I Think Things Will Be Back To Normal Now.

Hello All,
I can't believe a whole week (and a day) has flown by since my last post!  I knew I was missing something & that there was a reason for the gnawing in my tummy ~ I miss my blog!

Last Thursday, my niece & nephew from TN came to visit for the long weekend.  They are in their teens and lots of fun.  As a matter of fact, this was actually their birthday weekend. My nephew turned 16 on Thursday and my niece turned 18 on Sunday. We celebrated at my house, at G-Ma & G-Pa's house, and in San Diego for two days! We went shopping, many trips to the yogurt shop, doggie park, bowling (well, not me...THEY like to bowl.  I don't wear rented shoes ~a quote I borrowed from my girlfriend). They even humored me with a little Facebook game time. My niece was sweet enough to model a few of my ETSY items for me. (Like I had to twist her arm! She was pretending my hallway was a catwalk as soon as the apron strings tied a bow around her neck !!! )

My Latest Apron.  Retro Style with Bunnies.

Modeling the pink scarf with "fun fur"

Modeling the purple multi-color scarf I made.

As you can see, she had a blast!  Even though she's super tiny for 18, she still couldn't fit into the toddler size dresses I made.  But don't think we didn't try!  That's one thing I do need to do is get a model for my handmade things.  I think they would display much better than on a table or hanging from my orange tree, don't you think?

Modeling The "Tooty-Fruity" Green and Pink Half Apron

We used up every minute they were here, and just as they were getting used to Cali time, it was time to leave on that jet plane again.  That took place at O'Dark Hundred Tuesday morning.  I made my brother stay over so that he could do the 3:30am pleasantries, like waking them up and gathering loose ends before rushing off to the airport.  Luckily John Wayne airport is ten minutes away! We look forward to seeing them again in summer and having a lot more than five days.
Later that Tuesday morning my hubby had a procedure and required an overnight stay at the hospital. All went well. I brought him home last night and I think "normal" routine will be mine again.
I did get to finish up my latest apron and make a little zippered pouch.  Oh and I finished a scarf              (I started a long while ago)   on the car ride to San Diego and in the hospital waiting room. Just need to finish it up with the fringe.

Zippered Pouch with unusual shape!

The Inside Of Pouch

The little pouches are fun to make.  I don't have a pattern, I usually go by how much leftover fabric I have from a previous project. For this one, both the fabrics, inside and out, as well as the zipper are recycled and repurposed.  It just goes to show you that it's a good thing to hang on to those odd pieces of fabric!  (zippers and buttons, too).
 

I'm going to call this scarf "Sherbet" because that's what it reminds me of.

Or maybe a 50-50 bar !

One more thing before I go.  I have to mention about these tags I ordered from a fellow ETSY shop (SillyLilly). They arrived yesterday and they are so awesome! Unfortunately she is closing shop but fortunately for all who purchases from her, the prices are amazing!!  I'll need to order again !! Check these out :

Gift Tags & Paper Flowers From SillyLilly

Okay, so they're not all tags but I couldn't resist the flowers with the *bling* in the middle. Could you? Each little package of 28 or so pieces were only a dollar! That's right, one buck. My recommendation is, if you need anything like this, take advantage now!
Just click Right Here  You won't be sorry :-)
Until next time,

Whew this week flew by!

It sure has been a fast week and certainly busy! My husband and I were treated to a night away in San Diego and Wine Tasting Tour to celebrate our 29 year wedding anniversary.  All compliments of my Mom and Dad.  This was our first time and it was interesting as well as totally fun. We had a great time.

Sitting among the grape vines. They aren't producing right now.

We took some really great pictures and of course it helped that the day was beautiful and so were the images.

Don't even need a caption for this.

It was really an interesting process. I didn't realize how much work was involved.

I was able to finally get a little sewing in towards the end of the week, even though my straight stitch machine decided to pop a part.  I know that doesn't sound very technical but  seriously, i do not know what this little piece was that came off my presser foot. I will take it in for service and luckily my Mom's machine was here and I exchanged it out in no time.

