Some Hmmm Thoughts

Tuesday, April 29

I may just make a go of selling handcrafted items after all. In the last two weeks I have sold two Mickey Mouse necklaces, two macrame baby baskets and a necklace made with red hearts. If I could just snap my fingers and magically create auction listings, that would be the ticket!! I would probably sell more. I love getting e-mail notices that something sold but….. What more motivation do I need??!!

Just found out yesterday that my local JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts store is closing this July. Hearing that was a real bummer for me, a downer day. This store is so close to my home I could reach out and touch it. Well actually if I remembered how to sit on a bike I could ride there. That is if my bee-hind still fit on a bike. This store is not one of the Superstores. It is just a small neighborhood store BUT it has been there all of the 22 years I have lived in the area. One of the employees told me they will probably have a liquidation sale. I hope so. I hope the prices are bargain basement so I can stock up on buttons, thread and all the notions I can fit inside my car. I hate to see this store close but can’t wait to stock up on stuff.

We have had our heat turned off now for several weeks but the latest heating bill was still over $250. What is up with that? Is our meter stuck on stupid??!! Can someone please tell me why you have to pay for something you aren’t even using? I know one thing. I was cold this morning and I turned the darn thing back on. If I am going to pay for gas whether I use it or not, I may as well enjoy it!!

One Day of Rest & Back To Sewing

Tuesday, April 29

OK, I feel rested now and ready to go. Back to Sewing!! Cause Macrame Month is around the corner. (As if anyone even remembers or cares what it is, LOL!!)

But today I need to make a visit to the Janome store. I want them to tell me how to sew through stacks of denim. My sewing machine, Janome 10001, doesn’t seem to like heaps of thick fabric. And for the price I paid for it, it should sew through gold!!

I don’t normally pay much attention to needles. Just turn the machine on and go. That is, until I break one. Several days ago, I broke a needle sewing on denim. I switched to a size 16 and that seemed to fix the problem but today it jammed again and would not go through the fabric at all. Oh, what a racket the machine made. I guess it told me, don’t even think about it!! I have no clue what size needle I need so I will let the experts tell me.

So…if you are looking for me, that is where I will be. BBL

Beading Class: One Third Bezelled

Sunday, April 27

Just back from my beading class at toocutebeads. If I plan to wear this bracelet, Bezelled Pearls, as shown in the photo, then I had better practice my balancing act or dip into the glue jar and dab some onto my wrist.

I only completed three pearls during class. My instructor’s (Rose) sample bracelet had 10 bezelled pearls. It was a perfect fit so my bracelet will have the same number. The fourth pearl you see in the picture is lopsided and needs to be taken apart and restarted.

After bezelling the first pearl, I was pleasantly surprised to see how great it looked surrounded by seed beads. I started seeing potential for using this technique for other pieces of jewelry, such as earrings. I think they would make a beautiful pair of earrings. With one pearl, two pearls or even three.

The technique for surrounding a pearl with seed beads is called bezelling. The sewing stitch used is tubular peyote. My eyes lit up when I heard this. Should be easy. I have been peyoting for several months. BUT…never have done tubular only flat. Staying the course, finding the right bead to add a bead was slow going. I had to stop, pull out the beads, rethread and start over several times. Once, on that 4th bead, I started over three times. I think by then I was just tired. It still looks off to me so I will retry when I am well rested. This stitch isn’t hard, it just requires your undivided attention.

So.. though not delighted I wasn’t able to wear my bracelet home, I am excited to have learned something new today. Bezelling and tubular peyote.

I will add this bracelet to my Works In Progress list. Hopefully I will be able to complete it soon.

Sewing Day 10: Rust Tote, Having Fun

Sunday, April 27

I am having fun making these totes/purses. My hubby asked how many purses was I going to sew. I said, “Until my fabric runs out.” LOL!! Men!!

Making this tote was a challenge with the stripes and all. I kind of succeeded in lining up the stripes on one side but the other side is hopelessly a mess. But…it is what it is. I am happy with it.

I changed this one up a bit by adding buttons to the sides instead of pulling a strap through the stitched down front tabs. I used my automatic sensor to make buttonholes. Yay!! Yippee!! I figured it out. I gave up last year when I was trying to get this to work. No clue what the instructions were telling me. But last night, I GOT IT!! I like how it works. I add the button to the attachment and away the machine goes to create the perfect button hole.

I forgot the measurements of the fabric that I used. I “think” it was 30″. I will have to check to see if I jotted anything down. I put fusible interfacing in the tote and also the handle strap. The buttons are light beige trimmed in gold. I have had them for years. Found them in my button stash.

