~A Little Orange and Black~

Orange and black.  You're suspecting that this has something to do with Halloween or Fall, right?  Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It has nothing to do with either but rather something much more important and fun...school colors and school pride!

This is my granddaughter, Monkey, with her Mama and other grandma, JuJu.  They live in Nebraska and are big Cornhusker fans...I mean really BIG!!  Monkey got to celebrate her 7th birthday by going to her first college football game.  But they are also Oklahoma State Cowboy fans because her daddy and his side of the family (that's us!) are diehard, bleed orange and black Cowboy fans.  And, to top it off, her Poppa (Mr. Bill) played some college football there!  Anyway, her Mama asked me to make her something orange and black (school colors) so that she could show off her Cowboy pride.

She showed me an outfit from a retail place and asked if I could make something like it.  Do you know there are no peasant type dress patterns for little girls?  Seriously.  I thought they were "in" this year.  Anyway, I had to combine two patterns to come up with this dress.

A nice wide, black and white polka dot sash really stands out against the orange chevron print.

I finsished the edges of the sash and ruffle trim with my serger.  I think the two rows of ruffles are so cute.  Adds a bit of flounce, don't you think?

Jane, Monkey's mama, also asked if I would make a hairbow.  This is my first attempt.  I've never made big girl hairbows before.  Can you believe it?  I've got three granddaughters!!  Anyway, I layered together two pieces of the chevron fabric with interfacing to give it some stiffness, cut into several strips and trimmed the edges with my pinking shears.

A covered button made with OSU logo fabric finishes it off.  It was fun to make but I have to admit that it was rather hard on my hands.  I suffer from arthritis in my thumb joints :/   Bummer!

It's done and they went in the mail yesterday.  I just hope it fits!  Though I used the recommended measurement on the pattern, I have a feeling the neck opening may be a bit too large.  Thankfully, we are going up there for a visit in about ten days so I can make some adjustments, if necessary, when I'm up there.  Can't wait to see her display her Cowboy pride!    I had so much fun making this outfit and hairbow that I've got one in the makes for Tater Tot, the 5-year-old granddaughter.



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GO POKES!!

 

p.s.  Referring to the arthritic pain in my thumbs....I wear Handeze arthritic gloves (if I remember to put them on!) when sewing, use BioFreeze around the joints and have my hands worked on by the chiropractor and massage therapist when necessary but the ol' thumbs still give me issues.  If you suffer from this affliction, what do you do to help overcome the problem?

 

 

Until next time.....

~Crafting Lap Tray Makeover~

I do alot of hand work...sewing, crocheting, etc, while sitting in my comfy recliner as I watch TV.  Multitasking, you know ;)  But I don't know how many times that I have dropped my scissors, thread, crochet needle and such and then they slip down the side of the cushion and down into the bottom of the recliner!!  Which means I have to get up, turn the recliner over and try to dig out my lost items.  Not fun.

I thought a lap tray would work but everything would still roll or slip off the tray.  I came across some crafting trays at the fabric store but the designs they had in stock just didn't appeal to me.  Everything was for either children or teeny boppers. Bummer.  Finally, it dawned on me.  Get one and give it a makeover!!

I found this one at HL.  Truth be told, there is absolutely nothing about the design that I find appealing.  It's just not my style.  The only good thing it had going were the cup and pencil holders.  Perfect for holding those little items that slip out of my hands and fall down into the cushions!

But I had to do something about these colors...

And definitely this backing!  A velour type fabric means only one thing...it will attract threads and bits of fabric like nobody's business.  Not good.  There is a carrying handle and a zippered opening for replacing or adding more of those little styrofoam beads if one was so inclined but those aren't on my 'must-have' list.

First thing to do was repaint the cup and pen holders.  I used my craft paint but it wasn't sticking very well and scratched off very easily.  So I scraped it off and mixed the paint with some Mod Podge glue.  That seemed to do the trick.

I dug through my stash of scrapbook paper and found some that looked rather feminine.  Using the Mod Podge glue again, I adhered it to the top of the tray but it created too many bubbles so off it came.  Next attempt was with spray adhesive.  Much better.  The hard part was piecing the paper sheets together and cutting around the holders. I let it dry overnight and used an exacto knife for trimming but still did a rather sloppy job of it.  What does any smart crafter do?  You cover it up!!  Before applying the mini pompom trim, I sealed the scrapbook paper with a layer of Mod Podge as I was afraid the paper would tear easily.  I started freaking out when it started bubbling again but was able to work them out once it started drying.  Whew!

 

For the back, I purchased this quilted fabric in an ivory color.  I turned the tray upside down, laid the fabric over it and just did some freehand cutting.  I saw no need to take off the black velour.  Using my hot glue gun, I worked my way around the tray adhering the fabric along the edges leaving the rounded corners for last.  Then I just scrunched up a little bit at a time and glued some more.  It wasn't too tricky and didn't have to be perfect because of the soft bottom.

