a bow tie for the littlest

Little guy needed a tie.  I have loved this gray fabric with the little white raised polk-a-dots from my vintage stash and have almost used every bit of it.  I had a small amount left and was inspired by a friend's Instagram photo to make a bow tie for Isaac.  

 this kid melts my heart!  can he get any cuter?

The tie worked perfectly.  It's a bow tie with 2 wide pieces of elastic on either side that slips under the collar and attaches in the back with velcro.  The velcro closure which is a couple of inches long so as to allow for adjustment is covered in the same fabric.

Amy's dot garland

I found a really cute children's book for 60 cents at one of my favorite thrift stores.  I needed some cute garland for a baby shower I was decorating for and Amy (my sister) came up with this idea.  We punched circles (I have a great scrapbook punch from Creative Memories that made the job easier) and sewed them all together.  W the help of some friends we ended up making LOTS of this for the shower.  I need to post pics of the event.  You can see it on this fb album if you want.

Tie belt

This sweater has been in my closet for several years.  I like it, but the double breasted large brown buttons that were on the front of it (sorry- no before pics) weren't working for me so I never wore it.  I only liked to wear it when I had a large preggo belly sticking out in front and then the sweater could hang open to the side.  Since I'm out of that stage it was time to refashion this sweater.  I dug through my grandpa's old ties and removed the buttons and came up with this look the other day.  SUPER easy refashion that gave me a new sweater!

grandma's sewing box

I have inherited my grandma's sewing box.  It's a special treasure for me.  

 There are unique little gadgets in it and beautiful colors of thread.  

 I got all teary when I found this 3x5 card tucked inside the box that she had typed a poem on.

Bring me Your Flowers Now


I'd rather have one little rose 
in the garden of my friend;
than to have the choicest flowers
when my stay on earth must end.


I'd rather have the kindest words 
which may now be said to me;
than be flattered when I'm gone
and life has ceased to be.


I'd rather have a loving smile
from friends I know are true;
than tears shed 'round my casket
when I've bid the world adieu.


Bring me all your flowers today
whether pink or white or red;
I'd rather have one blossom now
-than a truckload when I'm dead.

My grandma loved flowers.  Her gardens were beautiful.  She knew plants and trees and enjoyed God's creation more than anyone I have ever known.  Grandma taught us how to make holly hock dolls.  She had collections of rocks, shells, nuts, eggs, nests, and pinecones.  As much as she enjoyed nature and cultivated and displayed it's beauty around her she cared more her own and others spiritual condition.  She studied God's Word regularly and shared His love with others.  I miss my grandma.  I'm so thankful for all the memories, lessons learned, and time spent.  I truly think that every observance I had of her showed me a glimpse of Jesus.

Since Jason's infection a year ago I have thought about the shortness and uncertainty of life on a regular basis.  I hope that I show God's love as I have the opportunity to NOW and not wait for LATER.  It may never come.   Some things that were once terribly important to me aren't anymore and other things that didn't seem to matter so much are infinitely valuable.

.............................................

On a side note, does anyone know what these little leather finger tip things are?  I assume they are some sort of old thimble.  Just curious.

Christmas tree skirts

I made a few Christmas tree skirts this year.  First I started with one I already have and folded it in half and laid it onto my folded fabric, lining up the folded side of the skirt with the fold of the fabric.  Cut around the half circle and around the little hole part. Cut through one of the folds and open up the fabric.  You will have a basic skirt.  I doubled the thickness of each of these to add some stability and to make them a nice reversible option.  The rag-quilted flannel one has all exposed seems that fray when they are clipped and tumbled in the dryer a few times.  

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Christmas gifts for $1

I've been making a lot of rag garland over the past few years in an attempt to use what I have.   I decided to try wreaths this Christmas.   They were fun to make and I thought I'd share the idea.

 The kids and I went to Home Depot (one of my fav stores!) and shopped around for a cheap circle shape.  It was fun looking up and down the isles together for the perfect item for our project.  It had to hold it's shape and be thin and be small, but not too small, and be cheap.  It was a treasure hunt.  This is what we came up with.  I'm not sure what it's technical name is, but it is a little over one dollar and was in the heating/ cooling vent area and was also around the plumbing and electrical area also.  So, I'm thinking it's some sort of brackets thing.  How's that description?  My dad's probably laughing at this.  I should know a few things from all of those years working with him.

 Start by gathering material.  I use bits of fabric, old clothes, ribbon, ric rac, sheets and towels.  I like things with interesting texture for projects like this.  This is all free stuff that is accumulating in my craft storage bins.  You seriously will not want to throw anything away if you start doing projects with me.  It's bad!  Anyway, I never buy new stuff for these raggy scrappy looking garlands like this.  Determine what length you'd like the fringe to be and start tying each bit of fabric in place around the form.  Be random and have fun.  These are great to make while watching a Christmas movie.  

Ella was so eager to help me make one for her teacher, but since I'm usually working during nap time she fell asleep halfway through!  I love sleeping pics and just thought I'd add this.

You can see that it takes time, but this is getting fuller.  Just keep adding more until all the spaces are full.

getting fuller...

 no more space

 done:

 now, make more!

kitchen curtains

With the time change and the darkness that seems to set in at 4 PM and winter's chill that is in the air I "needed" a new kitchen curtain.  I did not want to spend money on fabric since I have so much of it piled up in the basement.  So, I went "shopping" down there and found this little vintage yellow and red piece that was barely the right size and is oh-so-cheery with it's little red birds and dainty flowers.  It will do just fine to help me beat the winter blues!