Curtain-Making Time!

I haven't just been cleaning out my craft room! I went through our spare bedroom with a vengeance! And it was there, in a forgotten under the bed storage container, that I came across three packs of curtains that I had bought for our front room and dining room. They had been bought at the same time as we purchased our great room curtains so they would all coordinate, but the curtains needed to be hemmed significantly in order to be used in the other two rooms, and for one window they needed to also be halved so that they wouldn't be too wide for a smaller side window. Also, we didn't have curtain rods for any of those windows! So, I had a decision to make. Either buy rods and get the curtains fixed up to hang, or get rid of them. They had been sitting in the container for 5 years! 5 YEARS! Shameful! Once put into that container I had COMPLETELY forgotten about them! But not anymore! I spent a lot of time over the weekend measuring, pinning and ironing and this week during the evenings I will be sewing and trying to finally get these up!

Hubby's Apron

For Christmas, Hubby and I both received aprons from my mom that she found at a craft fair. Here he is wearing his Carolina Panthers aprons!

Check This Out

I have to show you this nifty gift my mother found for me! She picked it because of the Jaws-themed fabric....but it's also awesome because it's so meditative! It's handmade...and filled with pellets and hidden ocean-themed charms. There's a list attached so you find the items in order, and you could just sit and sit squishing the pellets around looking for things...so fun! Have any of you see anything handmade like this before?

More Matching Fun!

So here's some other fabric I found at Jo-Ann Fabric that called out to me! It has the look of old-fashioned travel stickers! I saw Venice, Rome, Florence, Paris, London and more places we've visited...so I thought the fabric would be great for a traveling project bag! Then, I went ahead and made a matching DPN holder too. Yeah, I made another one! 

Then, I thought about the Christmas project bags I made last fall and thought it was such a shame I didn't have matching DPN holders for them. Since I already had out the pattern, the sewing machine, the lining fabrics and the snap press I decided to go for it!

The two DPN holders on the left match my Christmas project bags. I'll be all ready for knitting up some Christmas socks in December!

Finally...Nice Weather for a Photo!

It took me a bit to have nice enough weather for a photo...but here are the seat cushions out on the deck! They're thin enough that they can be put away in the deck box so the squirrels don't eat them, but they're comfy...and the color is a lot more vibrant than it looks here. I loved the YouTube tutorial I came across...I'm thinking in the spring I may make new cushions for the screen porch. The ones that are out there are old, and they're sagging...it would be nice to make new seat platforms and then get some really cushy foam that you can sink into and just listen to the birds, the windchimes and the fountain. You'll have to check back to see what I come up with!

I Craft So Hard I Sweat Glitter!

While browsing at Jo-Ann Fabrics with my mom I found this black and glittery fabric that says, "I Craft So Hard I Sweat Glitter." I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to sew up a project bag with it! Then, while I was waiting to checkout, Hubby saw a matching mug!

I spent a weekend morning sipping tea from my mug and making a matching project bag and DPN holder. Know what I really loved about these projects? I already had the red lining fabric and the zipper. I saw them together and they made me think of the peek of red on the bottom of Louboutin shoes. It went well with the fabric and I didn't need to buy anything else...BONUS!

Master Chief Pillow

You never know what kind of weird, crafty request you may get. And when you're a craft chick you never want to let someone down! So, Little Man made a felt pillow in the shape of Master Chief from the video game Halo at school, but he wasn't happy that the stuffing was coming out. He also didn't like that his stitches were so obvious, so he asked me to fix it up. Here is the fixed up pillow...it's amazing how using matching thread can really keep crooked stitches from being noticeable!

I Told You I Needed More!

The sewing machine was already out...so it was nothing to quickly sew up this shark DPN holder!! And it's just in time to hold stitches on the needles of my Shark Bite sock!

