tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51249995381293240902024-03-13T13:06:37.881-07:00The Path Less RaveledPhillip and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11428831171202082632noreply@blogger.comBlogger591125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-3041804034151340032015-09-28T18:14:00.003-07:002015-09-28T18:14:58.951-07:00Ugly to Awesome: Transforming a Thrift Store Picture FrameWell, hello there! This poor old sewing blog is so dusty and lonely, ironically because I've been sewing....a lot. Phew! I have sewn about 30 skirts, 5 dresses, a dozen bow ties, 3 roman shades and a few random things in the last 3 weeks. In addition to that, I made a much-needed sign for my craft show set-up. I could have gone with a commercially made one, but let's face it. They aren't very 'artsy' or creative, and rather boring. So! I had a plan! My plan hinged on finding the perfect frame at the thrift store. It had to be the right size, and the right look. Are you looking for that 'perfect frame' too? Here's what I can tell you:<br />
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In my experience, here is the breakdown of frames you will find at the thrift store at any given time:<br />
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<li>62% cheap, plain frames with no detailing. Some of them are even made of styrofoam masquerading as wood. Gasp! These are usually full of a) inspirational quotes, b) awkward family photos, or c) pictures of stenciled geese and hearts. And nothing shouts 1990's more than a good duck stencil.</li>
<li>36% decent frames with more detail, nothing spectacular but interesting. These are usually filled with a) amateur paintings of the Southwest, b) impasto paintings of flowers, or c) Thomas Kincade prints. </li>
<li>2% frames with character. These frames usually contain a) Great Uncle Harry's painting entitled 'Deer in the Field', b) a Bob Ross-esque painting of 'happy trees' or c) a faded print of a famous painting</li>
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So you know you will have to weed through a lot of junk to find a gem. Even then, it will probably look hideous. Like it should hang above Aunt Martha's velvet floral couch held over from the 1960's. Don't fear! I will show you how to make it great!<br />
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First things first, the frame. You know when you watch some trash to treasure show and the designers say things like "oh, this dresser has good bones"? Well that's what you're looking for: good bones. Look for lots of detail in the molding. Fine art frames (ones made in a frame shop) are sometimes even made up of several frames nestled together, and you can take them apart and paint them differently if you please.<br />
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Here is the frame I found:<br />
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Eek! It's pretty ugly, right? Heavy, dark...<br />
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...and that print...oi! Now here's where its like ripping off a bandaid. You might feel guilty for tearing someone's masterpiece out of the frame, and suffer from angst about what to do with it once you take it out. Just take that bad boy out. Unless it signed by Rembrant himself, chances are it's worth about 2 cents and you shouldn't feel guilty over giving it a proper burial. In your trash can.<br />
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Moving along, now that you have your empty frame, carefully go over the back and make sure to pull all the staples out with a pair of pliers. Otherwise you're liable to impale yourself. Once you've done that, go over the whole frame with a dry cloth. You want to remove as much dust as possible. Now here's the part where a legit painter would tell you to prime it. And you can, if you're feeling fancy. But in my opinion, picture frames hang on the wall and don't usually get touched so there isn't a high risk of scratching. Once you've wiped down your frame, take it outside. Prop it up on some blocks or buckets or whatever, so it is off the ground and ready to paint.<br />
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Now, on to spray painting! I know there are a lot of rules for spray painting, but (you'll be so surprised) I don't really follow them. In this case, following the rules will not get the same affect. To get the shabby chic, vintage-y feel, you have to do a crappy job of painting. Spray lightly, but don't try to spray evenly. Intentionally miss a few spots, because this highlights the design of the frame and makes it look old and full of character. Keep spraying until you get the desired look. I am sometimes a bit heavy handed with the spray paint, and because of that it gets a little cracked as it dries. This is good! It builds character, which incidentally is what my dad told me would happen by driving the most embarrassing gold station wagon EVER. But I digress. Spray your little heart out, miss some spots here and there, and then let that puppy dry. You can always touch up as needed, but wait and see. You might like it just the way it is! Another way to highlight the details is to use a glossy paint. If you already have non-glossy paint laying around, here's a clever trick for adding some shine: spray a coat of spray lacquer over the painted frame. Spray lacquer is the bomb, and it will look just like you used glossy paint in the first place!<br />
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When you are done, add some colorful/awesome/funky artwork or in my case, chicken wire, and you're ready to hang it up! (The letters I used are from 'Piggy and Dirt' on Etsy) <br />
