Gretchen the Singer

This weekend was a 3 day mighty cleaning adventure.

I got non pumice Goop waterless hand cleaner on a whim…and it worked!  Used up almost an entire box of Q-tips but after some time I clean what I thought was a mostly black machine only to discover she is covered with beautiful enamel.

A wee snake lives on the back of the pillar with many flower and plants.

The fender (at least what I am calling a fender) has a lovely vine of flowers.

The front of the pillar cleaned up lovely as did the Sphinx.

Sadly the base was quite silver before I even started.

Once I got her exterior tidied up and shining I delved into her inner workings… About a well fed mousie’s worth of dust and dirt were living in there.

Serial number and the patents…

The shuttle complete with thread so old it actually shattered when I was removing it from the spool.

The accessory kit isn’t complete but it is still quite fabulous in its special box.  Even have the manual for the kit and a box of quite old thread. Something to be said of the good old days…they made everything so lovely, the script, art work, wee details you just don’t see any more!

Clean up and gorgeous, oiled to perfection, Jim installed the belt… wow! Quite the work out to get the speed going just right.  May need to install a Schnauzer guard however as Shamus feels he needs to catch and stop the wheel by the treadle…with his face…

Now to figure out how to wind the thread onto the shuttle, adjust tensions, thread her and start practicing!

sew sew, Shamus

Made a pile of preemie sized bonnets out of wide cotton edging, I think they turned out great! Also hand sewed 3 angel bonnets. These will all be going to GTA with the next box. 10-26-2014

Shamus celebrated his 4th birthday with scrambled eggs… look fast he snatched them up before the camera could focus!

 

 

new old machine

Now 40 years after learning to sew on a machine I am the proud owner of a Singer treadle machine.

The new machine is lovely and in dire need of some loving attention.  We have belts on order as hers was in pieces.  The owner’s manual as well as the manual for the attachments was in one of the many over flowing drawers. I have them flattening under some heavy books at the moment so I can scan them in to our computer so I can read them without damaging them further.  I think everything I need to get her functional is there but I really have no idea.

I watched this treadle for more than a year, living on the porch of a local antique shop.  I would lift the lid and look at the machine, but again I had no idea what I should be looking for.  Finally my wedding anniversary was coming up and my husband start browsing craigslist in our area for a treadle for me.  He found one that had everything included and was functional but when he finally got ahold of the lady she decided she didn’t want to part with it after all… totally understandable!  I browsed a bit at the ads and had a good giggle at a guy selling one for $45… ‘looks like it should work but needs an electrical cord’ it was an unaltered treadle… but it would have been quite a trip to get that one.  I brought my husband and the grandkids since they were along to the antique shop, under the guise of grocery shopping and thankfully the treadle was still there.  He bought it on the spot.  PERFECT anniversary gift!

My grandson (9) is fascinated with all the exposed workings.  I will really enjoy teaching him to sew on it once it’s ready to go.  I have a few electric sewing machines as well as a Serger, but as I found out there is no speed control, for some reason he feels he needs to floor the pedal… a bit terrifying. Working the machine with his own power will be a kinder gentler way of learning to sew and become a self-sufficient young man.

hoping to scan the manuals soon and put them here as well for anyone needing or wanting to browse a really old sewing machine manual.  There are is a pile of really old goodies in the drawers as well I will be documenting!

new critters

Lazuli… Cobalt Blue tarantula…wee sweet little baby… he’s not really blue yet… if he’s a he, he will probably be a bit bland in color but if he is a she, she will become quite gorgeous. He, I’m just using that moniker because he has proven to be kind of a snotty little he type person, has already tried to be vicious, running like lightening to escape his lovingly appointed tank then rearing up to show us his itty bitty teeth… was hard not to giggle at his tininess, he is after all about the size of a dime… Granted I guess I would be a bit of a snot too if my shipping container had been thrown quite unceremoniously onto the porch by the jerky Fed Ex guy… He arrived with a dull thud on September 5th 2014

Oliver with his new not-a-Chihuahua-Russian Tortoise, Rafael. Yes named after the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtle with the purple headband and knifey deals… I’m not totally up on the TMNT craziness. Rafael is less than a year old, may grow to 10 inches long and could live up to 55 years. So far he really likes violets, blue berries and freshly mown grass. Over the winter we will be growing a patch of grass and clover for him downstairs with us… he resides in a wading pool under Oliver’s loft bed. He runs little tortoise laps in circles around his water dish. He was acquired on September 6th… just because he was there…

blocks for the Peeps quilt and a few lovies

Finished the Shamus block using grey button Zombie fabric I got in a set of fat quarters a while back. His little jacket is from another fat quarter set Beatles Yellow Submarine. Fairy frost for his ‘sky’ and neato green from a fabric swap last year. Threw on some buttons and a yellow doily sun. I think he turned out pretty cute. His block is 8X10 inches. Completed August 30th 2014 His pattern was free at: http://www.quiltdesignnw.com/Free_Scottie_Dog.htm http://www.quiltdesignnw.com/PDF/scottie.pdf

The heap of Jeep signature block… I guess it’s a 2 door… oh well! Doily wheels…I’m considering them white walls, as I didn’t have any black ones. You’ll note no rust or bumper stickers… I figure when I quilt it eventually I’ll quilt little rectangles all over it. Block is 8X10, finished it August 31st 2014 this block pattern is part of a kit that’s free: http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/content_downloads/QNMP-121100-CITY_TRAFFIC_6931.pdf

