Starfish Alley

Category: handmade (Page 9 of 14)

Just a Slice..

December 2, 2011 /

During the summer I bought a die cutter to do applique faster and more easily.  I used it a couple of times and put it away because I had trouble getting all the pieces to cut correctly and I had some adhesive that didn’t work well.  I decided with Christmas gifts on the horizon I needed to get it out again and see if I could remedy the problems and have some fun.  I’ve had mixed success.  I had both Heat and Bond and also some Wonder Under which are iron on fusible that act like double stick tape.  I also tried some spray on adhesive on the cutting mat rather than the liquid that came with the machine.  I also ordered a Christmas die from the Internet as these no longer seem to be available in the area stores.  I certainly with they were easier to find because I would certainly buy some more.

I found that the machine seems to prefer the Wonder Under so I just bought more of that.  I also realized that because this machine will cut paper for scrapbooking as well as fabric, that some of the cuts are not easily stitched around due to the intricacies and the fine detail.  This has led to some experimentation with the applique.  Instead of a solid applique stitch I’ve done some regular zig zag and also some of the machine stitches that look like hand stitching.  I also tried a free form straight stitch that loosely follows the outline of the applique.  This seems to be a very popular style right now.  I’m looking forward to trying some more.  Weekend.. here we come!

A rice bag cold pack

November 19, 2011 /

For the past couple of weeks I’ve had a problem with a trigger thumb.  As strange as that sounds, I think it’s more common that people realize although there are more instances of trigger fingers than trigger thumbs.  This thumb is stuck open rather than closed.  It’s actually a bit of a challenge when you try to pick up an object.  I had no idea how often I used my thumb or what a challenge it can be to lack strength in your thumb.  Who knew? I’ve had a cortisone shot and it’s getting better but I’ve also found that it’s better when I can ice it.  The freezer packs work ok but they always seem a bit awkward and they are really cold unless you cover them.  I know many people use the rice bags and freeze them as well as heat them so I made an articulated rice bag specifically for the freezer.  It’s great.  I used some cotton fabric so that it would be comfortable.  I really didn’t want flannel for this one. I poured a little rice in, and sewed it shut and kept filling until I had made several pockets.  I like the result.  I think that next time I’m going to mark the size of the pockets so they are equal.  I was also careful not to overfill the pockets so they would bend easily.  All in all, a successful project.

It’s coming

November 17, 2011 /

As many folks are beginning to think of the holidays that is on my agenda too.  Hmm what should I make.  I have way too many ideas and not nearly enough time or money to make them all.  I think people would get tired of getting things I’ve made if I could make all the things I want.  It’s also hard to post pictures of what is on the machine or the cutting table so this is just a sneak peek.  More fun to come. But for now, a sneak peek.

 

A successful swap

November 14, 2011 /

A while back I made a comment on a friends blog that I liked the yarn she was spinning.   She offered to let it come and live at my house and now it’s arrived! We made a swap and I’m excited.  This is beautiful yarn and I’m still stroking and admiring all of its loveliness.  I have a couple of projects in mind but not entirely certain what the final project will be. I really have zero skills in the yarn fiber department.  Yes, I have done my share of crocheted granny squares and ponchos and have several failed knitting attempts, like the sweater with the monkey arms.. and two different size monkey arms at that!  While I’m thinking long and hard, I just keep moving this skein around and dreaming about all the things it could become.

 

Vintage rag dolls

November 11, 2011 /

A friend was cleaning out a closet and came across a package of old fabric.  One of the pieces was orange silk and the other was a panel of fabric that had been fashioned after vintage rag dolls and was printed for “Her Majesty’s Stationery Office” and came from the Bethnal Green Museum in London. ” London’s Bethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of childhood-related objects and artefacts, spanning the 1600s to the present day.”  I have been looking at their website and it looks like a very interesting place to visit.  I’ve also checked out the gift shop link and there are many interesting things here as well.  I wish it was closer because I would love to visit.

These dolls however will be fun for my friends granddaughters to play with.  I applaud her for the decision to make them up and let the kids play.  So often I find myself bringing this kind of stuff home and then feeling I should save it for a special occasion or day and then the kids grew up or lose interest and here I had this very fun whatever and never got used.

Here are pictures of the panels.  After they have been stuffed, I’ll ask Sally to take a picture and send me so I can add it to this log of projects.

Green apples..

