GRANNYWEAR ORIGINALS

I often go to sleep at night imagining something I want to make, lately it has been girls clothes, mostly dresses.  Sometimes my items require several patterns and a lot of imagination, regardless of the work, if the outcome is what I had imagined I am pleased.  This is a little outfit I have been working on for the last couple of days.

 

I lined the bodice of the dress with the same fabric I made the shrug out of and attached the bead "necklace" directly to the garment.

 

This is the back view of the shrug.  My first time making a shrug and although I probably didn't pick the best fabric to work with on my first attempt, I am very pleased with the outcome.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.......

and all through the yard the creatures came for a meal

this years antelope got hung with care

and so on and so on.  I'm not much of a poet but the gifts of all been wrapped, mailed and hopefully  made their final destinations, holiday parties have been attended, two food banks, Toys for Tots and St Vincent DePaul have all received their donations,  the last pie is in the oven, decorations have been placed and Christmas dinner preparations all made.

For whatever reason I felt the need this past week to start my New Year's resolutions, so I took a box to each room in my house and challenged myself to fill them.  My husband cringes when I do these sorts of things, but I find stuff  breeds in my home and periodically I have to purge, I want to make room for all that the new year will bring. 

Attempting this endeavor, the excitement expectant guests bring, and my love of power tools, when I got to my back bedroom, I decided to start another project (more words my husband doesn't care for me to use).  Back bedrooms tend to become storage units in your home and this is not what I want, I need a den, home office and guest room all rolled into one, so my work began this past week.

The closet had some built in shelves and I wanted to put my bookcases in that closet, so I tore the old out,  cut  the bookcases down, lined the closet with three of them and have begun filling them with my large assortment of books,  now these bookcases are no longer taking up space in the room itself and the closet is no longer available for me to store unnecessary items.

 

Remember some of that auction furniture I acquired a few months ago, well they are perfect pieces for my "home office".  I will be transforming these pieces once the weather allows me outdoors to sand and paint.  It'll be exciting to see the transformation I have planned for these items as well as the finished room.

Now that I am ready for all that the holidays will bring and have my purge completed, I am excited to start on my winter projects.  I have a t-shirt quilt to make for a granddaughter's high school graduation in the spring.  This granddaughter is quite the baseball player and her mother has saved all of her t-shirts from the sport through the years, they are now in my sewing room waiting to be made into a beautiful quilt that she can take with her wherever her journey may lead.  My other winter project is one I have been wanting to do for years, make some shadowboxes.  My husband has lead a very interesting life, a saddle bronc rider and 22 years in Hollywood as a stunt man and although I was not a part of his life during that time, I reap the benefits each month and have also inherited all the memorabilia.  I have spent a lot of time gathering it all  and now have the space and time to put it altogether to tell his stories. 

At this point in our lives I think it is important to put our stories and items together for the children and grandchildren so they don't get lost in the future.  Along, with all of this I get to make some new baby items for another grandson we are expecting in March.  With any luck spring will come early and some travel plans can be made.

"Being retired is not about resting, but about having the time to do all the fun things one never had time to before"

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT !!!!

 

GOT TO LOVE SCRAPS !!!

Finishing all my Christmas projects always leaves me with scraps of fabric that, as I have shared, I have a difficult time parting with.  The last couple of days I have been thinking about the different ways I could use the scraps I have left from the many flannel shirts I made this year.  Well today I put my thoughts to work and made a few dresses for a granddaughter.

 

This is one of the dresses I completed today.  I am sharing this one because I did something different with it.  Recently I have been noticing a lot of designers have the zipper showing on the item, so this dress seemed like the perfect item to try it.

 

 

I like the way it came out.  Not only was I able to put a scrap of fabric to good use, but also was able to put a "designer" touch to the item.

AAHHHH!!! THE SWEET SOUND OF MELTING SNOW !

After our last cold snap and snow storm it is with great relief when I hear the water running off my roof, that's the snow melting.  When I first moved here I was told the wind blows a lot, after living in the desert I don't think we get a lot of wind, but I have learned that wind after a snow storm is my best friend.  The wind melts the snow, so 35-40 degrees and a windy day and I get to watch that wind eat right through my foot of snow.  Hopefully it will all be gone before the next storm hits next week.

Our storm gave me plenty of time to be able to get all my Christmas packages ready for the mail and yesterday I took them to the post office so I know they will get to their destination before Santa is due to arrive.

 

I was able to get back into my sewing/craft room today as I picked up my sewing machines yesterday and I want to thank Scott from Silver Thimble for doing such an excellent job on all the adjustments and repairs.  I spent the day sewing making another sweatshirt and a nightgown.  Willie gets lonely when I spend the day in my room, so since I have cleaned and re-organized that room, I was able to bring him in a bed. 

 

He kept me company all afternoon. (His favorite place for me to be is in the kitchen)

MEMORIES........