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I have also written about distressing frames <a href="http://thepathlessraveled.blogspot.com/2013/09/tips-for-frugal-framing-finding-frame.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://thepathlessraveled.blogspot.com/2013/11/framing-on-budget-painting-and-aging.html" target="_blank">here</a>.....and <a href="http://thepathlessraveled.blogspot.com/2014/04/artemis-watercolor-armadillo.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Some of it is redundant, but a lot isn't. So go, find some inspiration!MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-38897193159691848752015-07-03T13:57:00.001-07:002015-07-03T13:57:20.352-07:00Farmer's Market!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I did my first Farmer's Market. It was my first 'show' since the days of yore when we sold rag dolls and button dolls at craft fairs with Mom. That was also back in the day when my siblings teased me mercilessly for sewing. Ahem. <br />
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I think I've upped my game a little since then. Friendly plastic and paper rope are no longer in vogue and I've moved on to bigger and better things. I think. I was pretty nervous about signing up for this, but I knew it would be a great way to get my feet wet without a lot of investment. That and I had friends breathing down my back, harassing me to sign up. Ha! <br />
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The booth set-up is really fun, and I felt like I didn't have enough time to really think it through. I have tons of ideas for booth set-up and props now...for someday down the road. I also got a Square card reader, which worked beautifully. If you sell things, this is a great thing to have! I believe my two larger sales were only made because I could take credit cards. I found out how friendly venders are, and was able to help the lady next to me with her tent, and she helped with mine. That was nice! I felt my inner-Dad kicking in, thinking about how I can better and more compactly transport everything next time. MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-27695354710353843082015-06-13T18:15:00.000-07:002015-06-13T18:15:00.195-07:00Meriweather Lewis Outfit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, hello there, rusty old blog! I've been sewing like crazy, which has left me no time to blog aobut sewing. Go figure. Recently I had an opportunity to make something for my boy! Boys are tough to sew for, especially after they get past the toddler stage. When he asked me to make him a buckskin tunic for his Meriweather Lewis project, I was ready for it! I wish I had taken a before picture, because this outfit was made from an unlikely source.<br />
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A few months ago, a friend offered me a pile of clothing to up-cycle and I knew that a particular suede suit coat would come in handy. I cut it apart at the seams and laid it out flat to see what I had to work with. Due to seam placement, I had to get creative but it worked! Barely! I cut the extra pieces into strips and cut the fringe from them. The construction is pretty rough, but I knew it would only be worn a few times, for the Wax Museum at school, and for dress up at home. <br />
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He also wanted a tri-corner hat and I am proud to say it was his idea to modify an old felt cowboy hat. I used an upholstery needle and thread to tack the brim up in three places, and voila! A tri-corner hat. It goes nicely with his neon orange shirt underneath. Very Meriweather Lewis. :)<br />
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P.S. The pants were left over from his Daniel Boone outfit from a year or two ago. Can't believe they still fit!MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-7285212313376197142015-03-13T12:12:00.002-07:002015-03-13T12:12:18.358-07:00Colorful Owl Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am working on a custom order for Easter dresses for two sisters. When they came over to be measured, the older daughter saw this owl fabric in my stash and fell in love with it! However, it doesn't exactly shout 'Easter dress!' so her mom asked if I could make her a skirt out of it instead. Yes! Any excuse to sew something funky and colorful. And the pockets? I love them. This is the same pocket style I used on my kids' aprons, and it transitioned perfectly to the skirt. The waistband is extra wide, soft elastic and it was pretty easy to work with. Fun, fun! I'll post pictures of the Easter dresses later on. They are turning out super cute, and are going to some very adorable girls! :)<br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-21485226122449012732015-03-02T17:27:00.001-08:002015-03-02T17:27:21.952-08:00Dress To Shirt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a customer ask last week if I could make a shirt version of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/221261278/baby-dress-0-3-month-baby-dress-itty?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">this dress</a> in a size 3T. Why yes, or course! I loved the idea and it was one of those 'why didn't I think of that' moments. I raised the waist line to make it an empire waist, and shortened the skirt portion to make it a tunic-type top. I love it! Wouldn't it be adorable with leggings? <br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-27883044331992071902015-02-20T04:00:00.000-08:002015-02-20T04:00:04.083-08:00Listen To The Fabric<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to go out on a limb here and say something crazy: fabric talks to me. Sort of. I just stare at it for awhile and figure out what the fabric needs to become. I love picking fabrics, putting unusual prints together, and making bold prints work on small projects. I would pretty much be terrible at production line type work, because I am not even sure what the finished product will look like until I'm done.<br />
