Thankful Thursday: You Can Do Anything Embroidery Pattern

Fall is the season that many people focus on what they are thankful for.

 I am trying to do that everyday, all year long. 

This has been a huge year for growth and learning for me. I have learned tons of new crafty things which makes me incredibly happy. I was made to make things. I truly believe that that is my purpose.

In the spirit of making things, it is also play season for me. I am the only full-time adult with a large group of students. It can become overwhelming at times. I am also a bit of a control freak, so I have never been comfortable asking for help. This year though I am breaking that habit. I designed this embroidery pattern to remind myself that you can be a super woman without being a superwoman.

 Asking for help does not mean that you are weak. It means that you know your limitations.

You can download the pattern to remind you as you face your challenges.

Stitchy Saturday-Infinity Scarves

I will be the first to admit that I may not be the most fashion-forward lass out there, but I try. 

Luckily this year something that I love a wear all the time is a big trend. Scarves are everywhere this autumn and these infinity scarves are super simple to make.

I decided to do the prep work for two scarves at on time. For each scarf, cut a piece of fabric 18 inches wide and 60 inches long. I folded each in half along the long side with right sides together. I pinned the open side and stitched them into two long tubes.

Once they were stitched, I pulled them right side out and pinned the open edges of the tubes

together as much as possible. I stitched along the edge as far as I could with machine.

 Once I had a 3 inch gap, I pulled the fabric from the bottom of the loop. 

I hand stitched the opening shut with a quick whipstitch.

I ADORE these scarves and have since made several more. 

They only take about 10 minutes and jazz up any outfit!

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Sketchbook

Fall is a time for new beginnings, I think. I know that Spring is a more commonly held time to start anew, but the new school year always makes me more creative. I adore Moleskin notebooks of any kind, but wanted my fall sketchbook to echo that sense of what could be. 

Sunday Funday: Doctor Who Craft Round-Up

I have had a lot of fun making Doctor Who-themed crafts lately. Doubtless, there will be another one coming up before too long! Until then, I have scoured the galactic interwebs for other sources of Who crafts for us all to enjoy and to serve as inspiration!

An obvious choice: Doctor Who Crafts

Cakes, crochet, quilts and more: BuzzFeed

Awesome paper/cube crafts: CyberDrone

A great collection of every type of Whovian craft imaginable: Craftster Who Crafts

Awesome crocheted TARDIS bag: Geek Crafts

Enjoy and please share anything that you make with us!

If you have any ideas for any upcoming Doctor Who-themed weeks or any projects at all please comment here or on our Facebook page. Thanks!

WIP Wednesday-TARDIS Plushie

Do you ever start a project, just to have it migrate to the bottom of your work basket, forgotten? Sadly, I started this TARDIS months ago with plans to make it into a plushie. I am happy to say that it is ALMOST done!

Stitchy Saturday: Steering Wheel Cover

I live in the heart of Central New York. That means hot summers and frigid winters. All summer long, I have been burning my hands when I hop in the car after work.                           

I know that before long, my fingers will fell as though they are freezing to the wheel. It was time to add a little more me into my ride while helping myself out at the same time. The steering wheel cover coordinates with the seat belt cover that I made earlier this week.                     

Nigel, my Beefeater co-pilot approves.

How Tuesday: Wristband Pin "Cushion"

So, if you are anything like me, there are pins ALL over your studio. Granted, I have a magnetic pin block on my cutting table, a plushie tomato pin cushion next to machine, even the top of my sewing box is a pin cushion. And yet, as I sew, pins come out of my piece an onto the sewing machine table...and onto the floor...and into my sock. Sigh. When I saw a photo of a wristband pin holder on Pinterest, I knew that it was meant for me.

Stitchy Saturday: Fat Quarter Apron

Who says that a) you can't be adorable while you toil away in the kitchen or b) that a fat quarter that you love has to be relegated to a quilt? I say, embrace the fabrics that you love and make yourself the envy of every other kitchen guru at the same time...

This apron takes one fat quarter, a half-yard of coordinating fabric, trim (if you desire), and about an hour!

Thankful Thursday: Bowl Covers

I really know what I am thankful for today. I am thankful that I am not responsible for making the clothes that I wear! I am not a super seamstress, to be sure. I used a zigzag stitch for the first time on this project. I was so overwhelmed with that that I forgot to take in-process photos. To top it all off, the project didn't turn out exactly as I'd hope. But, hey...it's a growth opportunity, right?

These fabric bowl covers from The Farm Chicks are 
essential for summer picnics. No bugs invited!

I chose a fun food-themed fat quarter for these covers.

I traced a circle larger than the bowl and used

pinking shears to finish the edges. I used a piece

of 1/4 inch elastic around the edge to make the cover.

Using a zigzag stitch, pull the elastic as you stitch

over it. I was not very good at it though. 

My stitching is a little wonky and the cover isn't as

tight as I would like, but it beats ants in the potato salad!

How Tuesday: Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

Everybody loves an event with swag. At least most of the time...too much swag just becomes clutter or things that we never use.

