Sew 12:12:1 in 2012

For 12 months, 12 days a month, I will sew for at least 1 hour. That is my #1 Resolution for the new year. I am going to take the time to do what I love to do. Sewing always ends up on the back burner, and I don't seem to get to do it as much as I want. I'm too tired, too busy, too lazy, etc. You know how it is; life gets in the way.

As I was straightening my craft room for company during the holidays, I realized just how my many unfinished projects I have. It was scary. I also never realized how much fabric I have or how many notions I have...that brings me to my #2 resolution. I will spend at least 6 of my scheduled 12 hours per month working on UFOs. Hopefully, this will reduce my pile mountain of UFOs. 

My #3 resolution definitely goes along with the first two. I will use my stash first before I buy anything to start a project. This may sound simple, but in reality, it is hard for me. I think of something I want to do, and I will buy everything I need to do it, even though I already have everything at home. This is how I have ended up with so much crap many duplicate notions and excess fabric. I plan on tracking exactly what I buy from this point forward, hopefully, spending as little as possible while churning out fabulous finished projects. 

I wish I could take credit for the wonderful idea of 12:12:1, but I actually ready about it here. I am, however, going to take this wonderful concept and make it my own personal challenge for this year. How about you? Are you up to my challenge? Are you ready to promise yourself to sew at least one hour a day, 12 days a month for the next 12 months? 

Guess What I Got For Christmas....

Just in Case You Wondered...

One (1) yard of fabric makes about 20 yards of 1/2" double fold bias. 

Slave Labor

Wouldn't you know it.....our dishwasher broke on Thanksgiving, and of course, no one was working on black Friday or Saturday. So, I had to resort to one of the chores I hate the most...washing dishes. 

In the midst of drudgery, my midget asks if she can help. I am tempted to say no, but then I think, why not? As long as she isn't handling knives, anything extremely fragile, or otherwise dangerous what would be the harm? 

As it turned out, she enjoyed herself so much she has been asking if we can wash dishes every ten minutes since we finished. She is excited every time a dish goes into the sink. I can honestly say I have never enjoyed washing dishes so much. 

My Sous Chef

Among other new things, Maggie has shown an interest in helping us cook. As we were baking one day, she informed me that I needed to make her a hat and apron to wear while cooking. How could I resist? I think this is the first time she has actually ever asked me to make her something. 

I went to my standby, www.youcanmakthis.com, and found a free chef hat pattern and an apron with no ties. I picked this apron because Miss Independent would be able to put it on herself. I pulled out several fabrics and let her choose which she liked. I was quite surprised at her selection, but I think she made a good choice. 

I made both one night after she went to bed. She was so excited the next morning. She put it on and wore it all day. Now, before we can cook, she has to put them on. Seeing her so excited about wearing something I made makes sewing all night so worth it. 

Halloween Costume for the Midget

A few weeks ago, Maggie informed me she wanted to be a witch for Halloween. I haven't idea where that idea came from, but there was no changing her mind. I didn't want her to be an ugly witch, so I decided to make her costume. That way I would have more control over how she looked.

I ended up making a long tutu using purple, black, and lime green tule
and then an overlay of sparkly black chiffon. I pared that with black leggings, a black shirt and black shoes. I took a cheap black witch hat and added braided chiffon ribbons to it, letting the ends hang down. I also used the lime ribbon for a belt. I think she looked adorable.


This is her scary face.


Here, she is practicing her cackling.


This photo was taken at our local Halloween festival. I entered Maggie I the costume contest, and out of about 40 4-6 year olds in her group, she won 2nd place!! She was sooooooo excited! For the contest, she used a broom as a prop. I also tied the 3 colors of chiffon ribbon to the end. It helped tie it all together.

I'm proud of the way it turned out, and she loves it, which is what matters the most.


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Where did the time go?

I just can't help myself...

Well, my bulldogs lost last night, even after I'd made the coolest throw pillow showing my team spirit.

I had so much fun making it and I was bored today, so I made another one. I think I may like this one better. It has a black polka dot flange instead of piping like the one yesterday. I also put a zipper in it because, quite frankly, I like putting in zippers....

I think I may be obsessed...excuse me while I do laundry and look for more t-shirts to turn into one of a kind pillows to decorate my sofas....

Goooooooo Dawgs!

I love college football. Actually, I love watching The University of Georgia play football. I am a diehard Bulldawg fan. Seriously, I bleed red and black. Win or lose, I don't care, as long as it is a good game.

In honor of the first game of the season, I decided to show my spirit by turning a t-shirt into a throw pillow. I think it turned out great!

It even has a zipper, so I can change it when football season is over or quickly throw it in the wash if someone spills or drools on it......

Projects with My Midget

When I was young, I was allowed to try different crafts. I spent a lot of time under my grandmother's dining room table as she sewed. (That table is now in my dining room and brings back fond memories whenever I look at it.) I used to take the scraps of fabric as they fell to the floor and make clothes for my Barbie. I was encouraged to use my creativity in any crafty outlet that seemed appropriate. Because of that encouragement, I learned to sew, crochet, tat, cross stitch, and many other fiber arts.

My daughter is a lot like me and seems to have a thirst for all things crafty. We have spent many hours drawing, coloring, painting, and playing with playdough. She is extremely interested in whatever I am doing at my sewing machine, which scares me. For some reason, I am terrified that she will stick her finger under the needle as I am sewing or embroidering.

Lately, I have been looking for crafts appropriate for Maggie and I to do together. One of the first ideas I came up with is stringing beads. I love bracelets and always wear several, so I thought that might work out well. I bought some inexpensive wooden beads and some clear elastic thread. Maggie and I laid out a sequence of beads, and then Maggie strings them.



When she is done, I tie the ends together and we marvel at how pretty the bracelet is she made. Of course, I reap the benefit of extra jewelry and the broad grin of excitement when she realizes I am wearing a bracelet she made. I think we will be giving bracelets for Christmas this year.

January, again...

It is January. again.

Again, I kick myself for not making all kinds of incredible Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I love looking at other blogs for ideas and inspiration, but when the time comes, I never remember all of the good ideas I see throughout the year, or if I remember them, I can never remember where I originally saw them. So, since I am basically just talking to myself when I am writing on this blog, I've decided to use it to jar my memory of great idea for Christmas gifts.

I love this Recipe Card Holder from Life's Sweeter with Chocolate.

How about Monogrammed Hand Sanitizer/Soap Bottles or Personalized Hand Sanitizer Bottles from the Idea Room?

I REALLY want to make a Ballard Inspired Paper Holder by Infarrantly Creative for the midget. She would love it. I am also adding Infaffantly Creative's Grocery List Tear-off Pad to my list. This would be a quick, easy, and very useful gift.