Bookmark tutorial

I needed a quick gift for a friend, and this project helps use up the scraps.

I grabbed my supplies:

• 12 inch by 2.5 inch strip of fabric


• 12 inch by 2.5 inch strip of 'Wonder Under' (fusible)


• a scrap of Peltex (or Timtex, what ever that really stiff-stuff is called) - my scrap is about 2 inch wide by 5.5 inch long triangle


• pretty threads and beads.


• a sewing machine is handy, but you could do this all by hand if you wanted to

Fuse the Wonder Under to the back of the fabric, then cut in half, making two strips 6 by 2.5 inches.






Take one fused piece of fabric peel the paper off the fusible and fuse on to the stiff-stuff, I use a scrap of the paper from the wonder under to protect my ironing surface. Please pay attention you don't want to ruin the ironing board or iron (of course you can clean your iron - ask me about this I know well!). Make sure to let it cool!! Then peel it off.

Trim the fabric up to the edge, very close but not cutting the stiff-stuff.

Take the other piece of fabric and peel off the paper, then go back to the iron and fuse this to the other side of the stiff-stuff. This way both sides are covered with fused fabric. Remember to use a scrap sheet of the fuse paper or a teflon iron sheet. You don't want to ruin your ironing surface. Then trim the fabric away again very close to the stiff-stuff.

You end up with a fabric covered bookmark ready to embellish.

Now take care of the edges by using a satin stitch and some pretty thread. If this was done by hand a pretty yarn could be hand sewn in a blanket stitch down the sides.

These are some extras that can be used to help with fraying and the fabric pens are great to cover any tiny spots you might have missed with thread.

Add beads and its done. You can make these in any shape you like.

Holiday Purse

Yes - strange but true, I have made myself a Christmas holiday purse.

It's a basic bucket style bag/tote, big enough for a few extra items while out shopping this holiday. Inside are the simple pockets and a magnetic snap. I stitched angled strips of fabric onto a canvas foundation (sorta like easy crazy quilting), then various yarns and embroidery for the accents. The handles are made from fabric covered cotton clothesline, with a fuzzy black yarn added in between the two cords. This helped disguise the dip between two cords.

I got the strap idea from 'It's a Wrap' By Susan Breier , the clothesline is a good weight for straps and they hang nicely. I have this book and have to say it's full of fun ideas. Love the bowls, and it's a great way to use up fabric scraps.

Next I need to start on Christmas gifts. I know two guys who are getting slippers this year. I plan on taking a basic slipper pattern and adding something to the sole to make them very comfy, but more on this when I have figured that part out.

A day of Thanks!

The history of this day is really irrelevant to me. What this day means to me ..............



What I give thanks for:

• Family - all of them!! Alive and passed on, you are who made me who I am today.


• Good Friends, near and far away you keep me young at heart.


• To have found true love!


• The chance to wake everyday and start a new adventure


• That I have so much to be thankful for

Yummmy - The feasting will commence

Happy T'Day

Everyone!!

Everyone is blogging about thier menu for T'day,

so I am not one to ruffle the Turkey feathers (grin)

Smoked Turkey

Cornbread Dressing

Fresh Baked Sweet Potatoes

Butternut Squash

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Home-made Rolls

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle (sugar free)

~

So to that I say.................... COOK ON!! EAT ON!! GIVE THANKS!!

A Mess - No More

Ok, I am very tired now. The after shots are so rewarding!!

This is looking in through the door. Yes, the table was covered with all kinds of things in the before shot. I pulled everything out of the armoir and rearranged, and found homes for the items.

This is the other side of the room. A blank wall - which will be fixed soon (more on this later).

Remember the fabrics that were all over the floor, they are now neat and organized by type in the small closet. My sweet hubby made the closet so cool by installing movable shelving.

I am going to have some tea and figure the next game plan.......................