Neat Stuff

Lilacs in July!

And more to come in September!

We ordered a lovely new hybrid lilac bush last summer because it is a re-blooming lilac and because it doesn't mind living in containers.

It actually bloomed twice last summer - first year in the ground! And including the spring bloom in May, I am expecting three blooms this year.

I love the fragrance of lilacs. I can step outside right this minute and stick my nose in one of ten spikes in full bloom.

Known as a "Josee Reblooming Lilac", you can order one here from Henry Fields if you can't find one in your local nursery.

Henry Fields has been around a long, long time - I used to order from them when I was 20 something and just starting my first garden! Great customer service and our Lilac arrived in excellent condition.

So - for you lilac lovers out there - a Christmas in July tip!

It is July! My Shasta Daisies are in full bloom. How else would I choose a winner?

16 people entered. I am counting to 16 over and over until the last petal.

Almost there!

I do not believe it! The last petal is number 1! Lolly! You are the winner!

Congratulations!

A huge heartfelt thank you to all of you who entered and joined me in celebrating Christmas in July!

I am on a mission! A Winter Holiday Cookie Mission!

On December 5th - St. Nicholas Eve - Gingerbread Snowflakes is going to host a Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap!

My hope is to host cookie recipes (or special holiday treats) from as many different countries around the world as possible. Google Analytics tells me that I have readers all over the world, so I am hoping many will join in and share a favorite cookie recipe that is a part of their family holiday traditions.

To participate, all you will have to do is to post your cookie recipe on your own blog on December 4th or 5th. You can make a "how-to" post or simply post the recipe with a photo.

There will be a special link system set up on my St. Nicholas Eve post that will allow you to copy and paste your photo and your post URL and through the magic of the internet, your recipe photo and the link will appear on my post!

Readers interested in making any of the goodies can simply click on the link back to the site to get the recipe!

I realize there are tons of recipes available on the big recipe sites! But I have been discovering that it is those lovely family recipes that are the real gems. And I am hoping that sharing our recipes on the swap and then baking some of them for our own families will give all of us an opportunity to share in each other's cultures and holiday celebrations.

If you have spent any time at all with me, you know I am all about that!

There is nothing to do right now! Just, please, start thinking about what recipe you would most like to share, and mark your calendar. I would love it if you would e-mail me and let me know if you will be joining me in December, but it is not necessary.

I will be posting a reminder in late November.

I hope to see each of you right here on December 5th!

I just finished making my very first snowman. He has been smiling at me from my desk for two days now! I can't help but smile back and return to what I am doing in a happier mood.

I must admit, I have become a fan of snowmen only recently, having been a collector of Santas for over 25 years. At first, I was quite offended as manufacturers began replacing my beloved Santas with snowmen as the collectible symbol of the season. (Snowman, of course, appeal to a wider audience).

In time, realizing that snowmen could be displayed until late February without visitors looking at me as if I am a nut case, I began to appreciate their importance in the scheme of things and began a small collection. But then I realized how much more fun it would be to create and make my own!

In this post, I am sharing an easy, peasy way to make snowmen - of any size or shape you like - 3" to 3' - plump or not so plump!

Making the pattern

1. Head. Using any object you have on hand that is the size you want the head, trace the object onto the paper you have chosen for your pattern.

For the snowman above, I used a piece of 8 1/2"x11" scrap printer paper. But for larger snowmen, you could use tissue paper or newspaper or butcher paper. Drinking glasses and cookie cutters work fine for smaller head shapes. Dinner plates and platters will work for really big snowmen!

2. Body. Draw a curved line as shown starting at the head. The shape of the line will determine the shape of your snowman. Mine is fairly slim, but you could make yours nice and round if you like!

  3. Neck. At the point where the body and head come together, draw a little curve.

4. To Make a symmetrical body. Fold your pattern in half, making sure the right and left sides of the head line up with each other.

