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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Come over and visit My Craftsy Pattern Store @
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-hooded-cape/15386


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-hoodie-from-hannahs-closet/43213

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH RECYCLABLES

Full time job for me-getting organized. Then when I finally get it done, I can't find anything. I knew where it was when it was under something in one of those piles over there.

There is a tendency of too much around here and not wanting to throw anything away that is too good to pitch is part of my problem. I have been watching the shows on hoarding to encourage myself to NEVER, NEVER  get to that extreme.

My habit of not getting rid of emptied containers does come in handy and keeps me from having to send food out the door in my good purchased ones which I would never see again. I make soups, beans and chilis by the gallon[s]. The leftovers are stored in the freezer in the various emptied ice cream buckets, margarine-butter-sour cream-cottage cheese tubs stacked on the shelf. I always buy the giant economy size of anything so the containers are large.

Recyclables are also used in a lot of my crafts and have helped save money, especially when working with childrens' groups on a small budget. I have designed crafts around what was on hand rather than having to purchase supplies. 

I love making a lot of different crafts so have a variety of supplies on hand. Sometimes I think I would like to go out and purchase a system to organize all of them but then it is really more fun and creative to make my own for free. 

Organizers like the one shown in the videos run anywhere from $10 up. Mine only takes a little while to make with everyday sewing tools. It takes very little fabric and the ice cream bucket is free. This one will be used with my fabric paints and accessories. 

For a different sized container, just adjust the measurements to create your own custom organizer.

The videos below were created for FaveCraft.com for the online craft site. I was trying to keep the instructions to less than 5 minutes but that wasn't enough time to give adequate information. The site provides free patterns, free instructions, free tutorials and free videos on all sorts of crafts including: crochet, knitting, jewelry making, kids crafts, paper crafts and much more. You can find information on just about anything you are interested in with links to craft supply companies.

The site has so many beautiful crochet patterns that I must do for my great grandchildren that I almost have carpel tunnel syndrome trying to get them done.

I hope the videos help and if you have any questions, contact me at: quiltngrin.granny@blogger.com.

PART 1

PART 2

Happy organizing

Carolyn Wainscott, the quilting granny

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check out all my designs in My Craftsy Pattern Store @
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/soft-sculpture-nativity-set/147482

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/sunbonnet-sue-baby-quilt-pattern/44984


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/girls-hooded-cape-by-hannahs-closet/39227

MAKE A QUILT USING UNIFORMS & T-SHIRTS

My family has always been involved in sports-all kinds of sports-baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball.

Through the years, I have kept newspaper clippings, rewards, photos, videos and uniforms and I am glad I did. They are wonderful to look back on.

The clippings, rewards, and photos have made it into scrapbooks. I am trying to get the videos organized and the uniforms have finally been put into quilts. 

I had intended to have the quilt for grandson, Travis, done for his graduation but that didn't happen with so much going on even though  many of the blocks had been prepared over many months so he could take it to college with him. He did get it for Christmas, however. I think I have gotten all out of the box of uniforms that can be used and can finally pitch the rest of what is left.

Travis' quilt-12 Years of Uniforms-Basketball, Football, Baseball

Dan's wallhanging-Football, Baseball

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In case you have uniforms or event t-shirts you would like to use and don't have a clue in getting started, I hope the following will help. It is simple to do, just takes some preparation as with all quiltmaking. It doesn't have to be a huge endeavor, maybe just a pillow using basic tools.

Iron fusible interfacing onto the back of motifs to give them stability to keep them from stretching. 

PART 1-HOW TO MAKE A QUILT USING UNIFORMS & T SHIRTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ_1dflR5e4

PART 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY7JH5OWeZs

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You can also see these and other how to craft videos at: FaveCrafts.com. 

FaveCrafts also offers free patterns and ideas from many designers for crochet, knitting, quilting, sewing, beadwork, scrapbooking, needlework, and on and on and on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLnjs9WtcqI

                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAvsM2smEHY

             -----------------------------------------------------------------

So get out those uniforms you have stuck in the back of the closet and see what you can create,

Happy Quilting

Carolyn Wainscott, the quilting granny

HOW TO MAKE A PHOTO QUILT

One of the most unique and enjoyable projects I do is making a photo quilt. They are instant heirlooms. They portray a family's history, genealogy or any story all on fabric. I love putting the photos together-old and new. We usually combine several photos in collage form on each block so a lot can be told in the space of the quilt with accessories.

