Friday, November 23, 2012
Holiday Gift Guide Featurette
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Craft Show Display Options
I'm so sorry I've been remiss in posting anything since September. Shame on me!
With family in town last month and finishing a baby quilt for my co-worker; it's been a whirlwind of activity.
I'm also prepping inventory for my first paid holiday craft show, Adam's County Holiday Bazaar, on Deember 1-2. I sewed six new Christmas Stockings in a variety of themes yesterday. I have a few more stockings and swadde blankets to complete before I'm confident with my inventory for this show.
And I'm putting finishing touches on our booth aethestics. I uploaded some pictures to my Facebook Page today to show the progress of acquiring different display options for a craft sale booth.
There are soo many treasures to discover when you go thrift shopping at the local Arc or Habitat ReStore.
Last weeked, my step-daughter (Gail) and I went to the ReStore Access facility in Boulder in search of some unique display options for this craft show. Thanks to Gail, we lucked out with options of different sizes an uses for $20! Here's what we purchased:
Not bad, right? Friday was gorgeous weather in Colorado, so we took advantage of the warmth and sunshine to paint these items.
If you would like to view some of my inspiration, checkout my Pinterest Board 1st Impessions.
With family in town last month and finishing a baby quilt for my co-worker; it's been a whirlwind of activity.
I'm also prepping inventory for my first paid holiday craft show, Adam's County Holiday Bazaar, on Deember 1-2. I sewed six new Christmas Stockings in a variety of themes yesterday. I have a few more stockings and swadde blankets to complete before I'm confident with my inventory for this show.
And I'm putting finishing touches on our booth aethestics. I uploaded some pictures to my Facebook Page today to show the progress of acquiring different display options for a craft sale booth.
There are soo many treasures to discover when you go thrift shopping at the local Arc or Habitat ReStore.
Last weeked, my step-daughter (Gail) and I went to the ReStore Access facility in Boulder in search of some unique display options for this craft show. Thanks to Gail, we lucked out with options of different sizes an uses for $20! Here's what we purchased:
- four hinged, shutter doors for what used to be used for a closet entrance
- a large shoe rack from IKEA, pretty beaten up
- two cedar stained banisters (tie twine between the two posts to provide a fireplace feel)
Not bad, right? Friday was gorgeous weather in Colorado, so we took advantage of the warmth and sunshine to paint these items.
If you would like to view some of my inspiration, checkout my Pinterest Board 1st Impessions.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Austenland The Movie, Produced by Stephanie Meyer
If you're a fan of Jane Austen or just a fan of Pride and Prejudice, then keep your eyes and ears open for a new movie coming to a theater near you, Austenland. I recently discovered that the Stephanie Meyer is producing the movie, and has been a friend of author, Shannon Hale who wrote Austenland.
To learn more about the upcoming move, checkout this article.
Screen Daily - Austenland
To learn more about the upcoming move, checkout this article.
Screen Daily - Austenland
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Life Lesson - Who I Want to Be
from summersnowart.com
I think this sums it up. Some times as a woman, I think we become over critical of ourselves, others - competing for a job, place in life, acceptance, and driven to succeed. This pin I made, reflects the values I want in my life and how I treat others.
If you like this Life Lesson, there's more on my Pinterest Board - Life Lessons.
If you like this Life Lesson, there's more on my Pinterest Board - Life Lessons.
Holiday Inspiration... All from shopping
This weekend I began creating some new stocking designs all based on shopping trip to Hobby Lobby. Funny how that happens.
The stores Christmas decor was 40% and I couldn't resist. I found these mini rusted star ornaments and thought I should make "country/cowboy" themed stockings. You will find both sets in this design at my Etsy store.
The store also had a rainbow of hoe decor chevron fabric. I had bought some grey chevron earlier this summer to make a purse and diaper bag for my neighbor. On this shopping trip, I bought a yard of lime green chevron to make stockings and yellow chevron to use in a baby quilt I'm making for a colleague at work.