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Take this dress, for example. I cut out the outside a few weeks ago, but never quite decided what to line it with. Today I made my decision, but i still didn't know what it needed to give it a little extra pizazz. I sewed up the bodice and decided on.....rick rack! Don't be hatin'. I haven't used it in like...two weeks. Which is a very long time for me. This fabric has a bit of lavender which needed to be played up, and the rick rack fit the bill. On another dress, I might add piping or a flower or two. I just go with the flow, man....<br />
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Then there's this bow tie! I love this fabric and it needed to be made into a bow tie. Not the most exciting project, and sadly I couldn't figure out how to add rick rack without making myself look like a crazy person. Oh, too late you say? ;)<br />
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What about you? Does fabric talk to you, or are you one of those super organized people who plans everything out before they start? MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-17288641243433252112015-02-19T09:23:00.002-08:002015-02-19T09:23:44.859-08:00Cigar Box Pen Roll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently asked if I was interested in a custom order for pen rolls. I love figuring out new projects so I said yes. The customer collects vintage fountain pens and wanted two pen rolls to keep them in.<br />
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Most of the pens were the same size, but a few were larger and needed to be accommodated. You can see the flap-less slots on the left. After creating the prototype I sewed up the pen rolls using a double stitch to make the stitching more decorative. I have a love-hate relationship with decorative (contrasting) stitching because if you do it right, it looks awesome. If you screw up, it's ten times more noticeable. I am happy to say I didn't screw up! <br />
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Each pen roll fits nicely inside the cigar box the customer provided. I lined the bottom of the box in charcoal gray felt, and now the pen collection has the perfect place to live! MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-71720515201765635772015-02-10T17:41:00.001-08:002015-02-10T17:41:45.862-08:00NEWS FLASH! Ice Storm Leads To Sewing BenderThis winter in PA has been a real bust. Not much snow to speak of, but I think we are on our third ice storm. On Monday it was so slippery that I didn't think I would make it back up the hill from putting my kids on the bus. For each step I took, I slipped back two! For obvious reasons I decided to stay home and dig into my 'unfinished projects' pile. C'mon, you know you have one too. :) Here is what I managed to accomplish in a day (most of these projects had already been cut out and a few partially sewn).<br />
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It was a banner day! I finished 7 projects and got them listed in ye olde Etsy shop. I am slowly getting faster at listing but I must say it is not my favorite part of the process. Today, I wanted to keep my momentum but also accomplish other things. Hello, laundry! I had sewn the bodice to this dress yesterday, and was able to finish it today. I have had enough gathering for one day, thank-you-very-much. <br />
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What about you, trusty blog reader? What is in your 'unfinished projects' stash? Are you waiting for an ice storm to come along to give you motivation to finish them? :) MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-9768004197954229442015-02-09T03:00:00.000-08:002015-02-09T03:00:11.428-08:00Chalkboard Door DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Usually when I see a project with chalkboard paint, it elicits an involuntary eye roll. I mean really, it is almost as overdone as paint chip crafts. However, I decided to give in to the chalkboard call and paint a board on my door. For a while now, I have used this particular door as a hanging place for verses, encouraging words, and random quotes. After some highly scientific observation, I realized that after looking at the same stuff for a while you just stop reading it. Enter: the chalkboard! I can write our latest memory verse, draw a few pictures or whatever floats my inspirational boat. It is right by our dining table so we see it often. To make it, I just penciled in the lines using my quilting ruler, taped it off and sprayed it. Which is not recommended. The hinges have been painted approximately 57 times and I was unable to get it off the hinges. I used a giant foam board reflector to catch the over-spray but it wasn't entirely effective. Word to the wise: take the dang door off the hinges and bring it outside! I found I needed 3 coats to get a good surface. When I peeled away the tape, a few edges tore because I believe the door may also have 57 coats of paint on it. Yay for 60 year old houses. I just touched them up with a Sharpie, seasoned the chalkboard and it was done. It makes me