Wordless Wednesday: Just Came From The Library

 

Read More »

5 a Week: Needle Books

It’s Sunday, so it’s time for week 8 of…

 

…The Five a Week Pledge.

 

If you haven’t been around here, it’s where you pledge to do five things each week of your choice (see the first week for more info).  I pledged to make five small crafts each week.  Feel free to grab a button and join me.  If you already have, post a comment or a link to share what you accomplished.

 

This week’s craft:

Needle books.

Or needle cases if you prefer to call them that.  I say needle books because they look like cute little fabric books until you flip them open.

See what I mean?

The main reason I made them was to use up some leftover fleece.  Despite recent attempts at decluttering, I still had a few fleece squares hanging out in my stash waiting to be used.  Plus I realized I didn’t actually have anything cute to put my sewing needles in.  Just the packaging they came in, which is super boring.

This needle book is my favorite.  I love the cute daisy print fleece.

These books are super easy to make.  All I had to do was cut a couple of rectangle shaped pieces from the fleece for the “pages”, cut a wider piece to wrap around as the “cover”, then sew a straight line along the side as the “binding”.

I chose to just let the fabric do the talking, but if I wanted to I could have actually made them more elaborate.  Maybe add appliques or trims to the covers before sewing, or decorative stitching along the edges.  I kept on coming up with tons of ideas for making these books while sewing them, maybe even for making similar fabric books.  For now I’m happy with these, but I did come up with one good idea.  What’s a cute needle book without a cute matching pincushion?  So that will probably be next week’s craft.  Look forward to it!

Read More »

Bagging It on Black Friday

Thanksgiving and come and gone, so has another “holiday”.  Black Friday, the craziest shopping day of the year.  Now here’s something totally shocking.  For the first time ever, I actually bothered to go shopping on this day of all days.  I always dreaded the thought of it, I heard too many horror stories.  But I found a sale that I couldn’t pass up.

The Stuff It sale at Epic Thrift store.  You basically get a paper shopping bag from the store, cram a bunch of stuff in it, and as long as it isn’t ripped and the handles still touch, etc. you get the whole thing for one price.  What was that price?

Twenty dollars. Here’s the receipt as proof, I only paid $20 plus sales tax for that bulging bag.  I got a ton of stuff for it, would have cost about $110 normally.  Plus it was so much fun stuffing the bag which was the main reason I went in the first.

Most of what I got was clothing, it’s easy stuff in especially if you roll it very tightly as opposed to folding it up. 

What I got by the numbers:

• 1 pair of shoes
• 4 t-shirts
• 6 tank tops
• 3 skirts
• 2 cardigan sweaters
• 1 knit dress
• 1 pretty vest
• 1 shrug
• 1 belt

For a total of 20 new(ish) items to add to my wardrobe.  Now for some of my favorite pieces.

My sister actually picked out this skirt for me.  It is tiered with lace at each tier and some pretty lace at the hem too.  Of course it is lined, thank goodness.  The best part is the fullness.  I could probably fit a petticoat under it for added poofiness, or just leave it as is for casual days.

When I saw this Hello Kitty t-shirt I lunged at it.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have an almost unhealthy love for just about anything Sanrio.

 

This tank top was just calling out to me.  It’s basically a plain ribbed tank, but the trimming makes so much difference.  Rows of lace and velvety ribbon down the front with ribbon laced up, plus the wide lace at the hem is surprisingly fitting.  I figure that I can used this tank for inspiration as well as for wearing.  

I think it’s important for those who sew clothing to spend time in stores and occasionally make purchases as a way to gleam ideas for designing and embellishing their creations. 

This shrug was just perfect.  It’s so pretty and it will look wonderful with all the tank tops I bought as well as many of my sleeveless dresses.  

Some may think it strange that I bought so many warm weather items since it’s December now.  I believe in planning ahead for things, like seasonal clothing.  If I can save a bundle buying spring clothes in winter, then I am a happier person indeed.  Plus, I live in Arizona, so much spring/summer clothing can still be worn in colder weather especially when layered appropriately.  Fashion-wise I actually love the look of layers, so there’s another bonus for me.  :)

Now in addition to clothes I got this graphic novel.  It’s Alice in the Country of Hearts.  It is actually very amusing, but I won’t spoil it for you with too many details.

