To Shrug or NOT To Shrug {What I Worked on Wednesday}

Do you ever have fashion debates with your husband?  Well mine is very opinionated when it comes to the subject of fashion, in fact sometimes, he thinks he has better taste than me. *gasp* The horror of it, I know! 

{date night photo of us}

I live in MN where it is terribly chilly for a good portion of the year.  I either freeze in the winter or freeze in the air conditioning of the summer.  So because of this I am an expert at layering my clothes.  I typically have 2-3 shirts on in varying sleeve lengths so I can bundle up when I need to and take a layer off when I need to.  I have been particularly fond of "shrugs" or anything that will give me a layer of warmth when I'm chilly.  The nice thing about them is you don't have to put them over your head and ruin a perfectly good hair day.  Putting them on and taking them off is a breeze and you can do it while you are running out of an air conditioned building in your heels and not trip in the parking lot!  {note this is an extremely important feature + benefit} Don't you love this charcoal one below?

{photo credit}

Well....Huz says absolutely NOT to shrugs.  According to him they are for old ladies. Now I have seen some super cute shrugs and I don't agree they are old lady-ish. {Though I'm sure there are some ugly ones out there, right?}  But, I don't want him to lump me into the "old lady" category so what a complicated situation I find myself in!  *sigh* This black one below is another little gem for a formal occasion, don't you think?

{photo credit}

I was a girl on a mission.  What I needed was a solution that was modern, warm and easily removable.  Insert cute patterned socks + a little cutting + a little sewing and voila',  Slox™ are born! {Sleeves + Sox = Slox™} I wore these for the first time in April to see what my opinionated huz would say.  I got this picture and post on facebook in response:

Ahmelie is trying to tell me she sewed a new pair of socks to fit her arms. I'm not stupid!

After his initial disbelief that I literally sewed socks into sleeves for my arms, he LOVED them!  2 points for the sewista {who does the victory dance.} Yes, a sewista is she who sews wonderfully, thanks for asking.  Now that I have his fashion endorsement,  I keep a spare in my handbag so I'm always prepared for a chilly meeting room or MN weather. I'm also ready to go for a brisk walk thru some crunchy fallen leaves to celebrate this season, how about you?

So when you get chilly, do you shrug, Slox™ or both?  And are shrugs old lady-ish?  I'd love to hear your vote on this fine Wednesday!  Let me know below for your chance to win a free pair of Slox™.

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!   Entries accepted until Monday at midnight.  Winner drawn Tuesday. Open to US and Canada.

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Greenhouse Apple Chevron Fabric #Giveaway

So happy its Friday, how about you?  This week I was in a fabric store getting my usual fabric "fix" and little O found some fleece he just had to have some pajama's out of.  I have to admit, it looks pretty cozy and the cute little monsters aren't bad either.  He convinced me that we needed to get it.  Hard sell, I know! 

This adorable apple chevron by Erin McMorris is a cuddly fabric that you can make your own jammies out of or some for another little person on your holiday shopping list.  PJ's make a great gift and my nieces and nephews love the ones I make them.  They let me know when they've grown out of them.  Hint, hint.  Love it!  

I'm all about celebrating what makes you unique.   It can be your PJ fabric choices, your food must-haves, or your sense of modern day fashion among many other things. I hit the polls on Tuesday wearing my over sized sunglasses and blaze orange sweatshirt (its hunting season in MN peeps!).  Between my name and my glasses I left our small town voting location a little shocked, according to Huz.  But hey, somebody's gotta rock it in southern MN, right?  Huz and I had fun making a little out-of-the-norm-splash in Madison Lake!

Back to more important things, like the fabric giveaway.  So in honor of official PJ weather having arrived, and you celebrating your own uniqueness, I'm giving away a yard of this delicious Greenhouse Apple Chevron flannel.  What will you make with it?

To be eligible for this giveaway you must:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   Entries accepted until Tuesday at midnight.  Winner drawn Wednesday. Open to US and Canada.

A New Sewing Machine {What I Worked on Wednesday}

No, I'm not buying one personally, though I would totally dig that some day!  Today I invested in an industrial sewing machine for immigrant ladies living in the 'burbs of Atlanta in a place called Clarkston.  They make these cool accessories at Plywood People out of old billboards.  Can you say upcycle! 

