Monday, September 15, 2014

See You In September Blog Hop, or What I did on my Summer Vacation!



Today we're taking part in the See You In September Blog Hop!  Thanks to Madame Sam and Shari for hosting and cheering for the hop!  Let's get to it!

We had a busy and fun summer with a little bit of creating in between!

1.  Surf Board Tote
I have a hard time carrying my surfboard comfortably!  My arms are too short to carry it normally at my side, so I either end up carrying it on my head or with the board flat out to my side and one gust of wind and it's really hard to keep control of the board.  So I decided to sew a Surf Board Tote!
I went to Hawaii more than a year ago and found a fun fabric shop in Lahaina on Maui.  I picked up this cute vintage inspired hula girl print and was just waiting for the perfect project to use it.  What's more perfect than a Surf Board Tote?!?!  
I used duck cloth as the lining of the tote and the straps.  The straps took a little engineering but I figured it out and the color is a good compliment to the Hawaii fabric!
Now I can carry my surfboard much easier!  Surf's up!

Hello! Nini here! 
Summer flew by for me...when we signed up for this blog hop I thought, oh good, pleeeeenty of time,  and then BOOM it was September. As most of you know Chelsey and I went to France for two weeks, it was the best vacation (except learning to surf at the age of 49) I ever had. France has a special place in my heart and is on my "go back to" list!
Chelsey surfing in Biarritz, France. I am the adventurous one taking the pics. I have such a hard time convincing her to have fun!!
2. Drawstring Back Pack
With France kinda splitting up our Summer I didn't do much sewing, but I did want a good bag to carry through France that would hold my camera, and all the pertinent items you need when wandering. I wanted to keep my passport with me at all times so it needed to have zippered pockets  that were secure so I didn't accidentally drop my passport while digging for my camera or wallet in a hurry. 

I decided to make my own version, I ended up making a few prototypes before I had the right size bag and pockets for all my stuff.  It was a good size, but with my camera being heavy and always towards the bottom I had trouble getting things out easily.  It wanted to stay cinched closed and Chelsey had to hold the bottom of the bag up while I retrieved things out of it!! I will redesign this for future trips. 
Chelsey, the backpack and I in the maze garden at Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Vally of France.
I stamped the feather and thistle on the bags using black acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium and foam stamps. The off white fabric is Osnaburg fabric, I love how full of texture it is. It worked great for this project, I wondered if the texture would distort the stamped image but it didn't.

 3. My Gingham Project!!
 I have this vintage tablecloth that I've been keeping for just the right project. I decided  to cut it up and make placemats for my kitchen table with the gingham fabric, but when I got it all set up for the "before" pics I realized how cute it is and what a shame it would be to cut it up. 
So I had a plan B! I kept it in tact and put a 4 inch gingham border all the way around it and use it as a table runner! I serged the gingham to the table cloth and used my rolled hem foot to finish off the gingham so there are no raw edges to fray. I love it, what do you think?
This gingham fabric is delicious....it was so nice to work with!
The serged edge is good for keeping the fabric from fraying.
Please hop by all our friends on the blog hop today! You won't believe all the inspiration you can gather! So glad you stopped by!

Nini and the Sea - you are here!

Go Make Something!
Nini & Chelsey

93 comments:

  1. What a fun Summer and wonderful, and definitely useable, projects! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. France....what fun! I like the creativity of your projects a lot. The surf tote is awesome. I'm inspired by knowing you learned to surf at 49! You go girl!!!!

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    1. France was amazing! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words!

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  3. I don't think I could cut up that lovely piece either - nice save and addition to it.

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    1. It really is an awesome tablecloth! The gingham is a great addition!

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  4. France sounds like a dream. What great creative projects you have made. Great inspiration. I really like your bag and the fabric you chose. Your details really make it sparkle.

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    1. France was amazing! Thanks for your kind comments!

