Thursday, December 27, 2012

Here's one of the gifts that I made for Christmas.  The final product is a sleep shirt with writing on it made with a dye resist.  If you go to my sidebar and click on my Pinterest button, you can see the full tutorial that I used to make this sleep shirt.  My Pinterest pins are not in any kind of order, so you'll have to search through the pictures until you see a pinkish shirt with writing on it.
 
I started with writing my words on a piece of paper and enclosed the paper in a page protector.  I didn't want to write  freehand and I was afraid that the ink might leach off onto the shirt.
 
 
 
Here's the shirt, all ready for writing with the dye resist.  As you can see, I've found yet another use for the Clover Wonder Clips.  I put a cutting mat between the layers of the shirt (between the front and back) and slid the page protector between them too.  I taped the page protector to the mat to keep things from potentially sliding around.  The shirt was dampened before writing.
 
 
 
This is the shirt after I've applied the dye resist for the lettering.  In this case, the dye resist was Elmer's blue gel glue.  The directions specifically called for this glue, not white glue. 
 



After it sat overnight to dry, it looked like this.  My neat letters spread out, although I don't feel like I used too thick of a glue line.  It could have been my t-shirt fabric, how much water I used to dampen the shirt, etc.  Most of it was dry by morning and the areas that weren't completely dry were dried with a hair dryer.




The t-shirts are in the dye bath.  I used good ol' Rit dye, the powdered version, for the dye.  Again, following the Pinterest instructions, not the instructions on the dye box, they were died in a cold bath.  I guess a hot bath would have melted the dye resist.  Just not sure about this but my color was not very dark, in spite of a long bath (over 30 minutes).


 
 
Here's the finished product, after being washed and dried.  The color is much lighter than I wanted and I expect it will fade fairly quickly after further washings.  The overall effect is what I wanted, but I think I can improve on the process if I do this again.
 
 
 
 
I made two shirts.  One that says "Patti's Husband" and the other which says "David's Wife."  They were fun to make and I can see using this glue resist for other projects  too.  I've always used hot wax as my dye resist.  Although it may be tough to get out of the fabric, I think it would do a much better job than the glue gel.  Now back to my favorite crafting.....sewing!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012



Happy Day after Christmas! 

I just wanted to show you the sewing/quilting goodies that I received for Christmas.  Mostly fabric, a few notions, and an Hawaiian applique pattern.  Kathy suggested that the trivet at the top could be used as an iron rest.  The oak quilt pattern is really pretty.

As I write this, we are getting our first significant snow of the season.  Within the past hour, we have gone from no snow on the ground to a winter wonderland!  I'm hoping that we won't get too much so that my back can hold up under the shoveling.  It's a perfect day to stay inside and let the sewing machine hum.  Hope your after Christmas day is also cozy, comfortable, and peaceful!    

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

 
Here's the revised button for the Nancy Drew blog hop with the new dates.  My day is March 13th and I don't "have a clue" yet about what project I will be making!  Better get sleuthing.....

Monday, December 10, 2012

I just wanted to show you some of the labels that I use on the inside of my sewing projects.  There have been some wonderful tutorials on making labels and I think this is certainly one of the easiest.  I use a standard label template found in any writing program.  Avery labels even has a software  program out there and tons of free templates on their web site.  In any case, just choose the size you want.  There are much smaller ones and much larger ones, depending on your usage.  Check out your writing program to see what sizes are available in your particular program.  This template has 30 labels to a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11".
 
I like to use one of these templates because it's really easy to design your labels, change fonts, add pictures, etc. It's easier than using a blank page (no template) and cutting and pasting your design several times.  If you've tried this method, you know what I mean.  Setting the borders can be a real challenge.  These templates take care of all that for you.
 
 
 
 
Not a great picture, but here's a sheet of labels.  If you click on it, you can see it a bit better.  I print mine on fusible fabric sheets.  I like to use the fusible sheets because they are nice and firm and I can iron them exactly where I want them before I finish the edges with a satin stitch, zigzag stitch, buttonhole, or whatever.  No slipping around while working on them.  I don't turn the edges under, I just leave them raw and then stitch them down.  By using the fusible fabric sheets, I have very little fraying of the labels.  If you wanted to turn your edges down, you'd have to use a template that gives you enough space (extra fabric) to turn under or make your writing and pictures smaller. 
 
