Hearts

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day,
as usual I have procrastinated.
Several years ago I made this heart.
The pattern is from Kindred Spirits.
I love there designs. They do a lot in wool.
I made this heart from re purposed wool
and vintage buttons.
I really like the wool eyelet trim.
I will do some valentines based on this design.









First I started with this pile. It seem like I always start with a pile of things, adding to and taking away, as the project progresses.




Then created a design, based on the
Kindred Spirits
design.









Then cut it out, and create the eyelet edges and trim. I just cut out a scalloped edge, then used two sizes of hole punch. The punches don't go all the way through the wool, so I had to turn it over and cut off the little tags.


Then sewed the pockets on with pearl cotton floss. I used a running stitch, and French knots at the three corners.









Finished Product! Ready to fill with wonderful goodies. Hope the kids don't peek!
Have a wonderful day with you loved ones!

Instant Messageing

An old cupboard door,
some chalkboard paint,
add a little whimsical painting,
= instant message board.
I put it up next to the frig.
The natural meeting place on our home
(if not in my work room).
Do you instant message?

Repourposed Door - Weekend Project

For years I have really wanted a hall tree. You know one of those old things that would sit close to the front door, hold jackets, hats, gloves, and umbrellas. There is not a closet close to the front door, so this has been an ongoing problem. Well, getting a hall tree is still not happening. So with that in the back of mind, (as a make do person), I've been collecting a few hanging things for a while, not really sure what I was going to do.

This weekend I was going to do something. I walked around the house look for inspiration. I walked around the yard, maybe there was something I could use. I looked in the shed, where I have a small stash of old boards of many kinds. Hmmmm......

That's it!! In the yard, leaning against the fence,
was an old door. I had used it in a hard scape
in the garden, but it had fallen over in the wind this year.
I knew I would not be putting it back up this year.
The door was begging to be used again.

I brought it up on the porch and washed it off.
It's rather bright, but my home is shadowy, and can use bright spots.

Out come the tools. My husband has bought saws, drills, and sanders for me, knowing that they are almost as important as a sewing machine.

I called my sister to come over to help decide where to put the hangers and to hold things. Thanks Laura!


In a very short time, we had it together.

When Gerry came home, it was ready for hanging.
It's right behind the front door. It's a rather shadowed spot despite the window, so the red brightens things up some. The hooks and things don't show up well in the picture, but you get the idea. I'll put hats and wooden boxes on the shelf. Maybe add some fun molding to the edge. It's a fun piece.

Just in time for company coming with all their coats the weekend.

5 Step Hem

Narrow Rolled Hem Tutorial


It's not hard. It doesn't take long. That narrow roll looks intimidating. Don't let it fool you! It's just five (yes 5) simple steps.
I've been altering formal clothing for over 20 years. This is how it's done outside the factory. Yes, you could use the narrow rolled hem foot. But there is a problem with that. It works great on straight of grain. Most dress or skirt hems have some bias. When bias is present the fabric does not want to roll easily. The garment will bunch up on the foot. This process is a winner every time!


STEP 1: Mark your fabric 1/16" longer than your finished hem length.


Step 2: Fold you garment on your marked line and sew close to the edge. If you want you can press this but it's not needed.


Step 3: Cut off the excess fabric close to your stitching. Be careful. Large scissors work better. The closer you cut to your stitching the narrower you hem will be.


Step 4: Fold your narrow hem up. Your fabric will fold right where you made your cut. Then sew right on top of your first sewing line. So it will look like one line of sewing when you are done.


Step 5: Press. It's just that easy. Look at your beautiful hem!

Cookie Legacy

I like to cook. I love to bake.... too much. It's a good thing I have lots of family around to eat the goodies. Soon when the nest is empty friends will receive "Debbie's bakery deliveries". These cookies are a favorite. They are soft and chewy, with lot of good stuff in them. I change the recipe depending on what flavor I want or what I have on hand.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter or more butter
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tes. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
1 cup cereal, whatever you have
raisins, chocolate chips, dries cranberries, nuts
Drop small walnut size drops on your cookie sheet, and bake for 10 min. in a preheated oven, 350 degrees. Yummy!
I usually double this and it makes a little over 4 doz.
Perfect for lunches.


This is what they look like cooling in the
kitchen. Usually a dozen are eaten before they are put away.
I remember my mom making cookies for us. She still keeps a jar full. My kids, especially my son, love to "steal" cookies from her kitchen. She gets a smug smile when that happens.








This is my kitchen. It reminds my of what I think our grandmothers kitchens might have looked like, although my grandmother had a more modern kitchen. I look at this and smell the wonderful aromas from my memory. I think this is partly where my love of baking came from. I love combining all the senses; visual, smell, touch and doing.
I know the cookie memories that I have will be some of the same ones my children and grandchildren will have.
Cookies are a legacy, from one generation to the next.
What is your favorite cookie recipe?

What Machine????

"What machine do you use?" I'm asked. Now, I use a Viking Sapphire 850. I've had it for about 6 months. I've been very happy with it. It's a middle of the road machine for price. I guess that is one of the main reasons I bought it. It has the same motor as there top of the line machine with a smaller price tag. If I could afford the larger price tag, I would have bought an Elna or a Bernina. The Viking has lots of stitches and electronics. It also has lots of power and speed. I can sew the very heavy fabrics very easily. When looking at a machine to buy, think of the kind of sewing you want to do. Think of the times you have said"I wish I had a sewing machine to do this myself". For a first time machine, you don't need one that does everything. Do you want to sew T shirts? Make sure the machine you pick will sew stretch fabric. What about jeans hems? Will it sew through several layers of denim fabric. Will you only be sewing cotton for quilts and bags? Take sample fabric with you. Sew on the machine you are thinking about. Is it running smoothly? Is it a picky machine? Will you be able to sew silk then denim without changing all your settings?
Find a good dealer who will work with you and explain things. Try out lots of machine, even the ones you won't buy so you know the difference. Buy one with a good service support and a good warranty. Go home and think about it. Then get the best one you can afford. The last machine I had for almost 30 years and sewed professionally for 20 years with it. The investment was worth it.
If you are not sure you will use one much here is an idea to think about. I've seen some good machines at goodwill. Take someone with you who knows about sewing machines. Try it out there and make sure everything is working. Some machines are not worth buying. The tension is so picky that you will just get frustrated and stop and never want to learn to sew and miss the fun of it all.
If you want to sew clothing, you might want a surger. This one is ancient. I have have it for 28 years, but it keeps working wonderfully. A surger finishes your seams by trimming and sewing an over lock stitch at once. It's the stitch you see on all your knit clothing. If you are just quilting or crafting you won't need one. I think it's a must for clothing.












When you have two machines, set them close together so you don't have to get up and down all the time. I have mine at right angles so I just have to turn my chair.
Have your tools close at hand too. The easier things are to use the more you will do and enjoy the process.

Snow Day!

We have had several snow days here this winter. Each one we celebrate. Just as we celebrate our days of sunshine. Many years we don't see any snow. Then we have a year when we might get several inches all total. So its time to throw snowball and make snow angels. Then go inside for warn cinnamon hot chocolate. We need these days to stop and appreciate the beauty of our creation and contemplate our purpose for being here right now.