Playing around on Pinterest: Embroidery

Photo Credit: Be So Mom

You know how it goes, you log onto Pinterest to enjoy a little eye candy and you get lost in something dreamy. Every once and a while you find a photo that stops you in your tracks. That's what this photo did for me, I found on Do it Momma's 'Adorn It' board! I was all OMG, I need to know more about this! I quickly pin it onto my inspiration board and then jumped over to Be So Mom's flickr page to see what other good stuff I could find!

Photo Credit: Be So Mom

There I learned that she has been playing around with Alicia Paulson's book, Embroidery Companion. Swoon! I've wanted that book for forever. You know what happened next, don't you? I mosied on over to Posie Get's Cozy for a little more inspiration. After taking an while to catch up on the blog, I landed on her blog post titled Blustery Day!

Photo Credit: Alicia Paulson

Alicia talks about spending a windy day curled up with her pup, tea and embroidery, while catching up on Downton Abbey. Heaven!! I have a little embroidery project too! I have an episode or two to watch too! Next thing you know, I am purchasing her Daisychain Sampler. Now don't all worried about me, I have not delusions of making a sampler -- I might as well start making a quilt. 

My personal project list is relegated to things I can make in an hour or things I can pick up here for a few minutes. Personal projects are usually code for product development. The shoe makers son...

Here's my little personal project, I've just been playing around with an old hankie and some embriory floss that I bought from my LQS, Quilting Adventures. I'm inspired by Linwood Ave's beautiful hoops. (I own two of them!!) When you look at the prints on the hankies, you can almost hear it screaming out for embroidery. Swoon!!

I don't plan on leaving it in the hoop, actually, I don't have a much of a clue what I'll do with my embellished hankie. Maybe turn it into my pillow for my mom, she like pink! My first job was at a craft store that sold crewel, latch hook and cross stitch kits and supplies. I used to make her pretty things all the time. Hmm... I think she needs something handmade, don't you?

Can you tell how long I've been working on my little-bitty project? Maybe someday soon I'll be able to take a page out of Alicia's book and really get to work. Hey, I girl can dream can't she?

Happy Sewing!

RESOLUTIONS

I try to stay away from this very disappointing word. It is just a downer. If you don't lose 15 pounds your a loser and not the right kind of loser. If you don't save $1000.00 a month you are poor. On and on.

So I won't use that word I will use the word goal. I have some pretty cool goals for Modern June. Goals that will positively impact my family. I can not relive the madness of this Christmas. I am not complaining. Just realistic. My goals are so big and scary, it is hard to see them on paper. But I am forcing my self to right them down. I am also finally reading the The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen says that it all here in this one book, am I reading the holy grail? I think I might be!

Through out first section you are given permission to not know what you are doing. You are given "permission and time to learn. Just learn how the machine works and grow slow and smart. Don't be in too much of a hurry." Girls I have a new mantra!

I look forward to learning and reaching my goals someday!

Why Santa, why?

why didn't you think to bring me this....

I love my Craft Mafia! When I need something they always now where to get it. But THIS I did not know I needed this. I mean it has a case. Yeah I have most of these tools but they don't match and have a carrying case. I am going to have to get out on of my collage portfolio cases and make my own. This would have been perfect for those long gone days when I was a free lance costumer. Perfect!

I asked santa for the following and he blew it! I wanted one of these



and one of these in my stockings!







This sewers paradise web site is SewTrue.com you can also find this good stuff at Greenberg & Hammer. Erin was kind enough to tell me about Sew True, a girl needs her options. Thanks Erin.

But what I am really coveting are these pattern hangers, no more lost safety pins to find. No more little pin holes just one nice big one to slid it all into place. Wow that is so professional and stuff. How fabulous costume shop would I be?

Thanks to Miss Link 2008, Nicole Lee, I found an entire box for 19.99 at an ebay shop for Atlas Levy Sewing Machine, Co in LA. Oh the wish list is growing! I have to say that as great as these are that might just be frivolous. But DANG what organization!

If you are all about the pattern making scene here is another post that I did for the Off the Record blog.

3 neat things and some life stuff

1. Angry Chicken has a very cool freebie, very cool gift tags for you to download and print out. too fun! By the way I have an extra Bend the Rules Sewing if any one would like to have it let me know. I ended up with two somehow. What a great book! I want to make the gnome hat some day.

2. Handmade 2.0, The New York Times Magazine has a great article about our crafty lives, our crafty buy handmade movement. The buy handmade challenge list is at 10406. That is so great! Have you taken the challenge?

3. For those of you that are pattern makers I recently found these size charts over at About.com (i end up there a lot). They have made life much easier in the last day or two. I have needed to make several of my apron patterns in plus sizes. I can't tell you how these charts made it so much easier.

Yes I am still working a way, Sunday was not the last day of mad sewing and Monday was not filled with loving family time. I am getting there. Those last 7 items needed new patterns and none of it was cut out. That slows a girl down.

Yesterday I sent out 15 packages. WOW! that is incredible! I just can't believe my good fortune. You all rock! Three aprons left! I am off to sew. And then decorate that tree, it came on Friday and I just sitting there needing love!

