Life is a Musical

Jalie Fleece Jacket - arm embroidery

2012-01-30T11:53:00.001-05:00

Jalie Fleece Jacket - arm embroidery
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer
For Christmas I made my sister and my niece Jalie #2795 Jackets. I made a muslin for me first - to see how well the pattern fit, etc.

The pattern is awesome. I used an old blanket as the main fabric (The gray fabric was a blanket I received years ago when I worked at a large pharma company. Milk Street Cafe would give the admins 'points' for ordering food through them for meetings. Once you earned a certain number of points you could redeem them for products.) and a remnant from JoAnn's for the 'pop' of color. It had a lot of pieces but the directions were super simple to follow and it really sewed up in a flash.


Front of Jacket and a dog to boot. She likes to have her photo taken.

Back of Jacket.

My sister's jacket. She's a Jets fan. NOTE - Jets fabric is not easily found in New England. Had to order it online.

Jacket for my niece.

Happy Halloween Bats!

2011-11-14T13:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween Bats!
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

I made my husband's Joker costume this year for Halloween. The pants are SuedeSays (Simplicity 1948) and the jacket & vest are Simplicity 4083. The bowtie is from a free pattern from Sis Boom.

The pants pattern was so fabulous. Easy directions. The pockets were the first successful pockets I have ever done in a pair of pants. My husband actually wants a regular pair of pants in the pattern.

The jacket was fun to do. I altered the back and the front to resemble the Joker's jacket from the Arkham City game. The vest pattern was not as easy to assemble as the other two. I don't like how it was put together and would do it differently next time but the overall effect is what my husband wanted, and that's the important thing.

I used some curtain fabric from Joann's. It has the 'lines / stripes' in the suit that the Joker needed (according to my husband).

Nine Years Before the Mast

2010-04-01T06:22:00.002-04:00

Today is my wedding anniversary. In honor of being married to my wonderful husband for nine years I finished a UFO. It is a quilt I started for him over a year ago. Some things I learned whilst making this quilt:

(1) Once you put interfacing on the t-shirt fabric it stops feeling like fabric.

(2) If you are going to back your quilt with flannel you probably don't need to use batting.

(3) If you are silly enough to use t-shirts (with interfacing), batting, and flannel material for the backing don't try to do any fancy quilting. The quilt will be way too heavy and the thread will break and you will curse worse than any sailor you have ever known (or not known). You will then be so annoyed / disgusted with your project that you will leave it on the floor and walk all over it and allow the children to play on it and use it - even though it isn't quite finished yet, because you haven't sewn the binding on yet.

Yes, my children have used this quilt already. Upstairs, downstairs, really, wherever they could drag it. So, I guess it isn't that bad. It just isn't as pretty (the quilting part I mean) as I would like.

Happy nine years before the mast for me and my hubby. Perhaps if I start on a pair of pants for him now they will be done before his birthday in May, or perhaps they will become a Christmas gift. It all depends on whether the pattern directions leave me cursing like a sailor.

New Ironing Board Cover

2010-03-25T20:54:00.004-04:00

I made a new ironing board cover today. I saw this posted via my Craft Gossip email and said - I can do that. So, I did.

The fabric and batting were from my stash. The top fabric (it is a reversible ironing board cover but I did not take a photo of the other fabric) is "go for baroque" from Alexander Henry. The hardest part was pushing a safety pin with elastic all the way around the cover. It made my fingers sore.

What I want to do as a finishing touch, to make sure the cover stays snug, is to add some straps to the back of the cover. I must say, it fits way better than my old.

Off to iron fabric for another project!

Two Dresses for Little L

2010-02-01T14:07:00.003-05:00

My little one has the good fortune of inheriting lots of clothes from her older sister. That also means that a lot of the clothes have a good chance of being stained, er um - well-loved.

There was one nightgown that was well-loved. It had stains from hot chocolate spills, a gum incident left one arm eternally a little gray and hard in areas, and the fairy on the front was fading away from too many washings. I decided, even though it was too big for my five-year-old, that I would take apart the nightgown and make a new one for her. I hoped the sizing would be better since I didn’t plan on adding a seam allowance.

Little L was born in 2004 – the year of the Monkey according to the Chinese calendar. For Christmas I purchased some flannel fabric that featured monkeys on moons. She was very happy with the fabric choice. Taking the nightgown apart was painstakingly slow – I didn’t want to mess it up. Putting it together proved to be rather easy. The nightgown is still a tad big but she loves it and wore it all day. It was also my first time using Fold Over Elastic (FOE). I think it is my new most favorite thing.

And, since we are headed off on a cruise soon, I thought I should make her a warm weather dress. I used Easy stitch ‘n save M5370 by McCalls’. I had size 1-2-3. I wasn’t sure size three would be big enough but thought I’d give it a try. Amazingly it is too BIG for my little girl! It comes down to her feet. She picked out her fabrics and even picked a flower embroidery stitch to go around the entire hem. It went together easily (concept - twirly skirt attached to a lined bodice) and she’s happy and will actually wear it!

Sewing With a Purpose (SWAP)

2010-01-17T18:24:00.004-05:00

Shirt #2

One of my goals in 2010 is to sew with a purpose. One of my husband's goals if for me to sew with the supplies I have on hand in the house (including fabric and thread).

I really want to sew more clothing items. Even if they appear a tad homesewn. I doubt I'll ever run into Michael Kors so I'll take my chances at having mistakes in my wardrobe.

I have sewn two more t-shirts from The Perfect T-Shirt pattern. The yellow one was done earlier this week and the blue one I finished up this morning.

Shirt #3

I did the FBA for the blue one and must say, I think the shirt does lay a little better now. Creating the dart was easy following the video on the Perfect T-Shirt DVD (Pamela also has written directions on her website).

Up next - I promised my girls each some jammies. One daughter wants a dress out of fleece - so she can wear it outside and not be cold. I do plan on making some sundresses since we are going on a cruise in February and I am an optimist and expect that we will need warm weather clothes on the cruise. I am going to place a call into Mother Nature (oh - maybe she is on tweeter!) and let her know the dates so she can be sure we get nothing but sun and good weather.

Posing for the camera girl. She thought my other pose was boring.

New Year - New Sweater

2010-01-03T18:26:00.003-05:00

New Year - New Sweater
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

It's a New Year. A New Decade! And that called for - a new sweater!

At the beginning of December I purchased some Pantagonia fabric from Fashion Fabrics Club. I figured it would be warm and as I get older (and I'd like to think because I've lost weight over the past two years) I am actually cold in the winter.

I was amazed by the raveling of this sweater fabric after the initial wash / dry. There was so much raveling! Regular knit doesn't ravel. That was the first sign I was in trouble.

I used The Perfect T-Shirt pattern for the sweater thinking I have sweaters that look like the same shape. Oops - the sweater rib fabric is THICK. Thicker than just straight knit fabric. So the neck biding is out of whack. All user error on my part. I'm hoping a run through the washer and dryer will spring the sweater into better shape.

The sweater is warm and even though it is 100% acrylic it isn't itchy or annoying - a good thing. If I can't fix what I ruined in the neck I'll just wear the sweater over a t-shirt or tank top of some sort.

I am now on the lookout for a pattern that uses sweater rib knit. Anyone have a pattern they recommend for my light blue Pantagonia sweater rib knit?

Sewing while rock climbing

2009-12-09T16:46:00.003-05:00

Sewing while rock climbing
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

Yup. Why would anyone want to do extreme sewing you ask? Wait, you didn't ask? Well, let's just pretend you did. To win a sewing machine!

U-handbag is having a contest. Simply take a photo of extreme sewing (my favorite so far is the ocean one), post it to her flicker pool, follow the rest of the rules on her blog and voila! you have entered the contest.

Grand prize is a new sewing machine.

Happy Extreme Sewing to All!

Heather Bailey's new fabric - in a video

2009-12-08T11:07:00.002-05:00

So cool!

The Perfect T-Shirt (Pamela's Patterns)

2009-11-29T18:23:00.002-05:00

The Perfect T-Shirt (Pamela's Patterns)
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

Achoo - oops. All the dust that has accumulated on this blog since my last post makes my nose tickle. Anyway...I finally used a serger that I bought this summer to make The Perfect T-Shirt from Pamela's Patterns. I bought the DVD to help me figure out how to sew the shirt. It was a fabulous investment.

I love this pattern. I love this DVD. It really helped explain things that I, having never sewn with knits or a serger before, needed to know.

This neckline is the standard jewel neckline. I'm going for the scoop and v-neck in the next two shirts. I can't wait to start on my next shirt!

Nectar of the Gods Purse

2009-09-06T18:57:00.001-04:00

Nectar of the Gods Purse
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

Nectar of the Gods = Coffee

Well, to me it does. The only mom I know that does not drink copious amounts of coffee to get her through her day is my sister. She prefers tea or hot chocolate.

I love my Gracie handbag but really needed it to be slightly different to hold my handy, dandy, brandy spanking new hardcover calendar. Calendar to be used by me to keep track which child is in which school and when, who has to be at the Y for classes and when, when my husband isn't traveling - so I can at least pretend to cook him dinner, and when I can fit in sewing for me. :)

I made the center panel of the outer fabric taller so it was the same height as the two outside panels. I made the inside pockets wider and a tad taller as well (I think). I used the only zipper in my stash that was the same length as the bag.

What I would do next time...add a pocket on the outside and add the interior key fob holder that I forgot to sew in.

Oh - and many thanks to my model who agreed to this photo shoot on the condition that her ring be prominent in the picture.

Coffee Cup fabric by Timeless Treasures
"Coffee Talk" by Hoffman California International
(not shown in this photo) Lining fabric: "Big Ticking" by michael miller

Fun Wedding!

2009-07-23T16:20:00.002-04:00

Okay - I don't know these people in the video. Found it on another blog.

BUT

If my husband & I are required to pay for a traditional wedding for our daughters I will require they do this at their wedding - only if I am paying for it, of course.

Vacation Memories

2009-07-18T01:10:00.006-04:00

Just got back from vacation. We visited a few bears.

Took the kids to see their 1st drive-in movie.

And - saw a rainbow.

Gracie and H.A.

2009-07-07T22:28:00.004-04:00

H.A. = Halter Apron

I made my halter apron from the pattern I received from Tenth Muse Studios. Sorry for the poor photo quality - it is raining yet once again here in New England. Some nice thunderstorms today. There was no lighting to be had aside from the house lights and they just didn't cut it. My daughters and husband all liked this apron. I was a little leery about sewing the whole thing together and then turning it inside out but it worked well. I think next time I'll add an inch or so to the waist piece. I have a long torso and really wanted the tie to be down just a bit more but that is the only complaint I have about this pattern. If you want one you can go here to buy it.

This is Gracie.

She's the Gracie Handbag by Lazy Girl Designs. It was easy to put together - although I think their directions leave you with a tad of a sloppy inside. I'm sure if my thread colors matched my fabric it would not be so noticeable to me. I did not have one shade of green to match the striped fabric. Bummer. I haven't embellished it at all. I'll let the girls have at the buttons tomorrow to see if they can find the 'perfect' button to put on the flap.

See that inside fabric. That was a free yard I won from Sew Mama Sew. I finally used it. And, there is enough to make the lining of another purse. Yippee!