And of course I got a few craft supplies.  A couple of bags with ribbons and random trims and two types of fabric.  The floral one is so pretty and I think I’ll save it for spring.  I think it will be perfect for my next Easter dress.  But knowing me, I might make a dress with it sooner than that.  As for the red plaid, I plan on using it right away.  It will be perfect for a new dress for Christmas and maybe for some extra holiday crafts.  

Speaking of holidays crafts, I have to start cracking at them right away.  I have some interesting ideas for this year that I will talk about later.  Look forward to it. :)

Read More »

My Favorite Things: eBooks

It’s has been awhile since I’ve done one of these posts, I guess I kind of forgot

Something I have almost always enjoyed doing is reading.  I say almost because I’m sure I probably didn’t feel too enthusiastic about it when I was just a little kid learning how to read, though I don’t actually remember.  Anyway, I also enjoy using my netbook and downloading all the new goodies I find.  So naturally one of my favorite things are…

…eBooks!

Most the eBooks I have I downloaded from Gutenberg (for free!), but I have found them in so many different places.  Some include:

• Internet Archive—It’s basically like an online library, you can find tons of free eBooks, videos, etc.
• Open Library—It’s similar to Internet Archive, except not all the books are free, though many of them can be “checked out” just like a regular library.  And there’s plenty of classic books to download for free.
• Scribd—this one blends eBooks and social media together.  You can read and download tons of books and share ones you’ve written.
• CNET—this is actually a place to find software of all kinds including eBooks and eBook readers.  Most of the software is free or free to try. 
• Greater Phoenix Digital Library—this is a local resource for me.  Anyone with a library card for one of 10 different public libraries in the Phoenix Metropolitan area can log in and check out eBooks and videos there.  For those outside the area, check with your local library for similar programs.

Now please excuse me, I’m in the middle of re-reading Little Women.  Happy reading!

Read More »

Another “Book” and An Ageless Skirt

It’s funny, I had intended to post this sooner, but every time I sat down to type I went blank for some reason.  Maybe it has something to do with the weather.  Hard to think when it is just so darn hot.  I suppose I could have just posted the photos and left it at that, but I am so not a Wordless Wednesday kind of person.

Anyway, I decided to do some more crafting with old hardcover books again (see To Mothers and Good Literature).  This one I actually read before cutting into it, it wasn’t good. 

I decided to turn it into a notebook, or I guess notepad is more precise.  After gutting the book, I cut some plain white paper to the right size and punched holes in the top and tied with ribbon.  The ribbon is attached to the cover with a very strong glue.  This makes the “notebook” pretty and refillable.

While I was at it I also made a couple of mini pads with some of my paper scraps.  Just bundle them up with a cardboard backing, fold the back over the top, then stitch across the top to finish.  They’re small enough to fit in my pocket while the book is small enough for my purse.

For the next project, I had some pink fabric leftover from one of my dresses and thought is would be perfect for a skirt for my niece.  The neat thing about this skirt is she may never outgrow it.  The elastic waistband fits her fine, but it stretches enough to fit me too.  It is a pretty long skirt, but if it gets too short for her the tucks along the hem can be undone to add a few more inches.  Now the only problem is what to do when in a few years she decides she doesn’t like it anymore.
Here’s the updated list:

• Notebooks
• Little skirt
• Red dress
• Red purse
• wallets
• Tiny wreaths
• Stockings
• Ornaments
• Trees
• Doll makeover

Two down, eight more to go.  The next couple of projects will be up by Friday.

Read More »

To Mothers and Good Literature

It’s a little late, but Happy Mother’s Day.  Maybe not that late, my sister still has people saying it to her.

Anyway, as usual I made a little something for my own mom this year.  And as usual I didn’t have the guts to give it to her directly.  So she received this discreet little pouch as delivered by my niece.

Inside were a couple of my lovely button broaches (see Button Broach: A Tutorial) and a pretty handkerchief.  I made the handkerchief in a slightly different way than usual.  It’s hard to describe, but I think I will definitely be making more like this in the future.

Next, I found myself in need of a case to hold pens and pencils and such, one that would essentially be squish-proof.  The solution?  A hardcover book.

I took an old hardcover book I had lying around and carefully removed the innards.  Don’t worry, the pages are still completely intact.  I stuck them in the dust jacket to read later since the story sounds interesting.  It’s kind of like turning a hardcover book into a paperback.