November 3, 2011 /

I found another new oilcloth fabric a few weeks ago. It jumped into my fabric pile and arrived home to be made into another new bag size.  This one is a little bit shorter and not quite as wide.  I think I’ll have to use it a few times to see how I feel about the size.  The height is ok but II’m not sure if I’m going to like the width.  I do love the print made up however.  When I was cutting it out I did wonder about my decision to purchase this print.  It made up very well however and although it may not function well for a market type grocery bag, it certainly will travel to other destinations and be a good addition to the bag collection.

Third times a charm.. or is it?

November 2, 2011 /

In this case.. not entirely.  The process of a smaller bag is closer but not quite there.  This time I think I didn’t have the iron quite hot enough so the fabric is laminated but I’ve noticed as I was sewing it seems to be loose in a few places.  This has happened as I was sewing so it seems the adhesion was good but not good enough.  The size of the bag seems to be fine and I should be able to fine tune it so next time is good.  The fabric is cute and the function will be fine but the durability of this bag is in question.  Onward and upward for number 4!

Uh oh!

October 29, 2011 /

It happened.  Late at night of course while I was picking up and finishing the last of the evening projects.  You know how it is. You’re tired and in a hurry and suddenly.. oops!  I was cleaning off the top of the sewing table and pushed on a pile of stuff so I could organize my other piles when it happened.  I heard a loud plop and my magnetic pin cushion slid off the back of the sewing table and crashed on the floor.  The floor is tile and you can imagine what happened.  My lovely magnetic pin cushion lay in pieces and there were pins splattered all over the floor.  Not in a convenient place to pick things up either.  So I got down on my hands and knees, scooted under the machine and gathered up all my lovely pins and the remaining pieces of this pin cushion.  Although this is not my favorite color pin cushion it is a favorite because of the function. If you’ve never used a magnetic pin cushion put it on your next birthday/Christmas any occasion gift list.  Once you’ve used one you will not want to be without.  I do use several pin cushions including a wrist pincushion, a small pin cushion just for sewing needles, one for machine needles that’s marked with sizes and then my magnetic pin cushion.  This is so handy when you’re pinning taking pins out of things and you can just lay them down.  They all stay in one place.  When you pick them up they are easy to grab as well.  I’ve relocated the pins for a time and have the glue out to see if I can make repairs.  If not, then it will go on my Christmas list.  Next time I want a red one please. Or even a blue one or a purple one or I guess any one would do.

A quick gift

October 26, 2011 /

A friend is having a birthday and I wanted to make a quick gift.  One pair of fleece socks was included but also some pouches for carrying things.  It seems everyone has a phone and various ways of carrying their phones.  When you get a new phone invariably it’s a different size than the last phone.  That creates the problem of transportation.  Now with  smartphones and the big screens, how do you carry them if you don’t carry a purse or have the right size pocket. The kids often travel with a backpack or book bag and throw the phone in the bottom of the bag. The goal here was a little bag to add some protection to the phone and the screen.  I made three different kinds of pouches not knowing for sure which the  recipient would prefer.  I also don’t know for sure if they always have a plastic cover on  the phone as this too will determine the fit.  I also am guessing on the exact size of the phone.  I think it’s about the same size as mine but I don’t know for sure.  Although I started with the same size pattern for all the pouches they all ended up different sizes due to the construction process.  Two of them have zippers and the other is a snap type pouch.  I’m thinking at least one of them will work for the phone and the others will have other uses. This was a fun project and I think I’ll  be making more pouches.

Second version

October 24, 2011 /

In this second version of the smaller market bag  I shortened the bag and I also laminated some fabric that I thought would make a great looking bag.  There were a couple of challenges.  I must have had the iron a bit too hot because some of the fabric yellowed a bit.  I was able to use that section for the handles so it’s really not noticeable.  I haven’t used this laminating material for many years and I didn’t have this iron on my last laminating adventure.  It is a higher quality iron and the heat is higher which I had forgotten.  Now I’m ready to try again on a different piece of fabric.  I am pleased with the size however.  I’ll make one more and make it about an inch taller and then I think it will be perfect.  I think this size will be perfect to take to the drugstore of anyplace where you will be just picking up a few smaller items.  I’m going to keep this one for myself because it doesn’t meet my standards for a gift or for sale and I know it will work just fine.  I do love the yellow and gray although they are not colors I would usually choose.

 

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