Blog Archive

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sally the Salamander

My Aunt Louise made a poem for Layla and her Salamander. Hope you can read it.
Ruby tried on the dresses I made. The bottom dress is for Layla, but she wouldn't try it on.



Friday, March 27, 2009

Thrifting and repurposing

These embroidery pieces are from an old scarf I thrifted. They are now ready to be appliqued to an apron or something else. I had already used the lace on a pillowcase dress (dress with the blue lace border.Thrifed these yesterday. I found this apron for a $1.00 and the placemat for $.50 (for a purse). I really don't think the apron is homemade but it looks old and really cute.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Dresses made

These are the 2 patterns I decided on. The McCall's pattern is from 1983. First time I've used it. Both patterns were pretty easy. The hat looks pretty cute, so I may try it next.
This one is for Ruby. I'll be keeping them Friday so maybe I can get a picture. They are really close in size. Ruby is shorter.
Layla's dress.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Sewing for the Grandkids

Now that it's so warm out I'm having a hard time focusing on sewing or even staying indoors. I'm addicted to cutting vines and briars. I just loose all track to time and not even tired until I walk up the hill to come to the house and it hits me. Rain is in the forecast so maybe I can get something done and rest a little.

I've got some really cute material to make outfits for the girls. Only question is which to use first? and which pattern?



Friday, March 20, 2009

Welcome Spring

It's finally Springtime.

Still working on the woods. I've been raking leaves and got a big blister on my thumb. Still cleaning out the trash. Found 1 queen and 1 king sheet for $1.99 each and used them for my curtains on my porch. When I put them down the wind blows them up. Any ideas on what I need to weight them down?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Easter Eggs

Last Sunday my Mom had made some really cute hanging Easter eggs ornaments. They are so easy you really don't need a pattern.Just cut out 2 felt pieces, a piece of ribbon and buttons or embrodiery or both. I had a lot of buttons I've collected, plus I went to Joann's and they had packs of buttons for $1.29. I got the tiniest little buttons and a bag with little animals. Add stuffing and blanket stitch around the edges.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Scrapbook

There wasn't any working outside this weekend. It was cold and raining. My husband did manage to put up a new mailbox. Someone knocked down our mailbox and didn't stop to let us know. Oh well we needed a new one. The grandkids were here and we had fun inside.
I got a new project I'm starting. I'm making a scrapbook for my grandchildren. I decided to start with our grandparents. We're going to write things we remember about our grandparents, parents, and our children. First I need to get prints from our pictures. I think it will be a lot of fun. Maybe someday they can share this with their grandchildren.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Jewerly Making

I made a few jewerly items today. Some will probably be gifts. I ordered the cameo off Etsy, not sure where. The others came from Joann's. I really enjoy making jewerly.

Doll dress for Alley

Finally got a dress made for Layla's doll Alley. The pattern was pretty easy. I followed the instructions but I couldn't find a way to put the apron on the doll. So I had to put velcro tabs at the top (don't know why I couldn't figure that out). How does she look? Had to give her a haircut.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My new picnic area

It was really nice and warm here last week. Last 2 days not so warm. I took advantage of those warm days and worked outside to clean up in the woods behind our house. We've had a house here for 33 years and my husband owed the property 3 years before that. We are just know deciding to clean up the woods. We thought it would be better to do this before every thing blooms out. Funny thing about briars, they never die out. We have a lot of blackberry vines and huge grape vines. Some have been on these trees for years and have nearly killed some of them. One day I worked down there by myself for 3 hours. The time just flew by and I enjoyed it so much.
If you've never lived out in rural areas you may not realize folks used to throw trash in the woods. There wasn 't any land fills or trash pick up. Later in the years folks covered up the trash piles with dirt. Folks definately used these woods for trash. I found old bottles, cans, tires, parts to a bed, tin from a roof, bumper from a car. You can see in one of the pictures some of the tin. I've used 5 big trash bags so far.
We plan on doing more this weekend. There is a level spot at the bottom of the hill and we want to make it a picnic area.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

This is 100

Can't believe I stuck with it, but this is my 100th anniversary post. It seems like only yesterday. I've been introduced to a wonderful group of bloggers I now call friends. Thanks for all of your comments and visits to my blog. Hope to keep it up.
Now to my back porch. With Spring approaching I couldn't wait to dress it up. I know I covered those cushions and pillows back in the fall. That just didn't work for me. First of all the cushions faded and looked horrible. Guess they weren't weather proof. The pillows were made from vinyl tablecloths. They weren't comfortable.

