New Goodies - July & August

Since July was a slow month on my blog, I decided to update everything right now. I was a bit busy shopping for more craft supplies and patterns. :)

New patterns for work and some Steampunk cosplay.

Phidan modeling my new Nexus 7 tablet's box.

I came across the Craftsy site and they had a shuttle tatting class with Marilee Rockley. I wanted to sign up, but I decided to look around the internet for inspiration before I jumped into a new craft. I came across Diane's Lace-Lovin' Librarian blog. She has a lot of pretty pictures and had reviews about different tatting shuttles. Because of her reviews I decided to buy my tatting supplies from Handy Hands (www.hhtatting.com). Then I came across Heather's Tatted Treasures blog and her tutorials. With her wonderful videos I was able to learn how to tat in a few hours. I can't wait to try out new patterns!

Package from Handy Hands. My tatting supplies have arrived.

My goodies. Some threads, tatting shuttles, picot gauge, thread holder,
catalog, and newsletter. 

Pretty purple threads.

Different tatting shuttles. Clover, Lacis Sew Mate, and Starlit.

Picot gauge.

Thread holder with free Lizbeth thread.

Puppy pile up... they were tired after watching me learn how to tat lace.

My first project - butterfly! It's so tiny.

Now we're all up-to-date! I hope to work on all my different project - knit, crochet, sew, embroider, and tat. I just have to spend a day on each and finish a project before hopping to the next one. We'll see!

Patti

How to Make a Pattern Organizer

I like to collect patterns. I hope that I actually use most of them, but they're also good for inspiration and reference on what I would like to make. Every now and then Joann Fabrics would have a $1 pattern sale. Last week it was McCall's and next week it'll be Butterick. This week they have a $2 pattern sale for Simplicity patterns going on today through Saturday. 

Last week I bought a lot of patterns and had no where to keep them. So while I was walking around the store I decided to pick up a file holder (it was 50% off!) and convert it into a pattern organizer.

Keeping the patterns this way was not going to work for much longer.

New patterns!!!

Tools and Supplies:

• File holder - I like the see-through plastic ones made by Sterilite.
• File folders - I had bought a 100 pack of these from Costco a long time ago
• Pattern envelope - to be used as a cutting guide for the width of the dividers
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors

1. Sort your patterns to count how many dividers you will need. 



Sorting out my patterns.

2. Position the pattern envelope on top of the file folder. If you are cutting the file folder with a center tab, center the envelope. If your folder has a left tab, position the envelope to align with the left side of the folder.

   

   This envelope is center aligned with the tab.

3. For center tabs, measure 2.25" from each edge and marked that with a quick, light line using a pencil.

   

   2.25" from each edge for the center tab.

4. For left or right tabs, measured 7.5" from the edge with the tab.

   

   7.5" from the tabbed end.

5. Next, cut the folder on the penciled line. I left the folder as is and didn't cut off the side that folded since you can always keep notes in this mini-file folder.
6. Label your pattern dividers.
7. Insert your patterns in between dividers.

   

   Patterns organized neatly.

8. Done!

Side view of the pattern organizer.

In my effort to be resourceful, I saved the excess pieces of the folder and converted them into embroidery floss organizer for individual projects. All you need are scissors and a hole punch. 

Tools for the job.

Cross-stitch/embroidery floss organizer.

Enjoy!

Patti

Vacation Time = Craft Time

I got a lot of crafting and shopping in this week. It's great to have a whole week off from work. Enough writing, here's the pictures of my crafting from this week so far.

I started making a new hat on Monday. I know it's not cold outside, quite the opposite, but for some unknown reason I really wanted to make another Scallop Lace Hat. I made one for Joy's friend's mom in England in the same color. Now I want one for myself.

Taking over the coffee table in the living room.

WIP - Scallop Lace Hat

On Tuesday I went to Joann Fabric and found this cool, patriotic fabric. I decided to make a multi-craft top. I crocheted the top portion based on the pattern for the Light 'n' Lively Tank by Lion Brand Yarn. I just winged the bottom portion and I think it's not too bad. There's a zipper on the side. I finished it in time for the Fourth of July!

Americana poplin from Joann Fabrics - it was on clearance!

Front view

Side view with red zipper

Back view

Close-up of the front and button.

Kujo looks a bit sleepy.

On Wednesday, I wore my new top and went with Chris to Joann Fabrics for another round of fun. They are having a sale all week! McCall patterns are on sale - 10 for $10!

New patterns

More new patterns

New fat quarter bundles. Lower right is from AC Moore.

Making new shirts with these pretty fabrics.

Bought more of the apple and pears fabric.
I made a bag with it before, now I'll make more!

More notions and rotary cutters.
I needed new 45mm blades and Fiskars was on sale for 55% off!