Play around and print your labels on a regular sheet of paper until you get the desired label, then use the fusible fabric or any fabric sheet for your finished product. 
Have fun!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

(Photo courtesy of Madame Samm )
 

Although I don't have the goodies pictured above yet, they are on their way to my grubby little hands.  Thanks to Madame Samm's giveaway and Pellon's sponsorship, I will have all of these Pellon products shipped to my home very soon.  Thanks so much!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

 
NO! ....NO! ..... I can't join any more blog hops!  But how can I resist?  This one is all about words.  Words.  I love words.  Words that mean something special to us.  Who can resist words?  I think it will be great to read the stories behind the chosen words and see all of the creative projects inspired by words. 
 
Note:  The Nancy Drew blog hop has been put on hold due to a delay in fabric distribution.  It's just now getting to the retail stores and for those who have orders to be mailed, it will take even longer to reach them.  The blog hop is not canceled.... just delayed until March.  When I have more specifics, I'll let you know.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

It's officially the Christmas season!  My Elf on a Shelf has arrived right on time, December 1st!  He must be a pretty smart elf because he immediately found a stack of quilts on top of my TV armoire to rest his weary self.  He's brought along his peppermint pal too.  I'll try and give you periodic updates as he travels back and forth from the North Pole to my humble home.  Safe travels to all!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

November's Fat Quarter Shop BOM is done.  I'm running a little late this month, but as least it's finished before the December BOM arrives.  I still need to make some more blocks with the excess fabric and hope to do this soon.  I hate being behind schedule, even if it is a self-inflicted deadline.
 
 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

My sweet friend, Kathy, delivered this little fall wall hanging to me over the weekend.  It was a belated birthday gift and I just love it.  Fall is my time of the year and if I were in a bit better shape, I'd actually be the one jumping into these leaves!  Thank you so very much, Kathy.... I love it!
 
 


I decided to put up a few Christmas decorations yesterday and my trusty assistant, Oliver, was happy to help me.  In spite of his help, I did manage to put up the tree and a few other festive items.  I didn't put out much since my health has been a bit iffy and didn't want to get in over my head.  You know the saying, "what goes up, must come down" and it's a lot of work!


 
 
 
Here's my little 3' table top tree, wearing only lights and a star.  (I truly only put up a few things.)  I like to turn the tree lights on in the evening and just enjoy the peacefulness of its' presence.
 
 
 
 
I did add a few other things around the house, a Christmas wall hanging on the door, Christmas place mats at the tables, a few figurines, that kind of thing.  Again, easy to put away at the end of the season....very little muss, very little fuss!

Friday, November 23, 2012

 
Forget Hallmark......Mutts always says it best!
 
 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

 
 
 
 
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

There's a new gadget on my sidebar...... another blog hop!  I wasn't going to sign up for ANYTHING until next year because of holiday obligations but couldn't resist this blog hop.  It's a Nancy Drew Blog Hop!  Go HERE to find out the specifics.  Sign ups are open until November 25 as long as spots are available.  If you are "blogless" you can still participate.  Basically, you can make anything you want (I might only have time to make another coin purse, who knows?) as long as you use some of the new Moda fabric line, Nancy Drew, in your project.  Pretty small commitment, in my opinion.  The hop runs from January 7th through the 17th, plenty of time for one small project or two.



I loved the Nancy Drew books!  My brother always had a Hardy Boys mystery hanging around too, so I read those as well.  Hope you'll check out the link above and sign up for some sleuthing fun!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I spent a nice day at the library with my quilting friends today.  Since I had some extra hands, plus some open space, I had them hold up my Giant Grannie Panties Quilt Along quilt top.  It's really a lap quilt..... maybe something like 70" x 70".   The top is complete and is ready for basting and quilting.  Naturally, it will go into my "to do" pile o' stuff until I can get back to it.  At least it is together and ready for the last stages.  For me, that's pretty good.  I'm going to machine quilt this on my regular sewing machine and it will be the biggest quilt that I've attempted on my home machine.  I'll be keeping this one (I think), so I won't feel too stressed out if it doesn't turn out as I'd like.
 
 
 
 
I stopped at the grocery store after the library meeting.  I live in a large Amish area and many of the stores have special parking places for the horses and buggies.  As long as I've lived in this area, I never tire of seeing these sites.
 


Sunday, November 11, 2012

 
 

To all Veteran's...
past, present, and future...
my deepest gratitude for your service!


