Is it button time yet?

I've been going through my craft supplies. I've decided to use up as much stuff as I can. I had a big box full of buttons and felt like I should do something with them. I thought about making bracelets or necklaces with them but then that seemed to boring. I needed something a little more creative. So I sorted the buttons into color groups and started making designs. It started with a simple shamrock and then a heart, moving on to a red white and blue flag shaped like a star. Then I decided to go LARGE.
It takes quite a bit of time to sew each button to the fabric. What's worse is that I have issues placing the buttons on one at a time and ending up with the shape that I want. It just seems to get wonky. Instead, I put them all on at once, stitch the buttons around the outside and pray that I don't tap or knock the hoop while I'm doing the sewing.
Believe me, I've made a mess more than once. Often it totally changes the layout of my design. Sometimes for the better, but that's a rare occurrence. I really like my snowman with his red scarf and earmuffs. I still have to come up with a strap for his earmuffs but I don't have any tiny buttons. I might just use a piece of yarn or beads.
I love my pumpkin almost as much as my snowman. Then again, I'm a sucker for a nice shaped heart. I'd do more holidays but I think I need more buttons before I attempt it. I'm almost scared to even try to make a turkey...lol. Any suggestions?

I can't believe Kare talked me into showing this....

OK, OK, against my better judgement I'm going to post a picture of my craft corner. It's a holy mess...but Kare said she wants to see it in all its glory during mid-crafting. That's what you are getting. I have stuff shoved everywhere because I just finished up Christmas ornaments and I had to pull stuff from everywhere to put together everything that I might need to make my ornies. That's why I have boxes under my little work table...the X-mas stuff hasn't been put back where it belongs. This is embarrassing...its a friggin pit. Well, I guess it could always be worse. Actually it has been worse. You should see what it looks like when I pull every thing out to re-organize it. THAT'S a disaster. The best thing about this room is that I have a TV across from my table so I can watch it while sewing. If I don't want to deal with the TV, I can log on to the computer and either play my itunes or go to AOL radio and jam out. This is what you can't see behind the sewing table...I have stuff all over the floor because I have to make room for it. Oh yes, its a mess, but its my mess and I can't live without all this crap. There is nothing more enjoyable then arts and crafts junk...its just so full of possibilities. Plus if Sam came to me and said, I need some wire, Styrofoam balls, craft paint, markers of every imaginable color, and any other number of strange items...I'd have them all dug out in about 5 minutes. No running to the store at the last minute, nope, I have it covered.
I mean, look at this...its two shelves of the big cabinet that is full of misc fabric that I've collected over the years. That's right, all the fabric that I'm using for my dolly quilts, I didn't have to go shopping for. Nope, I just opened up my cabinet and started rooting around in there. I even found stuff I didn't know I had. Plus I have a pile of fabric on the floor that has been laundered, pressed and is ready to go for a couple of projects I have in mind. Yep, believe me, if there was a huge storm and we were not allowed to leave the house...I'd be set. I have enough projects, that don't require electricity, to keep me busy for a very long time.

I'm feeling craft.

I've been feeling very crafty lately and have been working on several projects. I'm only showing you two. The first is a little wallet that works great at places like Six Flags, when you need ID, money and a credit card but don't want to haul around a bag all day. You can't ride rides with a bag in tow. Anyway, I had this little wallet but it had a embroidered picture of Oscar the Grouch on it. I pulled the stitches out and got rid of Oscar but I didn't like the way it looked when I was done. I searched through my fabric stash and came up with these circles. I just cut them out and attached them with a flexible glue.
I even stuck some inside for the heck of it. I think I'm going to use it to keep my Metro card in it and my train tickets when I go into NYC.
As you know, we have under 4 months until Christmas. You know what that means....ORNIE TIME. Yes, I have to get my Annual Christmas Ornaments done asap. I can't show the 5 I already have done, because Tami reads my site and I don't want to completely give away my secrets. I have several other ideas but I don't know if I will get to them. The needle punching is taking forever, though it is relaxing...but I have lots of other projects that I want to knock off. Lots and lots of other projects. It's scary how many things I have going right now.

I've been busy..

...Making a huge mess. It's Christmas Ornament time again. Normally I'm under no pressure because I have my ornaments done years in advance. This year I am behind. I now know what if feels like to be my friends in the annual Ornie Exchange. Every year, at least one of them is putting the finishing touches on their orines the night before our get together. Once in a while, we get a cheater who tries to pass off an ornie they purchased as their creation. They usually fess up right away. We did make the rule that you get a one year pass on a purchased ornament. I have yet to use my "get out of jail" card and I probably never will. I will admit the thought had passed my mind a few times this fall. I'm not giving in, I'm working my butt off. I have four ornaments going right now. Yes, FOUR at once. Why? Well, because I can't focus on just one at a time. I have not been feeling inspired and as a result have been getting bored so I have to switch back and forth for a while. Plus, its not like I only make a half dozen ornies. Nope, I make a LOT more than that.
Anyway, I have been pulling out all my craft stuff that could be used for Christmas ornaments. I have several ideas for following years. If anyone has any good patterns or directions/tutorials, by all means, pass them my way. My craft area looks like a tornado hit it. I have bits of thread everywhere. Glitter stuck to everything...Yep, its a mess down here. I think Sam is getting tired of hearing my sewing machine running while he is watching TV and messing around on the computer. Every once in a while, I give him a break and pursue quiet endeavors, like painting and cutting, and gluing. I have a lot of hand sewing to do now. Grrr, I don't want to think about it. I just feel like making Christmas cookies. Anyway, now you know where I have been and why I have not been blogging.

It's Chrismtas Ornie making time!

