Projects

Crafty Me: Sewing Projects Galore!

I haven’t had time to get back to my sewing machine since my last post until yesterday. It seems like doctor appointments never end around here. Some weeks we have something every stinking day, but this whole coming week our calendar is empty. So, I got back in the sewing room. These little zip cosmetic bags are easy enough, and cute too, so I made six of them in one day.

little zipper pouches — Little cosmetic bags

The last one I made has some sparkles on the fabric. I really wish they showed up in the pictures. It was made of scraps leftover from making a tote bag for my daughter’s niece a few years ago.

zipper pouch cosmetic bag. — Pink sparkly fabric

I tend to save all my scraps that are bigger than about 4 inches. You never know what you can make with just a bit of fabric. It’s not like I don’t have any fabric to work with. My sewing room is full of it. I pulled out these red and white fabrics hoping I would have time to make some valentine projects but that did not happen.

fabric stash — I pulled out these red and white fabrics hoping I would have time to make some valentine projects, but that did not happen.

I found these two pretty fat quarter packs at Wal-Mart last week. I have plans for them, maybe next week.

fat quarters — Two fat quarter packs from Wal-Mart.

I also bought some pretty fabric roses. They will be used in my project next week too. Can’t wait to see how they turn out.

That stack of fabric over there is a lot of flannel, some knits, and some cottons. I have a plan for all of it, just need to feel good long enough and have time to make things.

Yes, still more. I have a lot of men’s flannel over there, and more cotton prints. There are lots of projects stacked up in this room.

There is still more. There is a lot of flannel and some more cotton prints on that cube unit.

When I went in my sewing room to get started, and looked at what was on hand, I found tons of projects that I cut out when we were at the Grand Canyon so that when I had time to sew, all I would have to do would have been to pull one of those projects out and sit down and sew. Those little zipper bags were all ready to sew, stuck in a desk drawer. I also found 7 children’s “Wait Books”, 4 Business Card Wallets, and 3 backpacks. I have so many things to sew up this week that were already cut. Today, I started sewing one of the backpacks.

I would have finished this project today, but my sewing machine went beserk. The bottom thread was bunching up and clogging up the machine. I tried everything I knew to do, with no luck, so I took it to Facebook with pictures of the top and bottom of the line of stitching. I got about 25 responses to my query in about 10 minutes, and got things running smoothly in just a few minutes. I lost about an hour of sewing time though, so will have to finish the backpack tomorrow.

What projects have you been working on lately? Done any sewing?

This #BloggersTalkingAbout series features amazing bloggers writing from the heart. Continue reading more by following these links.

Starting Over by Joanne

Starting Again by Jenny

When It’s Time To Start Again by Traci

Making Mistakes by Karen

Starting Over by Alicia

The Delicate Art Of Starting Again by Nikki

Starting Over by Brandy

Starting Over by Wendy

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Oooooo! Crafty Me!

Karen · 1 Comment

I haven’t sat down at my sewing machine is a really long time, but a request from my good friend, Marcie, prompted me to get myself in the sewing room and get busy. Her husband, Jim, has a job at an amusement park in Arizona that has a Victorian theme, and he needed some sleeve garters to wear with his costume. I had never heard of sleeve garters before Marcie asked me to make some, so I had to google it to find out what exactly they are.

This is one of the black sleeve garters. It is not the best picture ever, but just wanted to show what it looks like.

As I searched for pictures of sleeve garters, I read that in Victorian times sleeve garters started out as ladies leg garters. She would give her man one as a token of her, ahem, affection, so they had lace on them. Other things I read said that back in Victorian times, shirts were thought of as more of an underwear garment, and no respectable man would be seen outdoors without a vest over the top of his shirt. The shirts back then were billowy, and the sleeves only came in one length, so men started to wear garters on their sleeves to help keep them out of the way of their hands. It’s really interesting to find out about how simple things came to be.

One of the red sleeve garters. I like this one better.