Keek (Upstairs kitty) block took a while, and I did do her back at the wrong angle… guess she’s arching her back up… She’s made of corduroy (which is wicked fun to hand stitch) assorted cottons with a 3-D tail… I layered the buttons for her eyes because her eyes are both yellow and green… tiny crocheted lady bug for all the bugs the stalks around the house. Now that I’m getting a few blocks on the design wall I am realizing just how difficult it will be to quilt this! Her block is 8X10 and completed on September 1st 2014 the cat block was free at: http://www.ericas.com/projects/proj9710.htm

While cleaning was being done I managed to hide in my sewing room and finished Olivia’s birthday big girl fleece Pretty Pony blanket. Out of the left-overs from that blanket I made 2 newborn sized fleece blankets edged with rainbow satin. Last time I was at Walmart I found a remnant of pre-quilted jungle fabric so I made 2 preemie bassinet sized boy blankets with satin edging. September 1st 2014

still sewing

Baby C handkerchief bonnet (boy) lovely and ready to include in the gift. This was one of the handkerchiefs I found at the antique store that was a bit discolored and Restore powder brought back to being useable! August 2nd 2014

Baby N hankie bonnet (girl) really like this one, too totally feminine and girlie. Already packed away for her January birth. August 2nd 2014

Baby S handkerchief bonnet (boy). Really like the intricate embroidery on this one. Placed with the rest of the gift patiently awaiting the shower! August 2nd 2014

Gorgeous hand crocheted on linen newborn girlie hankie bonnet. Going to hold onto this one, perhaps hear of a wee little girl being born so I can send it out. Added satin ties and tiny yellow satin roses because it just wasn’t cute enough already! August 2nd 2014

In the beginning there was a stack of 24 fat quarters, 12 green 12 pink… it sat there looking sad and forlorn for 8 long months until one day I happened upon a site that had a quilt that I thought I could actually accomplish! Using wonder under and a satin stitch on the machine I hope to make a fabulous puzzle quilt. Hope…to. This will become a lovely feminine Autism awareness quilt for all the little girls out there that are missed or under diagnosed. This is the beginning, placement on the design wall, cut out the bumps and hope to get those ironed on tonight! I am hoping this all works as I have a Koi quilt my mom wants… machine applique… this puzzle quilt is my practice for that…crossed fingers I can make this work! August 3rd 2014

a bit of baby sewing

Completed a few baby gifts that will be going out eventually…

Baby Boy C is due in November… I will be adding a handkerchief bonnet then calling this one done! The quilt is flannel and Minky backed with cute forest creature flannel and machine quilted… flannel bib, burp and receiving blanket set…yes it doesn’t match (sigh), wee caps and a set of washcloths. July 19th 2014

Baby Boy S is also due this November… I will be adding a handkerchief bonnet then calling this one done too. The quilt is flannel and Minky with a chocolate flannel backing, machine quilted. Flannel bib, burp and receiving blanket in blue and white… wee caps and a set of wash cloths. July 19th 2014

Baby Girl N due in January… hey call me proactive! This one will be getting an adorable pink and white antique hanky bonnet (CUTENESS). Quilt is flannel, Minky and satin… a tactile smorgasbord, backed with flannel and machine quilted. Finally get to give the pink elephant bib, burp and receiving blanket set! Will probably be adding a couple more girlie things before shipping it out. July 20th 2014

Olivia going for a swim at friend Kris’ pool… the photo is a bit fuzzy as my camera was in 2 baggies to keep it safe in the water. July 18th 2014

Spectacular Spider ZIA

Stanley the fuzzy jumping Spider ZIA

A bit of attractive fuzzy tropical jumping spider surrounded with Zen Tangled giggle-ee-ness…Found the original spider picture in a tropical jumping spider Google search… Created on 11X14 Paris pen and ink paper using Faber Castell Pitt pens, Pigma Micron Pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica Glitter pens and Staedtler Triplus for the many little colored hairs on his fuzzy wuzzy little body… no idea if He is really a he… in really life his eyes (all of them) are quite lovely, dark blue glitter ink over the black… Finished him with great flourish June 30th 2014

Rather productive long weekend!

Of course forgot to take a good picture of the quilt I finished on Friday… here’s a craptacular one via phone camera. Dare say it is indeed nice to sleep under a nice new quilt, although weird as it seems Shamus doesn’t seem to like it. He will only sleep on the old ones. It’s about twin sized, just right for one. Houses were hand paper pieced… rainbow happiness backed with peace symbols on white.

Onto the drawing front, I finished Magic Mushrooms on a Walk About, not totally ZIA but with a dash. This will be a birthday present for Jazmin once I get it framed. Created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the chaotic color. There are moments of gel pens, glitter pens and assorted other gooey deals that pooped in such a way that some designs changed dramatically after adding color… but I think the point get across quite nicely. Finished June 21st 2014

Now when not making a massive some thing or other I’m working on filling a Pentalic Illustrators Sketchbook, 8X5…192 pages…my goal is to draw on every page… have an entire book filled as I have never really used up an entire tablet of anything. Page one… Zia of no name other than page one using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel. Still don’t fully trust the paper so I draw with a baggie or other paper between pages. Completed June 17th 2014

Page 2 better known as Find Perfection I messed about with the Spiral maker Jim got for me on a whim. One turned out perfect… 2 more not so much before I gave up and tangled all over it in hopes of making it adequate enough to leave in the book. Completed June 21st 2014

Page 3 a.k.a. Urban Sprawl… made during yet another rainy day and television viewing sucked so I used mostly .005 Pigma Micron pens for the itty bitty detail and Atyou Spica Glitter pens for the color. June 22nd 2014

