People give stuff - shiny stuff!

Received neato jewelry

from my grandmother's things.

Shiny stuff! Caw, caw!
Satisfied in a crow and magpie-like way,
I am,
SkitzoLeezra

Easy organizer made from placemat

So easy and so cute!
Found a pack of 4 black and white paisley placemats for $4 - WooHoo! Copied the organizer idea from my friend Elizabeth's seminar gift and presented my new committee with their choice of ribbon - blue, pink, green and violet.

To make one for your very ownself, find some cool reversible placemats. Place the mat with long sides on top and bottom. Fold bottom up to form long pocket. Press fold with hot iron. With a water soluble marker, make lines for paper pad and pen holder. Sew on lines. Stitch left edge with 12" ribbon inserted at top of pocket. Stitch right edge. Stitch right hand of pen channel with 12" ribbon below (on reverse side). The right hand ribbon will be on the right hand fold. Fold right hand side to center. Press fold with hot iron. Fold left hand side to center. Press fold with hot iron. Tie up with that precious ribbon!


Other ideas:
Sew a clear vinyl pocket to insert business card.
Monogram outside cover.
Sew ribbon stripe on outside cover.
Oh! Almost forgot, I covered the top edge of the paper pad with black and white paper to cover the unattractive manufacturer's logo. You could print out the recipient's name on paper and glue it there.

Burp cloths

Y'know, I burp all the time and I don't need nor use a burp cloth. Could it be that burp cloths are misnamed? Would a more accurate label be "puke rag"? Eh, never mind, keep calling it a burp cloth.

Anywho, the breeders are at it again. All of 'em are having babies. Though not a fan of babies, I like making baby stuff. You won't see me laying out cash for an extravagant baby gift. If ya can't afford the stuff, you shouldn't have the kid. 'Nuff said.

Please to enjoy, in all of their glory, are the latest burp cloths, hand embroidered by me. These are nice linen-type tea towels, purchased from KMart's Martha Stewart line.

Here baby, puke it out on my handstitched hard work.

Shiny Stuff of the Week 3

This week's shiny stuff is a lava lamp reflected in my bathroom mirror. It is glittery and shiny, thus I am mesmerized for hours. Caw! Caw!

Cool craft books

Here are a couple books to check out from your local library. I say check them out so you can decide if you like them before purchasing your very own copy.

My local library has a great website with search and reserve options and handy e-mail notification for pick up availability PLUS they offer interlibrary loans. That means little ol' me receives borrowed books, free of charge, from every state in the union! Yay, no more stoopid bad book buys!

Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy. Pretty fabrics, cute ideas, good project directions.

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano. LOTS of ideas in here! Make stuff just like the photos or use for inspiration.

Denim handbag

Made this denim handbag from the 1970's era pattern given to me by generous seamstress lady.

Completely misunderstood how to make the handles but kept on without any major ripping. OR cursing. Upon completion, the bag looked too flat so squared off the bottom edge.*

Not really digging the purse, it is a little too long, narrow and boring so whipstitched around the handles with that heavier embroidery (crewel?) thread stuff.

The cutest thing is the interior pocket with grosgrain ribbon trim and key/pen loop.

*Two techniques to square off the bottom corners of a bag:

1) Turn inside out. Fold bottom and side seams to match, pin and mark a diagonal line, stitch. Trim to reduce bulk or leave as is.

(photo from tiny happy tutorial)

2) Turn inside out. Cut a square from bottom left and right. Fold fabric to match cut ends. Sew.


(photo from creative kismet tutorial)