5. Cut out your snowman pattern following the head and body lines you have drawn.

6. Open your pattern! A perfect snowman!

7. Make the base. Measure across the bottom of your pattern and make another circle about 1" less in diameter than the bottom measurement.

8. Arms. Totally optional! But if you want arms, draw a simple arm on your pattern paper. I choose to add a mitten shape to my arm, but arms can just be rounded on the end.

9. Cutting. Lay your pattern pieces on your fabric, and cut. You will need two body head pieces, one base, and four arms.

I added a 1/4" seam allowance as I cut the pattern. But you could just as easily include it in the pattern as you are making it.

Assembling your Snowman.

1. Stitch around the snowman using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave the bottom open. If your fabric is loosely woven or ravels easily, stitch along the seam allowance a second time to give strength.

I cut a sample snowman from muslin so I could use a dark thread to show the stitching lines, but when stitching your own snowman, use a matching thread.

2. Stitch around the arm pieces.

3. Cut tiny triangles and slits into the seam allowance on all curves. Make lots of cuts as shown. Otherwise, your seams may pucker when you turn your snowman inside out.

Base construction - alternative #1

Fold the "base circle" into fourths and finger press to make faint lines.

Place pins at each line.

Divide the bottom edge of the body into four parts.

Pin the base and the bottom of the body together, matching the four marked points. Add additional pins in between as needed to hold the two pieces together.

Stitch around the base leaving most of one side open.

Turn your snowman inside out!

In her e-book "Stitch Village", Joan Gorman shared a tool for turning small items that is absolutely fabulous! How I have struggled all these years trying to turn a thin strap or casing. If only I had known about hemostats! My sweetie found mine at Harbor Freight for next to nothing. They make all the difference when turning stuffies.

Stuff your snowman with your favorite fiber fill, packing the head fairly tight and the body a little less tight.

Now stuff in a little bag of rice or beans (as shown below in Alternative base #2). This will give your snowman stability and allow it to stand without support. Whip stitch the opening closed.

Base construction alternative #2 - My preferred way to do this because it is so easy!

1. Make a pouch. Using a long running stitch, stitch around the entire outer edge of a square of muslin or other scrap, lightweight fabric. Draw the "pouch" slightly together by pulling on the thread. Fill with rice or beans. Draw the thread tightly closed and secure the thread by making several small stitches to hold it closed.

Your pouch does not need to be pretty or neat.

2. Using a long running stitch, stitch around the entire bottom edge of the body. Draw the thread up as shown and secure.

3. Stuff your "bean bag" into the opening. You may have to remove a little filling because you don't want the little bean bag to protrude beyond the base. It's whole purpose is to provide stability so that your snowman can stand without support.

4. Attach the base to the body. You can either whip stitch it into place or simply glue it into place!

Note: Keep in mind that if you are making a tiny little snowman to hang as an ornament, you will not need to add the "bean bag".

I prefer to attach the arms after the snowman is stuffed. 

If your fabric is fairly thin, you can fold under the raw edge and slip-stitch into place.  If the fabric is fairly thick, as mine is, just whip stitch the raw edges right at the side seam.  I tacked my arms into place (near the "elbow" so they wouldn't flop around!

Now you are ready to make hats and scarfs for your snowman! This is my "snowman clothes" stash of felted sweaters that I picked up at SCRAP recently. They were already felted for me! Most are discarded leftovers from other felting projects, so I guess this becomes a reuse, reuse project!

You might recognize the hat and scarf I used on the little guy at the top of the post! Remember my Easter Bunnies? The sleeves of that little felted sweater worked perfectly to make a hat and the scarf.

Create a little face!

ACK! @%&#* I just realized I forgot a carrot nose! Ooops! I can't believe that in the past two days I haven't even noticed something was missing! That cute little face must have wrapped me in an enchantment!

Little black beads are perfect for the eyes. Stitch a little mouth using embroidery thread. If you want, you can anchor the threads in the back of the head since it won't show once the hat is placed on the head!