Page 4 otherwise known as Bitha’s Tired Eye ZIA. I love drawing eyes, just one at a time not actually attached to a recognizable face. This is one Tab’s green eyed moments, I will make a hazel Tab/Oliver version eventually. I also have on the list a Jazmin Blue/grey eye, a Jim see through scary icy blue eye, a Nat/Olivia Brown eye. Perhaps one day a lovely Liz Taylor Lavender eye just because I can. This eye was mostly .005 pens for that itty bitty detail and Staedtler Triplus for the shades of eye…look away from the same shade of green oops…OY… Completed June 22nd 2014

Tangling during the constant rain

Rosalita J Stonefish ZIA…

J for Juniper…her parents were hippies and had already used Clouds, Happiness and Rainbow for their other spawn… I am so in love with this one… I thinks it’s her colors and skinny liver lips. She was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the chaotic color. There are moments of gel pens, glitter pens and assorted other gooey deals that pooped in such a way that some designs changed dramatically after adding color… but her unblinking eye and sharp teeth still get the point across. Started her a few days back and finished her June 15th 2014

My shelf of eccentric plastic doogies and assorted other old stuff none of which actually goes together but is wicked fabulous none the less. June 15th 2014

The trailer poppy…only poppy plant that survived the move from Watertown… Massively Orange! June 15th 2014

a coupe cool ZIAs this weekend

Calm Blue Ocean ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art)…

Complete with a toothy eel, an azure snail, flowery urchins and a flock of jelly fish heads…these many shades of blue were created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the blue moment. The gel pens added a nice dimensional shine you can feel. Can you feel it?! Cha…didn’t think so… Completed June 8th 2014

Damp Raven ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art)…

He was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the chaotic color. The gel pens added a nice dimensional shine in his eye. He will be getting framed and live with my painted crow and fabulous birthday bug from Tab. Started and finished on June 8th 2014. He went pretty quick…

moments in ZIA

Zombie Cuttlefish ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art)

Zombie because Oliver thought with his (yup it’s a he) legs all up in the air like that you can almost hear the dead groans… >braaaaaaaaaaaaaains< if you will. So I colored his eyes a dear chartreuse and lavender… No idea if lavender is a very dead color…but it went nicely with the limey green. He was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the occasional color. The gel pens added a nice tactile dimension that I couldn’t quite capture on film. Dare say I am SO enjoying using this big paper, and no bleed through…fabulous! Finished May 24th 2014

Not a Shamus schnauzer ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art)

though it would have been lovely to actually accomplish a Shamus…sadly this does not look like him. For one you can see his eyes…and his beard is lily white… totally not our ragamuffin pup! He was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the occasional color. The gel pens added a nice dimensional shine in his eyes and nose you can feel. Can you feel it?!? Finished May 26th 2014

Space Man Monkey Toes Falls ZIA

…only accessible via Crooked Mac-a-Roni Sidewalk (see odd acrylic painting from ages ago) the falls seem a bit thick…probably not much splashing…more like blobby flopping of gregarious globules… This was quite the nice practice of color and shading…I guess… was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the occasional color. The gel pens added a nice shine to the toe like water blobs…really can’t catch the 3-d-ness on film…more of a tactile thing…with clean hands of course! Finished June 1st 2014

ZIA moon

ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) Moon complete…I guess…No…totally done…I mean it! UGH…

He (I started trying to make a female moon but somehow he turned quite male) was created on 11X14 Paris paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens followed by Sakura Moonlight gel, Atyou Spica glitter and Staedtler Triplus for the occasional color.  The gel pens added a nice dimension that I couldn’t quite capture on film. I tidied the photo up on Gimp to make the negative space a bit whiter but left the rest of the moon alone (thus the greyish tint) photo with no flash so well…yup…he’s done now on to my cuttlefish! May 19^th 2014

Silently Smiling Sunshine completed… Glibby Glop Gloopy Nibby Nobby Nooby La La La Lo Lo. He was created on 11X14 Paris Paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens. He will remain black and white…if I ever get a whim for color I will more than likely be doing that with Gimp 2 so the original will remain fabulously black and white…moving onto the sun’s close personal friend the moon! May 12th 2014

stairway in the parking garage of the Walker Art Center…unfortunately on of the very things I found interesting here…Went to the Walker Art center with Tabbi Cat. Interesting ride via St. Paul, no one injured…but I think I’m just not hip enough for modern art…perhaps if I could look past the what was used and quit trying to figure out the why I would see the grand adventure of the creativity…2 words…broken glass…LOTS of it…still rather confused although the wall of assorted scarves and the multitude of artificial flowers torn apart and sewn together still makes me think maybe I’m trying too hard…since when is Escher and Dhali too old to be modern?

WoooooOOOOOooooo new markers & a WTF eraser…Thanks Tab! Time to make something almost recognizable…totally not museum worthy..

