A FUN LITTLE CHALLENGE-CREATING FROM SCRAPS-GRAND PRIZE WINNER

My apologies to the Grand Prize Winner of Sissy's Sewing Challenge for being so late in getting to this post. Winners of Sissy's Sewing Challenge are in previous posts: http://carolynscanvas.blogspot.com/2011/12/fun-little-challenge-creating-from.html & http://carolynscanvas.blogspot.com/2011/12/fun-little-challenge-creating-from_29.html.
So much happening with getting grandson, Travis, back to college, visiting my mother in nursing home and husband to doctors' appointments. My scatter brain is more scattered than usual.

As I told you, Facebook's Sissy's Sewing threw down the gauntlet for crafters to send and receive scraps that were to fit a box the size of a vhs tape-very interesting, too interesting to pass up-for some of us anyway. [Sissy, honey, how in the world did you come up with this??] I am sure I am not the only one who has a hard time throwing away the tiniest scrap for fear of needing it for something in the future, so tidbits pile up. Small tidbits, medium sized tidbits and large tidbits seem to be everywhere in my house and it was no problem to gather enough for that small box.  
 
Soooooooo, we entered our names, we sent our scraps and we waited patiently?? to receive our scraps to see what wonderful tidbits were in a small box. I ran down everyday to the mailbox to see if "IT" had arrived and "IT" was finally there when my husband opened the mailbox as we were on our way to his doctor's appointment. I had to at least take a quick look before I could even continue driving. Now, having been married to me for 55 years come this February 2, nothing much surprises the poor fellow anymore but he did have a hard time understanding my excitement over a few scraps when I have shelves full of fabric and actually I am wondering about myself, too-and maybe all the rest of the participants, but it was fun.

AND NOW----------
DRUM ROLL PLEASE------------
THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS---------

RENAE

Renae's entry received the most votes and hers was my favorite also. [I told you about the scatter brain-I forgot to vote-even for my own entry]. The wreath she put together from her scraps is just about  as creative as anything I have seen. I would never have thought home decor from a little bunch of scraps could fit into almost any style but Renae's wreath will do just that. She sent these photos for me to share.

As with so many of the entries, this is another idea for my to do file-so many crafts, so little time. Renae made a little go a long way. Check her out-"Nae Nae MadeIt" on Facebook for her creations. Congratulations, Renae!

There are still some photos that I want to share of non winners including my own. I thought each entry was great. There was so much diversity, so much creativity.

God bless each of you and happy crafting
Carolyn Wainscott




  





MAKING QUICK, QUIRKY ACCESSORIES

 I guess at heart I am a true, dyed in the wool, southwestern style, feathers and bead loving old hippie and the hatband with matching earrings that I have made prove it.

I wanted something patriotic with feathers and beads and as the hatband began to take shape the song "Yankee Doodle" started going through what mind I have left.

 "Yankee Doodle went to town

riding on a pony

stuck a feather in his hat

and called it macaroni"

So that is how the Yankee Doodle Hat Band got its name. It is easy and quick to make.

I have yet to figure out what macaroni has to do with a feather or his hat, or his pony.

-THE YANKEE DOODLE HATBAND-

-MATCHING YANKEE DOODLE EARRINGS-

Surely, every self respecting Yankee Doodle Hat Band needs matching Yankee Doodle Earrings, don't you think?

Making jewelry is not one of my best ventures. I use beads to embellish my quilts and wallhangings so I do pick beads and findings that are of interest whenever I see them. You never know when you might have need for a spectacular focal point. Of course, that is the justification for all those lovely things squirreled away for future use and you never know, one bead could be the inspiration for a whole design.

At any rate, I hope you have fun with these if you decide to make them. 

Check out these and many other craft videos and tutorials @ http://favecrafts.com/.

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Since my maid has not showed up for work for quite some time now, I cannot spend all my time in my sewing room. For some reason, husband dear thinks there should be meals on the table and the house reasonably kept- not to mention a few clean clothes every now and again.  I keep telling him he can turn his underwear inside out and wear them another week but that doesn't work any more. 