As a very young child, my siblings and I lived with my grandparents and some of my earliest memories are when my Grandma W. would take us to W.T. Grants where my Grandma E. worked.  It was always so fun to go running into the store and we would always know right where to find Grandma E., the sewing/fabric department.  I do believe those times are what nurtured my love of fabric and making things.  Several years ago I was fortunate enough to have Grandma E. give me many things out of her sewing room, apparently my love of hoarding came from her as well.  Some of the things I brought home were some old patterns.  I don't know if  Grandma E. ever made any of these items as not all the patterns were intact, but as you will see they are probably from the 50's or early 60's.  As I have been cleaning out some of "hoarding stash" I came across these and knew I wanted to do something special with them.  I picked out a few, painted a couple of canvases and set about to make some art work to hang in my sewing area.

After I painted the canvas, cut out the pieces of patterns and laid them out, I decoupaged them on the canvas.

 

After several layers of decoupage and proper drying time they were ready to hang

 

Now each time I look at my new "art work" it will bring back those wonderful childhood memories.

SNOWED IN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our weather here has been horribly cold for the last week or so.  Highs only reaching about 10-15 below.  With such cold weather, being outside isn't even an option for me.  I have begun feeling a little housebound the last few days and with my sewing machines needing major tune-ups and my Christmas projects completed I was beginning to feel the need for power, power tools, that is.  I have plenty of "garage" projects that I am itching to complete but in this snowy cold weather paint doesn't dry well and sanding indoors makes quite a mess, so I had to find something else to do. 

The other evening my husband asked what I would like for Christmas and it hit me, I really wanted some better organization in my sewing/craft room, so I set about to do just that.  Got my jigsaw out and cut down some bookcases (I love power tools) so that they would fit in the closet without dismantling the closet.  That was the start of my "major" clean up and reorganization.

 

Although everything is still in the room, the reorganizing and utilizing all the closet space, there is so much more room and I am anxious to do some more sewing.  I only hope my machines can be serviced quickly.

I WAS CRAFTY WHEN CRAFTY WASN'T COOL....

This sign says it all !!!!

 

I made this sign just for me and it holds a special place in my sewing/craft room.

COLD, COLD, COLD

Our temperatures have been stuck in these minus, very very cold numbers for awhile now and believe it or not but it is due to warm up in the next couple days so it can snow some more and I will be excited to see the thermometer back to ZERO. 

When temperatures are this low the best place for me is indoors and I am fortunate that I am able to do just that.  Since 99% of my holiday gifts have to go in the mail, I have been able to get them finished, now onto wrapping and packaging. 

I was unable to finish all my sewing projects as both of my sewing machines now need a major tune-up, so as soon as it warms up I will be taking them to the repair shop, but for now, there will be some packages mailed after the holiday.  When I was working I never seemed to enjoy the "gift giving" experience and my packages were always late getting mailed, so it is with joy that I now have plenty of time.

With the holiday packages on their way to their destination next week, I will be able to get back to my "garage stash".  I think I will take on some of those auction pieces I purchased a few months ago.  Want to use them in my office/guest room and am excited to get started on them.

GOT SNOW ?????

I suppose winter is upon us here in the north and I've learned when they name a storm it is probably going to make an impact.  Well this storm has and is making an impact on us.  I took these pictures this morning and it has continued snowing throughout the day.

Our weather is forecasted to stay quite cold for the next week or so, dipping into the minus zero degrees for our highs.  When the temperatures are this low, I have learned to stay indoors, I prepared for the storm and have put holiday travel plans on hold giving me plenty of time to continue working on Christmas gifts and preparations.  I was rather ambitious this year with my shirt making, but I am now down to one so they will all be off to their intended recipient in plenty of time for Christmas morning. 

BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS ????

Again, I don't do a lot of holiday decorating these days, but celebrating the holidays is important to me and each year I try to do some different things as well as continue those long held traditions.  One of those traditions in my house is "peanut butter balls".  I have been making them since my children were very young and I believe they continue that tradition in their households as well.  With my new coffee table this year I wanted something new to start the decorating.  I went searching for what that new piece would be and I came up with a thrift store purchased bowl, a yard sale candlestick, a can of red spray paint and some E6000 glue.

And now that the CANDY is made, beginning to feel a little like Christmas is coming !!!!

 

This table needs a few more decorations to complete it, so I will be working on that.

BUSY..BUSY..BUSY..

Have not gotten into my "junk" stash for sometime now, and have missed a several auctions as well, have been way to busy preparing for the holidays.  My sewing machines have been getting a good workout this past month, but I am almost finished with my Christmas sewing projects.   Some of my boys will be receiving a flannel shirt for gifts this year.

 

Hope to be finished with these projects this week, then planning a holiday trip, so not expecting to get back into my junk stash until after the holidays, but, boy do I have some wonderful plans and ideas.  Will be excited to share them as I get them finished.

THANKSGIVING TABLE

One of the things I enjoy is cooking, especially a holiday meal and whether I'm cooking for two or twenty I feel  if I spend 5 to 8 hours making the food, the meal should be enjoyed at a pretty table.  Setting a table to match the meal is as important to me as the food itself, so today I set out planning my Thanksgiving table.  I found some burlap I picked up a few months ago.