All I had to do was make the pockets and lining then glue them inside the cover.  Then I made the strap to keep it closed.  It closes with Velcro, I tried to use snaps but it didn’t turn out right.  Of course I glued on a large button just for show.  It was a lot of fun to make.  I thought about making another one, a larger one this time.  The problem is I can’t find a book with a large sized cover that I can remove without causing too much harm to it.  I’m not one of those people that can completely destroy an interesting book in the name of crafting.  Sigh.
Here’s the updated list:

• Gift
• Pencil case
• T-shirt recon
• Pink dress
• Shorts
• Patterns
• Shoes
• Striped skirt
• Mazes

Two down, seven to go.  The next one should be up by Saturday.

Read More »

New Patterns Anyone?

I wanted to post this yesterday, but I had some major technical issues.  Basically Live Writer wouldn’t work, something about connection problems.  Anyway, the other day I stopped by Bookman’s for the first time in a while.  I had plenty of trade credit leftover and a specific reason for shopping.

I wanted to get some more patterns and I was lucky to find some gems.  I found three packets of vintage patterns that I both liked and were in my size.  That doesn’t always happen.  My favorite is the Simplicity one, can you see why?  I think it is the cutest dress and I just need the right fabric.  Look forward to seeing it on a future list.  All the patterns were $2 each, not too bad.  They did have a bunch for $1, but I couldn’t use most of them.  Darn.

I managed to also get some inkpads for $1 each and found a cute new rubber stamp to add to my collection for only 75 cents.  And just for fun, I got a graphic novel for a series I hadn’t read yet.  It’s called Pichi Pichi Pitch.  The characters are cute and there’s plenty of gags, but the story is a little hard to follow.  There seems to be some inconsistencies and some little details that aren’t explained much.  Still, I’m dying to find out what happens in volume 2.  Better get back to my sewing.  Should have the next project finished by tomorrow or Thursday.  Look forward to it.

Read More »

Bring on the Books

It took a few days to do it, but I finally got the books for the doll house library done.  I had a little trouble finding the supplies I needed.

As you can see, I made a ton of books and some magazines too.  I made the books with strips of folded paper glued together.  I cut out pictures of book covers from ads for book clubs, it makes them look so real.   I did the same thing for the magazines and used magazine pages for the inside to give that glossy look and feel.  I also stapled them instead of using glue,  it helps them to lie flat.  So now the basic items are done, I just need to work on the handy extra stuff.

Here’s the updated list:

• Bag
• Cuffs
• Bookshelves
• Books
• Magazines
• Poncho
• Table
• Desk chair
• Chair
• End table
• Lamps
• Capelet
• Headbands
• Globe
• Rug
• Curtains

Seven down, nine to go.  More minis are up next.

Read More »

Memories in Fabric

I adore fabric and cute prints, I guess you kind of have to love fabric if you sew since you deal with large amounts of it.  Sometimes I spend more time looking and feeling my fabric than using it.  And sometimes I even delay actually using a fabric I love because once I finish it I may never see it again.  This is somewhat a reality when I buy fabric from Thrift stores to use for gifts for others.  I’ve managed to fix this problem.



A cute little book that holds scraps of some of my most favorite fabrics from the past.  Talk about a “scrap” book.  There I can look at them and feel as much as I want and remember all the things I’ve done with them.



To make it, I folded pieces of paper over the edges of my fabric pieces and stitched them on.  Then I punched holes in the paper and also into pieces of card stock I used for the cover.  I assembled them together like a book and tied it off with a ribbon.  I also decorated the front cover with a flyer for a salon and some fabric paint.  Fairly simple to make and rewarding as well.  I can still add on to it as I continue my sewing endeavors.  I plan on continuing them for a very long time.

Here’s the updated list:

• baskets
• doll clothes
• foil bracelets
• swatch book
• embellished pins
• Video
• woven tote bag

Four down, three to go.  The next two will be fun, the last one will take a while.

Read More »

More Rummaging Fun

Over the weekend my church had another rummage sale (see What a Dollar Buys These Days).  All well and good, except I had to work so I couldn’t go. :(

Thankfully, my sister went instead and brought me back a bag of goodies.  The whole bag was still only a dollar.

Here we have a ribbon belt, a Las Vegas wallet and a beaded macramé necklace.   The belt has an interesting design, it is different from all the other ones I have.  They are mostly pink, pink, and more pink.  The wallet is cute and has tons of pockets, it may be too big for my stuff though.  The necklace makes me think of summer, is it here yet? 

