And The Winner Is.....

Wow, can you believe that December is almost here?!!! The last month of 2015, where did this year go???? 

As promised, today is the announcement of the winner of the Studio Kat Cosmo Bag pattern. It's our last give away of the year :( But next year will bring another new host of patterns, so if you didn't win this year, be sure to keep trying.

The winner of the Cosmo Convertible Bag pattern is....

Paula Head(my handwriting is awful!). Congratulations Paula!!!
Email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so Kat can get your pattern out to you.
As soon as the sew along post is up for the Cosmo Bag, I'll let you know.
Thanks to all of you who showed interest in the bag. I think you will enjoy the sew along. The bag is just enough of a challenge to make it interesting and fun to make.

Sunday Night Reflections

Miracles happen in the space of impeccability.

                                                                                From Write It Down, Make It Happen 

                                                                                by Henriette Anne Klauser

Eating For Your Future/Roasted Cauliflower Wraps

Have you ever found a restaurant that had a dish that you fell in love with, only to find one day that they have unexpectedly closed?

We had a wonderful Middle-Eastern restaurant near our home that made what they called a cauliflower sandwich, which I could eat every day of the week. They made their own bread which is similar to a tortilla, flat like a tortilla, but more of a bread consistency. Rolled inside the bread was lettuce, hummus, and fried cauliflower. It was like heaven in my hand!

I waited for months, hoping that the restaurant might reopen as mysteriously as it closed. No such luck. A new restaurant has opened in the space, but no cauliflower sandwich. ARGH!!!! Desire can be the mother of invention, so I decided to make my own. Rather than fry the cauliflower, I roast it. 

Roasted Cauliflower Wraps

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower

homemade or purchased hummus

Arugula or greens of your choice

whole grain tortillas

2 tablespoons olive oil

garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste

Begin by breaking apart a head of cauliflower into small florets. In a bowl, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the cauliflower. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt and black pepper over the cauliflower and stir to mix. 

Pour onto a foil lined baking pan and bake at 425 degrees for approximately 35 to 40 minutes. About midway through, turn cauliflower so that it browns evenly. Be sure to allow the cauliflower to get nice and brown.    

Spread hummus on a whole grain tortilla, approximately 2 tablespoons. 

Top the hummus with your choice of greens. I like arugula as it has a rather peppery taste. But a nice romaine lettuce or fresh spinach is also good. 

Top the greens with the grilled cauliflower. 

Roll up and devour!!! 

The roasted cauliflower is as good cold as it is warm, so make some ahead and have it later for lunches. My husband thinks that my version is even better than the restaurant's. I think so too :)
If you give it a try, I hope you like it as much as I do!
Enjoy!
Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/A Simple Clutch With Major Impact Part 2

Rather than make you wait, I thought I would go ahead and share the second part of Cennetta's clutch tutorial. In today's post, she shows you how to step up the basic clutch by adding a great looking strap and pockets. Before we get to the tutorial, let's take a look at a little more inspiration. 

Just a little shaping and the top zipper really gives the bag a very special look. Or add a strap to the back of the clutch and make a wrap around closure. 

When it comes to straps, use a ring or maybe even a special bracelet.   

Add leather accents to the corners of the bag. 

Give an heirloom new life. Use a piece of needlepoint or embroidery rather than fabric.

Now that our creative juices are flowing, let's start sewing!!!

Clutch Bag Tutorial Part 2

For this tutorial, I'd like to show you how to add an inside and outside pocket and a strap to the foldover clutch.


To make you will need the following supplies:

Faux Fur
Faux Leather
Lining
Pellon Fusible Felt
Lightweight Interfacing
12" Zipper
1 Clasp and 1 Rivet
Leather Sewing Machine Needle (90/14)
Binder and paper clips
Teflon Foot or Wax Paper
Pattern Tracing Paper and Pencil
Thread and other basic sewing tools

Step 1 - Drafting the Pattern:

Base of the Purse : 14 1/2" X 12 1/2"
Side Strap 18" X  2"
Tab 1 3/4" X 1"
Inside Pocket 10" X 6 1/2"
Outside Pocket 12 1/2" X 6 1/2"

 Step 2 -Cut

• 2 Purse Linings
• 1 Faux Fur Purse
• 1 Faux Leather Purse
• 1 Faux Leather 
• 1 Lining Outside Pocket 
• 1 Lining 
• 1 Interfacing Inside Pocket
• 1 Faux Leather Tab
• 1 Faux Leather Strap

Step 2 - Fuse felt to wrong side of the faux fur to add body to it.  Fuse Interfacing to inside lining.  The faux leather used in the illustration already has a felt backing.