I bought 2 new cushions from "Old Time Pottery". Made the pillows from material in my stash and covered the lamp with the same material. Used my old cushions on the chairs. I really need to bring them inside in the Winter. But where do I store them?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

My Ruby Girl and Doll Patterns

Haven't been feeling my best for almost 2 weeks now. Today is the first day I wanted to get off the couch and actually do something. Think it's allergies. Still haven't finished Jakob's quilt, but I'm working on it.

Got a lot of things I want to make. Layla has an 18" doll (Alley). Remember to take batteries out of Alley. I have lots of patterns for her. This is half of them. Been collecting these for a while. Most were .99, never paid more than $1.99.
This little baby loves to pose. I had her all to myself and she was willing to pose.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

My new dresses

This is from Simplicity 3835 (one of my favorites). It is a fall color, but I just had the urge to make it. I'll wear it this Sunday and save it for the fall.This the first time I've tried this pattern. Cut on the bias. I made A version from one of my thrifed sheets. (Sheets are great for trying out a pattern). I love the way it fits. This was my Spring Fever fix (almost Spring). Today's temps 68 degrees.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Friends visit

My friend Teresa came over today to get the organizer for her sister. My sister Vickie and my niece Ashley also came over and we all had lunch and talked a lot. Teresa and I email each other, but we haven't seen each other in over a year. Can't wait to do that again. Should have taken some pictures.My other purse I was working on Friday. I really like the colors. Used recycled handles from a yard sale purse.

Friday, February 20, 2009

2 purses and an organizer

Made this organizer for my friend's sister (Teresa, hope Anna likes it). Then I was definitely on a roll and completed 2 purses and almost another one.
The front of this purse is from a pillowcase. I had the idea for a long time, just decided it was time. I really want to start an Etsy shop. What do you think? Could I make it?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

More thrifts (I'm on a roll)

The corduroy reminds me of Lera's great find. I'm been wanting some ever since I saw the dress she made. It was $2.00 for 2 7/8 yards. The eyelet type material (not cotton) 3 yards was $1.50 and a zipper for .10.Still working on that quilt for Jakob. It won't be long now. I also found a pair of jeans today for a $1.00 which should help me finish.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Thrifting again


Yesterday was the first time I've been to the antique mall in Franklin since last September when I quit work. I found 2 great items. A cute little pyrex casserole dish and an adorable lamp that really works. The lamp was 60% off.
Have a great weekend.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Wonderful weekend




It's been so warm here since Friday. We had such a great time with the grandchildren outside Saturday. I had raked leaves and they jumped and played in them. Layla found an earthworm and named it Sally. Then she dug and wanted to find more Sally's. Ruby was all smiles playing in her car and Jakob loved playing basketball. We visited these beautiful horses that are down the road from us. Then we walked to my in-laws down the road and Thomas worked on her antenna and her digital box. Then he had to unhook it, because she was so confused with the whole thing. Now he can wait until June to change it.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Crayon holder


Today I've made 2 crayon holders. The girls are getting more interested in coloring, so they need a neat way to keep their crayons. I've noticed a lot of these on the blogs. This was the latest I've seen. So thanks for the idea.
Layla informed me her birthday was in October and she doesn't have a shirt with the number 5. So I had to make one.


My latest pillowcase finds. I found 2 of these lovely embroidered pillowcases at Goodwill for .99 each. Haven't found much of anything else lately.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Sew Mama Sew stash

Sew Mama Sew is asking questions about our stash. So I've answered her questions

What do you usually sew? Clothes for my grandchildren and purses

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need? usually looking for something in particular, but I always look at renmants

Are you a pre-washer? yes, because I'm scared it will shrink after I've made the outfit.
If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it? when I need it

Do you iron it? yes
How do you sort it? color and kind of fabric

How do you store your fabric? scraps smaller than 1/4 yard in bins by color. Stack the rest on shelves, by kind of fabric

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash? I usually go to renmants first, then check out sales that week, buy at least a yard, look for sheets at thrift store.

When do you say enough is enough? When I can't get any more on my shelves

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects? making purses


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

My new great nephew

Aiden with my brother, his grandpa. Jeff's first grandchild. I'm the oldest grandchild in the family, my daughter had the first, second and third great-grandchilden. So Aiden is my first great. Hope that makes sense. He's a little cutie.