sticky stuff

A few months ago I bought a Xyron create-a-sticker machine. I finally had a chance to make some stickers! I scanned the fabric prints I made a few days ago and played around with the images in Publisher. Then I printed the images out on copy paper and some on card stock. The last step was cutting them into sizes to feed through the 5" capacity of the sticker maker. Turn the handle and voila stickers to peel and stick! The machine came with 18 feet of sticker material so I expect to customize my all sketchbook covers and still have plenty for future projects!

Printing Frenzy!

 First a little sketching, then block carving, and on to messy fun of inking!

 I used Speedball screen printing inks on linen and even some velvet!

 The dots and over printing were big fun! 

 I just couldn't stop, so I got out some of my older blocks and printed with them too!

After these dry and are heat set I will start stitching with them!

The selvage doesn't lie.....

 The design notations on the selvage of this favorite fabric from my stash reads 2001! Guess I didn't want to rush into anything in deciding what to make with it. I remember the trip to Aurora Sewing Center with my sister Meri and niece Julija. because we did so many fun things that day! Shopping for fabric, breakfast at a favorite Greek diner and a game of Clue when we got home!   If you are ever in Williamville or East Aurora NY be sure to take the time to visit the Aurora Sewing Center. They have a great selection of quilting fabrics, sewing notions and state of the art machines for sale!
In keeping with the spirit of this fabric, much loved and long pondered before cutting and stitching, I applied lots of dressmaker details including hand stitching, french seams and bound seams, ans a custom tag that reads "mine".

I still have some fabric left. Wonder if it will be another ten years before I use it........

Who are these kids anyway?

 Back before the days of jobs and kids of their own........ the three musketeers soggy from playing in the snow!

 Alex leaning into the corners!

Jackie does not appear to be amused by her grinning companions! Lots of sketching treasure in those photo boxes.

just the right button........

If you can't find it, make it! You'll need a heat gun, heat tolerant work surface ( I use an old Corning Glass cutting board ), rubber stamp, ink pad, embossing powder, and a smooth surface button. I used a  portion of a larger stamp and gently pressed the button on the stamp. Sprinkle on embossing powder, shake off excess and heat until the powder melts and is glossy. To keep fingers safe from the heat, skewer the button shank on a pipe cleaner. 

Just the look I wanted for this smock back blouse! The pattern is Vogue 7700.

A little contrast fabric for the yoke, collar, and cuff, and a piece of vintage lace work appliqued on the back  finish it all off. Can't wait to wear it!

I have two custom buttons left over and will send them and a mini fabric stash to a lucky winner randomly selected from readers who leave a comment here or on this post on Creatingthehive! Comment by February 1st to win!

I thought of you......

Like many clever resourceful people, my Grandmother Waldron had a drawer where she kept materials from "interrupted projects". Some were her own and some were tag sale finds. Unfinished dresden plates and sun bonnet sue quilt pieces sat next to partially completed embroidery.kits. She often pulled these out during visits, handing them over one by one to add to my fabric stash saying "I thought of you and what you might do with this". The next part of the conversation was magic to me. When I would begin to describe the many possibilities spinning around in my head, she would say "oh don't worry, it's OK to cut them up!". 

So...... a portion of Mary Waldron's never finished ombre embroidered  rose linen table cloth has become a delightful set of hangers for the guest room.

If you would like to make this project yourself, just start with a few wire hangers, trace their shape on fabric, and cut out two pieces for each leaving a 5/8th seam allowance on the curved sides and two inches at the straight bottom. Cut a piece of 3/4 inch wide ribbon twice the length of the hanger hook plus two inches. Fold in half right sides together and stitch down each side, stopping an inch from the bottom. Turn right side out and slip over the hook. I like double faced satin ribbon for ease of turning. Place your  fabric pieces right sides together, stitch along the curved sides leaving a one inch opening at top and an opening the full length at bottom. Turn right side out, press, and slip the finished piece over the ribbon covered hook. I stitched up the bottom by hand, folding the fabric twice and using more ombre embroidery thread to to make a seam that ties in with the original embroidery work. You could also use a blind stitch or even leave raw edges if the fabric texture lends itself to that effect. Finish by stitching through both the ribbon and fabric cover where the hook meets the main body of the hanger and catch another short piece of ribbon to tie into a small bow. Voila! Elegant, vintage, and possibly a story or two to tell with this little recycle project!

I'd love to see what you do with this idea! Comment and link to your finished project if you wish to share. 

the making of silly things......

 Alphabet and Czech glass beads strung on elastic with "squinkies" (Don't ask, I found them in the clearance section in Walmart). Selecting the words to go with the figures was fun,

 I ended up with quite a collection of stretchy bracelets to send off in holiday packages to unsuspecting loved ones.

These guys were apparently concerned about the prospect of being skewered as well, but were ultimately spared due to their being a bit too big to make into bracelets!