WoooOOOooo found a photo box just right for all my pens & markers…weeeee almost as fun as back to school shopping hold the bullies and algebra…

lets just say I am easily entertained…

Sunshiny day of Zen

 

Silently Smiling Sunshine day 2…by the light(s) of a reptile tank…I think his eyes came out great although I never knew the sun suffered from heterotropia, bummer. He is being created on 11X14 Paris Paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens…haven’t decided if I will color him in by hand or make a copy when he’s done and color that one OR digitally color him…I do so like the clean look of the black and the white…I’m so neither here nor there most of the time… I will have to take the final photo with white light…the hint of red and green is festive but just not the black and white that he will be. April 8th 2014

Sun Shiny Tangle WIP

Glibby Glop Gloopy Nibby Nobby Nooby La La La Lo Lo…Silently Smiling Sunshine Work in progress…
The paper is actually quite white…I took the photo without flash using the lighting from Green Wilmer’s (Water Dragon) tank…he has one red bulb and one green…very festive.
When I get my book published (eh hem…cough…slight sarcasm) this will be the end papers as well as S is for… He may take a while as in my mind’s eye he will be quite intricate and busy…and in full fabulous color since I have an assortment of markers now…
Look forward to getting home just for a bit of Zen! April 6th 2014
Oh and straight lines are totally not my forte’…just sayin’

Weekend Zen

Wiggle colorful curl Zen with atyou Spica pigment glitter pens…eeeeee fabulous! Love the wiggle-ee-ness of this one…tidied it up on Gimp after scanning it…of course scanner added horrid booger colored stripes on it…UGH…guess I’ll photograph my future tangles!
May 3rd 2014

The Family Hands (1) is complete…This has my hand, my mom’s, Jim’s and Jazmin’s…I know which is which…11X14 Paris Paper using Faber Castell Pitt & Pigma Micron pens over 5 days….love it! Onto the next Zen adventure… May 3rd 2014

Autism Awareness every day puzzle piece Zen…Used Faber Castell Pitt pens, Spica Glitter pens and Triplus Fineliner Pens. Will have to invest in some color brush pens for larger areas… Tidies this up on Gimp after the scanner left stripes where stripes don’t belong.
April 4th 2014

Tabitha’s fabulous Zen Dragon all framed and ready to hang…looking nifty! April 4th 2014

Hands coming together

my family’s hands day 3…looks like one more hearty day and tangling and this one will be done. I’ve gotten over my dislike of the Office Windows….they are blending in quite nicely!
again phone photo…when it’s complete I’ll use my regulation camera since out scanner isn’t big enough for 11X14 paper…

family of hands the continuing saga

work in process…I’m not over joyed with the office windows so I may frappe’ those a bit more…think it’s the thickness of the lines…
oh well oh also pardon the quality of photo…camera phone… didn’t fee like running upstairs to get the actual camera and this paper is too big for the scanner…
April 29th 2014

let the power of Zen compel you

M is for mostly moldy Muffy who’s miffed at the morons making movies mostly muttonheaded

April 27^th 2014

 

O is for Ogden’s oblivious ogling of Olga’s Ovum…ouch

April 27^th 2014

 

String made of hands: Mine, my mom, Jim & Jazmin’s…it will grow into a family Zentangle started April 28^th 2014

 

2 fingers done of the 20 available in the Family Zentangle…these two are from my hand…yeah I know you can tell! April 28^th 2014

 

Fabulous paisley placed on Jim’s palm…FABULOUS…love making paisleys! April 28^th 2014

A moment for Zentangles

Dragon Zen tangle made for my daughter Tabitha…hope to frame it this week so she can hang it on her wall…it’s 14X11 inches…really like the way it turned out!

completed April 27th 2014

N is for a noisy ninja narwhal’s nincompoopery in the Netherlands…you really have to look close to see any of this…see it?!?
April 27th 2014

 

for some reason M and O refused to scan…ugh…hope to get them scanned and posted tomorrow

crayon colors that would be fun

these I found on a Google search

these as well…pretty sure these outspoken shades don’t really exist…bummer

Dare say I am totally glad I am not color blind…although if I was I wouldn’t know what I was missing…

 A few shades of my own making…

shades of gray…I’m sure there are more out there…

as for the K and the L

K is for…oh look close there is a lower case k there somewhere, over to the left… K is for Kilauea …tangled this Zen while not really watching Volcano and Dante’s Peak…
April 20th 2014

L is for lazing lackadaisical labels lounging….la la la…
April 21st 2014

the alphabet continues unabated

25 for the number of years Natalia would be today. yeah also not a letter…just changing things up a bit!
April 18th 2014

H is for horrendous hair…yeah it may look like an M but really it is a capital H.
April 18th 2014

I is for Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome, I really had to search for that one…
April 19th 2014

J is for Jazz Jamming Jim and Jazmin of course…perhaps a dash of Judi…
April 20th 2014

G zentangle

G is for great gregarious glorious daisy…and a few other globular giggle-ee-tudes.

try to ignore the stripes added by the scanner >shakes fist at scanner<

zentangle alphabet continues

F is for four fabulously filed fingernails on four fat free fingers…oh and a lone flower!

4-14-2014

tangling a bit of Zen

A is for Zentangle

B is for bodacious bumps

C is for curious circular city complete with pigs in a blanket and caviar

D is for diaphanous dinosaur dent
 

E is for existential egomaniac with multiple pieced tongues…

Wooed Zentangle for T & E in celebration of Tabitha accepting the marriage proposal from Eric…WOOOoooOOOO!
April 5th 2014

 

Zentangled Fibromyalgia awareness butterfly…
pen and ink uploaded to a photo editor and colored purple ( my ink is basic black)
way back when I was wee I discovered how fun pen and ink was…then a few years back discovered Zentangle, meditative art…woo…have loved it ever since. Like doodling on caffeine…hence some of the wiggly lines. Hoping to one day combine the pen and ink with quilting…both my passions at once! Although at the moment I’m saving up for a guitar body to get Zen all over! April 7th 2014

autism awareness, sewing with Shamus

 

10 gifts closer to being done holiday gift making 2014! oh if you notice one of these may be yours please Men in Black memory eraser light thingy your brain pan so you’ll still be surprised in December! I made these using my tutorial: https://nanayane.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/tutorial-cloth-box-with-little-outer-pockets/

Completed during the Walking Dead March 30th 2014

2 wee summer dresses for Olivia, can’t wait for her to visit on Wednesday so I can take her picture in them! March 30th 2014

Shamus in his regular resting spot when I’m sewing…pretty sure he can see me!