Pictured below is the 2nd sock. I knit the entire intarsia (picture part)of the first sock, then planned to knit the entire intarsia part for the 2nd. But I changed how I carried the yarn on the 2nd sock and didn't have the puckering that I had on the first...and decided I needed to take the 1st sock apart and knit it again...because it would have bothered me too much to have a rippled looking shark on my sock...can you see the difference? I didn't carry the yarn on the better sock. It made the knitting a little more of a pain...but the shark looks SO much better!

No bueno...hated how this one looked! Glad I took the time to redo it and make it better!

The Cushions Are Done!

I can't show you a photo of the cushions out on the deck in all their glory yet because the deck isn't finished so the chairs aren't on it. But here's proof they're done! The color is washed out here...but I'm so happy with them! I may have to make some for the screen porch next!

One Cushion Down!

Remember that cushion tutorial? Man, I feel like a cushion pro now! So much easier than I thought it would be! (Don't forget you can check out the video here)

Making the template for the cushion was really no trouble at all...and avoided a lot of extra measuring, so that made me happy! Each cushion has two pieces, the top and the bottom.

I've never used basting tape before, and the fabric/tape combo for this project wasn't the best because it wasn't sticky enough...but the corners were so quick to make using it and it made it really quick!

Using the magnetic guide on the sewing machine meant all of the seams were the perfect measurement...very cool!

I just have part of the bottom-back seam to sew closed. I didn't add the zipper on the bottom...though now I'm thinking that wouldn't have been a bad idea. Oh well, maybe next time....now that I'm not afraid of taking on cushions!

Maybe It's Time To Get Started!

I've had outdoor fabric and cushions for months that I want to make outdoor seat cushions with. I've put off making them because I was nervous about them turning out alright (and I've been really busy and have been focusing more on smaller projects that I can work on for a couple of minutes at a time). But, much like 4 years ago when we were pushed to get some home projects done before my bestie came for a visit (read about that here), Hubby is working on staining the deck and screen porch and I need to get these cushions made for the chairs on our deck. So, I think I need to get started, she'll be here in a month! 

I tried to wing it with the first one, but it wasn't as perfect as I wanted and I wasn't happy with how long it took. So, what's a modern craft chick to do? Search the Internet! I found this great tutorial that seems doable...I've cut out the pieces for one cushion,,,I'll completely sew up one before I cut any more fabric (in case it doesn't go smoothly for me). BUT, in the tutorial they used basting tape and a magnetic foot for the sewing machine. Each is a couple of dollars on Amazon so I'm waiting for them to arrive before I take on the sewing.

Want to see the tutorial? Check it out here!

Which One?

So, last summer our neighbors moved and they didn't want their wrought iron deck chairs anymore. They asked if we wanted them and we did, so they are on our deck.  But, they have no cushions. So we really don't use them. You see, the seat part isn't a standard size. I can't just grab some. And, now I'm tired of looking at them and not being able to use them. So I've decided to make some cushions damn it! Jo-Ann Fabrics just had a sale on outdoor fabric (50% off!) and I headed there to pick one that would work with what I had in mind.  The 4 above were the finalists...which one do you think I chose?

EEEK! Will I finish in time?

So last year I saw Susan B Anderson's Christmas socks and perfectly coordinated Christmas project bag and drooled with how fun and festive it looked. When the shop she bought her yarn from had an after Christmas sale I snatched up some yarn...but during the year with my job status changing I wasn't able to purchase a project bag. And I didn't think about it and then, we were putting up Christmas decorations and I thought about it and decided to try to figure out how to make one.

I found a rough pattern, followed it and it was way too small.  I looked at what the type of bag I wanted is usually sized. changed the pattern and away I went. 

And then I broke two needles within 10 minutes (having not broken one in 15 years) and have to wait for replacement needles to arrive....AAAAHHHHHH...will I get at least one bag done in time for Christmas?!?!?!?

2 Crafts in One Post!

I've had some gorgeous Noro sock yarn sitting in the craft room for ages and decided it would look better on my feet than in a drawer....so I went to one of my favorite patterns the Ripple Sockie and knit up these super colorful and comfy slippers.

