Lessons from the Sweatshop

Life lessons from (my sweatshop aka apartmet) Sewing Part II:

1. Solids are your friend. I have noticed (and you might have too) I am drawn to patterns. Not solids. I litterally forced myself to purchase some to go into the paintbox.

2. I am no palm reader but I believe your fabric choices are reflected in your interests / lifestyles. Here goes:

Brenna (me!) - Adores patterns and colors - Her life is busy and shes always trying to look at the brighter side of things (see photo above)

Georgia (MOM) - Sucker for pastels and greens - Although not timid she likes to keep the peace between people (family members and friends included); green's shes been ecofriendly since the 60's, plus shes a gardener!

Chelsea and Matthew - Blue and Gold for Chelsea (GO MARQUETTE), Orange and Scarlet for Matthew (GO SCOTS; see log cabin below). These are what you call super fans. If you have never seen these types turn on ESPN during a college sporting event. They take 'crafting' to a whole new level.

--Need your sewing/ crafting descions of your unconcious mind anyalized ;o) let me know!

Superfans tend to force their children, signifcant others, families, strangers into their FAN-dom. BEWARE!

3. TAKE YOUR TIME. I cannot stress this enough. The quilt will last forever, so skipping steps here and there may add up at the time. The finished project is what you have to live with. If your okay with a wonky log cabin that was meant to be traditional, cheers to you my friend. (still one of the hardest concepts I have yet to grasp..)

Remember me?? I was so tiny last time we saw each other!
4. Find ways to channel your sewing creativiy. This is an expensive and addicitng hobby (ask my poor mother.) Be green: reuse household items (old bed sheets, jeans, mens ties *see previous post*) Otherwise you'll begin shortening your grocery list and becoming the old lady who lived in the quilted house! On a brighter note: I'm thinking cutting down on the groceries might do my girlish figure some good. Plus fat quarters, jelly rolls, honey buns, and turnovers are great subsitues for fat, carbs & protien...RIGHT?! (if that went over your head check out http://www.modabakeshop.com/)

mmm...fabric fruit! Healthy & calorie free!

5.I highly recomend watching movies, tv shows, listening to music, ignoring the world while your busy on your latest project. Music gets creative jucies flowing and is just as relaxing as sewing. Personally I dance around a bit and use my iron as a micophone, but I have a feeling this is mildy dangerous. If you have a laptop some good websites to have on while you are 'going at it' are:

www.hulu.com > you can catch up on the latest TV shows you missed, or there're some movies

www.pandora.com > one of my top 5 favorite websites! you just type in what you want to listen to and it does the rest

best part of all..........

drum roll please...

THEY'RE FREE!

Finals week is quickly approaching, this being said they're will probably be one more post before mid may. then a whole slew of them this summer!

Let me know of any questions comments concerns via comments or email : bj-gingrich@wiu.edu

Keep up the great work! :o)

Go Cubs Go ♥

Baseball season is here & in full swing!

To get ready for the season here's some ideas....

Applique T-shirts for the kids! (the blue shirt is official, the two that match I made)

Think outside of the box! I'm working on a PINK one for my niece!

Found on ETSY; For the mother (Nana, sister, #1 fan) who's always at the games!

For those of you who think that I just make this stuff up...

These are at the GAP!

Making them would be easy! Or if your sewing machine is busy watching the (cubs) game you could go online & purchase them!

BAGS! Who doesn't love enjoying a warm day with a cold brew & friends!

I cant take all of the credit for making these. (The only power tool I know how to use is a hair dryer..) However the design idea and painting was done by yours truly!

There is another set in progress with a matching mini set for the kids! (Which of course matches their T-shirts as seen above! Yes that seems a bit over the top but I want to be known as the best aunt ever! ;o)

More pictures to come when the project is complete!

Batter Up!

dr!nk up

Here's a simple project that doesn't require much skill or money! (my kind of project!)

Painting glass! You can reuse old glassware or buy new (Dollar Store of TJ Maxx has the best buys!)

While out shopping keep a lookout for these glasses, they are for sale at many stores however I encourage you to make your own!

The paint is 'glass paint' when buying make sure the paint wont wash off (they even make marker type paints, they look like sharpie pens! Very easy to use!)

