Fruit of My Hands

My Bag Is So Bright, Ya Gotta Wear Shades

2011-09-16T18:55:00.000-05:00

As promised, this is the confidence-builder project number 2: my orange Harley bag. I have been trying to find a tackle twill hoodie to make a bag for myself. I've calculated, sketched, planned and searched trying to find an appropriate hoodie and a final prototype. I'm finicky about my bags so this has not been an easy chore. But, once I saw this bright, hazard orange and black Harley hoodie at a local Harley Davidson dealer, I knew it was the prefect one for me. This photo does not truly capture the color of this bag. It is bright hazard orange, the type of orange that you see on state road construction worker, the same color as traffic cones. But I like orange so that is fine. The photo is purposefully dark so that the reflective stripes show. The hoodie was trimmed in Scotchlite reflective material and I've tried to retain as much of that as possible. Notice the stripes on the sleeves were trim for the pockets which are the sleeve cuffs. The lining fabric was another fabulous find. I'm sure it was originally meant to be a open-weave fabric design but at first glance, it looked like diamond plate to me and that was more than perfect for this bag.

What cannot be seen from this angle is a large embroidered Harley Davidson on the back of the back. It came from the back of the hoodie, not a problem I've had with the previous hoodies. So, I simply moved the kangaroo pocket to the front which is where I wanted the pocket. This bag is so roomy, it holds my Slate in the laptop pocket inside and even has enough room for the accompanying bluetooth keyboard. One of the cuff pockets on the end is large enough to hold my two-part power cord while the other will hold my phone.

And another design touch is to keep the labels and the care tags and re-attach them inside on the lining.

Ahhh, I'm finally happy! I have a bag for me and my toys. But, now, there are more hoodies to convert into diaper bags and messenger bags and that is just the beginning. I have my design pencil out making notes on other pocket options.

Long live hoodies!

Meaningful Distraction

2011-09-12T08:46:00.000-05:00

So, what to do? My current quilt project is literally kicking my butt. It is for a client and I'm having the worst time with it. It went together flawlessly and now, way too many months later, my mother's health has deteriorated and my projects are piling up. My sewing machine is soooo NOT even trying to be agreeable. Quilting it has turned into a nightmare. I have the feeling I have lost my sewing touch. All my years of expertise and skill could not be found in my sewing studio. My heart was breaking over my new machine and my inability to use it. I finally had a fit. I mean a throw-down, knock-out fit and decided to seize the situation in my grubby little hands and wrestle it to the ground. I've been around enough years to know that when I'm struggling with a project, I need to lay it down and come back to it. So, that being decided, I grabbed up a couple of quickies that would inspire confidence in myself once again.

Thus, you see above, one of the fruits of the wrestling match. I have an ASUS Eee Slate at work. My Slate is a lovely little device that I have grown fonder of as the days wear on. The problem is a cover for it. The accompanying sleeve is nothing but institutional, generic black and vinyl. And because of its new cutting-edge design, there are no commercial covers, not that I'd buy one. I'm not the type to be average. The Slate is a PC alternative to an iPad but it is different in that it is not the same size so even those covers or carriers won't work. So, the creative juices have been flowing and an idea blossomed.

I purchased these two place mats at a local Pier One store. I hadn't been in one in years and suddenly, these place mats caught my eye. Yes, the ones you put on your table under your dinner plate kind. Once, very expensive, they were now on clearance for 77¢. They had a lovely paisley on one side with coordinating stripes on the other. The large white button is actually a piece of jewelry found in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby. The colors are lovely and unique.

One design problem: I can make a cover for my Slate but it loses battery power rather quickly so I can't take it very far without needing the power cord so I needed a pocket for the large power converter and the associated cords. And this is what I came up with. It is hard to see in this photo, but a zipper was inserted in the fold on the top place mat and then the place mat was folded and stitched down to create a pocket that barely holds all my accessories.
I really need to spend some time writing this project up. I've not seen any other sleeve patterns with a similar pocket. And I don't know how people take their gadgets with out pockets.

Yay! I carried it in to work today and it looks like part of my mojo is back. This is the first of my 2 confidence-building projects from the weekend. Stay tuned for number 2. It will blind you!

Another Twist on Murray State

2011-07-08T08:34:00.000-05:00

I'm so behind on my projects. Work is consuming my life. But, I managed to slip in a couple of days off to get some sewing started. And lo and behold, I actually got something finished. Here is another bag.......identical to the others but for a different use. This one is a co-worker's messenger bag. She specifically wanted all the same pockets as the diaper bag. She supplied the shirt (a bargain find at Walgreen's) and she supplied the lining fabric. I had not thought of using a black-based fabric but the brightness of the peace signs made up for it. A tip I read once suggested always using white-based lining fabrics in your bags to help you see when you are digging for those keys or flash drives. And, an added bonus for this one is all of the peace signs face in the same direction! It hadn't occurred to me that it was a directional print until I started cutting. But luck was with me this time and I got them all in the same direction. Yay!

Now, I have a hoodie squirreled away for myself that I think will make an excellent messenger but I want some small zippered pockets on the front......Mmmmm, must get out the design paper and do some preliminary sketches. As soon as I finish a couple more projects.

Double Duty Reversible Purse

2011-06-01T09:09:00.001-05:00

I couldn't help it. I love this little purse, courtesy of Quilts and More Magazine. It was in their Spring issue. It only takes a half-yard for the outside and a half-yard for the inside. It is so light and easy. I had to work one in this weekend between diaper bags. This is my second one out of a really kicky Anthropology fabric. Love the purple!

There is even a longer strap option: Pattern

Departing Cincinnati for Parts Unknown

2011-05-31T08:09:00.000-05:00

Finally, I have Cincinnati behind me! Nothing like a 3 day weekend (turned into a 4 day weekend) to get some things caught up. Here is another diaper bag. Granted, another red one was just what I needed. But now, I fear it is back to the old Blue and Gold. But, the hoodie supply has dried up for this year at this point, so I will have to wait until the temperatures start down before I can get a new supply.

Many, Many Moons Later.....

2011-05-26T10:12:00.000-05:00

Once X-Libris was up, it was time to turn to the next project on the To-Do List. Hmmm, maybe I need a To-Do List Gadget here so we can all see what I have in progress and pressure me to stay on task. Just when I was ready to start the next projects, I got sick. Then I took a vacation for the annual Quilt Show pilgrimage. And then I got sick again. And then a vicious storm hit our area and I was without power for nearly a week, specifically the vacation week I had taken to knock out most of the To-Do list. I am not ashamed to admit that I do have a treadle sewing machine that needs no electricity and I did have a oil lamp out trying to thread the treadle out of frustration with the piled up projects. Needless to say, I'm so very behind I cannot even think about it.

Miraculously, I have dedicated (or chained) myself to my sewing machine in the past couple of days and have finally completed a project. I have a short list of hoodie diaper and messenger bags to complete. This is a pic of the first one.

So join me in saying, "Goodbye Texas. Hello Cincinnati!"

The Making of a Super Hero Final Chapter

2011-05-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

And here, he is! Super hero costume is complete. Thanks to several hours of patient sewing, X-Libris made his appearance with super shield and mask. And I think he looks fabulous! Follow X's story by being his fan on Facebook.

The Making of a Super Hero Step 1

2011-04-21T13:41:00.000-05:00

Clearly, our super hero cannot be seen in a Chicago Bears uniform. Being the creative seamstress that I think I am, I envisioned greater things for him. I needed some guidance though. What one image would both portray a superhero yet, be obvious to the general audience of college students that will be seeing him? What better group to address my question than my co-workers. This became the topic of casual conversation for about a week at work. Finally, a decision was reached. The upcoming blockbuster super hero movie, Captain America, became the obvious choice. Its release will be shortly before our event and with that movie still on the minds of many, a costume and other accouterments reminiscent of Captain America should be just the ticket! So, how to turn a football uniform into super hero costume?

Hmmm, no problem!

I will spare you all of the nit-picky details that I have labored through and worried over. My inflatable was sewn out of nylon or polyester fabric. If he was sewn together, then he can be altered by someone with some sewing knowledge and fabric. Close inspection determined that his facemask was simply some fabric tubing tacked to his head with only 2 small holes open on the sides of his head for air intake. A seam ripper freed his facemask from his head and a few machine stitches will close the holes. Thus, no more facemask, removing on of the things that makes him a football player.