Here is a family quilt ordered for the matriarch of one family. It has 8 generations in several hundred photos on the quilt along with a pillow scarf that featured generations of times past. 

with its matching pillow scarf

2 blocks from quilt

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another heirloom 7 generation quilt

with matching pillow sham

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PREPARING FABRIC FOR INKJET PHOTO PRINTING 

If you have thought about making a photo quilt or wallhanging but didn't know how to get started, here is how to begin with preparing fabric for inkjet photo printing.

 Being dissatisfied with purchased printable fabric sheets, I started preparing them myself. The printed sheets have been washed several times to check for color fastness. I would suggest test washing a printed square in mild detergent or the suggested quilt wash on the treatment solution to check for colorfastness. The printed sheets are completely washable but these projects are usually not the type that would be washed frequently. Through several washings, the treated fabrics have shown no noticeable fading, however. Treat the fabric as any fine textile by keeping out of direct sunlight as fading will occur. i would also suggest spraying the quilt with a fabric shield to reduce the chance of spills and stains. To remove dust from quilt:shake, tumble in dryer or vacuum gently with brush attachment.

The Bubble Jet Set allows the ink to grip the fabric. The 16 oz. bottle will treat 40-50 [8 1/2" x 11"] sheets. This translates to 4- 5 yards of 100% cotton. I usually treat the 5 yards since I am at the task anyway and will have plenty on hand. This is enough squares for 2 of my queen size quilts or several wallhangings or accessories.

I hope the following video helps you to get started making your one of a kind masterpiece.



SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Bubble Jet Set [16 oz.]

5 yards high thread count 100% cotton [I have had good success also with broadcloth-you need to test this for yourself]

rubber gloves

wax coated freezer wrap

tub large enough for soaking fabric

rotary cutter/ruler/cutting mat

iron

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step 1: cut fabric into one yard pieces [easier to manage]

step 2: place 1-2 folded yards at a time into tub, pour portion of Bubble Jet Set solution over,
until all fabric is in tub, all solution poured over. Wearing rubber gloves, turn fabric to insure solution is thoroughly distributed. Soak 5 minutes

step 3: wearing rubber gloves, lay fabric flat or hang to dry. Do not wring or use dryer.

step 4: while fabric is drying, cut freezer wrap into 8 1/2" x 11" sheets
step 5: cut dry fabric across width into 11 1/2" strips.
step 6: press shiny side freezer wrap sheets onto 11 1/2" fabric strips.

step 7: cut fabric/freezer wrap strips into 8 1/2" x 11" sheets. [each fabric strip yields 4 or 5 printable sheets]

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tip: all edges must be pressed securely together so they will not jam the printer. Make sure there are no loose strings on edges or on body of fabric [loose strings may jam printer and ink will not print under loose strings causing blotches]

tip: heat set blocks after printing is dry
_______________________________________________

Now the easy part is done, get those photos out and get them organized. Use your software to edit as you wish and start printing. Photo quilts are instant heirlooms and a once in a lifetime gift to yourself or others.

---------Happy Quilting---------

Carolyn Wainscott, the quilting granny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out my patterns in My Pattern Store @
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

 



MARKING TIME AND SAVING MY SANITY WITH CRAFTING

Crochet is my present mode of marking time and sanity saving. As with a lot of you, crafting has been my therapy whether it was crochet, quilting, sewing, mosaics, beadwork, papier mache or whatever I was involved in at the time. Crafting is my way of keeping busy and working through instead of wringing my hands and pacing. In some instances I would have no skin left on my hands and no floor left under my feet.

  

The impetus to set aside quilting for a while and drag out my hooks and yarn  was fueled a couple of months ago by a young lady named Meghan when I read about her and her friends who were making blankets for underprivileged and sending them with missionaries on the mission field. You can read about  them in "Meghan's Ministry" at wwwTheAlabasterBox.blogspot.com.

Much has been crocheted in the last several weeks that normally would not have been finished because much has occurred-much pain, much waiting, much concern, much prayer. I have actually finished: 2 baby  blankets, 3 little girls' sweaters, 3 matching dresses, 4 hats, 3 granny square purses to complete the sweater/dress ensembles, 2 pairs of knee high foot warmers  and since this post was started a week or so ago, another toddler dress. Under normal circumstances, I would have been hard pressed to have one sweater done. Handwork like this is usually done as my Granny used to say in "snatches and grabs" instead of almost full time as recently.

