Awesome Idea for a Grad Gift

My cousin had me monogram this pair of towels for a graduation gift for her niece and they turned our very well.  I thought this was a great idea to share because I have heard so many stories from my cousins lately about college life since they have kids college age now.  I had heard that towels can easily get misplaced or stolen or just used inconsiderately by others.  I think this is a classy and trendy way to solve the "whose towel is whose" dilema. 

My cousin is giving the towels as part of a gift that includes a tote bag, washcloths, and hair care basics. 

Embroidery on Terry Cloth

I got up with the usual cup of coffee and something on PBS this Saturday, and within the half hour, I was at work.  I took a moment to make out the day's chore list for the kids.  Something I usually reserve for the summer months, but the house was in worse than usual condition.

I use a bullet list with check boxes on the side for them to mark their accomplishments.  Over the years, they developed their own way of deciding who does what without any help from me, and things can get done fairly well.  When they were younger and not as good at cooperating, I had 3 mini-lists on a single page, one for each child, then 4 lists, one for each of them and then mine.  Seeing my list helped them to know that they were not really doing everything.  Of course, I never ask them to work if I'm sitting on my butt, but the list helped them to see the things that I was doing and the bonus benefit was that they began to appreciate all that I did do.  The first time I did that, I couldn't believe what all I can get done in a day. 

When they were younger, the list comprised of about 6-8 things.  This sounds like a lot for some kids to get done in a day and still have time for some fun, but its really not.  This amount of chores all on a check list really looks impressive to the child and in the end they have a sense of pride for getting it all done.

  Now we all know that smaller children (4-5 yrs.) can benefit from a chore list, but they don't usually have that much of an attention span and you don't want to have to crack the whip all day.  That just sucks the fun out of parenting and being a kid, and I think the message of "working together for the benefit of all" message doesn't really gets across.  So I always padded the list with some everyday things.  For example:

• Brush teeth
• brush hair
• feed and water guinea pig
• put away your laundry
• get dirty laundry in hamper
• shower

Then I threw in one or two more things that are more that are really a chore.  I was always careful to let the kids know that they are not just to be responsible for just themselves, we are working together and sometimes things don't seem fair.  For instance, when your job is to pick up the living room, you pick up the whole living room, not just your mess. 

I also broke down the jobs for them more when they were younger.  An example for the living room then would be,

• pick up the living room
• fold living room blankets
• dust living room
• clean glass on doors
• sweep living room

Now that they are older, its just "living room". 

Over the years, they have learned to cooperate better, have a sense of pride in their home, an appreciation of what they have, developed an ability to see what needs to be done and don't mind getting it done and are a bit more proactive in keeping things tidy throughout the course of the week.  There are no complaints, and no yelling or arguing about anything too much (just the normal annoying of each other), and they know that these things get done before they can play. 

 I have to say that this isn't the only time that they have to work, they are asked to do things throughout the week also, but just something small here and there and they don't even notice how much they do.  And let me stress, "fair" has nothing to do with it.  "I don't care who did it last, I'm asking you to do it now, please."

I know that some parents disagree about this, but my children do not receive an allowance.  Not for the list work or otherwise.  My husband and I feel that the lists are reflective of what a family should do, work together for each other.  The reward is the feeling of accomplishment, and being able to stand back and see a clean room.

 My oldest child is 17 and he is becoming a fine young man who is fine with keeping up on the work around the house as part of being in a family, helps his younger siblings with getting their stuff done...sometimes, is respectful of other peoples time, and has learned to get the work done first so he can have the rest of the day instead of dragging the work out.  He doesn't feel he needs to be paid for every little thing that he does either, and that goes for around the house and helping in the community in general. I can see the same qualities developing in my other children, too. (altough, my 9 year old swears that she is just fine living in a pig sty)  So I am going to pass judgement and say that the check lists have been a success and I will continue to use them till the last chick leaves the nest. 

Happy Birthday to Isaac! 

Today is going to be like this weekend I suppose. And I guess that means not that differednt for me.  After getting the kids up and getting us all out the door, the boys to school and my daughter and I to religion, my day starts to take off.  First its to church for Friday Mass which is part of the normal week for the religion kids and their teachers.  A quick hop over to lend a hand getting a heavy box into the Sacresty, and then home for just long enough to change clothes, a quick conversation with my husband about getting the doors for the laundry room picked up, and tthen off to work to clean someone else's house till 3 or so.   

