Zebra Stripes for Santa Baby

     I haven’t sewn in over a month and how do I start back? I sew a Christmas stocking for the baby of the house. I got tired of looking for something different only to find the same old unexcited basic flat - just let me get to the point - ugly - Christmas stockings! So, what’s a sewist to do? What she should have done in the first instance. Sew It! So, I did. And this is what turned out.

I love it! And as Zyan gets older, I am sure she will too.

I simply traced one of the other kids stockings, added seam allowance, and sew. Quick and easy. Only 15 minutes to sew up. Even longer to clean the mess because (lesson learned) I didn’t mark and sew from the back of this furry animal. Just a little of the mess?

Here it is before it was stuffed with goodies for Christmas.

That is all. I want to squeeze some sew time in. Before the laid back days are all to gone and then back to the 9 to 5. Hopefully I’ll churn something out before the 31st.

Until later. Smooches and smoothies for all!

~~~Scheryka

I promise I’ve Been Sewing!

Hi, All. Although it seems as though I’ve started another hiatus after just coming off one, I promise, I’ve been sewing. I just haven’t had a photographer who can take some decent photos.

My nieces and nephew came to visit while Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 3 year anniversary. So, what better way to keep the girls, ages 9 (my daughter) and 15 (my niece), made some DIY shorts that sells from $35 to $98. They made their jeans for less than $5. WooHoo!

Here’s the video that they found on YouTube and got busy with.

She has some great videos. Check them out sometimes.

These are regularly $88, on sale for $65 at Macy’s. K-Mart is even in the race with their version.

They are $13.

The process went ok. The bleach didn’t work as well on the dark colored jeans but it’s ok. The girlies were left to decorate their pants the way they wanted to. My Bedazzler., yes ,I have one. I mean, who doesn’t, got much needed use. So, I won’t go on with babbling, here are the photos of the weekend photo shoot.

 

 

 

Here is the second pair that my niece made. She made tabs on the side and added stars at the pockets.

Photos with Aloe.

The red skirt on Aloe (my dressform) is V8711. I am tweaking it and have to decide on a top for it.

Oh, by the way, I love this skirt. It is soooo sexy!

Until later, Kisses and Hugs galore. Just don’t touch my hair! lol Love you guys.

Scheryka

Every Baby NEEDS Baby Bibs

What is a need?

A need is something that one can not do without. For a baby that would include diapers, milk (of some kind), blankets, etc…, and bibs. Bibs are for dribs. And every baby dribble and slob, and spit up. It sometimes get to projectile shooting. That’s when you throw all the bibs out the window and just grab a garbage bag. Just kidding.

I was browsing the net and found some really cute bib patterns. I refuse to buy a pattern since I have some that were not given away or donated. I could use those as templates and make my own design. Right? Right. That’s called frugality. My definition? The reality of being frugal.

I happened upon more than a few sites that had some really cute (and some not so cute) bib ideas. Here are some of the bibs that caught my eye.

From Nested

From the PaperSeed

How cute are these? Very cute. I love Paisley and Butterflies! Taken from Creativekismet by Regina Lord.

Taken from Goingsewcrazy.

Looking through these websites and others, I remembered I have TONS of scraps from previous projects. But, in particular, the blocked bib three photos up (the one with the strawberries and dot), made me remember about some fabric I had bought a WHILE back from a store on Etsy. I said fabric but when I got them, I saw scraps! They are actually leftover saree fabrics. And when I say left over, I mean the sewist made a saree, used the leftover for a sleeve cuff or two, then made some fabric necklaces, wiped his (I say ‘his’ because it was a man that I’d them bought them from.) behind, and then sold me what was left! Or I bought what was left…

Don’t misunderstand me, the fabric (read: scraps) are beautiful pieces. I just wish there were more (much more) to them. But, I figured I could sew the scraps together and make a blocked bib or two. Here are the fabric scraps.

front

                               back

I don’t know how many I will be able to get out of them. Probably one front and back or 2 if I make the back out of terry or something.

In the mean time, here are some that I had made while procrastinating on the scrap-blocked bib(s).

I used a bib that I had saved for one of older girls as a template.

I traced it onto the fabric at first

because I wasn’t thinking to just tape two sheets of paper together to get a bigger size. Duh.

But once I came to my senses and done so, I cut a few different fabrics that was in the stash.

I played around with bias.

After I got a little feel of what I was doing, I finished each one just a bit different. The main difference is either the bias trim or sew and turn. Here are the finished bibs.

Just a little closer:

and

Until the next project before my mojo get up and go without me.

~~Scheryka.

Hair Pretties

While taking a break from sewing for the Mt. Pleasant Annual Christmas Banquet, I wanted to do something with the girls because they have been neglected. Well, not entirely, because I was indeed sewing for them. I put my dress on hold because I FORGOT that if I don’t sew their dresses as well, then it might be a huge chance they would not have anything to wear. But those are a separate story.

I ran across this site From an Igloo by Christine who made the most adorable hair barrettes. I had to make the girls some. Before I went a bought any extra supplies we used what was on hand to see how easy this actually was. Let me tell, IT IS EASY.

