Sew Long Summer 2019: pillow slipcovers

The Sew Long Summer tour is back!

The Sew Long Summer tour is hosted every year by mahlicadesigns. I have some pillow slipcovers to share with you, but it wasn’t my first idea. Originally, I was planning on sharing a tutorial for an organizer/agenda accessory but when I sat down to sew it, I managed to kill my sewing machine.

 

The poor sewing machine managed to wrap it’s cord around my ankle while I was sewing and when I stood up to walk away, it fell to the floor, snapping off some inner plastic bits in the process. I have a vintage 1980s or 70s sewing machine that I got a year ago but never used, that I tried to get working… but alas, it doesn’t work (I think the timing is off). It’s gone to the repair shop for a few weeks, so I’m left without a machine until the end of the month. So, no tutorial for now but I hope to get that up next month.

Lucky for me (and you!) I found a project I’ve never shared on my blog before. Pillow slipcovers!

Pillow slipcovers are a great change of seasons project. With a bit of fabric, you can have a whole new look in your house. Pillow covers also make a great first sewing project! These ones are all straight line sewing and don’t have any closures.

Pillow covers – Lulu & Celeste

I made these a year or two ago. I’m sure I followed a tutorial at some point and then made any adjustments to make to the size I wanted but I don’t remember which one. Sorry about that!

Continue reading “Sew Long Summer 2019: pillow slipcovers” →

Breaking Ground Blog Tour: Galaxie 2 Lunch Placemat

Cosmos placemat pattern sewn by Lulu & Celeste

Welcome to the Breaking Ground Blog Tour 2019. This year over 25 bloggers from around the world are joining with Mahlica Designs to break new ground by trying a pattern designer that is new to them, try new techniques, new styles, or whatever way they want to push themselves. (There is a giveaway happening! Info at the bottom of the post)

 Note: Affiliate links (if any) are marked with an asterisk (*).

I’ve taken part in the Breaking Ground Blog tour hosted by Mahlica Designs in the past. You can check out my previous posts here and here. I only decided to sign up for the tour this time around a couple weeks ago after debating doing it for a few weeks. Until a few days ago I hadn’t actually sewn anything on my machine in over three months. I had a craft fair the first weekend in December and afterwards I just never got back to it.

I meant to make the girls pjs for Christmas but that didn’t happen. Then, I ended up having another miscarriage a few days before Christmas so I just sort of checked out for a bit then decided to take care of myself. In January I decided I wanted to dance again and started taking Intro to Ballet classes at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (it’s been great!) Then I started taking mommy and kids Zumba classes with my girls (also fun!) Also in January I was asked to run the lunch time craft club at my daughters’ school until March break so all in all I was busy planning the craft club and I guess healing..

Anyway, it was finally time to get back to sewing. A couple weeks ago I started doing an embroidery project that I’m slowly working on that I’ll share soon hopefully. But I needed to sew, so a small, quick project like the Cosmos pattern that’s part of Galaxie 2 collection by Jalie was perfect for my needs. When I turned on the sewing machine a few days ago, I felt relaxed and anxious at the same time. Anxious I think because I was worried I’d mess up my project, and relaxed because well, I love sewing, ha.

The purpose of the of Breaking Ground tour is to sew up something from a designer that is new-to-you and/or sew something new-to-you and/or using a new-to-you technique. Now, I’ve known of Jalie for ages (I even interviewed them for my blog a few years past that you can read here) but although I own many of their patterns, I’ve never actually SEWN any of their patterns. It was time to change that!

Cosmos placemat pattern sewn by Lulu & Celeste

Continue reading “Breaking Ground Blog Tour: Galaxie 2 Lunch Placemat” →

New items in shop! The List Taker

I am slowly getting around to adding the items I had leftover from the craft fair to my Etsy shop. It’s a bit slow going what with trying to get ready for Christmas and make my girls their pjs (ack! I have just a week left!). and I’m super excited about the first batch of items I got listed. I have six list takers (notepad holders, organizers) up in the shop with more coming next month.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All affiliate links are marked with an *. All opinions are 100% my own though.

List takers sewn by Lulu & Celeste and available now.

