Halloween Photobook

I just found a Halloween photobook I made several years ago (prior to my second baby, when I had time!) I have made it my goal to fill it with pictures from Halloweens past. Little holiday themed photo books like this make a great decoration to leave out during those special times. People love purusing through them during parties and family get-togethers. They also make wonderful gifts.

Vintage style pot holder

Here's my first attempt at a potholder. I didn't use a pattern - I just cut out two cotton fabric squares. I made one larger than the other so that I could overlap for binding. I also cut out a matching square of batting. Next time, I will use a thicker batting. This potholder was made with lightweight cotton batting and it is just too thin. I might even double up the thicker batting next time. Before embroidering the design, I first quilted the entire potholder, then folded over the edge for a binding. On the front of the potholder, I transferred a design using an iron-on pattern from a company called Aunt Martha's. This company makes reproduction vintage transfers that are very easy to use. I then stitched over the lines, making sure that my needle didn't go all the way through to the back of the potholder. At the end and the beginning of each thread, I buried the ends in the batting of the potholder, thus hiding them. My next project is a matching tea cozy made with coordinating fabrics and a small Scottie embroidered design. These will be donated to a silent auction benefiting the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans.

Pillow is complete!

Finally, I've finished the pillow I have been working on for the last month or so. I started with a design of my own. I appliqued the moon, hills, and some of the stars onto the fabric, then I embroidered around the applique and added some more decorative embroidery. The top says "Every child begins the world again", but since I used a light green thread, it is difficult to see on the purple background. Next time I will use a darker thread.
I started to hand quilt the top (with border), but I lost patience and decided to do the rest by machine. As you can tell, my quilting and sewing is not "perfect" and it probably never will be. Like my cooking, I go for the "hand made" look. Therefore, I do not have to try to do it perfectly and exhaust my limited patience in the meantime (and thus give up before I finish!)
I have no idea what I will do with this pillow. I might put it in my son's room, but I think it would just get lost in the mess! I might try to do a craft show this fall and see what I can sell. Maybe the pillow will be one of my items. I find that I really don't make many things that I would actually use. Generally, I just like the process of making them. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

I NEED TO GET ORGANIZED

I do so envy those who have organized and neat tidy sewing rooms. My "sewing room" is actually the dining room table. It is not only necessary (since we don't have the space anywhere else), it is convenient because I can watch my son while I'm (trying to) sew. Too bad I'm so disorganized though. I bought a bunch of plastic containers with lids to organize my supplies, but it seems like everything still ends up all over in the table in a huge mess. When I sew or cut out patterns, I just kind of push everything to the side and hope it doesn't slide over the edge of the table. I think I need help. P.S. Note the Fisher-Price toy train on my sewing table - what's that doing there?