Owl Pouch

My first sewing project of the New Year!  This fabric has been in my stash for ages, I just love the little, winking owls :) 

I used the Zip Pocket Pouches Pattern by Keykalou and made up the Tall size.  I wanted this pouch to hold my iphone, but it won't fit with the cover on it.  And I love the cover so much there is no way I will take it off!  It's so cute....see what I mean?

haha anyway, this pouch will make a great wallet - it's got a zipper pouch inside it too....

And, I got to use my new labels!  Love them :) Hmmm...not the best picture, I'll have to find another pic...

So, do you like this little pouch?  Well, guess what?  I'm giving it away - along with the earrings pictured below!  Go check out Gentri's blog and enter to win right here :)

Dessert of the Month Club

I have a fun, new project to share!  Well, I haven't started it yet (I'm waiting for some of the supplies) but I couldn't wait to talk about the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's Dessert of the Month Club :)  Each month you will get a cute, little dessert cross stitch pattern emailed to you!  January's dessert is the adorable little truffle in the pic below - I plan on making these all into a sampler and then hanging it in my kitchen.  I ordered a pretty piece of linen to stitch it all on right here after seeing a link on Amanda's blog :)

Oh, and I almost forgot!  Today is the last day of the sale, but if you order a membership it's only $10!!!!  The price will go up to $16.95 after today so if you are interested, don't wait!!!

Top 10 Sewing Tutorials to Try in 2012

Hi there!  The other day I showed you the top 10 crafty tutorials I want to try - today I'm here with my top 10 sewing tutorials that I have pinned onto my Sewing Inspiration board.  If you know of a fun tutorial I should check out, please leave a link in the comments!

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: erinerickson.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: littlebiggirlstudio.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: freshlemonsquilts.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: mel-allwrappedup.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: elleapparel.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: blog.maggiemakes.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: de.dawanda.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: craftinessisnotoptional.com via Katie on Pinterest

InstaFriday

I've been reading about Instafriday for ages now and since I finally have an iphone and am obsessed with Instagram (follow me at katieallen27), I finally decided to join in!!  Here's a look back at the past week:


New Year's Eve Dinner at a local favorite.....

Whale mug I found at Target.....

Custom Make-up Bag order -- finally complete!!!

Healthy cooking (Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Salmon from Whole Foods...yum!)

Top 10 Crafty Tutorials I Want To Try in 2012

I have a zillion tutorials saved in my Crafty board on Pinterest, but I thought it would be fun to choose my top 10 that I just can't wait to get started on :)  I actually have everything I need for the first one, I just need to take some time and get working on it!

Source: craftster.org via Katie on Pinterest

Source: scrapidoodlelicious.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: thecrimsonowl.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: crate.typepad.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: blackandwhiteandlovedallover.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: littleloveliesbyallison.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: triciarennea.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: prudentbaby.com via Katie on Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest?  I'd love to follow you - leave your username in a comment and I'll stop by and check out your pins :)  And click right here and follow me!

Guest Post - Dianapantz Nov

I completely forgot about this post, and just found it while cleaning up my blog stuff a bit.  I did this guest post on Dianapantz a few months ago - it's about getting the most out of your creative time.  It's definitely something that I still need to work on!  :)


1.  Be Inspired

Not on Pinterest?  You must be!!!  It is easily the most inspiring place to go (follow me here!)  I love to Re-pin all of the pretty things I see on the site, especially craft and sewing tutorials, recipes and blogging info.  If I'm short on time I can quickly browse through my Pinboards to find something that lights that crafty fire :)  I found the pin below on Diana's board and I'm dying to try it!  I actually went looking for the supplies last week, but came up short.  I will find suitable marbles and end-caps, so keep an eye on my blog for the results!   Edit - I have the supplies and will be trying this out very soon!!!!

Source: craftster.org via Katie on Pinterest

2.  Get Organized

Something that really helps me is to stay organized.  It just makes things easier!  I have been slacking on the blogging front lately and I found this awesome blog planner that I think will help me organize and pre-plan my posting.  I went to Staple's and got it laminated and it's good to go!  For me, list-making and calendars are crucial to staying organized and getting things done.  I'm on the hunt for the perfect planner for 2012 - so many fun projects to do, I need to keep track of when to get them done!

Source: livinglocurto.com via Katie on Pinterest

3.  Plan Ahead

When it comes to sewing projects - planning ahead is so important!  I read this tip ages ago - when prepping for a new project, get all your fabrics and interfacing cut ahead of time.  Lay out all the needed notions, thread your sewing machine and/or serger with coordinating thread, read over the pattern and then take it step by step.  Breaking each piece down into smaller steps will help you get a little bit done each day.  Sometimes when faced with starting a new project and I haven't gotten everything prepared ahead of time, makes me feel overwhelmed and I just put it aside, but pre-prep and small steps really do help you get more done in the long run :)

4.  Try Something New

Stretch your creative muscles!  For me, my fave thing in the world is sewing.  But, I've also dabbled in jewelry-making, embroidery and cross-stitch and I'm dying to learn to crochet (this will be the year, I swear it!!)  As much as I love to sew, it's not very portable and it's fun to have a craft to work on while in the car or watching TV at night.  Doing anything creative makes you feel so good!  And trying something new will keep you sharp :)

Source: tipjunkie.com via Katie on Pinterest

5.  Reach Out

I have blogged and read blogs for years before reaching out to other gals that inspire me daily.  I have been loving my sponsorship dealings with Diana - it's kept me motivated to blog and to create fun giveaways and posts that she can share with her readers.  I also highly recommend linking up!  Link parties are so much fun and you can find so many creative people and awesome blogs when you check them out - plus you get to share your awesome creations with a bigger audience.  Tons of blogs sponsor link parties - they are lots of fun!!  Social media is another great way to reach out (I'm on Twitter here - posting infrequently but I'm trying to get better!)  You can find tons of great info like tutorials, products and even discounts by liking someone on facebook or following them on Twitter.  Getting connected with other bloggers will totally motivate you to create, I promise!

Happy New Year!

 

Source: the36thavenue.com via A Spoonful on Pinterest

Hello there to 2012!  I'm so ready for this fresh start :)  I have lots of plans for this space in the upcoming year so stay tuned!!  :)


I've done resolution posts in the past, but I'm not going to do one today.  I want the same things I always do: sew more, learn to crochet (I will this year!!! Look for an upcoming post about my plan to finally learn this craft) and just all around more creating.  And blogging :) 

PS - check out the link above, it's actually a free printable.