Trouble with Blogger

Saturday, March 30, 2013

I am so sorry I have been away so long... I was having trouble getting into my account since they changed the layout on Blogger.. I hope I have that fixed now and can start posting again.. I have missed my little blog.

Hopefully something fun to post soon.

I did volunteer my time last weekend for Final Call Quilts... I just love the idea and the people that started this awesome non-profit group. I will be going back and helping with my sewing skills!!

If you would like to donate or know more about Final Call Quilts.
 The invisible link is not working.. so here it is :O) http://www.finalcallquilts.org/

Wishing all of my readers a..

Tote Handles

Carol asked how I make my Easy Peasy tote handles....

It's hard to explain without a photo.... I hope my Photo example helps.

First I decide what color I want my Main fabric. I cut this strip to 2 1/2" wide and desired length. (I cut these strips from centerfold to selvage on the material. I use my ruler and rotary cutter). Fold this strip in half and press wrong sides together with edges even to one side, and the ironed crease on the other side. Open the Main strip and fold and press the raw edges to the center as indicated in the photo.

This is the same way you would make a bias strip.

Cut a piece of batting 1" in width and the desired length. This batting strip is placed inside and down the center of the main fabric fold. Press all of this flat. Cut a 1 1/2" wide accent strip with desired length.

This accent strip is also made like a bias strip.

To construct.. Place the main fabric and batting with raw edges up. Next Pin the raw edges of the small bias to the cover the raw edges of the main fabric opening. As shown in the photo. Stitch down either side of the small bias to secure it and cover any openings.

I have found I love adding the accent trim to the handle.. but you can make them the old fashion way.

4 inch strips.. fold in half then fold in half and stitch down either side of strip to secure. If I do a handle this way I also add a bit of iron on interfacing to make them a bit stronger and not so wimpy.

I hope your not to confused with my instructions. Once you make one.. you will understand my concept.

Up-Cycle time again

Hello my sweet readers.. I want to first thank everyone for all their kind words and notes letting me know that I have been kidnapped and held in Scotland... I hope the problem is corrected now, and you won't receive any more emails... I am so sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced from that email....

As most of my readers know that Winter is not my friend.. nor is it a good time of the year for me..what with the usual aches and pains.. I still have pain from the surgery. The pain from the surgery is getting better... slowly but surely :O) The little ole nerves are just slow to wake up!

I have been trying for the life of me to get my MoJo back on... but so far this is it....

I did have a few days where I felt up to sewing so I decided to take a Hospital Scrub that I had and made myself a new tote bag. I am always taking things to Big Daddy O's and Momma Bears. I thought it was about time I had a new Book bag for it.

The tote is fully lined with tons of pockets on the inside.. the band across the bottom is separated by three pockets. I even used the original pocket on the back of the tote. I wanted accent colors bright to match the whimsical cute little Children on the fabric. The tote handles are made with my famous easy peasy construction.... Ms Nadine loves how I make my handles ;O) She has used this method several times on her own recent projects.... I hope you enjoy this fun Up-cycled project :O)

Am I in the TOILET?

What the heck is wrong????
 I have had two weekends where I could be sewing. I am just setting and watching TV.
I wonder what is wrong with me....

First maybe..... I am at a cross road... I don't know what I want to sew first. There are so many fun and interesting projects out there to sew.

What to do first....Is it to finish all the UFO's setting around? Or do I just wanna start a new project.

Second do I want to try and design something new?

Third am I just tired of sewing and need a break from it for a while? 

My Mo Jo left me about six months ago and I don't think it has returned yet!!!

A little Shout Out

My daughter is a stay at home mother of 4. She has recently opened a little Etsy shop. Please run by and take a look see at the wonderful products she has to offer.

Taking a Break

Hello my sweet blogging friends.... It's already the New Year and it seems like life still hasn't slowed down one little bit for me. I need to catch up on some honey do projects now that I am feeling better. I just fixed my sink that was broken since Ms Nadine C was here in Aug. I have several more house hold projects that need to get done. Can't be doing those if I am on the silly computer or sewing all the time.

I have given this a great deal of thought.. BUT........

I am sorry to inform all my sweet blogging and swapping friends......