The only con about this pattern is that it wants you to purchase a Bag-E-Bottom. I had no idea what it was when I read the back of the pattern in the store and the employee that checked me out did not ask if I needed it. I finally figured it out once I watched the video available on the Lazy Girl Designs website - a Bag-E-Bottom it is a hard acrylic bottom for the bag. Newsflash - I'm not one to follow directions. So - I improvised and covered some Pellon Peltex with fabric and slid it into the holder and now I have a semi-hard bottom on my bag. I think if I really wanted to I could put another piece of Pellon Peltex in to make the bottom more solid. I'll test it tomorrow as is to see if another layer is really necessary.

I don't think I'll ever call her Gracie though. I've always called my purses Percival (pronounced Purse-i-val) after Percival on Little House on the Prairie. He married Nellie Olsen - for those that don't know.

New Projects

2009-07-03T21:53:00.003-04:00

What I am going to be working on first - before I attempt my Prairie Dresses.

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns

2009-06-29T18:12:00.004-04:00

It's like Christmas in my house! I ordered a bunch of patterns and they all came last week or this week. I ordered some patterns from Fabric Hound, Sew Mama Sew, and Pamela's Patterns.

I made one Favorite Things - Little Prairie Girl top for Lola - except for the sleeves. I'm still afraid of them. I'll finish them - today? A great pattern. Easy to follow instructions. Shirt came together so quickly. Except for my fear of sleeves...

I ordered fabric for the Prairie Girl Dresses I'm going to make me. I have fabric for the Smarty Pants for me. Just need to try the pattern out on not so nice fabric first. I have fabric for the Artisan Pants from Indygo Junction too.

I had never heard of Pamela's Patterns before I read Sew Much Fabric, Sew Little Time. She was my partner for an apron swap. I read her blog now and then and let me tell you - the woman is amazing! She made 28 shirts with The Perfect T-Shirt pattern from Pamela's Patterns. With that many shirts made the pattern has to be good! I'll be trying it soon.

AND - I actually received a free pattern from 10th Muse Studios. I subscribe to Craft Gossip. Every day in my e-mail there is an e-mail from them with crafting links. One day, there was a link to a fabulous Halter Apron Pattern and it just happened the pattern was being given away. (Not anymore - now y'all will have to buy it). I'm so excited! I have some fabric for that too that I'll try to whip up - perhaps tonight? My thought - I'm not a great cook. Really, I stick to basic recipes. So - if I make something that might not taste great one night for dinner I figure my husband won't mind as much - as long as I look good.

Whoops - I actually see the SUN outside my window. Must try to get my vitamin D for the day before the rains return! Happy sewing! Beth

Tofu the Whale

2009-06-27T20:44:00.006-04:00

Today we ventured up to New Hampshire (okay - we live about 10 - 15 minutes from the MA/NH border) to visit Tofu the Whale. I'm a fan of the Seacoast Science Center on Facebook. We are members and donated money to help bring Tofu the Whale to the Science Center. The new exhibit just opened up and my four-year-old insisted we visit Tofu. She's been talking about it for days. So, today, we went.

Tofu's Fluke- she was named tofu for her almost all-white fluke

On-line there is a slide show that tells about Tofu and her short life and her eventual journey to the Seacoast Science Center.

Watching informational movies about Tofu and whales.
The back of this bench is a life-size model of Tofu's flipper

Inside the science center is her skeleton, a bunch of new interactive exhibits about Tofu as well as the touch tank, tanks with fish, lobsters, seahorses, and other exhibits about the area.

The touch tank.

Lucy holding a sea urchin in the touch tank.

The kids and I love visiting here. We can spend a day on the rocky beaches (not good for swimming) searching the tide pools for crabs, mussels, hermit crabs, periwinkles, and whelks. We have seen loons and ducks. We are told seals hang out here but haven't actually seen them yet.

Lola posing in a boat inside the Seacoast Science Center.

Today, the girls collected rocks. My husband also helped collect garbage that was in the ocean as well as the rocks. I usually keep a plastic grocery bag in the car to collect refuse when we visit beaches but didn't have one today. Seacoast Science Center is located within Odiorne Point State Park. Thankfully the park had garbage cans (as well as bathrooms) so our refuse collection found a home in the proper receptacle.

Lucy posing as the tide comes in.

We found a net amongst the rocks. It was the perfect thing to hold Lola's rock collection.

Birthday Twirl Skirt

2009-06-22T22:38:00.003-04:00

I did finish the skirt before the party. I used a tutorial found HERE. My daughter found a pink gymnastics leotard (that she is wearing backwards) and decided she did not want to wear the shirt - just the skirt and the leotard. So - the sleeves will be a project for another rainy day. Let's see - we're supposed to have another one tomorrow. Sigh - then maybe off to the Museum of Science.

Apron Giveaway over at...

2009-06-22T22:03:00.001-04:00

There is a lovely apron giveaway going on at Tomato Soup Cake. Hop on over and enter!

Birthday Outfit

2009-06-22T02:20:00.003-04:00

My youngest daughter has a December birthday. December 30th to be exact. Not a great day to have a party. No one is around. We decided we would celebrate her half birthday instead. Better weather (rain instead of snow).

I was making her a new outfit and asked what she wanted. She said a shirt and a skirt - at 9.30 pm she told me this. So- here it is. 2 am. I'm not done yet. I need to be done by noon. The shirt just needs its sleeves. And the skirt needs to be sewn together and I need to make the casing for the elastic. So - almost. Almost.

The shirt is pink while the skirt is the cupcake fabric along with stripes. Hopefully the half-birthday girl will like them.

Myrinda (FabricHound) Birthday Coupon!

2009-06-09T11:48:00.001-04:00

It's Myrinda's birthday but the gift is for us! Use code "mybirthday" for 20% off today only!

I can't wait to order stuff later on!

Beach Therapy

2009-06-02T21:03:00.004-04:00

I love where I live. I grew up in New Jersey and going 'down the shore' was always an ordeal. There was always traffic. Expensive parking on peoples lawns (yup, they will let you park there all day - if you pay them). Etc.

Living on the North Shore of Massachusetts has given me a new appreciation for the beach. We are 20 - 30 minutes from countless beaches. I love them all. They all offer different habitats for my kids to explore. And, after breathing in the salt air, frolicking in the barely tolerable water, and digging in the sand food tastes better and kids sleep better.

Today we found a moon snail.

Mussels.

And, as we were leaving, we passed this woman who was playing her violin on the beach.

Hope y'all are enjoying some fabulous weather and perhaps some beach therapy yourselves...

Q & A - Sewing Machine Meme

2009-06-01T21:25:00.004-04:00

Sew Mama Sew is having a sewing machine month! They asked people to answer some questions on their blog sooo - here I go.

What brand and model do you have? BabyLock Quest

How long have you had it? One Year this month.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? $1,000

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? Clothes, quilts, aprons, reusable bags, crayon rolls, etc.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? - I sew in spurts. I'll sew a lot for a few months (Autumn / Winter) and less in summer since my sewing room is the attic. Wear and tear - quite a bit. When I sew I sew for a few hours at a time.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I LOVE my machine. I went into the shop where I purchased this convinced I was going to get a different brand. After trying this one out there was no turning back. It is fabulous. She doew not currently have a name but now I think I should ask my children to name her.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

Lots of lightbulbs to illuminate my sewing. I had Lasik done a few years ago and really appreciate extra lighting at night.

A stop / start button that I can use if I disconnect my foot pedal. I have actually used this feature when using the faux embroidery letters on this machine. It's fun.

The auto-lock button. The machine will automatically sew three locking stitches and then stop automatically. LOVE IT.

An independent bobbin winder on top.

It came with a bunch of feet. I have used most of them.

It came with an extension table.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? It did not have a 1/4 inch foot so I had to buy a different ankle and a different foot and have to unscrew the one ankle to switch out to the 1/4 inch foot and it's ankle. AND the machine does not tell you when you are low on bobbin thread. So- you'll be sewing a quilt or a piece of clothing and eventually will figure out you are out of bobbin thread.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! UMMMMM - my husband gave me a certain amount of money from our tax refund and said I could spend it on anything I wanted. I got this.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Absolutely. It is a great machine to use. Easy to use. Easy to trouble shoot. Easy to thread. Easy to oil the bobbin area. LOVE IT. The independent button winder is amazing. See list of features I love above.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Do you like how it runs? Take it for a test drive. Bring something that you would sew at home into the shop to try out and see if it has the features you need. If you use a 1/4 inch foot a lot and a machine doesn't come with one that would not be the machine you would want to purchase.

Do you have a dream machine? No. I'm really happy with this one.

Fabric & Pattern Testing

2009-05-20T12:01:00.003-04:00

I've been testing a pattern (see below post) for Wondermommy. Actually - it's an amazingly versatile pattern. But, all my little one wanted me to make from it was a skirt.

It had to be pink with flowers on it according to my daughter.

I only had one fabric that remotely fit that description. It was pink with small white flowers and blue birds scattered on it. A very cute fabric. So, I made the skirt and showed her the final result. Her response was less than spectacular. She told me she hated it. She told me to take the birds off of the skirt. She didn't want birds.

OKAY...Her older sister was so much more gracious and asked if she could wear it instead. That she liked the fabric. Kids!

We went to a fabric store and this is the fabric she picked out.

You can't really tell in the photo but there are purple dots - of pollen (?) on the flowers. I'm hoping the reaction to a skirt made out of this fabric is a tad more enthusiastic.

I'm A Pattern Tester!

2009-05-03T10:17:00.002-04:00

Wondermommy picked me to be a pattern tester for her skants pattern! (Oh - wait - skants - well, you all know what a skort is. A skirt and short combo. Well, skants are a pants and skirt combo.)

She first posted about skants a few months ago and I was immediately smitten. My daughters love to wear skorts and frequently wear pants with a skort on top to get the skants look. The issue, of course, is a bulky bottom! I know my girls will love to wear these and I'm so excited that I get to test the pattern.

Thanks Wondermommy!

Ruffle Top

2009-04-26T20:20:00.003-04:00

Ruffle Top
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

Sew Mama Sew has yet another great tutorial. This one is for a spring ruffled top.

The tutorial was pretty easy to understand for someone that has never made herself a shirt before. I'm not really a ruffle person but I figured I could try anything once. I must say - I do like the ruffles. I did add a row of lace around the top of the piece because I did not have matching thread and looking at the stitching bothered me so much that I had to do something to hide it!

Oh - and my summer hat matches! Love it!

Upcycled Shirt

2009-04-24T17:40:00.002-04:00

I think this used to be my little brother's shirt. That, or I purchased it at one of the local thrift shops. Can't keep everything I have straight any longer.

Since it finally looked like spring (perhaps even summer-like) weather had arrived in New England I wanted to make a new shirt. I really wanted to try to sew one from a pattern last night but discovered I didn't have enough of the fabric I wanted to try. So, next best thing - I cut up this shirt, added some buttons, and some single fold bias tape. Voila - instant new shirt. Not completely flattering but it is completely comfy and that counts for an awful lot.

And a huge thumbs-up for my four-year-old who took these pictures.

Psychadelic Coffee Apron

2009-04-21T22:26:00.002-04:00

Psychadelic Coffee Apron
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

Hit or miss?

I've been trying to find a fabric to go with my Michael Miller Tea Time (looks more like coffee cups to me) and thought the Robert Kaufman Chef's Choice (the coffee swirl) would look good with it.

Does it?

