Up-cycling among other things...

Last Blog had information about Chemo Caps,
I had finished some more
so I thought I'd share them...
I had been playing with different stripes.
the blue and orange are the colors
of our local College football team.
(BSU Bronco's -they're very popular here)


There has been a lot of stuff going around
on Facebook and Pinterest about Up-cycling...
It's something I've done all my life...
Taking an item no longer in style or use,
and turning it into something else you will use.
So I thought I'd share something...
This is a toddler dress I picked up at
a local thrift shop. I paid 3$ for it.
It was a size 4T.
It had a few problems,
and would probably not be purchased by someone
to actually use on a toddler.
I took some paper a bit bigger than the dress
and sketched a simple outline of the skirt
and waist area that I wanted to include in the bag;
Making a pattern for the lining.
my motto is the KISS plan...
Meaning,
Keep It Simple Stupid.
no reason to make anything harder
than it needs to be.
and besides,
I probably wouldn't finish it if it were.

I used my rotary cutter and a straight edge
to cut the top of the little dress
away from the bottom.
Leaving enough to fold over
and attaching the lining to.

Then I scrounged through my fabric
scraps and other pieces
looking for a piece the right size
that I liked with the denim skirt.

Found a lime green with white polka dots.

Used the long sleeves to cut
for the shoulder straps.
Again I used the rotary cutter
and the straight edge ruler.
I cut them 4" wide to form a tube...
I didn't think they were quite long enough,
so I added a piece from the back of the top.

I liked the little pockets on the front
of the top, so decided to use them for a
pocket on the inside of the bag.

I cut the top front into a rectangular shape,
not really measuring for a size...
but rather, to fit the pockets into it.
I used another piece of the lining fabric
to line the pocket.
Because the front had an opening,
I could sew around the entire piece
and still be able to turn it right side out.

Then I centered it on one side of the lining,
and stitched the pocket down.
I decided to top stitch down one side
of the center front, forming 2 pockets.
With the little pockets, there are now 4
to use for different items.
I believe my cell phone fits in one of the
smaller original pockets.

after sewing the lining together,
and sewing it inside the skirt.
I stitched the bottom of the skirt
along the existing hemline,
leaving the little ruffle free.
Added the shoulder strap.
And Wah Lah, I have a cute new bag.
Up-Cycling.
I have some more projects I've
picked up at the thrift store.
A striped Linen Shirt, another toddler skirt,
some vintage linens and table cloths... I will try to take photo's of before
and after to share here in the blog.
Also, I am starting the Farmer's Wife Quilt this week...
Yeah!!!
Finally!!!
So there are things to look forward to.

Musings from Utah

Lots of things on my mind today...
As you can see by the tittle I'm over here in Utah again.
I've been spending my time getting caught up on some podcasts I subscribe to.
Though I have a long way to go...
maybe I subscribe to too many?
Nawwwwwww.
I just need to keep still and listen;
it's the one complaint I have with my IPOD,
it will play continously through the song list,
but not the podcasts.
I have to tell it to start them each individually.
So I can't really listen to them while I drive,
can't take the time to change from the finished one to the next.
Apple and ITUNEs listen up...
We need to be able to play the podcsts on a continuous loop.
OK,
enough of that.
I have also discovered through the podcasts,
that I missed a whole lot of stuff going on here in Utah.
Annie Smith was here as were several others from the quilting community...
Oh well.
There is a quilt show going on out here in Eagle Mountain
in conjunction with the pioneer days celebrations going on this week.
I've been meaning to look up on the internet other events
in the Salt Lake City area
as well as here in the Utah county just south of Salt Lake City.
I came down here to spend some time with hubby...
He gave me tickets to the 360 tour with The Fray and U2.
That was a lot of fun.
I must admit that I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.
Actually more on the rock and roll side.
Loved U2...
The Fray aren't too bad either.

I did finish the first applique block
in my current traveling quilt project.
Actually, I do still need to embroider the center of the eye on the bird.
(pictured below)

It's from the pattern "My Whimsical Quilt Garden" by Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins.
From Piece O' Cake designs.
Not the first quilt pattern I've purchased,
but,
The first one I've actually started working on.
It's the whole road thing.
I did buy it here in Utah. (Broadbent's in Lehi)
While I was at home in Idaho,
I also finished a shirt
(pictured below)
One of the projects I had on my New Years resolution list of unfinished things to do.
I had promised I'd finish 6 things this year.
This now makes 2 items I can check off.
It is from a Butterick Pattern (B5538).
Which was a multi sized pattern,
and was supposed to be easy to adjust to fit.
I did the 3/4 length sleeve for more versatility,
I think it turned out pretty cute.
But...................................................
It has reminded me of why I don't like to do fashion sewing anymore.
Maybe I didn't follow the instructions closely enough,
but the shirt doesn't fit me right.
It will need some altering before I will be comfortable wearing it.
The sleeves are too tight around the upper arms.
and too loose and baggy around the bust under arm area.
I need to take the side seam in and let out the arm seam.
So I won't be able to wear it until those alterations are made.

