I miss blogging

I miss blogging.  I really do like my job but it leaves me with not much time for sewing and crafts.  I have lots of ideas but no time.  My sewing machine, I call her Sophia and my serger Janie, they are feeling neglected.  They want some me time.  Summer may be around to stay unless it keeps raining.  I have been getting things done non crafty like laundry and dishes and stuff though.  I guess that is good it doesn't do anything for the creative right brain.  Really the best I can do with the laundry is see how many swirls I can get my soap around the washer agitator.  Pretty boring.  I am however finishing my craft room.  So excited.  Right now it is painted and it waiting for the trim to be hung up on the walls, the floor is done and the room is waiting for some magical touches.  I got a little cubby like thing at the thrift store that still needs some attention for the fabric and then some decorations.  Can't wait, I hope moving day comes soon.  Hope you all have a great Father's Day weekend and hope to see you again soon.

Freezer paper stencils

Here are some more auction items.  They are all freezer paper stencils.  So fun and they turned out so good.  I could make a million, but then what would I do with them all?

Aren't these cool?  The tealish colored one looks better than it is.
 

Auction Items for Reunion

Some of you might be wondering "what the heck are auction items".  In my family, every year we have a family reunion.  One the of things we do while together has become one of the most exciting for many family members.  After lunch on the last day (usually a Saturday), we have an auction.  The money raised goes towards the costs of the reunion.  We have been doing this for about 5 years now and it gets a little bigger every year.

How it works:

When we send out our invitations for the reunion we put a little reminder that we are having an auction and to be working on your stuff.  We try to do this because we do mostly handmade items.  It can be anything you can make and some store bought stuff pops in too (mostly candy).  We have had jewelry, purses, aprons, bridles, cookies, fudge, caramel apples, jerky, Christmas ornaments, pillowcases, coupons for babysitting, really the items cover a wide range of stuff.

In the past, I have made some pleated purses, homemade candy, crocheted scarves, clothes, I can't remember but a variety of things.  This year I actually started a box of stuff that I come across or make for the auction.  When it is done, I put it in the box.  That way I won't have to remember where I put it all.  This year I am making freezer paper tshirts, a table runner with appliques, a bag, and a few other things.  I will post pictures after I get them all done.  So far I have one tshirt done.  It is really fun for the kids.  In fact I think they like it the most.  Every year we have raised about 400-500 dollars.  That pays for our camping sites and part of the food.  It works out for everyone I think.  

Here is one shirt.  I think it turned out cute.  The colors are corally orange, yellow, and a dark purpley plum.  I tried to do these freezer paper style and that worked but the spray paint did not work.  It bled everywhere and I got overspray.  Big mess.  What I did was use acrylic paint and added 1 part of fabric medium to 2 parts paint.  Mixed it up and painted away.  What the medium does is allow the fabric to be washed and to be permanent.  My family made a quilt  7 years ago for my parents for the 40th anniversary with everyone's handprints on and it has been washed several years and not a single one has faded.

Anyway, the paint and medium together worked like a charm.  I have a few more to go and it is so much fun.  My daughter thinks it is great also.  She always wants to help with everything.  Love her.

So look forward to a future post with the rest of my auctions items on display.

Teacher Appreciation Gift

School is out and it is probably too late to post this but who cares, it's my blog.  I had been planning to post about the levi apron but Kim @A girl and a glue gun beat me to it.  I did mine a little different.  On the army side holes I just cut them at an angle, added my fabric to the outside, and then added my kids handprints on the bottom and  put a little poem about ten little fingers in the bag and I was done.  I didn't take pictures.  Sorry.

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

Check this video out.  We all need to do this everyday.  Have a great day!

New Dress

It has been a while but my house is clean, kids are fed and I am blogging away.

I got this fabric at Walmart for $1 a yard.  That's right 1 buck.  So I should have bought a lot but I am on a budget so I just purchased what I need.  I think I got 2 yards.  So 2 dollars in so far and I will have a dress.  I had to buy a zipper and matching thread and that was way more than the fabric so I think I did it all for around $8.  Still a good deal and so cute.  The best part...I always cut my dresses a little longer than the pattern so there won't be any growing out of for a while.  This is for my daughter.  She actually likes it.

I used a Simplicity pattern.  I don't always use patterns.  I had this in the stash and I like how the sleeves were.  The dress has tulip sleeves that cross over.  When I follow (mostly) a pattern what that really means is I cut out my fabric using the pieces, look at the directions, find an easier way to put together and add different things, like belts, flowers, shorten, lengthen.  So I guess I really used a guide and then went my own route.  Here are the pictures.

Don't you love the food in the pictures!