I used one of those wonderful blue line pencils that wipes away easily with a damp cloth to create the little face before stitching. Good thing too, because my first attempt at a mouth looked pretty stupid! Just ask for a Water Erasable Marking Pen at any craft or fabric store.

The nose - I'm working on it! Any suggestions?

I plan on sharing more of my snowmen in November so be sure to check back! And if any of you make snowmen, please post them on my Flickr with a link to your site. They will appear at random on my sidebar flicker.

I always appreciate and enjoy your company. Thank you so much for joining me for Christmas in July!.

Just finished! My very own, "Gracie Doll". Designed by Joan Gorman - Nini Makes.

She is here to announce the first of two Christmas in July giveaways taking place this month.

But before I get to the announcement, I just have to let you know that making my little dolly was a thoroughly enjoyable experience!

Added 7/8/10  Just to be clear - this doll is Joanie's Gracie Doll!

Not only are Joanie's instructions perfect and easy to follow, but she shares so many additional tips that make the whole experience very doable! Tips and tricks for face painting, tools that will make your entire sewing life easier, and a complete how-to for making and attaching hair.

And since I have been having so much fun making projects featured in Joanie's e-book, I decided that I just had to share by adding a second giveaway to my Christmas in July calendar!

"Repurposed Spotty Storage" and the "Gracie doll" are just two of several projects included in Joanie's e-book, Stitch Village. You can read more about the book on the Stitch Village site, about my own Mushroom's here and my review of Joanie's book here.

The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive a copy of one of my favorite e-books - "Stitch Village" by Joan Gorman.

To enter the giveaway drawing, leave a comment on this post and tell me how you plan to celebrate Christmas in July. If you aren't celebrating Christmas in July, tell me which project in the book you want to make first!

This giveaway will close on July 15th at 6:00PM PST. The lucky winner will be announced on July 16th.

And good news - this giveaway is open to everyone in any country! Just be sure to let me know how to reach you!

Good luck, everyone!

I just finished my very own Earth Loom and can't wait to share!

Building the loom is very easy and would be a great family project for the summer.  Once the loom is completed, let your children weave in all the collected memories and treasures found as they stroll beaches, picnic in the forest or walk in a local park or in the countryside.

The Earth Loom is not my idea but one I have enthusiastically adpoted from an extraordinary Saori weaver, Terri Bibby. 

Saori Weaving?  A Japanese hand weaving that allows for complete self expression in the weaving process as taught by the founder of Saori, Misao Jo. I find it very meditative.

A few of Terri's latest projects should give you some idea! She has created a series of weavings for the four compass directions.  South, East, West and North.  They are beautiful.  Go check them out! 

She has been very kind to allow me to share some of her own images of her Earth Loom which she shared on her blog, Weaving a Life.  I am very grateful for her generosity because as you can see, her loom is much neater than mine!

I am thinking her loom is held together with wood screws.  I lashed mine together using my old Girl Scout training for "making with sticks"!

When Terri posted this image of her loom, woven with fall leaves, fir branches and a bit of ribbon,  I started thinking the Earth Loom would be a wonderful way for children to display their collected summer treasures.

After weaving in a few rows of garden trimmings, I made a search of the house and came up with a few items that might add a little interest to my own Earth Loom.

I am thinking a few fresh flowers now and then would be pretty.

I spaced these pretty loosely just so you could get an idea about what I am suggesting, but you can weave as loose or tight as you wish.

Drift wood, sea weed, long pine cones, cedar branches, oddly shaped sticks, branches of fall leaves, dried wheat or oats or flowers found along roadways.... 

And of course there is even the option of tying a few "unweavable" objects right on to the warp - like sea shells, or sand dollars or pretty stones.

Earth Looms are very easy to construct.  All you need are a few sticks and some twine.

The two vertical supports are about 6 feet long and the horizontal pieces are about 3 feet long. But, of course you can make them any size you wish.  Even small enough to sit on a desk!

The two little supports at the top are critical for stability.  They keep it from wobbling!