Anyway,
While I was listening to the podcasts...
Annie Smith (Quilting Stash) in particular.
I was thinking about my own sewing experiences.
I'm referring to podcasts number 200 & 201.
In 200 she talked about her grandmother's and learning to sew,
and in 201 she was talking to Jenny Wilding Cardin (sp?)
about repurposing used things by sewing them into new things.
I don't know if my grandmother's sewed.
I'm sorry that I don't know more about them than I do.
I lived close to one, but not the other.
The one close by did beautiful crochet work,
don't know what the other one did.
I'm going to have to ask my mom about her.
I''ve often been a little bitter about the one who did the crochet work.
I did not ever get anything hand made from her,
there's a wall hanging in her church of "The Last Supper"
that she had crocheted.
My brother's ex-wife somehow got all of her crocheted items from the house
when she passed away.
They have all vanished from the face of the earth.
No one knows where they've gone.
This is what I'm a little upset about.
I would have cherished the items...
Now they're lost to the family.

I learned to sew from my mother,
I remember learning how to make doll clothes.
I also learned from her to keep all of the scraps of fabric from any project
to use someday in a quilt (or doll clothes, ha ha ha)
I did take sewing in school,
I did a lot of fashion sewing for myself as I grew up.
I made my own wedding dress.
Then the kids came along (6 of them)
and I did a lot of sewing for them.
I took a class when the first 2 were babies,
and the instructor showed us how to use old clothing and things
to remake into clothes for the small children.
(Annies podcast #201 -reminded me of that)
I had a lot of fun doing that.
A friend saw some of the things I had made,
and shipped me a big box full of old clothes they didn't use anymore.
Some of the things I sent on to the thrift store
I just couldn't see making clothes for little boys
out of dry clean only stuff.
But other than that I had well dressed boys.

I did make a few quilts when they were babies,
but they were the whole cloth kind that you lay out and tie with yarn.
There came a time several years ago,
can't tell you the exact date...
When sewing wasn't fun anymore.
It wasn't pushing any of my creative buttons.
I found quilting shows on TV,
and quilting magazines in the stores...
I took a quilting class.
And I discovered that I could fill that creative itch in me.
I've been quilting ever since.
One more thing I want to mention here...
From the time I was a small child.
I wanted to be an artist...
I took art classes all through school,
including a few in College...
I came to the conclusion that I would never be any good at art.
I am not good enough nor driven enough to be any good...
But I believe I've found a place in quilting
to pour out all my creativity
and claim the tittle of Artist.
Even if my family and friends are the only ones who ever see it.

Everything but quilting in Canada

Sorry to all,

I've been up at my house in Canada.

(The photo by the way- is baker street in Nelson, BC...)

I haven't done any quilting...

I did bring my applique project to work on.

But I've been spending my time

with friends,

and just chilaxing.

I did buy a ball of really yummy yarn

at the local shop here.

("That Craft Store")

The brand is NORO,

from Japan.

It's

50% Wool

30% Angora

20% Silk

color no 73 lot A

It is a multi color yarn

with pinks, greys, blues, & greens.

I only bought one skein because of the cost.

I decided it needed to be a hat.

(I'm going to have to start wearing hats)

I'm actually working out my own pattern.

Not the first one I've tried doing,

I have a pair of slippers I need to finish...

I wanted it to be as little bit slouchy,

but I didn't want it too big.

I have gotten about 1/2 way done with it.

I'll put up my pattern and a photo once it is done.

Also...

I have been wanting some new shirts/tops,

and I just cannot find stuff I like that fits me right.

So

I broke down and bought some patterns

and

I'm doing some fashion sewing.

I have that about 1/2 way done as well.

Again,

I'll post photo and pattern information

when that is done as well.

One of the things I do with friends here in Nelson,

is scrap booking.

They get together on the 3rd thursday of each month

and visit,

scrapbook,

share supplies.

Laugh,

catch up,

eat, etc.

I join them whenever I can be here on the right week.

Right now I'm working on my

scrapbook journal from my 2 years living in Italy.

Soooooooooooooooooo

like I said;

No quilting,

but other craft activities going on here in Canada.

time really flies

Wow,
I'm astounded at how long it's been since I last posted.
Oh well.
I have a few new goals for the year.
they are as follows...
1) Clean and organize my sewing room
-so I can actually sew in it.
2) finish 6 things I'd started before this year
-quilting, sewing, knitting, etc.
3) participate in a challenge -from the pod cast "Quilting for the rest of us"
-involves using fabrics from the stash.
4) work on the "Art Quilts Workbook"
-by Jane Davila & Elin Waterston

I have a few other goals for the year,
that involve healthier living.

I choose 1 thing and work on it until I feel I have it mastered,

and then I will choose another thing.

The first thing I chose to work on is Soda.

I am trying to no longer drink Soda.

I have to admit that since I've set that goal,

I have drank 3 soda's (not all at once)

and so I feel I'm still working on that one.

Meanwhile,

I was tossing out a magazine...

and my grandson found a picture of a pillow in it

that he wanted me to make as a gift for his sister.

It was "First for women" 2/8/2010

I have a photo of the finished pillow if I can remember how to post it.

I have also been working on finishing a wall hanging

I'd begun nearly 2 years ago.

It's an applique project I'm calling "mouse house" for now.

I'm in the quilting stage -doing hand quilting for a change.

Then of course will finish it off with the binding.

So- thus far this year,

I've made that pillow -a new project using mostly stash fabrics.

I'm getting close to finishing that wall hanging -a project I'd started before this year.

I'll post that one and talk about it when I've got it done.