Rekindling an old Friendship

My family has become much closer during our time being quarantined together. We've done yard work, planted a vegetable garden, finished up our list of "honey do" and repair projects and rediscovered hobbies that were neglected. Even though we only ventured out a few times for necessities, we accomplished so much and I feel like I've had a "reset". I really needed that. I've cleaned out most of the cobwebs in my life and I'm ready for a fresh productive start.

This quote has inspired me during the weeks of quarantine,

“Take a deep breath, ignore the deafening noise, and think deeply about what you want to put back into your life. This is our chance to define a new version of normal, a rare and truly sacred (yes, sacred) opportunity to get rid of the bullshit and to only bring back what works for us, what makes our lives richer, what makes our kids happier, what makes us truly proud.”

Julio Vincent Gambuto

Writing blog posts is like a diary for me. It allows me time for reflection and perspective. I can look back on my past work and ideas and learn from them and it allows my creative side to grow. So, after reading some of my past blog posts, I got reacquainted with an old friend during "the quarantine". A lot had changed and I had forgotten a lot of things. But, after a few hours together, we were back on track again and we made some fun projects together. I really missed my little sewing buddy. I see lots of sewing projects with my Singer Stylist 7258 in my future!

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🤔 Reminiscent of the Malcolm in the Middle episode where Malcolm and Lois got mono and Bedazzled everything. I gave my sewing room a little animal magnetism during “the quarantine”! 🤪 #sewersgonnasew #sewistforlife #grrrrbabyverygrrrr

A post shared by Wendy Chapman Bellino (@wendy_c_b) on May 22, 2020 at 6:46am PDT

For today's post, I was invited to participate in the Coffee Lover's Spring/Summer 2020 blog hop by Monica at Taylormadecards4u. She is one of 73 Super Sponsors for the hop, so if you are feeling creative link up for a chance to win some great prizes! I was immediately inspired to make something using the round label designs in her latest coffee-themed digital kit, Another Cup of Coffee.

I used the rest of my fabric scraps from my sewing room makeover to whip up a set of coffee themed "mug rugs".

I backed a piece of white fabric with some freezer paper for stability and printed the designs using my inkjet printer. I followed the directions from this post from Sarah and used her recommendation for using white vinegar to set the designs. They faded a good bit, but that adds to the vintage charm. I haven't researched other methods of preserving the printed designs for waterproofing, so suggestions are welcome. I will definitely do this again!

Off to make a second cuppa coffee and visit with my crew. Have a fabulous day and thanks so much for stopping by!

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A Cape fit for a Princess!

Another birthday! Millie turned 5 on Sunday. I asked my sister-in-law for gift ideas. She likes dress up, teacher's chalk (skinny sticks!), play doh, books...nothing hit me. Then Kelley texted me this...

She is Elsa from Frozen. BINGO! I found an easy cape pattern idea from +Kylie Harris at http://www.thehowtomom.com/2014/01/frozen-elsa-cape-and-anna-cloak-diy.html?m=1.

Hancock Fabrics had some shimmery sheer turquoise blue fabric that was perfect for an ice princess! I made the wand too, a wooden dowel wrapped in satin ribbon, ribbon dangles and Christmas snowflake ornaments for the wand tip. 

I made the chalkboard face-in-the-hole boards too.

These were sooooo cool! I got the idea from +Mandy Beyeler at http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2014/04/diy-chalkboard-face-in-hole.html. She used chalkboard foam board, but I couldn't find any in this town! I spray painted black foam board with chalkboard paint and decorated frames with paint pens and "gems". Turned out perfect!

I think they are happy little girls!

 

This is the most rewarding 34 seconds ever…

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Ultimate Baseball Fan Package!

My first attempt at applique! I wanted to make something original to donate to my son's high school baseball team's silent auction. Burlap garden flags are so popular right now, but I wanted colorful. I designed my flag and made a pattern. I loved the chevron material and wanted to use it for the background. The school colors are purple and gold, hence the purple "A". I machine stitched the applique pieces on with a zigzag stitch, and on the baseball I embellished with some hand embroidery fly stitching.

I also made some spirit finger gloves and a purple and gold fleece tie blanket to make the Ultimate Fan Package! 

My husband gets upset when I spend time making things for other people. I rarely make things for myself. He was the highest bidder in the silent auction and bought my Ultimate Fan Package! Sweet man...I love it! 

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Here Comes Trouble!

My nephew was born June 3, 2013! Third times the charm. My Aunt Linda, Kellan Allen’s great aunt posted this on our family group page on Facebook:
“Welcome to the Family , Kellan Allen ! You are the first male  namesake of Memaw and Papaw's great-grands! You were born almost 90 years after your great-papaw was born on June 23, 1923. Papaw would have been so proud! Your daddy was the first male  namesake of the grands, so it is befitting that you are the first for the great-grands. Lots of hugs and kisses for your lovely Mommy, cutie big sisters, and your proud daddy. Auntie Linda and Uncle  Jan .”
Well of course I had to make something special…

My first quilt. With the help of Jenny at the Missouri Star Quilt Company’s rag quilt tutorial, I did it!

Blue and brown minky checkerboard on one side and three patterns from the Oh Deer line by Moda Fabrics on the other. I made the card to match using cardstock from Club Scrap and the Oh Boy! Cricut cartridge.


My hands got a work out after clipping all those edges, but I love how it turned out. I even made some simple receiving blankets and topstitched with some of the decorative stitches on my machine. I am a sewing machine!

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