 

I used some more of the pompom trim to cover up the raw edges of the fabric.  I started at the bottom middle (area closest to me) and just overlapped it a bit so that it didn't show too much.  All of the trim was applied using the hot glue gun.

 

Don't look too closely at the sloppy job I did with the glue gun. :/ 

So there you have it!  My not so appealing crafting lap tray is now something pretty to use while I'm working.  Much better, don't you think?

 

Now it's time to get to work on some projects...maybe this one?

 

 

Until next time ~

You'll find me at these parties....
Dwellings...Amaze Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch...Metamorphosis Monday
The Dedicated House....Make It Pretty Monday
Stone Gable....Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits




 

~Like A Bee In A Flower Garden~

Have you ever wondered what a bumblebee is thinking whenever it comes across a beautiful flower garden?

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Can you imagine what it (he..she...) is thinking with all those beautiful colors and scents?  "Oooh...look at that beautiful yellow!   Oooh....oh, I like the smell of this pink one over here.   Ooooh...that red one is calling my name!" That's why they flit from here to there constantly not knowing where to land first and how long to stay there!!

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Well, that's the way I'm feeling these days.  Like a bumblebee in a flower garden.  Well, not with flowers but much more important things!  I spent a gosh awful amount of time cleaning and packing and purging over the last year, which ended up being really good exercise in disguise.  My energy level has picked up somewhat and the desire to move onto bigger and better things has kicked in.  So guess what??  My creative mojo is coming back!  Well, I've made things for the grandbabies but that doesn't really count.  I'm finally getting back in the mood to start sewing and being creative for myself.  It's been awhile.  But the problem is.....

where to start!  Well, actually, where to land and stay awhile.  :/  I've already started on a  few of these projects.  Yeah, did you catch that?  "Started on a few of these projects".  Like this one.  I love to crochet but hadn't done it in awhile until I came across these patterns earlier in the summer.  I bought alot of soft, pima cotton yarn (mostly from the UK) and I love how it feels.  The one on the far left is called African Flower...coasters and placemats maybe?  The one in the middle is a heart...wouldn't this make an adorable banner?  And then the medallions are from an 1893 pattern....more coasters!

 

I've been coveting some sling bag purses that Dawn from The Feathered Nest has made and decided to make one for myself.  There couldn't be a more beautiful combination....canvas muslin, ticking fabric, vintage laces and trims.  Well, I had so much fun making it that I decided to make some more to put in my Etsy store.  They're almost done!

 

And then there's this.  I am over the moon in love with this Pam Kitty Morning fabric!!  While watching TV in the evenings, I am working on some cute little things that are going in my Etsy store soon.  But more about those later. ;)

 

I love the colors of Fall and have some fabric pieces that I want to use.  Maybe a table runner?  I've got this book that I've been getting some ideas from but not quite sure yet on what to make.

 

With all the hand sewing I do from my comfy recliner, I wanted a small, portable storage box for thread, needles, scissors, etc.  So I need to cover this little gift box in some fabric and pretty trims.  Can't decide exactly how to finish it though but, once it's completed, I'll show you.  What should be at the top of my sewing "to-do" list are these projects....

 

I started this quilt project way back when my youngest daughter was about 18 years of age.  That was over...ahem...ten years ago!!  With moving out here several years back, health issues and such, well, I had forgotten aobut it.  Until I came across it in the top of my closet last winter.  Yeah, pathetic huh?  The squares are a bit tricky (for me anyway) to put together and I've been dragging my feet about getting it done but I promised her I would have it finished this winter.

And last, but not least by any means, is this felt stocking kit for Little Bubba.  I started a tradition of making each of my grandchildren a Christmas stocking, which stay at my house for little goodies that Santa brings for them.  Yeah, Santa still comes to my house.  Next year, I have to make one for Peaches.  She's too little right now to know any better so I've got some time to get one purchased and made for her.  I'm so glad that I started this as the children anticipate them being hung on the stair railing and love looking at the intricate details on their special stockings.

 

See?  I feel like a bee in a flower garden!  Sigh...I am so thankful that God blessed me with the ability and desire to be creative but sometimes it can be a curse.  LOL  So many things I want to make!!  I haven't even shown you what I made Monkey for her birthday and I've got one more thing to get finsihed and in the mail.  Busy, busy, busy!!

 

Until next time.....

 

p.s.  I told you that several of these projects will end up in my Etsy store so if there's anything you would be interested in purchasing, let me know.  I'll give you more details and put it at the top of my list! After all, Christmas is just around the corner.  Can you believe it?