Loose Ends

I had another one of those this must be done before I can move on moments. I have had enough of loose threads taking over my sewing room. I heard them talking the other day. It wasn't pretty. They thought only a few more sewing projects and they could revolt. Have their own spool. Take in the view from the penthouse ... I couldn't risk anymore revolutionaries hitting the floor.

I had spied this tutorial for a thread catcher on 30 handmade days and had bookmarked it for a later date. That all changed when I saw the strays working on a thread ladder to reach my scissors ... or worse ... me!

Just from this little ol' project I created quite a bit of potential insurgents:


Thanks to my stellar inteligence work I was able to prevent a take over and contain all the radicals in one cell.

Fabric from stash. Scissors secure. I'd call that a victory.

Feed Me

It's taken me almost a year to figure out this blogging gig. First it was setting up my blog, then adding and moving pictures, then changing the layout ... and finally ... finally ... I figured out how to sign up for the feeds. Talk about a time saver! Now I know when my fav's post thanks to the little "Subscribe to: Post (Atom)" at the bottom of most blogs, bloglines, and my Yahoo. I'm set. Now if I could only remember to leave my reading glasses by the computer ...

Since we are on the topic of being fed ... here are a few things that have nourished us:

A surprisingly delicious organic Zin, a gigantic heirloom tomato that we ate off of for a week, zucchini chocolate chip cookies, and blueberries from our co-op (I have 10 lbs of them in my freezer!).


And now to feed your need to create (keeping Christmas in mind) ...


Mitten ornament pattern from disdressed

Scrap Fabric Ornament

How to make an embroidered felt ornament from Sunshine's Creations

Patchwork scarf

Shoe freshner from Marmadaisy ... I'd save this one for someone who you are really close to ...


I hope that you my blogging friends are fed well here and come back for more!

Hip To Be Square

Or is it? Take this lovely dish cloth that took me a mere two months and two weeks to make ... far from square but really hip. ;-)



And the soap. Rectangular. But all natural. What's not hip about that?

I have been searching high and low in my town (burning waaayy too much gas) trying to find the soap Fels Naptha. No where. I even did the zip code search. Nada. I wanted to make my own laundry detergent but was delayed due to my quest for Fels ... until I found this web site. I was able to buy Fels Naptha already graded! I hated to pay shipping but I figured I was already in the hole if you factor in all the gas I burned. sigh. It smells soooo good. I couldn't wait to do some laundry ... never thought I'd ever say that ;-)

And thanks to Green Mom Finds, I will be receiving the book Seven Wonders for a Cool Planet(that I won!) and will "find out how you can do your part to help save the planet one tomato, one bike ride, and yes, one condom at a time!" Sounds like another 24 hour read ...

Kit's Got A Brand New Cover

Here ye! Here ye! All must add this fast, easy, and beautiful mixer cover to your to-sew list!

One nap time was all it took. I LOVE projects like that. Kit was calling out to me ... I had to take another detour from Christmas sewing ... I have been baking some recently and just couldn't stand to clean my mixer before I used it anymore.


I totally lucked out by having both thread and bias tape in my stash that matched my fabric (details here)! The bias tape was left over from this tote. I also have plenty of fabric left to make myself a purse. It's so great when that happens ... it's like good sewing karma ... I was meant to stop everything, neglect my bathrooms, leave the vacuum in the closet and make this mixer cover.

Not a total loss in my book - Kit's got a brand new cover and Mamma is getting a brand new bag.

At least something in my house will remain dust free ~ If you want to see what else I did over the weekend, go visit my friend Ula's blog. She can really throw a rocking party ;-)

Re -

Re -purposed

I finally did it! I had a pair pants that were on their way to the Goodwill when I read Linaloo's repurposing challenge. Overall I'm pleased with how my pants to skirt turned out. I've never disassembled and remade something (exluding my usual seam ripping on any given project!). The pockets still do the funky pucker thing they did when they were pants but not as bad ... the front center could have been tailored a little bit better ... sew and learn ;-)

I somehow managed to even put a split in the back so I don't have to walk like Mortica Adams ;-)

Re - claimed

There is a reason I didn't do a 'before' shot. It took me waaaayy longer than it should have to scrub down my refrigerator. ick!

Re - membered

(Pop is front row center)

Pop passed away on his 94th birthday, six years ago. He would have turned 100 the end of this month.

All of these "re" has reinforced my desire to live greener. I have always tried to do so in small ways but I am trying now to do so on a much larger scale. I am: recycling and repurposing more. Reclaiming the food that we eat ... as much organic as possible (and affordable), more cooking from scratch (when able), and less packaged / processed food with 50 ingredients shipped from all over (consuming too much gas). Remembering those that came before us who never let anything go to waste ... and those who will follow us ... What God has given us is in short supply. I'd like to remember to leave some for future generations.

