Yo-yos 4th of July Style
July 3rd, 2009
I apologize a zillion times for not being able to give credit. I saw them somewhere in the last couple of weeks, made a mental note of how cute they are, and because they are so simple, I never thought to bookmark the source. If anyone knows, please tell me, and I will gladly give credit where credit is due. Just so you know, the creative credit does not go to me. I’ll take credit for the technical part though!! ;-) I’m making these to hand out at the parade party at our cousin’s house tomorrow. There will be at least 50 people there, I have 9 pins. I had 10, but a clerk at Home Depot complimented me on it, so I gave it to her. Depending on how much I get done today, there will be a yo-yo deficit tomorrow. Rarity adds value, right?
I
t’s 7:35 pm here in Central Texas and still 100º. I don’t see fireworks in our future if it’s like this tomorrow. Have a great Independence Day celebration everyone!!
Tags: fabric, Holidays, yoyos
Posted in Crafts, Holidays, Thing's I've Made, sewing | Comments (0)
Crafts from the Past
June 21st, 2009
I’m in the middle of a project, but I’m not ready to post pictures, so I thought I’d post some things from the past, just for fun.
At one time, I was a cross stitch fanatic. These are a couple of the things I never gave away. 
Once upon a time, I tried oil painting. I’ve never considered myself an artist, but I had a roommate that was an art major. One summer, she talked me into taking this class with her. I did a total of 2 paintings. The other one is in the attic somewhere. We won’t discuss that one. ;-)
Some of my grandkids have Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls. I think I burned out on them before the last two came along. I still have one in my WIP box. I’ll have to hurry before the last one outgrows dolls. I used my mother’s pattern for years, and she’s been gone since 1991. When I saw one in the pattern book last year, I bought it, just in case I wear out the original.
And then, there are always random projects. This bear—yes, that’s a bear—was suppose to be a pillow buddy, you know, where you put a pillow in his tummy and watch tv in the floor. This was my second prototype. I should have gone for a third one, but I ran out of time. It didn’t matter, he was well-loved anyway.
My newest favorite craft is yarn kitties. I found instructions for them on Craftster last year, and I’ve had a lot of fun with them. I sent 3 to the BookCrossing convention in London last year for door prizes. One stayed in the UK, and I don’t know who got the others. But, I do know that a member in Germany was disappointed not to get one and asked me to make another one. So, I did, and two of the kitties are international dwellers now. Last winter, I won a blue ribbon at the county fair with a kitten.
This is why I excel at nothing. I have a short attention span! There are too many cool things to try to spend time perfecting anything. I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on trying something new!
And that doesn’t even include my gourd art, my yoyos, or my patchwork pentagon toys!! Maybe next time.
Tags: Crafts
Posted in Crafts, Random thoughts, Thing's I've Made | Comments (0)
Quilty as Charged: Undercover in a Material World—a book review
June 14th, 2009
I’m not good at reviewing books, and even though I read somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 books a year, I rarely try to review them. But, I’m going to make an exception.
Spike Gillespie, (yes, it’s a she!) was introduced to the world of quilting at the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2002. What started out as a story assignment for her newspaper, turned into a..well, love is too strong a word, let’s just say an admiration for quilting and quilters.
Did you know that there are 22 million quilters in the US, and that they spend over 1 billion dollars a year. Wow. We’ve come a long way from the days when women made quilts out of scraps and the only artistry was in their use of colors and fancy stitches.
The story about the festival turned into interviews with 16 different quilters, of all genres. Their is a crazy quilter, there is an award winning male quilter, there are art quilters, painted quilters, and several other quilting styles that I wasn’t aware of before now.
She includes the story of the irate vender who threw bleach on an award winning quilt, worth $6500, and did a stretch in jail.
The book was filled with interesting people, and some great photos, although I wished for more pictures. The trick of putting in a color picture of a quilt, then using the same photo in black and white later in the book was a bit irritating. I understand the reason for b & w, but I wish she had used a different picture.
While I enjoyed the book because it is a subject that interests me, it wasn’t the best written book I’ve read recently. I think she couldn’t hit a happy medium between writing a newspaper story, writing a blog, and writing a book. It was a little loose and wandering sometimes, but she did a nice job with the individual stories.
I give it 8 of 10 stars, mostly because I enjoyed this new look at quilting.