I was supposed to get these made about three weeks ago, but I have been a slug for the most part, trying to get used to new medications, and get off of old ones. I finally sat down to make the garters tonight, and will be mailing them to Marcie in the morning.

While I was getting ready to sew tonight, I found a bunch of things that I cut out back in 2012 so that I could sew when I had time. There are 3 backpacks; 13 zipper cosmetic pouches; 2 business card wallets; 7 children’s wait books; and a couple of other things that I can’t remember what exactly they are. I’ll need to figure out what they are and get all that stuff sewn up. Those will keep me “in stitches” for a few days.

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Southern Charm and Gifts Shop New In Tallapoosa!

Karen · 1 Comment

Y’all, I am so excited! Last week, I saw this new store in town, Southern Charm and Gifts Shop. I decided to go in and see what it was all about. And guess what? It is a store that sells handmade things. I contacted them on Facebook, and asked if they take crafts on consignment, and they do!

Today, I went and talked to them, and took the things I had on hand that I have made. They loved all of my stuff, so I signed a contract and put my things in the shop for sale.

Southern Charm & Gifts — Southern Charm and Gifts is located at 2160 US Hwy 78 in Tallapoosa, Georgia

The shop is owned by Sharon and Jerry. They opened up not too long ago, and have several vendors already signed up. Things for sale are crocheted; metal art; wooden toys; handmade greeting cards; several different types of jewelry; and more. One of the neatest things I saw was art made from shotgun shells!

Here are some of my things that are for sale in the shop right now:

Laptop Messenger Bag.

Some wallets and cosmetic bags.

I also have some Big Mama Aprons, and a few crocheted baby things. Here are some photos of some of the other things for sale at Southern Charm and Gifts:

Handmade wooden toys

University of Alabama Wall Art

Cutie cute crocheted baby sneakers:

Handmade Greeting Cards:

There are a lot more things in the shop right now, too many to show all the photos I took. You’ll just have to make a trip over there to see for yourself.

I am sure Jerry and Sharon would love to see you there.

Southern Charm and Gifts is located at 2160 US Hwy 78 in Tallapoosa, Georgia. The phone number is (678) 573-8086. You can contact them through their Facebook page . There is also a website for them, where you can order items online. Follow them on Instagram and Pinterest too.

What handmade items do you like?

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We Depend On Depend® To Keep Our Mother Comfortable

Karen · 8 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CaringMadeEasy #CollectiveBias

Our Mother is 88 years old. She has always been a very independent, strong, hardworking woman. She raised five children, and worked a full-time job for most of the years that we were growing up. So, when she started showing signs earlier this year that she was not able to do things she has always done, it was distressing to me and my siblings. She also started doing some things that if it weren’t for the fact that they indicated her mind was slipping, it would have been funny. For instance, I took her to a doctor’s appointment in April, and she had to give a urine sample. I was in the bathroom with her, helping her with her clothing. To my surprise, she was wearing five pairs of panties, with a Poise® Liner in each pair! When I asked her why she had on so many pairs of underware, she told me that she couldn’t walk fast enough to get to the bathroom and she did not want to wet her pants.

Mama was diagnosed with dementia not long after that, and we (my three siblings and I) had to make some very hard decisions. She was falling down at home because she forgot to use her walker. After the second fall, she was taken to the hospital via ambulance. Her doctor told us she could no longer live alone. So, we decided as a family to admit her to a rehab facility to see if they could improve her strength, while we looked for an assisted living facility to move her to. Last month, we got her moved in to a nice one bedroom apartment in an assisted living home just a couple of miles from my sister’s house.

Now that Mama is in the assisted living facility, she is wearing Depend® Fit Flex Underwear for Women. These disposable undergarments are easy to get on and off, so that if Mama remembers to go to the bathroom, she can just pull them down like regular panties. And if she forgets to go, she won’t be embarrassed in front of the other residents of the facility. If she needs help changing, they are easy enough to get on and off that I am able to help her, even with my disability. Depend Fit-Flex women’s undergarments have all-around leg elastics and a smooth, close-to-body fit. When Mama has them on, no one knows she is wearing them. They are soft, quiet, and breathable so that they are comfortable to wear.

depend fit flex womens undergarments — Depend in the Sam’s Club Pharmacy.