This one is a little strange, it’s a vintage dress with matching jacket and some kind of scarf.  It’s completely handmade and looks surprisingly good on me despite the color.  I’ve always thought this color makes me look sick.  I just need to take the dress in a bit, won’t be too hard to do.

This is a pillowcase with a very exotic looking print and some blue cotton fabric that I love.  It feels really nice and fresh and I couldn’t wait to use it.  Seriously I’ve already cut into it.  I’ll post what I made tomorrow.

This is a packet of graphite paper and a notepad.  The graphite paper package say it’s intended for transferring images on to wood and stuff, it might come in handy.  The notepad is so pretty, each page has prints of lace on it.  It seems like it’d be good for scrapbooking, or just staring at like I’ve been doing.  I find it hard to write on pretty note pads for fear of ruining them.  Kind of defeats the purpose.

 

Rummage sales are a excellent place to get interesting books.  I haven’t read through this yet, but it looking hilarious.  It’d made a great gift too.

This is super adorable.  It’s a ruffley tube dress, just perfect for Spring and Summer.  And I can wear it as a skirt too.  It may quickly become my new favorite.  That’s the best part of these sales, I always end up with items I love, and with a bargain price and it’s going for a good cause.  Absolutely perfect.

Read More »

Reading if for Everybody

I recently finished a great book, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. It is amazing how older works of fiction can appeal to audiences today.  I got an eBook of it from Project Gutenberg.  It’s a site full of free electronic copies of public domain works.  All the classics are there, not to mention a few books you’ve never heard of.  I found war-era cook books there.

Anyway, Northanger Abbey is about a young heroine who doesn’t embody to usual qualities of an heroine and her coming out into society.  She makes and loses friends, falls in love, gets her heart broken and saves face, and of course at the end she marries her true loves despite a few “problems”.  I found it sweet at many points and amusing.  Hopefully you will think so too.

Read More »

Organized Time

I’m still alive, so don’t worry.  I have just been a little preoccupied lately.  One of the things I’ve been up to besides the usual stuff is reading up on organizing and decluttering.  I figured if I cleaned up a bit and organized everything, then I would have more time for important things, like crafting and sleep.  Here’s some of what I have been reading, maybe it will help some you who may have the same problems with time and stuff.

• The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter by Linda Cobb—This one really popped out at me because it was pink and glittery, but it’s fantastic.  It helps you get started almost instantly, you just have to know what Q.U.E.E.N. stands for.
• Simply Organized by Emilie Barnes—This one is as simple and straight forward as it’s title, it is also so thin that you can read through it in a hurry.  Good for a “there’s no time to organize but I need to” solution.
• Emilie’s Creative Home Organizer by Emilie Barnes—If you liked the last title, you’ll love this one.  More help from the wise one.
• Clutter Cutters: Store it With Style—It is hard to organize all your junk if you have no where to stash it.  This one helps you to declutter and store what left so your house won’t be one big eyesore anymore, not that it is that bad.

Hopefully I’ve learned enough to successfully keep all my obligations in check with these resources.  Or at least I've learned enough to keep my sanity as I try to be superwoman.  It’s an improvement.

Read More »

Home Sweet Home and Maybe a Campout

  Well, I finished the doll house.  At least I finished building it, I still need to furnish and decorate all the little rooms.  Those will be separate little projects.  Anyway, the house is made from a cardboard guitar box and all the window trimmings and sidings and stuff are made from old file folders I found.  Along with the folders I found a sheet of clear plastic which I used for the window glass.  The door knobs are made from wooden beads and a straight pin.  Can’t wait to furnish it. I’ll probably start with the bathroom.  I found some fun books at the library about making tiny toilets.  More on that later. 

I also manage to make the sleeping bags.  They are based are some I saw in a book several years ago.  The book is called Wild with a Glue Gun.  It’s a simple design with a built in pillow and just the right size for tiny dolls.  I’m thinking of using them for another short film.  Although it seems a little chilly for a camping video.
Here’s the updated list:

Altered jacket

doll house

sleeping bags

hat

Glittery makeover Just one more to go. It might be a little difficult since I have no clue how to make hats.

Read More »

Book it to Bookman’s

I’ve been clearing out a lot of stuff lately and taking them to trade at Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange.  Well, I ended of with a whole mess of trade credit, and so yesterday I decided to use some of it.  Actually most of it.  I came home with one of their super cute paper bags brimming with goodies.