Then, on to his uniform.

When he is deflated, he resembles a flat pattern.

So, to make his shirt, I simply laid him flat on a piece of fabric and traced around him with a soap marker.

Once I had a basic shirt pattern, I was able to slash and cut it to add the stripes and color detail.

Stay tuned for the next step!

Craziest Thing I've Done in a While

2011-04-19T13:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, I will admit right off that this is probably the craziest thing I've done yet, but then again.....life is short! In my workplace, I am surrounded by millennials, a generation of people much younger than myself whose lives are defined by the movies they watch, music they listen to, games they play and the materials they read. Most, if not all of it, centers around science fiction in some form or other. Everything from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Star Trek to X-Men defines their world. The really cool thing about this is that I was into this genre way before it was cool. So, much to my astonishment, I feel I can run with them in most conversations. All that being said, working with this group of people lends itself to a very interesting work environment. Staff meetings become negotiations between the Romulan and Vulcan Empires or comparisons of the original Star Trek series and the later Star Trek: Next Generation. Policy statements are created after we run through the discourse over which super hero is the strongest/coolest/smartest.

In an environment, many of us have taken on super hero personas. The leader of our group fancies himself to be Batman while a newcomer has announced himself to be Ironman. Numerous hours of debating, thinking and surfing have led to a few others being named. My designation is Oracle, a brilliant woman with red hair that is currently confined to a wheelchair but has a lair equipped with any technology imaginable. (Yeah, I'm thinking it is a good choice!)

Anywho, we have an event coming up in the Fall at work. We needed a means to advertise the event and grab some attention to how cool our event will be. With all the super hero conversations in mind, what better way to advertise than with our very own super hero display? With that idea in mind, I set about my latest "mission": create a super hero for us. (I must add a disclaimer here that this is all my idea solely.)

Some creative imaginings later, I found an inflatable football player on clearance at an online vendor website. He came in a variety of team uniforms and he was 8'tall. Hmmmm, what screams "super" louder than an 8', bigger than life, man? Thus begins the saga "The Making of a Super Hero." Stay tuned for more installments.

My Review of Classic 5-pocket jeans

2011-03-21T08:16:00.001-05:00

Originally submitted at OneStopPlus

5-pocket jeans: the classic style everyone loves and we've got 'em! More washes, more sizes! Our plus size jeans are first for style, fit & price..

Elastic-back waist for a comfortable fit
Fuller legs for ease
30" inseam...

Something's changed

By aleeah from Murray, KY on 3/21/2011

Pros: Flattering Fit, Holds Shape, Comfortable

Cons: Low Quality Denim

Best Uses: Casual Wear, Wear To Work

Describe Yourself: Casual, Bargain Shopper

Was this a gift?: No

I love these 5 pocket jeans. They are a wardrobe staple for me. I've bought numerous pairs over the years. Don't EVER discontinue them or I will cry BUT I am dismayed at these in this order. The denim is different. It is a coarse weave, more old school. Time will tell if it is of the same quality as the jeans I've enjoyed wearing before.

(legalese)

Another One in the Sweatshirt Line

2011-02-26T20:25:00.000-06:00

After the recent success of the hoodie diaper bag designs, I wanted to return to the handbag designs. AND, being married to a Univ. of Tennessee fan, I had to rid my house of this Univ. of Kentucky sweatshirt. LOL! And neither is the university that pays the bills every month!

Anywho, this is a short handled hobo style bag made from a book of slouch purses. It started its life as a youth hoodie. I removed the kangaroo pocket from the front of the sweatshirt and reattached it to the inside, using it as a pocket. I stitched it so that it could be used as 3-sectioned pocket. I reattached the label and fabric care tags inside the top edge of the pocket. There is just something about having the care instructions with it that appeals to me.

The plan is to put it up on my Etsy and send it far away from my home. That's not to say that more UK stuff will come into the house. I've been getting orders from several states for the hoodie diaper bags and they are a variety of schools and colors.

Tootsie Roll Pop Anyone?

2011-02-16T09:00:00.002-06:00

I have become a big fan of wristlets after being a total shoulder bag kind of gal for many years. But I'm a real snob about my wristlets. They must be the "perfect" size and shape and must be constructed for use, not fashion and must have a loop large enough for my ample wrist. Definitely not an arm candy gal. Function over fashion. My first wristlet was a successful project and has endured many moons of wear and tear. I've added bling to it since the blogpost as well as laundered it a few times. Now, I'm ready to branch out.

Recently, small reader glasses have been added to my list of daily necessities, along with medication and keys and cell phone and debit card. They do not fit into the other wristlet. I squished many a pair in there and broke them. Granted, they are only a couple bucks each but that is a couple bucks too much to lose and some of them made quite a fashion statement.

Then, my mother showed me the most recent issue of my favorite mag, Quilts and More with this featured wristlet. I couldn't wait. I ripped the pattern insert out of my mother's magazine and grabbed up this striped canvas that called to me from the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby last week. And here you have it! What do you think?

Another habit I have is buying kitschy keychains and cheap jewelry at dollar stores everywhere. And the colors in this bag screamed for this Tootsie Roll Pop keychain. Because you know, zipper tabs are always very tiny and hard to grab when standing at a checkout digging for the money or debit card. Now, every time I carry this bag, all I can think about is the age-old question: "How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"

Notes on a Gunny Sack

2011-01-20T20:19:00.000-06:00

Recycled coffee bag

This is a project that has rolled around in my mind for quite a while. I'm as supportive of recycling as the next person. But I love how the young people think it is something they thought of. I grew up during the Energy Crisis of the 70's and I remember when all of the public facility light switches had a fluorescent orange sticker on them saying to turn off the lights when the room is not in use. I am also a reformed plasti-holic. I have actively returned to using glasses and fabric towels and real plates instead of the paper versions that kill trees. But I love bags and I grew up on a farm with gunny sacks and my husband has recently discovered coffee so I found a certain appeal in the purses and bags on websites that are recycled from a burlap coffee sack.

Surprisingly, on a fall Rural King visit, I found a large pallet of used burlap bags. One look revealed a multitude of coffee houses and roasters from exotic European countries as well as the South American continent. I couldn't help it. I grabbed up 2. One was a standard dark brown burlap with green and black stenciled markings from the Rain Forest. Another visit to another regional Rural King yielded another bag. This could become a habit! The price was right. When the cashier could find them in the register (they were listed as gunny sacks and she couldn't spell that,) they rang up at 99 cents.On particular one enticed me. You see a portion of it in the photo. it was an especially light colored burlap, coarsely woven with 3 pink and green stripes woven in.

A visit to a local quilt shop produced another bargain that just screamed to be paired with this particular bag. The fabric was adorable, something from the Fiesta dinnerware days. It was in a particularly familiar pink and dark seafoam green and there were Mexican motifs all over it. There was a quaint Mexican couple in sombreros with their donkey and cactus and pottery scattered over it. It was perfect!

So, on MLK, I could ignore the voices in my head no longer and grabbed up the colorful gunny, a favorite bag pattern and the lining fabric as well as some piping in the corresponding pink and green. A bag materialized from my efforts but let me say, many a lesson was learned in fabrication AND patience.

This I learned:

use a finely-woven burlap bag......coarse burlap is too open weave to use with a backing of white canvas.
wear a mask when cutting and sewing....these fibers fly everywhere when cut or stitched, so always wear a mask to keep the guck out of your lungs. (Beware, it goes everywhere.)
choose a flexible bag......when the burlap bag did not want to fold up and go in the bag at the cash register, I should have seen that as a warning sign.
use a very unstructured pattern ....this fiber does not lend itself to pressing seams open and turning shoulder strap. I spend an hour trying to get the fiber to flex enough to turn the strap. There were cuss words.

So here it is. I'm not so sure that I've done Juan Valdez justice. But I had to answer its call instead of working on e-book readers that I had cut wrong and growing list of projects.