One of the blankets was done as I sat with my sister-in-law who  was found to have a tumor on her brain and was rushed to have emergency surgery.  She did really well but has to have care 24/7. The squares that were brought out with coordinating yarn after I met Meghan and troop were put to use because they were so handy. These were finished in a granny square. I do a lot of granny square-it is kind of a mindless pattern that I don't have to think much about as I work.

The foot warmers were crocheted for my 2 oldest grandchildren to keep them from taking my pair that my sister, Jackie, had made for me for my birthday. Both were threatening to take them.  These were also done as I sat with my sister-in-law.

The second blanket was completed a week or so later as we  waited all day for word on grand nephew, Ayden, who is only 9 months old. A brain tumor had been found and he was having a scan and mri. They were expecting to have to do emergency surgery but that was scheduled for a week later. Prayers went into each stitch. I made sure the blanket got to him several days before  his surgery.

The day before Ayden's surgery my son, Jeff, had surgery on his shoulder. One of the sweaters was worked on as I waited during his surgery. The matching pieces were also worked on as I cared for him after his surgery during the waiting week for Ayden's surgery.

In all this,  news came that niece, Debbie, has breast cancer. More intense crocheting, crocheting, crocheting-something to keep busy, something productive to do, something of beauty to create for 4 beautiful little girls.

Having the girls' outfits done,  I had been searching for sweater patterns for my great grandsons so they won't feel left out when their sisters get their new outfits. An email arrived announcing new hard to find crochet patterns for boys from Hooked On Crochet at AllFreeCrochet. I will be using one of the new vest patterns-it is just what I was looking for.

You see, Debbie's surgery won't be for a couple of weeks and I need the calm of handwork. I started one of the boys sweaters earlier today.

Being busy is a blessing, being able to be busy is a blessing.

Below are photos of the 3 sweater outfits and granny square dress that I have been able to make for my great granddaughters-Hannah, Jenna,  Ashlynn and Maizin and the site where I got the inspiration and patterns.  My friend, Valerie, sent me the link that I have looked over almost every day. 

It is a site for all kinds of crafts with patterns and even video tutorials and instructions. If you work with children's groups, there are a lot of crafts for reclyclables and all of this is free. From that site, I have gone to several others that I didn't know about.

I have downloaded enough patterns to keep me busy for the next 200 years even if I work 24/7 and they are all gorgeous. 

The original site Val sent me is: wwwfavecraft.com and from that I have visited:

AllFreeCrochet-Hooked on Crochet

Redheart.com

crochettoday.com

knittingtodaymag.com

LionBrand.com

Caron.com

Annie's Attic
and there are many more

On favcraft, I seem to pick patterns designed by "doublestitch twins" [see photos-sweaters/newsboy hat, below] and Vintage Creations [see photos-dresses, below. There is also a beautiful crochet lacy duster that one day I may get to for myself].  

I so admire the people who have designed the wonderful patterns available. Robin Murphy on the Red Heart site has some of the most beautiful little girls' dresses I have ever seen-they are breathtaking.

For Hannah-size 6, Jenna-size 4-5, Ashlynn-size 2-3
BIG & LITTLE DRESSES by Groovy Crochet

NEWSBOY CAP PATTERN BY "DOUBLESTITCHTWINS"

Flower Child's Sweater by doublestitch twins-FAVECRAFTS

Vintage Rose Pattern-FAVECRAFTS

Granny Square Purse-use any Granny Square pattern to size desired

For Maizin-size 18 months

Granny Square Yoke Dress Pattern by Valerie Moffitt on RedHeart.com

I have really enjoyed working on these outfits for the girls in the light coral, yellow and white. 

Two of each pattern-one for me and one for my sister were printed,  put into page protectors and into notebooks. The extra set made a nice gift for my sister who is an avid crocheter and I keep adding to our collections.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR YOU TO GO TO FAVECRAFTS AND LOOK FOR YOUR FAVORITE CRAFT-I HOPE YOU GET AS MUCH ENJOYMENT AS I DO FROM THE SITE:

HAPPY CRAFTING!!