Search This Blog

Featured Post

Christmas Crafts: Diy Elf on a Shelf with Outfit Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks! For my first project for Christmas, her...

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Ballad of Beanie the Pincushion, a poem

housekeeping vintage image graphicsfairy6Beanie was a pincushion, but that’s not how it starts.

He began his life made up of lots of little parts.

First there was a piece of cloth, just a little scrap.

It came from a ragged blanket that would barely cover your lap.

Another scrap was salvaged from a well worn pair of jeans.

They belonged to cousin Phil until he bent over and burst a seam.

The next was from Aunt Marianne, a bit of her finest dress.

She wore it to a barbeque that ended in quite a mess.

Then Grandma’s scarf, Herman’s tie, and Gramps’ old grey vest,

And Jimmy’s shirt, with Suzy’s sock, created quite a little scrap nest.

This bundle was gathered carefully by our dear old Auntie Jane.

She pinned them together bit by bit, no two being quite the same.

She stitched them lovingly together, stuffed it nice and round,

and finished with her finest ribbon, the nicest one in town.

Behold a brand new pincushion ready to do it’s job.

Made with scraps of life, and a little bit of love.

Read More »

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Pants Recon Challenge Round 2

Pants Recon Challenge

For round 2 of The Great Pants Recon Challenge, I decided to concentrate on sewing supplies seeing as that’s what I used the last project to store.  What better to go with a pink drawstring bag than a matching pink…

Pretty Pincushion from Pants

…pincushion.

First I cut three circles from one leg of the pants.  I took two of the circles and with right sides together sewed all around leaving a space open.  After turning inside out and stuffing, I had my pincushion base.  Time for the third circle.  I made that into a fabric yo-yo and stitched it to the top to decorate.  There was still some of the pants drawstring leftover so I cut a piece to make a little bow.  Perfect thing to finish off my new pink pincushion.

Now up to two finished projects with one pair of pants.

Remaining Pants 2

And here’s what’s left of the pants.

Read More »

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Basic Black

So yesterday I went to Phoenix Comicon with some good friends.  Yay!  First time ever too, so I decided to make something special to wear to commemorate the occasion.  It had been forever since the last time I altered a t-shirt.  It took me a couple of days to complete mainly because I did it entirely by hand.  Yep, still no access to a sewing machine. :(
Black t-shirt before
So here’s the before…
Altered black t-shirt
…and after.
Both of the photos were sadly taken by my webcam since my camera is currently out of action.  Anyway, I used a black t-shirt I’ve had for a while.  I was getting a little bored with it.  I first chopped off several inches from the bottom and cut off the collar.  I cut the bottom hem and used it to make a ruffle for the neckline.  It was perfect for this since it already had a finished edge.  Some elastic, straps or neckties, and the original collar was all that I needed to finish up the neckline.  And to finish the shirt, I just had to re-hem the bottom and used a scallop stitch on the hems of the sleeves.  I learned the stitch from a vintage sewing book, it’s really easy and super pretty.  Someday I should explain how to do it. 
Read More »

Thursday, May 23, 2013

My Favorite Things: eBooks

It’s has been awhile since I’ve done one of these posts, I guess I kind of forgotEmbarrassed smile

Something I have almost always enjoyed doing is reading.  I say almost because I’m sure I probably didn’t feel too enthusiastic about it when I was just a little kid learning how to read, though I don’t actually remember.  Anyway, I also enjoy using my netbook and downloading all the new goodies I find.  So naturally one of my favorite things are…

ebooks

…eBooks!

Most the eBooks I have I downloaded from Gutenberg (for free!), but I have found them in so many different places.  Some include:

  • Internet Archive—It’s basically like an online library, you can find tons of free eBooks, videos, etc.
  • Open Library—It’s similar to Internet Archive, except not all the books are free, though many of them can be “checked out” just like a regular library.  And there’s plenty of classic books to download for free.
  • Scribd—this one blends eBooks and social media together.  You can read and download tons of books and share ones you’ve written.
  • CNET—this is actually a place to find software of all kinds including eBooks and eBook readers.  Most of the software is free or free to try. 
  • Greater Phoenix Digital Library—this is a local resource for me.  Anyone with a library card for one of 10 different public libraries in the Phoenix Metropolitan area can log in and check out eBooks and videos there.  For those outside the area, check with your local library for similar programs.

Now please excuse me, I’m in the middle of re-reading Little Women.  Happy reading!

Read More »

Monday, May 20, 2013

Pants Recon Challenge Round 1

Pants Recon Challenge

For the first part of The Great Pants Recon Challenge, I went with a rather obvious project.  Our lovely pink pants happen to have a pink drawstring waistband, so what would be better than using that to make a simple drawstring bag?  I can use it to store my new sewing supplies (see Breaking Down).

Drawstring bag from pants

I simply cut off the front half of the pants so I had a rectangle shape that was about as long as I wanted to bag and twice as wide with the holes for the drawstring in the center.  By the way, I removed the drawstring before cutting.  I folded the material right sides together and stitched down and across the bottom.  I ripped out some of the stitching for the casing first so I could sew the seam without screwing up the drawstring’s path.  After all  that was done I just turned the bag right side out and thread the drawstring back in the “waistband” and tied it off.  I had to cut it since it suddenly became too long. 

Now I have a cute pink bag, that’s one pants project completed.

remaining pants 1

And here’s what’s still left of the pants.

Read More »

Saturday, May 18, 2013

A Challenge!!

DSCI0014 (695x800) (2)

I mentioned the other day that I would be starting a special project.  I made this pair of pink pants several summers ago (see Pjs and a Long Awaited Photo). I’ve since gotten tired of them, but I still like the fabric and of course the color even it is a little bright. 