Burlap just says fall to me and I thought it would be the perfect beginning for my holiday table.  After a few hours of cutting, ironing, stenciling and finishing this is what I came up with.

 

I only hope my food tastes as good !!!!!

 

I LOVE TO REPURPOSE

I am one of those people that saves ties on bread bags and yes, I do reuse them often.  I also have a plentiful supply of tin cans, bottles and jars.  I have shown some things I have done with jars in the past, however today I worked with cans.  The cans in this post originally housed spaghetti sauce, but seemed to be perfect for this project.  I spray painted, decoupaged, then to give it some weight added marbles and resin. 

 Deciding this would make a cute holder for kitchen utensils, I proceeded to do something crafty with  wooden spoons.  I painted the handles and oiled the entire spoon, using olive oil as these are something I anticipate being used in food products.

 

When the entire project was completed this is what I have.

FINISHING PROJECTS

I finished up the coasters I made a few days ago by adding some cork to the back side.  This not only makes them more useful, but also gives them that professional feel.  Then packaged them for gift giving.  I like being prepared.

 

I too, wanted a set of these, however, I have no need for another set of coasters, so I decided to hang them.  Remember, I believe anything can be art so long as it is something you enjoy.  I learned a trick awhile back to hang just about anything without any real expense.  I used paper clips and my hot glue gun then found the perfect spot for my new treasures.

 

 

 

 

COCKTAIL NAPKINS ???

I found some cocktail napkins awhile back that so reminded me of a few friends, so I bought them.  Wasn't sure what I would do with them, but they were just to cute to leave behind.  Last year I made some coasters for my girls for Christmas using cocktail napkins, so I decided I would do the same with these.  I start by covering my "cutting table" with a piece of oilcloth (I use this anytime I am going to be doing any painting so as not mess with the table surface), then I collect my supplies.

Cocktail napkins are generally three ply, therefore, they have to be taken apart, as you only use the one piece the print is on.  After getting everything ready, I coated the tile with decoupage medium, added the napkin, then more decoupage.

Before it is completely dry I tear off the paper I don't want on the tile.  I prefer the tear method over cutting the piece to fit, it gives it more of a stamped on look when completed.  Once the decoupage is dry completely, I add a couple coats of polyurethane to the top and sides and put some cork or felt on the bottom.  Now instead of using the napkins then tossing them, they can be used over and over again.

These will make the perfect hostess gifts this holiday season.

PURPLE IS THE COLOR OF ROYALTY !!!!

My husbands favorite color is purple and he is quick to remind you that it is the color of royalty, so it came as no surprise when I asked him to pick out some flannel fabric for his new shirt that he picked the one purple piece.

My husband loves when I make his shirts because he can get them customized just for him, he likes longer sleeves and tails,  snaps not buttons.  I always make my boys flannel shirts for Christmas, and this year I have six more to do, so that is what has been keeping me busy.  It has been just too cold to be outdoors this past week so my garage stash has once again gone untouched, giving me plenty of opportunities to work on my Christmas projects.

IS IT ART ?

I own a lot of artwork, some original and very expensive by well known artists, some prints and of course, the family photos.  Of all the artwork in my home that is most dear to my heart are those pieces created by those I love.  Although, I have not framed and hung all the pieces I own I do have a few I wanted to share. 

This piece was created by my grandson at about the age of 4.  He used some markers on a white piece of copy paper.

This piece was created by the son of a friend of mine.  His dad is a well known artist and his mother was an art teacher.  This young man is autistic and loves the color blue.  He uses his art and color to express himself, he was about 8 when he did this painting.  I take great pride in hanging his piece in my house.

 

Some may look at children's scribbles as simply another scrap of paper or piece of "junk" in the house, but a few special pieces framed and grouped in your home can be worth more than any expensive piece of artwork you could buy.

SNOWY DAYS

Well, a storm finally hit us and our ground is covered with the white stuff.  I'm not big on snow, so snowy cold days generally find me indoors where it's warm and dry.  Since I have been house bound the last two days I have been sewing.

As I have shared, I am a big 49er fan and found that I was in need of some new winter shirts, so after perusing my fabric stash this is what I came up with.  I didn't have a pattern for sweatshirts, so I took apart an old shirt I had and using some brown paper bags, cut my own pattern.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.

 

I also finished up a Halloween greeting for the expectant trick or treaters in a few days.  I cut these letters from chipboard using my Cricut and covered them with some Halloween fabric scraps I had on hand and sealed it with some decoupage, then glued them all to a piece of ribbon for hanging.

I hope it doesn't scare off the ghosts and goblins !!!!!

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF MONTANA.....WITH THE COAL MINERS DAUGHTER

What a week it has been...............Road trip and Loretta Lynn.  Hasn't left much time for my "junk" stash, however, did manage some sewing and preparing for my little Trick or Treaters.  I want to share with you some of  my Montana

A church in the middle of nowhere ...........

and a place where the deer and the antelope play !!!!

 

My early birthday celebration, an evening with Loretta Lynn

 

 

I'll get back into my stash in the coming week, have lots of plans and will share as I get them completed.