Sketchy Internet and Making Bags

So....

Being unemployed has it's plus side, you get to stay home and create!

I've been working on handmade bags,
 listing my vintage items for my Etsy shop,

giving soap classes, putting together Mother's Day gift pots,

 and generally doing things to generate income.

Oh yeah, looking for a job too!

Here are a few things I've recently completed.

So I'm getting my sewing fix, that's always a good thing.





I spray painted these clay pots, then embellished them with
ribbon, buttons, flowers etc. for Roland's Nursery that carries my soap.
They wanted something different for Mother's Day, so this is what I came up with.
Each pot has a soap, bath tea and a small bath oil.

What do you think?

The internet has been down for weeks, lousy dial up!
I've been forced to go to town for a hot spot just to do basic stuff.
My daughter's told me to get out of the stone age, mom they said,
"there are devices called hot spots, go buy one".

KAY!
Lets just run through the math, keep in mind I'm unemployed.

$50.00 for the device
$50.00 a month for the service with a 2 year contract,
$10.00 extra per month for data overages.

As not to alter my monthly bills too much
I cancelled my home phone and internet provider.
Almost an even match.
We shall see.
I will say I am enjoying the faster speed.

I miss all you guys and your posts, can't wait to catch up on everyone.

Till next time,
Bonjour

Painting Furniture, Making Soap & Sewing

SOOOO....

Yeah I know, dial up is lame but it's all we have out here in the sticks.

(Don't want to pay for satellite.)

Anyway, I have been quite busy painting furniture, sewing & making soap.

Fall shows are coming up so soap is definately needed.

Where to start?

OK, sewing.

Heather & I & had been looking at vintage aprons at Canton's First Monday Trade Days

but didn't want to pay the prices they were asking. (Heather is my oldest girl.)

So I told her I would make her one

I was at Big Daddy's Flea Market a few days later & ran across this quirky fabric

It screamed APRON FOR HEATHER so I bought it.

QUIRKY FABRIC

I don't know if you can make out the theme, it's tropical destinations text & pictures.

I got her measurements over the phone, Heather doesn't sew, so measurements were kind of sketchy!

So, as you can see I got out the rotary cutter & mat, no pattern, just out of my head, decided on length & width, waistband & ties & went to town! I squared up my fabric,  cut out all the componets & headed to the ironing board. Got out my hem guage to measure & pin all the stuff that needed measuring & pinning, pressed it all down & I was off to the sewing machine. When I sew I do it in an assembly line fashion,

lining up all the componets & sewing one after another, (a chain) never lifting the pressure foot. What you end up with is a long line of pieces all connected. (No thread waste) just clip them all apart & start your next chain. This is a quilting technique that I find quite handy. Now it's time to assemble all the componets,.AKA apron. I put everything where it needed to be, added some grosgrain ribbon at the waist & hem for a little diversion &

VIOLA,   APRON FOR HEATHER!!!

HEATHER'S APRON

I have a cute little cell phone pocket to add once she gets here for the fitting.

CUTE CELL POCKET WAITING FOR HOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS SKIRT to

THAT SKIRT

I found this skirt thrifting & made it into that skirt. I know, I need to get better with the camera!!! I took the length off, turned it sideways, made a panel from it, then added it to the front to make a wrap skirt.

   I have also been collecting buttoned shirts to make into cute grocery shoppers. (really cheap at garage sales) I'll post when I get one done.

On to the paint projects.  

I did the piano bench & Steve is working on the chairs.
The piano bench was falling apart so a little glue & clamp action was in order.

SAD PIANO BENCH

HAPPY PIANO BENCH

PRETTY  CHAIR WHO HAS 2 OTHER SISTERS

 1950'S?

RUSTY CHAIR FOUND IN SHED
LEFT BY PREVIOUS OWNERS

                         

Steve is also working on this cute bench Heather got for me about 10 years ago.

SOON TO BE YELLOW BENCH

SKIRT ANNETTE BOUGHT ME

NOT SO SURE IF I LIKE IT

I guess tie dye is not my forte!!!

Should I keep it as is, or bleach it out & try something else?

Ginger & I went garage sale-ing Saturday and found some great stuff!!!

Denise inspired me to start collecting patterns & such. Don't know what I'll do with them.

Did find this cool pattern booklet. CIRCA 1963. (I was 10 at the time.)

What do you think Denise? Should I erase the pencil scribbles or just leave them?

WEIRD FIND

Till next time.

Bonjour