4 pair of warm tootsies

I splurged and purchased a new pinking shears, JoAnn Fabrics/Friskers…OK really didn’t splurge too much, I had a 40% off one item coupon…well, then there was the 10 yards of flannel, the ½ yard of super cute (I won’t mention the price, ouch) ready to sew pretty pony sundress fabric, (just needs one seam and Olivia will look fabulous) the nice snap sets for bibs…hmmm…yep that was it for my insane fabric addition moment.

With the fabulous pinking shears I cut out an even dozen pair of flannel booties without even getting a blister! Sunday after finishing a special order (D I’ll send it UPS next Wednesday, its lovely!) I threw 4 pair of booties on the machine and WOO HOO they came out perfect! I should get the rest done without a problem (D I’ll send the booties along with the special order well and a few other sweet baby things!)

Here is the link to the site where I found the bootie pattern…you’ll note I did not follow the instructions, that’s how I roll!

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2011/12/6/mollys-sketchbook-felt-baby-shoes.html

March 23rd 2014

sweet flannel booties

AND my first pair of booties!

Here’s the pattern if anyone else in interested: http://www.purlbee.com/storage/felt_baby_shoes_template.pdf

I made mine out of 2 layers of flannel rather than felt, less itchy.  These were done by hand, took me a few hours spread over a few days.  After finishing this pair I think I could probably do these on the machine.  That contemplation is planned for this weekend.  I also added ribbon ties rather than elastic on the inside of the bootie so mom can better control how tight the booty is…and no irritation on tender skin either…well let’s just say I infrequently actually follow the instructions J what’s totally nice is this pattern is so small I can use the scraps left over from the many other sweet baby projects, no need to buy anything new! Well and the scraps are already piled in tidy coordinating sets of 2…way too easy! I do need to invest in new pinking shears as the one’s I have makes me feel like I’m cutting through wood paneling rather than nice soft flannel! This pair will be going to God’s Tiny Angels to warm the feet of a sweet baby in need!

finally sewing take 2

cha…I posted to the wrong word press deal…nice…

I’m all ready for the next 2 baby showers as long as we know one’s a girl and the other’s a boy…Sooooo if you invite me…please check on that one little detail so I bring the correct shade of gift. Each set has matching bibs (3), burp cloths (3) receiving blanket (1) and owl/cat rattle/tag toy. Wicked cuteness! These were completed March 16th 2014

Made 2 piles of Teeny Tears diapers size large – up to 32 week gestation sized. Will be adding matching caps to each set. No idea where these will be going yet so they will be residing with the rest waiting for a hospital to adopt. March 17th 2014

Made a pile of girlie angel pockets for angels too tiny and fragile to dress…then I moved onto the boy pile and promptly sewed it together wrong…well Olivia has a lovey for this rather unattractive doll to live in now…I put the boy pile together correctly before I’m even going to get near the sewing machine! March 17th 2014

Owl/Cat Rattle/Tag toys…and 3 pointing the way squeaker/tag toys. The owl/cats will be joining matching bibs/burp cloths/receiving blankets…the pointer toys will be going where ever they can. March 16th 2014

Slightly crooked, on purpose, bunny wall-hanging for work for the next holiday… pretty adequate if I do say so myself… March 18th 2014

Flannel, Shamus, sun pups

Found a couple of printed panels at JoAnn Fabrics when I ran there for ribbon…and yes the fabric isn’t really stored by the ribbon…Jaz located them for me…nonetheless…each panel has 2 bibs and 2 burp cloths on them so I bought a boy (monkey) and a girl (paisley Elephants) version…total cuteness! These I think I’ll put away for the next baby born but I also took a few measurements and out of a yard of flannel I can get a newborn receiving blanket and a matching bib and burp cloth to make cute little sets to donate… in this pile there are the bib and burp cloths as well as the next batch of large buntings…just need ironing and top stitching! January 27^th 2014

Shamus being rudely awakened during his post bath nap…he is so soft after his bath I could help but pet him! January 26^th 2014

Sun dogs book ending the sunset.  You can’t really tell but there’s a 50 mile per hour wind rushing across the field…not pictured the waist high drifts I walked through to get this lovely unobstructed view.  Looked much rainbowier in real life… Delano MN January 26^th 2014

Tutorial: Cloth Box with Little Outer Pockets

Cloth box with little outer pockets

Ingredients:

2 coordinating or not so coordinating fabrics (fabric used here are RJR Witchie Poo Spiders Green & Grey)

Iron on fleece (I used Pellon®’s 987F Fusible Fleece)

Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

Fabric marking pencil/pen

Iron and ironing board

Sewing machine with your choice of thread

Scissors

 

1)     After ironing your fabrics, place them right sides together on your cutting mat.

2)     Using your cutter and ruler cut a 10 inch square out of both.  If you want a larger or smaller box change this size accordingly. Make sure your square is square.

3)     Iron one scare onto fusible fleece.  Trim fleece to the size of the square.

4)     Sew both squares, right sides together, with fleece on the outside leaving an opening to turn your square right side out. Use a scant ¼ inch.

5)     Trim as close to the sewn line as possible without cutting the stitches.

6)     Trim a little of the fusible fleece from the opening to make it easier to close using care so as not to trim the fabric.

7)     Turn your square right side out using a pokey deal of your choosing to make the corners nice and pointy.

8)     Iron your lovely sewn square.  Both sides just to be sure.