 

I got this magazine/book thing called Altered Couture.  I’m not sure if it is suppose to be a magazine or a book since it’s so thick, but it’s chock full of ideas for altering old clothes into something more interesting.  Along with it, I found a pair of pinking shears.  Woo Hoo!  They were priced at $5.  I’ve been dying to get a pair.  Now just think of all the things I can do with them.  Heh, Heh.

I also found this book, 100 Things You Don’t Need a Man For.  It’s about doing repair work and home improvement, and it’s really cute.  The instructions are fun and easy to understand, and it’s full of vintage illustrations and funny pictures of fashion dolls.  I just find it amusing as well as useful.

 

And for fun, I got this.  Really, those other things are for practical purposes.  I love Cathy, though not as much as my sister.  She finished this one off before I got a chance to look at it.  Still, Cathy comic strips are hilarious, I especially love the shopping ones.  We all can relate to her predicaments in the dressing room.  And if not, they’re still funny.

With all this, it only came to about $27.  And I use trade credit, so essentially it was free to me.  Not too shabby, right?  And this time I did spread out beyond my usual path.  When I buy stuff at Bookman’s, it’s usually anime DVDs or videos and manga.  And sometimes Archie comics.  I guess sometimes it more interesting to do things a little differently.  Maybe next time, I’ll look for my comics at Goodwill instead of craft stuff.

Read More »

A Little Halloween Help

While spending my time “studying” for class, I stumbled upon this site, Favecrafts.com.  They have a new eBook on Halloween and I just had to let everyone know about it.  Halloween is only a week away, there’s still time for crafting for it.  If not, maybe plan ahead for next year.  Yeah right.  They also have some stuff on Christmas, and it’s definitely not too late for that.

Also before I forget, my birthday is this week, so happy birthday to me.  But I haven’t started on my gift to my sister.  She asked me what I wanted the other day, I didn’t know.  I’ll have to give it a little more thought.  Ah well, happy Halloween.

Read More »

It’s a Wrap

I won this book, Wrapagami in a drawing on CraftyPod.  It just arrived yesterday.  It’s about ways to wrap gifts and stuff using fabric or a “furoshiki”.  It is so cool, the instructions are easy to follow, the wrapping is fun, plus the book is really pretty.  Not that that’s what makes a good book.  It also has tips on other uses and some of the history of the furoshiki and wrapping.

 

Anyway, here’s my first attempt at it.  It’s the most basic thing in the book and it still looks good.  And I finally found a use for this fabric, I’ve had it for almost a year now.  Guess what’s inside, I’m not telling, but I’m sure it is obvious.  Next, I think I’ll make a set of furoshiki for my twin sister and wrap them in one.  Our birthday is coming up after all.    Good thing she doesn’t read this.

Read More »

What a Dollar Buys These Days

This weekend, my church had their rummage sale with the dollar a bag sale.  That’s where you get a plastic grocery bag and jam in as much stuff as you can without busting it, the whole thing will only cost one dollar.  Needless to say, I am pretty good at cramming things into bags and came back with plenty of goodies.

 

I got some more t-shirts and a tank top because you can never have too many.  I live in t-shirts mostly. 

 

 

 

I found this pretty floral top, but I think it’s a little too sheer.  Maybe the tank will come to the rescue.  I grabbed a pair of shorts because most of mine are worn out (see post Shorts No-more).  And in preparing for winter, I found this pretty poncho and a pair of holiday socks.  I have a thing for socks with snowflakes and stuff. 

 

I found these two skirts, the black one is okay and would be good for work (if I ever find a job), but the other one is really cool.  It’s handmade, possibly a first-time project.  Ah, doesn’t that bring back memories. 

 

 

 

I found these two jackets that would also be good for work, although they are technically a little big on me.  If they won’t work I’ll make them work.  Heh, Heh.  The pink one reminds me so much of Legally Blonde 2, or possibly Barbie.  I use to have a doll that was suppose to be a flight attendant with pink jacket similar to this.  Coffee?

 

For fun, I got two Sailor Moon videos, a book and a pink pillow case.  The pillow case and book are perfect together because I do a lot of my reading before bed.   Of course the book it fitting anyway, it’s called Life Lessons Learned While Shopping.

Read More »