 

I went throught my craft stash and sorted out all the things that I thought I might be able to utilize for my annual Christmas Ornament Exchange. I swear I musthave ornaments in the attic that I made last year, but I can't findthem, so I'm making more. I'll be ahead of the game if I find the ones I made. Anyway, I have lots of options and tons of different ideas. I just have to get on the ball. I even had Marino, our contractor cutting pieces of wood for me with his chop saw for one of my ideas. He about fell over when he found out how many I make each year. Anyway, I'm still looking for ideas for following years. If you find any neat homemade ornament pictures or better yet, actual directions for ornaments...SEND THEM MY WAY!

I found the ribbon...I found the ribbon!

Finally! After searching all day, I discovered the purple ribbon that I totally hid from myself. It wasn't even in plain site, so I don't feel so stupid anymore. So, here is my creation....a purple Halloween wreath that even lights up if I want it to, but I like it just as much without the lights. Now I have to store it up in the attic with all the Halloween decorations that I didn't drag out this year. I looooove this holiday and I usually create a scary basement but with all the construction, I couldn't bare to bring myself clutter the house anymore than it already is. I also made a Super Hero cape for Sam....but I didn't get a pic tonight of it. I'll make him model it tomorrow. I only had a days notice and didn't get to the store to buy fabric until well into the afternoon, so it was a quickie job. Everyone seems impressed. I would have liked a longer cape but I would have needed more fabric and I bought all that was left. I made do, so to speak, but you'll see what I mean. I hope everyone had a spooky night. We gave away more candy than we have in years. The weather was so mild that I think it encouraged people to hit the streets.

It's time for some fall crafting...

I had some Indian corn and some fall artificial leaves that someone had given me some years ago so I decided instead of letting them sit around collecting dust, it was time to spice them up. Hence, my wall hangings. I like the baby corn bunch the best but the other one is fine and dandy too. I had another large one that I used red leaves on and different ribbon but I sent it to someone before I was remembered to take a picture of it. Once it was all packaged up, I wasn't about to tear open the box.
I'm trying to use up the supplies I have because I have a lot of craft stuff. I won't let myself buy anything else unless I need it to get rid of stuff I already have. It's fall cleaning time.
I told my Mom she could have one of these if she liked it. They are looking for homes.

A growth chart in the making

I'm working on something new. I decided to make a template for a growth chart for Rue. I had a hankering to use my jig saw and drill. I have wood left over from a project and I'm going to use it up and get it out of the garage. I won't be able to show you the finished project until I put it together when I am home. I think it will be easier to mail before the parts are attached. I decided I'm going to have a wavy stem, with two leaves with Rues name and birth information on them. I'm not sure how I want to do the blossom yet, but I'll come up with something. I always do, after all. I have to find a box to mail this sucker in. I think there is one in the garage.
I thought about asking Marla and Jeff if they wanted one for Arianna but I figured they wouldn't. I could be wrong...Aunt Vickie will let me know what she thinks. I could always make two at one time. Just a thought. Maybe I should make one for Jesse and Megan, my parents neighbors. They are expecting a girl in August and are really super sweet people.

And the medal goes to....

I love buttons. I love ribbon. Hell, I love lots of things and tend to collect stuff off of packages and presents. I find it hard to part with the extra buttons that come with clothes even after I discard the outfit. If its worth passing on I do, but if it isn't fit for charity because I stain stuff like nobodies business, I take the buttons off before I trash it.
Over the years I have come up with a ton of notions. A while back I saw a picture of a medal that someone made using a button and ribbon. They looked like service awards that soldiers receive for bravery or advanced skills. I figure some day I might be a nanny for a little one again and they might come in handy. (Maybe Rue would like it too) How much fun would it be to have a ceremony for a preschooler who bravely sat through their shot at the doctors office or if they are afraid of cats or dogs, were able to summon the strength to pet it without hiding behind you, crying. How about an award for Extreme patience when they sat polity and played instead of running around like a nutcase when the car was getting its annual maintenance or at the bank. I like the idea for an award for a random act of kindness or for an act of true honesty. The possibilities are endless. I'm making them so they can be safely pinned on their shirts for the day or several days but after a week they must be placed on a felt banner that we can hang on the wall of their bedroom. Each award will be labeled with a tag on the back that says why and when it was awarded. When they out grow the phase, it can be rolled up and tucked away. Years later, long after they forgot about it, it would be fun to see what they accomplished.
I think its always a good idea to praise good behavior, its encouraging. Lol, can't you see a kid strutting around the grocery store, helping you get the items you need, perhaps wearing a super hero cape and showing off the medal on his shirt to anyone that will listen. Of course, it could be a little girl wearing a super hero cape and showing off her medals....valor comes in all shapes and sizes.

That's it...I need to start sewing doll quilts.

I have collected a lot of bargain fabric over the years. Most of it is fun stuff, very bright and kid friendly. I have wanted to learn to quilt and I honestly have to start with small projects because a huge quilt would be overwhelming for me. Anyway, since I have a baby niece now....I must, MUST make a dolly quilt for her. Plus my Cousin Jeff has a baby girl now and so Does my Godson's Uncle and my parents neighbors are expecting a girl in August. That means I need to get my rear in gear and make at least 4...5 if I count my friend Susan's new Grand daughter. I have some time because they won't be needing them until they are at least two years old, three would be better.

I didn't take a picture of the fabric that I have for dress up clothes. Remember I made all of those clothes for my friend Tami's little girls. Yep, and without patterns. Hey, I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal. I'm just lucky that I can visualize things. OK, so if I have not posted a pic of any dolly quilts by the end of October, yell at me. Sometimes I just need to be pushed into things. As of this minute though, I am planning to start work on them in August.