November 2007 Archives

- The 1st uses only 2 yo-yos
- The 2nd uses only 4 yo-yos
- The 3rd uses just 6 yo-yos
I used gold lame and it looks fabulous! Lame and poly satin both work very well in the
Clover Yo-Yo Makers.
I made this ornament with both sides identical, but you could make them different from each other.
I used poly satin for the larger yo-yos and gold lame for the smaller ones. Special poinsettia buttons make the perfect embellishment and focal point.
The two images here show the front and back of the same ornament.
It looks stunning on the tree.
The middle and right pics were taken from a top side looking down view to show the 3D fullness.
Click here for the complimentary PDF file
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Yes, it's true! We were married 10 years ago today. He's my love and partner for life. He's the best!
I started Sew Thankful over 7 years ago. About 5 years ago Jeff began working with me full time. Jeff is our Vice-President in charge of shipping, order processing, inventory management (and more). Many of you may have emailed or chatted with Jeff over the years. It is our dream to continue to develop Sew Thankful and serve sew-ers, quilters and fiber artists world-wide to the best of our abilities for many years to come. We are very excited about the future, new products, new techniques and wonderful possibilities.
Here's a glimpse at us 10 years ago:
Click here to see more recent pictures (Summer 2007).
Why did it take so long you ask?
- Well...because I never seem to have more than 20 consecutive minutes at a time to work on sewing projects lately.
- I also have a very bad habit of wanting to change things slightly...which ALWAYS results in requiring much more time. For example:
Did I need drugs to get through this extended labor you're wondering? No, silly. While operating a sewing machine or hot iron I highly recommend not becoming impaired or intoxicated.
- I decided I did not like how my front and back panels looked when I pieced them together, so I added appliqué pane strip over the join and on each panel end. I quilted these down over the end of each large pieced rectangle (i.e., the front & back).
- I also decided I did not want to have a solid (looking) black lining, but I DID want to have a black faux binding around the top. Sew....this Lazy Girl took her time and pieced the lining sections.
Oh...so you want to see her? Here she is--click image to open large image in a pop up window:
I used Leisure Arts 1" Swivel Clips to make her cinch. Click here to see a selection of Leisure Arts handbag hardware accessories at Sew Thankful.
My Miranda is not quilted. Instead of batting, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece. I love the smooth and sleek look.
I also decided to give my Miranda FEET to protect her bottom, because good mama's take care of their baby's bottoms. Given Miranda's ample proportions, I decided that she would need 6 feet in order to protection at each end and also in the middle. You know, it's terrible to have a chafed middle bottom! I used silver tone purse feet from Ghees (gotta mind your metals when making purses...make sure all metal colors match for best results). Gold tone feet are also available at Sew Thankful...in fact, Sew Thankful stocks a nifty selection of handbag hardware.
I used the BLACK Velcro Fusion and I gotta say it again, "I LOVE that stuff!" I only had the 3/4" x 1" rectangles available, and being a Lazy Girl, I just placed them end to end to get my 2" piece and fused. Worked great!
Here are a couple more views - no cinching and inside:
So...you wanna know...how hard was she to sew?
Miranda is not a hard bag to make at all. If you don't have well honed sewing skills, you will definitely need patience and be able to discipline yourself to take one step at a time and follow it through without trying to guess it's right.
There are some minor challenges in dealing with the bulk because Miranda is very well stabilized (and that's a GREAT thing). These minor challenges are nothing too difficult if you can discipline yourself to stay focused on each task as Joan presents it you shouldn't have any major problems.
Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs and the Miranda Day Bag pattern, did an outstanding job with both the "design" of the bag and the directions for the pattern. Two thumbs up!!!
I LOVE my new Miranda and can't wait to show her off AND make more -- but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays!
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I love sewing fleece because it is so snuggly warm, it looks great and it is usually very forgiving when you sew it. Because fleece doesn't fray, there are many wonderful patterns available that are SEW quick and easy. I don't know about you, but QUICK and EASY works when I'm in a hurry (almost always) and I really want to give a hand made gift that is useful.
