Off to an estate sale…

Just a quick note to tell you I hope your weekend was as wonderful as mine. Spring was in the air! The temperature was around 65 degrees, and the sun was shining. We spent our Saturday building raised garden beds, fishing, and doing a little tidying around the outside of the house. It was so refreshing to throw open the windows and air the house out. Hard to believe we had snow last weekend.

Now, I’m off to an estate sale to see what I can find. I collect old stoneware and vintage fabric. I’ve also been on the lookout for canning jars and a pressure canner. It’ll be harvest season before you know it!

Trying something new: Embroidery

 

Well, it’s not exactly new to me, but since I haven’t embroidered anything since childhood, I feel like it’s the first time.

It seems I have my crafty mojo back lately. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve been off from work for the past month! And I’m finally to the point in my recovery that I feel like doing something. Anything. EVERYTHING!

These lamps are also new around here. When we bought this house, and spent our first night here, we realized that there were no overhead lights in any of the rooms. This doesn’t bother me because I am very fond of the soft glow that lamp light provides and overhead lighting is often harsh. But it meant that the lamps I already owned were relocated from their previous positions into spaces where light was need the most. Unfortunately for me, my sewing space did not make the cut.

I’ve spent the last few months perpetually on the look out for the perfect (and affordable) lamps I needed for my sewing table. I’ve been to thrift shops, and flea markets, and antique malls, but was unable to find a suitable used lamp at a reasonable price.

I often shop at Ross or TJ Maxx when I need (or want, to be more honest) something for my home and I cannot find it secondhand. They are both discount stores and have the most amazing kitchen gadgets, stoneware, and house wares in general, at unbelievably good prices. I found these lamps (which I adore) for $11.99 each, plus $1.99 for the shades. They were worth the wait. And I love getting a good deal!

I also picked up these nice kitchen towels for under $1 each. I have in mind exactly what I want to do with them. Back in the fall, I received Anna Maria Horner’s new book Seams to Me. (You can find the link in my sidebar. It’s my top recommendation for sewing books – an excellent choice for beginners, but it also has fun projects for any skill level.) I’ve been wanting to try her embroidered and appliquéd kitchen towels for some time. I’m crazy about those yo-yo flowers.

So, it seems I’m good to go. And because I do nothing half way, I bought enough embroidery thread to last the rest of my life! It was an economical purchase I made at our local Hobby Lobby. For the same price of 20 small individual skeins of embroidery thread, I was able to buy a bulk package of 150 skeins of thread. A real no-brainer.

And, FYI, Hobby Lobby has a weekly online coupon which you can print out and save on in-store purchases. Usually it’s 40% off of any one item. How’s that for a good deal? It leaves me with no excuse not to try new projects.

Entertaining Sara Lynn, while I sew!

 

Sewing with a toddler (or in my case, a 3-year-old) around can be quite a challenge. As much as I enjoy sewing in peace, quiet, and solitude, it’s important for me to realize that I am raising up the next generation of seamstresses.

I want Sara Lynn (and Daniel, too – he just wasn’t around this time) to be interested in what I’m sewing, especially if it is for her. It makes for a much more meaningful gift when they feel as if they have contributed to the process. This little one loves choosing her own fabric, and deciding what she would like for it to become. I want to nurture in her a desire to continue the art of sewing.

That said, I always have plenty to keep her little hands busy while I am at the machine. Never underestimate the power of a simple deck of cards. I have all kinds of cards: number and letter flash cards, bible character cards. You name it, and I probably have a card for it.

However, Sara Lynn prefers a more grown-up version of cards. I think it makes her feel a little more grown-up to play with our cards, and they are pretty. All those diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades in all those bright primary colors. She loves to find the face cards and make matches. It usually entertains her for a good 30 minutes.

When she grows bored with the cards, she’s usually ready to pull out her crayons. I make sure that everything is handy.

I like having my sewing studio in a corner of my bedroom. It allows my children to wander in and climb up cozily in my bed to watch my progress. I’m blessed to have a large space for this, but it doesn’t take much room. A few old suitcases (or cardboard boxes) for fabric and supplies tucks neatly beneath an old desk or table.