happy, happy, happy!MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-58342181495703106762015-02-08T13:54:00.001-08:002015-02-08T13:54:38.785-08:00Drawing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ye olde blog has turned into quite the snooze fest lately. Oi! Rachel is busy in grad school and I am plugging away at keeping three kids alive and adding to the Etsy shop. And a few other things. I have had the opportunity to draw again and I LOVE it!! I forgot how much I love to draw. The picture above is of some quick sketches of jack rabbits. Jack rabbits!? For a while now I have had a painting idea rolling around in my head and now it is time to come out on paper. Otherwise my head will explode and that wouldn't be good at all. I have a few more sketches to make and then I will start painting! In other project news, I have been sewing dresses and tea wallets like a crazy person. Who knew that tea wallets would be a hot commodity.<br />
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Here are the latest ones:<br />
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And here are a few of the newest dresses. I now have this style dress up to a 2T!<br />
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I'm hoping to soon squeeze in a personal project....for myself! I have had the fabric forever to make this Anthro knock-off and I just need to get crackin'. Spring is coming, be it ever so slowly.MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-27139790459342873912015-01-08T17:10:00.003-08:002015-01-08T17:10:53.650-08:00This and That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Part of this whole Etsy gig is that I have been sewing like a mad woman and don't get around to blogging very often. Which makes for a fairly boring blog, bla, bla, bla. Here are photos of a few of my latest projects. I have also made approximately 1 bazillion tea wallets. OK, I'm exaggerating just a little bit but they have been selling quick!<br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-47612640514606649122015-01-06T07:06:00.001-08:002015-01-06T07:07:36.987-08:00More Fingerless Mitts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been wearing my fingerless mittens a ton since I made them. Like, allllll the time. They are just nice and warm and cozy and I can still accomplish things with my hands. I decided to make Mom a pair for Christmas, which I finished just in the nick of time! <br />
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This yarn practically shouted Mom's name and so I listened and bought it. I love the variegated colors. It also makes knitting more interesting, because I can amuse myself by setting goals like knitting until I reach the purple section! The green! Oh, boy, that makes me sound like I need to get out more. And I do. <br />
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The good news is that Mom loved them and I have spotted her wearing them several times since Christmas! I am so tempted to make myself another pair...MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-64436760011745214472014-12-12T01:00:00.000-08:002014-12-12T01:00:10.840-08:00Dresser Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently asked if I wanted an old dresser. It was painted a plain beige but I loved the shape of it! I took it home and got to work. The fabulous thing about the dresser is that that paint was in good shape, and there weren't a ton of layers which meant I could prime and paint! My kind of project. I had a can of 'oops' paint I had picked up for a buck or two. It is satin enamel, so it should wear well in the boys' room. <br />
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The knobs on the dresser were very tiny and pretty plain. I found these (!!!) at Hobby Lobby. Seriously, how often does one get to use cow head knobs on something? But they called to me, and I had to answer. It was my moral obligation. </div>
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The other knobs are antiqued wooden knobs that look like they have been sitting in a corner of someone's barn forever. Just the way I like them. I love this dresser and secretly wish I kept it for myself, except that my son LOVES it and promptly arranged all his special treasures on top of it. Now to find the next dresser makeover candidate! <br />
MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-45033035700061131322014-12-11T10:38:00.002-08:002014-12-11T10:38:39.170-08:00Random UpdatesPhew! It has been a busy few weeks (or months...haha) and I have been sewing like a mad woman. I had big dreams of having 75 items in the shop by Christmas and guess what?! I am not going to make it, and that is a-OK. It just means I am selling stuff quicker than I can get ahead. I did a craft show with a friend on Sunday and sold a handful of things. This week I am working on two custom orders. It is a fun excuse to sit at my sewing machine.<br />
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In other news, I have been totally slacking in the blog department and need to announce (yeah, one day before it ends!) that I have having a giveaway on our shop's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thepathlessraveledetsy?ref=aymt_homepage_panel" target="_blank">facebook page</a>! Head on over and leave a comment to be entered to win a batik bunting! <br />
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And lastly, here are pictures of a few of my latest projects.<br />