Depend® and Poise® products are both available at Sam’s Club, which makes it really easy for me to pick them up while I am shopping for other things. Sam’s Club is your one-stop shop for all things caregiving, including prescription refills, free health screenings, and health-related products. How do you care for your patients or loved ones and how can Sam’s Club help? Take a look at the Sam’s Club Caregiver page to see all the products and services available in the club. You can also shop online, which is a great time saver.

There is a sticker inside the Depend package that you can use to redeem at the Sam’s Club pharmacy for an awesome caregiver sample kit. I am going to get mine next time I go! And, if you download the Digimark app, you can scan anywhere on the Depend packaging, and it will take you to the Sam’s Club Caregiver website. How handy is that?

Mama has a hard time remembering family members. She usually thinks my sister is her mother, and she doesn’t remember my brother’s name. I decided to make her a Family Memory Book to tuck into a gift basket I am making for her.

To make the memory book, I looked through family photos on Facebook, and downloaded a photo of each family member.

**Next, I chose some pretty paper, and cut out frames for each photo using my cutting machine. I varied the shape of the frames to make the book interesting.

Cut the photos to fit the frames I cut out with my cutting machine. — I cut the photos to fit the frames I cut out with my cutting machine.

**Then, I pasted each photo onto a 6″ X 6″ sheet of colorful paper, and pasted a frame on each one.

To help Mama remember, I used a marker to write everyone's name. — To help Mama remember, I used a marker to write everyone’s name.

**The next step was to use a marker and write each person’s name on the paper, so Mama would know who they are.

I used a hole puncher to punch holes in the paper.

**Last, I punched holes in each sheet of paper, threaded a coordinating ribbon through the holes, and tied the ends of the ribbon in a bow. Now Mama has a small photo Family Memory Book to help her remember the names of her children and grandchildren.

The inside:

Do you have a friend or relative that needs a caregiver? Are you that person? What products or services help you the most? Do you have any tips or suggestions for helping someone with dementia remember those they love most? What items would you include in a gift basket to help their transition into an assisted living facility go smoothly?

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Be Smart When Shopping for Sewing Supplies

Karen · 2 Comments

Stores that sell fabrics and other sewing supplies are constantly trying to attract your business. This is good for you as a consumer. The fact that there is so much competition in this industry means that the prices will be very competitive. However, you still need to be cautious as you are shopping for your sewing supplies. Do not buy all of your supplies from the first store that you come across. That would be a mistake that could potentially cause you to pay much more money than you need to. You should spend some time carefully investigating the various stores that sell all of the items that you are interested in. Here are some tips that you can use when you need to buy some sewing supplies.

1. Find a store that offers frequent discounts.

There are sewing supply stores that frequently discount many of the items they have in stock. They might do this to clear out some of their older inventory. They also frequently mark down items as a way of attracting new customers to their store. Whatever the case may be, you need to make a point of finding out which sewing supply stores discount their inventory more than their competitors. Then you will need to check back with that store frequently to see if they have marked down any items that you need. You need to stay on top of things because the best items are sure to sell out shortly after they are discounted.

2. Search online to learn about the newest products.

Online articles are written by professionals and regular people on a wide variety of topics. The sewing supply industry is no exception. One of the best and easiest ways for you to get the most current info regarding the latest products that are related to sewing is to frequently read online articles. There are some outstanding sewing sites that have been around for a very long time. They have many knowledgeable contributors who are constantly writing posts about new and exciting products in the sewing industry. Suppliers like Paccana are constantly adding new items to their inventory. It is always helpful to stay updated about what these new items are. However, these sewing sites tend to vary greatly in terms of their quality. You need to find out which ones are the most popular. You should also make sure that you only read articles on sites that are updated regularly.