As I've told you before, my domestic divadom does include cooking and am sharing some of my favorite recipes. The Hot Fudge Topping was in yesterday's post and today I am including my next fave, my Butterscotch Topping,  which is just as easy and quick. As with the Hot Fudge Topping, this recipe is doubled or tripled every time I make it-might as well get more done in the same amount of time!

BUTTERSSOTCH TOPPING

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons corn syrup

1/4 cup butter or margarine

dash of nutmeg [optional]

makes about 1 1/2 cups

In 1 1/2 quart mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Stir in milk and syrup, then butter. Microwave at high 2 to 4 minutes, or until mixture boils; stir well. Microwave 3 1/2 minutes. Stir in nutmeg. Serve warm.

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Since we eat a lot of ice cream around here, we have a lot of those nice plastic containers. I use them for storing leftover soups, chilis and beans in the freezer and also for sending them home with the kids-my good containers would never be seen again if they went out the door. I also use them as organizers for my craft paints and things. You can see those in a former post where I show how to make a "Repurposed Organizer". 

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Happy Homemaking

Carolyn Wainscott

THINGS WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER IF I WEREN'T PERENIALLY LOOKING FOR SOMETHING

It seems as though I spend half my life looking for something-a certain fabric, or pattern, or thread or whatever. I could get so much more done if things were where I thought I put them and if my tools didn't keep disappearing. I just laid my scissors right there beside the fabric, now where are they? Is it just me? 

So, I am trying to be more organized, to keep things handy and I am hoping the organizers I have made will help me to be more productive, less aggravated.

THE SEWING CHAIR ORGANIZER

I made this original sewing chair organizer several years ago. It has kept my bobbins and presser feet near for my machines along with other supplies that I didn't want to have to jump and run for or to keep on the sewing table taking up precious space. It has held my machine manuals since I use the same chair for all my sewing. 

At the time, I was participating in workshops having to carry various tools, supplies and notions so the chair organizer was designed with zippers so I wouldn't lose anything. It had a carrying handle which slips over the back of the chair to keep it from sliding and it has a thick cushion because I was having back issues.

The organizer has done me well so I decided to show in the following video how to make a similar one.

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 THE WORK TABLE ORGANIZER

My work table is rather high so I don't have to bend so much while working with my fabrics. My intention has been for some time to get things within easy reach but not in the way so the work table organizer was done on the same day as the chair organizer. Now my cutting rulers are handy along with scissors, rotary cutters, rotary blades, pins, etc.

Now that I am so organized, I know that I will get all those planned projects done in zip time, oh, yeah.

Many other craft tutorials along with the sewing chair and work table organizers can be seen on http://favecrafts.com/ 

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Since I am on the subject of sewing, I must tell you one on my mother. Now Mom is an extremely bright woman but being a domestic diva has not been her area of expertise. She taught herself to read when she was 3 or so from her older brother's "primer". In fact, you can read a little about her in my post "NO CALICO, NO SLIVERS OF SOAP".

Mom always worked and helped Dad support our family but it still sticks in her "craw" that her snide sisters-in-law poked fun when she didn't have a "button box". It seems they always had one at the ready with needle and thread for those button missing emergencies and my Dad thought that was the ultimate in domestic divadom for some reason.

One Sunday morning, Dad decided he would wear a certain sportcoat to church but it had a button missing on the sleeve. It wasn't as though he didn't have other suits or coats- no- he had many but that was the one he was going to wear and he wanted a button sewn on.

Now what do you do when you don't have a button box, why, you just do what a devious, non button box owner does. Why, you cut a button off another of the many sport coats in the closet and sew it on this one that this stubborn person insists on wearing this morning. Mom still chuckles to herself over pulling this on Dad and he never knew how out of fashion he was by wearing a button from another jacket. 

Of course, Mom has a lot of explaining to do when she gets to heaven and he asks her about her button box. Poor Dad, he had such burdens to bear. 

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 I think I can claim the title of "Domestic Diva" because I have not just a box of buttons but jars of buttons with a thimble, needles and spool of thread always at the ready in case of a button emergency. Now I know that a button box is not the only criteria to be a true diva. Being a good cook is another and I am a good cook also but I like plain, quick, easy recipes and I am a chocoholic. 