 The above are the six that are currently in stock (for more photos check my Etsy* shop). They each come with a 5″ x 8″ notepad. (When you run out, the writing pads are easy to find on Amazon here*). The pencil is not included with the list taker, only because I didn’t have enough nice ones for each finished list taker, but it’s something I’m looking into including in the future.

List taker, notepad holder, writing pad holder, grocery list taker. Sewn by Lulu & Celeste

There are two styles of closure: either with a hook and loop tab or an elastic band. The first one I made which I personally use had a button on the front and a ribbon that wrapped around but the button soon popped off so I felt that either the hook and loop tab or elastic loop were the best options for heavy use. Although the button option is a possibility for custom made list takers.

And what can you do with these list takers? You can use them to keep track of your shopping lists and coupons; write down your to-do list; take notes on the book you’re currently reading. When I’m reading a smaller sized book I like to keep it inside the list taker to protect the cover. I also keep a small notebook in the second pocket along with a sketch pencil for when I get I urge to draw something. My list taker comes with me in my purse all the time.

The list takers are all made with high quality 100% cotton fabric. They are lined with fusible fleece to give it both a bit of softness and structure. Two of the ones currently in stock and ready to ship are made with Michael Miller fabric (the grey, green and coral floral and the cupcake), two with Art Gallery fabric (the two with coordinating fabric) and the final two are made with Northcott fabrics.

If you would prefer a list taker in different colours get in touch with me through my Etsy shop and I’ll set up a custom listing just for you.

10+ best sewing gifts for cat lovers

Do you have a friend or family member on your list who both loves to sew and loves cats? No? I can’t be the only one out there??

If you happen to know someone like that then this gift guide is for you! (If not, I gladly accept gifts.. joking!)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All affiliate links are marked with an *. All opinions are 100% my own though.

Please pin this image when sharing this post:

Gift guide for your friend who loves cats and loves to sew.

First up are a few of the cutest needle minders. Needle minders come in so handy! They attach to the magnet so there’s less of a risk of them rolling away into the couch you’re sitting on. 

Super cute, fat kitty needle minder by glamasaurus

Pretty, floral kitty needleminder from Flamingo Toes.

Couldn’t resist another needleminder. These nerdy cat needleminders are adorable! From Snarky Crafter Designs

This hilariously cute cat pincushion by The Fat Cat Factory. She has lots of other styles of cat pincushions to check out.

Another pincushion (I love pincushions!) but this time the cushion part is affixed to a vintage cat decoration. So sweet! From Pincushion Palace Shop.

Cat pins (to go with those cat pincushions of course!) from Pincushion Crazy

Pretty, handmade cat needle book. Made from wool felt it’s so sweet.. from Sula’s Gift Shop.

Another cat needle book! I’m a sucker for wool felt anything and cat embroidery. This one is by Crafted by Candlelight

People who love both sewing and cats need cat fabric of course! This kitty fabric is cute! The fabric is by Dear Stella and is sold by Blue Pacific Fabrics.

Sweet kitty fabric designed by Heather Rosas, for Camelot Fabrics and sold by Fresh Modern Fabric.

There are so many cute cat sewing patterns but I’m just showcasing a couple here.

The sweetest little kitty pattern and fabric kit from Gingermelon. You can also buy just the pattern here.

This super squishy looking fat cat sewing pattern from Arttony Toys. The pattern comes in four sizes with finished sizing ranging from 5″ to 18″ tall. I think I *need* to make one!

And there you go! A gift guide for your cat-loving sewing friends! Save on gift wrapping by wrapping a few of these items in a meter of one of those (or other) kitty themed fabric and you’ll have done your part to both reduce waste and make someone very happy! 

big ocean applique

One Thimble Tour, Issue 20: Big Ocean appliques

One Thimble Issue 20 is out! Yay! And I’m happy to be back sharing something sewing related!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All affiliate links are marked with an *. All opinions are 100% my own though.

As usual the current issue of One Thimble* magazine is jam-packed with patterns, tutorials and articles. I’ve seen a glimpse of the patterns included and they look like fun projects! I had the chance to try out one of the projects, the Big Ocean appliques* from Swoodson Says.