A Cautionary Tale

2011-01-01T19:45:00.000-06:00

Prototype #1 - Kindle case/cover

The last day of 2010 and I still have one last project to turn out. I felt this fabric and a kindle cover pattern I had purchased from www.etsy.com calling my name. Everyone was gone, I had hours to kill before attending the church New Year's Eve party and I had a potential product tester in mind who would be at that party. So I set about with a mission.

The pattern was not written as well as I had hoped. A fact that did not go unnoticed by me. If this person could write patterns and sell them on Etsy, then so could I. So with thoughts and plans forming, I stitched away at this particular design.

This is a "portrait" type case, one that the kindle slips down in. I'm not convinced that would be the most serviceable way to carry this, but I don't own an e-book reader. So this version is by the book (or, in this case, .pdf). The fabric was especially cute with the words being easily placed on the cover. Needless to say, this went to together with a little difficulty that I blame on the pattern writing. But, cute!, I must say. And perfect for the person I had in mind.

Then, off to the party, where I spent some time sitting with my potential tester and chatting about reading. She agreed to give this a try and let me know what her thoughts were. I asked her to focus on some thoughts that I had, i.e., charging. Would it not be better to leave it in the case while charging? She promised to give it a try and let me know.

Early, on New Year's Day, I receive a frantic phone call. She was calling to see if I had perhaps taken the cover home with me. (I left just as the karaoke and games got underway.) It seems that she and her sister-in-law left the fellowship hall to visit the restroom, and on returning, found the case and 2 chapsticks missing. Several phone calls were made to the clean-up crew and some frantic searching turned up nothing. No sign of the case. She is very upset that it disappeared on her watch while I laid awake several hours during the night redesigning the entire thing.

Maybe it will turn up. A lost-and-found message went out through Facebook but I don't expect to see it again. And I really don't think it is spending its time as a kindle cover. I figure the cute fabric and chapstick caught some little girl's eye and she has taken home to keep her dolls or makeup in. Such is life. So, what is this a sign of? Is it a subtle way of telling me that I am wasting my time? Or in bu,ning the midnight oil (and brain cells) cause the old prototype to burst into flames of extinction in favor of the a newer, more improved model?

Just in case, I've snapped a couple of pics before this one spontaneously combusts or runs for its life.

See, I told you it was a totally different design!

Zac and Ashley's Wedding Quilt

2010-12-23T14:13:00.000-06:00

A dear nephew married over 4 years ago. We were unable to attend the wedding in Houston but remembered an idea his mother, my sister-in-law, had given me years ago. So I set about making memory blocks. I used a block from an Eleanor Burns book and pieced together muslin with several 30's reproduction prints that I had left over from another project. I boxed the blocks up and sent them on their way with my sister-in-law. She distributed them, along with sharpie markers to family, friends, and guests.

Each block was inscribed with a sentiment for the couple. Some chose to send them best wishes, some bible verses and some sent along suggestions on how to have a happy marriage.

My circumstances changed and life happened and I was unable to get the quilt together in a timely manner. Then, the couple moved out of the country. I was hesitant about shipping the treasured memories to other countries. There were too many things that could happen to it. Then, they became parents. And older family members passed away.

And as time often works things out, the young family was able to come state-side for a holiday visit. So my little fingers went to work and in a flurry of pins and needles, here is their memory quilt. It is smaller than I had planned but, oh well, best laid plans......

After one whirlwind trip to Chattanooga, the memory quilt has been delivered and presented to the jetset couple with their precious little boy. And I have completed the last unfinished project that has been heavy on my mind for a few years now!

2010 was the year to finish several UFO's! (unfinished objects)

Waist Apron for Christmas

2010-12-10T08:26:00.001-06:00

I thought the many restaurant servers in my life might get tired of the old standard black twill waist aprons that they wear day in and day out. I set about trying to find a similar pattern to find that there is none. Everything is a full-length bib apron/butcher apron style. No longer! I've designed a pattern and will be offering it in my shop soon.

Above is a photo of the first prototype. I've never worked as a server but I can understand being particular about the design of the tools of my trade. The aprons to the left were thrown back at me as not being acceptable. The pockets simply MUST be deep enough to hold wrapped straws or the apron is worthless. So I tucked my sewing tail and decided to now pursue the apron thing. Until my husband, a local restaurant assistant manager, announced that he had 3 servers waiting on their holiday aprons using their required dimension. So after a day of joy, and a day of re-designing and a day of cutting and sewing, I was able to produce 6 of the second prototype which you see in the photo to the right. Fingers crossed! These went to work with him today. Let's see how they work.

Charitable project - Special Olympics Scarves

2010-12-06T08:14:00.000-06:00

I've always wanted to participate in a charitable knitting or sewing project and haven't found one yet but I stumbled across this one and it was perfect - 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project. This was perfect! I don't necessarily get their color combinations, but I love the idea of us all using a common color combination and creating unique items with that palette. There are no listings for Kentucky (DARN!) so I'm sending mine to Tennessee. And I love their motto, "Unity is handmade". Let's hear it for handmade!

And I got mine done before the deadline and before Tonya!

Re-cycle or Up-cycle My Favorite Jeans

2010-11-05T14:34:00.000-05:00

Working in a library has its perks. I can borrow many sewing books through Interlibrary Loan. Select projects I want to make and then send the books back. This bag came from one such book. It was originally called a Bird Watcher's Bag. I don't know why other than the fact the fabric had birds on it. Nevertheless, I thought it screamed to be made out of denim, specifically an old pair of jeans that I am too stubborn to part with. I mean how many jean quilts can a person really use?

I fussy cut this so that the back pocket remained intact and came out properly positioned on the front flap. A surviving belt loop at the top even works as a loop for my key ring carabiner. Another wonderful fabulous benefit is that it fits my purse organizer insert perfectly. I need to put some pics of those up. Its probably my most favorite thing next to Krispy Kreme donuts. I really must make more of those.

A pair of jeans and a yard of cotton fabric makes this purse up very nicely.

Mini-Portfolio

2010-11-04T17:10:00.000-05:00

I've been needing something to keep me organized in meetings. A briefcase or portfolio is too big and too cumbersome for most things I attend. But one must always have somewhere to doodle when meetings get boring or sermons get long. I found this pattern during the annual quilt show trek. It is a new line of patterns I've not seen before. This & That Patterns are original patterns from Sherri K. Falls. I'm looking at designing my own line and I really was drawn to these because they are not the standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper folded in half. They are folded in quarters.

Anyway, this Charm Pattern named "Just a Note" is great. I will make more of these. Hopefully to sell and give as gifts. I had to whip it up in some appropriate fabric. There are so many customizations I can do. And it also makes me want more of her patterns.

I've been trying to pick out just the right fabrics. It would have happened sooner but my husband had hidden the fresh notepads after leaving his former employer. Oh, and the inside is fabulous as well! (Notice the sewing diva lining.)

Glee, volume 2

2010-06-10T08:42:00.004-05:00

In keeping with the Mildred Pierce quilt from a previous post, I had leftover blocks when Glee was completed. Leftover blocks and a new purse pattern plus a pressing need for a new purse caused me to create this. I added a black batik I picked up at Backyard Fabrics, a quilt store that I love but frequently forget. The basic design was my own. I kind of made it up as I went. I wanted this basic shape with a zipper and a long shoulder strap. The results suited me better this time than with Mildred. A friend carries Mildred Jr. now. I'm planning to carry this one and at least this way, Glee will never be far from me.

My purse is so bright, I gotta wear shades!

All I Can Say is "Gleeeeee"!

2010-06-08T08:26:00.004-05:00

This quilt just makes me happy. I have always loved this color even when it wasn't cool. We called it chartreuse then. But now it is called kiwi or lime or acid green. Whatever you call it, I always have a shirt in that color. This is a graduation gift and hopefully by the time this posts, I will be able to track down the recipient and give it to her.

She is graduating from high school and she ALWAYS has on an article of clothing in this color. Always! So this color makes me think of her and how soccer cleats in this color really did not ever match her red and white soccer uniform but she didn't care and wore them proudly.

I fell in love with the 2 border fabrics and snatched them up in April. Much to my surprise, almost every vendor's booth at the AQS Quilt Show this year had a sample quilt made up in these exact fabrics and color combinations. So for once in my life, I am "in style" with this creation. And the pattern is a new twist on an old favorite. Its a Twisted Nine-patch I picked up from Eleanor Burns.