What are you 're-ing'?

Apron Love

My mother-in-law's birthday it today and I could think of no better present than an apron made with happy colors embellished with a hanker chief from her mother. I'd say from her reaction that I was correct.




I am really pleased how quickly this one came together. I used a pattern to cut the actual apron and ties but never read the directions (I know - what's so new about that!) and just made it. [Cut, sewed, and photographed during one nap time ... it's a miracle] I did use the pattern from Bend the Rules for the kangaroo pocket. I was so nervous cutting into G's hankie. I didn't want to mess it up!

I didn't think the pink polka dots would show through ... note to self - do more than just use interfacing - line it.

I bought the fabric at Jo Ann's some time ago with an apron for my MIL in mind. I lined the back of the apron with the pink polka dots. The only clue as to the blue fabrics origin is "Tracy Porter" on the selvage.

My hope is that every time my MIL wears this apron she will think of not only me giving her a great big hug but her mother too.

In Less Than 24 Hours

I read The Mistress's Daughter. I couldn't put it down. If you have the chance - check it out, buy it, borrow it ... just read it. It's a great story about love, longing, and finding yourself - literally. Once you've finished that book, grab The Glass Castle (if you haven't discovered it already). It's another one that will blow your mind. I read this sometime ago but I still think of that family (it's a memoir) and the author and what she overcame.

I then picked up Three Cups of Tea off my bookshelf ... another can't put it down. I had started reading An Old Fashioned Girl but only got 2 pages into it before I fell asleep. It still sits on my nightstand ... waiting ... probably will take more than 24 hours to finish Three Cups of Tea ... maybe 48 hours?

How will you spend your next 24 hours?

Swingin' Smock

One of my close friends little girl is turning one the end of this month. She is the cutest little thing you have ever seen (I'm certainly biased). She has dark brown hair and eyes as blue as the ocean in the Caribbean. She looks like a little cherub. Henry is friends with her older brother ... as they get older, I know he's going to be glad (and so will John), because my little girlfriend is going to be a knock out.



I made my girlfriend (that's what I call the munchkin) the swing smock from Bend The Rules and copied the pattern at 160 percent to make it smaller. This was easy and fun to make. The only thing that gave me fit was putting on the bias tape around the arms. I made the tape 1/4 inch wide - I should have made it a little wider. It was temperamental ... nothing to with me at all ... ahehm ;-)

I had actually started to make bloomers to match out of the blue gingham but again ... tiny seams and I do not get along. If I am flooded with patients and delicate fingers I might give it a go again ... since the prospect of that is limited next to none ... a smock it is ~ Happy birthday girlfriend!

Brilliance

Oh my. Where to begin. I just ... am ... at ... a ... loss ... for ... words. I hear the chuckles out there - me - a loss for words. I know, so out of character. Apparently Lisa at Periwinkle thinks I am just ... well ... brilliant. Ok - my blog - not me ... and 6 other bloggers too. So I must give thanks to all who have brought me here today. Mi Madre, Mi Pappa, my darling wonderful extraordinary hubbie ... my sweet little boys, Henry and John ... you outstanding and loyal readers ... Oh ... this is just too much ... my always underfoot cat ... I don't think I can go on ... I am so overwhelmed! My goodness ... the sparkles from the Tiffany's diamond trophy are just blinding ... I'm losing my senses ...

HA! Ok - enough of my blubbering "acceptance" speech - I decided to tag some sewing bloggers ... I read so many blogs that I love (and still don't have on my sidebar) that are brilliant! I could have made a list of about 30!

Lola Again
Monkey Foot Designs
Chikaustin
Procraftinate
The Stitching Surgeon
Sewing for Cherubs
Quality Time

If you accept this award (sorry, I'm not sharing the Tiffany's diamond trophy - only the badge for your sidebar - he he) Here are the rules:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
6. Write an acceptance speech in the style of the Academy Awards, thanking every body's mother, father, sister, brother, aunties and uncles and the kitchen staff at your favorite restaurant!

I actually got some sewing done this weekend. I'll have some pictures of what I made to share this week! Happy Monday to all your brilliant bloggers out there :0}

Little Brown Seeds

~Author unknown ~

Little brown seeds so small and round
Are you sleeping quietly underground?

Down came the raindrops
Sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.

Out comes the rainbow
Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.

Little brown seeds way down below
Up through the earth they
Grow, grow, grow.

Little green leaves come one by one.
They hold up their heads
And look at the sun.

It's great to have neighbors like this who are willing to share their little brown seeds.