I love the modern look of their accessories.  And I'm all about the fact that this billboard did not end up in a landfill somewhere.  This is a billfold.

An iPad Sleeve.

And a Satchel.

Wow, what a fabulous company!  They have an incredible mission to serve their community and a heart to reach out to strangers in a new land. I also love that they are training future sewista's {yes that is my made up word for she who sews wonderfully}.  Wahoo!

Plywood People is in innovative community addressing social needs.  They believe that, "We will be known by the problems we solve."  How true is that?!  And they have a passion to teach skills to the women in the community around them.  They have started a sewing school and are instructing on the art of sewing, along with English and equipping them with skills to find long-term employment.  

Here is a snippet from their blogpost "Cycle of Love" about fundraising for an industrial sewing machine.

They need an industrial sewing machine so they can be quicker and more efficient, but more importantly, so they can know how to use this type of machine for potential future jobs. Our Billboard Bags project is a one-year job training program [through Plywood People]—the goal is for them to gain all the experience they can and move on to other long term jobs. I want them to get good jobs and be valued as employees in their future jobs.

Would you consider making a donation to help this worthy cause?  Maybe you would prefer to support them by trying out a tote or a billfold.  Keep this store on your list for holiday gifts.  Its a gift that makes a difference. Just ask Kay Nwe.

What are you working on today?

Scrap Happy #Giveaway {Fabulous Fabric Friday}

{photo credit}

Happy Friday! This week I want to share a pile of fabric scraps and an inspiration project with you. Now doesn't this little ruffled gift card holder just make you want to giggle cause its so cute and would be uber fun to pull out of your handbag every time you step up to the register?!  You can also use it for cash or credit cards so its got plenty of uses. Freespirit fabrics has posted a tutorial on how to make this on their blog. I fell in love with these and yes, they definitely got pinned on my "Patchies & Using up Scraps" board!

Do you have a stock pile of cute scraps that you want to sew up into piles of gifts for all your loved ones?  Well if you don't, I do! I think these will do the trick nicely.

It snowed yesterday in Minnesota for the first time this fall.  While I'm not ready to give up wearing my flip-flops just yet, I am definitely in my vesting stage.  Yes this is when you wear your vest, no gloves and sandals and pretend its warmer outside than it really is.  Then you stay inside as much as possible and find cool projects to sew!  

Now all you have to do to get this stack of 12 fabrics is leave comments below of what you'd make with this sweet stack and share this giveaway with your friends.  Easy Peasy!

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   Entries accepted until Tuesday at midnight.  Winner drawn Wednesday. Open to US and Canada.

{What I Worked on Wednesday} Slox, Fashion for your Arms

Have you heard of my new line of arm warmers?  They're called Slox. {Sleeves + Sox = Slox} Yep I make them out of sox so they come in all kinds of great colors and print combo's.  This week I've been working on stocking my store, taking pictures and listing all these sweet little ditties.

Slox are super fun to make, but even more fun to wear.  They extend summer short sleeved shirts in to the perfect attire for a cool fall day.  See how layering these in with your tanks or tees totally extends your summer wardrobe?  Lovin' it!

My friend, Michelle, is a photographer and her daughter is one of my models.  They both do a great job, don't you think? Thanks so much Michelle and Lexi! 

What are you working on this fine Wednesday?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Greenhouse Backyard Citron

I love the color citron, thus an entire pinboard on pinterest dedicated to the color. I also particularly like this orchid color with citron.  Apparently Erin McMorris and I have similar tastes as she has made an entire fabric line around these colors called Greenhouse.

 *sigh* {perfect opportunity to pause on the fainting couch!}

I've made a swaddler out of this flannel fabric and added it to my shop.

What would you do with a yard of this simply citron fabric?   

Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Wednesday. Open to US and Canada.

{What I Worked on Wednesday} Disco Flower Clutch

My sister got married last weekend and I needed a snazzy outfit.  I scored big on end of the season sales and was able to snatch up this cute white cotton dress for a fraction of the price.  The perfect way to end summer and celebrate adding another "brother" to the family!  