Regular old twine works perfectly for both lashing the poles together and for warping the loom.

You will notice that Terri's loom actually has another support attached to the back of her loom.  You might want to add one if you don't happen to have a handy support nearby for anchoring your loom like I do.

Once the warp is in place, you are ready to begin weaving!

Happy summer memory weaving everyone!  And send me pictures! Please.

 

Who wouldn't want these adorable piggys hanging out in their garden? 

You might know I would be especially attracted to the metal sculptures at the Recycled Arts Festival held in my home town of Vancouver, Washington this past weekend!

Right next to the pigs - this amazing dragon fly!  Denise Bergman, Cedar Creek, Inc. does not have a web site yet - but if you want to e-mail her to find out where she will be showing her work next, please e-mail me.

Metal sculpture was everywhere!  Steve Dietel - Howling Heights Metal Designs - was another of my favorites!  How in the world do artists like Steve look at a pile of junk metal and come up with objects like these?

How does he see a cactus in a pile of rusted horse shoes?  And
this motor scooter - just another example of Steve's endless creativity!

Tualatin, Oregon artist Marta Farris posed for me surrounded by her brilliant and colorful metal art.  I loved her use of strong pure color on her metal creations - especially that red dress made from aluminum screen and paint. 

Marta doesn't have a website yet, but if you e-mail me, I would be happy to send you her e-mail. I am sure you can find her at other crafty events this summer.

I just had to wander into the Family Craft Tent!  Everyone was invited - happy hands of all ages!

Birdhouses made from milk cartons seemed to be one of the favorite activities!

The other favorite - this community sculpture made from trash!  Everyone, big or small, who stopped by the tent was encouraged to add a piece!

Rescued from the landfill!

Our frined Terra told us about her adventures rescuing prefectly good treasures from local transfer stations.  Her enthusiasm for the project was what spurred Diane and I into going to the festival in the first place! (Follow that link to Di's post!)

After two months of collecting, Tossed and Found set up a display tent at the festival and gave out free raffle tickets to anyone who wanted a chance to adopt a treasure.

The crowds at the raffles were huge!

And competition was stiff!  Brand new grill - never used - headed to the land fill!  One lucky person took it home - for free!

Another lucky gal took home a four piece wicker patio set in perfect condition - for free!

After hanging out with all of you recyclers for the past couple years, I was shocked to see how many perfectly good items were simply thrown out.  Wouldn't a donation to Goodwill have been a better option?

Whew!  Finally - a little shade!  Festival attendees take a break and listen to live music in the band pavillion.

Ester Short Park hosts Summer Concerts in the Park.  Noon time concerts start July 8th and evening concerts start July 9th.  Get the full concert schedule here and come join the fun! It's free. 

Food and beverages are available from local vendors or you can bring your own picnic and sprawl out on a blanket and listen to some good music.

And next year - I hope we will see some of you at the festival!

I got to spend the day yesterday playing with Diane!  And she modeled the little sun dress I made for her. 

After she put it on she gave me a big hug and said "Mom, this is the first dress you have made for me since I was about 10". 

Whew!  Almost tears there! 

But she is right!  By the time she was 12 she was sewing rings around me. And still does!

And this just in!  Kathy just posted the cutest series of images of her daughter "modeling" the little fairy sun dress I made her. 

Diane was just this size when I made her the very first one of these!

Midsummer sunshine on my poppies!

To those of us in the Pacific Northwest - sunshine after four weeks of clouds is reason enough to celebrate.

This moment - a moment to pause, savor and remember.

Sara's "moment" June 7th!  I think she is due for another!

This moment was started as a Friday ritual by Amands Soule.  Friday's moment in case you missed it.

 

Finished!  The Michael Miller fairy fabric -  now a sun dress!  Which I made just for a sweet little someone whose Mommy provided measurements for toddler size!

Too bad I had to photograph her sun dress in this gloomy PNW weather - but where she lives, I am told there is sunshine -  and her mommy is already making desserts with cherries and peaches because they are ripe!

