Stitchy Saturday: TARDIS Plushie...finally!

I will finally have sweet dreams tonight! I finally finished my TARDIS plushie. The Doctor and all things Whovian will be dancing through my dreamland.

Thankful Thursday: Seat Belt Cover

Some days, I have a tougher time identifying what I am thankful for than others.

Today though, I do not have to struggle. 

I am thankful for this blog and the ability to share. I am thankful that with prior planning, I can make life simpler down the road. 

I am thankful that my sweetie always has my back.

I am thankful for many little things. I am not thankful for my seat belt digging into my neck while I drive just because I am petite. I AM thankful that in just a few minutes I could make something that solves that problem and shows a little bit of my personality!

Sunday Funday: Lace Bowls

Today is a simple post, a simple craft, and a simple joy. Now I can look at lace everyday without feeling like I am a doll or a Mrs. Havisham.

Using a lace bowl to display shells that we collected
on our last vacation.

Choose bowls of several sizes to match your doilies
or pieces of lace. Cover entirely with plastic wrap.

Totally saturate the entire doily in liquid starch.
I looked at the local grocery stores, pharmacies,
and Target and had to resort to buying it at Wal-Mart.

Drape each saturated piece of lace of the bowl
to mold it. Smooth down and shape as necessary.

A beautiful way to display items throughout the house.\\
I am using one for bananas in my kitchen :)

Stitchy Saturday: Lace Headbands

Wearing lace can be a little tricky. A gal can end up either looking like a baby or a granny. That's why these headbands, designed by the super-talented ladies at A Beautiful Mess are perfect. Their design was for a head band using three types of lace, but I decided to experiment with some single pieces of wide lace too.

I only planned on making one. But, I ended up with four
and plans to make more.

The original design called for lace to tie under your hair, but
thought that ribbon would work better and be a
little more fun.

Measure across the crown of your head, from just under your ear.
Cut one-three pieces of lace and 2 pieces of ribbon.
I used 12 inches of ribbon per side.
I stitched the ribbon to the lace with embroidery floss.

Perfect for a busy day in the studio.

Six hours later, and my hair is still in place :)

Stitchy Saturday: Improv Sewing

Spring means new flowers, new baby animals, new fresh foods, and new clothes. Unfortunately, my finances are not allowing me to go on the kind of spring shopping spree that I would prefer. 
Luckily, the spring issue of Craftsanity Magazine had a great feature (among so many!) about improv sewing. 


Taking a boring long-sleeved tee from the back of my dresser, I was able to re-purpose it into a springier cardigan. I used some ribbon from my stash and picked up some buttons (with a 40% off coupon!) for inspiration.

My finished project--I love that I can  wear it with jeans
and a white tee or a blouse and skirt for work.

The "ingredients": shirt, thread, scissors, embellishments, sewing machine.
Cut the shirt along the front and fold the edges in. Pin, add ribbon,  and sew multiple
seams up and down the front. I used variegated thread that went with my buttons. 

LOVE the buttons! decided that it needed a little more
interest at the lapels, so I took one strand from 5 different colors of
embroidery floss (the colors on the button) and did a little back stitch detail.

Fancy and it will go with so much! A whole new look for about $2.00!

Challenge Accepted: My First Free Downloadable Pattern

Last week, my friend erin (who is an amazing artist) inadvertently issued me a challenge. 
While commenting on a recently completed project, she said that she wanted to see sheep jumping over a fence next. My gears began to spin...why not try my hand at designing my first pattern?


I googled "how to draw sheep" and made many doodles before I getting it right. I knew that I needed something besides just offering up a sketch though. I really admire the patterns by Mollie at Wild Olive and Alyssa at Penguin and Fish and tried to do something much more professional. 


I am very pleased to be able to share my first ever pattern, Sweet Dreams Sheep!

Click above to download!

Transferred and ready to stitch!

My first sheep, made with tons of French Knots.
I call him Michael.
Check back on Saturday to see if the gang is complete!

 I had some time while my students did a line rehearsal, 

so I took the time to whip up a little gift too.

I liked how my first one came out so I decided to make one
for my dear friend Paula.
It also gave me the chance to practice two new (to me)
stitches: Lazy Daisy and Chain Stitch.

A little bit of spring time!

How Tuesday: What's the buzz? beanbag tutorial

These days, cell phones are everywhere. We talk, we search, we surf...it is like a tiny computer in your pocket. If you are like me, your cell phone is on all the time. Recharging is a necessary evil. Problem is that if your phone is on vibrate (like mine is...always) while charging, it make a god awful noise shaking against the table, the counter, wherever it lands when it shakes onto the floor.


It came to me (as the phone was rattling and buzzing away next to my head while I was trying to sleep) that my phone needed its own little bed.


Today's "How Tuesday" tutorial will focus on a little rice-filled bed I crafted up for my lil' buddy. It is a variation on a pretty basic beanbag pattern, so the uses are many.

I used a 10x10 piece of flannel, some fun trim and rice as the filling.
You could also use beans or popcorn.

Stitched on the trim with my trusty old featherweight. If your machine
can do decorative stitches, this would be a great spot for them.
You could also top stitch or embroider a design.

Folded the piece in half and pinned the right sides together.
Sewed one long edge and one short edge closed.

Turned the piece right-side out and filled with rice.
I used about 1 3/4 cups.

Folded the rough edges under and sewed the open end closed.

Ahhh, a restful place for my phone to charge.
By utilizing smaller squares, you could make beanbags for the kids.