The chevron stockings are subtle and striking. I had a hard time deciding what to design for the stocking cuff. I matched linen fabric but it was too tan in color. So I decided t use cream felt. I ruffled the cuff, which was thick in areas due to the thickness of the doubled felt. But the final design is great!
If you've never learned how to gather fabric for a ruffle, it's pretty easy. All you need to do is set your sewing achine for the longest stitch (7 on my machine). Sew the two edges of fabric together with the long stitch.
Below I'm attaching the red holly gathered stitched ruffle to a linen stocking for its cuff. I really like the contrast of afbric and makes it shabby chic.
I hope these inspire you to shop for fabric to decorate your home this holiday season. Don't be afraid to play with different styles and patterns either.
The stores Christmas decor was 40% and I couldn't resist. I found these mini rusted star ornaments and thought I should make "country/cowboy" themed stockings. You will find both sets in this design at my Etsy store.
The chevron stockings are subtle and striking. I had a hard time deciding what to design for the stocking cuff. I matched linen fabric but it was too tan in color. So I decided t use cream felt. I ruffled the cuff, which was thick in areas due to the thickness of the doubled felt. But the final design is great!
If you've never learned how to gather fabric for a ruffle, it's pretty easy. All you need to do is set your sewing achine for the longest stitch (7 on my machine). Sew the two edges of fabric together with the long stitch.
Below I'm attaching the red holly gathered stitched ruffle to a linen stocking for its cuff. I really like the contrast of afbric and makes it shabby chic.
I hope these inspire you to shop for fabric to decorate your home this holiday season. Don't be afraid to play with different styles and patterns either.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Top Ten Best Gluten Free Blogs
I found the following Top 10 Blog recommendations for Gluten Free Living. Some of these I was already following, and some are new.
Depending on your food allergies you may want a more in depth blog that covers dairy and nut allergies. Check out the content and decide what suits your lifestyle and food allergy best!
http://www.blogs.com/topten/top-10-best-gluten-free-blogs/
Depending on your food allergies you may want a more in depth blog that covers dairy and nut allergies. Check out the content and decide what suits your lifestyle and food allergy best!
http://www.blogs.com/topten/top-10-best-gluten-free-blogs/
Holiday Gnomes - Jolly, Holly & Mistletoe
The Holiday Gnomes came from the Holiday Craft magazine.
Last night was craft night with my step daughter. We assembled and painted the gnomes last night and she took today to embellished their hats. Giving each gnome its own personality.
I have become fond of them and call them the dwarfs of Christmas: Jolly, Holly, & Mistletoe
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Cooking Light Gluten Free Cookbook
My birthday was this weekend and my girlfriends gave me Cooking Light Gluten Free Cookbook as a gift. I'm elated to try these recipes and recipes are not limited to meals, but also soups, desserts, and other side dishes.
After reading the reviews, you might enjoy this cookbook if you don't mind using pre-made mixes like Pamela's banking mix, etc. Great for a new gluten free person. I'll let you know what I think of the recipes when I start cooking some.
After reading the reviews, you might enjoy this cookbook if you don't mind using pre-made mixes like Pamela's banking mix, etc. Great for a new gluten free person. I'll let you know what I think of the recipes when I start cooking some.
Gearing up for the holidays
While Labor Day weekend just only ended... I found myself unpacking my holiday fabrics and prioritizing which projects need to be completed first. I found some Christmas stockings that were cut out last year that need to be sewn together and have cuffs added.
I also have five fabric trees to complete and three table runners. With my right wrist agitated from over using it operating a mouse at work, I fear my pace is slower than last year's. I hope to get many projects completed in time for a holiday show in November.
That's the trick, once you start creating, you need to decide who your audience is, and whether you want to sell your products outside of Etsy at local craft shows, or just keep to online sales. Something I'm still pondering as I have a full-time job that still requires my time. That leaves minimum time to complete projects.
I recently posted some holiday stockings and a new table runner to Sew Knot Expected. Please feel free to peruse the shop and pick out something for a special person this holiday season.