Meanwhile, I was looking for the perfect sewing pattern to make a Christmas sock project bag. I found an online tutorial here and followed the directions exactly.  I loved the little bags (especially the 2nd which came out perfect, the top one was first and I made a few tweaks to get better results the 2nd time)....but they were too little for what I wanted them for (no way was a ball of yarn fitting in them)...so, I know later I'm going to try again to get the size I'm looking for! But, aren't these little bags just the cutest? And, it was my first time sewing in zippers with my sewing machine!

I have some exciting things to share coming up, can't wait to share!

Breaking Out the Sewing Machine!

My sister LOVES her puppy dog Waylon. So she asked if I could sew him a stocking that coordinated with the one I sewed for her years ago. I still had the pattern, and some of the pompom trim that I used for the cuff. What I needed was the perfect fabric. And I found it in this super cute puppy fabric. Once he opens it for his birthday I'll have to get her to take a photo of it with hers. I hope she (and he) loves it!!

Shark Week Sock Bag

Did you make resolutions for this year? Anything crafty? I love hearing or reading about resolutions from other crafty people.  One year I decided I would tackle steeking...another year I had a project to finish.  This year I have several.  One of them is to learn how to sew project bags for knitting.  With all the great patterns out there, I think it would be a fun thing to learn.  And after a successful trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics with my Mom I really want to sew a Christmas-themed project bag...more on that later...can't wait to show you the fabric!

Until I learn how to sew them myself, I thought I'd share a great one someone else whipped up that I came across on Etsy.  Sewn by Bird Leg Bags it's the perfect bag to hold my Shark Week Socks while they are being worked on.

The workmanship is great...she considered every detail...just look at the zipper pull!!

Fixes

Have you seen the movie 'A Christmas Story'? I'm sure you have.  Well, remember when the super awesome "F-R-A-G-I-L-E" leg lamp breaks and the dad tries his best to fix-it and says the wife used up all the glue on purpose? It's pretty funny.  It came to mind as I tried to push back tears and frustration and fix my smashed yarn bowl.  It was just the capper on some really crappy times we've had lately.  My beloved yarn bowl in tons of pieces.  I sat with super glue and did my best to fix it though it will never be the same.  At least it had a better outcome than the leg lamp!

My other fix-it project was the couch.  I had knit the afghan hoping we could drape it over the couch and disguise the damage to the leather (to repair the cushion the leather repair man wanted $700-800, ouch).  That yarn sheds like you wouldn't believe! I got sick of artfully tucking it and vacuuming up the pills...and I knew I needed to come up with another solution.

So on a trip to PA my Mom, husband and I picked out some microsuede-esque fabric...and the last 2 days I pinned, tucked, sewed and sweat while struggling to get just the right fit.  Hubby thinks it was worth it though...and Little Man said the soft fabric is so much comfier to lay on :)

Sometimes you craft to fix things!

Necessary Craftiness

In the 12 years we've been married, my husband and I have realized that we have a disturbing trend when we find out overnight company is coming...we fix things.  Not little things either...we've been known to paint multiple rooms, paint furniture, buy furniture...anything ridiculous and we've probably done it.  

This last year we were able to do a lot of the things we wanted to with the basement project (which I just realized I need to post about...hmmm...may need to do a weekend post on that for the holiday), but some other things just had to be put off because of money.  Having two houses has been draining us financially, and so extras like curtains or bookshelves just didn't seem important enough to make the cut.  We don't have people over often, and, well, we figured they would just have to understand.  Until I found out my best friend ever was coming to visit from Arizona.  My pride just wanted the house to look a little less thrown together.  I pondered the dilemma and did nothing for months.  Here was the problem...

Our great room is 2-stories.  We have windows on top of windows and to tie the space together I wanted curtains from the top of the upper windows....that meant I needed curtains that were 126" long.  The windows were also only 33" wide...so custom was the only way to go.  After pricing how much it would cost to have curtains made, I knew that wasn't a possibility... all the companies I checked with quoted $500-800.  