The Steps:
1. Clean your glass, I just used soap and water. Online there are other tips and tricks!
2. Pick your designs (above sewing wine glasses for my mother; below pilsner Chicago bears glasses for my dad)
3. Paint away! (then let air dry for about 24 hours)
4. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees
Dad reports these are washable without being damaging, however he has only done so by hand!


Simple, fun, and practical!

Sewing 101

The days of quilting being our grandmothers past time are over.

However Let me just forewarn my peers, if you grew up with technology this is not going to be easy. let.me.repeat. not.easy! (don't run away just yet!)

I am a lover of instant gratification...making a quilt not a instant process.

However, the results will be well worth it!

There are new fresh ways to quilt, and fun ways to renew the traditional styles!

This will be my next challenge!

Its from
http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/paintbox-quilt-along.html

If you get a chance check her out! AH-dorable!

Until then its just me and my machine attempting to defeat the traditional log cabin.

This is my first quilt without the aid of my guru of a quilting,sewing,handstiching,fantastic mother

I am having a tough time without her holding my hand through the process, however I already have my first sample block done and I have managed to get a few more things done!

I never thought sewing would teach me so many life lessons:

1. READ THE DIRECTIONS...otherwise you will be seam ripping (redoing) for longer than it took you to put the pieces together

2. Your mother is always right

3. Perfection is possible. Impossible if you are Impatient

4. I hope you like yourself. Sewing is between you and the machine who hums you a lovely tune. If you by any chance don't need to evaluate your life or aren't in need piece (whoops peace!) and quiet, find a new hobby. While your at it would you mind solving my life's problems?! ;o)

5. Deal with it. Not every line is going to be perfect, not every seam will be straight. If we were all identical clones life would be boring. Being unique is the beauty of life and sewing

Don't let your life unravel at the seams!

Now I Know My a,b,c's!

Going to a store, looking at the price tag & getting sticker shock is never fun! Paying someone to custom make these can come with a hefty price tag!

I've hopped on the boat of the latest trend of alphabet photography!

(Plus its a great way to enjoy this warmer weather were getting!)

There are multiple reasons to do this! What a great wedding gift, birthday present, (think of that person who has everything!) house warming gift, of just because!

Might as well make one for yourself while your at it =)

The places to go to take the pictures are endless! Where ever inspires you...or where ever you have a second to bring out the camera! I find some of the best at parks, old buildings, cemeteries, or churches.

Next just print off your photos in black and white, or whatever color scheme you please. Find some unique frames or mat setting then step back and enjoy your art work!

Happy hunting!

S.O.S.

In a technology driven world remembering to slow down is hard!

I encourage you to take a break from your busy lifestyle and make someone a note! (get the kids involved too!)

Send a loved one a message in a bottle!

These don't require much time or effort and the end result is priceless!

1st: find a bottle!

If not sending via s n a i l m a i l this can be any bottle!

A wine bottle with a string attached to the letter; I prefer wide mouthed bottles (Gatorade) so the receiver has a stress free time getting everything out; A water bottle for the fitness enthusiast; any bottle will do!

2nd: make the note!

use fun paper, colors, stickers, old magazines to make it ransom style, or try this http://http//www.wikihow.com/Make-Paper-Look-Old

3rd: add some goodies!

Mints if your wishing luck on a test (it helps for memory); Hershey's kisses for a beau; decorations to treats get creative while spicing up the inside!

Finally: Seal the deal!

Once you've added all of the materials pop on the cap and let it sail away to its new owner! [yes, the postal service will mail these! but remember to add addresses to the outside ;o) ]

Save the date bottles! How creative!

Let me know how you made you bottles!

MENS WEAR

T!ES

I love reusing things and being 'green'

Here's a fun way to reuse dads, brothers, husbands, or boyfriends old ties!

Cute for sporting events (I made mine in my school colors) or just for fun!

All I did was measured the tie around my head to size it

cut off the excess material

then added some decorative stitching for some flare

added a button hole & buttons

tah-dah!

new headband =)

the headband next to a tie that is getting ready to be converted!

What it looks like when finished!

I can do step by step instructions with these! They are available for sale!

Sew-free projects coming soon!