I have decided to take a break for a while from Hosting swaps. The last few swaps I have posted, there hasn't been much interest. Don't get me wrong..I love swaps.. but it seems like swaps are becoming a thing of the past over this last year. Several swap mommies have stopped hosting swaps, due to lack of participation.

I will see what the year ahead brings.. I have not ruled out swaps entirely.

Having said that thank you everyone that has joined in on my swaps in the past. I have really enjoyed meeting you and seeing all of your wonderful projects!!

I am still always up to one on one swaps.. send me a post and give me a suggestion.

Happy Stitchin and No Rippin :O)

New Years Eve :O)

**** UP DATE****

The Christmas blocks are now in the mail. If you owe postage more than a $1.00.. please pay via Angel Fund Donation button here on the BLOG. It is located on the left side bar... Thank you :O)

Hello Sweet friends :O) I hope your Christmas Holiday was filled full of happiness and joy. I want to thank everyone for not getting to upset with me about not getting your swap blocks sent out last weekend. I now have them all sorted and packaged up to be sent out today. Thank you to everyone that sent along little gifties, cards, fabrics, patterns, sweets and special Pitty gifts as a thank you ....for hosting the swap. It's always nice to received the sweet gestures of appreciation.  

I am waiting a bit for the morning traffic to die down.. it has iced and snowed over nite. I want to be able to take my time going to the post office and back :O) 

This Holiday Season has been a busy one for me.. with losses of loved ones, illness, and helping others in need. I am hoping that the New Year brings bigger and better things for all of us. 

I forgot to mention that The Pitty and I delivered Christmas dinners on the Wed before Christmas. It seems like once the dinners are delivered.. it's only a day or two before the Holiday. That tells me that I am running short on time and better get it in gear ;O)

I have some pretties to show you for the time that my readers so graciously allowed me to have the weekend before Christmas..... I think the projects turned out amazingly fun and adorable. Look see what we did :O)

I might have this wrong in order.. but this is the Youngest Grand-Munchkins stocking.. it's for a little girl. She loves purple.

 This stocking is for the DH. Looks pretty manly don't you think?

 This stocking is for Grand-Munchkin number one girl.. she is a very girly girly :O)

 This stocking is for the Grand-Munchkin number two boy.. he loves playing the veggies and zombies game.. we thought the fabric was fun and interesting for him. He will laugh when he sees it :O)

 This stocking is for Grand-Munchkin boy number one. He is a rock n roll sort of guy. He loves skateboards and motocross bikes.. the fabrics sort of suit his personality... Sort of Hip-ster teen meets Santa :O)

 This stocking is for the Original Munchkin... she loves loves loves it.. I picked out the fabrics for her stocking... she will say no you didn't.. but I will say yes I did.. you wanted a fabric that looked like eyes ;O) LOL

 Each one of the stockings match the personality of each recipient.... My daughter did the hand-stitching and she and I put the blocks together. It was a hard charge to get them done in a couple of days. The nite before we went out to dinner and when we came home we started picking fabrics. The next morning we changed our minds and went on the hunt for more fabrics. Finally after two or three hours we decided on the fabrics shown. I was a slave driver. Each stocking had to be hand cut. We winged the whole project without much of a pattern. Each mofit was cut individually to fit into the stocking. 

I have to tell you the stupid thing I did.. while the DD was getting the heels and toes ready to iron on the stocking fronts I was cutting out the stocking fronts. When we had all the pieces together and ready to sew. The DD was cutting the liners. I was just whipping out the stockings nothing flat.. until I got ready to put the liners in and discovered .... Yes you guessed it!! I forgot to blanket stitch around the toes and heels... We had to do it by hand.. I was not going to take SIX stockings apart at this late stage of construction... They got stitch and the linings went in... AND I think they turned out AWESOME!!!

The stocking below is the one that I made for my partner in the 2012 Stocking swap. She loved it.. her return stocking to me is equally awesome... I still need to get a photo of it for you.... Hopefully later today :O)

Until next time...................