The supplies you need (taken from Christine’s page) are:

You will need:
- Glue gun/glue
- Yarn (We used thick embroidery thread)
- Beads- (size was small not sure of a measurement)
- Thread/needle
- A piece of cording (Used some scrap small rope from last year’s Christmas gifts)
- Alligator clips or barrettes (The silver clasp barrettes works too)
- Scraps of fabric and –embellishments like ribbon and buttons.

Oh, and don’t forget the sharpie because your dolly needs a face.

I don’t have any in-process photos because working with an anxious 2 year old kind of makes it hard to work with hot glue and take photos. I do have the finished product which came out pretty well.

Ann wanted to wear hers today to church. I know the real reason. Every third Sunday is children’s church and she just had to have something to talk about. I can imagine how the conversation went. “Me and Mom made pretty dolls for my hair and I want to thank God for letting my Mom need a break from sewing because now I have something new for my hair.” Sounds like something she would say.

Here is a close-up: Ann made her dolly’s hair extra long because she says it reminded her that needs to not play in her hair again and I want to cut it to make it grow again. Lol. Kids. They really do listen and learn.

Here is the one I helped to make with Nii. I had to get this photo while she was sleeping. She had to get an after service nap because crankiness is not an option! Just go to sleep if you are sleepy… so Mom can get a photo of your ”pretty haaiirrr”. That is how Nii says it while rubbing her hands down the side of her face and head. You get the picture. But here is this one I had to sneak. She kept turning her head back so one is all I got.

You should give it a try if you have little ones or little grands. They are fast and easy and you can use different things to get different looks. I may make a few more because the girls have some brown see through beads that I want to play around with and see how they come out.

Until the Banquet items,

Schey

Teacher Appreciation Week 2010

So it is the end of the school year and FUNDS R TIGHT! Not being able to participate in giving the teachers their end of year gifts does not have to suck after all. As long as you can sew, the sky is the limit. This is the list that was provided by the school that was "totally optional".

(Some of the letter has been deleted to keep information - private information.)

To: Parents of Students in Mrs. _________ K Class

From: _____________ (Room Parent)

Hi All - The end of the year is approaching quickly! I hope that this has been a good year for all of you and your children.

As I am sure that you are aware, Staff Appreciation week is May 17-21.

(Details provided in the ______________). Participation is fully voluntary and optional.

Mon - homemade cards / also cafeteria appreciation

Tues – donating classroom supplies *wish list below / also office admin. day

Wed – bring in a single flower to be added to a vase in the classroom / also engineering/plant management day

Thurs – wear your class t-shirt / also related arts day

Fri - Teacher’s special treat day (favorite candy, small gift or gift card) **favorites listed below / also resource/guidance/ instructional coach day

In addition:

* We need 2 volunteers for lunch relief on Monday May 17 and Friday May 21. If those days don't work for you, another day would be great too.

* If anyone would like to send in a vase (or 2) let me know (for Wed., the flower day), please let me know.

End of the Year Teacher gift - If you would like to put in money toward a gift for the teachers let me know. I was thinking that a monogrammed market basket might be a really neat gift for each of them. Any additional money could go into gift certificates for them. Please let me know your thoughts and/or to make arrangements for money collection.

*CLASS SUPPLY Wish List:

Paper (colored copy, white copy, construction); Brads; Staples; Hole punch (4); Green Ball Point Pens (6); Small Paper Plates; Books with tapes; Big Book Dictionary

Mrs. ______________ replied, "I could go on forever...we have no funds coming in..."

**Mrs. _____________ FAVORITES - FOOD: Seafood, bread, cheese, hot tea COLORS: Peach, coral, cinnamon RESTAURANTS: Panara, Cracker Barrel, All Seafood restaurants HOBBIES: Gardening, landscaping, anything outdoors, reading – all books (not too much murder...)

**Mrs. ______________ FAVORITES - FOOD: Greek and Italian, coffee, tea, chocolate, nuts COLORS: Green & aqua RESTAURANTS: Panara, Olive Garden/ Olympian HOBBIES: Gardening, hiking, walking, travel, reading

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of sewing and being creative. This saves a lot of money. All you who sew for yourselves, you know what I'm saying. We did participate in the homemade cards because luckily I have this kit that is pretty nifty.

I like it a lot. All you need is the card stock paper. I have even used regular paper with it. Just don't rub as hard.

OK, for the supplies list, I sent in a set of 8 dry erase markers that I got for $3.00 a piece. I am doing this for two kids, so that mean I purchased two of them. Nothing else was done. I did, however, make these very special totes for the kids teachers.

The older child is in 5th grade and has one teacher. This was the tote sent to his teacher.

 

Yes, I know the contrast is upside down. But guess what, it was super too late to fix that when I saw it. You see...I was done. When I put the bag up for the picture...ummm why is that upside down? Easy, Schey, you didn't pay attention to detail. Duh.

My kinder kid has 2 teachers. So, I couldn't send in one bag and have them toss for it. Even though it did cross my mind. (snickering). I made two separate totes for her teachers. They look like this.