There is no movie associated with this one. But, I have recently become a Gleek (a fan of the TV series, Glee) and in order to keep up with the current shows, I Netflixed the first half of the first season So while singing along with the TV show, I cut and sewed this little jewel. I even splurged on the expensive machine quilting thread from the best company along with their matching appropriate titanium needle. The thread wow'd me because it was exactly a match to the green. But it broke every 6 inches, requiring me to re-thread the entire machine every time it snapped. No tension adjusting or bobbin cleaning or needle changing would produce better results. But even that frustration could not dim the power of this quilt to make me smile!

My quilt is so bright, you gotta wear shades!

Wristlet Tutorial

2010-06-04T08:39:00.000-05:00

I follow way too many blogs but I find lots of fabulous little nuggets. My favorite things to find are tutorials and/or patterns that amateur designers post on the web. Some are good, some not so good. Here is one that I really enjoyed .

Skip to My Lou blog posted a tutorial for a pleated pouch. I thought it was the perfect thing that I had been trying to find. It is just big enough for my iPhone, card case and keys. I made one. Then I made another. I gave them away and someone promptly asked for her own. So I made two more - one for her and one for me now that I had decided what I wanted mine to be. The one pictured is mine, made out of a pair of my jeans that were ripped beyond repair. The pin was found in a box of my daughter's knickknacks.

The tutorial was very easy. The pictures were clear and accurate and the pattern pieces were easy to print and put together. If I made any comment on the entire experience, it would be to say that when printed the pictures did not align with the instructions.

Quilter's cotton will do for some but I definitely prefer a light denim or upholstery fabric for sturdiness and durability.

Rural King........yes, again.

2010-06-03T03:00:00.003-05:00

In some previous postings, I remarked that I found some treasures for sewing projects at the Rural King, a regional chain of farm stores. Vacation week would not have been complete without a visit to our favorite store and it yielded yet again some creative ideas.

It appears that Rural King is celebrating a 50th anniversary and commerative shirts were available. I search every time thinking that THIS time, they will stock something in my 4X wide-load size, but I always wind up sadly disappointed. I want to celebrate my favorite store's anniversary, too! Then an idea struck.

I've made several t-shirt quilts and many of you remember the hoodie diaper bag that I made recently. So why not a Rural King bag? The whole plan came together at a quilt show fabric sale when this fun green print with sunflowers and holstein cows fell out of the pile. I even purchased a sunflower iron-on applique for effect.

Vacation!

2010-06-03T02:20:00.005-05:00

I know vacation means a big trip to lots of people but the husband and I like to define vacations in our own way, never wanting to conform to society's ideas. For the first time in quite a while, he and I were able to take a complete week off together. No work meetings, no system upgrades, no last minute restaurant emergencies. I highly recommend a week of being "off the grid" as foursquare puts it. The husband is a street rodder (currently without functioning street rod) and this year he chose to take his vacation during the week that fell between two big street rod shows, one in Nashville and the other in Springfield MO. These plans allowed me to spend the weekdays in the sewing room. So a good time was had by all.

First, let me point out that this is the street rod I picked out that I wanted. You will see why in a later post. This one jumped out and said I'm yours.

I'll be posting a few of the completed projects over the next few days so hang in there. Come back and see them.

P.S. I haven't heard back from the bride but the mother of the bride loved Mildred.

Mildred Pierce in turquoise & brown

2010-05-17T18:13:00.004-05:00

I will be the first to admit this is a rush job but it turned out well nevertheless. A special person close to my family got married last weekend and I decided much too late into the engagement to make her a quilt. I debated over colors and pattern much too long, never really feeling like I had the perfect combination. But it turned out beautiful. The fabrics blended well but the four-patch pattern was nothing outstanding. And the sad thing is I determined the colors by sneaking a peek at the dinnerware the bride had registered at a local gift shop.

I finished the quilt 2 hours before the wedding yet attended the wedding without my gift. Good thing as it was coming a flood when it came time to go to the reception. Now, if I can get it wrapped and delivered by the time she returns from her honeymoon, I will good.

Oh, the Mildred Pierce reference is again, to the movie that was on while I worked on it. It was a black and white film so I have no way of knowing if Joan Crawford was wearing turquoise or brown, but I imagine a fashion great like Joan had them in her wardrobe somewhere. She was so stylish and was a good Mildred, the self-made woman that rolled with life's punches but still struggled with her daughter.

Fire and Ice

2010-03-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

I find that I sew best when there is a movie on. Being a huge movie buff, I'm addicted to the two hour glimpses into other worlds and other lives. I prefer to sit in front of the TV in the evening and cut out the pieces. Then when I start construction, I like to be at home with a TV in the front of the house and a TV in the back of the house synchronized to the same movie channel while I move about from cutting table to sewing machine to ironing board. I did not realize until this bag that certain projects bring to mind the movie that I was watching at the time.

I was cutting out this bag last night while watching The Cutting Edge: Fire and Ice. I think this wonderful Indonesian Batik from Batiks by Design could go along with that fire and ice theme. It has deep red for fire as well as navy blue which could be thought of as an frigidly cold dark color. Also, there are parts of the design than could be similar to fire "licks". The movie that was on while I sewed was The Flight of the Phoenix, the original best version. Elements of the motifs made me think of the ancient Phoenix as it rises from the ashes (fire again). So there you have it.

The pattern is nothing special.....something from a commercial pattern manufacturer, but a shape that I wanted to try, none the less.

On a Roll Now with Another Bag

2010-03-26T13:59:00.003-05:00

Making bags, for me, is like eating potato chips for most people. You can't stop at just one. And this week has been not different. After the hoodie project was finished and blogged, I couldn't stop. Next came the recycled jean bag that can be called nothing but "Hot Lips".

Jeans are the main staple of my wardrobe and it truly hurts me when I must give up a pair as unsuitable for wear in public. So, remembering fondly the jean purses my mother made me in the 70's, I recycled my latest cast-off pair of denims. There was not pattern, simply an idea of size and the best use of the pockets on the jeans. I couldn't resist the lining fabric with the pink, purple and orange lips. It was a piece that I picked up on a fabric shopping trip with no plans in mind. The shoulder strap is the inseam of the jeans, backed with lining fabric.

I love Ed Hardy designs and hearts and wings and could not resist sticking this little heart "tattoo" on the front.

Brilliant idea!

2010-03-24T11:43:00.003-05:00

At long last, the dark days of winter are over. I worked so much with my hands for the holidays that I had to take a break for a while, but I am now back and have tons of ideas and supplies. Even though I was not crafting, I was still shopping and creating in my head. Here is the first of what I hope are a flurry of new items.

In my continuing effort to perfect my own purse/totebag/accessory patterns, I have been working on some sweatshirt purse patterns. Being larger than a 2X, I always struggle with wanting the t-shirts and sweatshirts that market our life interests and accomplishments but know that they are never available in my size. I long to support breast cancer, my favorite music group, my latest tourist stop or festival event but the shirts never are large enough. But I buy them none the less in smaller quantities than if I could wear them. I hope some day to be able to wear them or use them in some way. And I finally came up with a way!

I've developed a sweatshirt purse. I have not displayed those prototypes here due to their need of tweaks, but this one I could not pass up sharing. A very dear couple were expecting a baby and she works at the same institution as myself as the Athletic Director's Administrative Assistant. So what better way to use the sweatshirts that I crave AND make her a serviceable gift than to make a sweatshirt diaper bag! After a week of deliberation, sketching and thinking then 2 weeks of careful cutting and construction, I finally completed it. And it is absolutely wonderful!

The sweatshirt came from the local Walgreen's, making it reasonably priced (should the project end up on the sewing room floor) and the lining fabric from Hancock's. But the rest is all me.

Notice the extra design elements:

the sleeve embroidered logo displayed on the base of the strap
the use of the chest embroidered logo on the front flap
the use of a sleeve cuff on the bottle pocket
the use of the hood (embroidered with the team name) and accompanying drawstring as the front pocket
the use of the kangaroo pocket on the back

This was incredibly fun and I hope to develop this idea more and some day market my patterns.