 

✫˜”*°•.✫`'*°☆..`'*☆.ღ.☆*'´..☆°*'´``✫
♥ [̲̅H̲̅][̲̅a̲̅][̲̅p̲̅][̲̅p̲̅][̲̅y̲̅][̲̅ ̲̅][̲̅N̲̅][̲̅e̲̅][̲̅w̲̅][̲̅ ̲̅][̲̅Y̲̅][̲̅e̲̅][̲̅a̲̅][̲̅r̲̅] ♥
✫˜¸¸.☆*´¸.☆ from M and The Pitty ☆.¸`*☆.¸¸✫˜”*°•.✫
. . . Wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy 2013!

 

Please Don't Be Mad!

Hello sweet friends... I have decided to wait until the Weekend before New Years Eve to sort blocks. Yes that is next weekend. My daughter came this weekend and has asked me to help her finish up Christmas Stockings that she is giving to the grand-munchkins for Christmas. Was I to say no???  I told her yes I would be delighted to help. The blocks are already late and I knew you would not mind me doing something nice for my Sweet Family.. 

Thank you all for understanding the additional delay :O)

Christmas Blocks

LOL I know I know... photo too funny or at least I thought so :O)

Now on to the business... I am so so sorry for those who thought they would get their blocks back in time to make a Christmas Quilt this year. Block Swaps never come together on time! I will be sending out the Christmas blocks I have received this coming weekend. Some of you might get more than one of your blocks back. Not everyone that signed up completed. In fact the someones that did not complete wasn't even adult enough to e-mail back and say ...SORRY Not doing it..... so I could at least attempt to find someone to fill the spot.... 

Having said that.... I hope everyone has a Wonderful and Joyous Holiday Season!

Christmas Ideas for 2012

Hello Sweet Blogging friends.. I thought I would send out a post today. It seems like I haven't been on the computer much of late. I don't know if its because I have been very busy with loved ones being ill or just plain ole tired. But no matter.. I wanted to share some fun links with all of my sweet followers.

Magenetic Paper Dolls

 Here is a fun project for those little girls on  your list. You can find the post here: Make It and Love It.

Art Bags for Boys and Girls

I just love these little art bags for the little ones. You can find the tutorial to make one like this at 

From An Igloo.

 Air Fresheners

Here is a fun Idea that would make awesome gifts. You could use any type of jar for this. New ones vintage ones.. the choices are endless. You can find the how to here at Tasty Kitchen.

Icy Cold Packs

I don't know about you but one of these little cold babies would be awesome to have. You can find the tutorial here on  how to make one.  DisDressed

Hand Painted Walking Sticks

Here is a really cute idea.. I would love to have one of these. You would be the envy of all your neighbors if you were out walking with one of these awesome walking sticks......These could be made with love from your little munchkins to anyone in your family :O) Sorry no tutorial.. but I am sure you get the idea. Find the article here at Pepper Paints.

Lavender Sachets by Martha Stewart

This looks like a very fast and a bang for your buck sort of project. I love it!

Hand dyed Socks

Don't these look fun and messy to make. I just love hand dyed anything.. you can find the fun tutorial here at Craftingagreenworld

Pinecone Fire Starters

I made some firestarters for my family a few years ago and they loved them. The ones I made was using old paper egg crates laundry fuzz and wood chips.. but I like this idea best. Seems a bit faster and less messy. You can find the tutorial here at Mrs. Adventure.

Fabric Dish Mats

I really need to make a few of these for me. Nadine C has made some for her home and she says it makes washing dishes much more fun. Your can find the Post at Noodlehead. If you read the article she also provides a link to a PDF for this project.

Cat Scarf

Run over to craftster to find the instructions on how to make this adorable cat scarf. When I had my neck surgery Ms Nadine made one of these for me to use under my neck brace. The hard plastic was uncomfortable on my skin. This little kitty turned out adorable.

Speaking of gift ideas.. I love these. I want to try and make some next year for the guys and girls in my family. Run over to
 JCasa blog and you will find a link for the PDF.

 

Gardeners Bucket

Make your own adorable one of a kind gardeners bucket... go to Little House to get the tutorial on how to make this adorable apron for your bucket.

I hope this gives you some fun ideas to make for family and friends for Christmas this year ;O)

Happy Stitching and no Ripping ;O)