Paige's Apron

2009-04-18T00:36:00.002-04:00

PaigesApron
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

A dear friend just turned 40. This apron is her gift from me (I'm sure she won't be reading this before tomorrow).

Paige - Happy Birthday!

Flannel Shirt Teddy Bear

2009-04-11T20:47:00.005-04:00

I picked up a flannel shirt awhile back at my local Salvation Army thinking it would become - something...Yeah, vague. But I like flannel. And I live in New England. I think flannel is a required fabric in this part of the world.

I recently received an e-mail from one of my homeschool e-mail lists that said they were looking for someone to make bears for a local hospital. After reading about the need I decided that becoming a teddy bear would be a better use of the shirt. I'd love to volunteer to sew these but I needed to know (1) if I could and (2) if my oldest, whom I am homeschooling, would be willing / able to help.

I searched the web for a free pattern but came up empty handed (hey - I know that I might not be good at this so why pay for a pattern I might only use once). But, my trusty library came through with a few books on the subject of sewing teddy bears. I consulted them, drafted a pattern and voila! An 'instant' teddy bear!

I think I need to work on attaching the ears better. I'd like to do it differently next time. And, I haven't bothered embroidering a nose / mouth yet. I might but the fabric nose is 'pointy' and I don't think would embroider nicely. Plus, I kinda like the no mouth look. Oh - and his arms. They are great for hugging but - um - I don't know. They stay up. I think I sewed them on wrong. Hmmmm - must see if the kids mind. If not then I guess it's okay, right? Should I stop pointing out his imperfections now?

On the positive side - he'll be a great prop to use when teaching about Teddy Roosevelt!

For those that celebrate - have a Hoppy Easter! I'm off to help the Easter Bunny hide eggs...

Human Bean or Sleep Mask?

2009-03-25T21:59:00.004-04:00

My daughter rock climbs at our local YMCA. She prefers to climb blindfolded. It keeps her from looking down and getting scared. She makes it about two or three steps from the top of the wall while blind-folded. It is pretty cool.

Right now the instructor folds up a t-shirt and ties it over the kids eyes. I thought I would make a sleep / rock climbing mask so she could climb with more comfort. I don't have a pattern so I traced one I found in my husband's travel bags - the free one you are given on an airplane.

Well - it came out looking a tad like a human bean to me. Anyone else get that impression?

So - I had to try it on her. Here is a sleeping girl with chocolate sauce on her cheek in her new sleep / rock climbing mask. I guess it isn't that bad. It fits. Let's hope we remember to take it to rock climbing with us.

Scrabble Fairies!

2009-03-21T16:25:00.001-04:00

scrabblefairies
Originally uploaded by bethvanduzer

I have been playing scrabble since I was a wee lass. My mom recently gave me her spiffy scrabble game that has a board with raised sides - so the tiles don't shift around. It is on a turntable as well. Very fancy!

My mom, older sister, husband and I played when my mom and older sister came to visit at the end of December. We had so much fun playing - we laughed so hard we cried at times. I never remembered Scrabble being that much fun when I was a kid!

One of the things we complained about during our play were the Vowel and Consonant fairies. Either they visited our tile racks - or they didn't. And either way - we complained.

And that was all it took for me to think...hmmm...scrabble fairies...I wonder if I could make some...

I searched for scrabble fabric and finally found some on e-bay. I made each of us a scrabble fairy. I am now working on wands - they are made but how the heck am I going to get the fairy to hold it? And - maybe a bag? Or would that just be too much. Maybe this fairy only needs her crown.

The words on the crown? My mom's bingo one night was JANGLERS (for those that don't follow scrabble - a bingo is when you use all 7 of your tiles. In addition to your word score you also earn 50 additional points). Spider Pig - is from The Simpson's Movie and was the name of one of the games we recently played on Facebook - and my sister won the game. So - her fairy's crown is Spider Pig.

I know - more scrabble info than anyone ever wanted to know but hey - the fairies are cute - right??? And scrabble teaches not only spelling but math and strategy. So, if you're staying in this evening and own scrabble, dust off the box and play a game. Print up a picture of the fairies and wave it over the board or tiles when you need a bit of help. Perhaps it will work.

Bingo! Beth

Thrift Pants

2009-02-23T21:18:00.005-05:00

A few months ago I was at my local Salvation Army and picked up a pair of size 21 pants. They are corduroy and I thought - I'll try to make a new pair of pants out of them or a skirt. If that fails they will become fabric for dolls. Then, just about two weeks ago, I was in the Garment District in Cambridge, MA.

There is a section where all clothes are $1.50 / lb. In addition to finding a 100% silk Liz Claiborne shirt I found the SAME pants - just a different size. There were a 20. I bought them. I'm going to attempt to make a skirt. I'm just trying to figure out how to resize the waist. Oh - and upstairs was a 50% off sale on all merchandise. I found a Bob Mackie button-up sweater for $4.

I have taken the seam out of the legs of one pair of pants and am wondering - do I just baste up the side and see how it looks? Yeah - maybe that is what I'll do. That way, if I want it fuller I can cut up the second pair of pants and add it. Hope it turns out to something wearable!

Not exactly

2009-02-16T21:25:00.003-05:00

bald

When sewing dolls heads - do not
(1) Use a saucer to trace the head
(2) Wait until after you have sewn the head to the body piece to trim the circle freehand
(3) Sew the heads together and think that you can 'clean it up' when attaching the hair

You cannot. (Okay - I cannot).

with hair

The purpose of the finished dolls will be explained at the end of this week...

Booty Bag - Done in time for V-Day

2009-02-14T13:19:00.004-05:00

My polka-dot booty bag is done!

Not perfect, but hey - it doesn't have to be.

I adore the faux pearl handles but purchasing them was a trial. I frequent a JoAnn Fabric store just over the border in NH - because it is the closest type of store like that to my home. Every time I go to that store and buy something there is an 'issue'. Not with me - with the store.

All I have to start a conversation with is "Honey, I went to JoAnn's today..." and my husband knows I'm going to tell him about customers that insist items are on sale - "It must not be an advertised sale." or that they used to be able to use their sewing club guild discount AND a coupon. Well, this time was a doozey. The district manager was there so everyone was nervous. Then, the credit card system went down. I was third in line when this happened. Finally, when the cashier got to me I asked her only to ring up to - but not over $30 worth of merchandise since there was no way I was leaving my credit card info with her. She assured me the system was now working because of an icon that appeared on her screen. She was wrong. She then proceeded to subtract my 'non-essential' items off to get my total to under $30. Once at the car I checked my receipt and one of the items that should have been removed wasn't. I had to go back in and ask for the item back. A good 45 minutes of my life wasted yet once again in this particular store. So annoying!

But, now that my rant is over, I must say - I like the purse. I wish I hadn't put blue fabric as the loops for the handles but I'm not going to go back and change it now.

I'm looking forward to taking my pretty red bag out for Valentine's Day and not finding a unicorn in it. Enjoy! Beth

Booty Bag

2009-02-08T21:27:00.004-05:00

I picked up a super short XS skirt at the Salvation Army in Haverhill a few weeks ago. It screamed "make a purse out of me" to me. It cost me all of $2

I need to get handles for it this week to finish it and add a key holder clip inside - aside from that I think it is mostly done! Well, unless I also plan to add a zipper opening / closing on the top. That might require me to buy a zipper too. I thought I was going to do a snap but I have a purse with a snap closing I purchased in December and I'm not liking it. I think the zipper will keep my stuff safer and allow me to stuff my purse with more items that should not be in it (such as a pink unicorn - that is what I found in my purse today).

Skirt with the fabric I chose to line / create the pockets form. Was part of my stash.

Throw the switch!

2009-02-02T23:08:00.003-05:00

Has anyone seen the Igor movie? I feel like Igor. I have body parts all over my sewing room.

Quilting - almost

2009-01-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

I'm creating a t-shirt quilt (thanks honey for donating those t-shirts!).

T-shirts are cut, ironed, & fused.

Now - what fabric should I use to 'frame' each t-shirt?

A new tote bag

2009-01-10T20:47:00.004-05:00

I have been working on creating a tote bag all week and finally finished it!

A while ago I picked-up some fabric scraps from a fellow freecycler and in the bag were two quilt blocks. I thought, since some of the blue fabric that was in the blocks was also in the bag, that it would make a great tote bag for me to carry my handwork around in. Mind you, I don't have any handwork yet. Because - I didn't have a bag to carry it in.

Anywho - the photo at the top of the post is one of the sqaures. The photo below is of the finished bag. I won't be able to show you the insides - ever. The squares weren't really square and I put in batting and a backing and didn't quite make the backing as big as the square (remember - I'm working with someone else's scraps late at night...). I'm thinking about going back and fusing some other fabric inside so I don't see the ugliness! But, overall I love how the bag looks - on the outside! And now, I have no more excuses. This week, during the children's swim lessons, gymnastics and rock climbing I'll have the proper bag to carry my handwork.

Tag - I'm It.

2009-01-04T11:23:00.004-05:00

Yaya over at Chronicles of Yaya Orchid tagged me.

The rules are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things:
1. I once took part in an archaeological dig in New Jersey.
2. I can't stand the smell of black licorice.
3. I once made a tofu turkey for Thanksgiving.
4. I met my husband at work while we were both volunteering for the United Way.
5. I lived with a bank robber.
6. I have never been to Disney Land or World.

This (or a variation of this) has been going around the blogs I read so - if you have not taken part in this I tag YOU! Beth

Wardrobe Refasion

2009-01-03T22:55:00.002-05:00

I just signed up to be part of Wardrobe Refashion for the next six months.

Really, to be perfectly honest, I don't really like to shop for clothes. I literally have two pairs of jeans that fit me that my husband bought me for Christmas and those are the first new pieces of clothing I've gotten in over a year. So - I don't think the buying will be an issue. It'll be making it to the second hand shop with one of not two girls in tow and finding some good bargains while making sure they behave. Things to wear (like the $4 brand new Land's End button down shirt I found) or things to upcycle (a really cute polka dot skirt that is too short to be a skirt but I think would make a darling bag).

So - wish me luck with my refashioning for the next six months! Ill blog a bit about it here as well as on the Wardrobe Refashion blog. Happy Sewing! Beth

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-01T19:15:00.004-05:00

Some call them goals. Others call them resolutions. I sat down and thought about what I wanted to do this year and realized it doesn't matter what I call it. For me it all comes down to organization.

I need to organize myself better. It's oh so easy to become disorganized. So, my goal, to organize my home and life and most importantly to keep it organized.

And, on the sewing front, aside from the organization of the sewing room (see above photo of floor during Craft Fair / Christmas sewing):
1) to break out of my rut in using only 100% cotton fabric - corduroy and knit - here I come!
2) to sew a purse, no make it two purses
3) to make more than two clothing items for ME (aprons won't count)
4) to have more patience when teaching my children to sew
5) to participate in one of Wondermommy's sew along's during the actual sew-along
6) sew grandma's quilt tops
7) make a quilt for each girl with their baby clothes
8) embroider some of the kid's artwork to make into a quilt or wall hanging

Now I just need to print this up and tape it where I can see it so I don't come back to it in December wondering where all my time went.

Do you have any resolutions?

2008 Completed Sewing Projects

2008-12-31T21:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Lola!

2008-12-31T20:52:00.004-05:00

My baby turned four yesterday. What better way to end a year than with a birthday?

Her 1st birthday - four people - one large cake.