P.S. I love, love, love Picnik and the ability to edit and collage photos on the web.

What do you think? All comments are welcome.

Indonesian Batik Sack

2009-12-15T15:12:00.007-06:00

I finally reached a decision on what to do with the treasured yard of green Indonesian Batik purchased from Batiks By Design at the Paducah AQS show. After much deliberation and study, I chose a bag pattern borrowed from my mother. It was a "fat quarter friendly" pattern purchased, but never used, from several years ago. I forget the name of the company at the moment. My greatest concern was to use a bag style that would show off the whole border print to it's best advantage. Even though this pattern was written for fat quarters, I was able to adapt it to regular yardage and had enough left over to use the batik as the lining as well.

The bag pattern was very easy and was a simple shape. I created my own pocket on the back side (not showing) and didn't use the velcro closure on the tab as instructed. Because after all, its against my principles to duplicate someone else's items. The whole fun of crafting and sewing is to add your own personal style to each item. I'm all about one-of-a-kind and unique items.

Batiks By Design recently opened a retail store in my town. I'm pretty excited about it. I had to purchase a couple more batiks at the grand opening along with this fat quarter in red. I picked up the idea for this key chain off a blog that I read about sewing, CraftGossip.com. One post was about creating keychains with fabric and elastic and if it is one thing I like better than bags, its keychains.

So, be on the look out for more posts as the holidays are coming up and I have been busy churning out home-made gifts and as always, the post-holiday season includes time off. Plans are already turning in my creative mind and supplies are being stockpiled. I made a huge discovery at Rural King. I'm leaning toward bags for that. Wait til you see!

And I have also been inspired by portrait quilts seen on Quilting Arts in the past couple of months. Hmmm, now to figure out whose face/picture to start with.

New Banners

2009-11-13T15:18:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I didn't make these myself, but I did use my hands to order them online. My church is hosting the Joint Thanksgiving service involving 5 Baptist churches so we decided to dress up the auditorium. Praise Banners had just delivered a holiday sale catalog in my mailbox so we made a choice, used a coupon, and I placed an order. A week later, these jewels arrived. And I think they look excellent. The gold satin background really glows from the lights of the chandelier.

Plans are underway for some banners for the first of the year and these will be all me.

Eve and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-27T14:54:00.003-05:00

Yes, it's been a while since the last post, but the hands have not been still. There has been lots of knitting, lots of quilting and lots of exploration of the new machine. I was gifted with a fabulous Pfaff Quilt Expression! Very, very nice, but a little intimidating. It is hard to wrap my mind around 222 stitches. I also joined a workout group and, wonder of wonders, they had a competition the very first week that just fits!

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, the local Curves gym is sponsoring a Decorate-Your-Bra contest. I have admired the Artfull Bras Project at the AQS quilt show exhibition every year and have yearned to express myself in this medium. Thus, we have Eve's Bra!

This was tremendous fun! I had a theme and a visualization and I just needed to get to my glue gun and make it happen. Here it is displayed. It has produced many a chuckle! And my daughter was even heard to comment "Eve sure was a big gal!"

Cool Portfolio......But a Handle? Really?

2009-08-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

So I drug out a favorite pattern to whip up a soccer-themed porfolio for the dear daughter. She is an asst. soccer coach and has scorebooks to keep up with and I thought the perfect thing would be my favorite portfolio from Quilts and More magazine. I have made several of these now and I love them. They can be personalized and using theme fabric, make a statement about the interests of the owner.

I used red soccer fabric, found a cool soccer grid fabric and a coordinating checked red ribbon. I even upgraded the pattern by inserting a piece of Timtex for stability between the outer shell and the batting. Proud of my creation, I presented it to the daughter. Her reaction? Who would want that, it doesn't have a handle?

Gee, I should have known there is no pleasing the children.

Somewhere, there is someone that wants my talents and creations. Ahhhhhhh...........

Fruitful Weekend

2009-08-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

Once I got the big failure out of the way, I was able to move on and get some more things done this weekend. First, I made a slipcase for the netbook that I am using from work. Mom found a gorgeous piece of quilted fabric with Japanese women in kimonos of rich magenta and greens. The piece was strangely cut, being a remnant from a local sewing business. But I was anxious to get a fitting slipcase. I found a good pattern, Simple Laptop Sleeve, at Sew, Mama, Sew.

I think there must be a problem though. The flap turned out to be the length of the laptop instead of the width. But that is actually the way I wanted it! It worked out perfect.

I also wanted to use some of my kimono foundation piecing squares. Foundation piecing is the thing I most love to hate. Definitely a technique that needs some work, but is interesting.

I know the pics are dark but I can't do everything right!

Crash and Burn

2009-08-10T15:32:00.003-05:00

I had to take a break from the sewing machine to direct Vacation Bible School. Now that is over and its time to get back to hobbies! I love the purse pocket and the pursekets design idea. I bought a pattern at the last Quilt Show....spent hours making myself one.....love it, love it, love it. But HATED the pattern. And I'm telling you I can figure out most anything. But that pattern was awful. "To complete the large version, repeats steps 21-24 twice" and then "For smaller version, skip to step 34". I kept losing my place and getting confused. I also could not get all the pieces out of the yardage that it required.

Needless to say, my second attempt at the purse pockets pattern for a version for a friend ended in a horrible crash-and-burn. I tried and tried and persevered and worked and only succeeded in making my blood pressure go up. So, I finally admitted defeat, wadded it up and threw it in the trash. (I pulled it back out long enough to take a photo of the horrible thing!) And here it is above.

Thus begins my search for a pattern for an equally useful purse insert with both better construction techniques and pattern instructions.

Bleck! Onward and upward to the next project!

Neon Forest Patch Bag

2009-06-30T10:27:00.004-05:00

Here is the Patch Me If You Can bag from Tammy Tadd Designs.......modified! I took 3 inches out of the body width of the bag. An 18 1/2" wide bag is just too big for me. And of course, I use prequilted fabric for the exterior, not patchwork.

I like several of the design elements of this bag, but they are proving to be a problem in functionality. I liked the straps and loop configuration but my strap knots keep slipping through the loop so I have temporarily fixed it by tying a knot. And that slips too. Either I carry too much junk (what would I have carried in an 18 1/2" bag!) or my straps are not fat enough (go figure, didn't know I had anything not fat enough!) or I just have high hopes......I think I need to convert to a buttonhole and large neon button. I always love a chance to innovate and personalize. And this pattern has definite potential.

This project sets me back a little. I have a prize piece of Indonesian batik fabric I had intended to become Patch Bag #2, but now I'm not so sure it is the best use of that fabric. So.....I must ponder some more. Ahhhhhh, the creative process.......

Check It Out.....Literally

2009-06-22T07:43:00.003-05:00

One more project done! A sweet girl graduated from high school, and although I don't see her very often any more, I felt she needed a special gift. She is very into the current trendy colors of brown with green, turquoise and pink so a giant stack of coordinated fat quarters at Hancock Fabrics (the chain store) fit the bill. Then, what to do with them? I'm usually not so indecisive. Hmmm. The timing was perfect to head off to the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah in search of the perfect pattern. I found this pattern, Check It Out, by Pressed for Time Patterns. It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Now on to the next project!

Immediately after completing this project, I cut out the next one: a Patch Me If You Can bag from Tammy Tadd Designs.......only I modified it! I took a few inches out of the width (it was too wide for me) and I'm using two treasured coordinating fabrics called "Neon Forset" from Fabri-quilt (although I think that's a typo and should say "Forest). Check back to see how this all turns out!

Sweet treat bags

2009-06-05T10:07:00.001-05:00

These bags are the cutest things! I visited Hancock Fabrics in Paducah during the recent Quilt Show to check out the bargains. I've been curious about Moda Fabric's and their brilliant plan to market fabrics as bakery items. I knew what jelly rolls were but I was on a quest to see a layer cake. I found jelly rolls, layer cakes and these - honey buns. Two mini honey buns came in a little box and were a special quilt show price. I snatched one box up and the box included a free pattern. The pattern is available on their website.