By the way my grandmother is being kept comfortable and is in the loving hands of her family and great care. She is truly blessed! I always said that I had to merry a man just has wonderful as my grandfather. He has been nothing but loving and kind.

back in business!

Oh Sewing Machine Goddess, you are truly great!




Yesterday this 50 year old Singer single stitch plowed through 4 Oilcloth Table cloths, 1 Oilcloth Art Smock, a matching Oilcloth Splat Mat, one Plus Size Aunt Bea Apron in Oilcloth as well as another Plus Size Ginger Apron. AND THEN... a Mommy and Me apron set in Black Polka Dots.

What can I say other than this machine kicks @&&! Thanks J. for the loan you are truly a dreamy Mother in Law! And thanks to all the other that offered me their machines! YOU ALL ROCK! I am in good hands with you all. xoxoxoxoxo!!!

Sewing Machine Goddess

Oh Sewing Machine Goddess that looks over all the stitcher's dear sweet machines, here my plea for speedy recovery of my "Bernadette". My Bernina 230 has gone off for repairs! It should take 5-7 days till her return. What, oh what will I do? I am sure that I can borrow my MIL's single stitch or my Janet's machine. Both are lovely machines but they do not handle oilcloth well. I felt so ridiculous for acting like a worried Mamma leaving her baby at the hospital, but I AM really Really REALLY freaked out. With a 49 piece wholesale order due in 9 days, a show this weekend, and several custom pieces. Ok, no time for pity parties... just get to work! I can cutting out the rest while I figure out the machine problem. I guess I could buy a used Bernina so I can use my special feet that I need to use. Boo HOO hoo~

Look what I found today!

I love shopping in my own attic.

So a year and a half ago I could not wait one minute longer for my dining room wall to be gone for good! So I consulted many a professional to see if it was a load bearing wall. I even tore up a floorboard in my closet and went into the crawl space to see which way the beams were going. ICK. So I packed up all my books that lived along that wall and went to tearing it out. I had a blast. I did it all myself! Well till I got bored and just wanted it done! By that time I had done all the framing for the new wall and sheetrocked everthing. The contractors were avaible to start on the back room, now our studio. I said finish it for me! That was good money spent! I like that I did the hard part!


Any way long story short... I have never gotten out the books. Today I went looking for a beading book. Someone gave me in 1991. And I found these great books I had forgotten all about. Shopping in the attic is great.
Who knew I was making the best cutting table I could have imagined! My 6 year old son took this photo. That is his pile of fleece that he picked for our new ModernLovie dolls. More on that later!

Ballykissangel and Oilcloth Aprons

Boy I like my new roomates computer in our studio! I got to half-watch my most favorite TV show--- Ballykissangel!

My sweet hubby has gotten me the DVD's for birthdays, Valentines Day and Christmas's for the last few years. They are special because 9 years ago we found the show aired on PBS on Saturday nights. We were new parents and missed our date nights. Bally K and take out and a colicy baby became DATE Night! Well anyway having seen todays episodes more than twice I was able to whip through 6 aprons today and almost finish 3 more. Yahoo!

I have added to new oilcloth prints to my collection. I am looking forward to getting a new set of pictures taken of them all. I have learned a few new things about my camera and I want to play with it some more.

STUPID SEWING TIP # 1

Stupid Sewing Tip #1 is do not stack your sewing projects on the back of your chair. Why you may ask? Because pins in your back really, really suck! @#!#$$%@#$@#%$^^@#

What more is there to say...

I need a crafty fix

I need to make something. Now do not get me wrong I am caring for little ones and older one's and that is a wonderful job to have. I have painted a room, twice (don't ask) with lots more fun to come. I have been "Super Organizer" and tackled some problem areas. I finished The Hobbit and started reading The Lord of the Rings. But that is not satisfying me right now; nothing makes me feel better than making something great. And if the project is quick all the better. I was such a workhorse prior to Christmas. I had to work hard just to not have a project going in my hands. Here I am ready to work, but we need to get school back on track (I homeschool). Boo Hoo I need to craft. Let's see craft or sleep? And it is not one of those I can go into the studio and gather stuff I already own and whip up something fabulous. No I need to shop! I need a fresh piece of fabric. I need great trim. Crazy color combos that I have yet explore.

I had this idea while at the Bowling Alley on New Years Eve. Bowling from 6-9 on NYEVE is our new tradition. They gave us party favors and had a count down the kids loved it. And we were all in bed by 9:45 safe and cozy! ANY WAY...my little girl was wearing this great shirt. It is totally Maddie!


I love the grey tone on tone. I am having a pink, lavender and orange ric rac dream. I am thinking Tote! And apron. And head bands. Too much a good thing is overkill I know. Maddie picked out the great pink buttons yesterday. She promised I could use on or two. We shall see.

Oh I need one hour at a fabric store and I am golden! Not to mention 3 to 4 hours all alone. One can dream!


Check out the pretty, crazy lights. Sensory o-v-e-r-l-o-a-d....... do you know they have music videos blasting? I was mesmerized. It was 1984 all over again

Look what I found today!

Oh what a find! It was all I could do not to leave the rest behind. Stay tuned to see where these babies end up!