December 19th Sewing Projects

I have been playing around with pleating and smocking occasionally, now I have a Grandaughter to actually make clothes for. This dress is from Australian Smocking & Embroidery, Issue No. 79, called the Matilda, the smallest size is 6 months which is what I made. Went together very easily, I did not like jumping around from the pattern pull out sheets to the book several times for the instructions. Made using a flannel fabric from Fabric.com, not sure if it will be to heavy for her or not, but I think she sure looks cute!

I told my Daughter this is the last sewing project I am doing for her until after Christmas, until then she needs to make a list. I have to many projects (that I won't get finished) that I want to make for gift giving. This is a Boppy Pillow, she requested a couple of these, my first question was what the heck is it? After her explanation and me doing a internet search, here it is! We didn't have Boppy Pillows when my kids were little, if you wanted them to set up a little you just laid them on a ordinary pillow, lol.

I just love the internet in looking for free patterns for just about everything! My thanks to all those who are willing to share and taking the time to take pics and type up instructions without asking for $$ to do it!
Here is the link to the instructions I found http://sewityourself.googlepages.com/
very easy and they sew up quick, you know how much these things sell for in a store? Way to much!! I didn't put a zipper in the ones I made, had a ton of left over stuffing which was enough to make up 2 of these, one for here and one for my Daughter to take home. Katie looks pretty comfortable in hers.


It was time to break down and get a new Washer and Dryer. My old dryer had developed a hole in the drum from the pulleys, so every time I used it, it made a constant thumping. My son was able to pop rivet a piece of metal over the hole, because at one point the pulley came through and the drum wouldn't turn at all.
We purchased the latest greatest Front Loading machines. I read several reviews on these machines, them seem to be along the same line as my Roomba's. Yes they are nice but they take a little bit more maintenance then your standard old fashioned type. I like being able to load a lot of stuff in these, and they use so much less water too, should help with the water bill! At least the cat has some new entertainment.

I would like to thank anyone who reads my blog for taking the time, if you ever have a question or comment please feel free to leave it, I will get a notice if you do. Also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

December 1st-Wow

I can not believe it is December already! I am so behind on my poor little blog :(

Having a new Grand Daughter is so much fun! Finally have a little girl to make bows for, I have been making hair clippies, korker bows, woven headbands and regular bows to sell at the Country Lane General Store in Auburn, Indiana, for a couple of years now. Her Mommy is now into the bow making, so gave her all the instructions, templates and ribbons she wants so she can make them instead of waiting for me to get around to it. She did an excellent job on this one!
Of course we do have a attention grabbing kitty, she doesn't care if I already have a baby on me, she still wants her petting too.



These are some of the items I have been making and selling on eBay and etsy. Casserole Dish Carriers 13"x9 size and then round ones to carry a 2-3qt
casserole dish. These have actually been pretty good sellers so far. One thing I have learned from making and selling things at the store is that you don't want to go hog wild making up a bunch of the same thing. Why? Because if it doesn't sell you are stuck with it. I have lost a lot of money in eBaying some of my items that just didn't sell at the store.

But on another note, just because it doesn't sell at the store doesn't mean it won't sell well some where else. These carriers did not sell at all. I don't think people took the time to look to actually see what they were.

The rectangular one is my own design, just used my 13"x 9" dish to make a pattern. The round one I found instructions for it on the internet. These have either Warm and Natural Batting or Pellon Thermolam in the center to help keep warm items warm or cold items cold. Usually use a cotton/canvas fabric on the inside, webbed/fabric handles and it is quilted to hold everything together.

This is another item that has been selling ok for me too. I had a few made up and they have all sold. It is a Cricut Expression Dust Cover/Tote. This is another pattern that I created. I started out going to make just a simple dust cover for my Cricut, but with my Daughter and I sharing it and it being hauled back and forth between our homes, I wanted something to protect it and make it easier to carry.

This is a note about something that bothers me greatly. Before you buy instructions/patterns of any kind on making anything take the time to do a internet search to see if you can find it for free.

My latest project has been the fabric quilted styrofoam ornaments, there are people selling the instructions all over the place, but if you take the time to search you will find them for free. How someone can charge you for info you can find free is really annoying to me. So please take the time to do a search and save your hard earned dollars.

Ok off my soapbox! Back to Sewing, Crafting, Being Creative!!