I also wanted a big painting for over the mantle that no one else would have.  With blues.  I went on Pinterest (if you're not on there yet, seriously, check it out) and pinned paintings that I liked the look of...then bought the biggest canvas A.C. Moore had with a 50% off coupon...cost of the painting (with paint and new brush) = less than $30.

The painting was a breeze.  The colors look a little washed out in this photo...but it really lends itself to getting lost in in real life.

The curtains on the other hand, wound up being a monumental undertaking.  Here's what I did.  I bought curtain panels that were 57" wide and 98" long from IKEA for $25 a pair. I set up a table in the great room and went to work first adding the length to each panel, then cutting each panel in half and then hemming the raw edges where they had been cut.  I had to do three panels like that to make 6 smaller panels for three windows. There was tons of measuring.  When it comes to sewing my best rule is: measure twice, cut once. 

With the cutting and pinning done upstairs I took the panels downstairs when I had to sew.

Hubby put up the curtain rods and we both worked together to steam the wrinkles out of them.  Total cost for the curtains = $50 (I used three panels that I split and then one extra to use on the other three for length). I also bought 2 other pairs for the library and dining room once we put up rods in there.  Obviously I saved a lot of money making curtains myself.  Since we have blinds they didn't need to be lined, and they aren't fancy, but they really make the room look put-together.  The curtains took me about 2 days to do (14-15 hours).

The other eye-sore of the house was the front living room that we plan to use as a library.  There were 23 boxes sitting in the corner filled with books and decorative items that we had no shelves for.  Well, we got a debit card as a reward from our bank and used them to get the majority of the bookcases for the library.  Hubby put them together and I spent the day before Tenasha arrived unpacking 18 boxes of books.  My back was sore that day! Eventually the bookshelves will have another row of shelves up top and will go over the window...but for now, no more boxes!!!  And my Kennedy book collection is out where I can see it!  It was like Christmas seeing all those books that have been boxed up for so long!

We put a lot of work into the home projects, but it's been so nice looking at the improvements.  We're fortunate that we're handy enough to tackle these things so we can save money. 

Now a shout-out...

To My Mother, for the seriously pimp sewing scissors that cut that fabric like butter...and for teaching me to clean the windows before you put up nice new curtains...even if you have to wash each blind individually...and it takes you 4.5 hours...and you want to cry.  Because when Tenasha came she actually touched one of the blinds to see what material it was made out of, and all I could think was thank GOD I had cleaned it and greasy dust didn't get all over her fingers thereby letting her know her best friend was a dirty pig who spent days making curtains just to have someone stay in a dirty house...because that may have been embarrassing!

December Highlights Part 2!

Since January is already over (where did the whole month go?!?) I thought I better quick fill you in on the rest of our fabulous December!

I got some crafting in when I used the Cricut to make a sleigh card for Little Man's teacher and I put a gift card and some candy in it.

Little Man got pajamas made by his Crafty Grandma (hmmm, may need to come up with a suitable Craft Chick nickname).  The pajamas say I love grandma...very cute and comfy!

I had a great birthday filled with family, food (we ate a LOT), cards and gifts.  I even got some time to myself to squeeze in a run! It all started with a great breakfast at a local diner where the waitresses sang 'Happy Birthday' and brought me a muffin with a candle in it.  We went to the memorial garden, ran some errands, and my brother and his family came to help me celebrate.

My brother also decorated my cake, and wrote a message about me being so old.  That's how he is, ever the jokester!

Christmas morning was filled with surprises for everyone!

And more crafty goodness from Grandma North.

And some cool new gadgets!

Then we headed to my brother's house to do it all again! And we hung out and had dinner.

And, we opened our traditional Christmas crackers.

And the kids were too cute in personalized Santa hats that my sister-in-law had for them!

The kids always have a great time together.

The day after Christmas my brother, James and I had some fun deep in the woods.  We went for a hike...

...and then we went shooting.  We had so much fun shooting up glass bottles and a spinning target.

Bet you weren't expecting that kind of an end to the Christmas festivities post, were you?