Well, Maybe they are. Worth the effort, that is...

Hellow! my crafty buddies!

In my little town we are right now, getting a morning summer rain.  So lovely!  It tends to get a bit dry here in summer, but we know that the rains will come by October and continue to March, so the weather soon averages itself out.

I could not leave the change purse as it was in my last post! Even though I rushed through the making of it, I learned the process needed to make one so, back I went to Craft Passions tutorial for the Zip-itself change purse and made another one.

First, I decided that I needed to do this completely by hand sewing.  Last time, I used my sewing machine, and creating the curves is practically impossible on a machine -- you just cannot hold and see the placement properly.  So with hand stitches I accomplished a reasonably good first turn.  Do you think?  I also used a zipper in better condition, still a previously used zipper but not so grungy as the first.

And again, taking my time and properly following the tutorial, I used a back stitch, not so pretty on the inside, but it does securely hold the "ribbon" (see my version of ribbon explaination at the end ).  The tutorial give the option of putting a lining inside and explains how to do that, but since it is on the inside, I don't think it really needs to be lined.  But I will think on it and being female, you never know, I could change my mind!

The last part of the tutorial was about "balance" and I sort of skipped over it on my first try, and as a result, my change purse did not have the proper tetrahedron shape, which of course made it lop sided and definately detracted from its "cute factor"

So here I have my properly done version of the zip-itself change purse.

A couple of things I learned and slightly adjusted from the tutorial.   I did not use ribbon, because I have ACRES of fabric scraps.  In order to create a "ribbon" I cut a strip of fabric and sewed it into a long tube, thus, no raw edge to unravel or frazzle.  The thing I would change about the fabric "tube" is that I think for the next, (yes, I will try another, to achieve one even closer to perfection) I will make the "tube" cut on the bias.  If the tube is on the bias, it might make it easier to work it around those tight curves required on the change purse.  I cut the strip 2 1/4 inches wide and I think it ends up making a tube closer to an inch than the necessary 3/4 of an inch.  So a narrower tube, say cut 1 7/8 wide would be better.  I started out, sewing with a regular thread (and I should have know this) hand quilting thread is a much better choice.  It does not tangle nor does it snag on the zipper teeth so easily as regular thread.  If you have no quilting thread, try running the thread through some beeswax.  If you don't have beeswax -- just go out and get a spool of quilting thread, it will make your life easier in all your hand sewing!

So, ultimately, this turned into quite a challenge for me and a lesson re-learned.  Why do we have to be reminded over and over about certain things in life?  Most everything one does, does not benefit by hurrying through it!  That is my own little lesson for today.

To make this change purse by being patient and slowly sewing it by hand and with careful stitches, it turned into something that I can show off as a success and will find useful to keep those bits of change in an easy to find place.  It took me about an hour and a half to make the change purse, which in the scheme of this is not so long, is it?  What else to do on a rainy summer day?

Thanks for visiting!

Some things are not quite worth the effort!

Well, in this case, this is my first try at making a little change purse that I saw on another website, Craft Passion.   The purse, change purse actually should look like those on the site,

The one I did is not nearly so pretty or even so well made as those you see in the photo above.

A rush.  I was in a rush to see how it would come together and didn't bother with being neat.

Plus, I used an old, not quite good condition zipper (the ends were trimmed and threads still were on the zipper from whatever previous garment it was used in)  It was not a pretty zipper.  AND the zipper pull was all chipped and worn.

 

If Craft Passion's little change purses intrique you, (certainly don't be influenced by my half-assed effort here!) there is a tutorial and perhaps you will more carefully follow the directions than  I did....  I do know what I did wrong, it was the last step, 'to balance'.   I will think on going back and undoing the last section of stitching to put the change purse right.  Re stitching a few inches will be easier than making a whole 'nother one.

I don't think I will start a production line of making these, even tho they have that cuteness factor!  One is all I need for now.  All in all tho, it is an interesting concept and if you make one, everyone who sees you with it will ask you about it I am sure!

Here is the link to the craft passion tutorial for these change purses...
http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/07/zip-itself-coin-purse-tutorial.html

Christmas Thinkin'

Christmas is always coming, isn't it?  It is such a big event in many of our lives and has in some cases become a very long planning event.  There is decorating and gift gathering, food and festivity planning.

