Handmade by me

I have sewed for so long today that I cannot muster the strength of mind to put together a coherent post. Do you see where this is going? Yep, I'm gonna ramble...

I am sure that you have heard the term 'handmade' used when it comes to quilts clothing or crafts. It is usually said with some emphasis on handmade or said with a hushed tone and often followed by a gasp of admiration or disbeleif. I always took it to mean exactly what it claims 'something made with the use of only your two hands' right? Well that is all fine and good, but I would like to argue the point that though I use a machine, my hands are still very much in use. I would like to amend the definition, who do I call? Not a big deal, just sayin'

That is the long and short of it.

Carole

Surely you know...

...that the fair is coming back to town! I know exactly what you are going to say, you can't stand those terrible rides. Well, me either, for the most part. But what I love about the fair are the competitions, for cooking, fine arts, canning, farming and what am I forgetting? Oh SEWING! yes! I am just so excited, did I say that already, can you tell?

Last year I entered a table setting along with my friend/former co-worker Heather. We used our work time to create a pretty sucessful table setting (if I do say so myself) complete with handmade table cloth, napkins and centerpiece. Perhaps I need to explain this particular competition...you set a table. I am serious. There is a specific way it needs to be done, no joke. We received 3rd place (applause). Table setting to the fair is like curling to the Oympics, it really excludes most of its audience and makes people laugh. Also, no matter how silly it seems you cannot look away. Here is the only reliable source for proper table setting.


Emily Post


I did not have time to enter any sewing last year, but I am making up for it this year. Adult and children original designs...I have something in mind, but I don't want to jinx it so more about that when it's finished.

If you would like to see what other catagories there are to enter or read in greater detail about sewing...click here.

April Sewing Class Project Preview

Hello Ladies -

As I promised...several times, here is the April Sewing Class Project Preview... So exciting...can you stand it!?

Young Ladies Sewing Classes: Theme - Super Straight Lines (and a few squiggles...just a few)



First, after many many many requests from the young ladies to make a blanket, I have decided that now is the time. This particular blanket is a light weight throw that will be perfect for the rainy days ahead. It will be another chance for the girls to perfect their straight line sewing accuracy. This straight line practice will be a welcomed relief after last month's seemingly endless marathon of sewing curves, arcs and circles. I am still dizzy and considering naming those projects the vertigo series. This project will begin after this week and will take 3 weeks, with time to spare for a secret project...sorry Moms, you'll have to wait and see what that is. This is our largest project to date as far as size and our first true sewing project in that it will take time and patience to complete.


Adult Sewing Classes - The theme for April is Dress-up Your Kitchen!(literally in some cases)

Wednesday, April 7th:



Dress up your dish soap bottle with a mini apron. Why are we doing this? Because you know you've always wanted to.

Wednesday, April 14th:



Place mats and cloth napkins in a cinch. It is unbelievably easy to change up your dining table with the addition of custom made place mats and cloth napkins. You will no longer be limited to what is available in the stores and next time you run into Martha Stewart in line at target, you can give her a smug smile with the knowledge that you can do exactly what she does...sort of. Just kidding Martha if you are reading this you know you are untouchable. Can't be too careful.

note: these are rectangular place mats and napkins. Bunny folded napkins is just for fun and made out of a regular rectangular napkin...though I can totally show you how to fold it this way if you like.

Wednesday, April 21st and April 28th:



A reusable grocery bag. Imagine casually tossing one of these bags on the check out counter...oo la la! the checker will gasp at its beauty and all of the shoppers behind you will lean in for a look. The bagger will stand on the check out counter waving the sac over his head declaring it the most wonderful grocery sac he's ever seen. Or...you'll have a reusable grocery bag that is cuter than most. Either way, you win.

Hello Monday - Spring Break and Sew! Sew! Sew! Three things about sewing you know but need to be reminded of...

All of the young ladies of the Ladies Sewing Circle are on Spring Break from school this week sooooo we'll be missing a few young ladies classes on Wednesday due to super fantastic and exciting spring break vacation activities. We won't be starting anything new, just finishing up the bunny slippers. And then...new April stuff that will be posted for your Tuesday viewing pleasure.

