Sometimes, You Just Have To Make Something

By now everyone knows my website was down and I sat for 2  1/2 days at my computer trying over and over to get into the site and sometimes I could get in and do something and then it would knock me off.  You can imagine the hours of frustration and the feelings of helplessness.  Early on I decided I would get through this experience one way or another and I'm be happier if I had something to do with my hands while I was click, click, clicking. 

I brought my sewing machine next to my computer and started working on the long list of Christmas gifts I have to make.  If you are wondering if I always wait until December to start my gifts.....the answer is.....Yes....that is the case more often than not!!  LOL....and I'm sure I'm not alone either! Right?

 

You may remember this post, when I started learning from the book, It's a Wrap.  I wanted to continue my "lessons" so I started with these bowls.  Wrapping the clothesline kept my fingers busy while I was waiting for the computer to respond.  Working with my hands is such therapy for me and I definitely needed some THERAPY.  The bowl above is one of my favorites.  I started with a 8 inch bottom so this baby is going to be large. 

Here is a pix of the side of the bowl.  Ain't she purdy?

I also made these two smaller ones.  The brown and orange was made from Batik and will be given to my younger Brother for Christmas.  Don't worry, he doesn't read my blog.  No one in birth family reads my blog so I can show all the secrets. 

I also watched these 3 DVD's Paintstik Inspirations by Laura Murray, Thread Therapy with Dr. Bob and Bobbin Play with Bonnie .  I've seen a few of them before but I wanted to review what I had learned.  Since I've dipped my toe into the thread painting/sketching/doodling/coloring I wanted to see how to use the more decorative threads that won't go through my sewing machine needle but can be used in the bobbin.  Bonnie McCaffery sure has some great ideas and tips.  Now I can hopefully finish the backpack project.

FYI:

Some of the usual products at IHAN have accidentally been removed and will be replaced.  If there is something you are looking for and don't see, please e-mail me and I'll take care of getting it for you.  There is also Free Shipping at IHAN until Dec. 5th....so if you have been wanting something heavy or large now is a great time to order them.

The deadline for the Square-agonals Giveaway is tomorrow, Friday....so if you have not left a comment...you just might want to do that....on the Square-Agonals post....not here.

Smiles,

Kelly

It's A Wrap Bowl by Rosemary and Tonya's Mod Podge Prize

Most of you know I have been working on the It's A Wrap projects with my friend Rosemary.  This is her second project.  This time she used Batik fabric.

She wanted to do an oval basket and this is how it started.

And this is how it ended!!!

Great looking basket isn't it?  I'm currently in the process of using Batiks as well.  I'll post mine when I'm finished.  Beware.....this is a lot of fun.

Tonya over at Tonya's Sewing Room Blog won the Mod Podge in the IHAN Anniversary Celebration.  Check out the fun things she has made already:

A decorative thread jar and

A Magazine Bowl.....now tell me how very cool this is.....so Green and just darn right spanky!!! 

Thanks Tonya for showing us your fun projects :)

Smiles,
Kelly

It's A Wrap finish and Superior Thread Company Machine Needle Experience

Well I enjoyed Tuesday morning so much I decided to take a break this afternoon and finish my, "It's A Wrap" plate (recommended first project by the author).  Keep in mind I left my book with Rosemary so I had no idea what was recommended for the process of keeping your work from getting all tangled up.  I am someone who will wrap it up around my feet....trip and fall....catch furniture with it while I walk downstairs to sew etc (yes I catch my purse strap on door knobs).  Luckily my paper towel was down to the last three pieces so I used the cardboard part to coil my wrapped line around.

Here it is next to my machine.  Check out how bright my Bendable Bright Light is....I love that thing!!!

Then all I did was use my left hand to rotate the coil under my machine while I held the cord taunt with my right hand.  It went very quickly.  I really like how forgiving this project it.  If by chance you don't catch the coil....just go back and stitch it again and it does not show.

Here she is....finished :)

And here is a close up of the fabrics.  Amy Butler fabric....oh yea!!!