This is a companion post to Design Your Very Own Sun Dress Fabric. That post was all about making your very own fabrics and this one is all about how to make this simple little sun dress.

First the pattern!

I am providing a pattern for both an adult size and a toddler size. 

The adult size especially is pretty much one size fits most!  Toddler to child will require a bit of tweaking! 

But the beauty of this little dress is that the fit can be adjusted easily simply by how tightly you scrunch the gathers and how short or long you make the ties.  For instance if your daughter has grown a size next summer - the dress will probably still fit if you loosen the gathers a bit and tie the straps a little longer.

This is the pattern I used for the toddler size dress made with the fairy fabric.  Our model is two years old and is about 34" tall.

The toddler dress is designed to be made from 2/3 yard* of 45" wide fabric. If you like it fuller, either use 60" wide fabric or get 1 1/3" yards of fabric and cut each panel anywhere from 30" to 45" wide. (45" might be too full for a toddler, but great for a young teen.)

And of course, you can shorten or lengthen the dress as needed.  If you lengthen, be sure to get more fabric!!

Seam allowances specified in the instructions are included in the pattern dimensions.

 

The adult version will work for most adults.  I am 5'8" and Diane is 5'6" and the dress comes to about our knees.

For the adult version, you will need 2 yards** of 45" wide fabric. 

As with the smaller size, the width can be adjusted and probably the easiest way would be to use 60" wide fabric. 

The dress can be as short or long as you wish - I've even made them nearly floor length - just be sure to determine the difference between the length given here and the desired length and make the adjustment in your fabric purchase. For instance, if you want your dress 12" longer than the pattern,  you will need 2 2/3 yards of fabric - 2x36" plus 2 x 12".  You will then have two panels measuring 48" long.

Again seam allowances specified in the instructions are included in the pattern.

If you are making a dress for a pre-teen or teen, use the adult pattern and in addition to adjusting the length, change the 6" measurement at the arm to 41/2" to 5".

Making the Sun Dres

Cutting out the dress

Cutting method #1

Make a paper pattern using the dimensions given or using your adjusted dimensions.

Place your pattern on your lovely fabric and cut following the contour of the pattern.

Cutting method #2

Since most of the cuts are straight lines, you can use your rotary cutter and straight edge to cut the basic rectangle.

Mark the measurements for the curve at the arm holes. (See tiny blue lines)

And cut in a slightly curved line.  Cut straight down for about an inch and then start the slight curve.

I could not resist these little kitties! Adorable! Perfect fall dress for my teddy, don't you think?

For larger sizes, it is easier to fold the fabric before cutting.  If you are careful, and use the guidlines on the cutting board and the straight edge, your basic rectangle should come out perfect!

If you are not accustomed to using these tools, however, a paper pattern would be your best option.

Create the curves at the arm hole the same as above.

 

Assembling the dress

Assembly is as easy as 1, 2, 3  ... oh! and 4!

Just follow the diagram as you go along!

I apologize in advance for using a white fabric for my demonstration.  But you have to understand - I couldn't help myself!  I absolutely love Alison's  little bug fabric from Spoonflower and I love showing it off! Purely and emotional decision. (See yesterday's post for where to get it!)

STEP #1 Side seams

With right sides of fabric together, sew the two panels together at the side seams.  Use a 1/4" seam.  I usually finish my seams with a zig zag stitch but you might prefer one of the methods offered by Sewing Support in this excellent tutorial on seam finishes.

STEP #2  Curve at the arm hole

Finishing the arm hole curve with bias tape is simple and neat and recommended.  My diagram clearly states "shirt tail hem" which I sometimes, in a fit of laziness have been known to use.  But Craftstylish provides an excellent tutorial for finishing a curved edge with bias tape. Do it this way.:-)

Just be certain you purchase BIAS TAPE.  Don't confuse bias tape with seam binding.  They come in nearly identical packages. 