Well, my own little family hardly notices Christmas anymore, but many of my friends and relatives plan big things for almost the whole month of December.   I do love Christmas!  My Christmas though entails Peace above everything else.  Peace at Home and to avoid turmoil, I do not shop the malls and avoid the whole rush of the season as much as possible.

I took up my crochet hook a week or so ago in order to make some crochet angels ( here is the free pattern) if you want to try this simple ornament yourself.  I used Sugar and Cream Crochet yarn, which made the angels about 6 inches top to bottom; the pattern calls for crochet cotton and that would make them about 3 inches.  I wanted mine larger because I was thinking not just an ornament for the tree -- I wanted an ANGEL BANNER.

Because it is AUGUST,  I tacked up my finished banner on the fence in the backyard.  I think the angels will need a bit of starch and pressing to bring out the best.

Now they are done, I am going to try to make a few more to go into the ETSY shop in the months closer to Christmas, or as my brother says, he doesn't think about Christmas until there is an "R" in the name of the month (but that is not so far away!)

In the meantime, the tomatoes are growing beyond my expectations this year!  I only planted cherry tomatoes in my little container garden.  We pruned back some overhanging cedar branches and this year our little yard actually gets some sun, both morning and afternoon...

I can hardly wait to taste these little treats when the ripen!

ANNIVERSARY!

I almost missed it!  It was only by accident that I noticed that TOMORROW is the FIRST ANNIVERSARY of my ETSY shop!  You can click on the Susan Being Snippy shop name on the widget thingy that is on the left hand side of this page, or if you see the photo of the item you want, click on the BUY button or heres the link to the HOME page.

In celebration I am offering a limited time sale of 20% off any items in my shop!  When you purchase an item use code 1STanni when it asks for coupon codes.  This sale is good on any and all items (does not include shipping) until September 9, 2011.

Just my way of saying Thanks to my customers and to give a little incentive to new customers.

PS.  If you are local to ABBOTSFORD, BC I will refund your shipping charge if you come pick up the item or if we can arrange for me to drop it off to you

Collaboration...

I am a sorter and organizer.

Not sure if I came by it through my mother who was quite a meticulous-neat and clean person, or via my husband who has spent most of his working years in warehousing, keeping product moving to and from shelves and trucks and sales sites. 

It does seem tho that I am not ever really happy for any length to time unless I am putting things in some sort of logical order.

Currently my cousin is clearing and cleaning out her nooks and crannies and we have a bit of a project where she gets rid of stuff by giving it to me...

How is that working for me you ask?

Well, I get to reorganize and sort things and some of those things I will be listing in my ETSY Store (check for the link on the left side bar)...

What would you expect to find in that very pretty tin box?

Ah, yes, Buttons, many many buttons!

There are 4 containers of buttons to sort through.

It could be a gramma's dream, to keep grandchildren occupied on a rainy day,

But

We have no grandchildren to do that so I am picking through and the BUTTONS

will be listed in the shop as I am able to sort them.

ALSO

FABRIC.

Not sure if this can be called Vintage, but the choice of fabrics are about 15 to 20 years old, but have been kept in containers and are in new condition...

Some of that too, will be listed.

So kindly watch the shop if there is something you might like...

A couple of other things to look for New, Unused Wooden Thread Spools, Vintage Sheets Fat Quarters, Quilt Books and Vintage Quilt booklets.

Whew!  Lots of computering and sorting ahead!

BC Day

Well actually.... BC Day was yesterday.   Some years back, "the powers that be", decided that we needed a mid-summer long weekend.  What a great idea!  Though for my little family it doesn't me we go away or do anything unusual, we do the same stuff, but maybe a bit more...

We went for a drive in the country.  Normally we go on our little adventures quite early in the morning and arrive at our destination before the flocks of people get there.   Well, it seems we could not come to an agreement on what we wanted to do and after much discussion we settled on a park and a picnic.  Well, by the time we got to where we thought we wanted to be, it was 11:30 am and there was not a picnic table available and parking had been designated to the overflow area --- many many many steps to the 'nice' spots...

We don't like crowds, so we decided to find somewhere else.

As we drove along a country road, we chose a driveway with a closed gate that lead out into a cranberry growing field.  There was space for our car and we had our picnic there by the side of the road.  Cars went by.  We squirmed through the gate with the dog and took a toddle around the field.  It was quiet.