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What Christmas projects are you working on?MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-9435478946944808142014-11-29T17:21:00.001-08:002014-11-29T17:21:14.952-08:00Handknit DollI am sure I have talked about it here before, but every year we participate with Operation Christmas Child. They collect shoe boxes filled with school supplies, toys, toiletries, and treats and deliver them to children living in poverty around the world. I always try to put something soft and snuggly in each box and this year I was so excited to pack this:<br />
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This little gem was made by my friend Belinda to pack in a shoebox. Isn't it the cutest?! I absolutely love her hair, and her cuddly-ness. I am sure that the girl who recieves her is going to LOVE her! Belinda also made crocheted washclothes for the boxes and they were adorable too! All different patterns which is still beyond my comprehension. :)<br />
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Katie packed her up along with pencils, a beautiful crocheted washcloth, stickers, a top, and a cute outfit. I was able to put a tracking label on the box so hopefully soon we will be able to find out where she went! MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-9612261407664259602014-11-15T18:07:00.000-08:002014-11-15T18:07:08.240-08:00And Again....Another Apron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's another one! I have so (sew) much fun picking out fabrics and trims and embellishments. I think that might be one of my favorite parts of the whole sewing process. Aprons are fun because you can get away with using a lot of fun/bright/funky stuff.</div>
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Isn't this fabric the cutest? Snowmen, gingerbread and candy canes! It's so fun and cheerful.</div>
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This one got a little wool felt gingerbread man on the pocket.</div>
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...And a little flair at the top! I have been using D-rings because they seem so much more manageable than tying and untying knots on wiggly kids. </div>
MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-58532560097199256532014-11-14T19:22:00.002-08:002014-11-14T19:22:48.160-08:00Kids' Christmas Apron!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've had a spurt of random sewing projects lately, including Halloween costumes, birthday gifts and Etsy stuff. Perhaps one day I shall blog about it all, but no promises! :) I have about half a dozen kids aprons in progress right now. This one was my prototype and I love it! Basically, I want one for myself in grown-up size, but I have yet to find the justification to add yet another apron to my collection. </div>
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I am working on a basic apron pattern with various 'customizations' so that each one can have its own personality. For this apron, I used this funky Christmas print as an accent with red bows and rick rack.</div>
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I love that each apron can be unique and adapt to the style of the fabric, etc. Wait til you see the others I am working on! I have some fun ideas that will hopefully come to fruition. In the meantime, this cutie is up in the shop and ready to find itself a good home!</div>
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Rick rack and all....</div>
MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-86216519291856983692014-11-10T18:21:00.000-08:002014-11-10T18:21:13.463-08:00Quick and Easy Chair Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Years ago, I found this wonderful chair at a yard sale. Apparently the seller didn't find it to be nearly as wonderful as I did, and she sold it to me for two bucks. I have loved it ever since. It is sturdy, but old and chippy and a delightfully weird shade of green.<br />
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I figure the chair is fairly old, as the seat is covered in real leather, and the seat base is wood and not some funky particle board. And while I loved the chair, I think we can all admit the seat could use a little fancy-ing up. Fast forward to last month. I was on my way to my favorite annual yard sale when I saw a sign. It might as well have had a light shining down from heaven on it, because it read "FABRIC SALE". Here is where I flipped a U-turn and made a detour straight to the fabric sale. My kids were less excited than I. Much less excited in fact. The lady was selling big lengths of home decor fabric for ridiculously cheap prices. One piece I bought was a silk blend, which she told me was over $100 a yard, and I bought 1 1/2 yards for $2. Woot! I also picked up a funky hexagon-type fabric which I later realized was a perfect match to the funky green chair. Que the angels singing.<br />
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Recovering the chair was very simple. I removed the cushion, cut fabric a few inches larger, and stapled it under. If you don't have a staple gun, you should get one. You will feel like the world is your oyster when you use it. At the very least, you can give your chairs new life in no time flat!<br />
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And now she lives on! A little more funky, a little more fabulous! MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-21732671091635998672014-11-06T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-06T04:00:13.882-08:00Clothespin Bags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A friend recently asked if I could come up with a large sized clothespin bag. She needed one to fit on a regular sized hanger since she does a lot of laundry. Something about having four kids does that. :)<br />