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  5. I love the surfboard tote! I think you are on to something there! The bag is cute. I know your problem. Usually I just end up stuffing way to much stuff into whatever bag and am done. I am now convinced there is no such thing as a bag that will keep all my stuff in a handy way.....But I am still looking! You were right to keep that beautiful tablecloth whole. It looks stunning with the boarder around it! Hope you had a great time in France! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I'm digging the surf board tote too! The bag will definitely be re-designed and tried again! The table cloth definitely needed to stay whole and I'm loving the boarder, it looks great in the kitchen!

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  6. It looks like it was a wonderful summer. Finding the right bag for travelling is hard, I don't like to look like a tourist, so I go for a casual effect. The gingham makes a great border for your table cloth, it' nice to use pretty things, leaving them in cupboards is such a shame.

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    1. It was a great summer! It is nice to use the pretty things that you have all stored away! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Nini, Wonderful projects - What a great surfboard tote. I am in awe of people who can make their own patterns, no matter how simple - great job. The bags are wonderful and printing is amazing. I love the brown gingham on the cloth. I agree that it would have been sad to cut it up. I love that you went to France. I took my first trip abroad in August. My paternal grandfather was from England. My best friend and I took a quilt tour with a group from all over for 10 days to England and ended up at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. I wanted to take the tunnel over to Paris and there just was not time in that short jaunt. Thanks for participating in the hop and sharing your wonder projects. You certainly brighten my day.

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments! A quilt tour through England sounds amazing, too bad you didn't get to stop over in Paris. It truly was wonderful! Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Great projects. Your travel bags are great!

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  9. Your vintage table cloth looks great with the gingham trim. It`s nice you didn`t have to cut it up, The surf board carrier. That`s clever. Your tote bag is a good idea. I like pockets that are secure too.

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    1. We are very happy with how the table cloth turned out! Just needed a little freshening up! Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Incredible! What creative pieces you have created through the experience of travel, need for while traveling and preserving the past. I might just take up surfing so I can make a tote myself!!! Love it all,

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    1. Thanks Helen! Necessity is is the mother of invention! I would love to be out there surfing with you, let's make that happen ;-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Hello Nini, Chelsea. Nice to see you..your projects were really diff't..can't say I would ever need a surf board carrier..LOVE THAT...you are a gem....I too am little I would be getting me a cart and dragging it...love your idea more....your bags lovely and using a vintage table cloth and giving it a new look, superb....yes you two shared some gems..

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    1. Thanks Madam Samm! We had a fun summer creating and travelling! Thanks for hosting the hop and for your kind words!

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  12. Your projects are beautiful and practical! The table cloth is wonderfully recharged with the border.

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! We're happy with how everything came out! Thanks for visiting!

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  13. Oh my, what an adventurous summer! Love the board tote....although I wouldn't need it for a surfboard tote, the idea could be used for carrying other large items. Love the vintage table cloth.... the gingham border really sets it off. Thanks for taking us along on your trip!

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    1. Thanks Jeanie! You're right the tote could be for many other things! The vintage cloth did turn out great! Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Wow, a lovely trip you had. Surfing...how courageous! Great projects...even if your arms "were long enough" love the idea of the tote just to have hands free option. Beautiful table cloth...and those bags are just perfect! Thanks for sharing your summer with us!

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    1. The tote definitely is helpful for carrying other things down to the beach too! You can never have enough hands when unpacking the car! Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I wish I had your adventures...LOL. Love all of them. the tote for surf board is a fantastic idea...the nap sack is great, and that table cloth so adorable!!

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    1. Thanks Marjorie! We are very lucky to have so many adventures! Thanks for you kind comments!

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  16. A surf board tote is brilliant! Love the bag -- LOVE the stamping detail -- and that gingham border made such a difference on the table cloth. I think you made the right decision to leave it intact. Rock on, girls!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words! We are pretty happy with how everything came out too! Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. Great projects! your tote came out well.

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  18. What awesome projects you came up with! The surf board tote and the bag were very cool ideas and very useful, but the table runner is beautiful. The gingham adds so much more to it. I really love this idea and I'm going to be on the lookout for some items that will make a big difference by just adding this touch. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Joyce! We are loving the revamped table cloth as well! It's amazing what the smallest change will do to an item! Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. What a fun adventure you had and such beautiful projects to help you enjoy the trip! I've never surfed, but that bag would be on my list of must-haves if I did. The gingham border added so much to the vintage tablecloth..glad you didn't cut it up!