Later driving back on those back and side roads we stopped to admire a goat wander in her field.  There were others there but they were on the far side and photos would have just showed brown blurs off in the distance.

Along the way we came across another park, that was not nearly as popular as our first choice.  Quite peaceful and quiet and few people -- maybe because it's main attraction was forested trails and lots of greenery...

That was BC Day, no sewing, no crocheting, no knitting...

Summer

Things seem to move a bit slower in Summer, in my house anyway...

I dusted off my REALLY OLD sewing machine,

and I am still wondering who, where and exactly when it was made...

I posted about this little treasure a year or so ago when my Aunt gave it to after she had bought it at a garage sale in Winnipeg, MB.   It sews!  But I don't use it, I just look at it.

Maybe someday I will find a similar or exact match and my wondering will be answered.

And my serger, it has barely been used and from this photo, you can see where it sits...

Another thing to wonder, do I want or need this?  Why do I have it?  Anyone out there shopping for a serger?  I paid $420 for it, and will accept $300...  Let me know via email if you are interested...  hmmmm???

Now, this is my JOY, she hums along most everyday!  If I have no project in progress, I sew triangles together to make half square triangle just to be able to sit in from of my very favourite thing in the world.  Even though it is JUST A THING, it is my favourite thing!   I sure do enjoy a good sewing machine!

And these are a portion of the pile of stuff I have been sewing in the last week or so.  I am making zipper pouches.   I got a bunch of rather long zippers a couple of months back, and then my friend gave me some 'decorator' fabrics -- some rather Vintage -- so I decided to combine the two and have been sewing these 8" x 11" pouches that will mostly be donated to local Women's Shelters.   Now, tell me, who doesn't have a bunch of things to put in a zippered pouch??  The uses are endless...  I may put a few in my Etsy store too, and perhaps I can use the income for the purchase of zippers, so that I can make more.  There is more fabric than zippers...

My Mid-summer garden is progressing quite well.  I am still picking a few strawberries from the plants in containers on my front deck.

I think because I am able to put basil on my sunny front deck this year (there was no deck or place due to construction last year) it is growing better than it ever did in the mostly shade back yard.

And the red gerainium are strong and full of bloom.  These I plant every year in my gardens in memory of my Mom.  She always had them in her gardens and always insisted they be red, so I just continue the tradition.  And really, these were not my favourite flower but, it grows on ya!  I cannot now do without them in my yard...

And, thats how summer goes along here...  Slow, Easy and downright Peaceable...

Great? Isn't it?

Red and Black

And White, it is almost impossible to leave out White.

Walter.

Eating.

Drinking.

Ring

Bearer.

Pillows

For My Niece, Sabrina's Wedding

Thriftin' on Friday.

It would sound better if I called it Thriftin' Thursday, but well, it is Friday now so Friday it is...

I tell my husband that I need some exercise and would he prefer that I walk about the MALL where prices start at the $20 dollar range or that I walk about the second hand stores where the prices generally top out at $20?

So we drove to the west end of town and stopped at Value Village -- there are 6 2nd hand shops in our town that I generally visit on a basis of one or two a week, so it has been quite a while since I walked around the most expensive shop in town (tho MCC aka Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Shop) is quickly becoming rather high priced too)

I got this McCalls Needlework and Crafts - Winter 1964 -65 for 99 cents.   I like to look through these magazines because it is interesting to see the styles and the kinds of things that our Mother's worked on in their spare time.   This particular magazine has no torn out pages, which is always a bonus, just in case I find something to challenge my nimble knitty fingers ; the instructions will be there...

A page of gift and christmas decorating ideas..  That Christmas tree is kinda cute, hey?  And a pin cushion made from RECYCLED Wool Sweater, rolled up tightly and sewn -- What a concept!  I do believe it is Betz White that does those Wool Tea Cup Pincushions.  Cool how an old idea can be modernized with a bit of thought and innovation!

I think this knit sweater is way beyond my ability but just think how great you would have looked wearing it on a cold winter's eve in 1964!   I was about to turn into a teenager and I know I would have coveted it (but knew it would never hang in my closet).