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I have this strange? helpful? efficient? weird? philosophy that says 'If you're going to make one, might as well make 6!' or something like that. Which would explain how I suckered myself into buying three bushels of apples yesterday. I decided since I was making one clothespin bag, I should make two so she can pick which she likes best.<br />
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I ended up making 3, but that's beside the point. This one...I'm in love. When I sewed the bag up, it needed a little extra something, and that is what it got! Pompoms and rick rack on the same project. I'm out of control.</div>
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Fortunately she saw the vision and liked it too! Now I am inspired to use up the rest of this trim. Technically, I am always inspired by something(s) and it gets kind of annoying sometimes because there are only so many hours in the day in which to do all these things. And speaking of inspiration... I just inherited a stack of vintage-y shirts from my friend Belinda who is my yarn enabler and now fabric enabler. I have lots of ideas for them flying around in my head. I'll keep you posted!<br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-80026681430858466882014-11-04T02:00:00.000-08:002014-11-04T02:00:02.647-08:00Gingerbread House Ornaments: Embroidery + Felt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here are a few ornaments I made recently. I love embroidering on felt and it was great fun to work on all the little details of each house. The pattern is by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gingermelon?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Gingermelon</a> , and I tweaked it a bit to size them up. The original pattern is adorable, but TINY. Like possibly too tedious even for me. Cute, but tedious. <br />
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I used wool blend felt which is easy to cut and comes in all sorts of colors. That makes ordering felt a dilemma of <i>'should I choose the concord grape or wisteria or lilac or ????'</i> All of the above should be considered a suitable answer.<br />
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I had fun adding candy details to this one, and a little glass beaded door knob. On each of the ornaments, I added glitter to the snowy roof. I love how it looks, but unfortunately it doesn't show up in the pictures very well.<br />
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And what could be more festive than a wreath and candy canes? This one has tiny red seed beads decorating the wreath. I had fun making these and am happy to report that I have already sold 2 out of 3, so I suppose there will be more in my future! <br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-86971579536051740532014-11-03T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-03T04:00:14.540-08:00Vintage Yellow Floral Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love to go thrifting and I am always on patrol for nice vintage fabric. When I saw this sheet set I squealed (quietly) and threw it in my cart. The sheets are in perfect condition, as if they sat in some sweet grandmother's linen closet for the last 40-50 years. Vintage sheets are great sources of fabric. If the sheet isn't the most beautiful design, you can use it to line dresses, or as fabric for making a muslin. If the print is fantastic, like this, the world is your oyster! I will be able to get 3-4 more dresses out of this fabric.<br />
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I embellished it with little yellow flowers and vintage buttons because we all know by now how obsessed I am with vintage notions. Seriously. Wait til you see the next project I made.....you'll laugh, and hopefully love it as much as I do. <br />
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I love using a contrasting lining in this style of dress as it adds a fun pop of color to the ties and some personality to the dress overall. <br />
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I also think this would make adorable bias tape or a great bag lining! Oh, now I'm full of ideas. Now who wants to come over and clean my house so I can sew? ;)MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-25030899335587121992014-10-30T05:51:00.000-07:002014-10-30T05:51:12.083-07:00Sparkly Jack-O-Lantern Tutorial<br />
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In need of a last minute Halloween craft? Here is a fun one from the archives. I have my work cut out for me today finishing the kids' Halloween costumes. Stay tuned!<br />
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We received several jack-o-lantern pumpkins from our CSA share. I knew that if we carved them, they would be gone long before Halloween. I decided to do something different (and less messy) with them. To make these sparkly pumpkins, you will need a small piece of contact paper, white glue, a paint brush, glitter, and of course, pumpkins. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VQubx5kla90/TKp2iIHX5VI/AAAAAAAAKeg/NY2AHUinuS8/s1600/009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VQubx5kla90/TKp2iIHX5VI/AAAAAAAAKeg/NY2AHUinuS8/s400/009.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524358221589374290" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Begin by drawing your jack-o-lantern's features on the back of your contact paper.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VQubx5kla90/TKp2iZKMCGI/AAAAAAAAKeo/ZpwP9srTVF0/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VQubx5kla90/TKp2iZKMCGI/AAAAAAAAKeo/ZpwP9srTVF0/s400/010.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524358226164582498" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out your stencil.</div>