3. Talk to people who are knowledgeable about sewing supplies.

You might think that you know a lot about which sewing supplies are the best. However, there will always be someone out there who knows more than you or me. This is why we need to seek out these people in order to learn as much as we can. There is no shame in seeking guidance from people who have been buying sewing supplies and fabrics for longer than you have. Go to companies that need to purchase sewing supplies on a regular basis. Find out what their criteria is for the materials they purchase. Why do they choose certain brands over others? What type of results should you expect if you buy products made by a specific company? Get their reviews of as many different sewing supply companies as you can. The more research you do, the more money you can save on sewing supplies.

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Diabetes Supply Case: A New Sewing Project

Karen · 12 Comments

I have been wanting to make a pretty bag for a diabetes supply case for quite some time. The problem has been that I could not find a pattern for what I wanted. So, after exhausting all the searches on Google, I decided to just try to make one. This version needs some work. It is NOT perfect, but it still looks better than the plain old drab black case that is standard issue for glucose meters.It is pretty close to my vision for what I wanted to make, but I am not satisfied with it. However, it is a good starting place. It just looks all wonky.

I wanted a bag that I could take with me when we go out to eat, or when we travel. I thought for a long time about what needed to be in it.

a place to hold ice, to keep my insulin cool
a place to put the insulin
a place to hold the glucose meter, lancette device, a pen, test strips
a pocket for insulin syringes
a pocket for used supplies (so I can dispose of them when I get home)

Then I thought about what else I wanted to be in it:

Slots for debit card, insurance card, driver’s license
A zippered pocket on the outside
A place to hold credit cards
A place for a food/blood sugar diary
A travel size Beano (I take them at every meal to reduce the amount of gas discharged into my colostomy bag.)

When the case is opened up, the first thing you see on the left is the pocket with credit card slots. I have six slots. These are holding a debit card, some alcohol swabs, and some business cards. On the right is a see through (clear vinyl) pocket to hold used syringes until I can get home and put them in a Bio-Hazard container.

When you turn over the clear pocket, the removable insulated vinyl lined pouch for an ice pack is located under it. There are hook and loop strips on the case and pouch to help keep it in place. I can put my insulin vials inside the pouch and zip it shut, where they will stay cold all day. Then, if we are traveling, I can remove the pouch, put the insulin in the hotel refrigerator, and the pouch of ice in the freezer section. It will refreeze overnight and I will be ready for the next day of travel or sightseeing fun.

The removable ice pack is easy to take out and put back in.

Just another view of the removable ice pack. It stays in really well with the hook and loop strips.

The pocket for credit card slots needs to be improved a bit. This one is divided into six slots. I can put my driver’s license and a debit card in there, and not have to take my purse with me everywhere. I think that is a big plus.

Turn over the credit card slots, and there are the glucose meter, test strips, an empty test strip container to store used strips until I can get home and dispose of them in a bio-hazard container, my lancet device, and ink pen, and my Beano. These look a little wonky too, but remember, I did not have a pattern, and I was making this up as I went along.

On the underside of the credit card slot pocket, is another pocket for my new insulin syringes. This pocket is big enough to hold a bag of ten syringes. I can keep other syringes in my suitcase until they are needed.

case 09 — This is not really bad for a prototype.

This case is not finished. It needs to have some bias tape to cover the raw edges (I did not have any gray or pink on hand), and a couple of other little tweaks, but all in all, it is not bad for a first version. I am going to add a cross body strap to it too. When we get home from our vacation, I am going to make another one, and do a tutorial post on how to make it. I am also going to try to make a pattern for it. It will have some optional features, because not everyone needs the same supplies.

So, what do you think of my Diabetes Supply Case? What would you want in yours that is not in this one? What would you leave out?

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Making a Toiletry Bag For My Next Trip

Karen · 1 Comment

I’m headed out on a trip soon, and I wanted to make a simple cosmetic bag for myself. The one I have is about twenty or so years old and I just wanted a new one. I looked and looked online and googled looking for a pattern to use or a tutorial. I finally found a cute pattern on Etsy. I got my prettiest fabric and a pretty pink zipper, and started making the bag. It was soon apparent that pattern creator had left something out. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it, but I will say that it was a complete waste of my money for the pattern, my nice pretty fabric, and my pink zipper. I had to go to plan B, which was asking in a sewing group on Facebook what tutorial or pattern the sewists there use for making a boxy cosmetic bag. True to the nature of people with like interests in groups, I soon had several links to follow and finally found a free tutorial that I liked.

