CD Case and Coffee Cozy

So I started a CD case the other day, since some of my schoolwork is going to be on DVDs this coming year I might as well have something cute to put them in. I embroidered my name on the front after getting Elana to write it out on a piece of paper. (Ok, ok, I admit it, her penmanship is MUCH better, she freehanded that name, and it looked like I printed it.) I lined the cd slots with satin (gotta baby those cds ;)) I probably wouldn't do that, since it was hard to sew and I couldn't get the edges really squared up like I wanted. The top fabric of the cd slots are some of my favorites that are once again in the stash. The denim for the front was stash fabric as well. If I had to do it again, I would do the closure differently, probably a loop of elastic that fit over the button. I like the ribbon though, it is very girly! :) I made the pattern up myself since I couldn't find one I liked online. I could post a tutorial if anyone wants one. Anywho, I'll probably make one for Elana and Zach. Do you think anyone would be these? I could make some to put on etsy.
Next in line, I made a coffee cozy sort of from the tutorial here. I altered it a little bit, but basically kept the same measurements. Mom picked out the lining fabric, since it is for her, but I like it too. And I still have a lot of scrap!! YAY!!! I embroidered her name upside down the first time and didn't realize it until I had the whole thing sewn together. I had to rip it out and do it again, but it turned out alright, and I'll know better next time. We don't really drink Starbucks around here, so I made it to go around Mom's regular coffee cup (her favorite one of course). It's insulated to keep out the heat, or cold, whichever you like to drink. I can make one (or several) of these for those of you that are local if you want. I can do it for free if you buy the fat quarter and a matching button and let me keep the scraps. I think I might list these on etsy as well. Sorry these pictures are blurry, I'll see if I can get Elana to take better ones later.

The much anticipated updates!!!

Alright everyone, I hope y'all are bearing with me and my lack of posting. I've been pretty busy, and haven't been able to sew or post much.

First of all, we had much anticipated company come in over the weekend. One of the cousins has written a couple of books and currently has one published. The one that is published is a choose your own path book about being A Courier for Stonewall Jackson. Anyway, he was holding a few book signings here locally. (Shame on those of you that knew about it, and didn't come:) )

Then, we had the 4-H bread baking contest last night. I placed first, but I was the only one in my grade so it wasn't very satisifying. (I guess it has been a long time since I've posted, since "E" is hanging over my shoulder gasping!) I also entered my Death by Chocolate desert (brownies, cool whip, chocolate pudding, and chocolate bar). I was competing with 7th-12th graders with that one, but it didn't place at all. It is really good though. The layering got kind of messed up, so I think that affected it.

So, I haven't had much time to sew or anything lately, and I feel incredibly unproductive.

I did FINALLY finish the baby blanket I've been working on. It is two layers of flannel sewn together, and then crocheted around. It took FOREVER!!! I made it with the intention of selling it if it turned out nicely, but I put so much time into it, I may just keep it! I'm thinking about starting a hope chest, and will put it in there. I also have some baby booties (they're blue) around here somewhere. I got some really strange looks when I made the mistake of working on those out in public! There's a tutorial here: Sew Chic Blog.

I also finished a little notebook cover. You put one of those little flip open notebooks in the pocket on the left, and a pen in the middle, and something in the pocket on the right. I also made those from a tutorial. It looks better in person. The front is quilted a little bit.