Alabama stitch

So I found this new book, and I'm totally addicted. I think the projects are just the coolest! I immediately went thrifting, so I could "practice" this reverse applique technique on something that I hadn't invested a great deal in. So I picked up a size 3x pants that were a soft, tshirt knit and made 4 panels from the legs to make myself a skirt. I just barely got it to work.

The premise beheind the reverse applique is to stencil on a pattern and outline with a runing stitch {using a contrasting fabric underneath}, adding beads {as I did} if you want. Then cut away inside your stitching the top layer of fabric {that's been painted} to reveal your contrasting fabric.

So I found this nice stencil on the cheap at Michael's, but the "heads" of the flowers were so small that it didn't look right to do the reverse applique. I thought and thought and dreamed and thought until I finally saw this tutorial at Country Girl Couture

That was it!!! Those were the flowers I could do on my skirt. Luckily I had enough fabric leftover to make them :) Now I'm just trying to finish the applique {see stencil on right} so I can wear it this weekend! So I'm off to sew {hand sew...time consuming, hand sewing...but so worth it}.

I've entred my fabric flower at the Sew, Mama, Sew flower power contest. We'll see what they think. I've never really showed my work to anyone :) You can also check out what other people have been doing here.

I have CADD

I promised myself last year that I would make an advent calendar for Christmas this year. It's not finished yet. Not that it's a difficult project. I was inspired by this advent calendar tutorial from allsorts and since I love felt and have so much of it laying around the house, this was what I wanted to do. It's almost finished.

My biggest problem is me! I get so excited to do a project that I have to start it right away. But then I put aside the project I'm working on. But anticipating that I will finish soon (plus, I'm a sucker for tutorials) I start looking for other projects to do. Clear as mud? What I'm saying here is that I think I have CADD (Craft Attention Deficit Disorder). Does anyone know what I can do about this? Is there a special medication? Therapy? Do I simply stay off my computer? Anyone?

My felted wool sweater!

After reading this post over at The Sky is Pink, it reminded me that I had seen this episode of Martha, and always wanted to try and make a sweater. First take a felted wool sweater (mine was $2.50 after the 1/2 off discount on Wednesdays only at my local thrift store), some felting needles, and a foam or bristle brush pad.

I forgot to take a picture, but it was a man's large, before I felted it. So I cut up the felted sweater, sewed it into Kelly size and ordered some roving from my good friend Lindsay at Etsy. I had the felting needles and backing because I have a thing for felt, as some of you may know.

So this is how it turned out. It took some time, but was so much fun to do!! The supplies aren't all that expensive if you want to try it! I bought mine here.

Let me know if you try it!