I had my 2nd sale in my shop this week!!  One of my half aprons.  It's so fun to wrap up your item and prepare it for shipping.  I just love the whole process from start to finish.
TIP FOR THE WEEK:
I've had it on my mind to keep everything organized, no matter how big or small this is.  I bought this cute 3 ring flowered notebook to hold all things important.  I've printed out an extra copy of the invoices from my sold items and put them into a clear paper protector holder.  The invoice has a description of my item along with a picture.  I stapled a small swatch of fabric in the lower corner and on the back I attached the receipts involved in the product. (like the shipping receipt , etc)  These items will go under my first tab.  Under the next tab will be the items I purchase.  So far, not too much but I have bought zippers and buttons, seam binding and ribbon.  Supply stuff... all really cute!  I think I will put my blog and website and twitter info under the other tabs, maybe even an inventory tab, too.  All this is so easy now since my shop is new and I've only sold a couple things.  This will be easy to keep up and at the end, if taxes are involved, I'll have all the info at my fingertips.  This is the master plan, anyway!
I added a few things to the shop.  One is the knitted scarf I talked about last time.  I had this grand idea of embellishing it with ribbon and beads. It looked so good in my mind but not so much in the sewing room.  Plain it is.... just the yarn I knitted it with.  Sometimes that happens and maybe it was just this scarf that it didn't turn out well. Maybe another type will be just fine with ribbon and beads.
I also finished a Valentine apron.  I found some wonderful linen and decided to line it with that.  It was a bit difficult just because the threads are not as tight as the main cotton fabric I was using.  I couldn't believe how much stretching was going on, even after I washed in really warm water and dried it bone dry. Even ironing at each stage of construction didn't keep it under control.  It took a little longer than normal but I like how it turned out,  I even got to use a button I purchased from a fellow Etsy shop owner. The linen sure makes it feel like a sturdy apron!  Check it out.

Front side

Back side - yep, that linen is just screaming to be ironed again!

Close up of front pocket and little button embellishment

.

Well, that's about all for now.  I just noticed the time and it's already morning.  The week flew by, The day flew by and in a few days, it will be February.

Until next time, stay sparkling!

Looks like another great day today!  I've been busy figuring out (still) all of the internet stuff.  I hate to think I'm a slow learner, but I do know that my talents are really in the sewing! Although It's always good to challenge my brain every now and then.
So I've got Valentine's Day on the brain.  Check out this cute fabric I found the other day.

I've started an Apron and should have it posted on my site by tonight.  I'm lining it with an off white Linen. I'll need to figure out something foofy to put on the pocket, after all, it's for Valentine's Day!  YaY !
I finished a narrow scarf.  The yarn is darker, with blues and browns.  Before I post to my shop, I'm going to add a little surprise to it. Hopefully it will turn out.  The picture in my head is totally awesome. Let's see if I can duplicate that.  Here's a preliminary picture:

It seemed to take forever to make this one but maybe because I limited knitting time to car rides and waiting rooms.
My next project won't take as long.  I LOVE the yarn.  Besides being so bright and rather colorful, it's thick and feels like a chenille, Very warm and cozy. Will be hard to sell. Only because when it's finished, I'll want to keep it for myself.

Here is a picture of the newest knitting project:

Sooo  soft and sure to be warm!

I can't seem to stay away from children's clothing clothing,  I think because I can usually finish a project in a day or less. So last night, I cut out a bib, out of Valentine print.  It's a cotton knit, nice and soft.  I think I will make the reverse side in terry cloth.  I remember how little one's need absorbent items around them when eating.  This bib won't catch the projectile stuff but will certainly serve well in the dribble department!

That's all for now.  Happy sewing to you!  I'm always open to hearing what project you are working on.  Please leave me comments, I love reading them.
Until next time, stay sparkling.

