Starfish Alley

Page 12 of 19

Little houses

December 25, 2011 /

My Slice die cutter has been fun to use.  It will cut the objects in incremental sizes from 2″ to 4″. It will also cut them so you can create a shadow effect, a detailed layer on top of the base and a mirror image.  After thinking about it I decided it would be fun to see if I could create ornaments.  I was successful without too much trial and error.  I put Wonder Under on the back of all the fabric before I cut it out. This made it easy to layer, use a thin layer of batting and a hanging ribbon and well as having a mirror image back. This was so successful and so much fun I’m thinking of all sorts of other shapes or things I can make.  I also turned the little houses over and dated them and put names on them.  More fun times.

Christmas is coming

December 24, 2011 /

I always have fun thinking of things I can make for family and friends.  This year was no different.  I’ve tried many different kinds of projects this year as well as variations on projects I have done in the past and also tried some new things.  My bridge friends this year got a smattering of several different things.  I made smaller market bags, appliqued towels and ornaments.  I had a great time.  The bags were made from oilcloth which is one of my favorites to work with. The towels I used my Slice machine and mostly blanket stitch rather than a satin stitch and the ornaments were also made with my Slice machine and Wonder Under.

Reaching the finish line

December 23, 2011 /

Even though it is past bedtime I’m sitting in my recliner admiring the lights on the tree and reflecting on the day.  So often this time of year is so hectic that I don’t feel like I have time to enjoy the traditions and the magic of the season.  Each year is different and as the children grow older every season continues to evolve.  Some years there have been boyfriends and girlfriends, some years just family.  The future I also hope will include grandchildren but for now I’m enjoying my older adult children. What a blessing that is. So often family are not able to connect as adults due to jobs, spouses and other commitments.  I’m reminded to cherish each day and each moment with my family and friends.

The past week I’ve had several wonderful visits with friends.  Last Friday I was able to spend time with my dear friend Sarah.  She and her husband have had health issues this past year and it was good to visit with her and hear that they are both feeling better. I also had a visit from my good friend Peggy.  We worked together for a number of years and we had the pleasure of meeting when our boys were in preschool. Last night I hosted Christmas bridge at my house and feel blessed to be able to count Jennifer, Fran and Lucinda as friends. We’ve all shared joyous times and hard times.  These friends all listen and don’t make judgements.  What a rich world of friendship all these people have created for me.

There also has been some gifting this week.  The first gifts were Peggy’s creations.  She brought me a wreath made from beach shells.  It’s a gorgeous wreath and tomorrow it will be hanging on the wall of wreaths.  For now the picture of it on my cutting table will have to suffice.  She also brought me a piece of yard art that she has created out of thrifted dishes.  It is so cute!  I don’t have a picture of that one yet but will take a picture and post in the next day or two.  This lady is so creative and really has an artist’s eye for placement and color.  I’m envious of the gift she has for such creativity and feel fortunate when she brings me these lovely creations. Thanks Peggy. I love them both!

Slicing..

December 20, 2011 /

I’ve been working some on finishing Christmas gifts but haven’t had as much time because my mother has been in the hospital for five days.  Thank goodness she has been able to return to her home with some extra care giving and I’m going to try to catch up on work and get ready for Christmas.

Tonight I’m working on another project made with my Slice Fabrique which is a die cutting machine.  I’ve finally realized that the biggest key is having enough tackiness on the cutting mat so the fabric is very secure.  These are going to be very cute and I’ll post some more pictures as I finish them and they are gifted.

 

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.

 

Pin cushions

November 15, 2011 /

As any seamstress knows a pincushion is your friend.  I own many types of pin cushions and have made pin cushions but recently when I was cleaning out a drawer I found a pin cushion that a friend  brought me many years ago.  She had traveled to Switzerland to visit with relatives that were temporarily living there and brought me back this wonderful pin cushion.  As I’ve mentioned before I struggle to use special things and for many years have put them aside for safe keeping.  One of my recent decisions however is to live life with intention.  One of my intentions  is to cherish these special items but also to use them so I can get pleasure out of them every day.  This pin cushion sits on my sewing table and holds threaded hand sewing needles. Although I don’t do a lot of hand sewing there are always finishing touches that require a needle and thread.  So Sarah, every time I use this pin cushion I think of you and am thankful for  your years of friendship.  What a gift!

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.

 

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2025 Starfish Alley

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