9)     Pin the opening shut

10) Sew all the way around as close to the edge as possible, closing the opening as you go.

11) Machine quilt your square liberally.

12) Fold your square in half the inside fabric on the inside.

13) Using your handy dandy ruler and a fabric marking device, mark a 3 inch triangle on both folded corners.

14) Sew along your marking remembering to backstitch at the beginning and the end.

15) Now fold your box in the other direction…looks kind of messy but really it will work!  Once again mark 3 inch triangles on the two non-sewn folded corners.

16) Sew these 2 triangles as well.

17) Weird looking tulip type deal…neato!

18) Pin down the 4 points

19) Pin open the 4 small outer pockets.

20) You could stop here if you don’t mind constantly pinning yourself…

21) Next batch of ingredients: note I changed the buttons. Scissor,  thread, needle, thimble as needed.

22) On each triangle you’ve pinned down sew a button.  You can use ribbon roses or anything else that peaks your interest

23) Tack each of the 2 corners of each little outer pocket.  You can leave these without sewing them but I though it just tidied up the whole thing.

24) Welcome to your completed fabric box with little outer pockets.

This one will be gracing my desk during Halloween!

 

The buttons look a little messy with the thread over the spiders but these had no shank backs and I don’t get along with glue.

These little boxes can be squished quite nicely so could be mailed out in a fat envelope.  This whole pile of happiness too about an hour or so.

Rather productive StayCation

Very productive 5 day staycation!

 

Celestial Rainbow a large lap quilt I started in 2009 and just finish will be going to my Auntie Ev when my mom visits her…lots of hand quilting in the 2 large circles one’s a sun and the other is a moon.  I machined the borders…love all this bright happy fabric, frogs, bug and buttons…it’s backed with black that has embroidered dots in a rainbow of colors. Finally finished December 29^th 2013.

 

Christmas gifts of fabrics from Tabitha and my mom! Mom got me a massive pile of cottons, socks for beasties and fun buttons. Tabitha got me scrumptious flannels and a fabulous Gingher scissor! I can cut through 5 layers of fabric at a time… December 25^th 2013 wow I really need to get sewing!

 

Tagasaursi (multiple tagasauruses) the cute Camo one and giant lady bug one already have homes, the other 2 will be going to God’s Tiny Angels.  The pattern for these via: http://www.bubblesandbobbins.com/2012/03/tutorial-how-to-make-dinos…

December 29^th 2013

Massive stacks of flannel…Think I’d better get to work! December 28^th 2013

 

My modern troll audience hanging out on my lamp (thanks Tab) can always use more color in my sewing space! December 26^th 2013

Fabric Box, 1^st try, found this idea on http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html but rather than putting the little triangles on the inside I put them on the out so they can be used as tiny pockets…perhaps I’ll make up a tutorial for this version.  With the copious amounts of fabric I will be making quite a few of these for Christmas 2014…December 29^th 2013

Blue & Green Fabric box made for my Shoebox Swap partner (2014) December 29^th 2013

Think I’ll make a tutorial for this version with the little pockets on the outside…

Yule Tide Silliness

I’m dreaming of a glowing flamingo Christmas…well OK doesn’t really roll off the tongue like the song…but he is fabulously tacky!

The ever elusive Keek the upstairs cat Shamus hears but can never really see…

The stockings were hung and filled to capacity by the stairway with care…course I’m sure everyone has been peeking into theirs as they walk by…

This year’s wicked cool Christmas tree…can’t quite see the wee purple lights for all the dangly deals…note the 2 gifts that still say Amazon on them…Jim couldn’t wrap them while I was in the room…I may just open those one’s 1^st!

Sunset 7 days and counting to the great Christmas Chaos…

Oliver sewed a bed out of felt…he’s now working on making a Jack Skellington to sleep in it.

 

Try as we might, getting Shamus to be a happy Christmas boy just didn’t work out…

Sitting up waiting to leap from the chair

Noticing that the antlers are too heavy for his neck

Looking at Oliver pleading for an escape

Forlorn…poor baby giving up

Oliver can dress like a puppy for Christmas just fine!

sewing for sweet Mya

 

Just a little something for sweet Mya, Olivia’s BFF.  Love this quilted fabric! I am so glad it’s going to a little someone I know! December 15^th 2013

a little sewing can go a long way!

Burp cloths in process.  Half will go to God’s Tiny Angels the other half will go to Wright County here in Minnesota for the teen mommies.  Each will have 2 matching burp cloths in a baggie. December 8^th 2013

Cheater quilts patiently waiting for some top stitching.  I’m thinking the lovely flowered one will go to a sweet little toddler I know for Christmas.  The other 2 will be joining about 22 other blankets/quilts for the blanket drive for God’s Tiny Angels. December 8^th 2013

Flannel and cotton waiting some serious ironing and slicing up…Receiving blankets, teeny diapers, angel wraps, perhaps newborn snap gowns and buntings will be just flying out of this pile bound for God’s Tine Angels, Teeny Tears, Angel Outfitters and perhaps a few will go to the teen mommies here in Minnesota…just need the time and energy! December 8^th 2013

Olivia with a box on her eye…no idea she’s now into having something on her face when you take her picture December 6^th 2013

Newborn sized hospital gown with snaps. December 8^th 2013

Newborn sized snap on hospital gown on a newborn sized doll…front and back…I am now out of snaps ugh…have some on order though so I can keep snapping up wee gowns! December 8^th 2013

2 newborn sized snap on gowns.  These will be going to God’s Tiny Angels 2014 December 8^th 2013

Snoozy Shamus (naughty boy) sleeping on Jazmin’s chair in her absence December 8^th 2013

Thank you card I received from a hospital here in Minnesota that I sent a batch of Teeny Tears diapers to.  I dare say it’s nice to hear occasionally that what I’ve done helps people!

