it in my purse...although anyone who has ever met me knows that I heart a big purse! I searched out the Internet for a week to find a sleeve that I could put my new purchase in to take it with me and I just didn't find anything that I was liking that wasn't $50. I decided to just make my own. I did some more Internet scouring to find a pattern and found a few things that I borrowed from to come up with what you see below. I used fat quarters to make a lined case with open sides and a button closure. It wasn't exactly what I had originally envisioned, but I like the result. I might make another one that has actual sides, but for now, we're good. I also used two layers of cotton batting to give it some cushion. Pictures are below!

After I've cut my pieces and folded them over. New sewing yet.

Done and closed up!!!

A view from the top.

Side view. Each side has two sewn in tabs so nothing slides out the side.

My new laptop peeking out.

I do kind of wish I would have purchased an extra few fat quarters to make a little accessories bag, but no big. I have lots of random fabric that I can make something out of.

Yay for accomplishing a project over the weekend! I just found the most adorable pattern ever to make a little bubble dress using a tshirt/onesie and some fabric and I'm thinking that since I have some onesies and extra fabric I might attempt it for a certain friend expecting a little girl at the end of June. Seems like a great shower gift!

Update!

Finally an update! I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much of a chance to post, so here is a picture heavy (yay!) update on the projects I've done lately.

I made matching scarves for Lexi and me and Jocelyn and Peyton. J and P's are the pink ones, L and me went yellow. The idea came from another blog and they're made out of jersey. Super simple and very cute!

I made bachelorette invites for my sister's friend's wedding...
and shower invites.

I made Benson and Andy some pot holders to thank them for putting up with me for a long weekend in Chicago.

I made fresh spring rolls for the first time. Yummo!

I made brownie covered oreos. Google the recipe. It will change your life.

I made walnut baklava. Not as difficult as I would have thought and much more delicious than I could have hoped for. I will be making it again for an upcoming brunch.

I made a color book for little miss Brin to celebrate her 2nd birthday. It's kind of hard to see everything on here, but I'm posting regardless!

And Last but not least, some talent from the rest of the fam. My sister made Brin's birthday cake. It was as yummy as it looks.

And my dad made me this box with my initial on the top. The lock even works! So cool! What a talented family I have. My mom also made Brin a blanket for her birthday. Lucky little girl!

Busy busy busy

I have been so busy lately. I have actually finished quite a few projects, but I've just been to busy to tell anyone on here!

I've made a grand total of 18 pot holders!! 15, 16, 17 and 18 are headed with me to Chicago this weekend as a "thanks-for-letting-me-invade-your-life-for-96-hours" gift for Benson and Andy who I'm going to visit. Can not wait to see them!!!!

I've also made some birthday scarves for my girlies (picture to follow on an upcoming post).

And even though I know there is more...I can't think of it! I'll post pictures soon!

Meet 7 and 8

Dear Readers -
Please meet 7 and 8. They are the latest Pot Holders I have finished. Do not judge them because their quilting is not even, but by the fact that they are far superior to their predecessors. Their binding is neatly sewn, 8s corners match up perfectly in the center, and they are roughly the same size.

I thought I'd have a lot more done by next weekend, and I still fully intend on having at least a dozen for ppl to chose from when I visit my home town, but 7 and 8 will surely go fast. After all they are thus far the best of the bunch!

New Projects!

So I'm working on a dress and it's not going well, so I'm putting it aside. Can't be frustrated and work on things and expect success.

I've decided to move onto a new project. I want to make this and this. A trip to SR Harris is in my future. Saturday AM if the weather is good I'm going to get the supplies for both of these and try to make them this weekend. I'd like to have the wrap done by Chicago time (end of the month...so excited to see Benson and Andy!!!) since it will be cold and windy and probably snowy (just guessing...Jan in Chicago). The scarf would be great to have by then as well and I'm assuming it will only take an afternoon to whip together since the tutorial is really straight forward. Hopefully Monday I'll have another post about how awesome these tutorials are and my finished projects!

It's Gonna Be A Happy New Year!!!!

I saw a bumper sticker today that said "You are not only measured by what you create but also by what you choose not to destroy." For some reason that inspired me. Of course, now I'm at work, so my inspiration is limited to software implementations, but I might have to take out my sketch pad and jot a few ideas down!

This weekend was pretty productive. I made my NYE dress and it was a success. I also made 6 pot holders! I even patch worked to the top of two! I think I finally figured out the binding. The first 6 aren't all that great, but they are functional pot holders, so they can be used. I'm hoping that by next weekend when I go to see my girlies for Lexi and Peyton's birthdays I'll have about 3 times the amount I have now. The four blockers are turning out better and better. It just takes practice and figuring out some of the little tips myself. I'm no where near being ready to make a full quilt, but maybe a doll quilt is in my future?

So what's up next? I started working on a new dress, but I already hate the fabric, so I'll probably be scrapping the project. I also, as stated above, want to do some more pot holders. So that's my plan.

Not bad for a first try

I finally did it. I finally made a dang pot holder! I've been putting off getting into quilting for over a year. I want to, I'm just really really scared! So last night, with all my supplies around me I stepped in and made a pot holder. I didn't do a patch work top, because I wanted to figure out the mechanics first, but I did made a usable pot holder. Not bad for a first try.

All my materials ready to go.

Quality Inspector making sure all my cuts are straight.

All the pieces ready to sew!

See the front and back!

Sewn together.

And bound. My binding sucks, but it's functional. I'm going to try again after my dress is done and see what I can do! At least I can say I made a pot holder before 2011!