Joined another group

I just joined the Crafters4Obama. If you are interested, check the blog and sign up. If not, thanks for looking!

Thrift Store Apron

I found this apron at a thrift store for 1.50. I have plans to add material on to make it fit me and fix some of the embroidery. Hope to complete it in a couple weeks. Watch for the finished product!!

Frustration and Recipe Cards

I don't know if many of you have been searching for recipe cards recently, but I find it a horrible experience. I can't find cute and creative recipe cards. I had an idea of what I wanted, but I couldn't locate it. I even searched the internet to either find hip recipe cards sold out or stuck looking at sheep or roosters (my apologies to those who love these - but not me!). I decided to make my own. I made the text on the card in Microsoft Word and then found some pictures on the internet and copy/paste them into the card. I figured this was okay since I wasn't going to be selling them!!! I chose the 1950s pin up girls as my "hip" recipe card theme. I love them and am so pleased I decided to strike out on my own!

Finished Craft Space

I organized the craft area today. All that is left is to paint, but that won't be for another several weeks. I was able to organize all my fabrics, get my metal racks organized and get a real flow going. Here are a couple of pictures:My metal racks hold my patterns, materials, ribbons, sewing basket, scissors, markers, buttons and cross stitch items. I have ideas for dresses I would like to make later above the racks. My AWESOME apron from the swap I was just in hangs on the edge so I can wear it while I craft. I LOVE IT!!!

My desk houses more fabric in the large drawer on the bottom, small items and pins in the top drawer, my sewing machine and my journal of ideas. Under the desk I have stowed my scrapbooking bag, yoga mat, iron and a basket of odds and ends. My favorite fleece cowboy pillow rests in the corner for a color splash and for my personal enjoyment. I bought that- didn't make it!!!!! On a fun recycling note, on top of the desk I took three old prescription bottles and covered them with fun paper. I am using them to store things such as my crochet needles.

The bookshelf was made by my grandpa - so it is the most valuable part of my collection. It houses my craft books, old recipe books, scrapbooks and stamps inside my chest. The picture was purchased for me from my dear friend Mindy because it looks just like my dog - Grissom. Mom bought me the dog on a stick (that sounds gruesome doesn't it?) for Christmas because it looks like Grissom as well.

I plan to put pictures of items that encourage my creativity above the bulletin board, but that will also be a couple weeks in the working. I love my area and cannot wait for the hours that will be spent in there creating items that make myself and others happy. Enjoy!

New Craft Desk

I was able to find a desk to use as my craft table and I am pumped. It came it pretty good condition but had been gently used. I went and purchased contact paper from target to cover up the imperfections and give the desk some life. The desk came with a power strip attached so I actually have several outlets to plug items in.

I have had a bulletin board that has been mine since I was in Jr High. I took some of the contact paper and made a border to pull the table and the bulletin board together. I am still organizing my metal rack and materials. I hope to finish that all by tomorrow. Once that is all organized, I will have to paint the wall in a couple weekends when I finish some sewing projects.

I am so happy to finally have my own area to work in. I decided to use green and red because those colors remind me of Christmas and I am the happiest and most creative around the holidays. I will be adding some splash of yellow in too, so that will break up Christmas some!! No more dragging stuff out to the dining room table!!! I will try to post some pics tomorrow of the finished product.

My Apron from my swap partner

Today I received my apron from my swap partner. I was overjoyed at how beautiful this apron is. Even better, it is reversible. I absolutely LOVE it. I want to wear it outside of the house as a top - that is how crazy I am about it. Thanks go out to my AWESOME apron creator - Julie Ross from San Diego, CA. While making the apron and receiving one is such a fun part of this swap, I think the greatest part for me is that someone I never knew before put hours of their precious time into a gift for me to enjoy. Can you imagine what a better world we would live in if we all acted selfless like this? I would put a link on to my swap partner's blog, but I also want to protect her privacy - so for all of you out there, if you could take a moment to leave some comments about the apron that she could check in the comment section - I would love to hear what you think too!!!!! Julie - from the bottom of my heart - thank you for your time and effort that you put into my apron. I LOVE it and cannot begin to thank you enough. You created a masterpiece. Blessings to you and your family.

Apron complete!!!

I did it. I finished my first major apron project, 2 more to go. I had such a blast and learned so much - all from my pattern and books. I am so proud of myself for being able to figure it out all by myself with no classes or help. Go me!!!! Enough self plugging, let's see the results.

I am excited to mail this to my partner, but I hate to see it go too. I enjoyed making it so much. Oh well, on to the next one. I will let you know if I hear from my partner and what she thinks!!

