I.D. Tags

We're having a service project at church next week, and I was asked to bring some fabric scissors. Everyone knows that when you bring something to a group, you don't always end up coming home with what you brought. Such is the case with scissors! The lady who makes some of my favorite designs came up with this idea. It's perfect! I can make 9 tags in one hooping on the embroidery machine. They're also great for zipper pulls (attached with a jump ring or very short ball chain), or any number of other uses--laptop cases, backpacks, purses, gym bags, kids' lunch bags (the vinyl kind, not paper), etc. Basically, they're good for anything that can get lost or needs to be identified. :-)

Sewing Room

The tax refunds came in last week, and as reluctant as I was to start spending them, I was more determined to reclaim the dining room table! So, we made a trip to IKEA last night. A friend of mine graciously offered to let us use her SUV to haul home the big stuff (she went shopping with us, too! She's the one taking the picture--thanks Mindy!). There was no way all the stuff on the flatbed cart was going to fit in Alan's Toyota Camry.

The first thing we got was a desk/table for my sewing machines. It's just over 78" long, so it will fit the both machines and the embroidery arm comfortably with room to spare. The legs have a little bit of extra storage in them, so I'm going to keep stuff in them that I don't need to use all the time, but it will still be easily accessible.

Then, we got some storage units for along one wall. They're supposed to be for kids, but I like them anyway! I chose all white bins instead of multi-colored ones. The idea is that since the furniture is white, it will be a nice palette for whatever fabrics I choose for throw pillows, curtains, a bulletin board, etc.

I'm thinking about using Robert Kaufman's "Starling" fabric in natural as the main fabric in the room, with solid red accents for the curtains and maybe a chair. I'd like to pull the yellow in somehow, too.

Another idea I had was to use vinyl wall decals in the same theme as the fabric. All the fabric and art details I plan to use will be relatively cheap and easily changeable so I can give the room a whole new look when/if I get tired of the current one.

I also got some various containers to organize the little findings and such. The white ceramic ones will hang off a rod on the wall and hold fabric markers. The magnetic tins will stick to a strip of metal mounted to the wall and will hold bobbins and pins. The jars are going on a shelf and will hold things like D-rings and swivel clips.

I found this magazine (which I've never read--go figure) that has special "Studio" issues. They're chock full of organizational goodness. I will definitely have to pick up a copy and let my brain get happy!

Custom Order a.k.a Today's Project #2

This is a custom checkbook cover for one of my old bosses. She requested a dark floral print and/or something with an Asian influence. The exterior is quilted in a diamond pattern (also available in a stippled pattern), with a monogrammed appliqued square. The interior has two pockets for the checks and register.

I've listed a matching cover and pocket key fob set on my site. Here's what it looks like:

The pocket fob is great for stashing your I.D. and a few cards or some cash when you don't want to carry your purse. I'm going to make one for my gym bag to hold my membership card and locker key. It's going to get a snap on the flap to hold it closed, but I can't find my setter tool at the moment. You get the idea though...

Labels

YAY! I got my labels/tags today. I've been waiting (not so patiently!) this week for them to arrive. Now my items won't be naked! I got two sets of sew-in ones, and two sets of iron/sew-on. My budget didn't allow for the nice woven ones that I've been drooling over, so I had to settle for the printed cotton ones. It cost me $70 for 300 labels in the 4 formats (75 of each style), and I thought that was pretty reasonable. So look for my labels coming soon to an item near you!

*Addendum* 2/17/09

I just found this tutorial for making your own labels, but they're meant for items that won't be washed. It's pretty convenient to make them at home though, so I may have to give it a shot sometime!