Ornie for the tree

A completely cheezy grin by me cause the tooth pain is gone and you (cant see the hole) Did you know know Target is carrying oodles of leggins, stockings, knee highs and thigh high socks and all in yummy colors and patterns? Me either till I went this weekend. Go there, now!

I made this diaper cake. Its all full of newborn diapers. She wanted her cake made this way. She pointed to a photo she found via Google and I happily made it for her. EVEN tho I hated that I could not add things to it to spice it up. I did put monkeys on there. SO there. Take that. And they are pins so she can put them anywhere she pleases. I love the cake stand. No I adore it so. I wish there was another so I could have asked hubby for one.

She LOVED it all. Yipee!

So I was making my first Jello mold. I made it for Thanksgiving. As you can see from my sad photo the Jello never made it out of the mold. I should have started the Jello sooner but I almost forgot about it completely. I was feeling that "I just got my tooth pulled" pain and I had taken some meds and well....I lost track of 2 hours and woke up drooling all over my sofa. Really it was not pretty but I felt way better than before. The Jello was yummy. I mixed strawberry/banana and raspberry and it was delicious and everyone had some. But look at it. Haha thankfully I have a crafting blog and not a food blog cause of my lack of cooking skills. I can do some yummy dishes I am not pathetic now. I just have to make things a few times to perfect it. I learned a few things and will try harder next time. I think hubby might need some jello later. He got his tooth pulled today. Oh my we are all getting our dental work done and some of us are hating it. Hubby is good about it, I hate it and I am a big baby, I don't deny it.

Oh remember that ornie I said I would share with you? You remember look here. Here is that ornie. You just stitch the facial features on and then blanket stitch close. Have fun making them!
Remember they are for personal use only. I don't own the rights, I just make them at home for my tree and package tags.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you stuff yourself silly and be thankful. I am so ever thankful for all of you.

note to self: Never again with the tooth pulling. Not only did I find this procedure barbaric. I hate needles too. Yesterday was really icky. And my OCD did not help any either. I am just glad its all done. I had a broken tooth and its been causing me pain. I had a choice to get a root canal or pulled. There was no saving it. Its gone now. But oh my. I am totally going to the dentist once a year now. Even tho I HATE THEM SO MUCH. (sorry dentists) you just freak me out and your toys you play with are just not fun at ALL!

Pocketed Bread Basket Liner Cozy

Pocket Bread Basket Cozy Tutorial

Supplies needed:

fabric that is printed on both sides

contrast or matching thread

binding (store bought or handmade)

plastic/metal snaps

basic sewing supplies

You will need a circle. I just went into my kitchen cupboard and grabbed a plate. It was 11 and 1/2" in diameter.

Cut out three circles and sew your binding on each one.

Take a fabric marker or pencil and make an X on one circle. Then take another circle and line/pin them up together. Take this to your sewing machine and sew the X with contrast or matching thread. (your sewing both pieces together) Then go back with your marker/pencil and draw a line across the X then sew on that line.

Now take your last circle and place that under the two sewn circles. Look at your circles. See how they look like a pie sectioned off? You will need 6 pins. Lift up the first circle. You need to pin the 2 bottom layers together. So make sure you don't pin the top layer/circle.

Pin each section/pie slice in the center of the section/pie slice. Then go to your sewing machine and sew these sections you pinned together. You will only need to sew about 3" down.

This is the bottom after I sewed those six parts.

Last you just need to take 2 snaps (4 pieces) and sew them opposite of each other. SO when they meet they snap. When you snap one close the other will snap close over or under the first snap. Its your choice. Makes no difference.

And your done. I told you this one was easy. I love it. Perfect for gifting. You could make one up in no time and then offer it to someone who just had a baby and fill it up with goodies. Or food. Maybe someone new moved in your area? Maybe a gift for the Holidays?

Bread Basket Cozy Pockets

I am currently waiting for the Dentist to call me back. I need a tooth extracted and they can not do it at their office. So while I am anxiously waiting for an oral surgeons phone number and thankful that the pain is not as bad as it was over the weekend, I made this basket cozy. I found a vintage one in the house I was renting a few years ago. It was left with a few other handmade items the previous owner left behind. (she actually passed away) So I was honored to be the one who gets those items. (Her son did not want them.) I appreciate/adore the handmade quality and touches. I am going to have a tutorial on how to make this. It is really not that hard and its perfect for gifting. You can put this cozy in any basket or bowl. I am using a Pyrex bowl, I don't have baskets. You can use this for bread/rolls/muffins/fruits/veggies etc.

