Monday, May 20, 2013

I Added A New Blog!


I've added a new blog--I Sew For You!  

It will be completely different from this blog--which I'm working on getting back to being active. 

I Sew For You is my business blog where I do just that--sew for you! Is there something that you would love to have made for you, but maybe you don't sew or don't have the time, well let me do it for you! Please visit my new blog and click on the How It Works in the top bar and it will fill you in with the details. And keep an eye posted here for some new blogging activity. 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Testing

It has been forever since I've blogged and I would really like to get back to blogging again and give my blog a new facelift. I see that Blogger has changed quite a bit, so I'll see if I can actually create a post with this new format. Gee I hope I can! So here goes. Just a bit of testing for now. Got the text, now to see  how to add a photo.....

Well so far so good and very simple. Now let's hit the publish button and see what happens! 

Hey, what do you know, it worked! Ok, now with that part down, I'll work on my facelift very soon!


Monday, March 12, 2012

Snippet Rolls

I recently participated in a Snippet Roll Swap with a few friends and I received some of the most fabulous Snippet Rolls! Not only was this a fun swap, I also found it very challenging! I learned that I need to think out of the box--I need to get out of the box and be free! It was actually a great exercise that I need to do again. Who knows maybe we'll do a Snippet Roll swap here in the near future.

So what is a Snippet Roll you say.
I found the idea on Pinterest from Carole of Madness and Mess HERE.
Originally these Snippet Rolls are supposed to be put onto an old wooden thread spool, however my swap friends and I have all decided that they need to be hung and not rolled, so they can be seen.

Our rules were that they had to be at least 10 inches in length and wide enough to fit onto a large spool--about 2 1/2 inches wide. The rest was up to each individual and look at the beautiful Snippet Rolls they each created! I absolutely LOVE each of them!!

(remember to click on the photos to enlarge them so they'll show up better)



The first one I received was from Marsha. Look how pretty with the beautiful sheer ribbon overlay, which when you peek underneath shows several beautiful stampings..........................



....but wait! Look! Another layer! It actually took me a minute to discover this hidden layer sandwiched between a layer of delicate tea stained cheese cloth.............




The fabric is a very French black and white print with more little surprises stitched to it.....




Layers of wonderous fabric & snippets!



The next one came from Darlene of Chicken Scratch Farm--baker extraordinaire. This one is stitched onto a beautiful black and white embroidered fabric with a lovely sheer fabric underneath......



Lots of inspirational snippets.........like Love, Create, Inspire. If you lift the stamping that says LOVE underneath it you will find a ticket that reads Admit One and above that Shared Happiness. How clever!




...a really cool glittered bird and I love that clock! I have a thing for clocks you know--especially the very style Darlene added here! The end little message shared was---It's never too late to find out who you want to be!




Next came this snippet filled with fabulous and dainty little treasures from Phyllis . Every time I look at it I see something I hadn't noticed before!



Like the little end to the piece of silverware, and all the cute little prints of sweet vintage children...........



...and the ruler stub and the old lace and crochet bits and..............just lots of fun trinkets and treasures! Very inspiring!



This one came from Kathi and again I am amazed at all the creative ideas everyone has used.......



Like the little mini clipboard! A thread spool, clock hands...............



and everyone in the swaps favorite......the garter belt! I love that she used a bit of a tape measure too. I wasn't brave enough to cut one up! Gotta be braver! Lots of fun snippets on this one too!




And this is the one that I made. I printed out the dress form image and from there the rest just came together on it's own and I sort of ended up with a pink French theme, that I hadn't planned on at all.




It was fun gathering and printing images and little snippets of this and that..............


and then figuring out where and how to place them.

I've learned so much! For my next try I want to make it a bit longer, use more snippets and be more random. I've learned so much from each of these very talented friends and have found some wonderful inspiration along the way.

Thank you Marsha, Darlene, Phyllis and Kathi for the absolutely fabulous Snippet Rolls, fun and inspiration!

Here are a few more links to other Snippet Rolls that you might enjoy.................

http://lindajos.blogspot.com/2011/01/snippet-roll.html

http://fourfiftythree.blogspot.com/2011/02/spool-wrap.html

http://aliceandcamilla.blogspot.com/2011/02/story-spool.html




Thursday, February 23, 2012

Free Quilters Ruler Case Pattern--Only 24 hrs Left!


Ok, quilters you'd better hurry. The pattern for this awesome ruler case is being offered free for the next 24 hours at Sew We Quilt With Love. It's designed by Melissa Stramel of Lilac Lane. After that the pattern will be available for purchase.

Wouldn't this be great to take to classes, bees, retreats and such. It has a place to store notions too. So hurry up if you want it for free! Happy Stitching!

If you missed the above links then click

HERE

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Hello Kitty As A Pincushion

Hello Kitty is a now a pincushion and she's headed to school!


My 12 yro daughter is taking sewing in school and of course needed a pincushion as part of her supplies and according to her, a dumb old tomato pincushion (which I love!) just would not do!

Since Hello Kitty is one of her all time favorites that's what or who she decided would replace the everyday, ho-hum tomato pincushion (which I love!).