My stock of bias tape and seam binding must now be "vintage"!  I noticed when I purchased a package for the fairy dress that the package design has changed! Sigh.

STEP #3  Making the Casings for the ties

Press a 1/4" fold at the top edge of the dress. Fold is to the wrong side.

Fold and press again to form a casing about 1/2" wide.

Stitch close to both folds leaving the ends open.  Usually, due to the angle of the arm hole curve, the casing ends will look like the end in the photo.

STEP #4  Hem

Fold the bottom edge of your dress over toward the wrong side 1/4" to 1/2". Press.  Fold again. Pin to hold in place.  Stitch close to the edge of the first fold.

Craftstylish suggests another method here!

 Almost finished!

On thing I love about this dress is that there is very little stitching involved so that most of the fabric can later be used for another purpose - like a skirt or a pillow or a hat!

Now all that is left to do is to draw your ribbon or tie through the casing.  For a tiny dress like this one, I simply thread my ribbon through the eye of a tapestry needle and slide it through the casing!  A small safety pin also works well to guide the tie through the casing.

There are a couple little tutorials for ties at the end of the post.  But if you use ribbon or a purchased cord as your tie - you are done!

Love Alison's bugs!  They never fail to bring a smile.

 

A couple ideas for ties.

1. "Spaghetti straps"  *   **  if you use spaghetti straps, purchase an extra 1/8 yard of fabric.  You won't need it all but I doubt most stores will sell you less.

First - no need to cut on the bias.  Cut on the grain.

Cut your fabric the length you need for straps that are long enough to go across the gathered area of the dress and then make a bow (or a simple tie) on each shoulder. For an adult that would be two straps 36" long each.

Strap width can vary but for spaghetti straps the width should be 1 inch. Wider straps will require a wider casing allowance.

Fold the strap in half as shown, pressing as you go.

Now fold both edges toward the fold line in the middle, pressing as you go. Try to get the edges as close together as possible without overlapping. 

Folding one side at a time makes it easier.

Now fold the strap in half so that the raw edges are completely encased in the original fold.  Pin to hold during stitching.

Stitch close to the open edge of the fold.

Attach a small safety pin to the end of the strap and guide it through the casing.

Tie a knot in both ends of the strap, pull up your gathers to fit and you are done!

2. Braided  straps

A great tutorial for making the braids right here on Smile and Wave!  I think one of her matching headbands would look great too.

Just be sure your braid will fit through your casing!  The best way to do that is to make the braided tie first and then fold the fabric over the braid to determine the width of the casing.

If you decide to use a braided tie, I suggest adding an extra 1/2" to the length of the arm hole curve.

Only a couple more things to say!

Keep in mind this is a quick, easy, down and dirty little dress so no accomodation has been made to even out the hem line.  I don't particularly have a problem with this - especially in this age of stylishly uneven hem lines! But - just so you know!

Part of the beauty of this little dress is that as you put it on, you adjust the gathers and tie the straps so that it fits you the way you want it to!  You can have a deeply scooped neckline - or not!  Tight gathers or loose ones. If you want to keep your gathers in one place forever, tack them once you have decided where you want them to be.  You should also be able to leave the bows tied - even when you wash it.  From then on just toss it on over your head! 

This is a great bathing suit cover-up - especially in gauzy fabrics!

It is also a great little dress for showing off some of those lovely designer fabrics we all love.  And as I said before, most of the fabric remains in tact so that it can be used again in another way!  Repurposed!

Hope you enjoy!

July 2nd update! As I was catching up with my One Pretty Thing posts, I ran smack dab into this and just had to add it!  Samster Mommy posted this adorable sun dress tutorial.  It is very similar to this one but it  is made using a tee!  AND she added a ruffle to the bottom which I love!

Go check it out!  A great idea for using cute, no longer worn tees laying around in the closet! Her kids have some of the cooest things to wear and play in in the world!  When I was a little girl - I would have gone mad for the tutu!