Birthday number two - chocolate cake!

Birthday number three.

Happy Fourth Birthday Lola!

Ten Days?

2008-12-20T07:48:00.001-05:00

Really? I haven't posted in 10 days. Ouch. Been busy up here. Ice, snow, sleet (well - sleet tomorrow) and I just started homeschooling my oldest so, my life has been taken over by homeschooling and crazy weather for the moment. Will post some photos - as soon as I find my camera - of items made / shipped / sending out. Until then - if you got some of this snow that seemed to make it's way across the U.S. - go make a snowman! Or - here - we'll be making a snow turtle as requested by my eldest.

The Netherlands

2008-12-10T23:12:00.002-05:00

I won one of the giveaways on Giveaway day. It was some ribbon and an ornament (which my one daughter claimed for herself and immediately hung it on the tree) from Muriel! The best thing about her post for giveaway day was - she had an ABBA video on it. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme a man after midnight. My girls LOVED it. The little one was just singing the song this morning at breakfast. Ah - what they must think of me over at her preschool when she struts in singing that song wearing her lime green hat.

Anyway - this is my favorite song / video.

Muriel - thank you so much for sharing with me your ribbon as well as ABBA! Beth

First Snow!

2008-12-07T22:19:00.004-05:00

We received our first snowfall today. Well, more of a dusting but snow is snow round here. As soon as the girls spied the frozen precipitation outside they hugged each other and chanted snow! snow! snow! snow!

They asked if they could go out to play in it after they ate breakfast. Who could say no to children that ask to eat breakfast before they play?

After posing for 'pretty' pictures the girls asked if they could be silly. Again, how can I say no when they ask nicely? I really think the above photo should be our Christmas card.

Actually, at this rate, I'll be sending out Chinese New Year cards. I'm a little slow with cards this year.

Hope everyone had a happy day! Beth

The Winners

2008-12-05T14:11:00.003-05:00

of the lovely gingerbreadman / pepperminty apron is: Ashley Ann!

The winner of a Christmas apron I haven't sewn yet is: Future of Hope

Thanks to everyone for visiting!

Hope everyone had fun with the SMS Giveaway day. Beth

Giveaway

2008-12-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Greetings!

My giveaway is for an apron. This was made using the Lorelei pattern from the A is for Apron book as inspiration.

Best of luck! I'll pick a winner on the 4th of December and ship it out shortly thereafter. Make sure, if your id doesn't link back to a blog or e-mail, that you leave your e-mail so I can let you know you have won.

Have fun visiting all the blogs participating in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day 2008 - Beth

edited to add - SMS asks that we leave the giveaways up a little longer than one day - since there are so many - sooo - I will take entries until Friday, December 5 12 noon Boston, Massachusetts time. I'll pick a winner shortly thereafter & hopefully mail out the winning apron (or aprons - with so many entries I might need to whip up a second apron to giveaway) on Saturday.

December 3rd - Giveaway Day

2008-11-30T21:27:00.004-05:00

Sew Mama Sew has organized Give Away Day 2008! Many blogs, including this one, will be hosting give-aways on Wednesday, December 3rd. Visit the Sew Mama Sew website on December 3rd to see a master list of the blogs hosting giveaways & make sure you stop back here for your chance to win something!

Enjoy, Beth

I got my apron

2008-11-28T20:03:00.003-05:00

I received a fabulous package in the mail today. It was such a surprise to open the package and see poinsettia fabric - I thought it was something I had ordered and I know I didn't order any poinsettia fabric.

See - isn't this lovely? I thought - awwww - it's an apron and my partner made me a poinsettia apron and wrapped it up with gold ric rac (very cool and sparkly). I read her note and it said she hand sewed the sequins onto the apron. I looked and didn't see any but thought - oh - they must be on the pockets or something.

I unwrapped my package and THIS is what I saw:

NOOOOOOO - it's not a poinsettia apron it is a sparkly, blingy, I'm going to blind my enemies with my fancy apron apron. Isn't it fabulous? I'm in love with it. Lucy and Lola both oooohed and ahhhhed over it. The fabulous Christy created this apron and also sent a lovely bracelet to go along with the apron.

Thank you Christy!

The apron is wonderful - I can't wait to pick my kid up from school in it! I absolutely wear aprons to my kids school too - mostly smocks when I volunteer but this is too good not to wear out for others to admire.

Everyone - get yourself an apron if you don't have one. They are a must have! They make you smile - at least - they make me smile.

Spreading apron love - Beth

Gobble Gobble

2008-11-27T21:36:00.004-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I cooked for the four of us (five if you count the dog since she did eat some of the dinner too). One 14 lb turkey. Three pies for dessert. Yup - the numbers were just about right.

I asked the kids what they were thankful for and Lola said:

"All the pretty flowers that grow in my garden."

And Lucy said: "That Vampires aren't real."

To which my husband added he was thankful that: "Zombies aren't real either."

I am eternally grateful for family and friends - both near and far and the bloggy kind, that I can now create Christmas cards featuring Lucy and her missing maxillary central incisors, and that I was able to whip up a new not quite perfect apron before I started cooking.

Peace, love and happiness to all - Beth

Midnight Soup

2008-11-25T21:52:00.000-05:00

My book club read a great food related book in December 2006. Instead of the group discussing the book everyone was asked to share a food related story and to bring the recipe as well. One member shared her tradition of making and eating French Onion Soup on Christmas Eve. Since my husband and I were going to celebrate the holiday alone with our two children we decided to try and see if this could be a tradition for our family. I decided to make it for Christmas Day not Christmas Eve. I hoped that with so many new toys for both the children and my husband that I would be able to make this meal in peace on Christmas.

At about 5 o'clock on Christmas Day I started to prepare the soup. You know how food show hosts or cookbooks remind you to read a recipe through before you make it? Well, I didn't do that with this recipe. I wasn't prepared for (1) due to the fact I had never browned 8 cups of onions before the amount of time it would take to brown them and (2) since my recipe printed on two pages I didn't see that after I had browned the onions and let them simmer for 30 minutes that there was an additional 90 minutes of cooking time. OOOPS! My husband kept coming into the kitchen asking "When are we going to eat - midnight?" Finally, around 9 pm, I told him dinner was ready. He sat down at the table, inhaled the aroma and said "Ahhhh - midnight soup."

Aside from my own time SNAFU's the soup was fantastic! When my mother came to visit in February I actually made the soup again - started earlier in the day this time - and she said it was the best French Onion Soup she had ever had in her life. So, thank you Nancy for sharing your tradition with me and I am honored to share this recipe with others. Make the soup - you will not be disappointed. Just realize before you start making it that it isn't a thirty minute meal!

Nancy's Yummy French Onion Soup
1/2 stick butter (margarine)
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 cups thinly sliced onions (about 2-1/2 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon flour
8 cups homemade beef stock, or good quality store bought stock (not broth)
1/4 cup Cognac, or other good brandy
1 cup dry white wine (or whatever kind of wine you like to drink)
8 (1/2-inch) thick slices of French bread, toasted
3/4 pound coarsely grated Gruyere

Heat butter and oil in a heavy stockpot over moderate heat. When butter has melted, stir in onions, cover, and cook slowly for about ten minutes. Blend in salt and sugar and increase the heat to medium high, allowing the onions to brown ~ stir frequently to avoid burning them! Let them turn a deep, walnut color. Simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, even a little longer to make sure the onions are well cooked (add a wee bit of stock if needed to keep the onions moist).

Sprinkle flour and cook slowly, stirring for another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool a moment, then whisk in 2-cups of hot beef stock. When well blended, bring to simmer, adding the rest of the stock, Cognac and wine. (You may substitute red burgundy and port wine, or sherry, if you prefer this taste to Cognac.)

Cover loosely and simmer very slowly 1 ½ hours, adding a little water if the liquid rescues too much. Taste for seasoning.

Divide the soup among four ovenproof bowls. Add just a wee bit more sherry or Cognac to each bowl of soup, stir slightly. Arrange the toasted French bread on top of soup and sprinkle generously with grated cheese ~ Gruyere or Swiss if you can’t find Gruyere.

Place bowls on cookie sheet and set under a preheated broiler until the cheese melts and forms a crust over the top of the bowls.

Serve immediately with a nice fresh salad and this makes a wonderful meal.

Serves FOUR

Two Awards

2008-11-23T12:53:00.003-05:00

Amy over at Life in Pink Hi-Tops and Heather from Blue Bird Studio have each given me an award.

The award from Amy is: "Marie Antoinette: A real person, A real award." Thank you Amy! I try to be as real as I can since I'm really a Stepford Wife in disguise. Just promise no one will stop by my house to check-up on that fact. I'm a Stepford Wife reject - can't seem to keep the house free from toys.

The rules for this award:
1. Please put the logo on your blog
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs - Hmmmmm - I think most of the blogs I normally read have been nominated...
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them

And, from Heather:

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Please pass this award on to others who can then do the same."

So - hope this isn't a cheat - but I'll nominate the following bloggers for both awards! And the nominees are: Courtney, Harley, Tonya, and Jill.

Congratulations to all! Beth

Almost Done - Holiday Hostess Apron Swap

2008-11-23T01:10:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm almost done with my Holiday Hostess Apron. It will be mailed out on Monday. The bottom half is from a pattern Sharon posted on her blog. The wrap top is from a pattern I have for a dress / shirt (can do either) but have never used. I'm notorious for (1) not following directions (wonder where my 6-year-old gets that from) as well as (2) trying out new things and (3) 'winging' it.

My partner liked red. She also said she would like a full apron. Some full aprons I love and fit great - others not so great. So - I wanted to give my partner the option of having a full or half apron. The bottom half can be worn alone. The top can be put on if she chooses. I really wish I owned a bedazzler right now. I think the wrap top is screaming for bling! Must find something fun to add to the top.

Any suggestions? A poinsettia pin perhaps?

The other thing I like about this apron is it can be used for multiple holidays. Christmas, Valentine's Day, Redhead Day, Lief Erikson Day, etc.

Happy Scrap Swap and My THQ Bag

2008-11-22T18:56:00.004-05:00

I joined the Happy Scrap Swap co-hosted by Abbie and Katherine. By joining you were also entered to win a prize.

I won a prize form Abbie! She sent me a fabulous purse. I love it! The colors are so bright and happy. There are pockets inside - I adore pockets. I can't wait to use it! Could I possible use any more exclamation points in this post?

Anyway - Abbie - where did you purchase the zipper pulls that say THQ? I didn't get a good shot of that for the post - perhaps because it is pitch black here in New England - but I love them and want my own. Please share your source!

Oh - and - she is also one of my partners for the Happy Scrap Swap. Above are the scraps she sent. I can't wait to get my other bag of scraps so I can get sewing. I love some of the fabrics to pieces already. The blue one at the bottom with the circles and wavy lines - oh so 1960s. So many ideas! So many exclamation points!

Later, Beth

Craft Show #3

2008-11-22T18:37:00.004-05:00

This past Thursday night was craft show number three. I must say, I made the least amount of money at this event. It was for one of my mother's clubs. I've shopped at this event in the past and it has always been well attended. This year, there was never a good crowd. One group of women decided to stand around in the room I was in and drink wine.