Tote-a-licious

Ahhh ... two major Christmas presents completed. I feel tote-a-licious ;-)






Here's what I plan to include with each gardening tote:

The Gardener's Companion (A Think Book) and a Honey House Bee Bar. The book is funny, interesting and great for your ... ah ... library. The hand balm is - the bomb (and it last forever). I use it constantly in the winter and it works like a charm. It totally keeps my hands from getting dry and cracking. I also have these little journals/notebooks that I bought at Michael's in the $1 bin that I will stuff in there too.

The stats: Almost all the fabric came from Wal-Mart (sometime ago) and was no more that $5/yard. It's all decorator weight so it makes the totes sturdy.(I actually have enough of each fabric left to make 2 more totes!) The first tote's lining was ordered from Kris. It is a Japanese import but I cannot remember the name of the print - it has bees and green flowers on it. Just in case you were wondering ...

Here are some other gift ideas ...


Martha has a really cute ABC pillow that could be personalized for a little one in your life ... who am I kidding ... I want one for me ;-)

Sewing.org has a huge list of baby cuteness just waiting to be made.

This would make a great travel bag for a man.

Flying the friendly skies? Taking the train? Relaxing on a cruise? Ahhh ... I digress ... These luggage tags would definitely help you & yours find your traditional-black-luggage-that's-like-everyone-elses quickly.

Lola Again has two great purse tutorials - look the the right of her blog for the Angel and the Jenny. Perfect for any gal - young or ... shall we say wise ;0}



And since we are on the subject of gift giving - my MIL birthday is next week and a girlfriends daughter is turning one ... now that I've gotten two Christmas presents done I need to do some birthday sewing. One apron and a swing smock coming up.

Sew (much) News

A few items for today:

- I updated my post regarding the camera strap to link to my flickr page with instructions on 'how to'

- I have gotten many questions lately has to where I buy my fabric ...

Bought from -

J. Caroline Creative

Reprodepot Fabrics

Quilt Home (lots of Amy Butler and Heather Bailey)

Monkey Foot Designs (Kris just got in some great Japanese imports and Joel Dewberry AND Amy Butler!)

On my list to always check their store when I am looking -

Hancocks-Paducha

Purl Soho

SewZanne's Fabrics

Hart's Fabric

Fabric Store

Oh ... I have bought on Etsy before as well.

- Old Red Barn Co. is doing it again ... giving away a beautiful quilt. Go ahead and head on over -you know you want to enter to win!

- And the inspiration for the post title ...


My mom has been hording a stash of Sew News magazine ... 12 issues worth! I had NO IDEA my mom even subscribed to this ... well, maybe I did but she probably told me while we were on the phone and I was playing referee. At any rate - all 12 are mine now and all future issues once she is done with them! I cannot wait to sit down and take a peek. Just be forewarned ... I might not post about the wonderful ideas in here for another ... year or so! Ha!



Now I just need to come up with a clever way to store them ...

So, Where We Gonna Go?

I got tired of looking at this:

Nothing like a GPS in a box.

So I made this:

(See this post for more info)

But who am I kidding. It's just going to look like this now:

Maybe if keep asking DH 'Where we gonna go?" it might actually get put to use.

edit - fabric is Alexander Henry "route 66"

One

That's it. Only one gardening tote for Christmas was finished over the weekend ... oh the best laid plans. sigh. I'm almost done with the second one though. This is exactly why I am starting on Christmas now ... it's going to take me from July until December to finish!

My repurposing hit a little snag this weekend too ... matching thread. My khaki pants are, well, very khaki and I had nothing remotely close. arg. Does it still count if I buy thread?

I have been asked where I get my fabric ... I'll post this week some links of my favorite online shops. After all, we can never have too many fabric stores to check out can we?!

Like ... Totally Tubular

Remember the movie Valley Girl? I so thought Randy (Nicolas Cage) was to die for ... those eyes ... but I digress. The post title comes from not my 5th- grade-wanna-be-a-valley-girl-wearin'-leggings-with-mini-skirts-and-a-ponytail-on-the-side-phase but to update you on Christmas in July ... yes I have been sewing. The gardening totes are coming along nicely. I've been distracted this week working on other projects so I didn't finish the 2 by today as I had planned. Both totes are cut out (my least favorite part) and one is ... well, totally tubular.

You can't really tell from the picture but the two separate pieces are tubes waiting to be attached. I just need to attach the bottom to the to the outer fabric and then one to the lining, make the handles and put it all together. Hopefully Monday I'll have at least one finished tote to show you.

In the meantime, here are some links for gift ideas:

How to make a handkerchief pocket pillow

Diapers and wipes case tutorial (No bambinos? Could be a wristlet as well)

Recycling ... (Several other great ideas under Tools, Techniques, and Tutorials)

Fold-up reusable grocery bag (I've made a ton - see my tips here.)

The best zipper tutorial I know about (Great for make up bags, wristlets, change purse...)