I liked the chance to use a fabric collection, especially in a colorway I would not have chosen of my own free will. But I dislike all of the little fabric pieces, threads and fuzz that fall out of the zig-zag pre-cut strips. Ugh! I don't know that I will purchase any of this type product again. First of all because I am frugal and fabric collections are usually too pricey for me and second of all because I try to be unique and shy away from a standard fabric combination. And I found the instructions, while free, to be very difficult to follow. I had to read and study on them for quite a few days before, even getting out test pieces of fabric and trying to wrap my mind around what the instructions were telling me to do. I finally decided the instructions and the illustrations were leaving a step or two out. Once I added them in for myself and added a few basic construction steps (in red, of course) I was able to complete these two bags.

They are cute. I don't know what I am going to do with them. They have no strap and are recommended to be used for toiletries. I guess I will probably find them a good home but as for the instructions, I wouldn't have done it that way!

Next Project: Margaret bag from Oh Fransson

2009-06-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

Frantic, spastic and frenzied are the only words I can think of to describe my version of the Margaret bag from the Oh Fransson blog. This bag, and the previous bag, were made using fabric purchased at the 2008 Paducah Quilt Show. I had to get some of it out of the way before I could move on to the fabric and patterns purchased at the 2009 show. Using my Google Reader, I subscribe to several quilting and sewing blogs. along with other work-related blogs. I think it is wonderful that there are some brilliant designers out there willing to share their patterns and projects through their blogs. Thus the Margaret bag. The tutorial was excellent! Lots of pics and very well-written instructions.

I am becoming a pattern-snob. I find myself editing instructions that I printed off the internet with a red pen, like when I wrote an English paper and the teacher graded it with comments in red. But with this one, no red ink!

The fabric just screamed to me that it went together. I'm not sure anyone else likes them together. My mother sure didn't. The bag is very roomy, has interesting patch pockets on the inside and yes, has a big comfy strap for my shoulder!

I will probably make this one again too, although maybe next time I will make the purse body a tiny bit deeper.

Long Time, No Post......

2009-06-03T14:36:00.004-05:00

Things have been busy trying to get the end of the Spring semester finished. I attended the Quilt Show in Paducah in April and stocked up on plenty of good ideas, patterns, fabric and sewing goodies. Memorial Day weekend came and with the husband at work and daughter camping, I was able to do some serious marathon sewing/quilting/crafting. I will post the completed projects as I finish up the handwork on them. I'm getting excited about using and carrying them.

First up, I have the Grab bag from Allpeoplequilt.com. It is a free pattern from a magazine published by Better Homes & Garden. I'm really starting to love their Quilts and More magazine with each issue full of all the things I love to sew....quilts, bags and accessories. This pic shows the first project. Although I despise handbags, this one turned out to be handy. I love the way the handles loop together and strangely enough, the looped handles then provide an easy access slot for me to reach in and grab my keys or glasses. It is hard to break the habit of trying to put it up on my shoulder!(I must wear purses on my shoulder to keep my hands free for shopping, carrying, or, better yet, catching myself when I trip over my own two feet.) The pic gives you an idea of the wild brown print that I used, but the truly fun part is the brown and turquoise and blue stipes that line the bag. There are pockets on the inside, but they are much too shallow to be worthwhile.

Definitely a cute bag! I will make this one again.

An Opera Experience

2009-04-17T09:46:00.003-05:00

I've had what a friend would call a "virgin experience". I was privileged enough to attend a fabulous production of the opera, La Bohème, in Nashville at TPAC. It was my first opera. I've watched a few on tv over the years but have never been able to experience a live performance. And let me just say, it was wonderful!

There was snow falling and real fog on stage. And let me just say whoever invented the English subtitle display deserves a Nobel prize!

Note to self: the proper opera attire is black, not khaki!

Dorothy, my mini-me

2009-04-10T14:35:00.002-05:00

I wanted to make one of these for a long time. Having sewn plus-size clothes all my life, I always have difficulty fitting myself. And the sewing industry had never provided dress forms for anyone over the size of 16. I read all of the websites and blogposts with tutorials and tips and tricks. So when the sewing machine was broke and in the shop, I presented my husband with a large role of duct tape and asked him if we could have a little bit of fun.

Let me tell you, this was the most fun that we have had in a very long time! The jokes and funny remarks that can be made are endless! We couldn't decide if this project was more suited for a medieval torture technique or a couples therapy activity. But 2 hours, 1 1/2 rolls of duct tape, and two turkey hunting TV episodes later, I had a dress form made in my very own shape.

And the reason I call her Dorothy is because of all the tin man jokes that went on during it along with the fact I already have issues with the flying monkeys.

Bear Blankie

2009-04-03T08:04:00.005-05:00

Boy, has this been a difficult year so far. I had all kinds of plans (and still do) for all kinds of projects. I have the supplies and the patterns and the tools. I need the time to implement the plans. But thanks to the Ice Storm of 2009, the faithful sewing machine breaking down and refusing to stitch and a horrendous bout of bronchitis and pneumonia, the only thing I have had the ambition to do is change the channel on the cable remote.

I was getting motivated after the Ice Storm with some baby projects when the sewing machine died mid-project. Some women do jewelry, some women do mani/pedi's, some women cannot do without their beauty products. I came to realize that when my sewing machine is not functioning, the world ceases to revolve on its axis. When the husband lost his job last year, I was still able to cope because I could sew and sell things. But I'm telling you. I thought I was going to have to seek psychiatric help. And then my backup sewing machine refused to work. My mother, bless her heart, saw my anguish and offered up a couple of alternative machines of different makes and levels of functionality and it still wasn't the same. I could not be satisfied. Had it not been for an important baby shower date looming ahead of me, I never could have finished this blanket.

The bear had such personality in his face and I loved that I could get the coordinating stripe with the polka dot fabric. The back is simply pale yellow flannel since there was no back panel. I love this one! And it went to a very needy home.

And yes, after 14 days of agony, the sewing machine has come home, healthy and happy. And then the bronchitis and pneumonia and ER visit and 3 days of bed rest. And I'm still not well! But I have the energy to raise up and gaze longingly at the stack of projects! Soon, very soon, my friend!

Regensburg door wallhanging

2009-01-26T09:40:00.004-06:00

I had no sooner completed the "portfolio building" blog post when a recipient of some of my handwork appeared in my office to tell me how much he was enjoying his particular item. With the new resolution in mind (and the fact that he is a great photographer), I quickly thought to ask him for a photo. He was very generous to oblige. He is the Program Director for our university's Study Abroad program in Regensburg, Germany. He had published a promotional poster with photos of interesting doors around the town of Regensburg. With that poster and photos fresh in my mind, I had created a personalized retirement gift for him in the form of a wallhanging of one of the doors. The elements of the door and the architecture are captured in stitching and fabrics. He uses it as a shade to block the sun from his computer screen so sunlight from behind it naturally lights up the fine details.
I'm so glad that it has a happy home and I have a photo of it to add to my collection.

New Year, New Projects, New Plans

2009-01-23T09:16:00.003-06:00

It's a new year! 2009! It's time to make the most of my time and energies!

Okay, enough of that. I'm trying to record (for posterity or just my pitiful memory and need to self-promote) all of my projects. Every artist has a portfolio and I have wasted years and years not cataloging my creations. There are some beautiful things I created and now don't really remember. And how do you show your work when a client/customer asks what you have done? All of my things now have a happy home somewhere and are no longer in my possession. So here is to portfolio building. I hope to blog pics and keep a journal of items made and sold or given away.

A random call the week before Christmas was inquiring if I could make some scarves "just like the one you made me last Christmas". Unfortunately, I never met this woman so I cannot remember what I made her. It was all handled through the DH. And it was so close to Christmas I couldn't complete them. Then I received a call last week asking me to make them anyway, if I could get them finished before the cold weather was over. Thus, here we are, a week later and I have completed twin scarves in the local high school's colors. They are gifts for teachers. They are the basic team scarf that I found in an older knitting magazine. This is one of my favorite patterns. The pattern is a K1, P1, rib that lays very flat and looks good and doesn't curl. Done on my favorite "barbie" 9 needles, they went real quick. I plan to have a stock of the local high schools' colors next year.

I hope they like them.