Stuffed Primitive Raggedy Ann Dolls

I made a few dolls this week. Its been a while since I made my large dolls. I have missed them.
This on is going to made into a pattern. I just love her bird ornie.

This Retro Cutie has oodles of hair.

I adore this sweet dolls face. She too will be a pattern I offer. I just have to write them up. I am going to list these dolls in my Etsy shoppe.

Stitch Magazine & tracing pattern tips

I love Stitch magazine! They have full size patterns and lots of modern fun crafts to make.

I am in the process of trying to make one of these Pot Luck take-alongs for my Pyrex dish. This is designed by Melissa Frantz. ( Thank you Melissa for sharing this awesome pattern) You can find it in this issue of Stitch magazine.

I don't like to cut any of my patterns. I use tissue paper to trace my pattern and then cut the tissue paper. If you do not have any tissue paper on hand I have used wax paper and parchment paper. You can at least get those odd shaped ones too when you use these types of papers to trace. I love full size patterns. I hate having to alter sizes myself. I never get them correct. You must get this magazine. I think there is only 3 issues a year? But really packed full of patterns. Its about $14.99 on the newsstand.

Box Bottoms on dolls

This is what a box bottom looks like on a handmade doll. Pretty much like a box. Now I am a stuffer. I like to stuff my bodies nice and tight when I make a box bottomed doll. I want them to stay seated. I also stuff a little bit of fish rocks (you know the kind from the aquarium) To give them a little bit of weight to them. I know you can use those poly pellets but I do not think they are heavy enough to keep the dolls up right. Now maybe If I made them bean bag style and loose in the stuffing then I could be ok. But I like firm bodies on my dolls. Its a texture thing. You know how I am about texture in art. I am sure you could use other materials to stuff your dolls but remember if you are selling your dolls you can not stuff them with food (beans, rice, etc) Mice just love that stuff and they have a wonderful sense of smell and the post office has some rules about shipping food products to certain countries and it might look like your smuggling. (haha that is funny to think of rice being smuggled) but its a health violation actually.

South Florida Sunrise in November

My favorite time of the day. Early morning as the sun is rising. I promised you purple sky photos. I am busy admiring them before I realized I need to share. They almost go as fast as they come.

Thrifted Pink Tablecloth on this Thrifty Friday

I found this rather large vintage pink and white linen tablecloth. It has butterflies printed on it. There is a name printed on it, Tammis Keefe. When I first found this I thought the price tag said $25.00 but it was really $2.50. I almost set it back down. Thanks goodness! I love finding little treasures like this (in Goodwill no less). I did a little bit of research (not much) but this lovely lady Tammis Keefe made a variety of table linen in the 1950's and her style is very cute and collectible.

There is a few stains here and there. Loved and used. Perfect.

I found 2 sets of napkins in this 1970's flower (crazy) print. 8 of them total. I am going to use them as fabric.

Vintage Vera Napkin Linen. Sushi printed and I am like *meh* about sushi printed anything but then again it is Vera. Maybe someone on Etsy is more than *meh* about it and would like it. It feels brand new and looks to have been packed away. No fading or even used. Still has factory creases and its so stiff. Still *meh*.

Updated Sunday 22, 2009: I was informed this is not sushi its Licorice Allsorts Candy printed. My gosh. Like thank you so much ladies for telling me. I thought it was sushi. I am glad you told me. XO

Vintage 1960's Disney printed pillowcase. This is going on my bed after I wash it.

Vintage hamburger patty Tupperware stacking keeper set.

I found some more vintage 1950's bar glasses. Frosted elephant, tiger and a horse on carousels. I have been seeing this corning prints everywhere lately. I have 2 counter top savers in this print. Lately I have seen bowls, dishes, canisters and such. Today I found a lonely little mug and decided to purchase that and only that. I am not much for Corning-ware. I like it but not so much. Every now and then I do catch myself buying a piece but it has to be the right one and in the right print in order for me to do so. Now if I see another mug in this print I will pick it up. If I see anymore I will leave them. We all have our collecting ways. I found another large jar for my sewing area.

Yummy vintage scarf blue, grey, white, mustard, orange. Perfect for this fall.

Handmade Monkey Diaper Bag

I made this diaper bag. My friend is going to go bananas for these gifts, no? (giggle)

Monkey Baby Blanket

I made this mini baby blanket. Its for playing and snuggling more than wrapping one self up in.

Charlie Brown Love in this house

We adore Charlie Brown in this house. My oldest son and I share a deep love for him and his pals. I have made this ornie for my tree this year. I think I should scan this up as a freebie pattern don't you? Its very easy to do really. You could make a few in an hour.