I also have five fabric trees to complete and three table runners. With my right wrist agitated from over using it operating a mouse at work, I fear my pace is slower than last year's. I hope to get many projects completed in time for a holiday show in November.
That's the trick, once you start creating, you need to decide who your audience is, and whether you want to sell your products outside of Etsy at local craft shows, or just keep to online sales. Something I'm still pondering as I have a full-time job that still requires my time. That leaves minimum time to complete projects.
I recently posted some holiday stockings and a new table runner to Sew Knot Expected. Please feel free to peruse the shop and pick out something for a special person this holiday season.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Felting Wool Sweaters to Make Pot Holders
I have always wanted to learn how to felt wool. I observed how my neighbor and friend felted woolen yarn to make detergent balls to wash her son's diapers, but this was new to me.
So, yesterday I ventured out to some thrift stores to find some wool sweaters to felt fr upcoming projects. On a side note... Can I tell you how much I love the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store! Their prices are amazingly low and I found an office chair for only $5. I find I need to visit their store at least once a month to find those gems.
So, yesterday I ventured out to some thrift stores to find some wool sweaters to felt fr upcoming projects. On a side note... Can I tell you how much I love the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store! Their prices are amazingly low and I found an office chair for only $5. I find I need to visit their store at least once a month to find those gems.
I was lucky to find a handful of sweaters at a thrift store in Broomfield but I found some of their prices a bit high ($4.99-$6.99) compared to Habitat's Re-Store ($2.25). I have a feeling I'll make another trip this Saturday when the sweaters will be 50%. If you haven't been to a thrift store for crafting supplies, then I would encourage you to venture out in your neighborhood and start looking. You find some some supplies at great prices.
So, I came home from shopping with five sweaters and one sweater vest. I chose sweaters with some valentine colors - like red and pink, to make heart shaped pot holders for valentine's gifts.
Some steps to consider before felting your wool sweater:
1. Take scissors and cut out the seams. Determine the usage of the sweater: Will you use the sleeves? Or just the body of the sweater?
2. Place sweaters in your washing machine. Place on hot water and add a bit of detergent when washing the sweaters.
NOTE - Once washed, determine if the wool is felted to your liking. Felted wool can have different consistencies and depending on what you will use the felted wool for, you may want to wash/felt the wool again.
3. Place washed/felted wool into the dryer. Place on high heat.
I have an energy efficient washer and dryer, so I needed to place my dryer setting on "cotton towels" to obtain the high heat for the felting to work.
I have an energy efficient washer and dryer, so I needed to place my dryer setting on "cotton towels" to obtain the high heat for the felting to work.
Here are some of the final projects I made out of the felted sweaters I purchased yesterday.
These are easy felted wool pot holders shaped in a heart. Great for valentines day and super easy to make. Though some of the felted wool may be thick to feed through your sewing machine. Just be patient.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Is Gluten Making You Fat
Recently my husband was re-reading one of his Men's Health magazines and he wanted me to read this article "Is Gluten Making You Fat". He knows I want to learn more about a gluten free diet and this article definitely appealed to my fitness and wellness plan I want to adhere to in the new year.
It's amazing how much diet contributes to how we feel - whether it's being alert, fatigued, crampy, or in a good healthy and energetic state. The article discuss the truth about gluten, the food industry, and your belly. There are some great examples of gluten free grains to try, like - quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth.
If you're interested in whether gluten is making you fat, I would encourage you to read the article at Men's Health by Matthew Solan.
It's amazing how much diet contributes to how we feel - whether it's being alert, fatigued, crampy, or in a good healthy and energetic state. The article discuss the truth about gluten, the food industry, and your belly. There are some great examples of gluten free grains to try, like - quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth.
If you're interested in whether gluten is making you fat, I would encourage you to read the article at Men's Health by Matthew Solan.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Life Lesson on Style
When I started my first blog when I got married and moved to the Pacific Northwest, I entitled certain posts Life Lessons where I posted famous or memorable quotes. I'm continuing the tradition on Sew Knot Expected and you can see more Life Lessons on my Pinterest board; entitled the same.