So before too long I ran into the shoe rack.  Another sale.  Well, I'd hate to have to pay more later for shoes, right?  I scored these sweet shoes! Are you lovin' this watermelon color as much as me?  

So the dress came with an ugly belt that didn't do the dress justice.  I mean, c'mon Calvin Klein, who's the fashionista anyway?!  So I added the scarf for a little flare.  I knew the outfit was only missing one thing.  A coordinating clutch.  With a fabric stash like mine finding a print that matched the season and the dress was no problem.

So, here's the whole enchilada.  Oofta, now I'm ready to kick these feet up!  What are you working on this fine Wednesday?

{What I Worked on Wednesday on Thursday} Studio Organization Needed

Do you ever have days where your floor, desk, cutting table and entire studio look like this?  There are piles every where!  Granted this is a very pretty pile of new bolts of fabric from Heather Bailey's Freshcut line, and I danced a jig when it arrived,  but its a pile none-the-less. We just got back from a vacation and I need a vacation from my vacation.  Can I get an oofta?


I've found that the best way to tackle an entire room needing attention is one pile at a time.  If I don't get it all done today, that's ok.  I just need to get it done by this weekend as my nieces are coming for a sewing Par-tay and I want them to be able to find a square inch of space to pin, sew and make wonderful handmade goodness in.  Oh and a thorough cleaning and organization fest never hurt anyone, right?


What room are your piles in?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Dress Up Days Grape Chevron

I'm so lovin' this new chevron print by Doohikey Designs. Its called Dress Up Days and this color is grape. I jive with zig zags, I think it matches my multi-tasking personality well, some days I bounce all over the place.  As long as I get to cross items off my to-do list, its all good.  This comes in two other great colors, you can run over to my website, if you are dying to see them.  :)

This is what I've been making, lots of LIGHT swaddlers.  Momma's love these for their babies in the summer time.  What would you do with a yard of this kickin' fabric?   

Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday. Open to US and Canada.

{What I Worked On Wednesday} LIGHT Swaddlers!

Want to lighten up a bit this summer?  Well we are right there with you!  Our new light swaddlers are made of fashion weight cotton for the perfect swaddle during the warm summer months.  Take baby in the great outdoors without sweatin' it up.  I've been pumping out the LIGHT swaddlers lately, moms love these for hot summer months.  Which is your favorite print?

How to know if you have a good blanket for swaddling:

1. It should be square. If it's not, you will have a lopsided swaddle.
2. It should be big. If it's not big enough baby will wiggle out. Stick with blankies at least 40"x 40". Anything smaller than that will be difficult to get a good wrap after multiple washings.
3. It should be natural. Cotton allows that fresh baby skin to breathe while keeping baby secure.

Here is a step-by-step pictorial of the perfect swaddle.  Happy Baby=Happy Mom!

What are you working on this fine day?

{What I Worked on Wednesday} "Quilts of Hope" Blocks

I bumped into a really cool blogger, Deborah, who makes Quilts of Hope.  Doesn't that name just make you excited?!  Quilts of Hope provides quilts to a home in Russia for girls who have been rescued from abusive situations.  I love hearing about organizations like this who have a passion to give to others in need. Its like reaching out and giving a hug, from half way around the world.

I just want to giggle when I think about a girl around the world from me getting a gift from a complete stranger.  I think, "won't she be surprised!" Deborah is sewing together blocks that others send and taking them with her when her family goes there in October as finished quilts. Aren't these blocks that others have sent great?! So many pretty styles and fabrics...

I made a bunch of blocks during my February destash to put in the quilts.  I hope that by using some of my scraps I can do something in even the tiniest way to help one of these girls on their path to healing. I affectionately call these scribble dots.

Here is more about the project from Deborah's blog...

A couple of years ago I was introduced to the Deborah House and the work of Missio Link International in Romania.

'Deborah House provides a unique and critically needed sanctuary for severly abused girls, providing a healing sanctuary where hurt fades and is turned into hope'. 

I am in contact with Lorena, Mum to all the girls and I urge you to read her story and details of her amazing work here. She explains, ' if you wonder why SPER.MLI? SPER, in Romanian means HOPE and is the acronym of Services for People at Risk. '

And this brings me to a brainstorm which involves reaching out to my quilting sisters around the globe! 

