August 2016 | Go-Go Kim

sewing + social media + so much more

Monday, August 29, 2016

Monday Motivation {mod podge}

Welcome back to Monday Motivation!

Every now and again I get the overwhelming urge to be crafty.  I am passionate about sewing all the time but still love to dabble in trying my hand in other areas to see why other fun creative ideas and projects are out there!

This week's collection is featuring projects using Mod Podge!  It is crazy cool all of the things you can use Mod Podge with, such as, FABRIC ( my favorite), paper, photos, glitter and even plants!  It is almost limitless in creative potential!












Update your cabinet or furniture knobs with this 5 Minute Designer Knobs tutorial by A Piece of Rainbow.





The Cottage Mama has a great tutorial for how to make simple tiles into stunning coasters! 




Fabric lined drawers is a great idea!  Crafts by Courtney has this idea on Mod Podge Rocks! 




You will be amazed at how to make these 3-D antiqued letters in the tutorial by Whatcha Workin On! 



I find vintage suitcases at thrift shops all the time for very little cost!  Here is a fun way to add some color to an old worn out case to bring it new life with Mod Podge Suitcase Project by The Quilted Cupcake featured on Sew Can Do! 




Project Nursery has a very easy tutorial by Alice and Lois for how to create DIY Modern Photo Wall Art using a photo!


Who would not love a comic book canvas in their space!  So much color and fun!  Adding this one for sure to be made for the resident 9 year old boy, although the 25 year old college student currently living here may be envious! 

For this tutorial please visit Amy from Mod Podge Rocks blog




You can pretty up your flower pots for next to nothing with this idea from Christine Chitnis



A beautiful way to bring the outdoors in is by creating fern art!  Better Homes and Gardens has a fab DIY for these fantastic framed fern art pieces





Print up some of your digital family photos and create these rustic DIY Rustic Pallet Photo Frames  using the tutorial by Souther Rivals. 







Hope you are inspired by this week's collection! Please join me for more fabulous tutorials, inspirations and humor that I share everyday on:

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Sunday, August 28, 2016

Sunday Stash #191

Sunday Stash this week is a blast from the past!  I have been hoarding these stunning fabrics in my stash for years waiting for the perfect pattern to make each and every one of these beautiful fabrics sing!

Folksy Flannel by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics is one of those special fabric collections that are hoard worthy! The colors are rich and the flannel is so soft even before washing.  Amazing!

For the perfect match in Aurifil threads, I chose four solids and two very subtle variegated threads, all 50wt.
 Here is the circle of colors that are completely delightful!


This collection is now out of print ( that happens all too often) but Anna Maria Horner has other fabulous options in new fabric collections on her website!





I am linking up to Molli Sparkles Sunday Stash!  Go check out what everyone else is sharing! 

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Friday, August 26, 2016

Gone With The Wind ( a quilt photo shoot with kids)

It is the end of another week!  I caught myself looking around for something that I had lost and it turns out that it was this past week I was looking for everywhere!

The whirlwind of activities in sewing has really kept me occupied! I LOVE it!

I also still have the usual mom obligations in addition to my sewing life, so I try to organize everything so that I can (hopefully) get more done in less time.  Does it always work?  No, but I try my best!

Yesterday was one of those days.




All of my photos are 100% mine.  I scout, stage, create, edit and post for me. I have very little equipment, no Photoshop and usually no assistants.

The photos here are what my photo shoots really look like.  The story below is how it happened.

The kids had just finished with their allergy shots, were on steroids, tired and cranky.  We drove 20 minutes to find a spot ( this is 40 minutes away from our house).  The two places I thought were good had fences around them and climbing fences with flip flops is a non starter for me.

We ended up illegally parking, trespassing, were blessed with bad lighting, the winds were high, people driving by were slowing down and staring ( the teen hates that part), the younger one wanted to be left alone in the car with the car running ( ummmmmm...NO), and then the teen realized there were people in the building...YIKES!

To top it all off, I took ONE photo with my real camera and then it died!  I recharged the battery just last weekend.  Thank goodness my phone with the cracked screen was fully charged!

This is typical of all of my photo shoots, lol!  I was able to get some really lovely photos and honestly, I have always liked that my photos have a real feel to them.  A part of me and my crazy life in every shot.  Imperfections are really amazing in my eyes.

I love capturing the little moments of nature showing us who is boss. Of my kids who are growing up so fast.  Of shadows and light dancing.  I love capturing all of these things.



When we could not get a photo of this wonderful vintage quilt in the first location, we ended up finding a beautiful painted black wall that is the side of a local pub.