Here’s how the tote came out.

Off to a bead class. Supposed to be making a Bezelled Pearl bracelet. I hope I finish it and bring a completed item home.

Sewing Day 9: Tote Pictures

I finished the tote bag I was working on today. It came out pretty nice. I like it.

This one was made from 20″ denim (cut one) and 20″ red and white heart fabric (cut one). I used lightweight fusible interfacing so fabric wouldn’t be too bulky to work with. I still ended up breaking a needle. I forgot to switch to a needle specifically made for denim. After switching, sewing went smoothly over the thick sections.

Inside has four small slanted pockets formed from folding two of the corners into a center square.

Supplies used in this project:

• 1/2 yard denim
• 1/2 yard fabric for lining and strap
• 1/2 yard lightweight fusible interfacing (cut one 20″ piece)
• red thread
• navy thread

Measurements: Length 9 1/2″, 7″ height and 2 1/4″ width, at the widest point, the bottom.

Pattern/Directions for Baby Tote, Project 107-2 can be found here:

http://www.quiltingartstv.com/projects/100/107/107-2.htm

Sewing Day 9: The Cafe

Friday, April 25

Yippee!! I am so happy!! I have the next five hours to do as I please. Hubby is making a run to Indiana in hopes of winning $150 million (yeah, right) or whatever the magic number is currently. I am sure the Lottery registers are spitting out tickets as fast as the clerks can type.

Michigan has a state lottery but it does not participate in the PowerBall game. So to buy a ticket you have to travel to the closest city across state lines. Not only will hubby be making a wish list and checking it twice, as he drives along, he will have his precious Garmin, with its precise directions, to keep him company. It is a neat gadget but I tell you, if I had to spend more than an hour listening to “turn left, turn right, turn here” from Miss Soft Sweetness, that thing would be a heap of metal littering the highway.

Well, anyhoo, back to my happiness… The Cafe.

I belong to one of THE best online groups out there. How do I know this? Because everyone says so. A few of the members have known each other since around 2002 having originally met online at one of eBay’s Discussion Boards. A place for like-minded individuals to seek assistance on their latest hobbies and for the more talented crafters to offer help wherever it was needed. I fell kind of in the middle. Not a complete idiot newbie but not a perfect 10 either on the expert scale.

Then when eBay decided to go in a new direction and created the Groups format, some people from the board started their own group. A place to be yourself and chat about what’s on your mind. A place to share new ideas, ask questions and offer tips. A place to go if you just needed a hug, anytime you needed one. Some of the original members have moved on to other paths in their lives, but new people regularly find The Cafe and join in.

After almost six years, we are still going strong. I think it is because WE LIKE EACH OTHER!! We really like each other!! We are truly interested in what the members are doing. One popular and active thread is “What Is Everyone Working On At The Moment?” It is one of my first stops when visiting The Cafe. We also have group projects where one member will post a project for others to try.

Which brings me to the reason for my post today. I am making “Popcorn’s Project”.

It is a tote bag made by folding material in a specific way and top stitching some seams. Add a carrying handle and you are done.

Where am I? About in the middle of all that folding and stitching. This is what my purse looks like thus far.

I may just leave it like this. Unfinished and open. Not like I have any money to put in it anyway. Hubby is not back yet with the $150 million!! Wish me luck. Both with finishing this tote AND winning the lottery!!

Sewing Day 8: The Twins

Thursday, April 24

The Twins!!

Could it be I am enjoying making purses as much as I do bead weaving? Nah!! But I did enjoy making these purses. The fabric is crafty with all kinds of sewing supplies printed on it. Buttons, pin cushions, tape measures, thread, dressform, hearts, etc. I had just enough material to make two purses. They are identical except for the buttons. I didn’t have four alike so used two different sets.

These purses started off as a diamond shape and then the front bottom tip was turned up. I stitched this flat for a smoother look. The tab for the button was created by folding the top point like the tip of a “man’s tie” and then sewing on the button to hold tab in place.

So other than sewing a few seams and adding two pockets to the inside lining, that about does it for the sewing part.

Supplies used in this project for each purse:

• 1/2 yard printed fabric
• 1/2 yard solid color fabric for lining
• 1/2 yard fusible interfacing (for outside fabric and pockets)
• 1 pair of 6″ round cane handles
• 2 large blue buttons (for outside)
• 2 natural wood buttons (for underside)
• blue thread
• navy thread

Measurements: Length 16 1/2″ and height 15 1/2″ including the handles

Pattern used: Butterick B5055, Bag A

Sewing Day 7: Mickey Mouse

Wednesday, April 23

Last night, as I was folding and putting away the one piece pattern for the Butterick School Dayz purses, I remembered that I had wanted to make the purse to the right of it. The one with the points on both ends. So I pulled out the pattern for it. Only one piece…again… Must be a sign. That sewing would be easy. I looked over the instructions and yep, this one should be easy and true to the package claims of just two hours. Decided to try it.

I had some green Mickey Mouse fabric I was dying to make into a purse. I would have used it to make one of the School Dayz purses but felt the fabric was too stiff. It would be perfect for this design. I had several choices for the inside lining but decided on red, the color of Mickey’s shorts.

Cutting was quick. Cut two pieces of main fabric, 14 1/2″ by 14 1/2″ and two the same size for the inside lining.

After stitching the Mickey fabric together, I was disappointed how the design kind of turned on me. I knew the shape was a diamond but hadn’t allowed for this “fabric turn” when cutting.  But I kept going anyway.  It didn’t win my approval until I finished sewing all the seams and took a trial look. I always do this before trimming any seams. I turned the fabric to the right side and looked it over. Everything looked ok.  I shouldn’t have worried so much.

Trying to decide which handles to use took a bit of time. I tried 5″ round rings. Too small. Then D shaped rings. Ends of ring flopped around. Tried cane handles. Nope. The ones I had on hand were oval, wrong shape.  Didn’t have what I thought would work so had to make a run to the craft store this morning.  I ended up buying 6″ round green rings.

I like it and have two more in a blue printed fabric almost finished.

Supplies used in this project:

• 1/2 yard Mickey Mouse fabric
• 1/2 yard red fabric with white dots (lining)
• 1/2 yard fusible interfacing (for Mickey fabric only)
• two 6″ round green plastic craft rings
• 3 round white buttons, 7/8″
• 3 round white buttons, 5/8″
• green thread
• red thread
• white thread

Measurements: Length 15 3/4″ and height 15 1/2″ including handles

Pattern used: Butterick B5055, Bag A

Sew Charming

Monday, April 21

Several weeks ago I volunteered to assist with donations to Odyssey Healthcare, a hospice center, in Mississippi. I learned of this organization through a very special online friend of mine. Belinda, a fellow crafter, sews beautifully and will be donating handcrafted items especially made for this hospice.  ( http://sewseamless.com/sewseamless/?p=645 )

I was delighted to think my somewhat limited creative talents might be useful. 

After communicating with Tiffany Clark, Manager of Volunteer Services at Odyssey, I volunteered to design and create a special item for the patients.  I have been thinking of ideas and jotting them down as they come to me.  I am leaning towards a bracelet and a keychain… something for both male and female, even if just to hold onto and look at the pretty colors. Perhaps it will remind them of something they enjoyed during happier times.   

I have one such item completed and ready to mail off today. It is for a patient who loved to craft and sew. I wasn’t sure what to make. Then.. while browsing in JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts, I spotted some cute sewing machine buttons.

This is what I made especially for her. A bracelet with the buttons plus gold and black letter beads, pink seed beads and purple wire swirls. I added a few charms; pink crystal hearts, pale pink flower and a pair of scissors. I used a magnetic clasp for easy on and easy off. Hope she likes it!!

Go here for other blog articles on becoming a volunteer for Odyssey Healthcare Hospice center.

http://perpetualplum.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/donations-needed-at-odyssey-healthcare-hospice-in-mississippi/

 

http://sewseamless.com/sewseamless/?p=646

 

http://sleepycathollow.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/sewing-sunsets-mississippi-hospice-volunteer-work/

 

http://www.visiblesoul.org/judah/blog/2008/04/04/leisure-pleasure-treasure-and-good-measure/

Sewing Beaded Beads… Made in Class

Sunday, April 20

I had a beading class today at toocutebeads. For some reason I thought I would be making a necklace but ended up making a pretty bracelet instead.

The class was called Beaded Beads. Sounds like you would just embellish some already made beads, right? Nope. First I had to MAKE the beads. Beads were made from Swarovski crystals and THEN I beaded over them with tiny gold 15/0 seed beads, Mill Hill Petites.  Seed bead holes were large so that was helpful.

The bracelet is made from six beaded beads and new Swarovski crystals called Modulars as a filler/spacer. Each individual modular looked like a little dumbbell. Yep, exercising equipment. For dolls. But when several were joined together the look was quite stunning.

Here is how my bracelet turned out.

The sewing techniques used were ladder stitch and right angle weave. Stringing wire was used to assemble all the pieces and add the clasp.

My next beading class is Sunday, April 27. I am making a Bezelled Pearl bracelet. I LOVE making bracelets. You can never have too many of them!!