Never confuse money or status with style. Style is the ability to discover your own signature. Remember, attitude is the most important accessory you can wear.
"What you wear says who you are."
-Barbara Glass
Never confuse money or status with style. Style is the ability to discover your own signature. Remember, attitude is the most important accessory you can wear.
"What you wear says who you are."
-Barbara Glass
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Fat Quarter Challenge - Featured on Goofing Off Blog
I was elated to be featured in a fellow Etsy store owner's blog about what to make with a Fat Quarter. My bib and burp cloth were featured in this link. - Goofingoff Blog
I also make my purse clutches with fat quarters. A great way to use small amounts of fabric and don't forget your scraps turn into great scrap table runners or 3 inch squares for a scrap quilt.
I also make my purse clutches with fat quarters. A great way to use small amounts of fabric and don't forget your scraps turn into great scrap table runners or 3 inch squares for a scrap quilt.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
50th Anniversary of West Side Story - (1961 movie)
Such as...
Natalie Wood didn't sing her role's vocal, it was dubbed by Marni Nixon.
George Chakiris was a chorus boy in other 1950 films like White Christmas and Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend before getting the role of Riff in the London theater production of West Side Story and then playing Bernardo in the film version.
I love Lenard Bernstein's music and Steven Sondheim's lyrics!
West Side Story Trailer
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Comparison of Gluten Free (GF) Baking Flours
Over the weekend I decided to make beef stew for dinner on Saturday night and made Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies last weekend using existing recipes, but converted them to Gluten Free.
I normal like baking with Pamela's Gluten Free Flour Mixture, but I didn't have any in my pantry. My neighbor bought a 5lb bag of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour mixture so I used that brand to make the gravy for stew and bake the Oatmeal Scotchies.
The difference between the two gluten free flour mixes is based on the ingredients:
Bob's Red Mill All Purpose GF Baking Flour uses garbanzo bean and fava bean flour. Note, this is great tasting for pizza dough, but I wouldn't recommend this flour mixture for baking. Some can taste the difference but I couldn't. However, it seems while the dough is raw, the sent is potent and doesn't smell edible. It goes away once you bake the cookies.
To learn more about the ingredients, nutritional facts about the GF Baking Flour use this link.
Pamela's Baking Mix uses a combo of rice flour and almond meal. It's great to use Pamela's flour mix in any of your existing Baking recipes. Note - sometimes I have to use a bit more gluten free flour to make the recipe work. It's usually an additional 1 tablespoon.
Use this link to learn more about the ingredients, nutritional facts, and recipes.
I make all my quick breads, apple crisp crumble, and cookies with gluten free baking flour mixes. I find it's easier to store a Baking Flour Mix, versus creating my own. Something to consider if you're just starting out.
I normal like baking with Pamela's Gluten Free Flour Mixture, but I didn't have any in my pantry. My neighbor bought a 5lb bag of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour mixture so I used that brand to make the gravy for stew and bake the Oatmeal Scotchies.
The difference between the two gluten free flour mixes is based on the ingredients:
Bob's Red Mill All Purpose GF Baking Flour uses garbanzo bean and fava bean flour. Note, this is great tasting for pizza dough, but I wouldn't recommend this flour mixture for baking. Some can taste the difference but I couldn't. However, it seems while the dough is raw, the sent is potent and doesn't smell edible. It goes away once you bake the cookies.
To learn more about the ingredients, nutritional facts about the GF Baking Flour use this link.
Pamela's Baking Mix uses a combo of rice flour and almond meal. It's great to use Pamela's flour mix in any of your existing Baking recipes. Note - sometimes I have to use a bit more gluten free flour to make the recipe work. It's usually an additional 1 tablespoon.
Use this link to learn more about the ingredients, nutritional facts, and recipes.
I make all my quick breads, apple crisp crumble, and cookies with gluten free baking flour mixes. I find it's easier to store a Baking Flour Mix, versus creating my own. Something to consider if you're just starting out.
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