Pants Recon Challenge

I call it The Great Pants Recon Challenge!  The mission: to take these sad lonely pants and cut and stitch as many little projects as I can from them.  My goal is to make at least ten different items.  Wish me luck Red heart

Read More »

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Breaking Down

I’ve been a little preoccupied this week, hence a slight lack of posts.  I’ve had several job interviews this week, yay!  Hopefully something good will result.

Anyway, I stopped by a 99 Cents Only Store yesterday to pick up a few things just for the heck of it.  As I have mentioned before, all my sewing supplies are stuck in storage for who knows how long.  I have been dying to make something, anything.  Every time I saw any sort of craft supplies in stores I got this urge to buy.  Even those flimsy little sewing kits with the dinky little pairs of scissors that barely cut anything.  I usually stopped myself since I already have tons of needles and threads and ribbon, even if I don’t really have access to them.  Seemed like such a waste to buy something I already have.

99cent store score

So basically I finally broke down and bought some basics.  Needles, safety pins, and some thread.  Now I can at least do some hand sewing and mending.  I also got some socks, tights, hair accessories and jewelry.  I’m especially excited about the jewelry.  I got a set of 3 pairs of faux-pearl earrings, a cameo necklace and matching earrings.  I kind of think cameos look strange on earrings, especially dangling ones.  However, as soon as I pry of the hooks, they will make great charms for bracelets or necklaces.  And the huge one on the necklace will probably work better as a brooch.  Then I use the chain for other purposes.  Plenty of things to make already.  However, the cameos will have to wait.  I have another special project to start working on, but I will explain that one at another time.

Read More »

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Duckies!!!

It’s been like a year since I took these photos by the canal zone, all of ducks of course.  I love ducks, for a lot of the same reasons I like pigeons (see My Favorite Things: Pigeons).  Anyway, I completely forgot I had them until recently.  So here they are for your amusement.

nature 005_763x547

nature 007_800x600

nature 012_797x596

nature 016_800x600

nature 021_553x405

Read More »

Monday, May 6, 2013

What’s in a (Pet) Name?

1agirlwithdog003Whenever I go pretty much anywhere I have a tendency to spot animals all over the place be it a stray cat, birds, even horses and cows.  I also have a tendency to give names to the animals I see on a regular basis.  Basically the first thing that pops into my head becomes their new name.  This sometimes brings unusual results, there are two cats that I have dubbed “Fluffy Kitty” and “Friday”.  Anyway, to assist me in this naming mission, I have made myself a list of cute names I have discovered.  Many of them came from an excellent pet naming book I found at the library, I just wish I could remember the title.  I thought is would be extremely beneficial to post it here to inspired others in their pet naming endeavors.  So here’s:

My List of Cute Pet Names

  • Nibbles
  • Henny
  • Penny
  • Delilah
  • Jack Be Nimble, for a cat
  • Ozzie
  • Tiptoe
  • Tippy
  • Brillo
  • Bill
  • Charmin
  • Nutmeg
  • Bonkers
  • Cujo
  • Gypsy (for a cat)
  • Nibbles (for a rodent)
  • Alfred
  • Arnie
  • Jezebel
  • Jodie
  • Lolly
  • Magnum
  • Miles
  • Timmy
  • Dickens
  • Sweetie
  • Cajun
  • Sweetums
  • Tootsie
  • Jiffy
  • Lipton
  • Beauregard
  • Kipper (Book and Cartoon)
  • Nelson (Churchill’s Black cat)
  • Artemis (Goddess of hunting wild things)
  • Hermes (Zeus’ Messenger)
  • Toutou (French for doggie)
  • Kipling
  • Opie
  • Lavern and Shirley
  • Cue Ball
  • Sergeant Pepper
  • Bentley
  • Crouton
  • Noodle
  • Pringle
  • Taffy
  • Turnip
  • Hickory
  • Truffles
  • Whiskers (my late gerbil Sad smile)
  • Plushball
  • Friskie
  • Bonbon
  • Tom Thumb
  • Jeeves
  • Jeffy
  • Scruffy
  • Sunny
  • Muffin
  • Tootsie Roll
  • Tiny (great for large breeds)
  • Swiffer
  • Spot (for a cat)
  • Almond

I will probably add more as they come to me.  And if you know of a few good names feel free to leave a comment.

Read More »

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Rose Garden

So one day I had just got out of class and missed the bus, and I realized it’s been too long since I last checked out the rose garden at Mesa Community College.  It’s on the north side of campus, open to the general public, and wonderfully in bloom this time of year.  The first thing you notice when you go near it is the delightful scent of roses.  I thought, why not go and take some photos while I still can.  So here they are for your viewing pleasure on my very first Wordless Wednesday.  Well, maybe not completely wordless.

MCC Rose Garden 1

MCC Rose Garden 2

MCC Rose Garden 3

MCC Rose Garden 4

MCC Rose Garden 5

MCC Rose Garden 6

MCC Rose Garden 7

MCC Rose Garden 8

MCC Rose Garden 9

MCC Rose Garden 10

MCC Rose Garden 11

MCC Rose Garden 12

Sadly, not all the visitors to the garden pay attention to this.

MCC Rose Garden 13

MCC Rose Garden 14

MCC Rose Garden 15

MCC Rose Garden 16

MCC Rose Garden 17

MCC Rose Garden 18

MCC Rose Garden 19

MCC Rose Garden 20

Can you believe this is the bus stop?

MCC Rose Garden 21

MCC Rose Garden 22

MCC Rose Garden 23

MCC Rose Garden 24

MCC Rose Garden 25

Bunny!

MCC Rose Garden 26

MCC Rose Garden 27

MCC Rose Garden 28

Read More »