 
My Dad, WW II, 104th Infantry (Timberwolf)
 
 
                                                                                                

My Brother, Vietnam, 101st Airborne (Medic)


Tuesday, November 6, 2012



Welcome to Day #2 of the
UR Priceless Blog Hop!

I hope you enjoy my little show and tell today.  I'd like to thank Katherine from Sew Me Something Good for hosting this huge blog hop.  I'm sure it's been quite a lot of work to organize and communicate with all of the participating bloggers.  And another thank you goes to Madame Samm, who is the wind beneath the sewing machines of these blog hops.  She is one busy lady!

On with the show!

Purse #1...... a little functional purse for the sewing room.  I've used some cute sewing themed fabrics to make this purse.
 
 
 
 
 
It's purpose is as a thread catcher at my ironing station.  I just hate it when I find loose threads when I'm ironing a block or any sewing project.  I always think I'll go back and clip the threads later, but it can be hard to find them afterwards.  I just keep a little scissor and the thread catcher right by the iron and the threads are captured right away and put into the pouch.
 



Purse #2 ...... my coffee money purse.

 
 
 
Here it is in action, holding some coffee money.  Is it really cheaper to use those little K-cups or should I just pick up a coffee-to-go once in awhile?  Oh well... sip... sip... slurp...
 

 
 
Purse #3...... a little purse to hold some Christmas money, kind of like an honor system Christmas club.
 

 
 
The other side.......

 
Purse #4......Oliver, my cat and always present sewing assistant, decided that he wanted to have a little purse of his own.  He has no money, so I wasn't sure why he would want one.
 



He picked out what he thought were "manly" cat fabrics.




When it was finished, here's what he wanted to use it for...... a little pouch to hold some kibble!  I guess it would be easy to take it into the other rooms of the house, as the kitchen is the only room with available cat food.  (I'd better not find crumbs in his cat bed!)


 
 
Mmmmmmm...... this looks pretty good.........
 
 


Munch, munch, munch!




Purse #5....... a little Fall themed purse..... good for holding little treats.




Inside.......




Things were going pretty well until someone smelled the candies.  I guess it's always good to share!




I have a few more purse frames left and will be making more soon.  After the first purse, they went together fairly easily and quickly.  They will be probably be given away as little gifts, used to hold even smaller gifts. 


 
 
I hope you have enjoyed looking at my little coin purses.  Now you will want to move along and visit the other bloggers that are showing off their creations today;
 


Enjoy the UR Priceless Blog Hop!

Important PS: Please VOTE today!!!!
It's a right, it's a duty, and it's a privilege!

Saturday, November 3, 2012


UR Priceless Blog Hop starts Monday!  Click on the picture above to get the full schedule of bloggers that are participating.  My day is Tuesday, VOTING DAY, so please come back and see the little coin purses that I have made...... then go out and VOTE!

Have a great week end!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
And, of course, I DO expect a lot from my cat.  Oliver is always a great sport though, letting me do practically anything to him, with him, or for him.  He's a trooper and as long as he's getting attention, he's up for just about anything.
 
 
 
 
Happy Halloween!
 
(Be sure to keep your pets safe tonight! Keep them away from the candy, things they might swallow, and from slipping out the open doors!)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

As if it wasn't enough that all of the stores rush into Christmas well before the holiday, even my Christmas cactus has jumped on the bandwagon.  It's just full of beautiful blooms, blooms ready to burst, and buds on every leaf, waiting to show off their beauty.  Oh well, I guess it's a "Halloween" cactus this year, not a Christmas cactus.  And no matter what season it chooses to bloom in, it's gorgeous and I appreciate the show!
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

 
 
 
 
Attention Owl Lovers!  Do you want to make your own *free* owl calender?  Owls are definitely "in" right now.  Go HERE , to My Owl Barn blog, to make your own customized calendar.  There are 40 artists represented, each with their own creative owl picture.  You pick whatever picture you want for whatever month you want, then print it out.
 
Here are my selections.  I printed mine on card stock, but you could even use fabric.  I may cut mine apart to make a smaller, one page a month, calendar.  Have fun creating yours!
 
 
 


 
Whoooooo......me?

Monday, October 22, 2012

 
 


My sweet Oliver......doing what he does best (outside of napping and snuggling) ...... guarding and watching over his little kingdom,  making sure that everything is safe and protected in our world.