The following recipe is the best Hot Fudge Topping I have ever eaten and it is quick and easy. I have made this one for over 20 years. The recipe is given as I have it written but I always at least double it, usually triple so I don't run out so soon.

HOT FUDGE TOPPING

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa

2 tablespoons flour

1/8 teasoon salt

2/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

In 4 cup measure or small bowl, combine sugars, cocoa, flour and salt. Stir in milk and syrup, then butter. Microwave at high 2 to 4 minutes or until mixture boils; stir well.

Microwave 2 to 5 minutes or until desired thickness and a rich chocolate color, stirring every 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Serve hot or at room temperature.

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Happy Homemaking

Carolyn Wainscott

PARTS 3 & 4-FELTING APPLIQUED NO PATTERN, LINED SKIRT & TOP SERIES

My couture designs for housecleaning-oh, sure!

Here are parts 3 & 4 in the series for the "Felted Applique, No Pattern, Lined Skirt & Top".

The no pattern, self lined skirt was completed in Parts 1 & 2. Take your measurements according to directions in parts 1 & 2 to make your skirt.

A cream colored t-shirt knit is used for the outfit. The top was cut from a pattern that I have had and used for several pieces for quite a few years. I seem to wear the same thing all the time, just in different colors. 

 Appliques on both the skirt and top have been felted on with felting machine, then thread work done to highlight the motifs which were fussy cut from a floral fabric. After all embellishments were done, the pieces were sewn together and finish work done. 

If you would like more pizzaz, add hot set beads, glitter paints or whatever suits your fancy.  

You can see the following videos with tips and instructions on FaveCrafts.com. For all free videos, tutorials and patterns on many crafts and artistry, join us online at: http://favecrafts.com/. You will find crochet, knitting, needlework, kids crafts, beadwork, jewelry making and so much more that you just can't even imagine.

PART 3-EMBELLISHING YOUR TOP

PART 4-FINISHING YOUR TOP

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This is a different vein altogether but it still has to do with homemaking, craftsmanship, or however you want to put it. From time to time I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes that are quick, allow me to craft longer and still make me look good.

You will notice that most of them run in the same categories:chocolate, peanut butter and quick.

Grandson, Travis, was just in over the weekend from college and requested one of his favorites. Since it is so simple, I thought you might benefit from having the recipe. Now hang on to your seats, or your scissors, machine, glues, fabric or whatever it is you are holding onto-here is a recipe for the easiest [even easier than a mix], quickest, really good-peanut butter cookie recipe. 

you  will need:

1 cup of peanut butter

1 cup of sugar

1 egg

HONEST! THAT IS IT!

Mix all together in a bowl

drop by small spoonful onto greased cookie sheet, crisscross with fork, bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes

I have also made peanut blossoms by placing Hershey kisses onto each as they come out of oven-in fact that is how Trav wanted his.

Kids love 'em, they make the house smell great and only take a few minutes.

Happy Homemaking from

Carolyn Wainscott

the quilting granny

PARTS 1 & 2-FELTED APPLIQUE NO PATTERN, LINED SKIRT & MATCHING TOP

This skirt can be made in any length you wish and is simple and quick enough that I used to get up an hour or so early to make one to wear out the door that day. Of course, they were just plain, not embellished as shown.

 This skirt is made the length that I wear which is to the ankle.

The self-lined skirt is formed by sewing fabric into a long tube, folding wrong sides together, matching seams and waist edges-fold will be bottom of skirt.  

Appliques were applied before sewing skirt.

Choose the length and fabric you wish to wear and lets get started. My skirts take less than 2 1/2 yards. I have used my top pattern for several years and it takes just over a yard in this wide fabric.

Elastic in the width you like and sewing tools are the only additional things you need plus optional trims, appliques if you choose to embellish.

