What's Next

Before I get to my sewing plans, I want to commend my husband for getting his craft area set up.  Here's the "before" shot:

... and here's the "after" shot:

I truly though my next sewing project would be my purse, since the one I currently have (purchased at a craft fair a while back) is getting a "bit" ratty:

I even have the same fabric, and others, as well as patterns and supplies to make more than one purse:

The lure of new sheets is So.Very.Strong.  Yes, I have fabric for a new sheet set, and the fabric has even been "properly aged."  It has a finer, more luxurious feel than the sheets I had already made.  It's red with an orange "weave" print in cotton:

What had held me back from making these sheets was the question of where I would cut out the fabric.  A friend suggested that I clear out my living room.  This spot might look familiar, if you've read my last post.  If I move out the chairs and the coffee table, I will have enough room on the living room floor to lay out the bed sheet fabric so I can measure and cut it.

So, it seems that new bed sheets will be up next.  Hubby has offered to help me with them.  No, that's not right --  I "volunteered" him!  That's OK, since he's the one who really, really wants them.

No-Work Project

Folks, you may already know about the easiest project in the world.

I am here to present to you the No-Work Project!

By the way, this No-Work Project has a high dog-approval rating.

Yes, the dog-approval rating can only be topped by the self-approval rating and the spouse-approval rating.

First I will give you the instructions, then I will show you the picture.

Find fleece on sale.  Buy fleece cut to the appropriate length.  Take fleece home.  Launder (wash and dry) the fleece.  Place the fleece on bed, or fold fleece and throw over the sofa.

For this project, my fleece piece was cut to 2.5 yards, while my DH's fleece piece was cut to 2.75 yards.

The dog approval rating is a 10 based on the messiness of the new piece of fleece - on the right, in case you cannot tell.  DH's fleece piece is still in the laundry, but mine is on the bed:

This is a lightweight fleece that I found a JA's - no coupon needed, since it was on sale.

ETA:  It's not a no-work project if the salesperson can't cut it straight.  That would mean that you need to re-cut at least one end of the fabric after you get it home.

ETA2: le voila' - a completely made bed:

What I Wear with the Purple Thrifted Skirt

I have the penultimate excuse for not sewing.  It's called "other people's stuff on my sewing table"

I really like this long purple skirt in a stable knit.  I found it at a thrift store a few years ago.  When it's colder outside, I wear a long-sleeved shirt with it:

When it's warmer out, I wear one of these tops -- sleeveless, tank, or short sleeves.  The sleeveless top was on sale at W*M, the tank top was bought at the flea market, and the short-sleeved top was found at a thrift store:

The tank top is not enough coverage for work, so I wear a slinky knit jacket (purchased several years ago) over it:

I don't wear bracelets or necklaces, but I do have some new earrings that go well with these clothes.  Click on the picture to see how I made the earring hanger:

I'm thinking of getting the pattern called Pamela's Patterns Magic Pencil skirt for future use - specifically the dark purple ottoman knit fabric.  I "think" it's enough to make another narrow skirt, if this one ever wears out!  Click here to see the pattern I'm talking about.

More recently, I found another top at the flea marked that I can wear with this skirt.  It's a printed slinky knit, and the printed "circles" go really well with my "moon and stars" earrings:

Watch out!  I think I'm getting my sewing mojo back!  With a little inspiration, my table is being cleared off.  No patterns were harmed in the interruption of my sewing mojo:

Toilet Brush Holder - Craft

It's not very often I do a non-sewing craft project.  This project is because (pick one, or two) a) I'm a tight-wad, and/or b) I couldn't find what I wanted within two miles of my house.

Our bathroom has a toilet brush that sits in its own holder.  Because that holder is hard plastic and is getting old, pieces have been chipping off, and is falling apart.

While out shopping with my cousin one night recently, I decided to look for a new toilet brush holder.  OK, the new holder would come with a new toilet brush, but I don't really need a new brush.  Besides, we only looked at the dollar-type store which was on the way home from our other shopping, and after I remembered that I wanted to look for a new holder.

"So," asked my cousin, "why don't you just make one with the vinegar jug that's in your recycling bin?"

DING-DING-DING!!  oh, and "DUH!"

On this lazy Saturday morning, I decided to do just that!

Here's what I did before I thought to take the first picture:

• found the discarded plastic vinegar jug
• found a bowl that was bigger than the toilet bowl brush
• used a pen to trace the bowl onto paper and cut it out
• wet the paper circle and stuck it on the jug, centered on the seam opposite the jug handle
• used a paper towel to pat the circle dry, then let it dry a little more
• used the marker to trace around the circle
• used a relatively flat discarded candy box to guide the marker for the straight lines

I quickly found that the kitchen scissors would not cut into the top of the bottle.  Apparently the plastic is thicker there.  I asked DH if he had something to cut the plastic jug.  He brought the tin snips from the garage and cut right through the top of the bottle.  Then he changed to the kitchen scissors and cut out the plastic where I had marked.

This is only my second craft project since my earring holder.  How do you like it?

A Little Crafting

We did a little crafting today.  Items used for this project included a canvas stretcher frame, spray paint (the frame has actually been painted for several weeks), chicken wire, tin snips or wire cutters, pliers, staple gun, nails, and a hammer.  No instructions, just pictures of the results: