Time

Hi. Hope you all had a glorious Christmas time with friends and family. Now its time to get things cleaned up and put away. It's funny how one can accumulate so much paper! Does anyone know what I mean??

I'm now working on sewing up some baby presents for a few new parents to be. Thinking of baby blankets, and tiny shoes. Sewing baby things is fun because you can embellish them with embroidery, and they do not take too much time. I have been looking up a few free patterns on the internet and I found some on TipNut, it is an awesome website for free patterns. The quilts are a little more time consuming so better get started on those very soon.
Hope you are all enjoying these lovely days of warm weather. Happy Sewing! KS

Busy Sewing

Hi fellow sewers, hope you are all enjoying this time in December. I'm done with my Christmas shopping so now I can just enjoy spending time with my fabric stash and coming up with new projects.
Lately I have been busy finishing up two little dolls I made for Boyd's & Bradley Art Studio. The dolls will be for sale at their shop starting today. I love making dolls! I have always been interested in creating dolls, and making little dresses. Dolls really help ones creativity come shining through and for me I am happy when I get to use up as many little notions and things that I have collected in my sewing room.

 We have Sally in the pink dress, cape, and bright blue eyes and her best friend Emma in a blue floral dress with her blue cape. They are so cute and just waiting for someone to hug them and a new home of their own.

Well, off I go to my sewing room, I want to work on a quilt I have started. More to come. Have a great day and happy sewing! KS

Greetings!

How I enjoy Christmas time of the year, the decorating and the joyfulness in the air.
Here is one of my handmade horse ornaments and my nativity, still so pretty to look at.

Today is a great day for shopping, can't wait to get out there and enjoy the business of the season and find some pretty treasures. Checking out my favorite thrift stores is always a fun thing to do. Just imagine the creativity!

Imagine what you can do with some of those sweaters, wool, doilies, or whatever you find that can be transformed into something pretty. So what are you doing today? I would love to hear about your ideas.

Lately I have been inspired by this lovely lady, Tasha Tudor. She was always wearing an apron, and she lived a pretty simple life. Something to strive for.
Have a wonderful day. Happy Sewing! KS

Frosty Days

It's sure icy cold these days, so I'm pulling out all my sweaters. I love that bundle up, hot chocolate, cuddled up to watch a movie feeling. We really do need more of these times especially with our loved ones. While I'm home, it has given me time to finish up some things I've started like my quilted bag I made to put my hair equipment in and the apron I started yesterday. Here they are:

I used some Set Sail pieces left over from a quilt for my bag, and the apron which has a retro feel came together quite quickly. I was saving the fabric just for something like this. It's a special gift for someone who loves to cook. 

Sundays are such wonderful days of rest and preparation for the week to come. So whatever you are doing, remember to do it with joy and a cheerful heart. Happy Sewing. KS

Good Day

It's a beautiful cool day, perfect for spending some time sewing some cute aprons to give as gifts. Going to get started and hopefully have them ready on time for Christmas and to show them to you too. Happy Sewing! KS

Sunny day

 This morning, after our walk, I ironed all my aprons I made and tagged them for display. I also tagged all the cute handmade wool ornaments and they look so cute in a box ready to go. I made one more just because I thought I have to have a cross as an ornament for hanging in someone's home.

I really enjoyed doing all this hand stitching, and these ornaments were really fun to make. 

Later today, after a trip to the market, I think I will have to get some Christmas decorations and start putting them up. I also need to go get my Christmas tree. Lots to do but so much joy doing it all, because it's almost Christmas!

Lately, I have been sewing aprons. I really am fond of wearing aprons, especially when I am cooking or washing dishes. I like doing things the old fashioned way, like washing dishes by hand. Call me silly, but it's just something that reminds me of my mother and grandmother, the simple way of living, and I like that simple way of life. 

(waiting to be ironed)

Here is my Pup. When I'm sitting outside on my park bench, he is always there with me, such a great companion! Keep looking up to the sky. KS

Quiet evening

I decided to take a little break from sewing tonight, I'm giving my fingers and hands a rest. Just relaxing a bit as I sit to look at the many papers of sales that have recently popped up.
I also want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, remembering to give thanks to our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus as we prepare our food and sit to enjoy the blessings he provides for us in the next couple of days.

Here is my sweet puppy, he too is resting quietly. Have a great night. KS

Eight and counting

 I finally got my eight wool ornaments done and here they are. They are cute, and just waiting for final touches such as the string to hang them with. I plan to put the red and white bakers twine on each one.

This little brown one is my favorite, it reminds me of the horses we see when we go for our walks.

You take care, and Happy Sewing! KS

Beautiful Rain

It's a beautiful morning, and it looks like we did have some rain overnight. It is so nice to see the refreshing dew on the petals and leaves on my rose trees.  I love roses!
I have been busy creating some wool ornaments that I plan to exhibit at the Art Studio. I'm using some felted wool sweaters that I thought would make cute ornaments. They look very artsy and special because every stitch is by hand and I'm using embroidery thread. My hope is that whoever may purchase these will see the beauty in the materials and the design. I first make a drawing, then use some paper to cut out the pattern, then I cut out the shape and start blanket stitching to put them together. It is fun for me to do hand sewing, a good past time while I have a bit of time to watch some TV. The designs are all different from ponies, tree, owl, fox and a deer, here is a picture of the white pony. What do you think?

I only need to add a cute string so that this little white pony can hang on the Christmas tree, a window, or on the door. It's great to use wool from recycled felted sweaters and turn them into other cute little things to make your home warm and charming. 

Well, off early to the market and to get my pup his favorite dry food. Have a great day and happy sewing! KS

Sweet Day

Happy Sunday! I attended church this morning and it was just wonderful, I loved the message out of Revelation. It just feels so good to see people and to see the joy of being united in Christ.

Besides my love of sewing, I also like to cut out paper and use glue and glitter. It reminds me of being in school again. I cut out some circles from Christmas cards using my handy dandy circle cutter by Fiskars, a cutting mat, and I gathered a variety of glitter in different colors, and plain white school glue.
It's quite easy, just cut out 2 of each circle, use some embroidery thread of different color to go in between  the paper circles and glue together. Let them dry a bit, after they are dried, add more glue to the outside of the circles and have fun with the glitter pouring it over each circle and then letting them dry. They can be used as garland to decorate your mantel or anywhere that you can hang them. They are so pretty with the glitter sparkle. It's a great Christmas project!

I took my dresses and "Nellie Tales", my little mouse doll to Boyd & Bradley Art Studio yesterday. The studio is an amazing place, there are many paintings, jewelry, and hand crafted items by local artisans, it's a great place to buy Christmas presents. They have classes for anyone who is interested in learning to paint or learn a new craft such as felting and the two teachers, Lauren and Tisha are so talented! They both make incredibly beautiful things.
Well, I plan to get back to working on some Christmas ornaments and my set sail quilt. Enjoy your Sunday! KS

Quilting day

Hello everyone. It is a perfect day to do some sewing. I've gotten started on making this small quilt, it's more of a crib size quilt, and it's the nautical theme because I really like this theme. I am using fabric from Birch, called " set sail". I decided to combine it with other pieces that I already had with the same theme. here is a sneek peak of what it looks like so far.

I think it could be used for a boy or girl. Its just so cute with the whales and boats. 

 Along with sewing today, I think I will prepare a nice dinner later, take some time to go outside, breathe some fresh air, and get a bit of Vit D from our lovely sunshine and dream about more projects, they just keep coming!!  

Happy sewing everyone! KS

Happy Veterans Day

 Thank You to all the veterans for their service and to all the current soldiers here and overseas.

I'm busy creating things around here. I love to use up little pieces of fabric just like my mom and grandmother did long ago. Here is a project of mine that I started a few months ago. It is my own idea and creation and I think this would make a wonderful Christmas present for someone. It will be going over to the cute consignment store along with my dresses. I only have one, so the next one will be going into my etsy store, if I can get to it. I have other things already started that I need to finish up. It's best to keep any ideas written in a notebook so that you won't forget them for later. So let me introduce you to Miss Nelly Tales. Her name has a special meaning to me. It's a mixture of me and my mom, and childhood of course.
Ok, so here she is, TaDa!

She even has her own patchwork bag to be carried in, and to have as her own quilt when she is ready for a nap.

I enjoyed making this little mouse doll. She is just cute as pie and fun to look at. 

I think I will make another one of these, because Miss Nelli Tales, is going on a trip. Will wait to see where Miss Nelli Tales  is planning to go next. Until next time, keep looking up. KS

Cute dresses

Hi, I am finished with my dresses! Here are 3 more, but I have made 4 dresses in all that I will be featuring at a cute consignment shop. These dresses are cotton and easy for wear to any place casual, or dressed up a bit with a sweater, and a necklace. They do have that homemade touch, so there will be no other like it. What do you think of my fabric choices?

A lovely model

This last dress reminds us of the prairie look, but it's also a vintage style dress from the 50's.

 It feels great to finish up these dresses, and it's always fun to see the finished product. I have been sewing dresses for a long time, I guess I have always really liked the idea of having a dress that nobody else will ever have but me. 