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    1. We were so lucky to have our France adventure! The surf tote will definitely come in handy and we are so happy with the "new" table cloth! Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. The board tote is a great idea and the fabric is perfect. The bag and the tablecloth are pretty too. Nice summer work!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words! We had a very inspiring summer!

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  21. So many times we keep old items not quite happy with how they look and then we shove them back in the closet. I liked that you just added to your lovely tablecloth. It looks great! yessewingisfun@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks! We are enjoying the "new" table cloth as well!

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  22. Great projects and that looks like a fabulous trip!!

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  23. I am drooling over that tablecloth! That is awesome!

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    1. Thanks! We are enjoying our "new" table cloth as well!

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  24. France.... WOW! I know you enjoyed every minute of it! That vintage tablecloth is AWESOME!
    and such a great creative Idea with that board sling! I have never seen that before and it is a GREAT idea!
    Loved the bags as well, can't wait to see the updated version...GREAT JOB you two!

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    1. Thanks Lana! We loved France and we loved creating our projects! Thanks for the kind words!

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  25. What a great recycle job on the vintage table cloth....you have inspired me to do the same. Your bags are very cool and the surfboard tote was a great creation !

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    1. It's nice to get a "new" table cloth out of an awesome vintage cloth! Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. Chelsey, I doubt anyone else has a surfboard tote, lol!!! Practical and pretty. Nini I like your drawstring bag and good idea to add a zipper to it. You two seem to have such fun adventures together.

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    1. Thanks Daryl! I just loved that Hawaii fabric and I'm happy with how it turned out! We are very lucky to have such awesome adventures! Thanks for stopping by!

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  27. What a unique idea to carry your surfboard. Very clever. Love all your projects!

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    1. Thanks Leah! I had great time creating it! I just love that fabric! Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. You sure have been busy, but it all looks like fun. I agree about the table cloth. I really don't think I could have cut it up either, and your gingham looks great with it. I love the idea of the surf board carrier. I need something just like that for carrying my 4' long awkward power strips back and forth for the sew-in events I host. This will be perfect, Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your creations with us today.

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    1. Ya know Joanne, that sling could be very useful for lots of transporting!! I'm so glad I didn't cut the tablecloth too, especially now that I see it the way it is!!

      Thanx for your nice comments!

      Nini~

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  29. Really,really like the makeover of the vintage table cloth, look like you had a fun summer

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    1. Tonia, I've been hiding that table cloth for many years, it goes perfectly in my kitchen since we remodeled and update the kitchen. We had a great summer, we usually do!!

      Thanks for stopping by,
      Nini~

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  30. Fabulous projects.Love them all.France is great.I have fun days when I been there!

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  31. Charming Projects! I love what you did to the Vintage Tablecloth it looks Beautiful!! I'll have to remember that idea! Thanks for sharing your Summer Creations with us!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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    1. Nancy,

      Thank you...it is always fun to create! That tablecloth is extra special now, that gingham really added something!!

      So glad you hopped by!

      Nini~

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  32. That was a clever idea to add the gingham boarder to your table cloth. It surly brightend it up. Your bag is sweet also. But I think you got us all for creativity when I seen your surf board holder. That is cool!! And to learn to surf...something I always wanted to do!

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    1. Jane,

      Chelsey is a clever girl!! She's such an inspiration to me! Love my gingham bordered cloth too!

      Thank you for your lovely comments!

      Nini~

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  33. Sew much creativity here!
    The surfboard tote looks so pretty and useful. Chelsey makes surfing took fun and easy. Taking pictures would be adventurous enough for me.
    The drawstring bag looks much more like something I could use for adventuring. Your version is lovely.
    The gingham is a wonderful touch on the vintage tablecloth.
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful summer ... :) Pat

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    1. Hey Scrapatches!

      Thank you for the kind comments. Chelsey is much more graceful at the surfing than I am, but I try!! The bag was fun to design and decorate, wish it could have been easier to use, but that's the challenge for the next trip!!