Until then here are a few quick points I have about sewing that I would like to share with you:

1. If you sew something once, you made one and it may or may not have been fun. If you sew two of that something, you will know how to do it a little bit faster and better based on what you did the first time around. If you sew something three times, it will probably stick and you can crank this 'something' out, like nobody's business from here on in and it will look better each time. In short, do not be discouraged by your first attempt at any sewing project because it will most definitely look like you made it with your left foot in the dark. It will take at least three times to look as though you made it and four or more times to make it look like it was manufactured in a fancy-shmancy high-falutin factory. Isn't that what we are all aiming for?

2. Sewing takes time, so enjoy the process. Put on some music or some television in the background and go to it. Or if you are part of the sewing circle, engage in some conversation that is likely to take you from angry biting geese to possible names for future pet bunnies and then back again in a matter of seconds. It is important that you realise this fact before you begin your project. Do not expect to complete and entire project each time you sit down to sew. I love to instead concentrate on making super straight sewing lines and ironing between each step. I also like to estimate the time it will take in total and try to stick to a schedule to finish. Sewing is a process, not a race. Sewing is war.

3. Start early. This means several things. Age - I started sewing when I was fiveish' and look at me now, just look, I can make anything. No brag, just fact. And I love it.
In terms of project completion however, if you have a sewing project in mind, and you need it by next month, for goodness sake start now. Poofy hair flowers are cute now, but if you need twenty by Tuesday and it's 9:00pm on Monday, you will hate yourself and those poofy hair flowers before you are done and where is the joy in that? I'm just singin' the same old tune you've heard before, it's called Procrastination and it's by Nancy and the To-Do List Avoiders.

Look at me imparting wisdom like I have any to spare, I swear, I totally searched for my phone today and I found it in my hand. And look at me sharing that story.

Easter

I was never entirely comfortable with the Easter Bunny coming into my home and leaving me a basket of goodies. I was, in fact, extremely uncomfortable with the thought of a giant rabbit sneaking into my home in the dead of night...breathing his giant rabbit breath. I really had to psych myself out to sleep the night before, listening for those huge feet to come creaking through the house and in the morning, no matter how prepared I thought I was, I was always really horrified to see that he had left a basket...he was there...shiver. Is he still here? watching? Did this ever bother anyone else? No amount of chocolate or colored eggs in shining grass could warm me up to the thought of a huge rabbit, all those things were only evidence that he really existed. I had forgotten all about my rabbit-phobia until today when someone mentioned that the Easter bunny had left behind something or other and I felt this strong sense of relief, I am an adult now, the Easter bunny won't visit me...until I have children. This is definitely something to consider.

I can't help but think that watching this movie had something to do with all of this.

This Week in Sewing Class: Reflecting on Bunny Slippers and Spring Cleaning

This week in sewing class the girls and I tackled the much talked about bunny slipper project. I have to say that I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how difficult this would be for the girls who were newer to sewing. There are not a lot of steps and really very little actual sewing but, boy! is there a lot of cutting and in order for the sewing to be correct the cutting must be very precise. The girls really impressed me with their cutting skills, they took their time and made sure that all of their cut pieces matched one another. We are aiming to finish these guys next class - but if you are not here due to spring break...do not worry, we'll catch you up when you return.




Uh oh...

I'll be cleaning the house from top to bottom tomorrow and there will be a mini-break in the middle for Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Yes, I break for chicken and waffles, it may not may not be healthier than breaking for coffee. I don't drink coffee, so what choice do I have?


And Happy Easter!

Carole

Frugal Frau Friday: Dozens and dozens

So here are the Secret Pocket Easter Eggs that I made using this tutorial.

I really really really really really like how they turned out. In fact, I liked them so much that I made a trillion of them, not so frugal right?...Wrong!There is so little fabric involved that I was able to purchase 1/2 yards of fabrics that I wouldn't otherwise purchase due to cost and still had fabric left over, I even threw in some $1.00 per yard fabric, 'cause it was cute and cheap.

The tutorial suggests candies like jelly beans or quarters to accommodate the small pocket but I was totally able to jam mini candy bars in. And what is more, these eggs can be reused next year! How's that for frugal...hmmmmmm?

Have a lovely Friday...


Carole