Shamus in glorious color

 

Shamus with his nifty hair cut in front of the fabulous Judi made rainbow afghan…lovely! November 23^rd 2013

Shamus looking pointedly at me while I’m cutting flannel…guess he needs something! November 24^th 2013

Tired Shamus after his day at the groomer…hugging his giant honker dog… November 23^rd 2013

Shamus gazing at the boob tube…or perhaps just snoozing November 23^rd 2013

Ah Shamus over the shoulder stop-taking-my-picture look November 24^th 2013

holiday sewing

 

Olivia’s Christmas Hello Kitty Quilt all done washed and ready for wrapping…yeah my machine quilting abilities are kind of lacking…I figure she will drag it about till  it’s shreds… November 17^th 2013

Shamus looking mighty furry as he watches me package angel wraps. November 17^th 2013

fabric therapy

 

Judi’s lovely cat box barter quilt complete with fun kitty footprint border and already has the batting ironed on.  No idea what size it is yet…comfortable lap sized for sure! November 3^rd 2013

Olivia’s way too cute Hello Kitty quilt pinned and ready for some furious machine quilting. November 3^rd 2013

Oliver & Olivia (8 & almost 2) Halloween 2013

silly Shamus

Shamus having a few silly moments with his blanket.  Don’t tell Olivia though, she thinks it’s still hers in spite of the spit, tooth marks and Shamus funky smell to it now.

Habeeb Shamus

Sprawled on the floor Shamus

Tongue Shamus

Yoga Shamus

October 27^th 2013

productive weekend

Sweet antique hanky bonnets…out of a stack of 12 hankies from an antique store I managed to get 8 total hanky bonnets, three I’ll try to sell on Etsy, try, if they don’t sell before I ship the next box to God’s Tiny Angels the three will be joining these 5 really cute bonnets. These will easily fit a newborn for the ride home from the hospital or for Christening/naming ceremony. Each will have a poem with it:

Just a Little Hankie

I am just a little hankie,

As square as can be;
But with a stitch or two,

They’ve made a bonnet out of me.
I’ll be worn home from the hospital, and on special days,
And then I’ll be carefully pressed and neatly packed away.
Then on the wedding, I have been told,
Every well dressed Bride must have something old.
So what would be more fitting than to find Little Old Me,
A few stitches snipped and a wedding handkerchief I will be!
And if per chance, it is a boy, someday he still will wed.
So to his spouse he can present the handkerchief once worn upon his head!

These were made October 19^th 2013

Link to Hanky bonnet instructions: http://bumblebeelinens.com/hankiebonnet.php

The hanky bonnets I’ll try to sell: one boyish one out of linen, one girlie one with pink edging and one girl one that’s a really pretty translucent hanky…I really like this hanky! These are for sale on my Etsy page.  All $ will go towards shipping out donations. They will each have the hanky poem with them as well. These will easily fit a newborn for the ride home from the hospital or for Christening/naming ceremony. Just in case anyone wants one https://www.etsy.com/shop/YaneZweeLovies?ref=si_shop

These were made October 19^th 2013

Three more hanky bonnets out of hankies from my mom.  I really like the ones with a little color…white is so very…white…I think the one with green embroidery would be great for a little Irish baby or once born on St. Patty’s day! These will all be going to God’s Tiny Angels in the next shipment. These will easily fit a newborn for the ride home from the hospital or for Christening/naming ceremony. Each will have the hanky poem with it. These were made on October 20^th 2013

Shamus turned 4 on the 20^th…here’s the birthday boy stealing the cake.  I don’t think I’ll ever get a good picture of him sitting there patiently waiting to eat the cake.  Oh well…he did enjoy his birthday squeaky fish… October 20^th 2013

2 cheater quilts edged and ready to be shipped out after Christmas to God’s Tiny Angels.  I dare say I really like the cheaters…they go so fast and look fabulous! I’ll have to keep my eye out for more! October 20^th 2013

The latest pile of lovies waiting for some top stitching.  12 slightly larger than receiving blankets for newborns and one newborn boy quilt with Minky patches and a flannel back. We’ll see if I can get these done during the week! These will all be shipped out to God’s Tiny Angels after Christmas.  October 20^th 2013

gearing up for a sewrific weekend

Angels sets flipped and patiently waiting to be top stitched…I have a few more set of teeny diapers to completed before all these angel sets will be ready to get their cap and be packaged… October 17^th 2013

Shamus wondering why I’m sitting on the floor talking like a duck to him… October 16^th 2013

Antique hankies drying after a good long soak to brighten them up…the 2 with clothes pins won’t be becoming bonnets as one has holes and the other has a pesky nose stain I can’t remove…the rest however will be lightly starched, ironed and made into bonnets this weekend. October 17^th 2013

Just a Little Hankie

I am just a little hankie,

As square as can be;
But with a stitch or two,

They’ve made a bonnet out of me.
I’ll be worn home from the hospital, and on special days,
And then I’ll be carefully pressed and neatly packed away.
Then on the wedding, I have been told,
Every well dressed Bride must have something old.
So what would be more fitting than to find Little Old Me,
A few stitches snipped and a wedding handkerchief I will be!
And if per chance, it is a boy, someday he still will wed.
So to his spouse he can present the handkerchief once worn upon his head!

