Monthly Archive for May, 2007

A New Project at Printtroll

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This is so cool.  Rob got this amazing little package from a former student of his – and it’s art – the whole process. She made them, now he has to distribute them.  Read all about it on Rob’s blog - printtroll.

Summer Sewing 1-2-3

Sewing 1-2-3

The Summer Sewing 1-2-3 Series is about to begin! To read more – click on over to studioCAM and learn about the classes and how to register.

A Weekend Away

Grandpa and Iz, originally uploaded by zannestar.

We got to visit with the grandparents on Lake Ontario this weekend. Iz loves her grandparents. Grandma, Grandpa and GiGi (great grandma).
Stacking Rocks

We stacked rocks on the beach
Memorial Day 2007 - parade
Stood on the side as the Henderson Memorial Day Parade went by! Izzy collected a bag of toys! (actually candy – but she hasn’t discovered that yet…so we are hoping for a bit of time before she knows what candy is…)
Great Grandma and Iz
Sang and danced for Great Grandma
Izzy and kitty in a box
And sat in a box next to kitty in a box.
Windmills
On the way home, we got to drive through the windmills. We want one in our back yard. One of these would make enough energy for our town. And it sure is windy at our house.

Melt Down Thursday

melt down, originally uploaded by zannestar.

Perhaps it is lack of sleep, or just her age. But today is Melt Down Thursday. I had plans to spend the morning on just one errand, and decided to cancel. I knew that I wouldn’t get far. Neither one of us need to be upset, so I thought it would be good to take it easy. Hang out outside, blow bubbles, dip our toes in the pool, check out the bugs, pull some weeds, pick dandelions. But the sun is hot, and the bugs are viscious. She got a bite in her ear last night. Poor thing. It itches like crazy and is red and swollen. I’ve got some good stuff on it, and it seems to be helping. After just 15 minutes outside, she was ready to come inside.

How fun, I thought, let’s make yogurt mango pops! She loves yogurt pops (how wonderful while I am still noodeling around with the recipe – anybody have a good, healthy one?) I got the yogurt out, the frozen mango, the pop holders and the blender. She stared at the blender. Now mind you – Iz cooks with me ALL THE TIME. She presses the buttons, stirs the mix, cuts the butter, washes the vegetables. You name it. She helped me fill the blender with frozen mango. We pressed the button together and the blender was loud and fast – the lid popped. That’s when it all fell apart. I had no idea it would scare her that much. She leaped into my arms, her arms squeezing my neck, screaming and sobbing. Scared out of her mind. It was pretty scary I guess.

Further into our downward spiral. shucks. She left the room while I finished the blending. When I was done, I called her back in and started to poor the mix into the pop holders. The sobbing was back. I couldn’t understand. Throwing anything she could find, biting the tower she was in, biting her hand. Poor exhausted thing.

We somehow were able to get the pops all done and she carried them into the freezer. The sobbing ended. Amazing.

She’s napping now. It took her almost an hour to fall asleep. Too tired to sleep I guess. Sweet little munchkin. We’ll have yogurt/mango pops when she wakes up. Hopefully, she’ll sleep as long as she needs and not wake up sooner. It’s a beautiful day.

Studio Photos (the before)…part 4. – Former TV Center becomes Sewing Wardrobe

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I found this post this morning on the Craftzine blog: Inspiration: Craft Blogs.

Oh, I am so eager to re-make my studio. When we lived in Brooklyn, this lovely wardrobe held our entertainment stuff, tv, dvd, stereo, etc.  When we bought our 200+ year old house in New England, it wouldn’t fit in the room where we have our tv.  We were barely able to get it up the stairs into my studio.  It’s got a bunch of dings in it, some heavy duty scrapes.  The dark stain was perfect for our Brooklyn apartment.  It’s not so great now.  (could it be the dark grey faux wood paneling? – perhaps)  It will definitely get a coat of paint.  Maybe cherry red?  to go with the pink walls I’m thinking of?  Maybe a celery color?  or even a camel/gold/tan?  It needs help inside too.  I need some shelves where the tv went.  It’s too big of a space for small folded fabric pieces.  I’ve organized them by color, but they always tumble.  And of course – a fresh coat of white paint.I really need some storage ideas.  Perhaps a trip to Ikea, I’ve got pages tagged in their latest catalog.  I think I need a visit from Erin.  She’s the organizer extraordinaire!