I could and would never wear half of the t-shirts that I get at races. What I would use is more reusable shopping bags. Problem solved: turn on into the other!

After choosing your shirts, lay them out on you work surface.

Cut off the sleeves, preserving the side seams.

Use a template to shape the opening around the neck.

Cut around template. I used a bowl.

Mark the bottom where you are going to sew the short shut.

I also decided the angle some side seams so the bag would be 

wider on the bottom. The angle sides serve as a psuedo-gusset.

Sew along your markings. I did two hems around each

side for added stability.

I filled one with running gear...

...and used the other for some groceries.

You can keep the memories with these great shirts,

but use them more frequently and usefully!

Reboot

I am ecstatic. I have started again.

I have had a ton of stress lately. I know that everyone does, but it seemed like so many things were just piling up at once. I let it get me out of myself and out of my routine.

Things, mentally, came to a head yesterday afternoon. I recognized that I needed some time to actually reboot...restart...MAKE THINGS! So, I took two days off to do whatever I want.

This morning, I could have slept as late as I wanted, but I was naturally up at 7am. So, five mile run it is...then I decided to bake something and the day became a whirlwind from there: scones, stuffed mushrooms, zucchini and tomato casserole, banana ice cream, two bracelets, two tote bags...I AM BACK.

I now have projects and photos for several blog posts--regular posts starting tomorrow :)

Here's what I got up to today:

For tomorrow's Foodie Friday post: Maple Sugar Pecan Scones!

Picked veggies in the garden for dinner.

Made two grocery/gym bags from old t-shirts for
the Stitchy Saturday post.

Made a super fun owl bracelet for Metalwork Monday.

Lastly, made an awesome vegetarian dinner of onion/olive stuffed mushrooms,
zucchini/tomato casserole, and quinoa pilaf. YUM!

Stitchy Saturday: Birdie Brooches

When it rains, sometimes it really pours. Right after getting over walking pneumonia, I had a show premiering and life was just a little bit overwhelming.


 I was really bummed that I had to take a week off, I was concerned that once I took a break that I wouldn't be able to come back with vigor. I admit that I lost my zeal for a little while there. I haven't made anything in over a week. That is rough. I signed up to do a quilt block swap this month (whoops!) and I have until Friday to design, make, and ship four blocks.Yikes!


 My sweetie and I went to a great plant sale this morning and spent several hours working on his plot in the community garden before he left for a business trip. I dropped a pretty sizable chunk of change on flowers, veggies and herbs for the many gardens that surround my home. Not one of them is ready for them. 


But, I will hit my stride again. I can finally run again, albeit in small amounts for now. I will come back, on the rad and in the studio.


A little something that I whipped up just before the show was a series of birdie brooches to spruce up my spring wardrobe. They will help me wing my way back to normal.

The supplies: felt, fun fabric,
embroidery floss, and a pin.

I cut out the pattern out of both felt and a fun fabric. I cut
the wing out of the same fabric.

I stitched the wing on with the back stitch, used the satin stitch for
the beak, and a couple seed stitches for the eye. I sewed the pin to the
right side of the fun fabric. I used the blanket stitch to connect the two
pieces (wrong sides together.) I love them! They are so quick and are
a great way to use small scraps.

Stitchy Saturday: Felt Needle Book

I absolutely love to make things that are both adorable and really useful. Since I always like to be making things, I often travel with a project. Knitting and embroidery are much easier to take on the go than metal work or quilting, but it is never fun to reach into my project bag and poking myself with a needle. A handmade needle book was just the ticket!

This would make a great Mother's Day gift :)

I started with 4 pieces of felt, the largest being 8 1/2 x 4 1/2
inches. I cut the pages with my pinking shears to about
8x4 inches and I also cut two pieces of ribbon about
4 inches long to create the closure.

I pinned the ribbon to the inside (the "wrong" side) of the cover.

I stitched all the way around the edges, taking the ribbon down as I went.

I pinned the pages in and stitched down the center.

Complete, but a little plain :(

I cut two pieces of green felt for grass and several
pieces for flowers. I also choice some fun  buttons for the centers.

After stitching on the felt, I added some stems and leaves.
I added some bees, too...I love them!

Ready to go!

Stitchy Saturday: Sleeping on Sunshine Pillow

Challenges are...well..challenging to an aspiring uber-crafter. This week, I decided to make a pillow. Not a plain ol' pillow, but a round embroidered pillow. I have embroidered plenty of things, but never anything that was actually going to be used. I have also never made a round pillow, much less a gusseted round pillow. 


Well, challenges were meant to be conquered!

The final product! I will add a little more batting next time.

I made a gusset from a leftover piece from a fat quarter.
I sewed the strips together and then pinned the right sides of that
and the front together.

Ramses wanted to help me pin!

After sewing the gusset to the front, I pinned it to
the backing piece. I had to remember to leave a spot to stuff.

Turned right side out and ready to stuff.

Detail of the gusset and the layers together.

I am very pleased with my first attempt and look forward
to creating more intricate pillows as gifts!

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!