I hope they will inspire others to wear homemade dresses, and make homemade dresses for themselves.

Now on the crafty side of my time lately, here is what I came up with. I used a felted 100% wool sweater, and made this cute little horse to start my Christmas decorating. 

From sweater to horse!

I am enjoying making these. They are great to decorate at home, put a string on them and use it as an ornament or add it to a Christmas gift along with a tag.  I'm going to make more. They are very simple and all handmade. 

Well I guess it's time to go have some dinner, so off I go. Hope you enjoy this post. Please leave me any comments, I would love to hear from you. Blessings, KS

Sewing

Not too early to start on some Christmas time sewing. The feeling of Christmas is in the air and I love Christmas time, and decorating. In my collection of scraps, I have some wool so I decided to make some ornaments just to hang around the house. I have also been working on finishing up some dresses that I plan to take over to a cute consignment shop. 

Sewing is so much fun for me, it's so creative. Thinking of a project, gathering up supplies and putting it all together. It's a fantastic feeling to see the finished project and even if it is not what others think as good, well it's good for me. It just starts by finding that idea of what you want it to look like and then starting it. I find many ideas in magazines, internet, and vintage books. Creating is so relaxing for the mind, it somehow takes away all the fuss of daily life stresses, and just makes things feel better again. So if you have an idea, go start it. You can do it! 

Keep looking up to the sky. KS

Pumpkin time

 I've been busy making pumpkin bread this morning, its a favorite of ours. It is so yummy and good for you too. I like to share it so I plan to take some over to some friends later.

 I have also started up some more sewing on my second dress. Not quite finished with that one but I do have one to show you. This dress, I made using a new vintage sheet. The sheet was still in the package so I thought it was a great find, and I like the fall colors.
It is a dress one may wear for fall or spring, and it has that nice V gathering on the front bodice with a regular slightly pleated skirt. I put a handmade embroidered fabric tag on the inside back of the dress. What do you think?
I thought I would show you what other things I have made in past few months. Here are some pictures of a little doll I made, some mug rugs from my scraps, and a blue crib size quilt I made a few months ago and is listed on my Etsy shop.

 I also thought I would show you my shoe box of the hexies I'm working on.

My box of goodies, all hand made including my needle book.

I do like to share my ideas, sewing tips, and items I have made.
Here's a tip: Keep all your small sewing supplies, and hand work in an old shoe box, keeping everything together is great when you are needing to tote it around, and the box is recycled.
Well, I'm hoping you will be inspired by my pics. For now, I best go check on my pasta sauce I made from scratch, spaghetti is on the dinner menu tonight. Till we meet again, happy sewing! KS

Hi all

Hope all is good. I've been under the weather a bit and I have been taking it easy, not as much sewing in the past few days. My lab looks at me and he is probably thinking,

 " come on mom, lets go for a walk".
 I am on the mend but I like to take that extra bit of care and rest up, drink green tea, and think of happy thoughts.

So I did finish the dress I was working on, here are some pics, I also started on some other dresses. As much as I love to make dresses, I also like to keep making smaller projects so I think I'll work on some hexies, I keep them all together in a shoe box and I work on them when I have some moments to sit a while. Thanks to my friend for giving me this pretty brown gingham fabric. I knew it had to be used for something that is pretty and useful and the owner of this dress, my beautiful daughter, tells me she loves it!

Thank you to our Lord Christ Jesus, He makes my day!KS

Happy Day

I'm happy to say that I did finish the mermaid pillow case and it's on its way to Colorado to the young lady who will be receiving it as a gift from her grandmother. I think it came out very pretty and I'm hoping it will be treasured for a long time to come, and be used over and over.

Here she is, swimming with friends, sew much fun!

I have also been busy making other little items for my etsy shop such as this cute pouch.

It's so cute and functional too. I love to use scraps and I have lots of them, so I make pouches. This one has a cute charm I found. It's quite lovely with the french lady in the front. You can use it for anything you like or tote around your hand sewing projects. It will be available on my Etsy shop.

This weekend I  had an opportunity to stop by a favorite store of mine, it is called Birch. It's full of beautiful fabrics, including organics and they have an awesome collection of bundles too.  It is a great store! and the staff are all lovely people who greet you with a hello when you walk in. I went there to purchase some fabric so that I can make a couple of dresses. When I'm there, I love to find cute designs on fabric to use when I make my different projects. Here is a sample of my latest pieces I brought home.

Lots to do as you see, I plan to start designing some new ideas for these. I think a dress or two, and maybe a quilt, we'll see...

Have a great day! Come back soon. KS