One of the good points, I thought, was that the table and linens were included for everyone in the fee for the event. When I got there I had a round table. And, it was small. Not a great table. It was impossible for me to display the aprons except for what Manny and Wanda wore. I guess I need to invest in a clothes line or hanger apparatus of some sort. And, children left their trash on my table as well as women leaving their wine glasses on it (I was right next to a door to a hallway to another room with more vendors). Next time I do an event I'll be a little more specific with what I ask for in regards to a table.

To top it off, someone else was selling crayon rolls! Mine were more kid-friendly with the fabric and the elastic as well as the price but still...I didn't think there were supposed to be duplicates. Not cool.

And, I guess the icing on top of this, some of the moms were downright rude. They would turn their back to the table and me and make comments to their friends about the coasters or crayon rolls while I was still behind them. Ummmmmmmmm - hello! Nothing like taking a knife and twisting it. Really, my heart is on my sleeve with items I make and hope they are good enough but it's hard to stand around smiling while people make snide remarks.

Anyway. There was a woman next to me who actually did the best, in my opinion, out of any of the 29 crafters that were there. She had one of a kind, handmade bags (I bought one - it's so cool). She was also thrown for a loop when one of the other crafters stopped by and mentioned she also made bags but she only brought large totes with her. Immediately the other woman went to see if she could find what the other woman was selling as she was also told no one else would be selling purses at the event.

I guess live and learn - and bring extra stuff to sell just in case your cornerstone item is being sold by another vendor.

They're Everywhere!

2008-11-17T09:53:00.001-05:00

My new favorite coffee mug is the yellow one with the Great Wall of China. My husband admitted, they were an impulse buy on his way out of China at the airport. Is there anyplace in the world that doesn't have a Starbucks Coffee? According to the site finder on the Starbucks website there are 64 Starbucks in Beijing alone. Who knew?

The mugs also became an instant history lesson for the girls about the wall, why it was built and the Huns. Gotta love a gift that keeps on giving.

Cutting fabric on the bias - Tutorial

2008-11-16T21:13:00.008-05:00

How to cut fabric on the bias when making binding for a quilt, apron or other sewing project. Any comments by me that really aren't part of the tutorial - just my observations or ramblings - like this - will be in italics.

For this project make sure you have:
fabric (amount will vary), rotary cutter, large cutting mat, large ruler, sewing machine, thread, scissors, iron.

If you are making a quilt you should have 1 1/4 yards of fabric for the binding. What you will want is a square of fabric. Since the majority of quilting cottons are about 44 inches or so wide 1 1/4 yards should be enough, once you wash and dry it, to have a square of fabric. I didn't need that much binding. I started with a 25 inch square of fabric.

1) Make sure you have a square of fabric. I did make mine square.

2) Fold it into a triangle. This will give you your bias.

3) Notice - your triangle is larger than your largest ruler. We must remedy this!

4) Fold one side of your triangle toward the center.

5) Fold the other side toward the center. Your goal is to now have a piece of fabric that is less than 24 inches wide - the length of that ruler - so you will be able to cut your strips in one fell swoop or cut. And this has done it!

6) Place your ruler on top of your fabric along the bottom fold. Now - make one long cut about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from the bottom fold.

7) You can discard the scrap.

8) Cut your strips in your desired width. I was making bias for an apron so I cut one inch strips. If you were making a quilt 2 1/2 inch strips would work nicely.

9) When you unfold your strips you will notice they have angles on the ends. You will need to sew these strips together to make your long bias strips for your projects. Here's how. Make sure you have two like ends together - like in the above picture. Both angles are facing the same way.

10) Place your strips right sides together.

11) And turn them. I put the pen in the picture to show you need to sew from the V by the point of the pen to the next V or indent (since my last name begins with a V I like to use the V explanation).

12) Sew. And you will chain sew - as you are ending with this strip pick up the other end, place another strip of fabric next to it to make sure the angles are the same, place them right sides together, turn and sew. The larger the strip the easier and more forgiving I found this to be. The smaller the strips the more I found myself thinking about running to the store to purchase bias tape. But, practice really makes perfect. By the end I was much more adept at sewing the smaller strips together.

13) Then you will have a pile of strips that go from the above ----- to adorning the below apron.

You will have to iron your seams open and cut off a ton of small v's from where the two strips are joined. Then - if making double fold bias tape - you can use a bias tape maker or view my tutorial on how to make bias tape using an iron and a large pin. If you are making a quilt you don't need to iron it in half. You would hold your fabric, folded in half, so the pretty side is facing the outside and you would sew the raw edges onto the edge of your quilt. Perhaps a tutorial for another day.

Best of luck! Hope this all made sense. If it doesn't let me know! And if it does and you succeed have a cup of coffee on me and leave me a comment! Happy sewing, Beth

An oldie but a goodie

2008-11-12T23:37:00.001-05:00

My parents have been visiting while my husband is in China. All weekend Lucy was fighting something. Instead of running around outside we all settled on playing Monopoly. The kids were practically jumping out of their skin with excitement when they saw we owned the game. Now, they said the babysitter had played it with them before so I don't know how they didn't know it was ours but they're kids. Who knows. I guess they thought she brought the game with her.

We played Monopoly two days in a row. Thankfully one girl won one day and the other the next. Actually, both girls were unbelievably gracious losers. I was so impressed with their behavior. Really, they usually don't lose gracefully!

Monopoly, by the way, is a great game for helping children learn to read as well as math skills. Counting the dice, learning about rolling doubles, buying property, knowing when someone lands on your property, reading the Chance & Community Chest cards as well as having monopolies!

I know what board game we're going to play on Thanksgiving - can you guess?

For my husband

2008-11-11T23:31:00.004-05:00

The Fairy Princesses say Ni Hao. The oldest insists you said she could play Spore. Could you please confirm or deny this rumor?

Hugs & kisses - from your ladies.

Two Down, Two To Go

2008-11-09T18:22:00.004-05:00

I feel like I haven't posted in forever.

I have finished my first two craft fairs and sold about the same amount of merchandise at each. A few nights before my first craft fair my youngest got sick. That meant four or five days of no sewing getting done at all. I was worried because I wanted to have a greater variety of aprons (more fabrics!) but never got around to it.

I got lots of people looking, lots of people saying "Oh that's so cute." And "I love the camouflage apron." And some that just wanted to know "Do you do alterations?"

Seriously - the first craft fair - I literally had my green bucket of crayon rolls on the floor. They didn't sell well at all. I think mainly because I couldn't display or show them. The aprons I only brought on a whim and I sold five of those. Go Aprons!

Then, yesterday's craft fair, was at my preschool. I shopped at last year's and I can say - this craft fair had more vendors and more shoppers than last year's. I like my table set-up mostly. I think I'll just keep crayon rolls on one side - I kept confusing people. They thought the bucket in front of Manny was full of aprons - not crayon rolls. Also, the candy was good but I'd like a smaller bowl. This was all I could find as I thought about it when I was running out the door - and it did hold my business cards nicely. I purchased small stockings (because I knew I didn't have enough time to make some) and stuck a crayon roll on each one and hung them on my tablecloth - crayon rolls make the perfect stocking stuffer!

I'm happy and a little more confident about what to do / bring into the next craft fair.

And, since I plan on making a few 'big girl' apron's this week I actually will be making / posting my easy cutting fabric on a bias for biding tutorial very soon. Thanks for all the thought and well wishes! Beth

T Minus 20 hours and 25 minutes and counting

2008-11-04T22:35:00.005-05:00

until my first craft fair. Really - it's more of an open studio with wine, cheese, crackers and some items for you to peruse and perhaps purchase. The studio is small so I will only be bringing some crayon rolls. I have about 60 made as of now with at least another 40 cut out - ran out of the interfacing - so I'll be sewing those up before Saturday's craft fair.

I also have a bunch of children's adjustable bib aprons ready for Saturday's fair. I am trying to figure out how to fold them to leave the pocket outside and have the apron ties be the bow. I also want to put a cookie cutter in the pocket as well as a recipe for cookies.

I voted and won!

2008-11-04T21:06:00.003-05:00

I took part in Shawnee's Summer Flirty Apron Swap. Once the swap was over all of the aprons were put to a vote to see whose apron was the best interpretation of someone's dream summer vacation. You could win a prize by (A) sewing the winning apron or (B) being a voter that was picked at random thanking you for voting. My apron didn't win but I did - just for voting. I love exercising my right to vote!

And, to make a good day better, I also won a swap from Abbie who is also giving away a quilt right now. Go visit her blog for a chance to win a beautiful quilt that has a wonderful story behind it.

Swaps - books and aprons

2008-11-03T20:45:00.006-05:00

We have received a bunch of great swap packages here over the past two weeks.

SWAP ONE
Lola received her One Good Book Swap package from Leo and his mom Katy in the U.K. She was so excited to have something just for her. Her sister sat next to her saying "I'm so jealous." Was quite funny - for me.

There were two fabulous books in the box - The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child and Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep by Joyce Dunbar. The illustrations in The Princess and the Pea aren't illustrations at all - they are cut out figures in small dioramas that have been photographed - really very cool.

And - what else does a little girl need but her very own princess with a blanket and a pea! As well as a Velveteen Rabbit to go with the Dunbar book. While we were on vacation at Cape Cod we read the Velveteen Rabbit (it was one of the books at the house we rented) and the children, after we read the book, saw a real rabbit in the yard and were convinced that it was the Velveteen Rabbit.

The best thing about the dolls is that Katy made them. She's having a close-out sale in her Etsy shop. Get one of her dolls before they sell out. They are awesome.

To be honest - we looked at everything before we read the note. I saw the pea (a green felted ball) and thought - what is this? Must be in the box by accident. Then - I read the note and got it! So cool. The gifts were great and we read the books right after we finished reading the note from Katy.

The next day Lola told me she had peed on the floor. I ran over to see where. The little angel stood there with her hands behind her back and slowly brought the one forward and said - no mommy - this pea is on the floor. And there she was holding up the green felted pea. She's one smart cookie - knows how to get her mommy to come running.

SWAP TWO

Lucy also received her One Good Book Swap package from Elsaysha and her mom Shannon. Lucy and Elsaysha had a lot of the same likes so it was easy for me to shop for her - mailing it was another story, but I digress. Lucy had one of her friends over when she found the box by the front door. I don't know if I can post pictures of her friend so I didn't but the faces they made when opening the box and pulling items out were priceless. I think her friend was more excited than she was.

She received a rainbow fairy book, a fairy craft book (we'll be using it tomorrow since my kids don't have school - if you are in the U.S.A. - go vote!) and a bag full of arts and craft supplies in addition to some gummies that the kids wolfed down.

SWAP THREE
I received my Hot Mama Apron from Patty. I love the apron. The fabric is fabulous, the ruffle is so ruffly and the pocket - perfect. And - it's reversible. So cool!!! She also sent me coffee, tea, candy, and knitted me my very own coffee cozy. The coffee cozy is going to get its own post. I love it.

SWAP FOUR
I made my hot mama apron for Harley. The other goodies I sent Harley were a book, a magazine with an article about coffee, Peet's Coffee (it was mentioned in the article), some bookmarks, a dish towel, and a coffee wallet.

SWAPS FIVE AND SIX
Were just mailed out today. Lucy & Lola's packages for their book swap partners. Life kept getting in the way. It took me forever to pack these up and get them to the post office. And, as I was finally taking the boxes to the car this morning I noticed some of the things for the one box had been taken out - by my three-year-old. So, I had to send two packages to Elsaysha - I wasn't about to untape the box. And, I have never sent a box off to the U.K. before. The form they had me fill-out was huge. "...And make sure you mark box 17, and don't forget to date and sign it..." My goodness! But that box should be at Leo's house in approximately six to ten days. Let's hope the shipping gods are good to my boxes and that everyone receives their goodies quickly.