Step 3 - For outside pocket, with right side together and raw edges even, stitch one of the long sides together.  Press seam allowance toward the lining.  Understitch. Finger press the edge along the faux leather and lining.  Use clips or binders to attach to outside pocket to lower edge of the faux fur.  baste in place.

Step 4 - For inside pocket, with right sides together fold pocket in half having raw edges even.  Stitch side and lower edges together leaving a opening for turning.  Trim seams and corners.  Turn pocket right side out; press.

On outside, center pocket at lower section of the lining and pin having the opening at the bottom.  Stitch the sides and lower edges of the pocket.

Step 5 - Fold strap in half lengthwise having wrong sides together.  Turn in raw edges.  Attach clips to hold in place.

Step 5b - Use a teflon foot to stitch along the opened edge of the strap.  If you do not have one, like me, use wax paper to cover the strap to achieve good stitching results.  Follow the same instructions for the tab.

 

Step 6 - Add tab 7" from the top of the purse on the left side of the faux leather purse.  The edges should be 1/2 cm from the raw edge of the purse.  Stitch in place.  The tab should create a small loop where you can attach a clasp.

Step 7 -  On the outside, place closed zipper to the either side of the bag having zipper faced down.  Make sure you leave seam allowance on both sides of the bag.  The seam allowances are about 1/4" for the entire bag.  To avoid bumpy stitching around the tab/slider, stop sewing before reaching the tab/slider.  Leave the needle in the fabric, raise the presser foot and pull the slider down below the needle.  Lower the foot and continue sewing.  Repeat for the other side of the purse.

Step 8 - Attaching the lining.  With right sides together, pin lining to one edge of the bag, having the raw edges even.  Stitch 1/4" from upper edge through all layers.  Repeat for the other side of the bag making sure you do not stitching through the other side of the bag.

 Step 9 -  To keep the lining away from the path of the zipper, understitch the lining to the zipper tape to hold it in place.

Step 10 - Press zipper teeth toward bag front and back lining sections.  The bag section should be facing each other as well as the lining.  Open zipper.

Step 11 - Push lining into bag and close zipper. Mold into place with fingers.

Step 12 -  Fold the strap in half leaving one end 1 1/2" longer to fold over the raw edge.  To secure, stitch through all layers of the strap or insert a rivet(the best choice for a polished look).  I took my strap to a local shoe repair shop, where they stitched the strap together and inserted a rivet.  

In the picture below, you can see the outside pocket.

Take note of how nice the rivet looks in the picture below.

That's it!

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

Thanks so much Cennetta for a very inspiring tutorial!
If by chance you missed Part 1, you can find it HERE. 
Have fun making clutches!!!
Be sure to check out Cennetta's blog, http://themahoganystylist.blogspot.com/ She's just full of inspiring ideas :)

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/A Simple Clutch With Major Impact

Every year, it's the same, crowds of people waiting in line, pushing others aside, all for a possible bargain. I would much rather get up, make a cup of tea, head to my studio and and make a fabulous gift. And a fabulous gift can be so easy to make!  
I have a lovely vintage bag that is not only a clutch, but a muff. A super cute idea. I had the bag with me last year for the Haute Couture Holiday Luncheon. Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist saw my bag and was inspired! She took the idea, put her own touch on it, and made some of the most beautiful clutches. I loved the idea so much, and I thought that you would as well, so I asked Cennetta to be a guest for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday. The clutch is nothing more than 2 rectangles for the clutch and 2 rectangles for the lining. You can zip up a pile of these, one for everyone on your gift list. Just a word of caution, the recipients will probably come back asking for another! 
And now, here's Cennetta....  