At some point, Sara Lynn will decide that she wants to ‘sew’. I have an empty box, which turned upside-down, serves as her table. And I have small scissors, just her size. I let her choose fabric from my scrap basket, and she is content to snip it into teeny-tiny pieces.

I watch her out of the corner of my eye, and remind her to watch out for her fingers. She’s never had an accident with the scissors, and hers are pretty dull anyway. It’s important to foster a sense of independence and confidence in young children. They are capable of far more than we usually give them credit.

And hands down, her very favorite thing to do while I sew, is play with my pins. Again I keep an eye on her, and remind her not to lay them in the floor or poke her finger.

 

It seems my sweet Sara Lynn has an artistic streak herself. Check out those patterns and lines she made with the pins!

I love my little ones.

Sewing the Essentials

It was a cold, dreary day on Saturday. Perfect weather for sewing! I grabbed my coffee and headed upstairs to sew.

I was shocked to realize that this is the last size of Jackie Clark’s Britches and Bloomers that Sara Lynn will be able to wear. This pattern has been a staple in her wardrobe since she was a wee little thing. I’m saddened by this, but happy to know that I can convert other pants patterns to have a ruffle. Tutorial here.

I thought I’d share how I trace my patterns with you. I know there may be a few beginner seamstresses out there who may benefit from this. First of all, I never, ever cut the original pattern. It lasts longer if it is kept intact, and you will not have to worry about losing any pieces. I like to use a king size Sharpie marker to trace the pattern onto craft paper (which I buy by the roll at my local craft store – it’s very inexpensive). It’s a little more difficult to see the pattern through the craft paper, but it’s worth the extra effort because the paper will withstand repeated use. And the wide tip marker gives me a little more control while tracing.

Just be careful with the Sharpie, lest you mar the surface of your faithful sewing machine like I did. Ughh! I used some fingernail polish remover, but it didn’t come completely clean. They are permanent markers after all.

After I’ve traced my pattern, I copy all the information from the pattern onto the paper. I use bold handwriting, and I circle the size.

Next, I pin the corners and start cutting. I can’t stress enough how important it is to use good scissors that are dedicated to fabric cutting. I like the ones with titanium blades.

And I love my Rowenta professional iron. It presses through stiff creases in fabric like a hot knife through butter.

While we’re talking tools, I have to say that my rotary cutter, mat, and rulers have all become indispensable. I don’t know how I ever lived without them.

Moving on, I must confess that I have this love/hate thing going on with my serger. I love serging seams, but I hate threading it. I have yet to successfully thread it without pulling out my manual, which really irritates me. And it’s one of the easiest threading sergers available.

While sewing, I find it helps to have a good sense of humor. Mistakes are inevitable. I do some of the craziest things! Just look at that ruffle beautifully sewn to the wrong side of that stripey fabric. Uh-oh!

Time to break out the handy-dandy seam ripper. I keep meaning to pick up one of those ergonomically designed ones, seeing as to how I use mine so often. ; )

I find it’s all worth it to be able to sit back and admire the finished project. Love those serged seams!

And I’m really digging this fabric. The top is the Holly Jumper by Bonnie Blue Designs. It can be worn with a long-sleeved shirt underneath until it warms up.

The essential spring outfit.

Yes, it seems my little seamstress would like a few more pairs of those ruffley pants. Can you blame her? So cute.

Sewing up a storm

My quilt making progress was interrupted this week. But I didn’t mind one bit. These super-sweet rustic bears were a cinch to sew. It truly doesn’t get any easier than these.

I’m so tempted to sew on button eyes and embroider a curvy bear-ish smile and cutesy nose! But they’ll have to stay naked for a little while longer.

This Sunday at church, our children will be painting faces on theses bears and they will be distributed to a local children’s home. The Adullam House reaches out to children in our area whose parent(s) have been incarcerated, and they have many children living there at any given time. The needs are always great, but several local churches sponsor this amazing ministry.

Its important for us to realize that there is mission work to be done right here at home, as well as abroad. It’s also important for our children to be involved as we reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves. They are growing, and learning, and being shaped by their experiences each and everyday.