A Change of pace!  A light synthetic piece of fabric, about 3 meters worth actually.  $2.99  and I am thinking of making myself a summer top...  I am not so good a choosing patterns to sew and to put on myself, so I have a top that I plan to de-construct and use as a pattern.  I know I like that top, tho it is faded and has way too many snags and stains, so, next week perhaps I shall tackle that little job.

AND

I think I may have found THE fabric for the Medallion Quilt Along...  It kinda has that dull, dusty type of colour that I have been hunting for to put into the next round (Round 3)  So, will try it out and see how it goes -- if not I guess I will just have to trudge on over to the REGULAR fabric store and buy at retail some appropriate yardage, as the Medallion is definately needing to be worked on!

Oh, and according to the sign in the window at Value Village, Monday June 27 is half price day!  So I may be back there to see if I missed anything real important!!

SEW? What's goin' on?

I am finally spending HOURS in the sewing room and keeping myself busy...  Mostly creating things for my etsy shop....  I'm thinking maybe I should be having thoughts of christmas?  is it too early for working on christmas themed projects?

I made a picnic table cover.  TODAY, is the first day of SUMMER so a picnic table cover seemed to be in order -- NOW I just have to convince the family to come along to a picnic in the country...

I bought one of those Moda Charm packs -- I really shouldn't buy those... For me they prove to be too limiting.  

There are alot of ideas on the Moda website but I am far to CHEAP to buy a half dozen of the charm packs.   Something I discovered that I really don't like about these 5" squares, is the pinked edges.  For me, they make the piecing inaccurate, even if you just sew the squares together, which is what I did  for the picnic table cover.  I find that I sort of wobble in my seam line when sewing along that pinked edge, it scrunches too easily and can make as much as an 1/8 inch difference in my seams -- it is probably just the way I sew, tho.  I like that nice straight rotary cut edge that I would do when cutting my own squares from fabric. 

 I think, I shall keep away from those charm packs -- BUT I do love the colour combinations that they put together.   Like being in a candy store, or a quilt shop, RESISTANCE could be futile...

Yesterday I spent the day sewing FAST Flying Geese sections (go look for the instructions in the first part of the Medallion Quilt Along - clik on the tab).

I found another retro bedsheet that went quite nicely with two other sheets that I have in the closet, so I decided to make a set of Variable star blocks for the ETSY store

So I got 16 - 12 1/2 inch blocks completed and they are now listed in the shop.

The other day I discovered something VERY useful about creating quilt blocks for the STORE.

 Now, I am not really an unusual person, tho like the rest of you, I like to think I am different.

 I like to start new things and over the years have started many UFO's and they sit in drawers and boxes and sometimes I manage to pull them out and get them put together and finish them up.  It seems my best motivation for finishing a project is a wedding or a birth  to get a gift done quickly, I always turn to my UFO stacks! 

Now, though, I have found that making blocks and playing with fabrics and colours, I can make a project part way and then SELL it (or at least LIST it) in the store.   A fantastic way to play with fabric and not have the guilt of a stash of UFO's!

NEW THINGS...

This is one of those "I wonder" thoughts...  Has nothing to do with quilts or crochet, just a weird thing in LIFE...

Does anyone else, or in my case, does anyone else's husband INSIST on starting the newest bottle, container, box or whatever of a new thing before the previous one is quite done?   If I buy a new bottle of shampoo before the old one is done -- even if it is the same brand and fragrance -- my husband HAS to open the new one before the old is done?   If there is a open pack of baloney in the fridge, he will open a new one instead of finishing the old, even if old means he opened it yesterday!

WHY IS THAT?   The only way I seem to be able to put a stop to that sort of thing is to not buy the new replacement item until we have completely run out of the already opened product.   And this really gets me!  If we run out of peanut butter and do not have a replacement jar in the house, I have seen my hubby open a jar in the store, stick his finger in for a taste and put the jar in our cart!!  Is that OKAY even if you are buying the jar???

I THINK WE HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF....  (good thing hubby doesn't read this blog!) -- and don't YOU go telling him I am letting out his secrets!!

Admit it!

I'm lazy...

It sounds better tho to say I'm busy, but honestly, there are some days, even a stretch of days where my motivation is not quite up to snuff...

