Karen's Needlework

Featured Artist of the Week - Chris Murphy

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Featured Artist segment of my blog. I hope you enjoy this artist as much as I do….it is amazing what he does……

This week’s featured artist, is a tool-maker.
He will tell you all about himself below, but I am so amazed by his craft. He makes glass knitting needles! Can you imagine? Super smooth and pretty and amazing! A handmade tool for you to create your handmade treasures! That said, I would like to present to you, Chris Murphy!!!!

‘I have been a glassblower for over 16 years.

Two years ago I was thinking about new products to make. So I made a set of Knitting Needles and took them to the local yarn shop.

The owners loved them, and asked if I could make crochet hooks as well. So I went back to my workshop and started experimenting with designs for them.

I came up with this design/shape for the crochet hooks and showed it to them. They tested it out and loved it.

These works of art are CROCHET HOOKS!!!!

So I focused my glass work almost entirely on making Crochet Hooks, Straight Knitting Needles, Cable Needles and DPNs (double pointed needles).

The next request was for Circular Knitting Needles, and that took almost a year to figure out how I was going to make the join between needle and cord.

Along the way, I learned how to knit as well, and now I am addicted to playing with yarn…..hahahaha Learning to Crochet is next on my list.

Chris, knitting Socks!

About a year ago I designed my website to make ordering easier for people. I also frequently talk to people on facebook and twitter, to make fiber friends and talk about custom orders.

At work

The glass is flame worked in a torch that puts out 5,250 degrees.

After shaping and working the hooks or needles, I then Anneal them in a Kiln at 1,025 degrees.

Isn’t it amazing? I love handmade tools! It just adds another layer, another person with all their dreams and hopes to my work. It also makes me think back to the days where people didn’t have machine produced tools at all and how wonderful this must have been. I think handmade is really the way of the future!’

If you want to know more about Chris, then subscribe to him on FB and Twitter.

Here is also a link to his Facebook artists page. Go and “like”!

If you are an artist, and would like to be featured, please send an email to spinndiva@gmail.com with a few paragraphs about yourself and what you do and attach a few pics. For sure, you will go on the list of Featured Artists and I will let you know when you are scheduled and where…And where? Well, read on…..

When you are listed to be featured, you will first be featured on Bridgett’s blog and then you will go on to be featured on three more blogs within one week’s time. First, onthis blog then, on Karen’s blog, and then, on the Indie Mosaic blog! So you get maximum exposure! Since we all do different arts you will reach different readers on each of our blogs and you really get your name out there! It’s really great! And best of all: It’s FREE!

I would also recommend that you check out the upcoming featured artists in the calendar on the Indie Mosaic board and while you are there, register as an artist and/or buyer and find the category under Library of Artists that best suits your art and tell people about yourself and what you do. If you have a custom request you would like filled, post it with as many details as possible under the Custom Requests category.

(I do reserve the right to censor what I feature. I have a family friendly blog and WILL keep it that way! I hope you understand! )
Now, go check out Chris and show him some love!!!
Thank you, Chris, for the opportunity to learn all about a very intriguing art form!!!!

Making a Coat

2012-02-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

New post on Couture Journal!

Just to whet your appetite :)

The Farmers Wife QAL - The Beginning of Part One

2012-02-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a good thing I'm a positive person, because starting this has not been an easy road! First, I set aside my fabrics, but forgot to wash them. So, here I was ready to get into my sewing room and get working on it - unwashed fabrics. I'm a firm believer in Always prewashing, so, to the Laundry Room I headed for a few hours of quality time with the washer/dryer.

I could have used that time to make my templates. But I got distracted by something else. However, if I HAD used that time to make my templates, I would have realized I was out of template plastic!!! (and I would have put it on the list for our shopping trip) But I didn't.

So, this morning, AFTER getting home from our shopping trip, I need some 'sit down' time, so I feel like it's the perfect time to make my templates, only to find out, NO template plastic except for a scrap that won't make anything. I don't even know why I kept it, it probably escaped the throw away of scraps.

Well, you get lemons, you make lemonade, right? Sometimes it's good to know how things 'used to be' done, so you can fall back on those methods in moments of stupidity. Or forgetfulness :)

So, I figure in the 1920's they didn't have template plastic, or acrylic templates either - they used newspaper or cardboard to cut their templates from. I had already printed out all my templates onto paper, but I wanted a stiffer template, so I got out some thin cardboard, used a glue stick to adhere the paper template to the cardboard, and then carefully and slowly cut them out, inside the dotted line, to make room for my pencil line on the fabric. Yup, I'm going old school!

I'm really tempted to hand sew the blocks, but I know that I won't want to after the first few. So, I'll be machine stitching them. It's also good to know your own attention span!

In other news - I have a box of vintage patterns coming next week that my sister bought while thrift shopping. 60 to be exact! Some of them unused, from the 50's!!! Oh I can't wait to get that box!!

Featured Artist of the Week -Mary Egbert from Leaping Sheep!

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Guys! I have one of my FB friends for you today! Funny lady, definitely worth a follow on FB. I have gotten some of the dryer balls she makes and THEY ARE AWESOME! So I thought I share the goodness!
Please come and meet Mary Egbert from Leaping Sheep!
Mary Egbert is a physical therapist by day, alpaca owner and fiber artist by night. Owner of Camaj Handspun Yarn and Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls.

Fariywings

My fiber journey started back in 2008 when we went to the AOBA show in Salt Lake City, UT. My husband, who is a photographer, wanted to go to the show for a picture taking outing. Well, once we saw those adorable, fuzzy faces we were hooked. We started with 5 alpacas which quickly grew to a herd of 25. I soon had 25 bags of alpaca fiber in my basement and I knew processing the fiber was something I wanted to try.

YUM!!!!

I read and watched every video I could find about processing fiber and spinning yarn. I started washing the alpaca fiber and even made some You Tube videos to share with others. My first fiber tool purchases were a Patrick Green electric carder and a box style picker. Then I bought my first spinning wheel in 2009, a Louet S10, which sat in the corner of my living room for at least a year, because I had a weird fear of spinning, thinking I would not be able to do it.

Pretty!

One day, in June of 2010, I got brave and attempted to spin a single. Success! I was hooked! That year everyone in my family got a Christmas gift of yarn, scarves or hats. I then branched out to sheep wool, mohair, silk and sparkle which opened up a whole new world of textures. I was intrigued by the art yarns with all the amazing textures, colors, and spinning techniques, I knew that was the direction I wanted to go. I needed a different carder because I wanted to make more textured, artsy batts. The Louet drum carder became the next addition to my fiber tool family. It was a hand crank and I could churn out a batt in minutes. Then came the purchase of my second spinning wheel, the Ashford Country, which allowed me the freedom to make huge and bulky yarns.

OMG! This would look gorgeous just sitting on a table and being petted!

I spun so much yarn that first year that I decided I needed to share it with others who loved handspun yarn. I did six festivals and craft fairs and opened my Etsy shop. I absolutely love when someone looks at my yarn and tell me they have never seen anything like it and walk away with an armload of yarn to create something unique. I have had many people that bought my yarns proudly send me pictures of what they have created. I think that is my favorite thing, seeing what they do with my yarns.

Faux Cashmere! Go ahead! Drool a little!

I love every process of making yarn…washing the fiber, dying and spinning yarn. I do some sort of fiber related thing every day. I am completely self taught and have never taken a class or gone to a workshop, though someday I will. My fiber stash and workshop are in my basement, I spin in my living room and dye in my kitchen. I absolutely love creating and never quite know how something is going to turn out until it is done…that is the fun of art!

So, where can you find all this yummyness? Here of course:
- Camaj facebook
– Leaping Sheep facebook
– Leaping Sheep Etsy
- Camaj Etsy
- Camaj blogspot
Need a few more of those luscious pictures? Why naturally! Here you go!

Fariywings

Faux Cahsmere! Go ahead! Drool a little!

OMG! This would look gorgeous just sitting on a table and being petted!

pretty!

YUM!!!!

Here are pictures, too, of Mary’s energy saving, wool dryer balls.

Have I promised you too much? I didn’t think so! She is really an artist with fibre! Go ahead and indulge yourself a little! Who can say no to such loveliness? I find her yarns are truly works of art and I would not blink an eye, having them sit as decoration in a pretty bowl on my shelf!
Bridgett
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If you know an artist you think should be featured here, or if you are an artist and want to be featured, simply send me an email karengass144 @ gmail dot com with a little blurb about you, what you do and a few pics you would like to share! I will be happy to feature you. (Please remember that I have a family friendly blog and will only feature what I think is appropriate! Thank you so much for your understanding!)

Just so you know, every Featured Artist starts out on Bridgett's Blog and then goes to Louise's Blog, and then here, and then onto the Indie Mosaic Blog so you receive maximum exposure! If you're interested in specifying a day of the week where you'd like to spotlight the Featured Artist, please let me know - the more the merrier! Karen

The Farmers Wife QAL

2012-01-30T05:51:00.000-08:00

Only a few more days until this starts and I'm so excited!If you want to know more about click on the book above - it'll take you right to the page!
I've got my layout figured -

The applique design chosen, which was designed by Rochelle Martin of Cottage Quilt Designs

And then my Farmers Wives blocks will go around the outside of it, just like shown in the layout above. The only thing left to do is figure out how many blocks I'll need! Oh, and here are the fabrics I've chosen -

AND!!!! I am in the midst of folding and organizing my fabric ala Hungry Zombie. My dining room is a mess as all the fabric is waiting there to be folded, but look how pretty!!!


By folding my fabric properly I filled one shelf with 2 shelves worth of fabric!


Now, with some space that can be used for other storage. Although I'm not done folding fabric yet, but the end is in sight!

See the top? That's how the whole shelving unit looked :( Disgusting!!!!

It's a Great Week coming up - what are you doing?

Featured Artist of the Week - ME!

2012-01-26T06:21:00.000-08:00

This week's Featured Artist is Karen Gass

Written by Bridgett

She is just so much fun and a GREAT source of knowledge and always, always ready to jump in the breach and help you out if need be! She also is VERY crafty and has a shop and all.. but don’t let me hog the floor! I will let her tell you all in her own words what she is up to!

I give you:
KAREN GASS!
I’m Karen Gass, and I’ve been sewing since I was 8 yrs old. Sewing is my main love, while knitting, crocheting and all types of embroidery compete for second place. I learned to sew in 4-H club after school. My grandmother was a great seamstress. She sewed for people ever since I can remember, up until the day she passed away.

Tablecloth crochet by Karen

I sewed my own clothes through school, even my fancy prom type dresses. After I got married, I made most of my kids' clothes, and knit them simple sweaters. When they got older they weren’t interested in my ‘home made’ clothes any more, they wanted clothes from the mall! And I was a little tired of sewing my own clothes, they turned out ‘ok’ but weren’t as good as I wanted them to be.

cute little baby blanket Karen crochet. Can you just imagine getting something cute like this for your little one?

So, I turned to quilting. I taught myself to quilt and was soon making quilts left and right! My sister and I started doing craft shows and we kept a booth in the local craft mall. I wasn’t sure what I was going to make for the booth and the shows, but I hung up one of my quilts while we were setting up our booth, just to have something in it. It sold right away and then it seemed as though I’d decided! I’d make quilts! So, I made ‘I don’t know how many’ hand quilted wallhangings. Most were in the 36” square range and then smaller ones about 6 x 8 primitives that I hung from a small stick with twine, and quilted pillows. Our booth became very popular and at the start of each show we had a crowd at our booth, vying for the newest things and buying most of what we had. It certainly was an ego booster!

I love, love, love this quilt! Karen Designed this one!

I started designing quilts and selling patterns. In 2005, my book came out ‘Log Cabin Quilts: A Brand New Story’ by Karen Murphy. Then I got married and all that name recognition went out the window! That’s ok, I’d rather have my husband than any recognition for anything. He’s a wonderful husband!
Then, my daughter and I started an online Quilting magazine called Cotton Spice. Actually, the first four issues were printed and distributed, but as the subscribers grew, it wasn’t enough to pay for more copies, so we decided to publish online and on CD. It went well, but not well enough. I chalk it up to being ‘before our time’ as now there are lots of online magazines and I even work for one as a copy editor! The Quilt Pattern Magazine.

Star quilt block designed by Karen! Told you she is awesome!

In the past few years, I’ve started polishing my garment making skills, because I do love to make nice clothes. I’ve been reading some couture technique books and learned quite a bit. I have a few clients I make clothes for, and myself, and then also for my grandchildren of which I have 14 None living with me though. They are spread out between Alaska, California and Idaho. Well, I do have two of them that live here in Joplin, two teenage boys, and they are well over the age of having stories read to them So, I just signed up for Skype and hopefully can do some chatting with them and at least see the little ones play and listen to them speak their own funny language.

Karen sewed this shirt all by hand from scratch!So, besides all that, I also have my own personal blog where I talk about a lot of things, mostly sewing. You’re more than welcome to visit Karen’s Needlework and an Etsy shop where I sell natural laundry soap and my newest product Quilt Soap! Quilts need to washed in a mild laundry soap, not detergent, and my soap just fits the bill! A friend of mine who does quilt repair and restoration has been using it to wash the quilts in, and they come out clean as a whistle! They are packaged up cute as a button, so you can include them with quilts you give as gifts, or quilts you sell.

QUILT SOAP! Treat your handmade projects like the treasures they are and try Karen's home made quilt soap!

.
LAUNDRY SOAP! Handmade awesomeness!So, I’d better wrap this up, because I have sewing to do! It was nice to meet ya’ll, please come visit my blog and Etsy shop. I’ll also give you a coupon code for my Etsy shop for Free Shipping, just because you were nice enough to read this and stop by to see what I have! FREESHIPPINGINT is the code, just enter it in the coupon code box when you purchase and your shipping fee will vanish right before your eyes! (for US orders only) Have a wonderful day!!!

Support a handmade artist! :)

Bridgett

If you would like to be a featured artist on Indie Mosaic's Blog, and then make the rounds of our own personal blogs for plenty of exposure, please drop us a line and write a little blurb like Karen did, attach a few pictures to your email and send it to slavetomyneedles@comcast.net ! We promise we will feature you. (We do reserve the right to censor what we feature. We do have a family friendly blog and WILL keep it that way! We hope you understand! )

A Great Review and Giveaway of my Laundry Soap!

2012-01-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

My friend Tabitha, of A Restful Place did an awesome review of my Laundry Soap yesterday. I wanted to post this yesterday, but I confess, I was too busy sewing and I forgot. So go on by there today, the giveaway is still open! That link will take you directly to the review!

And other great news concerning my Etsy shop, a new product!


4 ozs of mild soap, perfect for washing your quilts in.It comes in this cute little re-usable tin and there is enough soap to wash your quilt 5-6 times, depending on the size of your quilt.


It also comes in this pretty organza bag. There will be a scoop included, it's just not arrived yet!

These are two awesome gifts for the quilter in your life - the perfect gift for a quilt collector and it also works well on quilt restoration. Visit my Etsy Shop and try it out today! Or just get some Laundry Soap - we never run out of laundry!!

The Farmers Wife Quilt Along Layout

2012-01-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

So, I've got my layout chosen! My quilting buddy Karen Bush gave me the idea and I'm taking it! :) Since I have a king size bed and the blocks are only 6" blocks - well, that's a LOT of blocks! My 'unoriginal' thought was to make a full size quilt with blocks and then put WIDE borders where I could put some applique. I do love to applique. She said, Why don't you put the applique in the middle and use the blocks for the border? Light bulb moment!!!! Exactly! So here is my rough layout for the quilt -

Now, I haven't measured or anything, so I have no idea if that's the correct number of blocks or not, but that is the next step.

The next question is - what are you going to applique in the middle? I knew you wanted to know :)

Floral Fantasy designed by Rochelle Martin

I LOVE this applique quilt and have for years. It's the perfect thing to go in the center of my Farmers Wife Quilt - her flower garden! Still must decide on hand or machine applique, but I'll get that figured out. This Floral Fantasy comes in sizes from wall hanging to king size, so I know I'll have the perfect size middle for my FW quilt!

I know this is not going to be a quick and easy project. It will take time, I'm under no illusions. It will my first (and probably last) king size quilt!

First Sewing Project of 2012 - The House Dress!

2012-01-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

I have a thing for house dresses. I just love the old fashioned idea of them. Usually if we're going to clean our house, we put on our grubbies and a scarf over our hair and no makeup. Actually we look like WE need the cleaning! Add that to the dirty house and you've got a miserable picture!

Well, why not wear a pretty house dress? (is that one word or two?) Do your hair and makeup and wear some pretty (but comfortable) shoes! NOW tackle that bit of cleaning you need to do. And do some picking up and putting away - that's easy.

I know housecleaning is not the most glamorous job there is, but it brings great satisfaction. (and kills germs) So why not look good while doing it? I've decided to make some house dresses - that's what I'm calling them anyway. I'm sure they would be perfectly acceptable to wear outside the home as well. In fact, when I think of all the women I've seen at Walmart wearing their jammies - I'm pretty sure it would be acceptable to wear a house dress 'out'.

Pictures - (my dress form has a piece missing, the piece that holds it up to my height, so it looks like the hem of the dress is near the floor, which it is, but on me it's just right below the knee)


The whole dress on my short dress form (which is also smaller than me)

I've been reading Cool Couture by Kenneth King and am just finished the chapter where he talked about the use of piping on a dress, and how it can add so much. So, I decided to add the yellow trim, it's not piping, it's simply a strip of yellow, folded in half and inserted into the seam.


I also lined the dress. The dress itself is made from a Moda quilt shop fabric. 100% cotton. So I lined it with a white cotton. I simply placed the white piece on the green and treated it as one fabric. Except for the skirt lining. This is separate from the side seams and only attached at the waistline. I didn't have enough green to make it as long as I wanted, so I added the yellow ruffle to the skirt lining, so it would peek out from below the green hem.


Closeup of the neck. They say wrap dresses are flattering for every figure. And it is, but my neckline gaps like crazy when I put it on. And yes, I did do a muslin of the top. I lengthened the top pieces 1" since I'm taller than the average bear, but I don't think that's the reason it gaps. I'm not sure why it gaps.


In order to get my waistband to match the other side, I had to pin down this much of one side of the wrap. I had to pin the wraps where they cross, so I wasn't advertising the goods. And it was still gaping. I definitely had to wear another shirt underneath, but I didn't like the gaping, even with the sleeveless shell underneath. The only way I can think to fix this is to take out the waistband on the front. Got any great ideas?

All in all I'm pleased with the dress. It looks the way I wanted it to look, now I need to make it fit the way I want it to fit! Thoughts welcome! What was your first sewing project of the new year?

The Farmers Wife QAL

2012-01-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

is starting Feb 1 over at Brynwood Needleworks and I'm ready! I've got my book, I've had it for some time. I love reading those letters from the farmers wives - makes me want to be one! But I don't have a farmer or a farm so.... I'm pretty darn happy with husband I have, even if he doesn't have a farm :) Ya'll know I'm just kidding, I have a best husband in the world. I'd live with him in a cardboard box if we had to. Just as long as we're together!

So, this is my fabric -

You might notice some Moda French General in there :) I've been carefully saving it for a special occasion and this is it! I only had that little bit and I wasn't going to use it on anything 'everyday'!

The only decision left to me, is how big to make the quilt. I'd love to have one of my quilts on our bed, but gosh, it's a king size bed!!! That's a big quilt!!! So, I'm really torn about that.

I'd love some advice about a quilt for a king size bed. I'd hate to make the pieced part queen size and then just do a really wide border to make it king size, although...that would be a nice space for some applique! LOTS of applique!!! Now I'm even more confused about what to do. Advice - please!!!

A Cowl Necked Top

2012-01-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

I purchased a lovely piece of wool knit from Fabric Mart sometime the end of last year and I finally had time to sew it up! I knew exactly what it was going to be. I'd been wanting to use Pam's spiral cowl neck tutorial (scroll down to the second post) for some time, but everything else kept getting in the way of it!


Don't mind the skirt under the top, that's the dress my dress form wears, since she has to live in the entryway, behind the front door. I didn't think it would be proper to let her be naked :(


Close Up of the neck

As we go step by step in the making of this top, you'll see that I did cut the neckline lower, as Pam advised, but not low enough. I was worried that it might be very uncomfortable and then I'd have to take it out (didn't want to) but when I tried it on, the cowl around my neck was actually PERFECT! Not to tight, but close enough to me to keep me nice and warm. I found myself tucking my chin in there now and then when I got cold :) Ok here we go.

I used my favorite tunic pattern, which is really for a woven fabric, while this is a stretch knit. I thought it'd be ok, and it was.


I'd already adjust the bust darts, as the ones on the pattern were too high for this old granny! Lower those darts, sure sign of age! lol Just remark your bust point, and then draw lines from the existing dart lines as shown.


Sew the darts, running right off the fabric at the end point. Pull the bottom thread through to the back of the garment and tie your own knot. This eliminates bulk in that dart point, so it looks smoother at the end. We like smooth.


Pin the shoulder seams, adding some clear elastic (because it's a knit) if it was a woven fabric, I'd have used some ribbon or twill tape. It gives strength to the shoulder seam. This would be my first time using the stretch stitch on my new sewing machine, so I was eager to see how it turned out.


It was perfect! Combined with the elastic, it pulled and stretched without breaking any stitches. LOVE my new machine :)


Ever had this happen to you? Seems no matter what you do, it can happen. no problem....


Fold your garment in half, so both sides are the same, and trim off enough of the back piece so the shoulder seams are even.


Sew up the side seams...


I didn't sew all the way to the bottom of the top, but left these sides open


I'm also not finishing these seams, because it's a double knit and it's not going to ravel. Press the side seams open, and look at this ugly dart end!!! ugh...I don't want that in my top!


So, chop it off! And then give it a good pressing.


After giving it a good press and steam, as soon as I could touch it (and it was still pretty warm) I smashed it down and held it till cool. This decreased the 'lump' be smashing all the fibers together. Yes, that is the technical term! And since it is wool, it will keep that shape until it dies.


Since this is a doubleknit, it can be hard, if not impossible to tell your right side from your back side. So, unfold the sleeves from each other, opening them like a book. This ensures you'll have everything where it should be. Now, fold them back on each other and pin at the underarm seam. See those two white arrows? They point to my 1 notch, designating the front of of the sleeve. There is a difference between the front and back of the sleeve. You may not see it, but if you put your sleeves in backwards, you'll know it when you wear the garment. It just won't feel right! (if you click on this picture it will get bigger and you'll see my notches, er, cuts.


Sew up the sleeve seam, and use your sleeve board to press that seam open. It makes it so much easier!!!


Now, Pam says to lower the front neckline before attaching the cowl, which you can see I did, but not very much. This is where I 'thought' I screwed up by not cutting it deep enough. Turns out, it fits perfectly. But this is the way to lower your neckline. Fold the front together, ignoring all the other parts of the top, match the shoulder seams, make sure your front is laying flat with no wrinkles and meets properly at the bottom. Then trim off this piece, starting at the center fold, tapering to nothing at the shoulder seams.

From here, I followed Pam's tutorial for the cowl, worked perfectly. I hemmed the bottom and it was done! (oh I hemmed the sleeves too)

This is a very simple top, quick and easy to make. I made it all on the sewing machine, no serger (I didn't want to change thread) and I love the way it looks and fits! I encourage you to try it out for yourself, and use Pam's tutorials, they are the best!

God Bless You!
Karen

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Amidst all the goal-setting and the resolution-making going on right now all over America, I have but one. Keep it simple and my goal for this year is to learn to say NO! I have developed a bad habit of overwhelming myself at every turn, leaving me no time to participate in exchanges on some of my Yahoo groups, or even to write on my blog very often. Well, that has to change.

I'm not talking about being selfish, I will continue to give as I feel the Lord leads me too, but I have to start drawing a line in the sand and saying to myself, "This is all I can do." And then stop there. I need time to sew, I need time to be with my family, I need time for me!

I'm very good at scheduling every minute of my life. This came from a bad habit I developed during a bad marriage - justifying my existence on this earth because I didn't bring home a paycheck. I don't have to do that anymore, I have a wonderful husband who loves that I am at home, which is where I want to be. And it's time to start losing that mindset.

It's ok to do nothing. It's ok to do something for me. It's ok. And when I say nothing, I don't mean just sitting and staring - that would drive me nuts. My hands have to be busy, whether it's with sewing, knitting or crocheting or playing with paper. I learned from a young age to keep my hands busy and I will just because I want to. Sounds kind of contradictory I know, but I'm learning to relax - and sometimes that's not easy.

You'll see the graphic on the left sidebar about Share the Process - look for more step by step pictures of my projects. I have one ready to go, and should get it up tomorrow. But I wanted to take today, the first day of the New Year, to wish all of you the best of New Years, and ask that God would Bless each and every one of you.

Karen

The Piece of Fabric

2011-12-26T17:26:00.000-08:00

Some women are born with a silver spoon in their mouth? I was born with a sewing machine in mine! I'm not kidding - I loved sewing from the very beginning! I learned to sew when I was 8 yrs old and have not been far away from a machine since.

I had a short time when I didn't have a sewing machine, I sewed by hand. There was simply no way I was going to be 'not sewing'! I've rarely had a dishwasher, but always had a sewing machine (except for that one time).

I remember a Christmas when I was still in elementary school, about 6th grade probably. I asked for fabric for Christmas. True Story, ask my mom. And I got it. I've had lots of memorable Christmas gifts over the years, including one child who was born on Dec 17 :) The fabric was my best gift until he was born. Somewhere upstairs in a drawer, I have a picture of him, just a few weeks old, underneath the Christmas tree. He was my last one, my baby. Now, my 'baby' is 6'4" and has 3 children of his own!

But I remember the fabric, I remember exactly what it looked like, what I made from it, times when I wore the dress, and with what shoes! What's up with that? I can't remember where the car keys are, or what I did last week, but this very first gift of fabric is imprinted on my mind in such a phenomenal way.

I remember fabrics. I can match fabrics in the store, with one of them at home. I remember fabrics I had and then gave away, and then was sorry. I have some fabrics that I've had for years. I haven't done anything with them yet, but the right project has not come along. It will.

I've forgotten birthdays (sometime my own, and nearly always forget my age), names, places, complete events in my life, but fabrics, patterns, threads, notions - for some reason, those stick. I don't know.

As long as I can remember fabrics, I guess I'm not completely crazy. Or maybe that makes me crazy. I'm not sure.

Are you the Costume Fairy?

2011-12-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

Had to share this - it was just too funny!!! Thanks go to Alethia at Sew Much Talent!!! Enjoy :)

Merry Christmas :)

2011-12-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I took some pictures of some of my decorations, and posted them on the Abundant Living blog, if you'd like to take a look. I'll be taking some time this week, sewing and just enjoying the last of the year. A little break from blogging here and on Abundant Living.

My wish and prayer for all of you is that you celebrate the birth of Jesus with joy and abundance, and that you invite Him into your life. He loves you - and so do I. See you next year! :) Karen

Giveaway Winner and a Beautiful Christmas Decoration and...

2011-12-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

according to the Random Number Generator is... Chels! If you send me your address, I'll send out your ornaments! karengass144 at gmail dot com

I have been busy with my glue gun lately! I used an empty cone from Peaches and Creme cotton yarn and started gluing on my beads and buttons and broken bits of jewelry, and chains.... oh the mess --

But oh how pretty!

I also won a wonderful bag of buttons on Listia. Have you been there to play? Oh my gosh, what you're missing! There is no money involved. You list things and people bid credits on them, and when you get credits you can buy things with them. So far, I've 'bought' 4 lace doilies, some makings for clothespin dolls, 25 Beanie Babies, a whole box of scrapbooking stuff and these awesome buttons!

I just love them - I can't even use them yet, I'm still in the honeymoon stage :) If you want to play too, join Listia through my link, so I get credit!

Merry Christmas!

Tutorial AND a Giveaway!

2011-12-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas and it's so much fun to give presents, so I'm giving you one! First, I'll give you the tutorial so you can make your own, and then we'll have a drawing so someone can win a set of 6 of their own! That way everyone has fun!


A set of 6 glass filled heart ornaments. Filled with hand dyed wool.

This is what you'll need to make your own. A glass ornament of any size or shape. Some colored wool to fill it, and a crochet hook to push the wool in. Take the top of the ornament off, and set it aside for now.


Make a small 'bunch' of the wool, and carefully poke it through the opening with your crochet hook. And I emphasize the 'be careful' because I also made another set of hearts, but poked the crochet hook clear through one of them! That one is no good now!!

Once it's full and you're happy with the color arrangement, put the top back on. If you want to change the color arrangement, simply use the other end of the crochet hook, and pull out the wool and rearrange it until it's beautiful. Put the top on and it's done and ready to hang!

Close up of 1 heart.


This is what you'll receive if you're the winner!

So, how to win? It's easy! There are two ways and you can earn two entries if you do both of them. Leave a comment on this post, and Follow my blog. That's the first way. The second way is to visit my New blog Abundant Living With Chronic Pain and either follow it or share it with someone who might be interested in it. I trust you, I'll take your word for it :)

The winner will be picked by the Random Number Generator. The drawing will close on Friday, Dec 16 at midnight CST. That should still give it time to arrive at your house before Christmas. Open to US residents only, I'm sorry, I just can't afford postage to other countries.

One Site I Forgot to List

2011-12-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

This site has some of the most beautiful photographs, with sayings here and there. I love it, and go there to be inspired. Ignite Light is the name of it. I don't know who maintains it or who takes the pictures - but they are beautiful. I wanted to share it with you along with the other ones. Enjoy! :)

A Giveaway You Might Want to Know About!

2011-12-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Joy, over at Artful Homemaking is having a giveaway for moi! She's written a beautiful post about my products, and I hope you'll take a few minutes to stop by and take a look at her blog and say thank you! And enter the Giveaway!! :)

Some new sites I've found -

2011-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

I get to look at a lot of different sites in my job at Blooming Sisters, where I publish Saturday Tutorials every Saturday. Well, I don't right now because we having our Christmas Countdown where we publish tutorials EVERYDAY!!!! But after Christmas I'll go back to Saturday Tutorials, but I thought I'd share some of the cool stuff I've found en route to tutorials!

Stash Slash - a place, where for a VERY low yearly fee, you can sell your excess stash, patterns, books etc. Buyers pay no fee. I got to looking around there, some very cool deals to be found!

Farmhouse Couture - a new blog by Justine at sew country chick. The new one is devoted to her decorating style and is going to be chock full of tutorials so we can learn to be Farmhouse Couture as well! On her Mantle Tour post, I love it all, but I especially loved the piece of stiffened burlap with an old world Santa probably Mod Podged on, edged with glitter. I plan on making some of those.

Listia - is a fabulous auction site that uses no money! That's right! No listing fees, no end of auction fees, in fact, what you do is give stuff away! It all deals in 'credits'. I listed some things, earned credits, which I can now use to buy things on Listia. It's so cool! And just in time to get some good stuff for the holidays without spending any money! Sign up with them through my link and we'll both get extra credits! (my link is the link to the site at the beginning of this paragraph)

Abundant Living - Well, this is one of my favorite blogs, considering I put it together with my best friend ever Cynthia Martin. We both have fibromyalgia and various other lovely diseases :) but we both love homemaking. It's hard to do when you're in pain in all the time, and so tired you feel like you could sleep all day. So, we decided to start a blog, for all of you who desire to be homemakers, but just don't have the energy. You'll find lots of practical ideas, organizational tips so you don't have to try to remember things, resources, all kinds of things. You are cordially invited to visit, whether you suffer from chronic illness or not - I'll bet you know someone who does!

Olioboard - Do you love to rearrange your furniture? Do you find yourself continually moving things from room to room, or are you just dying to redecorate? Well now you can without spending a dime! There is a bit of a learning curve with this site I've found, but it's nothing I can't overcome in the name of redecorating! Shop to your hearts delight, and then arrange it in a room. Look at others Mood Board to see how they've done it, and get inspired! This is more fun than those little plastic pieces (people, furniture, dishes) we used to stick on plastic boards! (what ARE those called?)

Pinterest - if you don't know about Pinterest by now, you've got to see it to believe it! You get to make your own collection of bulletin boards, and name them. Then, as your hopping around the internet and you see pictures you love, you Pin It! It goes onto the board you choose, AND it remembers the site it came from. The link goes to my boards :) but to set up your own boards, just click on Pinterest in the Top Middle (it's written in red, you can't miss it) and request an invite. When I requested my invite, I got it the next day. While you're waiting look at all the cool stuff other people have found!

Ok, I've got to get back to sewing my Christmas gifts, but I wanted to share these things with you while I was thinking about it. What are you making for Christmas? (are you stuck for a great gift? Check our Handmade Connection!)

Memory Lane Monday

2011-11-28T17:39:00.000-08:00

I always mean to remember this ONE day of the month, but it flies by like every other day except today. I happened to catch Donna's remembering her Grandpa and it set me to remembering my Grandparents. My grandparents lived in neighboring towns.I remember going there many Sunday's, first to one house, then to the other.

But my most indelible memories are of my grandma's. Each so different but each so loved. Both have gone on to their reward now, many years ago. But they are quite alive in my memory.

This my fathers Mother, holding me as a baby

My fathers mother was the seamstress. It was where I got the DNA for my own sewing addiction - yes, I blame it on Nature :) She had a tiny sewing room, that I believe must have once been a nursery. I never asked that, I just knew that little room was her sewing room. She was always knitting or sewing on something - I caught that from her too. My hands won't stay idle. Sometimes she'd call me and ask me what I was doing. I'd say 'Sewing' and she would just ask me what I was sewing. Other people who would call and ask the same question, getting the same answer would say, "Again?" or "Still?" like they just couldn't believe ANYONE could sew as much as I did. But she understood.
I never remember seeing her wearing pants. She might have, but I always remember her in a dress, most likely one she made. She sewed for many of the ladies in her town, right up to the end.


This was the last picture she had taken. Her name was Bernice, but everybody called her Bunny. I always thought she looked like Tweety Birds Grandma in this picture, and I know she would have gotten a kick out of that :)

For many summers (it seems) I got to spend a week with my other Grandma. She would always buy me those big orange peanuts candies - you remember those? I guess I liked them then, for she always had them when I was there. I remember one time she took me out to lunch in a nice restaurant. I ordered a big hamburger and she asked me if I was sure I could eat all that! "Oh yes, Grandma I can!" I nodded enthusiastically. Not even halfway through it I began to slow down and thought I would burst if I ate another bite. How did she know? I learned that Grandma's know everything. She would take me to the swimming pool, except for one year when I didn't bring my bathing cap. Remember when we had to wear those in public pools? I tried to convince her that I could wrap my head in Glad Wrap and it would be the same thing, but she wasn't buying it. lol

This was my Grandma in the middle, my mother on the her right side and on Grandma's other side, my mothers twin sister! Such beauties! :)

I remember going to her house and watching The Lawrence Welk Show. She and Grandpa seemed to love that show. I was so young, I loved seeing all the beautiful dresses and the bubbles floating around - it was like a dream. As I got older, I didn't appreciate it quite as much :)


And here she is much later, with my two uncles at somebody's wedding, I don't know whose it was.

Most of all, I remember being totally loved by my Grandmothers. They seemed to know everything and loved me to pieces. Now that I'm a Grandma, I understand that love. I love my grandchildren with a special love, in a way that I don't love anyone else - just them. This new love surprised me on the birth of my first grandson, but I didn't fight it. I fell in love with each one of them and wished they all lived around me so that I could see them often. But they have to go where their parents go - I don't know who thought up that rule!! And just for the record, I never did give my son permission to move to Alaska. It didn't matter that he was married and had two children, he still should have asked me. Just sayin' is all.

Happy Thanksgiving :)

2011-11-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're able to spend it with family and/or friends. If you find yourself alone tomorrow, find someone else who is alone and make a group dinner! Don't be sad, give of yourself and determine to make someone else's Thanksgiving wonderful. I've spent holidays with no family or friends, and it's kind of a lonely day.

Here is a wonderful project for Thanksgiving that I found on Joy's blog, Artful Homemakers, who just happens to live not to far from me! :) http://www.artfulhomemaking.com/2011/11/blessing-journal-tutorial.html

It's a Blessings Notebook. I know things are hard, money is tight, but we still have more than a lot of people do. For one thing, we have a computer and internet access - and what a blessing that can be! I'm going to make one of these Notebooks and I hope you do too. Keeping track of your blessings will help you to notice more of them. Believe me there are blessings all around us, if we'd just pay attention to them!

Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving - to all my blogging friends!

Karen

A Box of Goodies from Fabric Mart!!!!

2011-11-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

Whenever a box arrives from Fabric Mart, you KNOW it's a good day!!!! :) Let me share with you what I purchased, along with the Free Assortment Bundle. I'm about addicted to those Assortment Bundles!
Ok, let the show begin! :)

This was in the free collection, 3 yds, a very nice, fine feeling piece of cotton. Not at all sure what to do with it at this point!

A wool blend plaid that I purchased, I think there are 3 or 4 yds. My thought on ordering it was for a jumper, and I think I'll probably stick with that.

This is 100% cotton, quilt shop quality, I bought 5 yards for 1.99 a yd!!! It's going to be my main fabric for The Farmers Wife Quilt Along at Brynwood Needleworks

It's hard to tell here, but this a gorgeous piece of Marc Jacobs wool flannel stretch that was on sale and I also got the end of the bolt (yay) and will be turned into one of the tunics Pam wrote about on her blog. Tutorial- The "Spiral" Cowl Collar

Beautiful chocolate colored cotton, with a little Lycra in it. Not sure yet - pants or jumper. I do love jumpers in the winter, worn with warm tights, are just as warm as pants. (many times) :)

5 yds of this stretch bubble gum pink cotton - looks like a great few pairs of jammy's. Not sure yet.

This was in my free bag and is ten times brighter than what you see here - this is BRIGHT! But it's a lovely piece of cotton cloth, feels fine and I think could be used if I could tone it down. Will be experimenting with some tea dyeing.

Another in my free bag, 2 yds, 60" wide, a satin of some sort, beautiful! There are texture lines running through the cloth that you can't see in the picture, but I love it.

Again, free - beautiful, fine piece of navy blue cotton with a little bit of Lycra. Just love it!

So, today is a Fabric Mart Holiday as I play with my new fabrics and make plans for them :) Happy Fabric Mart Day!!! lol

Coffee Cozy's - Merry, Merry!

2011-11-17T18:09:00.000-08:00

I made these coffee cozy's the other day and had so much fun! I've added them into the Ornament Department just because that one was so empty :)

Aren't they cute? And don't you know someone who would love to have one? Now, I'm not always going to try to sell you something, but I was just so tickled with the way these turned out, I couldn't help myself. Check out the Ornament page!

You know what I like most about the armoire? My favorite plastic bins fit into the drawers perfectly! Tells me this was 'meant to be'!

Two bins fit perfectly in one drawer! Even with the lid on! I'm so happy with this piece of furniture in my sewing room, you'll probably be hearing about it a little bit more.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Are you having guests? Got the menu planned? So many things to do and cook. I'm so blessed to have a husband who cooks and loves to cook these big dinners!

Karen

The armoire is FULL to bursting!

2011-11-14T06:32:00.000-08:00


Well, here it is, full! I was able to squeeze in The Pattern Collection to the left, 14 bins of patterns!

I've got the first two bins of patterns on the spreadsheet and in the binder, but I don't foresee any further work being done on this until January. But at least they are all in the same place. Each bin is numbered, so it shouldn't be hard to find anything.

And I have to say, it feels SO good to have this Finished!

Score at the Thrift Store!

2011-11-12T13:10:00.000-08:00

Riley and I hit our favorite thrift store this morning, and boy did I score! Last time I went I got a large zipper bag full of lace for $5, and this time - a box of cotton, much of it hand crocheted lace for $4.50!!! I'm so excited!

And the beginning of the end of my storage problems! More pics to come!

Today was the Day...

2011-11-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

we were going to move the armoire downstairs, but our strong, muscled help got called in to work :( Not his fault, but boy is my sewing room, dining room and guest room a mess!!! We moved everything out of the way in anticipation, just putting things wherever, because we were going to put them away.... right away! lol Just so you'll appreciate the after pictures I show you later, this is the way it looks now. And I didn't even take pictures of the dining room and the guest room! There is only so much a person can take, I do want you to come back :)

See that brown sort of plaid in the foreground? That's the fabric for the A-line part of my Layered Skirt


And the wall where the nice big armoire (how DO you spell that?) will go! Wait till tomorrow, or maybe the next day! :)

Have you been to the HandMade Connection page yet? You're invited!

Meet my friend Louise

2011-11-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

My friend Louise has started her first blog and I wanted to share it with you. She is quite the seamstress, and very creative. AND uber organized - she's already got most of her Christmas gifts made - humph. But I love her anyway, so stop by her blog and show her some blog love! Slave to My Needles
She's also participating in HandMade Connection, so she also has a Studio FULL to the brim of super things she makes, and specializes in custom orders!

Making Layered Skirts

2011-11-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

I can't find my Inspiration Picture for this project, it's in my mind, but that doesn't do you much good. I'm sure you've seen pictures of them - It looks like the woman is wearing several skirts of various lengths, almost a peasant type of look. I'm sure 'back in the old days' women would wear several skirts, to keep warm on the coldest of wintery days. I love the look and plan to recreate it by making a skirt for myself, without it looking too 'costume-y'.
And since I really don't want to wear several of my skirts at once, I have an idea, which I'll be working on today. Making a regular A-line type skirt, with a slip under it, but the slip hem is really layers of different fabrics, making it LOOK like I'm wearing lots of skirts!
I'm not talking about tiered skirts, darn I wish I could find that picture! Note: When you find the picture you love - Pin It on Pinterest or put it in a file or print it out - but now I'm going to have to rely on my memory (ha) and you have a post with no picture, which I try very hard to avoid. But, I'll keep you posted on my progress, and there will be pictures :)

In the meantime, don't forget HandMade Connection (tab up above) I listed the jewelry I made yesterday and here's a sample (oh good, a picture!) And if you make and sell things on your blog, you're invited to my Linky Party right HERE

Ok, I'm off to sew and see what I can come up with - More later, Karen

You're Invited to My Linky Party!

2011-11-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

If you make HandMade items and sell them on your blog, you are invited to join in my Linky Party! Simply visit the page HandMade Connection and enter your information in the super duper Linky Tools doo dah! There are two rules - nothing crude or x rated will be allowed, and the second is, you must be selling from your blog. It doesn't matter if you also have an Etsy or whatever shop (i do too) but this is for blog sellers, let's get a good group of shops together and invite all our readers to do their Christmas shopping with us.Get the code in the right sidebar and spread the news!

Let's promote HandMade for all Independent Artists!!!

My Pattern Collection

2011-11-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well, this might take longer than I thought. I bought those $1 plastic bins at the store today, 15 of them. I filled 14 of them with patterns.They also didn't have any white, so I changed to blue. I have two small shelves like this and pretty soon, they'll both be in my sewing room.

So far, I've got 2 bins in The Binder and the spreadsheet. Yikes! This could be my life's work!

New Christmas Tradition

2011-11-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is a forward I received in my email, and I just couldn't agree more and wanted to share it with you!

Christmas Shopping 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking
into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of
cheaply produced goods --
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American
labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will
give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There
is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing
can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this
isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is
struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas shopping is no longer about draining American pockets so
that China can build another glittering city. Christmas shopping is now about

encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. When we care about other Americans, we help our
communities and the benefits come back in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas shopping tradition!

The Binder!

2011-11-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

After reading all the input in the last post's comments, I've changed my plan, just a little. I started a binder.

"The Binder"

I copied the front and back of each pattern, and put the two pieces of paper in a clear page protector, so I can see the pattern on one side and see the back of the pattern on the other side. I used tabbed dividers labeled Bin 1, Bin 2 etc, so I'll know where to find the pattern. The order of the pages is exactly the order of the bin, so I'll know exactly where it is.

We have a few of these large binders, I'm sure that one won't be enough.

I've got 1 bin done and a few patterns from Bin 2 done, when I ran out of page protectors! I thought I had a zillion of those - what to do? Frantic text to hubby 'please bring home a box of page protectors'. Well, maybe not so frantic :) I know he has a very busy day, so I made sure to say ONLY if he had time, and he might not.

But, the project is begun and I'll have to finish it in order to have any 'order' in here at all!And I am continuing with the spreadsheet. I'm not exactly sure why, but I just have this feeling I'll need it at some point.

Spreadsheet

2011-11-02T05:37:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning of the spreadsheet. I made it in Excel, you could just as well make it in the Open Office equivalent. There are tabs for all the pattern companies I have so far. I've only done 1 plastic shoe box so far. I have a long road ahead of me, but this way I shouldn't have to look through every plastic shoe box in order to find what I want. Here is 1 shoe box full -

Each bin has a number, so I know which one to look in.


If you click on this, it will open really big, so you can see all the words and details. It took me awhile to come up with the headings, and they were changed several times. Most of my patterns are grouped by the headings you see - Baby, Children etc...

At least I've begun!

Organization - A Necessity

2011-11-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

I've admitted it before, I'm not very organized. However, it has currently become a necessity. My fabric stash, pattern stash, craft stash in general has grown exponentially (i'm not really sure what that means, but I think it means A LOT) and I'm lost in my sewing room.

I don't want to waste my time looking for things, I want to USE my time, sewing and working and making!!!

So - first things first - Mike has promised me on the next 3 day weekend (Veterans day) he will help me do this. We're going to buy another set of metal shelves, and probably some Rubbermaid Tubs and various containers.

I'm going to move all my yarn upstairs. There is no reason for it to be down here taking up space.

The patterns will be organized according to Brand (Simplicity, etc) and number, and stored in plastic shoe boxes, on the two small shelves that will be free'd up after I move some things. They will also be listed on a Spread Sheet, so that I can find what I have more easily.


This is the wall that needs the most help. Ya think? lol

Oh my it's so embarrassing to show this picture, but just so you know how bad it is, there are two layers of 'things' in this picture. Those that are against the wall, and a whole other 'wall sized' portion of 'stuff' in front of it. In order to get to the stuff behind, I have to move everything in the front. It's so sad :(

Stay tuned as I tackle this wall in baby increments, and start my spread sheet, I'll keep you posted the whole way, and one of these days I've have a lovely NEW wall to show you!

I'm glad I'm among friends, please don't judge me too harshly! :)

Acorn Happiness

2011-10-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

This summer I had a fun conversation (email) with Donna from Brynwood Needleworks. I just love the things she makes! Well, her favorite thing, besides her Corgi's and her hubby, is acorns! Now and then, when I find a cool acorn 'thing' I'll send her the link. This time I saw some acorn caps on top of felted wool 'acorns' and I thought, "Oh Donna would love this!" and I shot her an email with the link.

She loved it, like I knew she would :) and offered me, in the fall, some acorn caps. Well, I was all over that! But I thought, Why not make it a trade? So, I made up a bunch of wool felt balls, Remember this?
and offered a trade. So, I sent off my felted wool and she sent off her acorn caps - I was so excited to receive them, and that's when I realized I'd made my felted acorns much too large. :(

Felted acorns I sent to Donna

The acorn caps I receive from Donna

I made some smaller felted acorns, and told Donna what I did to make mine smaller. She included two leaves with tiny caps attached. I felted tiny red berries for them, they are about my favorite part, because I love berries.


I do believe Autumn has arrived at my house!

Marriage in so many words

2011-10-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

From The Amateur Writer

Gifts for Dad

2011-10-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is always the hardest gift to buy, unless Dad has a favorite hobby, but otherwise, what in the world can you buy for him? Well, this year, I figured it out! Warm, fleece jammy pants!!! WHO doesn't want them?

On a cold, snowy day, indoors watching football or taking a nap, these are perfect! I'm making them for the men on our list (don't tell them if you know them). I made them for my husband last year and he absolutely loves them.
I have listed them in my Plain Jane shop, but please don't buy that listing, I'll make a custom listing for you. I'll be making the ones for the men in our family this week and then I'll put up pictures of the pants, rather than pictures of the fabric :)
Order early - they have to be made, one by one, and it's just little ole me here!!! :) Let's get some Christmas shopping done early!!

Recent Increase in Size of Stash

2011-10-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Christmas came early for me this year :) I'm not going to explain HOW I came about this increase in stash, it's kind of personal and no, it wasn't illegal :/ But the other day (last week) I received from the UPS man a 37 lb box, full of fabric from a quilt shop. I'd been expecting it, and to finally have it - well, I was in Fabric Heaven!!!!

I also have this thing that all fabric in my stash MUST be washed before it gets put away - and don't ask me where this is going to be put away - it's eating dinner with us now :) The washing is taking FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! lol but who cares? It's gorgeous fabric! Here are some pics -

That tall pile right there? still has to be washed.. See the little short pile behind it? Washed.

These are the fabrics, I think she just pulled out the cardboard from the center and put them in my box!!! lol


Washed but not folded


The taller stack is washed and folded, The bolt pieces, I think I'll wash as I need them. I don't want to cut them, and I can't see washing that many yards at a time!

So, I just have that one tall pile to serge the raw edges and then wash. But I might have to sew something with it first :) SO.MANY.IDEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Wool Felting - my New Thing :)

2011-10-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've got to tell you this is so much fun! Some wool roving, and a felting needle or two and you're on your way! To these pretty cool little balls (which do have a purpose) and some sore fingers if you're not really careful. Those needles are Sharp - sharper than a sewing needle.

And I have some other projects I've been working on with my wool, but they aren't ready for public view yet. :) oh I know, secrets, secrets - well it is getting to be that time of year!
I get my wool roving from a great little shop on Etsy called Woolgatherings. I order it, and bam - two days later it's at my house! They are the BEST!!!

He covers us with His wings

2011-09-30T04:45:00.000-07:00

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth
shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalms 91:4 (KJV)

By: Todd Tomasella

A Special Gift

2011-09-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in the mail, I received a package, from a friend, that I wasn't expecting. She had mentioned sending some fabric, but it was a small package, and I thought, certainly she would have sent more than this!!! So, I was perplexed, but never being one to leave a package unopened :) I tore into it and pulled out this beautiful, lovely pair of Gingher scissors!!!!!

It was an appreciation/birthday gift two very special friends sent to me. I was, and am still so touched by this gift, that every time I look at them, I'm overcome with emotion. They had heard me mention in a conversation that I wanted to get a second pair of Ginghers, so when I sent in the pair I have for sharpening, I would not be without my Ginghers!!!! And so they went together and bought this for me, and I'm thrilled and tickled pink and speechless all at once! :) I had to share it with you.

Did you read this post about Jane in Nairobi?

2011-09-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/2011/09/sewing-her-way-out-of-poverty.html

That's the link to the post Carolyn wrote, I REALLY encourage you to go read it, whether you sew or not. There was an article in the New York Times about Jane, a woman living in Nairobi, who has changed her life for the better by sewing for others. It's Very interesting and at the end, gives the info needed if you'd like to help her.

Finally - an interesting Project Runway!

2011-09-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Boy I don't know about you other PR watchers, but this season has been SO boring. I've watched every episode of every season, probably multiple times. (I have it on while sewing) This season, really none of the designers stick in my mind except Bert and Anya. I think there is something fishy about Anya - or else she is a sewing savant. (is that the word I want?) and Bert, probably cause he's my age.

But really, I find myself leaving the room when I'm playing it back on Friday morning, forgetting it's on.

This newest episode was the most interesting - I wonder what Mike would say if asked those same questions? Not that I'd want to walk down the runway, I'm not a runway walker - more like a runway hobbler...lol But it makes me wonder if I have a defined style or do I just throw on whatever is clean and hanging in the closet.

In my mind I have a defined style - but I don't think I have any clothes like that. How come? I don't know. I love retro and vintage. I love Renaissance style, or 1850's long swishy skirts :) but I like the 50's and 40's just as well. I like feminine clothes, with little bits of ruffle (not big ones) kind of flowy blouses made from silk. I like a lot of the heirloom sewing details - but only using one or two of them on a garment, not a lot of them. So.... how come I don't have any clothes like this?

Well, how do you wear Renaissance style, in this year? Without looking like a lost actor in search of a theater?

It's got me thinking that's for sure! Here's my Inspiration Board on Pinterest and here are a few pics from my Inspiration Folder on my computer -

Do you know what your style is? Do you wear it?

Remembering...

2011-09-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

In my parents generation, the question was always "Where were you when JFK was shot?" In my generation it is and will be, "Where were you on 9/11?"

I can remember exactly where I was, what we were doing.....
It was the one morning when I was actually sleeping late. I think in Idaho it was about 8:30 or so - typically I was an early riser, usually up by six. My phone rang and it was my daughter, crying and saying something about towers and how they said it wouldn't fall. She couldn't believe I wasn't watching TV. I ran out to the living room and turned on the news and couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. I was just in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. I was horrified. We didn't know yet it was an attack, we thought a pilot must have made a grave error, passed out or died and ended up hitting one of the towers, but when the second plane hit the remaining tower, it was still incomprehensible. Who attacks the USA? Who would wake the sleeping giant?

All day we watched horrified as other news stories came in of another plane hitting government offices, and one in a field. We learned later the passengers had fought back. Hero's every one of them. It was not something we could understand, but it was happening right before our eyes.

My kids came over. I think all families came together as much as they could, we all needed each other, needed some normalcy in this world that had gone crazy.

And for one or two days our government was united in their purpose. Nobody attacks America and lives to tell about it. Nobody instigates an attack on America and remains a free man.

That night our church held service in the city park, where anybody who wanted to join in, could. There was very little preaching, but much singing and praying. We cried, and prayed, we sang and we prayed.

In a few hours our lives and our country had changed forever. Ordinary people turned into hero's and first responders gave no thought to their own lives, only those they could save. I salute each and every one of you, paying you my utmost respect, and pray that you are still with us.

Where were you on 9/11?

Riah's Ruffled Skirt

2011-08-31T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is a little sneak preview of the new skirt I'm making for Riah.


Two little ruffles about 1" up from the hem, and some hand ruched vintage rayon seam binding to cover the stitching on the top ruffle. I love doing this ruching, it's easy and sort of quick, but it looks fantastic!


See, you just do a little running stitch along the seam binding in a zig zag pattern, then pull it up so it's gathered, then pin it down. I will have to go back and hand sew it on to the skirt, but that's ok. It's too cute not to!

This skirt, once finished will probably be available in the Pretty Jane shop for custom order. And wait till you see the sweater I put together (it doesn't go with this skirt) it surprised even me! :)

ANOTHER Contest on Blooming Sisters blog!

2011-08-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

This one is for some Amy Butler FQ's, click on the picture to go to Blooming Sisters.

Just imagine the wonderful project you could make with these! There are 9 FQs at a value of $25.00.

All you have to do to qualify to win these beauties, is register for their email notifications, comment on any post on their blog and answer the following question.

What is the best HANDMADE gift you have ever given someone, or that has been given to you?

The winner will be announced on the morning of Aug. 31st.

Tutorial Saturday

2011-08-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

on Blooming Sisters Blog. AFTER you go comment on the Best Friends post make your way over to todays post for some fun tutorials. The staff at Lotus Made have had some fun with them and shared them in our Flickr group. You can see I've still got sawdust flying around here, but I'm getting there!!!

I'll be posting some tutorials here pretty soon. (if I can find them) I'm pretty sure I know where they are....

Contest on Blooming Sisters

2011-08-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

While you're waiting for me to get back to regular posts, you might want to check out the Blooming Sisters blog - We are having a Best Friends Contest! Did you know that Monday, the 15th was Best Friends day? The winner will be drawn randomly. The prize is a gift basket, filled with things the Lotus Made staff has made themselves, for you to have or share with your best friend! :) And I'll tell ya, we are a talented bunch :)

So, if that doesn't float your boat, we also have a How to Knit Socks series you might be interested in. That will take you to Part 1.

And we just started a series on developing your Creativity! There are two more parts to come in this series.

There is all kinds of things to do on our Blooming Sisters blog - try us out! We're hoping to have BIG NEWS very soon! :)

Working on the Blog

2011-08-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Please excuse my mess while I work on my blog. I have some things I need to add, and some things I need to take off. It won't take long. (i hope) :)

A Box of Goodies from Fabric Mart!!!!

2011-08-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

oh boy! I do love it when those Fabric Mart boxes arrive!!! They had heirloom cottons on sale half off, so they were $5 a yard, and they are 60" wide. Heavenly! And they are gorgeous fabrics, not cheap stuff, but indeed heirloom, like they said. Ok, here are my pictures. Some of the 100% cotton gingham is tiny, tiny check, so it may be kind of hard to see. Ok - I'll shut up now and let the pictures do the talking :)


I know it's hard to tell, but this is a beautiful light blue linen, and I found this napkin set at an antique mall, and they match perfectly. I'm trying to find a way to use them together. I got the linen somewhere else.


Not a clue what I'd do with this (it was part of my 10 yd Bundle) but maybe vest backs?


Heirloom cotton and boy is it SOFT!!!!


Tiny blue check 100% cotton


Tiny red check


Tiny green check, this was part of my 10 yard mystery bundle, 3 yards of it! Love it!


Plaid shirting, with a little bit of Lycra in it - 4 yds.


Heirloom cotton, oh I wish I had the whole bolt of this, it's soft and lovely and I want more!!! :)


Tiny pink check

Well, I think this will keep me off the streets for awhile! Still making pattern decisions, and petting it now and then :)

New Series on Sock Knitting

2011-07-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

starts today on the Blooming Sisters blog. Written by Bridgett from Rambling Designs, it's called Free Range Sock Knitting. She's going to teach us how to knit our own socks without a pattern!!! So, come by every Friday for a new installment - cause this information is like gold!!! If you like to knit and/or knit socks, you'll be happy you have this information some day when you get super creative, but you need the nuts and bolts of the pattern!

Never Lose Hope

2011-07-17T13:36:00.000-07:00


Taken May 25, 2011

July 17, 2011 (yes, those are leaves growing)

The first picture show's the tree that's just been through an F5 tornado, it's bark stripped off, not a leaf left on it.

The second picture - all over Joplin, these naked trees are sprouting leaves all over the tree!!!

The point? Never, EVER lose hope - What looks dead and past restoration is alive and well and GROWING!

Pulling the rug out from under....

2011-07-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided that I couldn't take it anymore. The blekky rug on my floor. There are beautiful hardwood floors underneath and I wanted to see them!! The problem was the rug was under half of everything around the room!!! So, we decided to pull out from under and lift a few things up a corner at a time and it came out! Oh my gosh, the floors were dirty! I'll let the pictures do the talking :)

This is with the rug halfway pulled up

UGH! Look at all that dirt! :((

A 'too small' area rug to cover the cords so I don't trip.

Finally a clean floor, but I think it needs another coat of wax, but not today!

Vintage Maternity Patterns

2011-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

I'm usually not that good at finding vintage patterns, my sister got that gene. But the other day when I stopped at the DAV for a few minutes...I found 3 Vintage Maternity Patterns. I would estimate these are from the 1940's. They made a point of saying on the front that the pattern pieces were printed. Previous to the 40's, pattern pieces were not printed, they were cut into the shape they should be, and they marked things like Fold, Notch, Gather, Pleat etc with holes of different sizes.

Anyway, here are my vintage Maternity patterns -

I haven't checked them yet to see if all the pattern pieces are there, right now I just love them for the pictures :)

December 2, 1951

2011-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

That's the date on an old newspaper Mike found as he was helping with the clean up at his mom's house. He's not sure where it came from. It was from before they moved into that house, and Mike lived there most of his life. It could have been in the attic or blown there from some other house - there is no way to know. But once I started reading it - oh my goodness it was so interesting! It's in very bad shape, as you can tell from the photo's, but still great reading!

Click on the pictures to make 'em big and you'll be able to read a few things.

One of the articles was How to Make your Pumpkin Pie crust Crispier :) and one was How to Make your Petticoats Fuller!
I love stuff like this!!! Makes me want to wear a Petticoat. Not sure how I'd get it into my capri's.... but I still want to wear it! :)

Special Notice

Can you read that first one listed under Special Notices?
"Alfred, meet me at the Arcade Playhouse tonight 412 Main"
She sounds a bit loose to me - what kind of girl would place an ad like that? Oh - it could have been his buddies, or maybe some kind of criminal mischief! So many stories could be culled from this material! :)

Christmas Clubs

Do they still have these? Is anyone else old enough to remember them? I think they are the neatest thing. I think they had better interest than we do!


Vacuum for $12!!! lol


These patterns are so valuable right now!


Just look at the Prices!!!!

The Classified Ads were the most interesting of all, they were divided into these sections - Help Wanted, Help Wanted Male, Help Wanted Female. Here are some from the Female Help Wanted -

"If you are over 24, neat appearing and ambitious with 5 hours a day to spare, you can average $3 an hour. Interviewing mothers only. Apply Globe Box 17"

In Situations Wanted -

"Curtains hand laundered, stretched, called for and delivered. Phone 7698-R"

"Wanted - Ironings to do in my home, Phone 2039"

In Help Wanted there was an ad from an Employment Agency -

"Jobs Open Women -
Bookeeper (25-35) $40 a week
Alterations Woman (30-45) $35-$40 a week
Stenographer (5 days) $35 a week"

"Jobs Open Men -
Porter (Colored) $35 a week
Truck Mech $70 a week
Salesman $250 a month
Station Attendant (18-20) $30 a week
Salesman (30-40) $45 a week"

You couldn't post an ad like that now days - oh my, can you imagine the trouble? I don't even think the newspaper would print it!!!!

The ads for selling cars made sure to mention that radio and heater were included :) Can you imagine buying a car with no radio or heater? Or AC for that matter! Or seat warmers! lol

Kind of fun to read it all. I was born in 1958, so it was a little before my time. I remember my mom taking in Ironing. She had a 7-up bottle she filled with water, and a stopper in it that was like a small sprinkler head, that she would sprinkle the clothes with. Now, I also remember her sprinkling the clothes, then rolling them up and putting them in the refrigerator!!! Anyone remember anything like that, and WHY? :)

Up to my Ears in Work!

2011-06-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

Which is a good thing, yes :) But boy, I don't know what happened. Suddenly everything has to be done now! Don't you just hate those days? Add the laundry to it, and I know what I want for dinner tonight. Margarita's!!!! lol

So, a bit of news first - I wanted a place to journal all my projects, and record what I do and how I do it. So, if you're interested in that kind of thing, here you go - http://karengass.livejournal.com/

I was also searching through my files on the computer and found some old stuff that might be interesting again :) Yeah, it's THAT old!!! More on that later.

When I was in Idaho, my sister and I went thrift shopping, our favorite thing to do practically. Well, she didn't know of my love of vintage/antique patterns, and now that she does know, she's bought a ton of them!!! Look at some of these -

I can't wait till they get here and I get to meet them in person! :)

More later.... karen

How lovely to finish a project!

2011-06-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Flower Girl Dresses

These are two flower girl dresses, I just finished. I think they are so darn cute, I just couldn't wait to share them with you. I don't usually get to do such fine and fancy sewing, so this was a blast!

This week, some desperately needed cleaning up and organizing MUST take place. Catch up on bookwork (yuk) but it's gotta be done!

I promise a Newsletter will go out Tuesday. I spent one week out of town visiting family, and one week sleeping and sewing, this week, I hope I'm back to normal! Whatever that may be. :/

It is so hot here, I can barely stand to be outdoors. I'm an indoor girl - AC is my best friend! :)

I listed some new felted soap in my Etsy shop Plain Jane. Get some felted soap with your initial on it! That way, if you have more than one felted soap in the shower, you always know which one is yours. LOL :)

Home from vacation

2011-06-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

I truly need a vacation to rest up from my vacation! Not that I did a lot of activity, mostly playing with the grandkids :) and visiting with the adults. Did a fair amount of thrift store shopping with my sister (our favorite thing to do) and my daughter (who is just learning the thrill) lol Well, let's just say 2 boxes are on their way home!

Got some cute clothes - some for wearing, some for fabric. And 40 patterns at 25 cents each. :)


Me and Evan

Me, BEFORE we met Dana and her 3 at the park!!! lol

Oh but I did have a wonderful time seeing my family again. I miss them so much. I'm not sure why these are the only two pictures we took, just too busy I guess. Lots of visiting, and going to favorite places. I figure I can rest later, but here it is later and I'm still resting!!! :)

I started yesterday on the two flower girl dresses I'm making and then shipping to England, they are so cute and small. If all goes as planned, they should be done in time, I'll post pictures. But now, I have to get to sewing!

Happy to be home, but I sure miss my family! :)

The Joplin Tornado

2011-05-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

The cross still stands

I'm not sure if ya'll know that I live in Joplin, MO, but I do. If you've been watching the news lately, they tend to show the same pictures over and over. I stopped watching it days ago, cause I just couldn't take anymore.

I am ok, my family is ok, our home is ok. The house where my mother in law, my sister in law, Debbie and my brother in law Roger lived in is gone. My husband Mike and Debbie, and some days Roger (when he didn't have to word) have been getting the things out of the house as they can and putting them into a storage unit.

So, last night was the first night I was out and saw everything. I took pictures as discreetly as I could, because it seemed such a private and personal thing to take pictures of someones tragedy.

The back of my MIL's house


The grocery store where Mikes son worked. They are not going to rebuild.

My dr's office

Across the street from her office

People put flags everywhere they could.


Churches and other groups, left cases of water everywhere for whoever needed a drink


Buildings were marked as the rescue workers went through them


Someone made these street signs so you'd know where you are.

The rest are just pictures we took, and need no comment.

The Joplin High School, where the school year ended abruptly.

♠In times like this, everyone wants to do something to help, but they've asked people to stop sending clothes and personal items. We are overflowing with them and it's started to create a storage problem. If you have things to give, wait a few months, we'll need them then. The best thing you can do is pray.

1800 acres were destroyed, 8000 structures destroyed.

If you need to know specific needs, here are the two Facebook page where you can get up to the minute details.

Joplin Tornado Info

Joplin Tornado Recovery

Many people who didn't have much to lose in the first place have lost everything. Not everyone was a homeowner with insurance to fall back on. Please, pray for these people and check those two FB pages for specific needs.

Pray for the looters to stop. We've had groups of looters coming in from other states, simply for this 'event'. The police are everywhere, and constantly asking to see i.d.'s which no one minds for that very reason. This is the 4th day Mike has worked at his mom's house, trying to salvage what they can, and now they are at the moldy stage and must wear masks.

The most powerful thing you can do is pray. Thank you.

(I am going to visit family in Idaho from May 29 to June 6 and then I'll be back blogging)

New Sewing Pics and Coupon Code for Plain Jane Shop! :)

2011-05-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well, now that the Giveaway is over, and Maria is happily waiting for her package which will be mailed this week, we should get back to sewing. I've been doing a LOT of it lately!!!! I did break down and buy some bra's at Lane Bryants, which I have to say are the most comfortable bra I've ever owned. And they were $26 each!!!!!!!!!!! I like the bra-lets I made for around the house, but they didn't do much for many of my dresses and blouses. So, I caved. What can I say? :)


This is McCalls 6102, made from	a border print I got at Fabric Mart.


McCalls 6250 which is really a pattern for jammies, but this v-neck t shirt was exactly what I wanted, and it fits perfectly! See the crochet trim? I took that off a twin size bed skirt I got at the thrift store for $5. And I still have lots of it left! Here is a closeup of the trim -

The crochet trim. Click on the pics to make them bigger so you can see better.


Made another v-neck top from the same pattern, and have one more cut out. This one has elastic lace around the neckline. Simple, clean, love it!


McCalls5050 v. c, made from brown chiffon, and a black cami underneath it.

This is what I'm working on right now. Yesterday I made a muslin for this pattern. No way was I cutting into my Liberty fabric without a muslin!!!! This is the fabric I won from BMG Club - I can't believe I never told ya'll about that. I must have told somebody else twice. Yes, this is 3 yds of Tana Lawn from Liberty of London. Go ahead, price it. They carry it at PurlSoho... go ahead, I'll wait. I've had it for several weeks now, petting it and loving it. The honeymoon is over, and now it's time to wear it!

This is a shirt I made from Free Pattern Month Day 1 They did a normal neckline, I decided to do a cowl. It's very comfoy and easy to make! The embellishment possibilities are endless! Requires cami underneath :)

And welcome to all new subscribers :) I'm glad to have you here, even if you didn't win the giveaway. I will have more giveaways, I promise. Now, for a consolation prize here is a coupon to use in my Plain Jane Candles and Soap shop on Etsy for 15% off your order! 15FORYOU Put it in the coupon code box when you check out and they will take 15% off your order. I hope you feel better now :) Maybe next time the winner will be YOU! See ya soon, gotta go sew!

THE WINNER!

2011-05-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

is.... some drum roll would be nice .... Maria D!!!! I got the number from www.random.org but lost the page before I could take a screen shot :( The number was 40, and Maria D was the 40th commenter!

Maria, I'll be emailing you for your address and will get your package out next week! Congratulation :)

Tomorrow, we'll be back to sewing, and have I got pictures for you! :)

One More Day to Sign Up for the Giveaway!!!

2011-05-19T17:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day for the giveaway! You have until I get up Sat morning to sign up. That's when I'll pick a winner - This is some awesome stuff here - I think now the giveaway post is 2 below this one. After the giveaway is over, I have tons of sewing to show you - I haven't been just sittin' around eating bon-bons you know :)

ok, here's a little peek :) See ya Sat!!!!! :)

One more Week (ish) to sign up for the giveaway!

2011-05-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

I submitted this Giveaway to http://etsygiveaways.blogspot.com/ and so I had to give some extra time. So, you now have till May 20th to enter - tell your friends! :)

Don't miss out, this is a fabulous Giveaway! :)

It's TIme for a Giveaway!

2011-05-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a giveaway for a long time, so I think it's very much past due! And with Mother's Day right here, (although I'm a bit late for that) what better time? I honestly did not realize Mothers Day was THIS Sunday!!!

Ok.... here's the deal - I'm giving away a Goodie Package from Plain Jane Candles and Soap.

This is what's in it -

1 lb of laundry soap
2 Soy melting tarts
1 Chapstick
1 Owie Stuff
Sample of Green Tea Sugar Scrub
Sample of Body Butter
Half of a bar of Tea Tree Oatmeal Soap
Half of a bar of Luxury Soap
One Facial Kit

Ok, that's a lot of stuff!!!! It will be packaged very prettily in an upcycled cigar box. (Cigar smell is completely gone, I promise) Here are some pictures -


1 lb laundry soap


Melting Tarts


Chapstick and Owie Stuff


Green Tea Sugar Scrub

Body Butter


Tea Tree Oatmeal Soap


Luxury Soap


Facial Kit

The Facial Kit contains - Pure Goats Milk Soap for cleansing your face, Lavender Toner, Facial Oil - a special blend of oils designed for skin rejuvenation and nutrition (jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil), and a sherpa 100% cotton washcloth designed specifically to wash your face. It comes in a cream lace bag with a black ribbon tie. Very smart!

So, what do you have to do to win this?

Leave a comment on this post.
Join my newsletter - sign up form is in the right sidebar
Tell a friend.
Follow my blog.

Please leave a comment for each thing, even if you already are doing it, you want an entry for it right? :)
You've got 4 chances at winning. This will be open until May 12th - so you have plenty of time. Oh, did I mention for each friend you tell you get an additional entry? :) You can list the blogs of each friend in one comment, you'll get credit for each one!

And who knows? By the time the 12th rolls around, I may have found some other cool stuff to put in the Goody Box! :)

The show is open!

2011-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

And you are cordially invited to drop by and see my booth - I've got some new things you haven't seen before. All the prices in the booth include shipping, so don't worry about the higher amounts! :) Any excess shipping will be refunded to you right away.

Come and visit me at the EZ Shoppes Spring Craft Show - Online!

2011-05-02T04:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.ezcraftshow.com/shoppe/default.asp?sid=plainjanecandlesandsoap

Here is the URL to my booth, come on be, see what new things I have! :)

Monday is the first day ...

2011-04-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

of the Online Craft Show I'm doing. See graphic at right? Monday morning I'll give the URL to my booth.

I have all my candles, with some new scents you haven't seen before. Some very special things you haven't seen before, such as a Facial Care Kit. A cream lace bag, trimmed in black which holds some goats milk soap (awesome for washing the face), lavender toner, and my own special Facial Oil Blend - a blending of oils for super face/skin nutrition and rejuvenation, with a washcloth I made, specially for the delicate skin of the face.

And Green Tea Sugar Scrub, Laundry Soap, Body Butter with a variety of fragrances you can choose from, Luxury Silk Soap, Tea Tree Oatmeal soap for problem skin... um, that's all I can remember.

Facial Care Kit

I'm sick and tired of Bra's!!!!!

2011-04-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Truly I am - the search, the trying on, the PRICE! Not to mention the uncomfy's, the bulges where I don't want them, and I'm just tired of the whole thing. However, at 53, I can't bring myself to go out in public without a bra. I'm not 19 anymore!!!

So, after thinking about this for quite awhile, I decided to make my own. Not with all the stretchy fabric, spandex, power net, and hardware. Just with some pretty cotton and elastic and lace. I made the one I'm wearing a few times now, and I have to say - it is so comfortable - this is definitely the direction for me!

It was so easy to make, I'll show you how to do it. I made mine, including measuring and design time in about 2 hours. Now that I have a pattern and know what I'm doing, I bet that time will be under an hour. The nice thing about these, is that you can make one to match all the clothes you own!

So, you'll need about a half yd of cotton fabric, about 2-3 yds of 1/4" elastic, and some lace if you want to trim it. If you have cami/bra straps, feel free to use those, but if not, just cut some elastic the correct length, and you'll be fine. If you happen to have a bra back go ahead and use it, if not, you can pull it on and off, over your head.

My first one I did not use a bra back, and I just put it on/off like I would a shirt. But this one I'm showing you now will have a bra back on it, because I think it will be easier.

Ok, 4 measurements to take -

#1 - All the way around you, just under the arms. This will be the top of your 'bra'.
#2 - All the way around you, under the bust. This is where the bottom of your bra is now.
#3 - From the top line, over the bust, to the bottom line. You want enough room so the girls aren't squished.
#4 - On the top line, just the distance you want until you drop down to make room for your arms.

Once those measurements are taken, use a large piece of pattern paper (or tape some printer paper together) and use a straight side as the Fold line.

Near the top of the paper, draw a line, parallel to the top of the paper. Go down the length of #3 and draw another line, parallel to the first line. Remember, that since the end of the paper is the FOLD line, you'll only need 1/2 of the measurement. (except for measurement #3).

Use a round plate or template to create the curves at the arm. Then, just blend the two curves together. Click on the picture to make it bigger, and you'll be able to see my lines. Once you have it the way you want it, cut it out, and use it as a pattern.

I had to add a piece to each end of the back. You can see them pinned on here.


I considered adding this lace that matched, but in the end decided not to. I divided the bottom into 4, marking with a pin, and the top into 4, marking with a pin.


I cut two pieces of elastic, holding them around me the way I wanted them to fit. I divided them into 4, marking each fourth with a pin, then I matched the bottom piece of elastic to the bottom of the bra, at the pins, and pinned them together. I repeated this on the top.


I stretched and sewed a 3 point zig zag stitch along the top and bottom


This is my bra, with elastic sewn to the top and bottom.


I decided to use a bra back on this one. I didn't fuss over the measurements too much. I held the bra up to me, holding the back together at a point where it was comfortable. Then, I folded the fabric back, and took a small pleat in the width of the back, and pinned the bra back to it.


Same thing for the other side.


This is the side of the bra back with the loops, it's attached to elastic. I folded my fabric to insure all the raw edges were underneath the elastic. Then I sewed the bra back to the fabric with a rectangle.


You can see here how I sewed on the bra back.


I attached the other side of the bra back with the hooks, the same way. Just make a small pleat to fit, and pin.


Once you're satisfied with the fit around you, mark where you want the straps to be sewn, and pin them on.


I put the end of the back straps close to the center, because I hate it when the straps fall off my shoulders. I also zig zag the heck out of these straps when attached, because the edges are hard and irritate my skin. You can see the close up in the next picture.


Close up of sewing strap on back.


Far too late in the process, I decided I wanted this eyelet lace on the bottom. So, I sewed to the bra, right sides together, then folded it over and sewed a line about 1/4" from the fold line. I should have done this before I did the elastic.


A peek inside.


The end result. I left the upper edge serged. I didn't want that large of eyelet lace on top, and I didn't have any smaller.

There are so many ways you could alter this to suit yourself. You could cut a v-neck, or a scoop neck. The use of different trims and ribbons and laces, or fabrics would add a lot of personality. I'm going to make several more of these, now that I have the pattern the way I like it, and the fit - sewing them up will take very little time.

If you made some of these, I'd love to hear about it. If you have questions about how to do it, let me know. I wrote this, pretty much assuming you knew how to sew :) But, please ask me if I've been unclear about something.

Patterns, Patterns Everywhere - It's a Mystery!

2011-04-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

The other day I was window shopping at Etsy, and you know how it is, you never know how you get somewhere, but suddenly I was in this vintage ephemera shop 58 and Grace and I found a listing for patterns. Now, I love ephemera, I guess it's just the history in the items, and I do love history. Well, It was a stack of patterns, no envelopes, no instructions, she said there was about 5 patterns there (it could have been 7, I don't remember) but it was for 4.95. I really didn't have 4.95 to be spending on ephemera :) But somehow, before I knew it, my finger was clicking Add to Cart and suddenly, I'd bought it.

Well, what fun! I divided up a few of the patterns, put the ones that had the same numbers in one envelope. Some patterns do not have a name on them, although they are printed. Anybody have a clue what pattern company this might be? Click on it to make it bigger, I made this one bigger than usual so you could see details.

Anyone who sews, knows the pattern companies re-use numbers after a pattern has gone out of print. It's kind of annoying when you don't know what you're looking for. I did get one pattern completely put together, and from the pattern details, I had an idea of what it might look like. I found it.

Isn't it gorgeous? I printed out this picture and taped it to the appropriate envelope. This is so much fun! I can't wait to see what else I find :)

Towel Edging

2011-04-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago, I got some new dish towels. I wanted to add some crocheted edgings to them. I’ve got some very cool vintage edgings patterns, and I’m eager to use them. So, I added the first edging, here is the Before and After -

I think it makes a world of difference. I’ve got the edging made and pinned on to the next towel, just haven’t sewn it on yet.
The edging shown, took about 2 hours to make and sew on to the towel. That’s a quick and easy project!!

My Treadle Machine - Help Me Figure It Out!!!!

2011-04-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

Model #AB286327

I got to talking to my BFF, Cynthia about my Treadle Sewing Machine, that I have in my entry way, as a table. She also has a Treadle Machine. Well, I've been wondering for some time now, if it worked, and figured today was the day to find out.
Well, the first thing I found out was that it needed a belt, and it wasn't going to do anything without that!

But I also had a box of Singer accessory feet, that I wanted to see if they would fit on there - and they did. But I do not know what the feet are for! I've been sewing since I was 9 years old, I'm now 53 and these feet are a mystery to me. So, who better to ask, than all you sewers out there. Help me out! :) First a few pictures of my pretty machine :)

Ok, now the pictures of the feet. They have numbers on them too, so I'm going to mention those.


The number is 120598


Close-up of above


The other side of above foot

#160359


The other side of above foot


I can't find a number on this one


#36865 (i think)

If you click on any of these pictures, you'll get a bigger picture that will be easier to see details in. If you have any information about these feet, I'd sure love to hear it. Thanks for lookin'! :) Karen

Awesome Soap Testimonial!

2011-04-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

(So, I had to move the last post from Plain Jane blog over here to regular blog, just because it was so cool) :)

The owner of one my favorite sewing sites has purchased laundry soap from me. Pamela Erny from Fashion Sewing Supply. I buy all my interfacing from her, and bags of buttons. They have the best interfacing I've ever worked with.

So, anyway, she left a comment on this blog and I asked her if I could use it. She said I could and then gave me an even BETTER recommendation along with her Yes!!!! So, I'm sharing both of them :) This is her comment on my Needlework blog -

Hi Karen...just need to tell you that YOUR SOAP ROCKS !!!!! I love the lavender "chunks" that I bought..I set a piece in the bottom of my soaking tub while the water fills....heavenly!

My husband's shirts have NEVER looked as good as when washed with your laundry soap :) I have a high-efficiency washer...so a tiny bit goes a long way...but I will be ordering more soon! It is also THE BEST for removing that nasty starchy "sizing" from fabrics before we sew them.

Thanks again for great products!

Laundry Soap

And this is what she gave me to use -

Your laundry soap is hands down the VERY best I have EVER used to pre-wash cotton fabrics! It gets all of the nasty sizing and dye-smell out...and leaves the fabric so fresh and so clean...totally ready to apply interfacing and make it "ready for the needle". Pam Erny from Fashion Sewing Supply

Comments like that send me over the moon! :) Thank you Pam!

P.S. They are having some website trouble, so if the links don't work, try them again in a few days.
Update: See the Fashion Sewing Supply blog for more info

Ever Bite Off More Than You Can Chew?

2011-04-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

It seems to be a habit of mine! I simply have to come to the conclusion that I can only do one blog properly. I started a new blog for Plain Jane Candles and Soap, but I don't get to it, and then I don't get to this one! So, I"ll be closing that blog and doing EveryThing over here, on my regular blog.

Is that professional? heck, I don't know! I'm just a little dressmaker who also makes soap, what do I know about professional?

So, my book "How To Write Quilt Patterns" is reviewed in this months The Quilt Pattern Magazine (yay!) and so, I put it on sale for the month of April. It is now $10 instead of the normal $15.

I'm also moving the sign up for the Plain Jane newsletter, over here. And its going to be a general newsletter for Plain Jane Candles and Soap, Pretty Jane Dresses and anything else that seems newsletter-worthy!

I have to remember I'm just one little person and can't do everything my mind tells me I can :) I hope you can all identify with that!!!!

Welcome readers of The Quilt Pattern Magazine!

2011-04-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

I hope you're enjoying this months issue of the magazine, there are some fun quilt designs in it!

If you're here to see more about my book 'Writing Quilt Patterns' which is on sale for the entire month of April. Normally $15, now on sale for $10, just for readers of The Quilt Pattern Magazine. And also for anyone else who drops in :) I'm not picky! The link is right up top there but I'm putting it in the name too.

If you've ever considered designing quilts and selling patterns, but were a little (or a lot) nervous about the pattern writing part, this is exactly what you need. I've written more quilt patterns than I care to remember, and I've shared everything I know about it in this little eBooklet. I hope it will be useful to you.

Sew Many Dresses!!!!

2011-03-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, I had to go out and buy extra little hangers for my little dresses! I had them folded up everywhere and dresses should be hanging up! Today, I'm nearly finished a darling blue dress, with a totally twirly skirt and a zipper in the side seam. Of course, it's made from an antique pattern. How antique, you ask? Well, the pattern instructions called for 'a slide fastener to be placed in the side seam'. Yup, that's antique! No pictures of that one yet, but I have put some new ones in Pretty Jane Dresses lately.... need an Easter dress for a little girl in your life? :)

Most dresses I've left unhemmed, so they can be hemmed to just the right length for your little girl.

I've also been making soap and chapstick, for the Plain Jane Etsy Shop which is not listed yet. Soon, tho!

Found out there is a group here in Joplin of Etsy Store Owners, so I went to that meeting last week and had such a good time! Small group, which is fine with me, I get quiet in big groups. But it was nice to talk over how we did things, and see what each of us made. Well, except me - I was the only one who didn't bring Show 'n Tell. It was my first meeting, I didn't know! lol But I'll be bringing things next meeting!

I promise not to be gone for so long next time! Oh one more thing. I am actually working on Christmas presents for this coming Christmas :) I'm so proud of myself!! Although I have been forgetting grandchildren's birthdays.... not so proud now. Pride comes before the fall, that's for sure!!! I can't keep track of 14 grandchildren, and i've tried so many ways. Do you have a wonderful method for keeping track of all the kids birthdays, anniversarys, the grandkids birthdays? PLEASE tell me what it is!!!!

The Before and After Story

2011-03-06T14:17:00.000-08:00

Well, the plumber has come and gone. First, I'd like to remind you of what our yard used to look like. Remember last spring when we planted flowers?

And now...

There used to be two trees here :(

I have a NEW Etsy Shop!

2011-03-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

You are cordially invited to come and visit Pretty Jane's Dresses! Ah...you didn't know Plain Jane had a sister!?! lol I really don't have a split personality, just too many ideas! Please come and visit and tell your friends. And just because it's so much fun, here is a coupon code for 10% off your first purchase. WELCOME10

Just one of the dresses in the shop!

Icy Trees and Little Peeks

2011-02-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

I've been away from my blog for 6 days - no Internet. I'm so glad to have it back! First I want to show you some pictures of the ice in my Crepe Myrtle. Come out the front door, still standing on the porch and look to your left and this is what you'll see -

Ice in the Crepe Myrtle


Close Up

More Close Up

Our first snow storm left us with about 2 ft of snow -

Kind of hard to tell, with the wind blowing like it was. In some places it was 2 ft, in others it was more like 5 ft. But either way - it's a lot of snow.

And yes, that is a big opening in our fence. Remember the plumber? The prep work we needed to do, in order to reduce our bill? That was part of it. The day he was scheduled to come and fix our broken water pipe (over a week ago) was the day we got the 2 ft of snow. Our pipe is still broken, still leaking and the water bill is now approx equal to the National Debt. :( But, what can you do? Wait.

Ok, on to cute stuff :) Since I had no internet for 6 days, and I've been wanting to rework my first Etsy shop, I did some sewing. Now I can only show you little peeks until my 'Big Unveiling'.... which I hope will be soon.

Peek 1

Peek 2

Peek 3

And that's just all I can show you right now. :) I do love to be tricky!!!

Oh, and I did finish Mike's second shirt, but forgot to take pictures of it. I'll take them after it comes out of the laundry, nicely ironed. :)

I hope you've had a good week!

Memory Lane Monday

2011-01-31T16:56:00.000-08:00

I just read about this on Donna's blog and as I was reading her memory, I instantly remembered something. Not from a long time ago, but only from about 3 years ago. Donna said, "Mum helped my little brother hold his tiny hands together for grace so that he could learn the concept of gratitude at an early age." and it brought back memories of when my daughter and her son Jack lived with us.

This is Jack now, with his baby brother Evan

All of us sitting around the dinner table, Mike saying grace, Jack with his head bowed and his little hands folded properly... when Mike said, "Amen." Jack would throw up arms up in the air and say, "AMEN!" with a big old smile on his face, and then we knew it was time to eat. But not until Jack 'Amened' - Praise Style. :)

Thank you :)

2011-01-31T16:28:00.000-08:00

We have enough to pay the plumber, but the sale will continue until 2/2, as a thank you for all the help :)

Now the plumber was supposed to come today, but evidently an emergency with Chuck E Cheese's sewer lines kicked us out of the line up. That wouldn't be so bad, except we are expecting 'the storm of the century' - first, up to half inch of ice, then between 12 - 18" of snow on top of it. Wed night it's supposed to be -8 degrees. Now... how is the plumber going to work in this?

Really, I'm just hoping our power doesn't go out. Brings back memories of the Winter of whatever a few years ago, when we had no power (same kind of storm) for 8 days. ugh. But now, I"m making sure everything is charged up - phones, camera's, iPods etc. Am putting together little kits of things I can work on without using a sewing machine or anything else electric. Expect lots of embroidery and knitting! lol

If you remember from this post, I was challenging myself to use the embroidered parts of this dress, (from my Lingerie Class I'm taking from Don McCunn) on my new shirt. Well, after much noodling, I decided to use some Heat n Bond (which I've NEVER used on clothes), and fussy cut the embroidery from the dress.

The fussy cut pieces

Then, I arranged them on the new shirt until I was happy with them, ironed them on, and then sewed around each piece. I wasn't going to trust Heat n Bond to keep my pieces on, but it did help keep things from fraying during the process.

Closeup

Before Sewing

Pinned Together

This dress form isn't my size, but it's handy for taking pictures. Just don't judge the fit by what is shown here. It fits ME lovely :) My plan is to make a gauzy white blouse to wear under it, since I am over 50 and I feel like my halter top wearing days are past me.


Closeup

Now, I have to put a word in here about the class I'm taking Swimsuits, Lingerie, & Empire Dresses This has been a fantastic class. He taught us how to make a bikini top in a few styles and then use that pattern to create different garments - such as this top. I've learned so much and am sorry this will be the last week. I can't wait to take another one, and I will!

Please Help Us Pay the Plumber!!!!

2011-01-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

HUGE SALE - 30% off EVERYTHING until FEB 2. This is the Plumbers Sale! The house where Plain Jane lives (ahem, moi) has a broken water pipe and we have a huge Plumber Bill! So... Here is your coupon code PLUMBER12 use it on checkout and 30% will be deducted from your TOTAL!!!! Help me pay the plumber! And tell your friends, pass that coupon code around everywhere you go. Thank you :)

Plain Jane Etsy Shop

Worlds Biggest Stash of Yarn

2011-01-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

And I thought I had a lot of yarn. I'm not even in the League of this woman!!!! Biggest Stash in 2007 and the update in 2011

I just don't know what else to say!

Swimsuit, Lingerie Class

2011-01-22T16:12:00.000-08:00

So, I'm taking this online class from Don McCunn on how to draft the pattern for, and make your own swimsuit or lingerie, and the many different garments you can make from these patterns, not just swimsuits etc. This is Week 1 of 3 and I've got my pattern drafted and my top (no, not a swimsuit) :) planned. This will be along the lines of a baby doll top, with an empire waist.

The interesting thing (I think) is that I'm making this top from a dress I bought at the thrift store, just for this purpose - remaking it into something else. I bought it over a year ago, but I've not had the right opportunity to use it, till now!

I had already cut off the sleeves when I took the before picture -

I know it looks orange here, but the true color is a beautiful Raspberry Red. It's a rayon fabric, with same color embroidery around the neck and around the sleeves. The following picture of the sleeves are the true color.

It's a rayon jacquard, and it's simply beautiful. The dress is a size 8, and my challenge to myself, is to find a way to use these embroidered parts on my top.

I've got the two main parts of the top cut out. There were also tucks in the dress, that I managed to take advantage of, hopefully you can see that in the next picture.

You can also see the wonderful texture of this fabric.
I have a good way to go yet, but I think I've done the hardest part - started!

Plain Jane Wants YOU!

2011-01-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Have you visited my Etsy shop Plain Jane Candles and Soap yet?

Or been to Plain Janes Facebook page?

Or visited her blog and signed up for the Plain Jane Newsletter?

As you can see - I've been a busy girl! I'm selling soap and candles like hotcakes!!! Ok, I sold one candle and 1 lb of soap. I have to be honest, but I don't feel bad about that at all - I'm barely open and already 2 sales!!!!! :)

I'm studying marketing like a fiend, I haven't sewn anything in a week and I'm suffering from sewing withdrawal! Tomorrow, I must sew!

But first, I have to show you what Mike got me at Lowes the other day :) Are these the cutest things or what?
Yes, I have my own toolbox, I have too! I have a hammer, a needle nose pliers, some screwdrivers and a little box of different nails and screws - and now these little cute things. I've never seen a .... whatever that silver thingy is called .... that small before, but like Mike said, "I'm sure you could use this somewhere!" He's probably right :)

Spinning!

2011-01-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

I ordered a grab bag of odd wool bits - as in wool roving, not cloth - to make some Wool Covered Soap from The Sheep Studio for $7 and received this HUGE bag of odd bits and a gorgeous sample of creamy, perfect roving. oh my gosh, I wanted to spin it up right away. But I don't know how to spin!!!!
So I sent out an emergency email to my friend Bridgett who is an expert at spinning and ask her, "Quick - teach me to spin, I have to spin this roving!!!!"
Thankfully, she emailed right back and said, Make yourself a drop spindle and a link to the directions. So, as soon as Mike got home from work, I hauled him off to Lowes for a couple things, came home, made it and started spinning. Yes, it was that easy!!!!


Here it is, with just a little yarn on it.


And here is my first center pull ball of yarn!

I wonder if I'm ready for a spinning wheel? well, probably not, but I sure do love doing this!!!

I finished my first men's shirt!

2011-01-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Yes I did! I studied DPC's book for the longest time, finally ordered fabric and started in. I made a lot of mistakes, did a lot of things over more than once, but the other day, I did finish it. The only problem with it, are that the sleeves are in backwards. But I'm not changing them. It's either a practice shirt, or he can wear it with the cuffs rolled up :) Here are some pictures!


The shirt

The collar

The cuff

The hem

All in all, I'm pretty proud of what I accomplished, even with the backwards sleeves :) I have another piece of shirting that I'm going to cut out and sew this next week, before I forget everything I learned!

My NEW Etsy Shop - Plain Jane

2011-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

I'd like to invite you to visit and bookmark my new Etsy shop - Plain Jane! I'm making soy candles with the most delicious fragrances - Coffee, Vanilla, Baby Powder, Chocolate Chip and coming in the next few days - White Tea with Berries, Lavender, Lavender/Vanilla and Tea Tree. Today, I start making soap - yes, soap, the old fashioned way, so look for it soon! I was a soapmaker years ago and then just kind of stopped doing it. Not sure why.

Soy wax is absolutely wonderful to work with and to burn. It burns clean, no smokey mess on your candle jar. It's also moisturizing! I can hear you saying it - huh? Read my info page linked in the next paragraph! :)

Each candle is 8 oz. and burns for approx 21 hrs

I make the most wonderful laundry soap, and dishwasher soap - wait till you try it! You can read more about my Plain Jane products HERE

Today I'll be listing laundry and dishwasher soap. Are you interested in being kind to the planet as well as to your skin? Well, this is what you want!

Laundry Soap - 1 TB per load of clothes!

Come and visit!

Coming up: Wool Wrapped Soap, Chapstick, more Soy Wax candles, and more soap!

With each order of laundry soap, you also get my Super Duper Recipe for Pre Treating Stain Spray!

The Quilt Pattern Magazine

2011-01-01T05:18:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this new online magazine for quilters? Well, i just happen to work there :) and today!!!!!! the first issue is released! We are all so excited! There is even a social networking group for all subscribers - and get this - a subscription is just 11.99 a year!!!!

Now, tomorrow, on my Facebook page I'll be posting about the magazine. Leave a comment, and I'll pick a winner from everyone who commented, and they will win a subscription to the magazine! But only tomorrow (Sunday Jan 2).