Monday, September 30, 2013

Sewing days

My friend Becki is learning to sew and asked for some instruction/direction.  After we spoke I decided I would give her some sewing lessons.  I picked out the project, the fabric and pattern.  I got everything ready.  I learned to sew when I was 12 years old.  I was taught by my 4-H leaders, Arlene Vierson and Lois Ziegler.  They were perfectionist and taught us well.  I was happy to pass on some of the lessons to Becki.


I picked out some fabric with no particular design.  Polka dot fabric, is that how you spell polka dot?  I decided we would make simple aprons.  Part of making/sewing from a pattern is getting the grain of the fabric straight, that's what I'm doing here.  Getting the pattern pieces straight on the fabric is important and makes is so easy to sew together


I cut the pattern pieces and iron them flat. 



Here's the final project done, the cutest apron!
Becki was a great student.  Her skill set is high and she knows her way around a sewing machine, oh and by the way she has the nicest Bernina machine....so jealous.  New project, a dress for her daughter.  I finished up my apron and I think I'll be making more.
 
I do love sewing, it's one of my favorite hobbies.  I've been sewing up Christmas projects. 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Twins & craft store shopping

Met up with the twins, Olivia and Addison & their mom, Michelle at the local craft store.  It was so much fun & they were such troopers.  They let us shop every isle without a problem. 
 
Olivia trying on headbands and several boas.
Addy couldn't decide which color boa was her favorite.


One of our favorite isles, the wind chimes!  Each one chime made a different lovely sound.  This was Addy's favorite.
The mirror isle was fun, too. 




Monday, September 23, 2013

Knitting practice = nice scraf

I found this bolt of thread in a second hand store in Flagstaff, AZ.  It's a very large amount of yarn.  I decided to use it to practice my knitting.  I'm happy with the way the scarf came out.  I used two sizes of knitting needles just to practice.  What I found was the knit stitch was easier than the purl stitch.   The scarf is all knit stitched with no purls stitches at all.  My next scarf will be knit 1, purl 1 so I can practice the purl stitch and not forget the knit stitch.  In comparison to crocheting, knitting takes longer and if you miss a stitch I have no idea what to do.  I casted on 14 stitches and sometimes I had 16 then 14 and I have no clue how that happened, haha.  I'm not done with the scarf cuz I'm gonna do some embroidery on it.  I'm happy I'm learning this whole knit thing.  I like it.
 


Another use for them old hard cover books

I saw this on Pinterest a few weeks ago and thought I have tons of old books laying around.  So while watching football over the weekend I folded up these two books.  I love the concept and the design.
 


I love the idea of using it for my business card collection.  I think I will use them for my Christmas card display this year.  Maybe paint the book covers red, hummm....


In the studio, etching metals.

I've been wanting to try etching metals, again.  I haven't done it in a long time.  I use a chemical called PCB Etchant Solution which you can get at Radio Shack.  It's mainly used in computer motherboard circuit work.  Make sure to use safety glasses and gloves when working with it.
 
 
I clean up the metal strips and stamped images and drew designs on the strips.  I used a permanent ink pad and a sharpie.  I also stamped some of the copper rings.
 
 
I used a glass dish and remember not to ever reuse the dish for food.  It belongs in the studio now.  The metal strips  are placed on clear packing tape with the design side up.  The strips are floated on the solution but I did place the rings right into the solution. 
 
 
I set the timer for one hour, but I got busy and ended up letting the metal sit for two hours.  Since my PCB solution was old it needed two hours to get the results I wanted anyways.
 
 
Here's how they look!  Awesomeness.

 
I bent one of the strips into a bracelet and love love love it.  I will experiment with a clasp of some kind and maybe some embellishments.  Stay tuned....

This is the strip I stamped circles on...way cool.

 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Busy Busy Busy

Back in the studio, gotta event on October 1st!  I've been working on my cement stuff, some xmas stockings, my artwork prints and lastly, my jewelry!!   I have to make earrings and pendants.  I've been working on designs and now to put it from paper to metal.  I may even get some bracelets done.   The fun begins............

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Remembering 9/11

It was a Tuesday, it was a work day, it was a busy work day for us, I remember walking into the lunch area and looked up at the TV the moment the plane hit the second tower.  So much for work that day...we were glued to the TV from that moment on...what a sad day. 
This past April I visited the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon and it's an incredible tribute to those who died that day.  If you ever get a chance to visit it, please go at night and you will be moved.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Memories

The other day I bought a large package of pecans and when I opened up the bag the smell of the pecans took me back to when I was a kid.  We visited my "uelo  y uela " in Abilene, Texas and they had pecan tree in their back yard.  I remember picking up pecans and eating all the time whenever we wanted.  The ground was full of them.

 
This past June while visiting Abilene,  I found out my prima, Susie purchased my "uelos" property and plans to turn it into a community garden.  We all met at the D'Bois property in the barrio.  Boy what memories of this place.  Here we are under the pecan tree.  I'm so proud of Susie's purchase and vision.  I'll keep you updated on her project.
 
Susie, SueAnn, Patricia, Tia Mary, Delores, Vicki, Jobi and Angel
This was a great day!