These needles have nothing to do with my "It's A Wrap" project except that I used them for the first time today.  I have only used one brand of needles in my life.  I have never had a reason to change....I honestly have never thought of even trying another brand (old dog I guess).  I was asked to give these a spin and see how they worked.  I can tell you that I was able to thread the needle and that was huge for me.  I typically can't thread a needle to save my life.  Not with my glasses, two Ott lights and a Bendable Brightlight.....I guess the holes were just too small.  I had not one problem and only had to do it once....not 5-10 times licking the thread then the needle etc.  One time!!!!  The needle was nice and sharp....not one problem with the needle at all.  Guess you know where I'm going with this ay?  Yes....I'm going to start using the Superior Needles. 

Smiles,
Kelly

Some Time To Sew - "It's A Wrap"

I've not taken ill or gotten lost on the freeway....I have been finishing up packaging the last of the Anniversary Celebration prizes.  I still have three to ship and only two to be claimed.  Not bad ay?  That was an incredible amount of work and I had no idea when I came up with the idea that it would require so much time and energy....as they say....ignorance is bliss :)  I had a ball and it seemed like many of you did too....so I would say that was a successful party.

My girlfriends in PA meet and stitch on Tuesdays.  Every Tuesday I think of them and wish I were there stitching with them.  I am there in spirit and sometimes even via phone....but it has been since Thanksgiving since I've been there in body.  So when my girlfriend Rosemary called and said she wanted to get together today (Tuesday) to sew, I said YES...feet don't fail me now. 

For a long time I have wanted to make one of the projects from It's A Wrap. written by Susan Breier.

Rosemary actually took the time to read the beginning of the book for directions.  I typically jump in and only refer to the instructions if I fail....anyone else do that?  Crazy isn't it?  But I do it anyway.....not always....but many times. 

This is the clothesline we used and here are the Amy Butler Fabrics I used.  Susan recommends cutting your strips either 1/2 or 3/4 inch wide.  Both Rosemary and I decided we liked the 1/2 inch strips the best.  Somehow they just seemed easier to wrap.

I could not help but say, "Don't Pull the Rope MO!!"  Naturally Rosemary is looking at me sort of funny because it makes no sense to her...LOL.

This is MO Doodle....and he does what we did....He pulls the rope!!!

Yep....somehow we could not help ourselves...it was funny.  Twice we had the rope all messed up and had to get it untangled. 

These are Rosemary's fabrics all cut and ready to go.

Susan recommends using glue to attach the fabric every so often.  Rosemary preferred a glue stick and I preferred Roxanne's Basting Glue.  She found it difficult to squeeze the bottle (it hurt her hand) and the glue stick worked better for her.  I liked the way Roxanne's glue worked....so it is good to know what you like to work with.

This was as far as I got today.  I found it very relaxing to wrap the fabric onto the clothesline. 

One way to keep your rope untangled....wrap it around your hand and then put it into a Ziploc bag and close the bag up to just the end.  Then when you are working your rope is not long enough to trip you as you walk away....or get all tangled....of if you are anything like me.....I got mine all tangled into Rosemary's 15 yards.  You have to be super talented to be able to do that though!!

Susan recommends starting with a plateso that is what we started with (thanks to Rosemary :).  They would also make lovely glass or mug coasters.  Wouldn't they make some really fun gifts?  I want some but I'm afraid my co-workers will use them as mini frisbees....and they will be flying all over the house.

Smiles,

Kelly

It's A Wrap

Have any of you made one of these bowls or baskets recently?  I'm in love with this book.  I'd like to see more of what people have made.  If you have done one of these,  will you send me some pix?  I'd love to hear how it went. 

My girlfriend from college, Pam, is here visiting for a week.   It is so nice to have her here and she is such a huge help.  She loves to help make my life easier so she has been folding laundry, helping with the boys in the morning and she has inspired me to finish some Christmas clean up. 

Yesterday we even rented a movie, Julie & Julia.  It was really good and I can't tell you the last time I sat on a sofa and watched a movie in the afternoon.  Oh yea...did I mention the swirly gummies?  Maybe I'll just keep that little secret to myself....I don't want a rush on the market and then the demand will be so great I won't be able to get them.  I think that is what happened with the Tim Tams.  I can't find them anywhere now.  I bet it is all my fault too.  I should keep my secrets better hidden....cuz there seems to be a rush on the Tim Tam market.  I'm thinking their stocks just shot through the roof.  LOL

Swirly Gummy Smiles,
Kelly