I used the tutorial from Sew Like My Mom, but made a couple of changes to it along the way. I did not have any laminated fabric to use, and I was able to salvage the handle from the previous hot mess that was thrown into the trash bag. As I have no sewn much since my surgery in 2012, I am a bit out of practice. I messed up this bag too, by inserting the zipper upside down. I was so ready to quit and forget about a new bag, but I decided I could save this project, for at least the trip coming up, by threading a piece of ribbon through the zipper pull so I can open and close the bag. That’s what I did, and was able to save the project.

I also quilted my bag by sandwiching the lining, the batting, and the outer fabric, and stitching them together before cutting it down to 14.5 X 20 inches. It’s a bit smaller than the tutorial called for, but it is what it is. I am happy with the size of it.

When I get back from my trip, I will try making some more of these, and get the zippers in right. It really is a cute bag, and a good size for holding all your things you need in your carry on bag. What do you think of my bag?

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This Grandma Will Cut You! Cricut You, That Is.

Karen · Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

cricut iron ons — The Princess Amelia T-Shirt

A couple of years ago, I won a Cricut Explore ™ in an online giveaway. I sat in my closet in the box it came in for over a year. Then last summer, my daughter, Emily came over and we played around with the Cricut again, trying to make some things for her scrapbooking. It took us a couple of days to figure it out, but we finally got two scrapbook pages out of the machine, and then it sat around in my craft room for another few months. This month, I finally got around to playing with the Cricut again, and I wanted to show you what I have made with it so far.

The photo above is a glitter iron on. It took me a couple of tries to get it right, because you have to remember to check a box to “mirror” for iron ons. Here is Amelia showing off her new T-shrit made for her by me:

And one more:

Owen's Helicopter T-shirt. — Owen’s Helicopter T-shirt.

Next, I made Owen a T-shirt with a iron on helicopter. That boy is obsessed with helicopters. Well, with anything with a blade, like fans. He is not as into the photo taking as his little sister, so his Mummy had to catch him on the run to get this photo for meYou can tell he did not want his picture taken. That big foot didn’t hide that helicopter though! Thanks for taking the picture for me, Sarah.

The last thing I did was a Peppa Pig iron on for Parker. At three, he is in LOVE with Peppa Pig. I searched the internet for a free SVG file, to no avail. I had to pay for the file on Etsy, just in case you see and go trying to find a file to use for yourself. And if you do buy this particular file on Etsy, note that once you click to check the box to mirror the first cut, it shows all the rest of the cuts as checked to mirro as well. Only they don’t. You have to “cancel the cut” in between each piece, then “go” again to cut the next piece, check the “mirror” box, and cut. And do it all over again for each of the 8 screens. I WAS a pain in the rear, but I finally got through it before I used up all my vinyl with wasted cuts. This iron on has about a hundred gazillion teeny tiny pieces, so a pair of tweezers was a really handy piece of equipment. It turned out really great and I am so proud of it!

My finished Peppa Pig iron on for Parker

I haven’t seen Parker since I finished this, so he doesn’t have it yet. Therefore, I have no picture of it with him wearing it. I’ll come back later when I get a pic and update here. I also made a pair of shorts with some Peppa Pig fabric I found in a fabric selling group on Facebook. I thought I had a boys shorts pattern, but I did not. I DID have a pattern for a pair of pajamas that included a short version so I used that, and the slash pocket piece from a different pattern, to make these shorts with side pockets. Because, you know, boys need pockets for all their stuff.

I can’t wait to see his face when I give it to him!

What have you made this week? Do you have a Cricut? What do you use it for? Did you work on any sewing or crafting projects? I’d love to hear about them.

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