My husband is making supper so I don't have to worry about that, and I already made the cake Isaac wanted for his 14th birthday.  None at all, he wanted pie.  He and I went down into the basement last night and he selected peach, black raspberry, and apple.  I have to make 3 anymore if we want to have any the next day.  Sure enough, when I got home from work, the apple was gone, the only evidence that it had ever been was an empty plate with crumbs.  I'm not entirely sure it hadn't been licked. 

At 14, we don't do just too much for the birthdays anymore since all they usually want to do is sit in front of the tube and play on the Playstation because they usually get at least one game.  Not real exciting lives those boys lead.  If I want to "bond", I need to park myself on the couch and watch them play games and ask questions like I'm interested.  That done, I am next going to my sewing room and getting down to business for a while.  Hopefully my husband will be home soon to start supper and have some good news on our doors when he gets here. 

It's Wedding Season!  Right now I have 3 wedding gowns here for alterations.  This is the first one that I got done for a  May 12th wedding.  This is a Vera Wang gown that is cut really different.  It has wide strips of fabric sewn down the middle on fine soft tulle into interesting loops throughout the skirt of the gown and was not even close to asymmetrical.  The dress fit the lady very well and the style was very much her, the only issue was that it was still a little  long.         

   That's why she brought it to me.  I had to first make a map of the inside of the outer skirt so that after I removed all of the layers of fabric, I would be able to re-attach them the way the original  designer created them to look.  After I got the maps made, all labeled a, b, c, d, e, and g, it was time to get out my good friend , the seam ripper.  I removed the layers up to only as far as I absolutely needed to go.

After all of that was carefully removed from the delicate tulle, I had the bride in again to try the dress on and I trimmed the tulle to length while she was wearing it to be sure that is was perfect.  To get the fabric back onto the outer skirt, I laid out my maps one at a time and pinned the strips to the fabric.  This is very difficult because I was working with such delicate material on the skirt, the strips were 10in. wide and very lightweight fabric also, and I needed to be sure not to stretch either the skirt or the strips or it would ruin how the dress lay.  Since all of the edges were raw and exposed, to get the loop back to complete, I just had to overlap the beginning and end of each individual loop by about 6 in.  of course, there is still some magic in the placement of these overlaps in order for them to fall just so. 

To finish off the look of this beautiful gown for a beautiful bride, I added (at the bride's request)the band at the waist, and then the bustle for the reception.  This style of gown used a single tie french bustle which is where the skirt is tucked under the back of the dress and attached.  I used a bit of blue ribbon to add the "something blue" and to make it easier to spot under all those layers.   And I have to say, this gown bustles beautifully!

Love These Aprons!

I just got done making these aprons for the holidays and I just love them!  I had originally bought patterns for many different styles, but this one looked the most classic to me.  I made them in large and medium in adult sizes and in large and medium children's sizes.  My favorite thing about this pattern is that the neck strap is entirely adjustable by simply sliding the strap that goes around the waist.  No D-ring adjusters or tying at the neck for the right fit.   

Grace models the children's large

Grace makes her own First Communion Dress

My daughter, Grace, makes her First Communion this year.  Custom dictates that she wear a white dress.  However, if you knew my daughter, you would

Beautiful!

  have a hard time imagining her in a dress and smiling at the same time. 

    My solution, let her design and make her own.  That did it!  She picked out her own pattern and made her own modifications and picked out her own fabrics.  We then called in Grandma Karen for help and girl-time. 

    Grace really did do her share of the pinning and cutting.  When we got to the sewing, she set the speed on the Janome to the slowest setting (usually she goes full throttle on the Singer).  I thought that she could bump it up to the medium speed, but she said she would prefer it on "super-granny-slo-mo".  I tell you what, that is a perfect 5/8" seam allowance.  I can't ask more than that. 



Grace wanted a butterflly on the front



     By the time the seams on the skirt were done, she was ready to go outside and play which was perfect timing.  We had her come in and try on the bodice and then the unhemmed dress.  Seh decided that it needed a butterfly on the bottom and the length should be just above the ankles (Surprise for me).  I finishe the dress with a secret message on the inside with room enough for the next wearer to put their information should it be used agian. 

    The end result was just what I hoped for.  My daughter in a white dress for her First Holy Communion.

 



When it was all done, she agreed that she liked this dress and it was so comfortable, that she wouldn't mind if I made her another in a different color. 



<>Now, on the viel and shoes, we have a different story.  No veil or circlet of any kind.  Only ribbon and flowers (and she didn't even  want that). 

My Mom and Grace cutting pieces



     And the shoes, this is where a parent picks their battles.  White Keds tennis shoes. 