Birthday Soap

2008-06-25T15:30:00.003-05:00

It's a very good knitting/crafting friend's birthday and I knitted her a little something special. I found this little jewel on a new, cool knitting block called Pickin' and Throwin'. This is called a soap sweater and is made of 100% virgin wool. The wool is supposed to turn into felt. I have never been particularly interested in felting but this is cute anyway!

Happy Birthday, T!

Back to HandWork

2008-06-13T09:36:00.006-05:00

VBS is over and now I need to get back to the work "at hand" so to speak. I have Ukey's baby blanket finally finished. He has been trying to be born. But he should have known that he couldn't be born until I had his blankie finished.

It's even more fun on the back!

Awwww........

2008-05-13T14:21:00.001-05:00

Nothing says love to Justin like his girl on his 4-wheeler!

New banners up for VBS

2008-05-13T14:05:00.005-05:00

Finally got the banners changed this week. Easter has past and now is time to be thinking about upcoming events. I had this brilliant idea after lugging around the Lifeway Backpack of VBS material this year.

The theme is Outrigger Island and the basic images are outrigger canoes, hawaiian shirts, and this hawaiian hibiscus design. I instantly think of tropical things when I see it but that is just me. The DH said he just didn't get what it was. I had to explain that the white parts were the flower and even had to show it to him on the backpack.

I have had several "beautiful" comments from church members. I got a thumb's up from the pastor, but he didn't get it either. Ho-hummmmmm........must be thinking of something to hang for the summer.

From dishcloths to baby blankets

2008-04-15T14:20:00.003-05:00

I love the versatility of this pattern--one of those free ones in a crafts store leaflet. It makes perfect baby blankets in a self-striping yarn from Bernat. Then change the needles and the yarn--a 100% cotton worsted weight from Peaches and Cream and I have great dishcloths. Plus, it's a pattern that is simple enough I can remember it wherever I need to drag my project along. Good thing to have when the brain goes on the fritz and just needs something repetitive to unwind.

mini WeeMee

2008-04-11T12:45:00.003-05:00

I found the cutest thing on a friend's blog. It's WeeMee. It's free on the web and can be plugged into your blog and your MSN and can be used as your email signature. How cute am I?

Profile Thumbnail

2008-04-10T11:11:00.002-05:00

So I tried to create a thumbnail for my profile. I was trying to use the "fruit of my hands" theme....but somehow, I don't think I'm succeeding with this rainbow hand. I really don't want to use a pic. It has to be something much more creative! I'm still thinking and I will keep working. After spending ample amounts of my time getting 2 other blogs going, I plan to get back to my own. The Snow White appearance has been re-scheduled for this weekend so I hope to get a pic of that costume up. Bible Study is over and the arms have healed from the marathon of knitting. I sat down and made up a couple of dishcloths and had someone begging for them. She wanted two, took her three for her to choose and she took all of them. Then I turned around to see another pouty face that was wanting the reject one, so now I have more to make. Unfortunately, the purchaser came back and told me her husband insisted her next ones by UK blue instead of UT orange. Honestly, its a sports thing. I didn't consider what team colors were in the dish rags I was making........silly me!

blog has moved and moved back

2008-03-27T08:32:00.003-05:00

Sorry, I've decided to move to Wordpress so that I don't have to add zeros to my username. I don't think my grandmother's middle name had numbers in it. Change your bookmarks to http://maywood.wordpress.com

Sorry again. I'm back. Wordpress had built in stats but the widgets were very limiting. No blank html/java widgets that I could past API's in and the spamblocker was too confusing to install. Okay.........so I tried it and it didn't work. I'm not afraid to admit I made a mistake. I'm proud to say that I tried something!

Update on the fun

2008-03-26T10:13:00.002-05:00

I have not blogged recently due to my efforts in getting the Blog at work up and going. I presented an Intro to Blogging to all of the folks at work, tweaked and published some work blog posts and then have been busy publishing work-related posts and encouraging and editing other's to post. So alas, my personal blog has fallen by the wayside. But I'm back now and time to move on. Snow White was completed and delivered on time for the conference, but unfortunately, several inches of snow and ice arrived that evening and the conference was canceled. I got word this weekend that it has been rescheduled so I'm watching for Snow's appearance.

Some dear friends invited me to partake in a different craft endeavor recently. Ceramics! And it has been a real treat! A real journey back to childhood for me, although they didn't realize it in the beginning. My mother had a ceramics shop for years during my pre-teen life. Now I'm an adult and can have all of the fun that I thought my mother was denying me. We had a late painting session last night and got to talking about "Smiley's". And no, I don't meant the Smiley Central emoticons that are all the rage in email and messsaging today. Smileys did exist long before computers. They were cute little ceramic people that came in a variety of vocations. So doing a Google search, I found the perfect Smiley for the "adult me"! The hair color is all wrong, what's up with that outfit and the floppy disk has problems, but how cute! In ceramics, you can personalize it.

Snow White in progress

2008-02-27T10:45:00.002-06:00

Snow White is in starting to come together. The collar, that stands up, is quite a booger to deal with. Its very hard to put on a collar facing with that big thing sticking up there and not wanting to fit on the machine.

Another project, another challenge...... that is why we do it, right?

One last prom dress to alter!

2008-02-25T10:12:00.003-06:00

I can finally sleep at night. Dear daughter has found the perfect dress for THE final prom appearance. I spoke too soon last year when I stated that she graduated and all I had to get was ONE dress. A perfect dress does not need alterations and this one is it. All I need to do is cut some off the bottom and hem. I may, with her permission, do some stuff with the accompanying straps. I think they must make these dresses for Amazon women......they are always so long. Now, if she doesn't lose or gain a lot of weight before then, we are good to go. I have ideas for jewelry and flowers but I'm sure she does not want to hear them.

Mark One off the To-Do List

2008-02-21T15:02:00.005-06:00

Hallelujah! One more project done and more coming in to work on. Finally, I have the Tiger T's done. And way ahead of schedule. I hope this is a trend that will continue. Next project please......

Snow White's ready to start tonight. This one will be exciting. I'm going to run tight on time for the Easter banners, but I MUST get those ready. The fabric is beautiful and now I have a vision in my head. Now, its just getting it on the wall. I added a wedding dress alteration to the list today. There are prom dress alterations coming up.

Project update

2008-02-08T13:17:00.000-06:00

Dance quilt is ready for quilting, pink poodle skirt is completed and delivered. One dishrag down and 7 more to go. I'm still waiting on Snow White's measurements but I need to move on to the Easter banner set and the burp cloths. I love it when I have projects to do but I could really use a nap!

Baby burp cloths draft design

2008-02-06T09:17:00.001-06:00

I've been seeing these on Etsy and wasn't quite sure about them. Of course, I grew up in a family that has been crafting for YEARS and YEARS. Their approach to burp cloths is to crochet around the edge of cloth diapers. But I notice that people on Etsy were taking them a step further, so I gathered a couple of ideas and designed these. The tiger stripe is the other half of the baby gift mentioned in a previous post. The red handkerchief and the flames are for a couple expecting their second boy. She is a cowgirl and he is a hot rodder so the fabric kind of screamed......."use me!"

I'm trying to think of something cute to embroider on them. Maybe something will hit me soon.

More Tiger stuff

2008-02-06T09:13:00.001-06:00

From the knitting department, I needed a quick baby gift for a church member. He is a football coach and I thought a baby toboggan to match his team uniforms would be cool. Or warm rather.....during the chilly fall game nights. It turned out cute although I am not sure I like the style. It is definitely modern. It was in one of the most recent of my knitting magazines.

I hope they like the colors. You never know about gifts; if the like them or not. Oh well, I tried.

Tiger stripe, Oh My

2008-02-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

I really think the tiger stripe sashing makes this quilt top. It blends perfectly with the other colors and the black border provides the final finish for a fabulous combination. I'm excited about getting this one quilted and out this week. If nothing happens, that is. The way things have been going, I can never tell.

My photo skills must improve!