Have you checked out our selection of patterns that use fleece? There are many great gift giving ideas to choose from...mittens to hats to ponchos to slippers and more! Here are a few of my favorites:
Click here to see the selection of fleece patterns at Sew Thankful.
That means it's time for me to break out a new jar of Udder Cream. It's a silly sounding name, I know. But...OOOooooo...the relief! Almost immediately upon contact I can feel my skin screaming, "YES! YES! YES!"
No, I'm not kidding. I do use this cream myself -- our whole family does. It does have a mild fragrance, but it is not heavily perfumed and even Jeff and the boys enjoy putting it on.
What can I say? We love it. It's very reasonably priced compared to so many fancy schmancy creams/lotions on the market. What's even better is that this stuff WORKS for us.
Want to learn more about Sandhill Cranes? Click here.
Both Jeff and I served in the US Military. Jeff served in the Marine Corps and I served in the Army. Nick (my soon-to-be 22 year old son) is active duty Coast Guard.
Today, we pay special tribute and recognition to all our veterans for all their service and sacrifice. We understand that freedom isn't free. We thank you for your discipline, dedication and sacrifice.
- Monday, November 12 - Veterans Day Observed
- Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
- Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day
- Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - New Year's Day
The MOST IMPORTANT thing I learned in this exercise is that there is no substitute for doing the work myself. I've been reading and studying and watching demos (intellectual education) of paintstik application for a LONG time, but yesterday was the first opportunity I had to experiment with them myself (practical application).
It was very interesting to try rubbings from both sides of the plates. This gives similar but different looks.
I'm not implying that one should not "educate" themselves about products or techniques. I know the intellectual education part helps a great deal, but it is of very little real value until it is put into practical application. An "a haaa" moment for me.
While I am quite pleased with my experiments, I still have much to learn and practice will make the results even better. Yet, I also learned a lot more that the books couldn't tell me...stuff that one only learns by applying the technique. Things like how much pressure to apply to achieve "what" desired look, how the paintstik colors appear on different colors (and thicknesses) of fabric, and how the colors blend and play together.
No more excuses for me...gotta keep doing this. It feeds my soul and it feels so good!
Looking for Shiva Paintstiks? Click here.
Looking for Paintstik Accessories (rubbing plates, Laura Murray DVD, patterns, brushes, etc.)? Click here.
Looking for Paintstik basic instructions? Click here.
Watch this weekend for some really fun examples. I was impressed with how easy it was do do some really nice rubbings!
The hardest part for me was making sure to remove the "skin" from the paintstik before attempting the rubbing. It's not hard to remove the skin, you just have to remember to do it. I use an Exacto knife to get it started and then follow up with a paper towel.
A couple other tips to consider:
- Place your rubbing plate on a non-slip surface -- this is VERY important in order to achieve good results. I used the Grip 'N Grip No Slip Mat and it was WONDERFUL.
- Secure your fabric. Fabric has a tendency to want to slip and slide on your rubbing plate as you rub. It helps if you secure it. Taping your fabric down to your surface can make a huge difference.
Have you tried them yet? The best instruction for use can be found in Shelley Stokes "Paintstiks on Fabric" book.
If you don't have the book (yet), Sew Thankful has a basic "how to" that will help. Click here.
Two new rubbing plates.
Click thumbnails to view larger image in a pop up window. Click here to learn more about Floral Fantasy rubbing plates. Click here to learn more about Garden Flowers rubbing plates.
Spectacular NEW Butterflies pattern!
Click thumbnail to view larger image in a pop up window.
Click here to learn more about this pattern.
NEW Cedar Canyon Textiles Brush Soap
Click thumbnail to view larger image in a pop up window.
Click here to learn more about Cedar Canyon Textiles Brush Soap.
NEW!! Thread Calligraphy Book by Nancy Kazlauckas for Cedar Canyon Textiles.