I did have a busy weekend -- with putting in volunteer hours at my quilt guild's quilt show this past weekend and between those hours of manning the admittance booth, selling raffle tickets and wandering about and answering questions, I did have to wash dishes and vacuum carpets and water the garden and go grocery shopping for the food to keep my family happy and contented...

THEN on Tuesday IT happened again!  The kind of event that occurs less often than Christmas but once done lasts so much longer than just one day.  Since 1972, this event has occured 12 times now.

WE GOT A NEW KITTEN!!!

Walter is his name.

He is a very handsome little boy.

He comes from the home of my friend Nearissa and she hand raised/bottlefed him and his siblings from the time he was about 10 days old -- his Mama went out one day and never came back...  It is a good thing Walter (who originally was named Socks) had Nearissa to save him.

Walter is the most adventurous and fearless kitten that I ever remember meeting.  He is just over 8 weeks old and is as bold as if he had lived here everyday of his life.

Walter found his way about our house by going forward every step, he climbed up top and squeezed underneath.  He scrambled up the stairs and scurried across the rooms he was exploring!

Even Pearl did not intimidate Walter.

Walter was happy to see Pearl, in fact.  Walter embraces Pearl every chance he gets!

And Pearl, well, lets just say it was LOVE at first sight...

Archie, our mature older boy (he is only 5) was at first a bit leary of this well dressed little whirlwind who has invaded the territory.  Walter did not flee nor backdown when Archie came to be introduced.  Walter just watched and explored and waited til Archie invited him into the cat cave, where they now both lay together, or play peek-a-boo -- one outside and one in...

And even the DAD has taken to the charm that Walter spreads around the house!  (the DAD was quite uncertain of taking on a new baby)

Walter is full of charm and it seems he is just one of those guys with a winning smile and he seems happy to spread his "shine"  all around...

So now I have a reason for lazy.  Watching Walter is an amazing thing and I am sure it will not wear off for days and days and days and days...

Nothing to Say...

Just the regular everyday kind of things lately.  It is finally showing signs of SPRING and that is my favourite season.  I am planting things in my garden and the squirrels are eating the seeds that I planted for Pole Beans...  My Cat Nip plant was devastated by a new cat in the neighbourhood.  Chewed up, rolled on, and spit out!   I moved the ragged plant to my upper balcony where that cat cannot climb...

Calendula, and Batchelor Buttons are sprouted and the second set of leaves are appearing.  Tiny Tim cherry tomatoes are looking strong with bloom buds showing.  My container strawberries are bloomed and tiny green strawbs have formed.

Our Guild Quilt Show is this weekend, so I am busy sorting a few items that I plan to put into our guilds "For Sale" Boutique.  A couple of tote bags, children's sun hats, potholders and even an I Spy Lap Quilt.  The quilts that I have in the show, were labeled and hanging sleeves put on last week and they are packed up ready to be hung.

Organizing things have been a top priority for the last few months and I keep finding things to put into order or to eliminate.  Photos, dated and into file boxes by year, and month with a few special series labeled by subject.  Fabric Stash reorganized and then reorganized again.  Etsy Store items, inventoried and packaged for easy and quick shipping...

Yesterday, I spent the morning, organizing household files -- after the previous 2 mornings spent shredding old reciepts and tax forms and other outdated paperwork...  TWO huge garbage bags of shredded paper for the recycle bin.  DONE.

The Medallion Quilt, meantime is on hold -- just not the time to think about it and I am having a major difficulty finding a fabric that the next border is crying for.

A few family EVENTS and Occasions also take up my time lately -- seems like May/June is almost as busy as Christmas!

A new DRAGON/Dinosaur (from the thrift store) for my backyard -- I do have a strange set of creatures inhabiting my fence and deck and under some of the plants!

And today a couple of things lined up -- out of the house.  I am going to visit the local CAT shelter and see if I might find a new member to our family.  This house has always had two cats and since Fossie went on her way to the big cat haven we have been missing her so it is time to look for that new kitty to fit into our home...  And the not so fun part of the day -- gotta go pay house insurance, and while we are at it, it is property tax time so that bill to will get taken care of today..... 

WHEWF!  Thats enough for one day.   I think before I start it all, I will fill the slow cooker with some chicken and veg and I won't need to think about dinner until it is time to scoop a serving from the ceramic bowl of the slow cooker...