I'm delighted to be a guest blogger  on Rhonda's Creative Life.  Rhonda, thank you very much for inviting me.  It is a pleasure to share my foldover clutch purse tutorial with your readers.  Earlier this year I posted a similar tutorial on my blog.  This was my first tutorial on how to make this simple hand bag.  Today's post will provide more details on the step by step process along with a few style options.

To make you will need the following supplies:

Faux Fur
Faux Leather
Lining
Pellon Fusible Felt
12" Zipper
Leather Sewing Machine Needle (90/14)

Binder Clips
Pattern Tracing Paper and Pencil
Thread and other basic sewing tools

Step 1 - Drafting the Pattern:

Body of the Purse, 2, 14 1/2" X 12 1/2" rectangles

The basic pattern is simply one pattern piece that you will use to cut the purse, lining, and fusible felt.

• 2 lining
• 1 Pellon Fusible Felt
• 1 Faux Fur
• 1 Faux Leather

Step 2 - Fuse felt to wrong side of the faux fur to add body. Be careful when fusing the felt to the faux fur so as not to melt the fur!!!  The faux leather used in the illustration already has a felt backing.

 

Both sides of the purse are ready to sew.

 

Step 3 -  This next step is to determine the finished look of the purse.  First photo illustrates the 14 inch long purse.  The second shows a 12 inch long purse with a longer fold over flap.  I chose to make the shorter purse.

Step 3a -  To add a little more interest to the finished flap.  I decided reduce the width of the lower flap by 3/4".

• Mark the sides of one end of the purse 6" from the edge of the flap.
• On the lower edge mark 3/4" on each side.
• Connect the dot with a line; then cut off the access.
• Examine the look of the newly shaped flap.  If it is not the desired width, trim until it is.  Caution - use small increments.

Step 4 -  Adjust the length of the zipper as needed.   Because I changed the width of the bag, I need a shorter zipper.  Using a 12" zipper and an extra zipper stop, I shorten the zipper to fit the top of the purse/bottom edge of the flap.

Step 5 - On the outside, place closed zipper to the either side of the bag having zipper facing down.  Make sure you leave seam allowance on both sides of the bag.  The seam allowances are about 1/4" for the entire bag.  To avoid bumpy stitching around the tab/slider, stop sewing before reaching the tab/slider.  Leave the needle in the fabric, raise the presser foot and pull the slider down below the needle.  Lower the foot and continue sewing.  Repeat for the other side of the purse.

Step 6 - Attach the lining.  With right sides together, pin lining to one edge of the bag, having the raw edges even.  Stitch 1/4" from upper edge through all layers.  Repeat for the other side of the bag making sure you do not stitching through the other side of the bag.

Step 7 -  To keep the lining away from the path of the zipper, understitch the lining to the zipper tape to hold it in place.

Step 8 - Press zipper teeth toward bag front and back lining sections.  The bag section should be facing each other as well as the lining.  Open zipper.

Step 9 - With right sides together, matching zipper tape, and having raw edges even.  Now stitch leaving a four to six inch opening in the lower edge of the lining for turning.  For the corners of the bag, stitch as illustrated below and trim corners and faux leather to reduced the thickness.

Corners and faux leather are not trimmed in the picture above.  Please do so for the best results.

Step 10 -  Turn bag to the right side. Press lining turning in raw edges of opening.  Stitch remaining opening closed.

Step 11 - Push lining into bag and close zipper. Mold into place with fingers.

That's it!  You're done.

You might ask:  Are these bags on trend?  Yes they are.  Here are a few you could easily copy with just a few modifications.

Happy Sewing!
C

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, I know I'm inspired! The bags are so easy to make, they make a wonderful gift, and if you need to send a gift, the shipping will be minimal. This is a win, win situation all the way around! 
This is actually Part 1 of a 2-part tutorial, so be sure to come back next Friday and see what you can add to your bag.
Rhonda   

A Video Card of Thanks

I made a little video to say thank you and let you all know just how much I appreciate you.
Be warned, I get a little emotional. Rather than delete it, I thought I would go ahead and share the real me :)

And The Winner Is....