     I know that what Mom or Dad says goes, but when it comes to something like this, I want her focus to be on Christ, not her itchy dress or her shoes that don't feel good or the piece of hardware on her head.  First Communion is a time to celebrate and nobody wants to smile and enjoy if they're uncomfortable.   She's a tomboy and I love her that way, the way God made her!



 



Bath Craft Show

      Grace and I were vendors at the Bath Spring Craft Show this past Saturday.  We were pretty busy at first but then things dwindled down by lunch.  There were plenty of people there but not many were carrying anything.  It was worth it to go, but i wasn't impressed.  I still think that if I'm going to do any real business that I need to leave this area completely. 

        Still, we had fun even though it was a long day!  Grace made me an embroidery sign and some business cards.  She was even handing them out to people.  I had asked her to grab some of my business cards at home and I watched her get into the right cabinet and grab in the right direction but I didn't look to see what she actually pulled out.  When we got to the craft show and asked what she did witht the cards, she gave me some blank index cards.  Whoops!  We did eventually find some cards in some stuff left over from the last craft show but the ones she made were pretty cute. 

       We got home around 6pm that afternoon, the boys got stuff loaded in, Kenny had hamburger on the stove frying, I finished making the tacos, had a beer and went to bed!

My Lovely Big Tote Bags

 

These are my lovely new tote bags!  My Aunt Rhonda made some of these for some of my cousins and they turned out so neat I thought I would give it a go.  They turned out pretty fun to make.  This is kind of ironic because i am one of those wierd women that has only one purse at a time, ever, and usually I am either just carrying my wallet or cash in the back pocket.  But I am loving the purses!  Again I am running into the problem of having more ideas than time.  What to do, what to do.

These bags are a generous 16"W X 20"H and has fleece sandwiched between the liner and ouside for a sturdier bag.  they also have 5 inside pockets and a magnetic snap closure.  I sold  my one and only OSU bag right off the bat and got orders for 2 more so now I am ordering more of the polka dot fabric because they are no longer carrying it at my local fabric store.  I can't wait till it comes in! 

First Craft Show

I had my first ever craft show Sunday!  My friend Amy, ASR DeZingns at http://asrdezigns.blogspot.com/, and I went together for backup support plus I offer embroidery on-site for many of her items.  We are counting it as a learning experience and that is primarily why we went.  We sold alomost nothing due to the fact that about 20 people showed up throughout the course of the day.  We knew that it was going to have a poor showing when we decided to attend, but seeing that it was our first time out, we decide to see it through.  The reason  was that we could make all of our mistakes at this slow craft show so that we would be better prepared for the bigger ones.  We have another craft show again this Saturday at Bath.  I heard that it is expected to be a good one.  They have been doing it for years and always have a full venue and plenty of traffic.  We are not yet considered "seasoned", but at least we aren't going to look like total idiots when we get there. 

That's Amy putting some finishing touches on one of her reversable bags.

What a week!

This week is going to be as packed as last week.  I hope I get some productivity out of it this time.  It was like I was running 100mph in one place last week!  This weeks accomplishments shall be finishing the ottoman covers and a dozen or so pillows for a client, a dress alteration that will have me almost totally un-assembling and re-assembling a dress, learning how to make a non-asymetrical dress french bustle (that's going to be fun) , quilt one day with my mom, a sewing lesson with one of my favorite aunts where I'm going to make her integrate all her lessons into a project, some other minor alterations for people, and be a mom, chef, computer programer, wife and all the other grand things that are going to pop onto my agenda this fine week!

Phew!  I want to go back to bed just thinking about it all!

I am the Iron Maiden!

I like the look and feel of fabric before its washed for most of my projects, and that the quilt does shrink just a little after it's quilted is, in my opinion, an improvement.  However, if I embroider on something that is not pre-shrunk, that could be bad news.  So I decided that I would just wash everything.  And I do mean all of it.  I have a bit of an inventory, so it took a few days.  Well, of course now it all needs ironed. I like to iron, but not his much or on a skinny little ironing board.  This is the fix!  I bought 2 yds. of insul-bright and 2 yds. of silver ironing board cover, serged the 2 pieces together, and boom, there you go.  The whole project took 5 minutes.  My kitchen table is an ironing board fit to lay out fabric at its full width with not nearly so much fighting and re-positioning.  When I'm done, I just fold it up and tuck it behind my alterations tote.
     If you want to do this, I rcommend making the ironing cover so that it hangs down over the edges a bit on at least the front and back of the , this will help keep the pad from shifting.  Mine doesn't shift too much and I think this is precisely why.  Now my wonderful Aunts have done this but they used a smaller pad and tacked it to a piece of OSB or particle board.  Then they slide it behind something when not in use.  This is also a good idea.  It depends solely on what works for you.  As for me, I LOVE my ironing pad!