This, dear friends is the plan ...

Send an 8x8 inch block to the address at the bottom of this post.  The block can be anything at all.  Perhaps you would like to sign it or write a message, or maybe use your country's colours or emblems.

The first blocks received (unless you specify that you want them to be made into quilts for the girls) will be made into a quilt which will be a prize for an online competition with 100% of proceeds going to MIL for the Deborah House.  Subsequent blocks will be made into quilts for the Deborah House and delivered by our family in October.

Should anyone wish to make something larger than a block, we hope to visit orphanages (details to follow) during our trip and could drop off baby quilts or children's knitted items.

If you have scraps that you would be willing to sew into 8"x8" blocks and want to share a hug around the world I encourage you to participate with this project.  If you want to send the blocks to a US address, I will be sending my package and anyone else's over to Deborah in the UK at the end of June.  I'd love to include your blocks if you want to join me.  My address is below:

Ahmelie.com

46743 Melanie Drive
Madison Lake, MN 56063


What are you working on today?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Amy Butler Dancing Paisley #Giveaway

Today I'd like to draw your attention to the lovely Dancing Paisley fabric by Amy Butler.  This color is called limestone, isn't it to die for?!  I can think of so many fun projects for this, it works in the kitchen, on the patio or on your bod! 

Here is a funky necklace by The Vintage Honey Shop.  This would go great with a jean skirt and t-shirt for a fun and funky summer look.  This would also make a wonderful and original gift for that hard to buy for female on your list.

Next let me draw your attention to this beautifully clad bucket.  Yes that's fabric on there!  Brodders Tubs has the most amazingly decorated tubs and buckets.  What a great way to showcase your favorite fabrics.   This is perfect for the patio, just add ice and some of your favorite bottled beverages.

Yes I said it works well in the kitchen, check out this fancy vintage style apron by Great Goods.  It would be very hard not to feel like a pretty little lady while you cook in this.  Love that flair on the bottom, a nice accessory to compliment your cooking, don't you think?! :)

What would you make with a yard of this fabric? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday. Open to US and Canada.

{What I Worked on Wednesday} Bug Catcher

With a houseful of boys, we are often in need of a bug or critter catcher.  I've made two of these simple netted wonders this week for Owen.  Good thing I have an abundance of wire hangers and netting fabric.  Who knows where the first one went.  I think the neighborhood dogs might have wanted one of their own!  :)

Start by reshaping the body of your wire hanger into a circle and straightening hook of the hanger into the handle.  

Next cut your netting or fabric.  I made mine 16" long and about 32" wide.  Note that you should measure around the circle of your hanger to get the correct width and add an inch for your seam allowance.

Fold the top inch of netting over the hanger to make a casing.  You will be sewing the hanger right into the casing.  I use a zig zag stitch as this is very forgiving and will "give" a bit if it gets stretched by the bug catcher without tearing.  Make sure to back tack at the beginning and end.  Your netting should be hanging from the ring of the bug catcher when you're done.

Next is the side seam.  I started down about 2-3" from the top ring on the side seam.  Sew at a 1/2" seam allowance to the bottom.  

Last, bunch the bottom up and sew across it several times for added durability.  

And that's it, time to catch some bugs!

What are you working on today?

{Fabulous Fabric Friday} Prince Charming Olive

Today I'd like you to set your eyes on this fancy little collection.  Its Prince Charming Olive by Tula Pink.  Does it take your breath away?  Make you swoon?  Does it make your heart go pitter patter the way prince charming should?  Well I should say so! I love this playful little combo of fabrics.

I was asked by a friend to make a blanket for a baby gift out of greens and pinks with frogs on it.  Well I think this pretty much nailed it, don't you?  And the other options out there with that criteria were not nearly as breath-taking.  :)

What would you make with a yard of one of these lovely fabrics? Tell me in the comments below for a chance to win it.

For extra entries you can:

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Please leave one post for each entry. Can't wait to hear all your ideas!   

Entries accepted until Sunday at midnight.  Winner drawn Monday.