2008-01-28T10:15:00.001-06:00

Every "artist" needs a portfolio. Every craftsman needs to maintain a catalog of their works or at the very least, a catalog of samples of her work. I realize that. So I keep trying to make pics of completed items and add then to my "catablog". But evidently my photographic skills have gone down the toilet. The last few pics I have taken have been fuzzy and out of focus - definitely not up to my high standards of excellence! But in an effort to capture images of my work, here is one, although fuzzy. These are a pair of wristers made from Coats and Clark yarn called Wiggles knit using the Wristers pattern in the latest issue of Creative Knitting. CK is a publication I dearly love. The patterns are great and practical. I loved Wiggles but it did not speak to me until the boss wanted a set of wristers for the wife. Then it screamed out her name. She is a musician, a pianist to be exact, and has several items that match them.

One more completed project! But I managed to pick up 3, maybe 4 more projects over the weekend. I have 2 prom dresses coming up for minor alterations and an adult Snow White costume! How fun is that!

Another T-shirt quilt underway

2008-01-24T08:10:00.000-06:00

The shirts have been stabilized and cut. I got the final word on the shirt layout from the Princess so I am ready to proceed with stripping and piecing the top. I can't wait to see how the tiger stripe fabric looks with the black and gold shirts! Then on to the borders, backing and quilting.

Times a-wasting because I have more projects lined up behind that. I slipped in a coffee corset for T. It was my own design, of course, based on the ones I saw on Etsy with her name embroidered on it with her own sister's embroidery machine. She says she loved it but I don't see how it will be practical to use, but then I don't drink coffee.

Next project is a pair of banners for church. Banners are near and dear to my heart and I have fabric and a vision for a new pair for Easter that coordinate with our Easter musical. Being married to the Music Director, I kind of know what the musical is going to be ahead of time. And then there are purses to design, a wedding memory quilt UFO that I MUST finish soon, and ......and......and..............

Knit nite at M's

2008-01-23T13:12:00.001-06:00

There is nothing more fun on a cold January night than getting together with friends and having a Knit nite. Throw in a good pot of chili and you have a real party! We all got together last night and showed our skills and our completed items. We even had a fashion show, of sorts.

Its always fun to teach someone new to knit and that is what I got to do with the Princess. She was such a fast learner! She put all of us "older" women to shame. I enjoyed talking about projects we loved and yarn we hated.

I think we all enjoyed just unplugging from the rest of the world and just sitting down, chatting with friends and indulging in some handwork for a couple of hours.

Thanks, M, for a great time and I guess we probably need to thank the King for the chili!

EZProxy bought by OCLC

2008-01-15T11:17:00.001-06:00

According to a press release on both the EZProxy and OCLC websites, OCLC has aquired EZProxy. That is great news! Sort of....... That means there will continue to be development and technical support with the best interests of libraries in mind.

Great news!

2008-01-10T13:43:00.000-06:00

Brazil Blue scarf
I just love starting new projects. It allows me to get my whole creative thing going on. A friend of my husband requested a knitted scarf from some yarn she found at Big Lots. I have to admit, I am jealous. This is a really nice yarn PLUS was a good price! I think it is coming along nicely. I should have it finished in a day or so. And I found another victim willing to let me convert their T-shirts into a quilt. This time, it will be high school Dance team shirts and bright colors. More pics later

Web of Science is available

2008-01-03T10:12:00.001-06:00

Our Web of Science subscription is now available. It should work on as well as off-campus. The should show up tomorrow instead of the current Links button.

To use EndNote or any other bibliographic reference tools, users will need to register. Links are available.

Knock yourselves out!

WilsonWeb enhancements

2008-01-02T09:50:00.000-06:00

WilsonWeb is announcing a new enhanced interface - WilsonWeb CX Edition. Their email says it will feature a frameless interface--for faster page loading, enhanced layout, navigational improvements as well as simplified search history screens. It will also allow for full text translation of electronic articles into several languages with more to come later. Biography Reference Bank has a new look and is supposed to be greatly improved.

Check out the new look by using one of our WilsonWeb databases.

A complete list and explanation of the new enhancements can be found by clicking on the Important Message at the top of the screen.

Alas, we must return to work

2008-01-02T09:43:00.000-06:00

<> All good things must come to an end and I must return to work at MSU Libraries. It's always fun to see what disasters have been wrought in the building over the extended holiday. Evidently, Facilities Management decided to play havoc with our power and some systems did not re-boot. But things are back to normal again. So now to get some work done!

Terrific Team scarf

2007-12-28T16:39:00.000-06:00

I finally found the solution to the earlier scarf problem. In knitting scarves to sell, several people requested some in local school colors. I remember when those were a hot item to wear with your letter jacket. Evidently, they are not available any more. I tried to knit a few in garter stitch using some fancy yarns but I wasn't happy with the results. Then I remembered a pattern for team scarves in an old magazine article. I stumbled across it and made this one up for my husband. (Go Vols!) It's a simple knit 1, purl 1 rib on about 40 stitches and 24 rows per color band. All of the samples in the magazine were 2-color, but I think they can be made with a third accent color. There are 15 bands, starting and ending with the base color. Then I made the fringe 2 color instead of the base color like the samples. That's me. Never one to go by the directions. I always have to be unique somehow. That is the fun of making things by hand--adding your own personal style.

T-shirt quilt finally finished

2007-12-24T09:54:00.000-06:00

I FINALLY finished the sorority T-shirt quilt for a customer. I hope the person receiving it as a Christmas gift is not disappointed. It turned out beautiful but I have to admit it was a struggle.

Most t-shirts quilts just have between 20-25 panels in the top with plain fabric borders and this one was not average! This one was over the top. It has 20 panels in the main body and then 20 more shirts made into borders around the quilt plus an appliqued panda from a pillowcase. Another extra was the person's name and graduation year appliqued in the border.

Thank goodness its finished and my arms can recover from wrestling the entire thing.

It turned out to be 84" x 100" -- definitely a queen size.

12 Gadgets - Huge Success!!

2007-12-17T14:52:00.000-06:00

CTLT's 12 Gadgets is finally over and I believe a good time was had by all. According to Cindy, we think approximately 228 people attended.

Thanks to Linda Miller and CTLT staff for sharing the fun with us.

I think the Library crew had a good time.

For more photos, see photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6, photo 7, photo 8, photo 9, photo 10, photo 11, photo 12, photo 13, photo 14, photo 15, photo 16, photo 17, photo 18, photo 19, photo 20, photo 21, photo 22, photo 23, photo 24, photo 25, photo 26, photo 27, and photo 28.

See some live action at Google videos - video 1, video 2, video 3, and video 4.

There are a couple more videos, but that is enough boring stuff for now.

Friday - Cat's away

2007-12-14T09:10:00.000-06:00

It's the last day of finals, the interim dean is out of the country and things around the library are, let's just say, a little more relaxed. I hate to hear that his flight was canceled but I am REALLY glad that he is anywhere but here. Ha!

Looks like not a creature is stirring.

Except in Technical Services where Cataloging is finding creative ways to use their time.

Acquisitions seems to be comfortable as well!

Then there are these two...

Poor Brittany.......ILL is slow..

But never fear. Nancy has things under control!

Fabulous new research tool - Zotero

2007-12-13T14:51:00.000-06:00

For all of you Firefox lovers out there, I just found the handiest Firefox add-on named Zotero. Zotero calls itself "a personal research assistant. inside your browser". Simply get the add-on and install it in your Firefox browser and start surfing. I hate doing research across the web and having to take notes with a pen and paper. Taking notes in a Word document doesn't work for me either. And as for webpages, bookmarking is the best I can do but the way the web changes these days, the information is long gone by the time I go back to the bookmark. Then I have forgotten what specific tidbits looked important.

Zotero lets me save snapshots of webpages and (here is the best part) highlight and add annotations to those snapshots.......right in the Firefox window! Another great thing about it appeals to the Librarian in me. With one click, Zotero will create and save citations from databases, library catalogs, and webpages. These citations can then be exported into Word or some of the other bibliographic utilities.

Zotero is compatible with RACERtrac and most of our databases so research can now be a paper-less sort of thing. No more keeping up with the scraps of paper, napkins, and legal pads. No more shifting from clicking the mouse to writing with the pen/pencil or highlighting with the marker then back to the mouse. I love the idea of all of my research, thoughts and references in one spot!

My first post

2007-09-19T22:01:00.000-05:00

I think blogs are so interesting so I'm going to try it.