Vintage Pin Cushion

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Found this sweet vintage pin cushion on ebay.  How wonderful would this be for my collection?  I’ll have to keep my eyes on it.

Circle of Latitude

My friend Michelle and I have started a new blog.  Circle of Latitude.  Come visit!

Napkins – with fork

Napkins – with fork, originally uploaded by zannestar.

I’ve made a few napkins so far. They are soooo easy! My fabric is a little slippery because it is so soft, but if I pin it enough, it’s pretty easy sewing the binding to the napkin. Iz has already been using hers. She’s taken it to school. She calls it her blanket. I keep telling her it’s a napkin – “yes mama – blanket”

Sheet = Bias Tape

Sheet = Bias Tape, originally uploaded by zannestar.

On a recent thrifting adventure, I found a lovely sheet. Great for a skirt or something fun for summer.

Then – the perfect project came up…NAPKINS. How cute would this be for napkins? And even better – BIAS TAPE binding for the napkins. I have a duvet cover that is at least 15 years old, and after it’s last wash – it fell apart. But it’s sooooo soft, I couldn’t bear to toss it. So – it will be part of my napkin project.

Soon to be Napkins

I have only used 1/3 of the sheet and have made 24 yards of bias tape.

24 yards of bias tape

I’m glad I’m making napkins. I ran out of paper napkins the other day and really don’t want to buy more paper napkins. SAVE A TREE – Make some fabric napkins. Stay tuned for the finished set of napkins….or come take the napkin class at LuckyStitches and SAVE A TREE and make your own napkins.

Studio Photos (the before)…part 3. – The Thread Rack

mystudio – 07, originally uploaded by zannestar.

I should have gotten one of these years ago. I actually need 2 more, but there are so many duplicates of colors, I just put them in a box for later. It’s so unbelievably handy. The range of colors I’ve collected are perfect for anything, so unless I run out of something specific, I think I’ve got all my bases covered.

This thread has come from all over. Some from my grammie’s sewing kit, some from when I was sewing in highschool (and they haven’t crumpled in my hands or broken off while sewing!), lots from college and even more from now. When I was in college, I think, I found a ton of thread at a thrift store. A HUGE trash bag full. I still have most of that thread, and carry a bunch of it to classes at LuckyStitches. It’s perfect for sharing with a class and I feel comfortable sharing it, because it didn’t cost a fortune!

The one thing I’ve learned about buying / acquiring thread, is to get the high end. Spend the extra bucks, don’t skimp and buy the bargain stuff. It really makes a difference. And – before you load the spool onto the spool holder of your sewing machine, take off the stickers. It can actually effect the tension!

What to do with the bobbin thread that you have to remove from the bobbin because you either need the bobbin (like me, I should just go buy a case of them…) or some how the bobbin got all wacky when it was wound – and YOU KNOW you shouldn’t sew with a wacky bobbin, you’ll be using your best friend – MS. SEAM RIPPER – to help you finish your project – Well – if I’ve got an extra minute, and I have one of those little embroidery floss cards handy, I wind that thread around an embroidery card. Now, let me just tell you that I only do this with colors I don’t use often and black and white. Why? I hand hem with black and white. I have A LOT of black clothes and if they need a new button or a quick fix, this is the perfect thread.

Ok – are you looking at the nasty grey faux wood paneling. I’m sitting in this room right now, and I have all the lights on and it’s still dark in here. And I’m looking at the walls wondering what color should I paint it? I keep going to a sweet pink with white trim. The room gets a lot of light. Should I go bright pink? Should I go Tiffany Blue? I like color, but I also like the cleanliness of white and light. hmmm….any thoughts?