One Thimble Issue 20 Big Ocean Applique sewn by Lulu & Celeste

I’ve been promising Silly Bean a gym bag for two years now, so I decided to use the applique on the bag. Silly Bean was originally not too keen on the applique choices (she’s not a big whale or shark fan) but she loves it now. I’ll have to make something for my nephew with the shark next since Miss V wants a whale on something too. I haven’t decided on what to make her though. 

There’s a giveaway happening so be sure to enter at the bottom of this post!

Continue reading “One Thimble Tour, Issue 20: Big Ocean appliques” →

Stack the Shelves #3: July 2018

I kind of lost track of time and never posted for May and June, ah well, the book purchases (and reads) of those months will remain a mystery, ha.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All affiliate links are marked with an *. All opinions are 100% my own though.

Books added in July

Purchased:

  • How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature* (Amazon*/Book Outlet*) by Scott D. Sampson
  • Americanah* (Amazon*) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • The Husband’s Secret  (Amazon*) by Liane Moriarty
  • Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, the Sleep You’re Missing, the Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Crazy* (Amazon*/Book Outlet*) by Julie Holland (not pictured)
  • Grandmother’s Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing power of Belly Dancing* (Amazon*) by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi
  • Gone Girl (Amazon*) by Gillian Flynn

Borrowed:

None! I haven’t been to the library since sometime in June :/

Books read in July:

(First link is to their Goodreads page, second links are to Amazon and/or Book Outlet)

Books in my Currently Reading Pile

Total books read for Goodreads challenge: 38/45 (you can see my “Read in 2018” shelf on Goodreads here)

It’s pretty much the same ones as back in April… I need to get these done!

Book Reviews Posted

None, unfortunately… I always have grand blog plans for the summer but June and July were so busy for me it didn’t happen. (A family wedding out of town in June, and five family birthdays in July). My last mini IG review was back in May which I’ll link below.

Finished! This was a great read. I remember back when it happened hearing about the end of apartheid in South Africa on the news but as a (pretty sheltered) young teen growing up in Canada I remember not really understanding what all the fuss was about. I would have been 12 when Nelson Mandela was released. I remember everyone being happy but didn’t know why. I’m much more aware of what’s happening in the world nowadays, ha, but even so I still have never read much about the history of South Africa. For that alone, reading a personal perspective of someone living through that time, growing up in that era, made this autobiography so interesting. Always good to read about someone’s life experiences that are different from your own. It’s also a tribute to his amazingly strong mother. A must read for sure. For anyone who’s ears are sensitive to swear words I guess be forewarned there is some swearing though. ⠀ ⠀ #bookphotography #bookstagram #trevornoah #bornacrime #instabooks #instareads #igreads #books #book #bookblogger #booklover #booknerd #bookworm #read #reader #reading #reads #ulasbookshelf #bookaddict #bibliophile #booklover #addictedtoreading #📚 #booksofinstagram #goodreads #bookish #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #fiction #librarybook

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Have you heard about Book Outlet?

I have ordered books twice now from Book Outlet and haven’t had any issues so decided it was time to share! If you join through my link here: http://bit.ly/2OeE69J you will get a 10$ off coupon for your first $25 purchase!!

They are an online Canadian bookseller that sells books that are mainly publisher overstock, most are in brand new condition but sometimes there’s a little wear and tear but it’s mentioned in the listing. They have a storefront in Ste. Catherine’s, Ontario as well. And YES, they do ship to the USA and internationally. Shipping within Canada and to the USA is FREE over $45 (after any discounts or coupons) or a flat rate of $5 under that amount. (Internationally it depends upon weight and destination).

They don’t have as quite an extensive selection as say Amazon or Indigo/Chapters but whenever there’s a book I’m interested in I now check Book Outlet first before buying elsewhere and will generally save anywhere from $5-$15 off the price of the book. They also have a loyalty program where you can earn points for purchases as well as doing things like filling out surveys (and since I’m being honest, for having people sign up through your links!) The points can then be converted to coupons for purchases. If you’re avid reader –or just an avid book purchaser– you should check them out!

Here’s the link again to sign up:  http://bit.ly/2OeE69J 

AND just an FYI if you have an Ebates account you can earn an extra 5% cashback on your purchases! 

Don’t have Ebates? You can sign up by clicking here Ebates.ca

My IG book account can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/luluandceleste.bookish/