      Thank you for stopping by!

      Nini~

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  34. I'm glad you didn't cut the vintage tablecloth...adding gingham fits right in with the vintage!

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    1. Hi Julie,

      I know...I'm so glad I listened to my common sense!

      Thank you for hopping by!

      Nini~

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  35. Wow, what a fun summer, sewing and vacationing. I'm so happy the vintage table cloth was bordered with the gingham...that you decided not to cut it. As for surfing...I'm not a water person, don't like to put my face under water...I know, I know, I've missed out on all the fun times one has at the beach. I'm always happy when I have reached the other side of a bridge. Enjoy your day, thanks for sharing your summer fun!! Happy stitching, Pauline

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    1. Hi Pauline,

      Our best times are at the beach, but there's plenty of other places to have fun too! Like at a sewing machine!!!!! We couldn't have asked for a better summer!

      Nini~

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  36. What an incredible vacation. I love your surf board carrier. Adding the gingham boarded made for a brand new table cloth. What a great idea!

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    1. Joan,

      It was an incredible time, you are right. I love to repurpose and recycle! This was such a great project, so glad it turned out the way I planned, or plan B'd!!

      Nini~

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  37. Hi Nini! Hi Chelsey! It looks like the two of you were real partners in crime on that vacation! Chelsey, your surfboard carrier was a real stroke of genius! Has anyone asked you to make one for them? Nini, aside from the fact that I totally admire your bravery at taking on surfing, I am so glad you salvaged the tablecloth. It looks so good and that brown and white gingham sets it off perfectly!

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    1. Hi Mary Pat,

      We're always partners in crime AND fun!! Surfing at 49 took A LOT of courage, but when you have Chelsey by your side...pfffft....piece of cake!! I love my table cloth too!!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Nini~

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  38. Fun projects - looks like a great summer. Great way to extend the size of your adorable table cloth!

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  39. Love your surf board tote. What a great idea. The draw string back pack is so cute. Looks like you two have a lot of fun together.

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  40. I would say that your surfboard tote should be a profitable sale, I sure that some as ask you about it and want on for them selves. Look in to it. I love your bags and what you did with the gingham table cloth.

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  41. What a snazzy way to carry a surf board and the fabric is a winner. I love the table topper and am so glad that you decided not to cut it apart. The gingham really adds lots of flavor to it and makes it look more modern.

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  42. Lovely table cloth. The colors are perfect for fall. I'm smiling at the surf board carrier. Fantastic idea.

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  43. Your tablecloth is beautiful! I love your surf board tote and bags too! Sounds like you had a great summer!

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  44. So much sewing love in this post! Surfboard Tote HAS to be a FIRST and perfect. I'm SEW glad you DID NOT cut up that vintage tablecloth!!!! I cut up one I had and have regretted it to this day!!!!! The gingham border was the perfect addition...it didn't take away from the vintage vibe but simply added to the vintage perfection.
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

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  45. Such cute ideas! Love the surfboard tote and the bag...and the gingham border was a perfect idea! Blessings, Marlene

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  46. Wonderful and very clever projects!
    The tablecloth looks wonderful with the gingham border, perfect.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. ps. not need to reply on my comment, I wont see it.
      You are very welcome to visit my blog too.

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  47. You really seem to have enjoyed your summer vacation in France. And I am in big admiration of your stamping, waoh, that would be a great project to do with my kiddies!!

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  48. Your trip to France sounds great and a Surf Board tote, how cool is that, I have never heard of one of those, love the idea.

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  49. Love your projects and so glad you had a lovely time in France. Hugs Susie x

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  50. wow! off to France with you two talented ladies. The surfing tote and backpack came in handy it appears. Good use of the gingham on the vintage linen.

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  51. Too cute of projects! Love the added gingham around the edge if your tablecloth. It sounds like you had a fabulous and fun summer. I think I just might have to give surfing a try, next time on vacation.

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  52. Very clever to add the gingham border to the table cloth. Sometimes, we get so focused on plan A that when it doesn't work out we set it aside and don't do plan B. Nice job.

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