Chris and I found this print... um, what would you make out of it? :)

I hope you enjoyed the pictures from my week-long craft time. I'll be posting a short tutorial next time - how to organize your patterns. Until next time!

Very truly yours,

Patti

Sunday Food and Fun

Chris and I went to Empire Garden Restaurant in Chinatown yesterday. That's where my family usually go when we're in Boston on Sunday during lunchtime.

Pot stickers (beef), Har Gow (shrimp), and Siu Mai (pork).

After dim sum we usually stop by the local C-Mart next door to pick up groceries. Today we just used the store as a detour to get to the other side of the block. Next, we pick up boba from Juice Bar. I used to love Thai Iced Tea with boba, now I go for the Taro with boba. At this store they call the boba "pearl".

Taro with pearl (boba).

Chris reading the Chinese newspaper in Juice Bar.

After our trip to Chinatown, we stopped by the HomeGoods store in Allston. We were looking for vases for the tables at our wedding reception, but no luck. I stumbled across my perfect armchair (if I had a house). It's so pretty and the colors are so fun! Alas, with a price tag of $299, it was not meant to be... right now.

I want this armchair! Totally loving it.

After a long day of gallavanting around Boston, I came home and played on my new phone for ages. Then I decided I wanted to crochet a cute dish cloth. I turned to Hulu Plus for my entertainment needs - I settled on a marathon of MTV's Real World San Diego. It was filmed over the summer of 2011. I was actually in San Diego last July. I didn't run into them, but it's fun to think they're running around in the same town as me. It's also sad to realize that they are all younger than me with the oldest cast member being 24 years old and the youngest is 19. I remember a time when they were all real old... remember Real World: LA, San Fran, or the older San Diego seasons? Crazy.

Just saw that I messed up on the dish cloth. Pattern by Lily.

Well, that's it for now. Hope everyone had a great Sunday!

Fabrics from Walmart

I was in the Walpole Walmart on Tuesday to pick up a window fan for our bedroom. If you ever venture into this one you'll know that they're in the middle of a remodeling to make it a Super Walmart - complete with a grocery section and garden center. This Walmart was big, but now they're making it bigger. I got a bit confused about where everything was located so I started wandering around. During my wanderings I came across their arts & crafts area, complete with a surprising selection of fabrics.

After I picked up some new sewing notions I ended up selecting a few cute printed fabrics. I took my goodies up to the fabric table but no one was there. After asking a few associates to page someone, I finally got hold of the store's assistant manager. He brought along two older gentlemen with him to train. I actually had to teach them how to line up the fabric on the ruler and cut in the metal ditch. One of them jokingly said "You want a job running the fabric counter?" I thought he was joking, but maybe not. All in all, it wasn't a bad experience and the prices were decent.

Birdies and Hello Kitty prints. Pink lining.

Purple and blue paisley print. Periwinkle lining.

Tri-color leafy print. Love.

What do you think? I think I'll go back and pick out some more cute prints in the future.

Weekend Update

This past weekend, Chris and I visited Jeff and Vivian's twice in the span of 24 hours. Saturday was Craft Day - Game Night. I brought along my sewing machine, but unfortunately, I didn't get to sew. I started two crafts and I'll probably finish it up later this week.

I sent Vivian, who in turn sent Rachel, an e-mail about crafts you can do with left over fabric scraps (or fat quarters). I found it via Pinterest - Scrap Happy: More Than 50 Fabric Scrap and Remnants Ideas. I'm working on the Envelope Bag and Tissue Cozy.

The makings of an envelope bag and a tissue cozy.

On Sunday we headed down to Hyannis with our pups. We stayed at a bed & breakfast called Simmons Homestead Inn. The B&B was an interesting place. Everywhere you went there were knick knacks on the walls. We stayed in the Giraffe Room. The picture on the website doesn't do it justice. There's MORE stuff in there now. When you walked in, there were giraffes everywhere. There was a cross-stitched giraffe pillow on our bed. There were giraffe puzzles, toys, and figurines. They were even in the bathroom!

On our way to the B&B.

Phidan likes to lean his whole body out the window.

Upper right: Kujo's oblivious to the danger above him.
Above: This is the outside of one of the buildings. The inside is packed with random knick knacks.

Enjoying the beautiful day with Chris and the boys.

Later in the evening we had dinner at Brazilian Grill. The food was great and I left there stuffed. I think I was about to explode as I was walking out.

I wish the picture wasn't so blurry.
The girl taking it had no clue how to work my phone's camera.

We came back home on Monday morning and it felt good to be back. Chris and I decided to sit out front on our porch and watched the traffic go by. Actually, he was reading one of his drawing books and I was working on my cross-stitch. The boys were tethered to a column and left to their own devices. All in all, it was a great weekend spent with family and friends.

This summed up how we felt on Monday.