Okay, it’s time to get off my soap box and get on to the sewing…

I love seeing a big pile of fabric scraps!

And having the not-so-fun part of cutting behind me. (I must confess that I never enjoy the cutting.)

My favorite mug was filled many times. Sometimes coffee, sometimes tea.

Now this is fun!

Lots of little bears took shape this week.

And because I’d been a really good girl, a piece of Farmer Kim’s Apple Cake was my reward. Yum!

I’m so glad that the sweet lady who put this project together chose an easy pattern. I feel another beginner’s sewing tutorial coming on. Details are in the works and will be posted soon. This is an excellent pattern for a child’s first sewing project.

Quilting supplies are here!

 

I was so excited when my package arrived from Create For Less.

It was packed to perfection. I’ve never seen a package so meticulously organized and carefully secured with air bubbles.

And the contents were enough to make any crafter’s heart skip a beat! Amazingly detailed quilting books for under $5 each, and patterns starting at .99 cents. Check out their clearance section people! Orders over $100 ship for free.

I spent more than a little while perusing the goods. And I guess I’m all out of excuses, I’ll have to finish that quilt now!

I ended up with everything I need to complete my first quilt:

505 Spray and Fix (easier than using safety pins to baste)

Warm and Natural Batting (full size – I bought 2!)

Laundry Basket quilt templates (for use later – they were cheap!)

2.5” Binding Buddy template

Coats and Clark machine quilting thread (must be purchased in increments of 3, but excellent pricing)

Several patterns and quilting books

I spent my morning soaking up sunshine and got a little head start on my spring cleaning. All of the bed linens, winter quilts, blankets, and rugs are washed and clean. Clothes that no longer fit the children are being sorted into piles for Goodwill and friends who can use them. For me, this is a good time of year to do a bit of purging. Time to simplify. It feels great.

If you would like to receive a copy of this oh-so-fun pattern, Animal Friends by Valori Wells Designs, just leave a comment on this post. I’ll choose a winner on Friday, January 29, 2009. International comments are welcome here. (I’m thinking of you, Ann!)

Sewing: My first quilt

I’ve had this fabric in my stash for almost a year now. It’s high time I put it to good use! I purchased it knowing it would become my first quilt. I love this fabric.

I especially love the fact that I purchased it on sale for 40% off at www.fabric.com and had it shipped, free of charge, to my door.

And I found a great site for sewing, quilting, knitting, etc. supplies: www.createforless.com It was the only place I could find to order Warm and Natural batting and 505 Spray and Fix at a reasonable price. Most sites I found have one or the other, but not both, or the prices were outrageous. Orders over $100 ship free from Create for Less. I went ahead and ordered enough batting and supplies for 2 quilts (aren’t I ambitious?) and some patterns and books they had on clearance to take advantage of the free shipping offer.

Definitely check out their clearance section. I’ll be having a giveaway soon of some patterns I got on sale. One is a quilt pattern, and the other is for the cutest stuffed animals.

This will be my first time sewing in my new space. The natural light is wonderful in this room.

It feels good to be getting back in the swing of things. In case you’re wondering, I’ve been at home the past few weeks recovering from surgery (nasty little ruptured disc in my neck). It’s allowed me to pop in here more than usual. I have a few weeks left must before I return to the corporate world, so I’ll be trying to make the most of my free time.

Oh yes, the view from here is spectacular.

My thread seems to be happy with it’s new home, too.

I’m still debating 12” squares versus 6” squares, and stippling versus straight-line quilting. Decisions, decisions! I’m leaning toward something like this.

I guess I better get to it. I made a few practice mini-quilts (to use as potholders) so I could hone my stippling skills. They need a lot of honing at this point!

All the way from Nottingham!!!

Yesterday, I received my very first international package.

I was so excited to open it and discover the goodies inside.

My sweet blogging friend, Ann, made these amazing items. A cute Christmas chicken (which Sara Lynn has laid claim to), a needle case, and a beautiful bag.

The stitches are perfectly sewn and the yellow floral fabric is amazing.

I can hardly wait to tuck my needles and thread into those cozy little pockets.

I am absolutely in love with the items.

Thank you so very much, Ann!

I will treasure them always...