Chicken scratch bookmarks (Man oh man do I wish I had the concentration for this - gift this with a great book and you are set for the reader in your life)

I have more links (purses, ornaments, clothing ...) but I can't give it all away in one post now can I? ;-)

Also on the books for this weekend ... Repurposing Challenge. I've got some old khaki's that are screaming to become a skirt - like totally.

Coming Clean

Well, I did it. I exposed myself and actually met a deadline. Today was the cut off for coming clean ... organize or bust ...



The mack daddy TV that looks like an IMAX theater movie screen has been on it's way out for a week now. It's too heavy for DH to move on his own so we called a local thrift shop who picks up to donate it ... they are so far behind we keep getting bumped to the next day. I have some great memories attached to the ol' Sony. I can remember Henry watching The Wiggles and they were as big as he was! I actually won that TV about 9 years ago. DH and I had just started dating and it was waaayyy too big for my apartment. What was so random (besides winning the TV) was that my TV had just gone kaput (is that a word?) and I couldn't afford another. DH and I swapped TVs ... but I told him if we ever went kaput the TV was mine. It took 3 guys to carry it up to his 3rd floor condo. I used to tease him and say that he married me for my TV ... he he. He likes to say it was too heavy to give it back ... keeping me was easier! Gotta love a guy with a sense of humor. ;-)

When the TV is gone the bookshelf will slide over to make room for the love seat.

I still need to make curtains for this room but that will have to wait until Christmas in July is over. The only money spent was on the map that I taped to the wall - $1 buck at Target.

Tomorrow I'll have an update on my Christmas sewing and some fun links to fabric and some "how-to's".

Now that the playroom is actually organized ... the task at hand now is to figure out "how-to" actually get the boys to put the toys into the bins ... now that is worth a million bucks!

Oh Deer

Oh Deer,

apple pickin's are small this time of year.

Since we fenced you out

you are no longer about.

Your droppings are history

but the bees are no longer a mystery.

So here you go my dears ...

We'll keep bringing you apples

(on the other side of our fence)

as long as they appear.

Look Ma - No Pins!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might recognize the ribbon below. I promised a sweet little boy a belt some time ago (actually two belts) ... he's continued to remind me about 'the elephant belt' ... for some time now ... sigh. It was time to get to it (it's taken me 5 months). You got a little sneak peak on this post.

I know there are tons tutorials out there on how to make a belt but his is how I did it. It's very a very loose tutorial - and no pins! I hope you find it helpful. I'm not the best at following directions much less writing them so please leave me a comment if I've totally missed something or have made a mountain out of a mole hill!

I started with a belt of Henry's that was a size small (it still fits but getting a little short - he now wears a 3T - skinny minny!) - took the measurements and then added some length. I came up with this:

28 1/4 inches of 1 inch wide cotton webbing

34 inches of 7/8 inch ribbon

1 pair of 1 inch D-Rings

1 spool of thread

Fabric glue stick - I used this one

Step One

Take end of ribbon and fold over 1/4 inch - unfold - slide some glue on there and fold her back over the 1/4 inch. You are now going to take the folded end and fold again - this time with 1/2 inch over the back side of the belt (like the picture) - good time to glue ...

Step Two

Next take the glue stick and give the webbing a decent slick down the whole length of the belt (remember your ribbon is longer than your webbing). Carefully stick the ribbon to the webbing making sure that your ribbon is centered.

Step Three

Now turn your belt over so that the wrong side of the ribbon is facing you (where it extends past the webbing). Fold the end over 1/4 inch - good time to glue.

Step Four

Bring the ribbon back over the webbing and glue down. You are gluing this to the back of the belt.

Step Five

You are ready to sew! Use a 1/8 inch seam allowance to edge stitch the ribbon in place. You should have no slipping because glue rocks! Your fingers should be free of stab marks too because no pins! Stitch all the way around until you meet where you began.

When you are done sewing the back of your belt should look something like this:

Step Six

You are now ready to add your D-rings. Slip them on the end with the 1/2 inch ribbon then fold over 2 inches like so:

Step Seven

Sorry the picture is so dark - I have a new appreciation of those who can sew and take pictures at the same time. Now it's time to secure the D-Rings. I used an 1/8 inch seam again and just stitched back and forth a few time to make sure the seam could take some serious tugging from a 4 year old.

Now go forth ... get some ribbon and start making a belt to hold those britches up!

Red, White, And ...

Red

John on the 9th hole and Henry in heaven riding the train (5 times in a row!)

White

As in the color of my face when I saw this ... he came up laughing! (I recovered fast enough to take a picture - he he)

And Green (Gotcha!)

The view from the train and baby basil my friend grew from seeds for me as a thank you for scheduling meals for them (they had twins on Henry's bday! Yowsa!).

Hope you had a great weekend and for those in the states ... a Happy 4th of July!