Monkey and a local indie craft show

I have been debating on a few things these past couple of weeks. Debating on doing a few more craft shows. I have been contacted by a number of people this year to take part in local craft fairs that are going on this year. I wish I could attend all of them, but weather down here in South Florida permits me from attending them as a vendor. I have been invited and accepted that invite and shall be attending the Sugar House Holiday Bazaar its December 19th, 2009 from Noon till 6pm. I was also invited and accepted at the Odd Duck Indie Craft Fair in March on the 27th in 2010. I was also just invited to another Indie Craft show called, "Ain't Your Country Kitchen Mamma's Crafts. This show is Dec 13th of this year. There is no email or website to drool over. Email invite only. I have to react fast. Should I go or should I shop? I love indie craft shows.

I made this monkey for a local friend of mine who is having a baby boy. She has chosen green and brown as her baby colors and her theme is yep, monkeys. I am making her a diaper cake in these colors. I also have a few other handmade goodies to make. I told you November was a busy month. We still have Thanksgiving plans to make. We were going out of town and those plans changed 2 months ago. We are staying home. Which means I need to pick out a turkey very soon.

Thrifted on a Birthday Weekend!

It was my birthday on Saturday! Another year older and wiser. And RICHER in thrifted goodies. I really have not been thrifting lately. Honest. I havent. I am trying to keep at home sewing and creating and filling my Etsy shoppe. I have been trying to make ornies for my Christmas tree too. I hope for this season to be a "Handmade Holiday". I have been busy lately. I have been invited to so many parties. It's that time of the year. Birthday's and Holiday cheer. I have my tree set up already. I do. I have 3 up so far. I have 1 more to go. Photos will come soon. I visited a thrift store over the weekend that is a bit out of the way for me but sometimes can be really worth the trip. They are currently cleaning house at that thrift store and everything is 75% off. They are going to clean the entire store and set it up differently. I heard them talking about it. I was able to find this hard shell white suitcase. It has a blue lining and is in great shape. It is not as big as the red one I found a few weeks back but its not that small either. I have been using the vintage suitcases I find to store all my vintage linens in them. I have only 2 closets in this house I rent so you can imagine the creative ways one thinks of to store items. I found a few Vera items. I found a pillowcase and 2 scarves. I also found a vintage yellow scarf made by Scarves by Nasharr. (I have been waiting to find a yellow scarf, one of my winter color themes this year is grey with yellow) I found this vintage yellow floral jar. Its made by Hilda. I saw there was a smaller mate to this (on Etsy). But I only found the large. I am currently using them to hold the white roses hubby bought for me. I found a vintage sewing book. There is a craft in that book that I have been looking all over the Internet for. Finally, I found it. All it took was a thrifting adventure and 25 cents. I found this vintage blue and white dish. I am not sure if it was handmade or not. Its very pretty. There is writing on the back of it. Someone etched in the clay these markings: BBJ JJ 8:84. I have no idea what that is or means. I found a set of orange, white and yellow floral pillowcases and some vintage poker chips.

Meet Lady Momoko

I have a new line of dolls that I am going to be listing on Etsy. The stuffies! This is Lady Momoko.

Thrifted Vintage Pyrex Friday

I found this sheer vintage black scalloped apron.

I found this large vintage Pyrex bowl Its yellow with black. This is the Gooseberry pattern.

Found this large square flowers pattern, "Verde" Pyrex bowl.

Also in the Gooseberry pattern I found a medium size bowl. This vintage Pyrex bowl is white with black print.

This $2.00 wood shelf is getting a makeover and then going above my sewing area. It already has hangers on the back. It just needs to be updated! I think my baby jars will fit in there.

These do not look very big, but trust me they are. They are a very nice size and vintage and made really well. Not thin little ones (like they make now) You can see how thick the wood is. I paid 25 cents for them. I am going to use them for crafting and prolly decor.

I found 2 of these. They are like brand new. No really like never used just folded and forgotten. They are so adorable.

2 Vintage yellow pillowcases. I hardly find just all yellow or green or blue. I hope to find more solids with pattern.

Ask and you shall receive. Oh my! Remember I just posted a pillowcase just like this? (scroll down a bit you can't miss it) I found another one. Now I have 2. I love it when a set comes complete thrifted. Its so hard to do and you have to be really patient.

Oh this pillowcase is a little worn but still has enough life in it to craft with. I just love the mod floral ones.

This vintage set will be going on Etsy. Its really pretty.