No Sew Tutu for Kalyn

My friend Sarah told me about this cool tutu that could be made with no sewing. She sent me the instructions and I made it today for my niece. It only took maybe 2 hours to do the whole thing and it was fun!!! Here is what I did:

I bought 1 yard of light pink tulle and 1 yard of dark pink tulle. I folded the l. pink tulle in half and cut along the folded side so I ended up with two different sheets of tulle. I repeated the same with the d. pink. I then cut about 2" inch strips (the short length -not the long length) in the light and dark pink sheets. I ended up with strips like this:

I then cut them in half again at the fold side (at the top of the loop) so I got two strips of ribbon from one big one. For example: out of the two pictured above I now had 4 strips.

I cut my ribbon out. I used about 60" of ribbon so my sister in law would have a lot of ribbon to use to tie around the waist.

I folded each side of the ribbon down a few times and ran across it with the sewing machine so the ribbon doesn't fray. I then laid the ribbon out flat and started attaching the tulle strips.

I laid the loop at the top and strips at the bottom. I then grabbed the strips and pulled them through the loop over the ribbon - like this:

I then pulled on the strips to tighten the knot over the ribbon.

I repeat the assembly steps above with one l. pink and one d. pink until finished. Here is what it looks like laying on the table:

I laid in down on the ribbon in a circle like it would be around a waist. Since I don't have any children, I couldn't get anyone to try it on. I looked at my dog, but his look back said "Don't even think about it!!"

Thanks Sarah for the idea and instructions. If I get a picture of Kalyn in it I will have to forward it to you so you can see her all cute!! Good Luck making your own!

More Apron Success

I was able to assemble the apron with the pockets, rick rack, and gathered the top. I am getting closer. Here are some pics:

I just have to put the waistband on, finish the straps and put buttons on the pockets. I love this apron so much and have worked hard on it. I hate to see it go but hopefully my apron swap partner will love it!

The beginning of an apron

I got started on my apron yesterday for swap that is due in a couple of weeks. I didn't make as much progress as I wanted to, but it is started. I will probably get a good majority of done today though. So YAY!!!! Let me post a couple of pics so you can see it starting slowly.

The Material

Flowers

Pattern cut out

Pockets cut and sewn

Today I finished the straps, attach pockets and waistband to apron, and finishing touches with rick rack. I can't wait to see it when it is finished. I will try to post the progress by tonight. Wish me luck!!!

Check out a new apron swap!!!

The site to visit is: http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/

It is a different swap in the fact that there is no theme. You will get a partner and some have described some things they like or you can be creative. Check it out and sign up before March 2nd, so hurry and join now. Here is what the requirements are so you know what you are signing up for:

Total items required to receive a Swap-Bot 5 rating for the swap:
* Handmade adorable adult-sized apron (by you or you could buy one on Etsy I suppose)* A kitchen/cooking accessory of some sort - could be a fun gadget, a small cookbook, or new condiment. Must be valued at least $5.
* Two of your favorite recipes, preferably something fun, flirty and cute! =) (Feel free to make up a fun name for a more-ordinary recipe)
Want hearts on Swap-Bot? Make an effort for adorable packing, naming, creative embellishments, etc. Most of all , HAVE FUN!Click here to join at Swap-Bot.
Not a Swap-Bot member? E-mail me at shawneeh at yahoo dot com with your full name, mailing address and blog URL (if you have one).

As incentive to join as well, she is hosting a free give away on her site. Get the info on the Flirty Apron Swap site about the give away from Maple Lane Apron Company. Sign up and join the fun!!!!

Let the Sewing Begin

THE WEEKEND IS MINE!!! Okay, so starting tomorrow I am going to try to finish as many projects as possible this weekend. I need to finish an apron, curtains, my yoga bag, and many more projects I have started but not completed yet!!! Wish me luck. Hopefully by Sunday night there will be tons of fun photos to see!!!

The countdown begins

This is the last week of training and working until 10pm every night at my job, so this weekend will finally be mine to sew!!!! I have been trying to get a work routine down and papers for school written - so the sewing machine has collected dust. This weekend, however, the dust will be swept off and projects will be started and completed. I cannot wait to get some photos on here. I feel like I need to sweep my blog off too :) I hope this weekend affords you time to work on what brings you joy too!

A Great Gift

I have been so busy lately with work and school that I haven't had a chance to really work on sewing or anything I enjoy, so I have been very sad and mopey. Last night while I was at work I received a wonderful gift. It was what I needed to know that I was at the right job and that even if I haven't had a chance to do what I love to do lately - it is ok! My gift came from a gentleman at the Independent Living Community that I work at. He went to his room after dinner and made it for me. I think it is quite impressive. Please enjoy my wonderful artwork gift.

Check out my collection!!!

Check out my book collection that I have started:

www.beartrapsandroadmaps.blogspot.com