Click here to learn more about Thread Calligraphy.
Looking for Shiva Paintstiks? Click here.
I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Patricia Gould, local and very talented New Mexico fiber artist and pattern designer. Patricia's pattern company is called Angel Fire Designs.
Patricia showed me some of her new designs and ideas and her most recent pattern, On The Town Elegance Bag pattern. WOW...the sample she showed me was gorgeous...and lined in dupioni silk... and it was amazing!
Click here to see more info on this pattern and more from Patricia.
Want to learn more about this fabulous new pattern booklet with full-size pullouts? Click here.
Want to see more terrific Taylor Made Designs? Click here.
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- The mid-week edition generally includes just a couple new products or a quickie review, sometimes a "special" and/or announcement of a special sale (if applicable) and often (but not always) an eCoupon Code.
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If you weren't able to go to Quilt Market in Houston, you may want to check out the Quilts website and click on the ruby slippers:
http://www.quilts.com/home/
Once you click the ruby slippers you should end up on this page:
http://www.quilts.com/fqf07/enVivo/
If you look to the left you will see a tab/title "Special Exhibits" and another called "Quilts: A World of Beauty". If you click on either of those tabs you will see lots of amazing pictures.
I've been spending a lot of time enjoying the Bernina Fashion Show exhibit:
http://www.quilts.com/fqf07/enVivo/SpecialExhibits/Bernina/index.html
WOW...is all I can say! What's your favorite garment?
And the quilts...oh my...the quilts!!! WOW!
When & why do we change our time? Here's a good site that explains when and why:
http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html
Here is a great website for determining time in the USA: http://nist.time.gov/
If you forgot to set your clock back before you went to bed (like me)...BONUS...now you have an extra hour to sew! I need to make some quickie valances for our little dining room. Now I've found the time I need!
When I first mentioned to the boys that I was going to make their costumes, they sort of rolled their eyes (but I think they knew better than to say anything). I know Jared had a few reservations about how that would turn out.
Sew...keeping my Grams as my ultimate costume making inspiration...I made do with materials on hand and came up with these costumes. I think Grams would have been very proud of what I came up with. Gosh, I *miss* her so much!
Sew...how did I do it? I studied the game box covers and images I found online. Then I free hand sketched the masks. I enlarged and transferred on to cardboard and painted the masks using whatever we had on hand, including Tempera paints, markers & Tsukineko Inks.
Here are a few pics:
We just used shirts and sweats as the base for the body of the costume. White batting "bibs" were attached where appropriate. Jared's (Shadow's) head and back spikes were made using some old furry felt I had on hand. I free hand cut, stitched & stuffed them. The red trimming is red painters tape.
The boys were thrilled with how the costumes turned out and that was the BEST part for me. In case you are not familiar with these characters, you can see some "official" character costumes on this page:
http://www.sonicgear.org/FanEvents/Japan%20Events/CostumeCharacters.html - Shadow is the black hedgehog and Tails is the yellow fox.
What do you think? Constructive comments are always welcome and you may comment without having to register.
Fresh out of school, she worked for several years as a drafter and, in due time, as a mechanical designer. With her background in sewing, the transition was easy. After all, blueprints are "patterns" and mechanical design is just another form of "construction." Eventually, wanting to work for herself, she came upon the idea to combine her passion for sewing with her professional experience and Purse-O-Nalities of Palm Harbor was born.
Linda has chosen to add a little more interest to her designs than the typical "sack-type" bag.
All Purse-O-Nalities of
Palm Harbor patterns are designed to lend themselves to the combination of
fabrics and the addition of quilting, patchwork, appliqué, etc.
Assembly is done in easy step-by-step processes along with unique work- and time-saving techniques. Linda's trademark words have always been "you are the designer." Linda also says, "If you're like me, you'll find designing with fabric is a heck of a lot more fun than working with sheet metal!"
As of today Linda has 18 different bag patterns available. Click here if you'd like to take a closer look at her fresh and fabulous patterns.