Now - off to sew some more. My first craft show will be Wednesday. Wish me luck! Beth

Introducing Manny and Wanda

2008-10-30T12:54:00.004-04:00

I'd like you all to meet Manny and Wanda - my new mannequins. Since my child models have been less than helpful lately when asked to model aprons I set out on a quest to find something other than a coat hanger to display items. To make a long story as short as possible - I found Manny and Wanda looking for a new home via craigslist. Gotta love technology.

So, Manny and Wanda have already had their first modeling session and neither of them cried, or ran away, or hit the other one, or whined,

or danced around instead of standing still, or hopped on one foot,

or announced they had to go potty - now - during the photo session.

Of course, neither one could give me hugs or kisses or tell me "Mommy, I love you.", or play Dance, Dance, Revolution with me either.

As models - they're great! As kids - not at all good. I'm just hoping my late night photo shoots will now go a little smoother - now that I no longer need to use myself or my children as models.

Boo!

2008-10-28T23:35:00.002-04:00

Lori Boo'd Me!

Here's the deal - I have left a few notes out in cyber space - if you have received one - you have been Boo'd by me.

Now it's your turn to Boo someone! Let your friends know that they have been boo'd and send them back to your blog to get this fun little "Happy Halloween" picture (below):

Then post the picture on your sidebar so other will know you have boo'ed already! Happy Halloween!

Happy Scrap Swap

2008-10-28T21:08:00.002-04:00

The Handmade Quilt-er, Abbie, and Handmade-O-Holic, Katherine, are co-hosting a Happy Scrap Swap. Visit either of their blogs to find out the details. Sign-ups end November 3rd!

I'm a joiner.

2008-10-27T20:43:00.004-04:00

Let's see. I joined another apron swap. Shawnee is hosting the Holiday Hostess Apron Swap. It should be fun!

I also joined The Apronista - an on-line social network for Apron lovers (check out snazzy new button on the right - my page has nothing on it yet but I'm there).

And - I signed-up for four different craft fairs (three in November, one in December). EEK. Must go and sew. Nine days left until the first craft fair.

Family

2008-10-26T22:38:00.004-04:00

This weekend the hamlet of Georgetown had their annual Horrible's Parade. Everyone that wanted to dressed-up in costume and marched from the High School down to the local park. There was then a costume contest, lots of food to buy as well as playing with your friends at the park.

And here is the first family photo we have had taken of the four of us in at least two years. I'm the chief cook on a pirate ship (notice my spiffy apron), Lola is a Blue Princess Fairy Godmother, My husband is Indiana Jones, and of course Lucy is Hermione Granger.

Storybook Hayride

2008-10-24T19:31:00.005-04:00

One of the best things about living in this area is getting to visit Applecrest Farm every October for their annual Storybook Hayrides.

First - it's a fundraiser for the local high school's drama trip. Gotta love a unique fundraiser.

Little Red Riding Hood's Granny puts you on the hayride and asks you to keep an eye out for her favorite nightgown - it wasn't on the clothesline this morning. And - off you go. Local High School drama students then give a skit at every stop. Then - you receive a treat from each one. You meet Humpty Dumpty, Alice and the Mad Hatter, Dorothy and the Scarecrow, Peter Pan and Captain Hook as well as others.

Humpty Dumpty - trying to sit on the wall. Fortunately, he does succeed. Unfortunately - he takes both hands off the wall at the same time. Poor Humpty - he falls backwards. He then asks for crazy glue and some tape - very funny.

It is so much fun. This was our seventh year supporting this event. So - if you are in the Hampton Falls, NH area swing by the farm, go on a storybook hayride then you can pick apples or pumpkins or just queue up for some cider donuts or chowder.

There is even a build your own scarecrow station.

Tons of fun for the whole family!

Kids, Cookies, and Frosting

2008-10-21T22:19:00.003-04:00

Really, could there be a better combination?

One of our holiday traditions here in the van Duzer household is to create a Halloween Gingerbread House. I usually buy a kit at one of the local grocery stores. This year they don't seem to be carrying the kit. I did see one at JoAnn Fabrics (of all places). So, today, I purchased one.

This evening I gave the girls the choice of going to a fundraiser at McDonald's (wear your costume and proceeds from all sales benefit our local preschool) or building their cookie house. The cookie house won hands down. (Now - I should let you know - my children do not like McDonald's food. The only thing they ever ingest from that quick service restaurant are their milk shakes. If the fundraiser had been at Wendy's or Kentucky Fried Chicken though I'm sure I'd be posting photos of them in their costumes.)

This is the first year I was actually able to build the house without them destroying it in some fashion.

Here they are decorating the...wait - why are you eating the frosting and candy? What about the house?

Using the frosting bag. I'm sure this is a great use of her fine motor skills.

Voila! One Halloween Gingerbread House.

Make binding or bias tape - without a bias tape maker

2008-10-20T10:04:00.001-04:00

I've been creating a lot of aprons. One of the key ingredients seems to be bias tape. Store bought bias tape is okay but my options seem to be very limited. I decided to try to make some using a Clover Bias Tape Maker.

It was easy enough but the bias tape was oh so small. I visited a local quilt shop where I asked if they sold bias tape makers. I was told no. With my obvious look of disappointment (I believe I dropped my shoulders, threw my head back and said UGH rather audibly) the woman in the shop told me I could do it with a large needle. My interest was immediately piqued. After she explained the technique I rushed home and wrote down all she had said. I am here to tell you - this method is just as easy if not easier than using a tape maker.

Technically - I think this might just be binding. The example here is cut selvage to selvage - not on the bias. I'll show how to easily cut fabric on the bias another day.

What you'll need:
Fabric
A large pin or needle (I am using a hat pin I just happened to have)
Iron & Ironing Board
Sewing Machine, Thread, Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Ruler

Step One - I cut my fabric into four inch strips. This will give me one inch double fold bias tape. To make 1/2 inch double fold bias tape you would need your fabric to be two inches wide. (.5 * 4 = 2)

Step Two: Place your fabric right sides together. Make an L with your fabric. You will sew it diagonally (please zoom in on photo if you need to see the stitching line). (When you purchase bias tape you can see it is sewn together in places - that is what you are doing - sewing together your fabric strips to make one continuous piece of bias tape.) Keep adding strips until you have the length you need.

Step Three: Use a ruler and measure about 1/4 inch away from your stitched line.

Step Four: Use a rotary cutter and trim. You will now have some triangles that can be saved for a future project. Repeat until all joined strips are trimmed. Press your seams open with an iron. Iron your entire continuous strip of bias tape.

Step Five: I now need to take my large pin and stick it into my ironing board cover, out again, measure over two inches and stick it back into the ironing cover and out again. The opening is two inches wide. This is where the fabric will be placed.

Step Six: Take your fabric and fold both edged toward the center. Then pull it under the pin.

Step Seven: Take a ruler or guide and measure each fold making sure each is one inch. Pull the fabric out a little more, measure again, and start ironing.

Step Eight: Pull fabric through and iron. Every so often look closely to make sure that each side is still about an inch each. Once you have pulled your whole strip through you can just fold it in half, iron it and voila! You will have made your very own double fold bias tape / binding.

Let me know if you have any questions with the tutorial. Have fun making your own bias tape / bidning. Beth

I'm not sewing costumes

2008-10-19T10:08:00.000-04:00

I sew. I like to sew. I've made my children costumes in the past. One year, a fellow mother said to me "I know you want to make their outfits - it's your thing." This mother, whom I don't really like, had a good point. It was my thing. Sewing is my thing. It is my outlet. It helps me keep my sanity. And, heck, I might even make a few dollars from it.

Right then and there I decided, if my children ever wanted me to not make a costume I would listen to them.

As Halloween approached I pitched my idea to my children - we could all dress-up as characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I wanted the older one to be a tall Alice and to walk around with a container that had a Drink Me label on it. I wanted my little one to be the short Alice and to walk around with a cake that said Eat Me on it. I would be the Queen of Hearts and my husband could be anyone he wanted from the book - most likely the Mad Hatter. The children flat out refused. I said we could buy costumes. Nope. No way. No how.

My older one is going to be Hermione Granger. She has her cloak, tie, a plastic cauldron to collect candy in, a wand, a lantern and Hedwig. As a surprise I ordered her an hourglass necklace to complete her look.

My little one is going to be a Blue Princess. Her dress lights up.

My husband is going to be Indiana Jones. We spent the day purchasing the majority of his costume (a new leather jacket, shirt, khaki pants - all necessary and wearable again on non-Halloween days).

Me - ummmm - do the devil ears I wore last year count? I called myself a MOMster.

Autumn Musings

2008-10-18T21:45:00.004-04:00

My daughter's class took a field trip to a local farm. It was a lot of fun. A hayride followed by the children digging up potatoes. Wait - what's this?
Oh - see all the other children (primarily the boys) in the background? They're gathering the potatoes. My daughter. She has a snake. Not one potato was picked by her. And - the majority of the girls were hovering around her. Each asking to take a turn to hold the snake. Yup. Just another day with Lucy.

And, this is for Lori. I do own some Halloween decorations - they're just outdoor decorations. This witch has been around for at least three years.

And this witch - she glows in the dark. I think we've had her for five years.

Ironically, I do own Thanksgiving decorations (well, maybe just one or two). I put the one out on November 1st. I know, you're all going to wait with bated breath to see what it is.

I'm in the newspaper!

2008-10-17T08:50:00.002-04:00

Here's the link to a story that a local reporter wrote about me / aprons!

Online apron club makes connections across the country, The Daily News (Newburyport)

Whoo hoo!

Three Columns ARE Better Than Two

2008-10-15T22:58:00.002-04:00

So - I'm changing my blog a bit. The layout I mean. I just thought there was an awful lot of wasted space on the window so I searched around for a tutorial (I have tried other tutorials in the past that did not work). The one I found tonight though was easy to follow. Now, I feel my blog looks a little more organized. At least, I feel like I am using the space better. Three cheers to finding what I need on the web!

Sew Craft Blog!

2008-10-15T10:15:00.001-04:00

Keri, over at Quaint and Quirky, is starting a side blog for the sewing and crafting community. She was inspired by a blog her mother-in-law joined - Sisterhood of the Stamping Bloggers.

In a nutshell - this will hopefully be a large central list of creative blogs.

Your blog does not need to be solely focused on a craft or sewing. You do need to have some posts on craftiness or sewing or something along that line though in your blog.

Check out her blog (fyi - the picture of her is so adorable! I love her use of a tomato can as a vase!) as well as the Sew Craft Blog and join me!

Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron

2008-10-14T22:47:00.004-04:00

The apron is done!

I used the Lorelei pattern from A is for Apron. I was trying to figure out if I should visit Staples or Kinko's to have the pattern enlarged when I saw a post on the Sew Mama Sew forum about a software program called Rapid Resizer. All I have to say is this product rocks. There is a two week free trial. I scanned in my image and had to adjust it a few times before it was just about spot-on. The only negative I can say about Rapid Resizer is that it asks in inches how tall or wide you want your final product to be. This particular apron needed to be made 400% larger. Thankfully, a few pieces were small and listed measurements. All I had to do was print out a page with a piece that measured a certain amount, check to make sure it was more or less correct (6 7/8 is 7 inches to me) and voila - I could print out a whole pattern.