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Peel the paper backing off and apply stencil to the pumpkin. Rub the edges down with your finger to make sure that there are no gaps. (You may have to 'pleat' the stencil a bit to get it to lay flat)<br />
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Using a paintbrush, spread glue over the design.</div>
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Sprinkle a generous helping of glitter over the glue. (Make sure to do this over a sheet of scratch paper to catch the extra glitter) Tap the pumpkin a few times to remove excess glitter.</div>
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Gently peel away the stencil and remove any stray glitter with a dry brush. Repeat for other features. (I used the same stencil for both eyes)</div>
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*You could spray the finished pumpkins with a sealer if you plan on keeping them outside.</div>
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Now you have yourself some sparkly, happy pumpkins!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-69284422268880243762014-10-28T07:10:00.000-07:002014-10-28T07:10:00.315-07:00Ruffled Dress + Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes an idea for a dress just pops into my head and I have to make it. This time it was inspired by the fabrics I stuck together. I decided it called for ruffles! And so ruffle it, I did. P.S. I hate sewing ruffles. All that gathering makes me wonder if the cuteness is worth it. </div>
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But alas, I pushed on and the cuteness was indeed worth it. I added a few little flowers with vintage buttons. Am I the only one obsessed with vintage buttons? Please tell me I'm not alone!</div>
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I love the way the ruffles allow me to use different fabrics together. Picking fabrics is one of my very favorite things to do. I am thinking of sizing this pattern up and altering the bodice a little. In my spare time, you know. Ha, ha.</div>
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In other news, I finally put my big girl pants on and launched a Facebook page for the shop! Check it out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thepathlessraveledetsy" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-77282133671020351232014-10-27T07:02:00.003-07:002014-10-27T07:02:42.876-07:00It's The Most Wonderful Time of the YearI was excited to see that <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2014/10/8th-annual-handmade-holidays-in-november/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew</a> is starting up their Handmade Holidays on November 1st! Each year they spend the month of November posting great tutorials for all manner of homemade gifts. Each day the tutorials speak to a different theme, such as 'Gifts for Kids' or 'Gifts for Techies'. I have found a lot of great tutorials from this series. Follow along and see what inspires you! Don't have me if your projects-to-do list gets even longer! :)<br />
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<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5124999538129324090.post-39654233315809356472014-10-23T03:35:00.002-07:002014-10-23T03:35:42.512-07:00Fingerless Gloves!Sheesh! We won't be winning any awards for consistent blogging anytime soon. I have been sewing quite a bit and knitting too. My friend Belinda has been <strike>enabling</strike> encouraging me to get back into yarn projects. She taught me how to crochet (hello, granny squares!!) and sent me the link for this pattern with the encouragement that I could actually make them. And that I did! The pattern is posted on Ravelry, with a link to <a href="http://pollyfoofoo.blogspot.com/2014/09/mrs-fitz-mini-mitts.html" target="_blank">the directions</a>. I am happy to say this is the first knitting pattern I have ever done.<br />
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No comments from the peanut gallery as to the technical difficulty (or lack thereof) of this pattern. Not only that, but I completed them in one week which is light speed for me when it comes to knitting.<br />
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I even had to knit like a big girl and use math to figure out how many stitches to cast on since my yarn was a different weight. These babies are knitted flat and seamed up the side, leaving an opening for the thumb.<br />
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Photographing them turned out to be the trickiest part, because...well, it's really hard to take a picture of your hands without using your hands. I decided to enlist my boy, who as I like to tell him has the sophistication of a 9 year old. Read: he laughs at fart jokes. We were trying to accomplish all this with the web cam since my camera batteries died and as you can see....it was entertaining to say the least! Most of the pictures look like this last one, with one or both of us cracking up. All in all, I am thrilled with these gloves and have decided to wear them till they fall off. It is like having long sweater sleeves with thumb holes. They keep my hands cozy and I can still use my digits. Yay!<br /><br />
<br />MAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00575283691177026435noreply@blogger.com2