This is the best shot I could get and it really shows off the lovely quilt that I found on evil bay for a very great price!  This beauty is completely hand pieced.



Check out these fun fabrics!  I love vintage quilts for the interesting fabrics used.



I am very fortunate to have kids that, for the most part, put up with our crazy life of sewing and blogging.  They are supportive of my efforts by helping me, even if they do not feel like it sometimes, they give me high fives, they help me decide what fabrics to use ( even the youngest knows the differences in Liberty of London and Heather Ross), they help me fold fabrics when I have too many project and no more space but most importantly they just love me for me.


So despite the series of unfortunate events, we did get some cool vintage quilt photos thanks to my wonderful kids and my trusty busted phone!






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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

WIP Wednesday!

Why finish projects when you can just add more?  That seems to be the way things are going in my little world. Besides, if I did not start new projects I would be without new WiP's.  That is my story and I am committing to it!

I was bitten and smitten with the 100 Days 100 Blocks Instagram SewAlong and have been having so much fun. You can follow along with my progress in my Instagram feed :o)


But first, I want to share The Splendid Sampler Block I made designed by Jane Davidson!  My printer ran out of ink ( or so it said).  It only took me two weeks before I was able to go grab new cartridges to print up the blocks I had missed.

The first one I made is this stunning beauty! I love this block with all of my heart!  The Modern Backgrounds with the perfectly pink Liberty of London. Swoon!



If you still would like to join in on The Splendid Sampler  Sew Along, visit the website for the free pdf patterns and find out all about the Facebook group that is beyond fun and supportive!


Back to the 100 Blocks 100 Days!


I am making two different quilts.  One color block quilt with as many fussy cuts as I can possibly manage because fussy cuts ROCK!









The other quilt I am making with this sew along is 100% up cycled garments from the thrift shop.  These are mostly men's woven cotton shirts. I do use other garments and fabrics but cotton woven is the easiest for me.  

I am adding other elements to some of these blocks here and there to make them more challenging for me. This quilt will be more of 100 mini quilts!  The process is completely exciting!  








I love making this one!  I used the free tutorial for woven fabric from Mister Domestic!  The process is fabulously easy and is even somewhat addictive once you start!

The tutorial is beautifully written and has lovely photos of the process to help those of us that need visual guidance ( hand up right here! ).





These blocks are so fast!  I love being able to have them completed so quickly.  You can join in anytime!  For all of the information visit Angie's website Gnome Angel .


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Monday, August 22, 2016

Monday Motivation {free fall projects}

Welcome back to Monday Motivation!

The leaves have already started to turn to gorgeous shades of red, orange are gold in Virginia!  The mornings are cooling off and the kids will be back to school in two weeks.  I am usually not overly excited by Autumn but it sounds really lovely this year.

There are so many ways to get into the mood for this changing of the season with these free projects and printables from top designers and bloggers!







Scrappy Acorn Potholders are the perfect way to bring Fall right into your kitchen!  Jedi Craft Girl has a free pattern and tutorial featured on Thermoweb!




I posted this one the other day but could not help myself sharing it again!  It is a fun Witch Silhouette cushion cover by Melissa from Polka Dot Chair with a free pattern!  



With a chill in the air warm throws are a necessity!  The Girl Inspired has a fast and easy tutorial for making gorgeous flannel throws with pom pons.  



If you love to crochet, grab your hook and make these darling pumpkins with this fab tutorial by Cynthia Banessa!



Knitted shawls are perfect in those Fall days that can start off cool.  Caryl Pierre designed Sweet November as the perfect pattern for you to make a cozy shawl in your favorite color!






Loving these vintage fabric pumpkins with a tutorial by Beth from  Revolution from Home! 



Ann from One Sutton Place has a collection of free Fall printables for you!  




Mollie from Wild Olive always has the best cute embroidery patterns available for free for every season and celebration!  The Celebrate Color pattern is just precious!





Another great project featured on Thermoweb!  This fun appliqué table runner tutorial is by Andy from A Bright Corner.



Grab your scraps to make this little acorn quilt block with a tutorial by Stubbornly Crafty.





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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

WIP Wednesday

Is it really Wednesday?  Not sure if I feel like it should be Monday or Friday some weeks!

So many projects are happening all at once and so the executive decision was made last night that I would add one more fun project into the mix!

Angie from Gnome Angel is hosting a fun ( affiliate link)  Tula Pink Modern City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks   Instagram Sew Along!

Find out how to participate for fun and prizes by visiting 100 days 100 Blocks Sew Along!

