Don't worry...it's a gift

No, I haven't changed my allegiance...

I'm still a Vikings fan.  

Little J had a birthday party to go to today for a neighborhood friend. 

The Packer fans on the block.

It seemed fitting that her American Girl doll would be a Green Bay fan as well. 

The gifts should have been opened by now so I think it's safe to post this. 

If not...hey, what are you doing browsing the internet while the party is going on?!?!

Put that smart phone away.

 

Coffee Cozies

Just a few things I whipped up the other day. 

 

Flannel Ragtime Quilt

 

In my previous post I mentioned a quilt...my first quilt...that was made nearly 13 yrs ago. Long, long before I started blogging...probably even before blogs were a thing.

 

I made this quilt during little boy nap-times.

The front is warm tones and the back cool blues.

It's a perfect throw blanket on cold winter nights.

In fact, there is sometimes a fight over who gets to use this quilt when we are all watching TV because it's the best one to snuggle under.

 

Sew....

I've been brainstorming some more ideas to use up the things I already have on hand and make some Christmas gifts in the process. 

I had a small stash of flannels from a ragtime quilt I made when my oldest was a baby. He's almost 13 now. I should show that quilt sometime. It was my very first one.

Anywho... with the weather turning colder, flannel just seems right. Something to warm the hands or toes in boots.

Maybe a something cozy for your cuppa joe.  We'll see.

 

Upcycled t-shirt scarf

While cleaning out my closet this week, I discovered this chartreuse t-shirt. I was destined to be donated  since I just couldn't get used to the color on me.

I had seen a tutorial on Pinterest for a fringed t-shirt scarf so I figure...why not try it.

Here's the original pin:

Source: myblessedlife.net via Halle on Pinterest

So back to my project. I cut the shirt below the arms then cut fringe about half way up the shirt.

I then tugged on each fringe until it stretched nicely giving it nice texture and movement.

And the completed scarf...

I think I can handle a splash of chartreuse much better than a whole shirt of it.

Sorry that each of my photos are a different hue. The actual color is somewhere in between this photo and the previous one.  Bad photo day for me and Photoshop can only do so much.

 

Scrappy sleeping bag

I'm really happy with the way all the random fabrics from my scrap bin came together in this American Girl doll sleeping bag.

(etsy)

 

Girls day part 2

As I mentioned in my previous post, Little J and I did a bunch of crafting on Sunday afternoon. Not just the two salt dough recipes.

I made some cards while she painted. 

Once again...thanks to Elizabeth for the awesome handmade paper used in the "Home is where the Heart is" card.

While she waited for her paint and glue to dry, she went off to play. I started work on another scrappy sewing project. Basically grabbed scraps from the box and started sewing.

Here's a little sneak peek...

 

Garage sale season!!

It's that time of year again! 

The garage sales have begun. I scored big time today. It was a moving sale. They just wanted the stuff GONE! 

I got ALL of this stuff for $4.00. 

Oh yeah! 

Once again this year I'm trying my very hardest not to buy anything new...aside from adhesives...

But rummage sales, thrift stores, garage sales and free bins are not NEW items. 

 

Postcard Challenge week 13

After having to take a couple weeks off from Darcy's challenge, I'm back with my...or shall we say...Maggie's postcard and page. 

Maggie continues to send her drawings or paintings to Thadeus.

 
She writes:
Thadeus-
  Please let me know that you are alright. You haven't responded to the letter I sent from my Aunt's home. I had to skip my adventure to The Netherlands to care for the poor dear after her fall.
  I am having a wonderful cup of coffee here in Istanbul. Next I am off to explore the Grand Market. I know it will be a feast for the senses.
  Please write.       Warmly- Maggie

So that's why there was no postcard from the Netherlands.  

*wink*

My page has a small "mug rug" and some stained shipping tags. Maggie must have found some fun things to send home at the Grand Bazaar.

The pocket is from a chunk of altered fabric given to me by Belinda Spiwak years ago. I think it adds just the right pop of color and texture.

 

Sewing like crazy...

I've been sewing like there is no tomorrow. 

I've managed to make a tiny dent in my fabric stash. 

Little J picked out colors for her American Girl doll sleeping bag. Her doll came with a lavender outfit so she has decided that lavender is "Rosie's" favorite color. 

I have one more ready to go and 2 more that are just in need of finishing.   

I'm partial to this red patchwork one myself.

(esty)

Doll sleeping bag

 

For Christmas this year, our daughter received an American Girl Doll. She's been wanting one for years. My only issue is that all the American Girl brand accessories are really spendy just because they have the logo. 

Yesterday I decided that I'd try to make a sleeping bag for her. I grabbed my box of blue scraps (once intended for a boy quilt) and started piecing. 

With a few measurements of the doll herself, I decided on my size.

I'd say it fits pretty well.  

Little J liked it a lot with the exception of the colors. I figured that would be the case so this one will be a gift and I'll be making another in the colors of her choosing.

I got to go crazy with my free-motion foot. 

I had to stop after breaking 3 needles and read up about what in the world I was doing wrong. 

Turns out I was moving my hands to quickly and pulling the needle out of alinement so it would smack down onto the footplate and snap.

 

Creative ADD

I've been all over the place lately when it comes to creativity. 

I think I may have Art ADD (attention deficit disorder). 

Ok...some might argue that I have ADD in other areas of my life as well but the Art ADD is self-diagnosed. 

I blame the other on Motherhood. Children steal you're ability to keep a clear running thought in your head. :) But I wouldn't change a thing.

Anyway...these are the things I've done in the past week.

I papered our recycling cabinet to match the fridge.

Knitted another dishcloth on the loom...

Knitted a cowl on the loom...

Miniature terrain on a recycled CD...

Another terrain piece...

And last night I started another twirly crochet scarf because my elbow was hurting from the repetitive motion of the knitting. 

Crochet seems to work my wrist more and doesn't bother me.

In addition I've been washing and ironing my way through a large box of old linens. Deciding what is decent enough to save and use and what I can use in my artwork. Vintage linens and fabric are part of my idea for the Postcard Challenge book.

So, yeah...definitely Art ADD.

Patchwork Ornament

This came from a small oddly shaped patchwork piece in my stash. It was going to be one of the tissue packs but got buried under other bits and pieces. 

Now I'm glad it did! 

Makes a cute puffy heart ornament.

Tea dye

The other day I came across this cool tea tin. Now I'm not a big fan of Jasmine or any floral tea for that matter but I did like the tin. Who knew it would be full of tea. Not wanting to actually drink it I decided to do a little experiment. I had some scraps of muslin so I heated some water and threw the muslin and tea in with it and let it sit all day while I was out and about.

It didn't get as dark as I believe black tea would have but the fabric strips are a nice aged color.

So what did I do with them you ask...  

a little layered fabric hair accessory for my girl.