And, I made bias tape for the first time. The making of it was actually very easy. It was only after I made it that I realized that it was smaller than 1/4 inch bias tape (what is smaller - 1/8?). Soooooooo - live and learn and buy a new larger bias tape maker tomorrow. After I do I'll post a how-to. Really, if I can do it late at night anyone can do it.

But, I really like that it is small and doesn't take away from the apron. I was kind-of afraid of the large coffee cups but I think it turned out alright. I can ship it off tomorrow as I already have all the extras just waiting here in my sewing room to go in a box for my partner!

NaNoWriMo

2008-10-12T09:28:00.005-04:00

November is National Novel Writing Month. Here is a story I published last year in my local paper with slight adjustments to include some of this year's info.

My November Checklist:
1. Order a turkey
2. Visit Plymouth Plantation
3. Write a novel
4. Clean the baseboards

Wait. You mean you don’t have writing a novel on your list?

November, in addition to being a month where we celebrate family and eating large birds, is National Novel Writing Month (a.k.a. NaNoWriMo). Back in July of 1999 a group of 21 individuals embarked on the first NaNoWriMo. Six of them crossed the finish line – writing a 175 page (50,000 word) novel in 30 days. In 2006, over 79,000 people took part in the annual non-profit literary mission. Almost 13,000 of them reached the goal. While the event stresses fun and creative exploration over publication, sixteen NaNoWriMo novelists have had their NaNo-novels published, including Sarah Gruen, author of New York Times #1 Best Seller, Water for Elephants>.

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, why on earth would anyone write a novel in thirty days and in November of all months? As we all learned from Issac Newton – objects in motion tend to stay in motion. You say you have one million things to do already? Perfect. Adding one more item to your list won’t seem all that daunting. Having other obligations forces you to carve out dedicated time to write. By setting aside specific hours to your novel you can finish it in one month. Do you commute? Try voice recognition software (writing and driving I don’t recommend). A SAHM? Wake-up earlier or stay-up later to get the novel done. Do your children have homework time? Guess what, you can too. Sit down at the table next to them and write. Writing 1,667 words at a time seems an impossible task? Break down your day into three 600 word sessions.

Are you a student? Good news. To reach the NaNoWriMo Young Writers goal you set your own word count. Have a favorite series? Think you can write another Lord of the Rings or Sweet Valley High? Prove it.

In 2006 I participated in my first NaNoWriMo. I started out strong. The first 14,000 words came easily; then, I hit a wall. My Great American Novel, an homage to road trips of the 1970’s, went from being a joy to being an albatross around my neck. After a fortnight of staring at a notepad, creating errands to run, and playing on-line scrabble the words finally started coming again. Even though I did not reach the 50,000 word mark I had a great time participating in NaNoWriMo and found a new respect for authors, words, and novels in general.

2007’s novel? A young adult novel in the vein of The Magic Treehouse series as well as Beast Quest and the Sister's Grimm. Two sisters are transported to different time periods. The difference - they were each literary characters and siblings. An example - one was Emily Dickinson and another her sister. One was Louisa May Alcott the other her sister. Etc. It was a good attempt - I think.

This year's novel? I'm going to work Aprons into the story. Perhaps the beginning will have a woman running out to the front lawn wringing her hands on an apron asking a neighbor, child, someone for help. "I need help. It's Herman." And then she'll start running back with whomever on the front lawn following her.

According to Chris Baty, NaNoWriMo founder, “The biggest thing separating people from their artistic ambitions is not lack of talent. It’s lack of a deadline.” There is no better deadline than writing 50,000 words in 720 hours. The only prize for winner’s---bragging rights.

Because writing 50,000 words is a great way to exercise your imagination. When writing quantity over quality you actually wind up with both. And really, what better excuse to get out of Thanksgiving clean-up than “Sorry, I’m writing a novel.”

If you are interested in taking part in a non-profit literary adventure visit the NaNoWriMo website, www.nanowrimo.org, where you can read more about the event as well as sign-up (it’s free). Become a November Novelist. At least be nice to the novelist’s you meet or else you may wind up in a novel.

Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron Swap Fabric

2008-10-10T08:57:00.005-04:00

My Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's swap partner said she liked turquoise.

Could there possibly be turquoise coffee fabric?

By George - there is. And - it just arrived from an on-line shop out of Orchard Park, NY. The coffee cups are larger than I thought they would be! I had one pattern in mind but seeing the size of the cups - I now must reevaluate that choice....what apron pattern would look best? Must look through apron book once I get back from the beach.

Been busy...

2008-10-10T00:08:00.004-04:00

...making these.

for my etsy shop.

Yeah, that August opening got delayed, just a bit. I listed a whopping two items.

And - I'll be doing a craft fair in November. I see lots of sewing in my future! I just hope I sell enough to make back the money I have to pay for the table and the donated raffle item. Think happy thoughts!

get lost?

2008-10-05T21:51:00.005-04:00

We did.

At the Kimball Farm Corn Maze.
This year's maze was bigger and better.

Eight Acres.
Five miles of paths - if you actually walked all of the maze.

32 questions direct visitors through the maze. Answer the question correctly and you find the next question. Answer it incorrectly and hit dead ends, paths that loop back to the question, etc.

It was so much fun! It took us about an hour to walk through the maze.

We have been taking an annual pilgrimage to corn mazes for a few years. My children know, because I'm sure I repeat myself ad nauseum before we enter, about respecting the corn. No pulling on the corn. No forcing your way through the corn to another part of the maze. That sort of thing. When my children encountered a young boy that was not respecting the corn they immediately told us. Then, they told the boy "You shouldn't pull the corn."

His parents were not really doing a good job of watching him. And - we caught him tugging on some of the signs that have the questions on them. Some of them were on the ground.

The father of the boy complained to his wife about us following them. Ummmmm - it's a corn maze. Not like there are that many ways to go if you answer the question correctly.

I truly believe my husband had to have been a tracker in a former life. He knew the correct paths to take to leave this family in the dust. Once we exited I let the staff know that signs were down in the maze that would need retaping. When they inquired further I simply stated there was a boy that wasn't being very respectful in the corn maze.

Children of the Corn

And - the scary thing - I frequently say "Children of the Corn" to my kids. Wait until they find out about the movie...

Vintage Halloween Swap and Some Cake

2008-10-03T09:02:00.001-04:00

Heidi organized a Vintage Halloween Swap. My partner, Carla, sent me some fabulous stuff.

Pumpkin girl, as I am calling her until my children give her a better name, is the absolute, hands-down favorite. My three-year-old took her down from where I perched her and sat her in many locations in my home before deciding that this step was the perfect place for her. (Ignore the dust on the stairs - I do.)

I also now have a cool picture to hang on the wall and the best smelling candle ever. It is a Trick or Treat scented Yankee Candle . Every time I smell it my teeth hurt - it smells just like candy corn. I haven't had candy corn in years...

To switch gears - Today my mom left to go back to New Jersey. Each child picked out a cake and decorated it last night. Each with a smile face. The three-year-old's creation is the yellow face, the six-year-old's is the blue face. They were so proud of decorating a cake for their Mema by themselves. Who needs a bakery to write We'll miss you when you have tubes of icing and an operatic serenade good-bye before the cake made up by your grandchildren? (I had suggested singing happy un-birthday but the un-rehearsed version of the opera We will miss you Mema in a soprano voice won.)

The location of the secret rebel base

2008-10-02T11:59:00.005-04:00

Well, not really. But, I will tell you the location of the vacation apron I created for Marcel over at Aunt Pitty Pat's.

Ireland.

I read Marcel's info to my mom. Marcel described herself as a short, round Granny and my mom said that was what she was. So - I had the perfect model for the apron (thanks mom!). And - my mom picked out the fabric. I took her with me (to multiple fabric shops while she was visiting) and asked her to find something that screamed Ireland. My mom said the cottages and landscape made her think of the Irish Countryside. Perhaps, where the little people lived.

I used a store bought pattern for this one. And - I must say - there are some things I'd change if I made it again. Like - the waistband.

What you can't tell about this apron from the picture is that the pockets are huge! Like - you could fit a few small dogs - or a lot of gold - in each one. I'm thinking about modifying the pattern to create kangaroo pouches for my daughters. They are constantly pretending to be different animals and like to carry dolls around in their skivvies. A pouch would do wonders for... Oh - I digress...Back to the apron...

To complete this vacation to Ireland package I sent some rainbow ric rac. And - what do we hope to find at the end of the rainbow? Gold of course. A very nice leprechaun included a pot of gold at the end of Marcel's rainbow as well as a worry stone from Ireland.

Flirty Apron Swap - 2

2008-09-29T20:55:00.004-04:00

I volunteered to be an Apron Angel for Flirty Apron Swap. There were some women that had signed-up to create aprons for others but have been displaced due to hurricane's. I had such a blast sewing this apron. I even purchased a pattern for this one. Then - I borrowed the A is for Apron book from my library and found a very similar pattern in the book. (Must enlarge a bunch of those patterns. I'm sure I'm going to use one for my Hot Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron Swap!)

Anyway - below is a photo of the materials I used. Where do you think the dream vacation is (the apron swap theme was a place you wished you had gone on summer vacation)? I'll post a photo of the finished apron (and the location) once I know the package has been received.

Swapping

2008-09-25T20:17:00.003-04:00

I received my apron from my swap partner. One of my dream vacations was to go on a cruise to Alaska. She sent her great-aunt on a mission during her yearly Alaska visit to find fabric and a gift for me. The fabric is so pretty - and as my partner's son says - looks like turtles. And - she sewed this with a broken hand. Talk about a dedicated swapper! She sent me a fabulous pair of earrings that were made by a local Alaskan artisan and - the best part - a recipe for Moose Meatballs.

I laughed very hard when I read it because - I hit a moose. Actually, a bull moose hit my SUV last summer (he was fine - he got up and ran back into the woods). Ever since then I have been called Mommy the Moose Master (or - as my daughter says Mommy the Moose Masher!). So - Heather N. thank you so much!

AND - one of my swaps is ready to be mailed tomorrow. Lori - here's a sneak peek before I seal your box in tape...
I have two other things to do for two other swaps that will be done tonight - now that I have bias tape and that my oil burner is now working (thank you Simmons Plumbing & HVAC).

Back to sewing...

Green Soup

2008-09-23T23:01:00.003-04:00

I love soup. I could eat soup every day.

There just happens to be a soup swap going on over at Turkey Cookies.

An old stand-by in my house - Green Soup. Really, Asparagus Soup - but on Shrek night I can make everything green and the kids will eat (or at least try) most foods - There's Shrek Chicken (cook chicken breasts with pesto topped with mozz chz in oven - I guess 350 for as long as it takes chicken to cook - my kids eat this up!), Mermaid Hair (french cut green beans) & Green Soup.

Green Soup
Ingredients:
1 bunch of asparagus
water
3 T Butter
3 T Flour
milk
salt & white pepper

Wash & trim asparagus. (I was taught to break the asparagus by holding it by the end without the flower and that it would snap where the bitter or pithy part was. Does that make sense? If not - let me know.)

Boil water - enough to cover your asparagus.

Add asparagus. Cook until tender (oh - 10 or 15 minutes)

Remove asparagus from water with tongs and place on plate. Reserve two cups of the boiled water. Discard the rest. Reserve some of the asparagus tips (for garnish).