I started off in grand style by choosing the first block based on what color thread I currently had on my machine and bobbin.  I am that sewist! I will take the path of least resistance every single time!





The thread was left over from a pencil pouch I made for Katy's new school year!  It is kind of a tradition that started when she was in fourth grade.  This year I made a Cat Eye Pouch using the free pattern from Thread Riding Hood!  Great pattern!




Even after the first block was completed, I still had a ton of purple thread left on my bobbin ( Aurifil 50wt is  thin and fill a bobbin!).  so I made the executive decision to make a blue and white quilt using thrifted shirts!

I have always loved the look of blue and white quilts and the purple thread does not show at all!






My constant Work In Progress is my sewing studio!  I can never find the perfect set up or the perfect amount of space, so it is constantly changing.  Katy was kind enough to help me out to tidy it up last weekend. The kids grandmother is visiting and my sewing was taking over the entire house ( at least the bottom floor).  

There is more to do, there always is, but at least it looks good for now.




Finally, I cannot remember if I shared my block for The Splendid Sampler.  I am really far behind!

Traveling, out of town guests and Summer Break have cut deep into my sewing schedule.  My groove will be back very soon!





What have you been working on to get your WIP's under control or have you added new ones?
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Monday, August 15, 2016

Monday Motivation { Back to School}

Welcome back to Monday Motivation! 

All over the country our wonderful children are headed back to school.  My children are still home for the next few weeks so now is the perfect time to start making these fun craft and sewing projects with them! I might even be able to convince them to help out with a few! 






The infinite question of "Where are my pencils, markers or ruler?"  becomes a non issue with this clever Homework Station by Simple Made Pretty using Dollar Store finds!  It could also be used for sorting fabric scraps ( small ones)!




Adorable way to begin the school year!  The Notebook Paper DIY top by Tutus and Tea Parties is a free tutorial!  Hand embroidering or machine free motion addition of a name or a quote would be a perfect addition to this shirt!




Simple design make this DIY Pencil Pouch the perfect go to by Alice and Lois!  This pouch would be fabulous made with Robert Kaufman denim or linen. Another idea is to up cycle last years outgrown jeans into a new item! 




This is the paper book cover I made for Katy in the 7th grade!  It is a free Moda Bake Shop tutorial! This is one of the only projects she has asked me to make more than twice! It is an inexpensive and great way to protect books!



Here is another SUPER COOL paper book cover with a free tutorial from Urban Threads!  This would be amazing using Aurifil embroidery floss!



Grab your needles and some yarn to make this adorable granny square backpack with a free pattern from Yarn Plaza!  



This is just so clever!  A DIY Pencil clutch!  Get this free tutorial by visiting Hands Occupied!




This would be a great book bag for a teen or college student ( we have both in this house).  This is a Moop knockoff bag tutorial by Wendy from the Corvidarium.  


I love the clean lines of this Messenger Bag Tutorial by Obsessive Crafting Disorder!  


This might be a good bag for a younger or middle school student.  The Messenger Bag tutorial by Aleah from  No Time to Sew is simple and quite lovely. 






Caroline from Sew Can She has a free tutorial for this darling DIY Toaster Lunchbox.  




The Lunch Box Bag Pattern from Craft Passion features a drawstring!  It is quilt lovely and has tons of room for goodies ( I am thinking cookies)! 



If your kids need to have their epi pens or other medications, this is a fantastic bag to be able to keep them together!  This is also a great idea for anyone that needs to carry an epi pen!  I am constantly forgetting mine!  Loving this free tutorial from Delia Creates


If you like Bento boxes for your kids' lunches and need a bag for ease of use, Smashed Peas and Carrots has this sweet DIY Bento Lunch Bag tutorial!  


This small coin wallet tutorial by Handmade DIYA is perfect for lunch money and student id cards.  It does not have written directions but looks easy to follow with very good photos!  



Many kids now have laptops to keep up with as well as their regular books.  The free Laptop Bag Pattern by Crazy Little Projects would be very useful in helping protect those expensive laptops! 




Inexpensive and inspirational for your student or yourself!  Eighteen25 has free printables and a tutorial to show you how to create these composition notebook covers! 



These Upcycled Soda Box Pencil Cases are just too much fun!  For the template and tutorial please visit Creative Itch! 



These are not a mandatory but they sure are pretty!  Great way to start the new school year with something pretty :o)  You can make these gorgeous macrame bracelets by visiting Honestly WTF






If you enjoyed this collection, please join me for more fabulous tutorials, inspirations and humor that I share everyday on:















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