Lucky

Let’s talk about fun things we find on Pinterest, shall we?

First I saw this cute licorice concept and I almost peed my pants because it’s really cute. This has happened to you before, so don’t go acting like it hasn’t.


Then I started talking it through… looks easy… I’ll just pick up some multi colored licorice… toss in some gold foil wrapped candy… use this awesome printable… all good.

Oi! As with so many things on Pinterest, the really great stuff is posted by really amazing artists and designers. Evern with their spring board of a great idea, you have to fidget the hell out of the project to make it work for you and with what you can find.

Step number one. For St. Patty’s sake, do you know how many places I looked for plain cellophane bags just the right size for 4 vines of licorice? I found super big ones, super decorated ones, but never super perfect ones. So, I settled. My bags were fairly big (could accommodate lots and lots of licorice.

Then I began step number two. Find colorful licorice. Oh Jeez. My pursuit of the colorful licorice did lead me to an offshoot of this project that I ended up loving as much if not more than the original plan. But let me tell you, Wal-Mart may say they have rainbow twizzlers in stock, they do not. I ended up buying mine in bulk at a specialty foods market and spending about $24 on licorice and had enough to make more than 20 items – about 18 more than I had planned to need.


The “gold” at the end of the rainbow was far easier to come by. I used both rolos and Hershey’s Nuggets with Almonds. I also considered using Lindt truffles and Ferrero Rocher.

The main lesson I learned about making this project was this, there are a lot of things that come in rainbow colors or in rainbow packaging. I considered using everything from Rainbow Goldfish to Skittles (the sour ones came in a green box). I did like the individual twisted twizzlers for my single serving size option.

The labels were easy. I used both sizes offered by the talented http://bethproudfoot.blogspot.com/. And because my craft room is actually unavailable to me due to remodeling, I just used whatever ribbon and papers I could pull out of storage. I assembled most of the bags and toppers with a stapler and then used ribbons and the printables I found online to hide the staples.

Before I forget, let’s talk about smaller servings. I found the rainbow twisted Twizzlers in a single serving size, individually wrapped package and picked them up as a back-up in case I never found bulk licorice. Once I had them I decided I’d use them for the same treat on a different scale. I loved them as a handout in for my 5-yol’s class.


My favorite embellishments were the sparkly shamrocks I found at JoAnn’s. They were fabric mesh adhesive just like a Band-Aid and were so easy to use and very sticky. I think, however, this is a seasonal item so stock up now. (I found them while standing in line by the dollar items.)

This project helped me fall in love with rainbows, again. Now, I’m off to bake those cupcakes with the rainbow airheads on top.

Quilt: Little Birdie

Once upon 7 p.m. on a Wednesday night I heard a little bird calling to me from the fabric bin. It said, make a quilt and make it fast and hand deliver it in -- another state -- on Friday morning.

And, so I did.





So, to recap. I started hand stitching the blocks with embroidery on Wednesday as I listened to Twilight on the iPod. On Thursday I packed, chased my boys, and cut all the blocks. Then -- with the boys -- I arranged the blocks to our liking. About 7 p.m. on Thursday I started chain stitching those bad boys together. Then came the layering and quilting. I used an undulating pattern of trace and space with 1/2 inch, 1 inch, and 2 inch distances. By 1 a.m. (on Friday) I gave up on the binding with only 1/4 of it finished. I packed a needle and thread and a handful of buttons.

My flight departed at 6 a.m. and I landed with quilt in bag at 8:15. Throughout the next 24 hours I sticked a bit more on the binding and sewed the buttons on just before midnight on Saturday night. Phew! and Voila!

People Always Ask Me...

From time to time folks ask me to repair school uniforms. I'm not really a tailor so I stay away from major repairs, but for friends and neighbors I don't mind it. Next question... how much?

Here's a list of some of the repairs I do, and what I charge.

Move or sew on buttons $1.50 each

Take in skirt waist $12.50

Hem skirt $12.50

Elasticize a waistband on skirt or pants $20 (includes elastic)

Taper legs of pants (2 seams) $12

Taper legs of pants (4 seams) $20

Hem pants $8.50

Attach badges or emblems $2.50 each

Fix zippers $20

And that my friends is just about all I'll do.

Nap Time Tote

Were you wondering where I was? If I was creating something new? Well, it's true... I kinda fell off the creative planet there for a bit. We had some home renovation going on and I read two phenomenal books... so all my time was usurped. But, I did do a little sewing here and there. I mended some pillowcases and some pants... you know, that kinds of sewing.

Finally I got my act together and whipped this up for a friend with a new baby -- her first boy after three girls! It's the Superhero Nap Time Tote for power naps. It's a little blanket that can zip up the middle to create a tote (with two large pockets) with handles. In this way mom can pack it up with a diaper, a lovey, maybe a bottle and run to church, her moms' group, even daycare. When baby gets sleepy, or wants to play on the floor... just unzip the tote and voila, instant blankie.

It's also great for big kids, too. They can pack it with comic books, coloring books, crayons and take it along for long road trips. Once at the destination, it unzips to provide a little piece of home on the road.

I made this once before for my nephew. That time I made it with fleece and pre-quilted fabric. I like both versions. The prequilted one was a bit stiffer and was a bit more suited to being a functional tote. This one is much softer (as it is for a newborn) and is a bit more suited to being a blanket. I'm looking for the perfect medium and haven't found it, yet.

To Do List

I have a whiteboard in my sewing dungeon that I have made a list of projects that I would like to sew. Then on a shelf directly below it is a big 3-ring binder filled with sewing projects. Deciding the order of things usually has a lot to do with upcoming events likes birthdays, Christmas, and other fun seasonal things.

Tonight I finished one more! It's a Christmas gift -- and this person reads my blogs -- so I won't be posting a picture until after Dec. 25.

Then it was on to another project. I'm making the Amy Butler lavender eye pillow for another friend -- who I know does not read my blogs. As soon as I finish that one I'll post pictures. So far it takes very little fabric. I'm not using Amy Butler fabrics because they are very hard to find in stores in my area. I've got to take the plunge and just start ordering online. But I am using some of my hipper 40s reproduction prints.

May this holiday season bring many "dones" on your "to do" list.