Place asparagus into blender or food processor. Add some of the reserved water. Blend or process until smooth.

While blending - take your 3 T butter and 3 T flour and put both in your soup pot. Cook for three minutes.

Add 'gus mixture to soup pot with the butter / flour mixture. Add rest of reserved water to pot. Add milk to pot (as much or as little as you like - I know lack of measurements are a pain- but this I eyeball - maybe a cup?).

Warm soup up - add salt and white pepper to taste.

Ladle into a soup bowl. Garnish with reserved 'gus tips. Voila! You are ready to eat green soup.

Wine

2008-09-21T22:05:00.004-04:00

My husband and I are not big wine drinkers. About two years ago we purchased a kit. It is a cork board that you make from wine corks.

As you can see in the above photo - we obviously need to drink more.

Hey - look at that. van Duzer wine. And - that's our last name.

Apparently, part of the van Duzer clan is out west. There is a van Duzer Theatre in California, a van Duzer Corridor in Oregon and of course, the vineyard also in Oregon.

My husband's family history is very cool. One of his relatives started the Staten Island Ferry service (would take people from Staten Island to Manhattan - and charged a nickel). Another relative established Sarah Lawrence college.

Hmm - let's see - ummmm - nope. Nothing big happening on my side of the family tree. Really, how can I compete with a vineyard and a college?

Lime Green Hat

2008-09-19T10:38:00.001-04:00

Lola has been wearing her lime green hat from Jace / his mom Sherry (he was her partner in a kid's swap) to school all week. On the first day she kept it on all the time they were outside - the staff thanked me saying it was easy to keep track of her (if you need to know why they want to keep track of her click here). On the second day - they would see the green hat and say "Lola's over there." and then they would see her on the other side of the playground. It seems she took great pleasure in hanging her hat on every pole she could reach. After hanging her hat - she'd run away. So - the hat is loved by Lola and her teachers, when it's on her head.

Fun Apron

2008-09-18T22:38:00.004-04:00

This summer I purchased a new sewing machine. It is fabulous. I am amazed at how much better my sewing is just from upgrading to a better machines. My new machine came with a lot of feet. One of them was a ruffle foot.

On Tuesday, with both children in school, I spent over an hour testing out my ruffle foot for making aprons. I used some fabric I had gotten from freecycle. The sewing machine book suggested starting with 10 inch pieces of fabric to see how much ruffle would happen. It then gave suggestions on changing stitch lengths as well as needle tension to create fuller ruffles. I tested and re-tested my measurements and, when I was sure I knew what I was doing, I drafted my apron pattern on freezer paper, ironed it onto the fabric - cutting enough for two aprons since I was positive I was going to now have an easy job. After all, I had tested and re-tested and was happy, even giddy, with my test fabric results.

Can you see where this is leading?

Yup. When I used my actual fabric the results varied. My daughter came up to the sewing room earlier this evening and asked what I was doing. I told her - just like she makes mistakes I make mistakes too. I needed to rip out stitches in order to correctly sew my garment. The finished aprons aren't as full as I would like but they aren't too bad.

I guess it goes to show - use some of that actual fabric to test - not just free fabric. My daughter really likes the apron. Especially the cat button on the pocket.

Another Apron Swap

2008-09-16T22:16:00.002-04:00

I sent my apron out to my partner on time. While looking to see if my name had been added to the aprons sent list (it's not there yet) I noticed another apron swap was listed on the blog. Val over at Yarni Gras is hosting her first apron swap. Hot Drinks for Hot Mamas is the theme. I have lots of coffee fabric - I seem to have a fabric addiction as well as a real addiction to coffee. I'm hoping for a coffee lover! For all the details visit her blog!

Snack Bags

2008-09-14T21:09:00.003-04:00

Like all dutiful mothers with young children in full-day school I purchased a new backpack and matching lunch box for each of my children before the school year started. What I didn't buy was a snack bag. I made one for the older one and am working on one for daughter #2 (since she doesn't return to preschool until Tuesday I figured - older daughter's bag would be my experiment).

It is based on a tutorial from the Lazy Seamstress Blog. I modified it a bit. I changed the button material out for elastic, added velcro, used Insul-Brite - as well as changed the measurements a bit (the tutorial was all in centimeters - threw me for a loop at first). It is completely machine washable - something I love in clothes and now snack bags.

My older daughter just tried out her bag and has announced she loves it. Now - to get her to love going to bed.

Locks of Love With a Twist

2008-09-13T16:30:00.005-04:00

My one daughter seems to be obsessed with hair cutting. This time she didn't cut her own hair. She cut hair off of wigs and other dolls to give hair to dolls that didn't have any. It was her own version of Locks of Love. This was fine with me. It showed compassion. That was until I saw that she also cut some of her sister's hair as well. At least it wasn't her bangs again.

Shopping Small Talk

2008-09-10T12:40:00.001-04:00

More small talk questions from Sherry's blog party:

1. Where is your favorite place to shop? Hmmmm - for a real store - I guess aside from grocery shopping - TJ Maxx / Marshalls / Home Goods (they're all owned by the same company) as well as two local second hand shops.

2. Would you rather shop on-line or in the stores? On-line.

3. If you needed new undergarments but you saw something that you didn't really need but just wanted which would you buy. New undergarments.

4. What really annoys you about other shoppers? Returns at the register when there is a separate return area. Lollygaggers that take up an entire aisle with their cart and are obviously not in a hurry to move for you or anyone else.

5. Have you ever got up to the checkout stand and had a ton of stuff in your cart and after they rang everything up you realized you didn’t have your money, check book, debit card, or credit cards? No.

6. If you buy something that isn’t necessary or something just for fun do you feel like you have to justify it to yourself or your partner? No.

7. Do you hide those unnecessary things for awhile and then later claim you’ve had them for a long time? Is my husband reading this? Since he might be I'll answer. No. Absolutely never. Don't mind me as I push this bag under a pile of clothes...

First Days

2008-09-09T20:14:00.004-04:00

Today was my little one's first day of preschool. Before this she had 18 months of an Early Intervention playgroup that was in a preschool-like setting one day a week. It ended when she turned three (eight months ago). She has been dying to go to school ever since. Today, she put on her backpack and demanded to stand at the bus stop with her sister to see her off for school in an outfit of her own design. Project Runway - look out for Lola!

During our orientation yesterday the teacher, whom my older daughter also had for preschool, told all the parents to make sure they say good-bye to their children on the playground before we entered the school to put their back pack away.

I walked Lola over to the playground this morning. She agreed to stand still for one picture. We turned the corner and she tore off through the gate into the playground. I stood there shouting "Good-Bye" very loudly and waving my arm up over my head enthusiastically. She didn't even look back. She couldn't have cared less if I was there. It made my heart so happy to see her leave and not look back.

At pick-up she was at the end of the line. Still dressed in the same dress and shoes she had gone to school in (I sent two changes of clothes and a spare pair of shoes to school - just in case of an accident).

The teacher looked at me and told me that during rest time Lola asked to go to the bathroom. She seemed to be taking awhile so the aide went to check on her (there is a bathroom in her classroom - I was expecting them to tell me she was naked or had fallen asleep in there but...). She wasn't there. They immediately rang the office and had them announce over the loudspeaker to the whole school "WE ARE LOOKING FOR LOLA." No last name. I guess one Lola is all they have. One of the other teachers found her. She was in the first grade wing. Seems she remembered there was a pink bathroom across from the cafeteria and that was the one she was determined to find and use.

All's well that ends well and I am crying and laughing at the same time because - she had a mission. She knew where the pink bathroom was and she found it on her first day of school. And, most importantly, she is fine.

For my oldest, on her first day of school I was in the principal's office and had a voice mail (as well as met) the new guidance person. Which, was an improvement over last year when the school bus didn't drop her off at the right school and no one told me. Lucy did on our drive over to gymnastics.

First days seem to be very exciting for my children.

I guarantee the staff is hoping I don't have any other children at home waiting to go through the school system.

Apron Advice Requested

2008-09-09T00:52:00.006-04:00

Well, I finally finished my apron. Well, kind-of. I need to embellish it.

The Flirty Apron Swap this time around is for aprons of where you wished you had gone on vacation. My partner wanted to go on a vacation to the VT Teddy Bear factory. I think I have accomplished the bear aspect. This apron is supposed to be about embellishing the apron - but I don't want it to look too busy.

I bought a few red barn buttons (red barns are all over VT - plus - one is so large it looks like a covered bridge - definitely something you would see the Green Mountain State) and thought about sewing one onto each side. Then maybe include a towel to be hung from one button and maybe a removable pocket / potholder for the other?

Any suggestions? Comments? Advice for moms that stay up until one a.m. sewing aprons when their second child will be starting their first day of school in just mere hours and I should be ummm sleeping?

One Good Book Swap and a Giveaway

2008-09-07T20:58:00.003-04:00

Jill over at Life with Nature Girl is hosting her first swap. It is called - One Good Book Swap. It is a book swap for children. So, if you have children and would like to swap books - and goodies to go along with the book - click over to her blog. You'll find all the details there.

AND

Bean from Coyote Craft just created a hot pad tutorial for Sew Mama Sew's Sewing for Home month. She is giving two of the hot pads away. Click on over to her blog to leave a reply for a chance to win.

Fall Swap Goodies

2008-09-07T11:57:00.005-04:00

I was so excited to find a box outside my house earlier this week from Lori, my Fall Swap partner. Now - the deadline to mail these is September 30th. I'm still shopping / sewing stuff for her soooooooo, don't expect mine too soon.

Lori sent me so many great things! A table runner, a basket with tons of festive ribbon on the handles, soap, cashews, a starbuck's gift card, blank note cards, and blocks. Now, when my mother saw the blocks she said it was nice of you to send something with my name on it. My nickname is Boo Boo, or Boo for those that think two syllables are too much. I'll post how I received that moniker another time. They are fabulous - and sparkly. (Did you make them? I love them.)

This great sign.

The decoration my children like the most, besides the blocks, is this pumpkin. I put it in the t.v. room, by the t.v. and my little one exclaimed oohs and ahhs when she saw it and wanted to know what it was for. Guess you can tell I don't decorate much. Really, for Christmas we have a tree with predominantly Star Trek ornaments on it. And my tree is the kind with the lights already on it. I feel like such a curmudgeon.

My favorite is my very own Too Silly Sisters bracelet! I have given a bunch of Lori's bracelets as gifts to Lucy's friends and everyone loves them. It's nice to finally have something for me.

Thank you so much Lori! I think I'm going to have to purchase more pumpkins now to decorate the homestead.

Party

2008-09-03T01:28:00.004-04:00

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Sherry over at If I Could Set My Soul Free is having a month long blogiversary and birthday party. She is going to be doing a giveaway every week. She asked if those of us taking part in the celebration would mind answering a few questions on our blog – so – here I go:

Questions:

What type of job do you have? Manager – I manage my house, kids, husband, etc.

Where do you live? Georgetown, MA; however, I was born and raised in New Jersey

Where do you do your crafts / art work? Sewing Room

What is your favorite daytime beverate? Coffee - then water.

What is your favorite dessert? A Reese's Pieces Sundae from Friendly's Restaurant

Do you watch soap opera's? I watch Project Runway religiously.

What's the last movie you saw in a movie theater? Space Chimps