Newest flannel finds at JoAnn Fabrics! 10 fat quarters will make 5 angel sets with 2 teeny diapers and 1 wee lovie each. And 10 yards of flannel that will make 5 newborn receiving blankets and 5 angel sets. I just love the lime green buffalo plaid! Thanks to eagle eye Jazmin right before I paid for it all she saw that there were intermittent tiny blue dots on the pink stars flannel…we went back to get a different piece of the same fabric and found that about 4 yards of the pink stars had these tiny blue dots…thankfully when we started looking at a new bolt of the same print there were no blue dots.  One just cannot have blue dots just showing up hibbly jibbly on your pink on white stars…

Looks like I have a bit of ironing, cutting and sewing in my future! October 17^th 2013

sewing in photos

The cutting/sewing table full of the next batch of ironing and cutting…sigh…so much of this is from the quilt shop…I miss the quilt shop with it’s quality fabrics in fabulous prints, surrounded with great ideas and even greater people…but I digress…got ironing to get to!

 

I ironed…I cut…I sewed so much I used up a spool of thread…I know it’s probably not a massive deal for most but I’ve used 1094 yard of thread since we moved…I started with a fresh spool when I set up the sewing niche…yeah I’m easily impressed…woohoo empty spool…moving on

 

Sunset Over the Singer…I do so love my sewing niche! I haven’t been able to see outside or have natural lighting for so long I didn’t know what I was missing! Now I can enjoy the seasons while I sew, the garden and maybe even a little wildlife outside the window! October 13^th 2013

Al who dwell in my heart on the WALL

 

The All Who Dwell in my Heart quilt is totally done and on the wall…doesn’t hang perfectly flat but hey after 3 years of hand paper piecing what does one expect!  20 heart blocks hand stitched, hand embroidered than ribbons added by machine…whew…it’s machine quilted in the ditch between the blocks…haven’t quite decided if I want to tackle hand quilting each heart yet…the back is a fabulous lavender paisley with orange and retina burning color combinations…edged in white with tiny buttons…kinda garish once it was complete but I’m not one to just tear something apart because it’s garish…that and I hate ripping out seams! Finally on the wall October 6^th 2013

 

Witchie z sew far

Paper pieced Hogwarts Sue witchie block. She’s all hand pieced and is 9 inches square.  Still need to embroider a wee H on the light blue area for Hogwarts.  Cuteness! This block patter was had for free at: http://sewhooked.com/2013/09/11/a-free-sue-for-you/ Completed September 29^th 2013

The paper pieced witches and wizard so far…thinking of snowballing the corners of each block with differing sized of squares in a freaky rainbow as I have a box of assorted squares left over from other projects…now that the design wall is back where it belongs the witches and friends will dangle there till I get them all completed.  I think this quilt will grow large enough for me to sleep under! September 29^th 2013

a trendy witchie poo

Paper pieced Trendy Witch…Love the paisley top and the fabulous peacock mish mash hat! Only thing is when I was removing the paper I somehow put my finger right through the batik pant leg, hence the red patch.  I just hope when I send this out to eventually be quilted the quilter doesn’t get hung up on the patch…

This pattern is part of the group Wand Wielders http://www.craftsy.com/user/470750/pattern-store#_=_

This block is 9 inches square. Finally completed September 22^nd 2013

paper pieced celestial wizard

Celestial paper pieced Cloaked Wizard…my mom found this fabric at a garage sale for me…it’s been waiting for the perfect place to make its appearance…tada! And I have probably 2 more yards of it just in case I need more some day!  This pattern is from the set Wand Wielders http://www.craftsy.com/patterns/quilting?sortBy=relevance&patte… He is all hand pieces and is a massive 9 inches square. Completed September 17^th 2013

a bit of paper piecing with Shamus

 

Paper Pieced Witchie momma block.  Started the second set of Witch Bonnet Sue’s…I think this one turned out ok I’m just not a massive fan of reproduction fabrics… She’s all hand stitched and is a tidy 9 inches square. She was purchased with a set from: http://www.craftsy.com/user/470750/pattern-store?NAVIGATION_PAGE_CO… oh no…when I was capturing this address I noticed there is a new set of witchie friends…I have the feeling this quilt will end up being quite massive…. But I digress…(internal happy dance) she was completed September 15^th 2013

 

With all the washing of baby stuff I found one blanket with a stain that Shamus has adopted…aw… September 15^th2013

more sewing can be found at Lovies by Yane : wordpress

Dean Russo puppy quilt

My new couch quilt made of Dean Russo fabric I’ve been collecting for 4 years… about half a twin sized… machine pieced, machine quilted… backed with dappled grey… eye scaldingly gorgeous 😍

Rainbowie happiness

Rainbowie happiness neighborhood quilt for the next rainbow baby I hear of.

The process and the back from under the quilting machine

Super green

Ragna the regalia is on the same level I live on so I can quilt every weekend! This weekend I finished the super green reptile, amphibian and wee arachnid baby/ toddler quilt I started in 2018.

Fresh from the quilter

Edged with rainbow 🌈 ready for the next lizard lover baby/ toddler… this would be a great lap quilt for a grown up too 🤪

Teeny hexies

Fussy cut birdie flower,  2.5 inches across

Busy work on the back

Kaffe Fassett dainty flower

Chi Chi Laroo!

Chi Chi La Roo (Euathlus truculentus) newest member of the family… can’t tell if she is a she or if he is just Fabulous! She…He… They will be getting a much better tank to live in very soon… till then Chi Chi will reside in the box she came in… she sticks her leg out of the air holes occasionally and doesn’t take it personally if you pet her fuzzy appendage … eeeeeeeee… found her living by many a furry legged cousin at Twin Cities Reptiles… October 4th 2014