I found her Hello Kitty coloring book and photo copied a nice sized Hello Kitty head and went from there. I used white wool for the face and a dark hot pink wool for the back, stuffed it with polyfil and crushed walnut shells, embroidered the features and then added a strip of twill tape to the back side with her name inked into it and viola! A Hello Kitty pincushion surely not to be found repeated by any of her classmates.

Yes Jennalee, I hear you! I will make you one too. Two girls--two of everything!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Birthday To Me Happy Valentines To You!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Valentine's day to you!

And some cards and things to share!


I went to the post office this afternoon and found a lovely surprise from my friend Terri P in Chicago. She sent me that adorable red apron in the back--to go with my red and yellow kitchen and the beautiful tea pot, with rose bouquet, rose cup & saucer and the little rose picture. She knows me to a tee! All things I LOVE! Thank you, thank you Terri!
The cake is a delicious 4 layer black forest. Yum!


And remember my Handmade Valentine Card swap. Well here are the photos from it, plus a few other Valentines that I received as well.



This little beauty is from Jayne C. So delicate and pretty with the little glittered cherub, pink pearls and eyelet trimmed edges.


From Mary B (Jayne's mother), I received this darling card with sentiments of smile, wish, dance and sweet! Perfect!


Look how sweet the inside of Mary's card is. Just adorable!



How sweet is this little vintage school girl and those beautiful roses with just the right touch of glitter by Evelyn H. Just darling!




This one by Kathy L of Cottage Garden Quilter is so very pretty and dainty just like the envelopes--yes it came in two delicate and dainty envelopes just as beautiful as the card. Kathy and I have exchanged cards for the past 2 or 3 years and they are always just lovely!




What an adorable cupid! Made by Gen H of Ewenique Treasures Very vintagey in the black and white with the music print and the bits of added color here and there.



From Jean T came this little card with chocolates and raspberry hugs--oh yeah! Needless to say they didn't last long!




Don't you just love this vintage sewing collage by Linda M of Nothing But Blue Skies. This card is loaded with all kinds of little treasures. It's an easel card--very clever idea--and Linda has a wonderful tutorial on her blog on how to make an easel card, so make sure to check it out.





This Valentine was made by my sister Rhonda and is from an old piece of wood from where she used to live in Arkansas and is embellished by lots of fun little bits and bobs--love the tiny little rhinestone heart.




A modern day vintage valentine by Kim L, which is really a little heart pocket filled with 3 more little Valentines. How cute is that!




This cute little tiger was sent by Dawn S. What's fun is one of these days all of these wonderful Valentine cards will be vintage themselves and an awesome collection since I have several years worth.



Darlene of Chicken Scratch Farm crafted this beautiful card that says to Love and Believe--two of my favorite sentiments and the little piece with the roses on it looks so much like a piece of broken china. I love broken china and never thought about doing it in paper. Very clever!



And lastly is the hanky doll, which is what I made for the swap. These were so fun to make and I plan to definitely make more. You can find a complete tutorial with 2 different Victorian scrap ladies to print and use HERE.

It's been a fabulous birthday! My kids gave me an awesome bluray player and then this evening friends treated me to dinner--and not only did they sing Happy Birthday to me, but the others in the restaurant did too! Oh my! LOL!

I have so enjoyed swapping all of these wonderful cards with everyone and look forward to it again for next year! I have quite the collection anymore and they are each so very unique, beautiful and cherished.

Thank you for all of the absolutely awesome cards!

Wishing each of you a fabulous Valentine's day filled with lots of Love, Joy and Chocolate!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

It's A Dress Form Party!

It's a dress form party!

Are you coming?

Hurry up now, you don't want to miss it!

Carol at The Polka Dot Closet is our gracious hostess for this fun filled event and she has invited us all to the ball!

Betty and Mae are ready to go and they'd like to model a few ensembles for you........



Mae is ready in her romantic shabby dress. She sports a white flocked top hat trimmed with sheer gossamer ribbon, a layered strand of pearls, an old china bowl--yup a bowl--she insisted! At her waist is a sprig of paper roses tied with dark sage crinkle satin french wired ribbon. Her lacy puddled skirt is from thrift store remnants and a thrift store bridal veil.


Mae is named after Mae West. She came to me as a gift and was purchased from a western clothing store, where she worked as a floor model.


You can see her a bit better here.



This is Betty and unlike Mae who prefers a quirky chic fashion, Betty prefers to be lavished in jewels. She's a very dainty gal indeed.


A little closer look at Betty and I can see she's flung one of her necklaces about her shoulders. Crazy girl!



Betty again when she's in sewing mode. She's really quite versatile.



Betty was found in a thrift store in Florida, where she was purchased for $50! What a deal! She is from the 1930's a size 14 and has a lovely cast iron base and caged skirt.


Just a little dress form pincushion that I made a few years ago. I love making these from my favorite rose fabric.


Betty, Mae and I thank you for stopping by and visiting with us for a bit. We hope you enjoyed your stay.

Please don't forget to stop by and say hello to Carol at The Polka Dot Closet and view all of the other dress forms waltzing at the ball.