On the rack, finally!

Finally, I got this baby on the rack and ready to roll.  I'll be curious how many hours it's going to take to get this full-sized quilt done.  I'm going to bet at least 100.  Comment if you are thinking a different number.  We'll see who gets it closest

Stippled Baby Quilt

      I made this pattern using a picture on the internet that my client found and wanted duplicated.  Of course the fabric designs didn't match the picture exactly, but overall it was a pretty good match.  My client decided that she would like to have it done in flannel so it really was extra snuggly. 

      My aunt does a lot of quilting and she likes to stipple her quilts.  They always turn out so gorgeous so I decided to try my hand.  I had thus far shyed away from this kind of thing because it seemed that it would be more of a wrestling match than a quilting project.  Trying to direct a whole quilt in every which way when all 3 layers of quilt are squished between the base of your machine and a presser foot and half of your quilt scrunched up in that center part of your machine didn't sound remotely enjoyable to me.   But this was a baby quilt so I says to myself, "Go for it."  After I made all the mistakes that I could, I started to enjoy the art of machine stippling.  I was amazed at the amount of consentration it took at first, like your brain had to think in an entirely different way than it normally does.   After awhile though, it got easier and more fun, even to the point of relaxing.  I don't know if I'm ready to take on a King or even a Full-sized quilt yet, but if the opportunity comes, you can bet I'll give it a try!

Memory Quilts

    Please remember that the Graduation Quilts that I have on here are not just for graduation, but I make lovely memory quilts in honor of our loved ones that have passed on, baby's first year, daddy's ties, birth to 18, or any other memory road you would like to have immortalized in quilt form.  

    Please also remember that the design shown is only an example.  If this design would not fit your needs, I will work with you to help you find a design that will fit your loved one's personality and work with the items you would like incorporated into the quilt. 

      If a quilt doesn't fit your needs we can do a pillow or whatever other idea you might have.  Share your memories with me and together we'll make it perfect. 

Double Wedding Ring Progress



I would say things are starting to feel like they are finally moving.  After hours and hours of cutting and piecing little pieces of fabric that are not much bigger than scraps, Mom and I finally have something substantial to show for it!  When we decided to take on this project, we didn't know that it was one of those "How expert quilters like to show off what they can do" projects until we had gotten it underway.  I said, "Too late to turn back, now."  Mom looked a bit skeptical about our ability but on we plunged.  We are going to continue our Thursdays whenever we can manage it until we have our finsished product.  Then, on to the hand-quilting!



Now taking orders for Graduation Quilts!

      Time to start thinking about that Graduation Party!  These quilts are a great display for the party and a momory holder for a lifetime!   These are not those floppy, sloppy quilts you have seen around.  These quilts have nice straight lines and square-looking squares! 

       The back is intentionally left white for guests, classmates and well-wishers to leave their autograph or words of encouragement with your permanent fabric marker that is included in your price. 

Mom and Me was a success!

      The Mom and Me was a huge success and we did have 14 people despite the blizzard that was only supposed to be 1-3 inches.  Everyone seemed to have had a great time and most of them expressed that to me as well. 

       The moms and daughters had varying levels of skill from "whats a bobbin" to " we do this a lot".  I couldn't bellieve the patience of these girls in trying to get their project done and done well.  They were all attentive and did an absolutely superb job. 

          Everyone's bags came out great!  And the best part was their beautiful faces when they flipped that bag right-side out for the last time to see their finished product!  Priceless! 
I think the girls all learned quite a bit and hopefully they all left with the confidence to say that they can sew.

 Because they can!

In Late September

 I also have a hand-quilt rack!  I made this one in about 100 hours.  I have it listed on Etsy.com, but no hits yet.  I'm anxoius to see how long this next quilt takes to do.  It's a little more involved.  It's ready to go on the rack as soon as I find the perfect backing material.  I'll post pics whan I get it on the rack.

Farm Animals Crib Set

This is the Farm Animal Crib Set and I comes with the quilt, a crib-sized sheet, a lined 16" X 16" tote bag, and a mini-boppy.  And I gotta tell you, I'm having trouble keeping the boppy away from my kids.  They are all older, but there is somethig about the shape or something that they want to have that.

  I'm making them one of their own out of courderoy.