I use t-shirt knits for several reasons:

-it comes in a 58"-60" width so it fits hip measurements up to that width and I am not that big yet so I am still safe for a while

- it is comfortable and easy to wear

-it washes well

-it is fairly easy to work with if reasonable care is taken not to stretch while sewing

-it is economical, especially when I catch it on sale  [I have paid as little as $1 per yard-I'll take a $3.50 outfit any day! that is what the one pictured cost]

-Only three measurements need to be taken-

1. waist, then subtract 4"-5" for elastic length [or what is comfortable for you}

2. hip at widest, add 1" for seam allowance, add 3" for comfort [or what is comfortable for you]

3. from waist to desired length, add 1/2" for seam allowance, add width of elastic

double the total of these 3 measurements

[my chosen length is 37" + 1/2" + 1 1/2" [elastic] = 39" x 2 = 72"]

[by hip " [no, I'm not tellin'] ok-45" + 1" + 3"=49"]

so my skirt panel was cut 49" x 72" to include self lining

>watch videos for more information<

-to form skirt tube-

1. fold panel in half lengthwise, right sides together

2. fold this in half of width [bottom of skirt], matching skirt waist edge to lining waist edge

3. from skirt bottom fold-measure  9" on each side, mark with pins 

4. to sew tube:skirt-sew from top of waist edge to pin marking slit, skip to pin marking slit on lining, sew to within 2" of top of waist

in photo below-fabric folded back at bottom of skirt alongside ruler, elastic at waist edge, tube will be sewn alongside tape measure-down one side, up the other.  

Fold tube, wrong sides together, matching seams and waist edges.

To form casing for elastic:

1. waist edges of skirt & lining-fold to inside 1/2" all around, pin together

2. topstitch or serge together

3. sew parallel seam width of elastic all around to finish casing

4. insert elastic in opening left in lining seam

5. finish slit at skirt bottom by turning in 1/2" and topstitching.

The following videos give tips to create the skirt in "The Felted Applique No Pattern, Lined Skirt & Top Series".  

You can see these and other videos on FaveCraft.com. Join us online at: http://favecrafts.com/ for free tutorials and patterns in:crochet, knitting, beadwork, scrapbooking, kids crafts, jewelry making, needlework and much, much more.   

PART 1-EMBELLISHING SKIRT

PART 2-FINISHING SKIRT

                                                  

Happy sewing and I hope this has been of help to you. 

Carolyn Wainscott

the quilting granny    

KEEPING THINGS HANDY IN MY COFFEE MUG

I know this is a strange title but I like using things differently from their intended purpose and like them even more if they are cheap. I do keep quite a few things handy on the table by my chair so I don't have to jump and run every time I  want to do something or forget an idea or phone # if not jotted down immediately. It seems I am in constant need of:pencil/pens/paper clips, pins/needles/thimble/thread, fingernail clips/file, glue stick, notepad/daily planner, etc.

All this paraphernalia has been kept in a basket til now which took up too much space.

When the idea of this little coffee mug organizer hit, I just loved it and had to make one for myself to see if it would hold enough stuff for me. While I was at it, I made several more for friends, my sisters and my mother. I hope they get as much good from this as I do. The cup with its pockets holds everything I need in a much smaller area and looks so much better. 

[All that stuff in one little mug] 

It takes just a few cents worth of fabric and a coffee mug with your every day sewing tools. You probably have a mug in your cupboard that you can use or pick one up at a yard sale for a few cents. I, the great cheapo, broke down and actually bought special friend mugs for the gift organizers. Mine, on the other hand, came from my own kitchen.

The organizer can be really dressed up if you wish with any trims you have. Ours just has some of my plain vintage buttons securing the lace ties. I think these would also make a good bizarre or festival item. They could be made up in theme fabrics for fall, Christmas, teachers, patriotic to be used as a fund raiser.  

The video demonstrating how to make the coffee mug organizer was made for FaveCraft.com, the online craft site that provides free patterns, videos, tutorials and instructions for all kinds of crafts including:crochet, knitting, paper crafts, kids crafts, jewelry making, needlework and much more.

If you decide to make one of these, I would love to see it.

You can contact me at:quiltngrin.granny@blogspot.com

Happy crafting,

Carolyn Wainscott

the quilting granny

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