
Friday, December 18, 2015
So THIS is How Reindeer Fly

Thursday, December 17, 2015
Caterpillar Stuffy Fail:-(
Stuffies should not be scary and, yes, those legs are centipede-scary, aren't they?
Problems?
- Obviously the black ribbon legs were a huge mistake. Nothing says centipede like a lot of blacks squiggly legs!
- Also, while I like the fabric for the body, it needs segments. Caterpillars must have segments.
I do like my ribbon antennas, though. I have got to use up some of my overwhelming ribbon collection. Did I really just call it a collection? That's not good. Supply! I meant supply!
This began with me trying to steal Sandra's Hungry-Caterpillar-book-with-stuffy gift idea. I love both of her versions of the caterpillar. You have to check hers out to see how good this might have been if I had just not decided to, once again, reinvent the wheel.
I can't even bring myself to donate this one. It would be cruel. Mine will terrify some poor child who happens upon it lying in the thrift store waiting for it's forever home.
Until someone comes up with a kiddie book about a lovable centipede, this will will have to go the way of all centipedes--hidden in the far depths where they belong.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Finally Got the Man Cave Pillows Finished!
but being as it's supposed to be an official man cave (I do let the guys use it on occasion), it needed this pillow to finish it off.
He fits right in.
One project down. About a million more to go!
Update: I wanted to add a little more about how I did this before posting it to Threading My Way's pillow page. First, the pillow patterns I found on the web have those nice lines across like the actual emoji, but then the pillow is quite flat. I wanted a fluffier pillow. I ended up drawing a pattern by hand. The downside to an overstuffed version is that you can't get sew in those lines. After sewing that bit of a line at the top it was obvious lines further down would not work.
To fix that first problem on the next pillow (because a half dozen people wanted one after seeing mine), I want to put together a sandwich with a little stuffing for the top piece. That will allow me to put in the lines. Then I will sew on a back panel that can be fully stuffed. I think that should give me both lines and fluff. We shall see!
Now that I think about it, everyone who wanted a pillow was way younger than me. I may be having a Peter Pan moment--or life. Too late to change now.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
The Saddle Cover
How does one end up with a saddle in the kitchen? My niece asked me to make her a saddle cover. Looking online, I found that they are fancy-schmancy things shaped to the saddle. If you are gonna use the cover for riding in the rain in addition to a dust cover, I can understand the need for the shaped design. I know my niece. Riding in the rain is never happening. That eliminated the need for any special shape. Saddles are kept inside which in my mind eliminates the need for ties. It's not going to get blown off! Once again I managed to get my sewing project down a simple rectangle.
I used a laminated fabric from Free Spirit designed by Parson Gray for the top. It's from the Curious Nature collection fittingly named Trade Blanket Smoke. I feared that the laminate would be difficult to sew, but it was a breeze with the Teflon foot.
The other side is a piece from my stash that I believe is from Joann's Soft N Comfy line.
It was finished and sitting in the front hall for pick-up in less than two hours. I actually finished this in July, but my Adobe Photoshop has been so difficult to use that I haven't been able to get pics for the blog. It's one of the main reasons I've been blogging so little. Putting the new Windows on my computer allows me to use another program that is simple and quick. I love Microsoft!
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Meet Poor Pathetic Chicky
I found this to be a daunting task. I feared ruining something that was really important to Jordan. (Stop laughing, Sandra.) After staring at it and thinking about it for a few weeks, I realized I could not possibly make it any worse! I mean really!
I finally got most of the damage repaired including getting this leg sewn back on which was a major PITA.
Let's be honest, though. Chicky is one ugly dude--sorry, Jordan.
I made him the blanket thinking it would help. I know, I know, it just further emphasizes his shabbiness.
I think it's time for the talk about keeping memories and photos instead of dead toys. Oh, wait a minute! Kiefer and Jordan moved to the new apartment. Chicky is going to their house! Yay! Problem solved.
The View From My Window
And today:
and on to the end, we have constantly been surrounded by awesomely colored trees and bushes.
I'm hoping Mother Nature will bless us with an equally beautiful winter. Off to finish raking up those leaves!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Summer Projects 4-6 FINALLY Finished
Summer projects bled well into autumn, but here they are!
Laundry room:
Man Cave:
Finished! (Except for the pillows I need to sew and the television that needs to be put in and the pictures I need to put up and the mat for under the office chair. Is anything ever really done???) I did get the stairs finished. They are painted with carpet stair treads rather than completely carpeted.
I won that battle when Brian found out it would cost $400 more to carpet the stairs. No, wait. They are not completely finished. I still need to put in a piece of molding on the top step.
Exercise Room:
Finished. Okay, I also need to get mats for under the exercise equipment and move said equipment downstairs, and hang pictures. I'm never gonna finish this stuff am I. Well, it's so much better than this:
and this:
and this:
Yup, it's looking so much better. I was going to write that this week's goal would be to finish all the little things, but I know that won't be happening. Realistic goals are finished pillows, mats for the exercise equipment and the office chair, some of the equipment downstairs, and maybe that piece of molding. We shall see!
Laundry room:
Finished! (Except for the covers for the hampers and something to cover up that ugly plumbing thing on the far wall.)
Man Cave:
Finished! (Except for the pillows I need to sew and the television that needs to be put in and the pictures I need to put up and the mat for under the office chair. Is anything ever really done???) I did get the stairs finished. They are painted with carpet stair treads rather than completely carpeted.
I won that battle when Brian found out it would cost $400 more to carpet the stairs. No, wait. They are not completely finished. I still need to put in a piece of molding on the top step.
Exercise Room:
Finished. Okay, I also need to get mats for under the exercise equipment and move said equipment downstairs, and hang pictures. I'm never gonna finish this stuff am I. Well, it's so much better than this:
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Kiefer's mess |
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I wanted to paint the wood paneling, but Brian did not. We've waited so long he may be right anyway. It should be coming back in style soon. |
and this:
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Kyle's mess. |
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