It's such a beautiful day in So Cal today! Makes me want to do things outside.  Finally a nice break from the cold weather. I'm rather embarrassed to even bring up "cold" because compared to every other state, we are pretty warm.  But my blood is thin and numbers in the 60's means it's time to break out the scarfs, long wool coats, gloves and high boots.  And of course there is my personal rule:  40 degrees.  Do not leave the house if it's 40 degrees or lower.  No point, it's just too cold.  Sorry to all my friends and family living in those places with snow and 40 degrees or lower!
I hope everyone is staying healthy. I'm sure trying.  Especially as I see people dropping all around me.  I hold my breath a lot, so I don't have to breathe in their germs and possibly catch what they have.  My youngest son is one of the ones.  He came home yesterday very sick.  He lives on campus in the fraternity house. His resistance has got to be low anyway because in those houses, not much sleep happens and way too much drinking of your daily calories goes on.  I did all I could to help him last night but today we are off to see the doc.
As far as my sewing and crafting goes, I do have a couple new things to add to my store.  A knitted scarf and adult jammie bottoms (to match the toddler/child bottoms) in a cozy, warm bright fleece print. I have to take a very short break at my machine because of a small setback, but that just means I'll be doing more hand sewing/knitting type of things and learning more blog & website tips and tricks.  Speaking of tips....  I wanted to have a tip of the day or week or post - something like that - and I thought of one the other day.  It's about seam binding/bias tape.  Seam binding is a great invention!  You can do so many things with it.  One thing is to cover up a not-so-perfect seam! Or the obvious: finishing the edge of your project, like a baby bib or apron or placemats...Also, if you run a few stitches through it, it can be used as a loop on an item or an extension to a zipper pull.  But what if you can't find the perfect match for your project?  Have you ever thought of making your own?  You do need extra fabric for this because it's cut on the bias for best results. I had to do that with the red and white star diaper cover I made.  I did not have a red bias tape to match the red of the diaper cover or even the off white of the star, so I made my own.  I love how it turned out.  I'll post a pic to show you.

Made my own...and  no, I won't run over the pins!

Until next time,

The Weekend Again

It's the weekend again!  Where does the time go?  Believe it or not, I've been meaning to write each night but things kept getting in the way.  One of those things was my broken molar. Yikes that was a big bummer, Must have been cracked and I didn't know it, so when I took a bite of that pizza (by the way, it wasn't stale), it broke away. No pain.  I just put it in my pocket.  Luckily, I have the most awesome dentist and now I'm as good as new!!

I'm so excited that Valentine's Day is coming up.  My FAV "holiday".  I just love all the pink and red and little cherubs and lace and hearts everywhere!  I love to decorate (just a bit) inside the house.  Hopefully I can locate everything in the garage. It appears that some re-organizing has been going on out there, and I'm sure it looks organized to the person organizing it, but to me, not so much.

Speaking of Valentine's Day, I've been busy thinking of things to create for my ETSY shop.  Right now I'm cutting out a bazillion fabric hearts, mostly red and pink, to sew together and stuff with batting. My plan is to string them together to make a garland for hanging.....But not without embellishments first!  It's taking lots longer than I planned.  Sometimes those little things that look so simple can take up the most time. In my mind it looks totally adorable though.

More pics are coming.  I just recently uploaded little jammie pants, made from soft & cozy fleece. They are multi-colored stars and really bright.  Not a lot of sleeping will be going on!  Oh, and to add to it, I just finished the adult version. Once I get the pictures taken, I'll be able to upload that as well.  I'm also just about finished with a scarf I knitted earlier this week.  I used a mixed brown and blue textured yarn.  In just a few days I've become attached to it and hopefully won't have second thoughts on selling it !


I thought of some great tips to share but now I'm blank!  (to those that know me, No Comments ).. maybe the current time is to blame?  Next post for sure  :-)
Until next time, stay  *sparkly*
~  Tammy