I just love days when I get to give something away :)
The response to the fabric and Sew News magazine give away was quite a success. Thanks so much to all of you who threw your name into the drawing. 

The winner of the dragon fabric, suede and Sew News Magazine is...

Congratulations Christine!!!!!

Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your address.

I wish I had enough fabric for all, but, so it goes. Remember that you still have a chance to win the pattern, so be sure to throw your name in on THIS post. The drawing for the pattern will be Monday, December 1, 2016. 

Good Luck!!!

The Cosmo Convertible Bag Free Pattern Give Away!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!! 
My day started off with some technical difficulties. Computers!!!!!, what a love/hate relationship :) But thanks to my niece, the problem is now resolved. Needless to say, I am behind, time wise. But....I have a lovely surprise for you that I was going to announce tomorrow, but I'll just switch today's post to tomorrow and make the announcement today. Hope that makes sense ;)
Last week I announced the upcoming Sew News Studio Kat Cosmo Convertible Bag sew along that will begin next week, December 1st. Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, I will announce the winner of the fabric and suede that I used for my bag. If you haven't put your name in for the drawing, be sure to do so by midnight tonight, November 23. The winner will also receive a copy of the Dec./Jan. issue of Sew News magazine. 

Now for even more good news! Kat of Studio Kat Designs has graciously agreed to give away a free Cosmo Convertible Bag pattern!
So, as usual, 
1. Leave a message on this post letting me know that you would like to be in the drawing. 
2.You must be a follower of this blog. Let me know how you follow. Sew News likes to see how you are following the blog.

I will announce the winner next Monday, December 1, 2015. 

Now for a few ideas;
The bags pictured below are from the Studio Kat website. I especially like the bag on the bottom right.

The bag pictured below features a pieced pocket. This pattern is not included in the pattern, but you can download it for free HERE.

And a little sneak peek at the fabrics I'll be using for the sew along. I'll use the leaves and swirls for the bag and then accent it with the leather. The bag will be lined with the fabric in the lower right hand corner.

I think this is going to be an especially fun sew along. I am loving my new bag. It's great for just about everything. I even used it to carry my knitting.
Wishing you a fabulous week!
Rhonda 

Sunday Night Reflections

I wanted you to see what real courage is,

 instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. 

It's when you know you're licked before you begin, 

but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.

- Atticus Finch

                                                                                   From the book, To Kill A Mockingbird

Eating For Your Future/Autumn Salad With Horseradish Vinegrette

Oh how I love this time of year, with all the lovely fall vegetables filling the market. 
After last week's salad, I must of continued to have pomegranate on my mind as I found THIS recipe from the Sprouted Kitchen that just jumped off the page. Well, it didn't quite jump ;), but it did stand out and I just had to give it a try. This is not just a salad, but a main course. And for anyone trying to follow a vegan diet, well this is one for you, as it covers protein beautifully.

I am a big fan of roasting vegetables, especially fall/winter vegetables. It really enhances the taste and it's just so easy to do. This recipe starts by roasting brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and butternut squash. Before roasting, a little olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, a pinch of cayenne, salt, pepper, and yes, nutmeg are added to the vegetables. Do not leave out the nutmeg. It really flavors the vegetables beautifully.
Once the vegetables are roasted, you could actually go ahead and eat them as they are. Or, make up the vinaigrette, toss in some chopped chives, and again, you could eat the dish at this point.  

But, PLEASE give the entire recipe a try. The addition of the arugula and the pomegranate makes for an especially special dish. 
The only change I made was actually an addition. I decided that roasted pine nuts would be nice, and they were. 
To serve the dish, I mixed everything together except the pomegranate and the pine nuts. I then topped the salad with the pine nuts and the pomegranate. Not only tasty, but pretty too!

If by chance you are looking for a lovely and easy dish to add to your Thanksgiving menu, you might like to give this one a try. The salad is intended to be served at room temperature, so it's not something you need to worry about keeping warm.
Once again, you can find the recipe HERE. 
Just one last note, the vinaigrette is a little spicy. Rather than a tablespoon of horseradish, you might want to start with a half tablespoon and then add more if you like.
Enjoy!
Rhonda