This was a library book, so it isn’t registered on BookCrossing.
Tags: reviews
Posted in Books | Comments (0)
Kittens and Puppets
June 14th, 2009
I have been racking my brain, trying to figure out something for Dad for Father’s Day. He’s in a nursing home, so he doesn’t need much, and he doesn’t really have any hobbies. He doesn’t like tv, or reading, or music, and he has plenty of clothes. But, he loves cats-always has, so I decided to get him something with a cat on it.
It’s June, so no calendars. Not much space for pictures, they don’t make grown men’s pajamas with cats on them, so I was stumped.
I finally decided to make him a pillowcase, so I headed off to my trusty Wal-Mart. I know they are down low on the list of Places That Have Great Fabric, but, in my world, you work with what’s available.
Anyway, I ran across these pre-printed pillow panels by Patty Reed, and my problem was solved. The brindle one is a lot cuter than the yellow one, but he won’t mind. I also bought some fabric with cats on it, and I’ll make the pillowcase for his birthday.
I also bought fabric to make a puppet theatre for my youngest granddaughter’s birthday. I had planned to finish it today, but that won’t be happening. My dog is having some issues with the whole being still thing. He was really good for the first 10 days, but now, he wants off the leash. Since that isn’t going to happen, he’s decided that the only thing that will make him happy is to have both of us in the same room with him. So, I’m doing a lot of reading and a lot of handwork right now. I brought him with me into the office and and am bribing him with bacon treats to stay in here and not cry. He’s going to be so spoiled by the time this is all over!
So, this is the fabric that will, one day soon, be a doorway puppet theatre.
I’m also working on the yo-yo clown for my friend’s little girl. I embroidered one face, but I can’t use it. It’s scary—it scared me, so I sure don’t want to send it to Lilly! I have another one sketched out, so maybe it won’t look scary.
Hope everyone is staying cool, or warm, depending on your season. We hit 99º yesterday.
Tags: fabric, family, Lucky, sewing
Posted in Crafts, Gift-y things, Holidays | Comments (0)
Testing out Live Writer
June 13th, 2009
I read about this on Today’s Creative Blog.Kim had such glowing things to say that I decided I had to try it out. I love my gimmicky things!!
The real test will be a photograph, so here you go, just a random photo.
Whoa, that was easy.
I have 5 pieces of new fabric for 3 new projects in the the washer while I’m playing with this. All need finished this weekend!! ;-)
Ok, now for the biggest test, publishing.
Posted in Other blogs | Comments (0)
Winner of the May giveaway!
June 2nd, 2009
I was sure I wrote this post yesterday, but I seem to have lost it. Maybe I hit save instead of publish.
Anyway, the winner was…wait a minute. I know I wrote it because I had a time stamp from random generator.org. Drat, there goes all my officialdom.
Anyway, the winner was Marie-Jolie of Permission to Unwind
Congratulations!!!
Tags: giveaway
Posted in Other blogs | Comments (0)
Sewing machine meme
June 2nd, 2009
Sew, Mama, Sew is having sewing machine week. To kick off the fun, they have asked for answers to these questions. I think they plan to compile them into a sewing machine resource. I’m not sure how much help I will be, because I have vintage machines. I love the word “vintage”. It covers so much stuff that would otherwise be defined as old, used, or ancient.
So, here are my replies.
What brand and model do you have?
I actually have 3 machines. I have a Bernina. I can’t remember what model–I think it’s a 1980’s model. It was my mother’s, and she’s been gone since 1991. It may be a 1970’s model. I put it in the shop a few years ago, and when they returned it, I put it away, since I had another machine. When I finally pulled it out months later, I realized that they had left out the whole bobbin mechanism. There’s just a gaping hole there. I keep thinking that I’ll hit ebay for the parts, but I haven’t bothered.
My second machine is a Singer, ca. 1940’s. It’s a Featherweight and a half–or so the repairman calls it. For a number of years, it was my only working machine. I liked it just fine, it did everything I needed except backstitch and zig zag. I wasn’t sewing much in those days, so it didn’t really matter. I bought it at an estate sale for about $20.
The machine I’m using now is a Singer Fashion-Mate, also from the 1970’s, that my MIL passed along to me when she downsized. It’s my primary machine now, and it’s never let me down.
How long have you had it?
Bernina-1991
Singer#1-I got it about 10 years ago.
Singer FM-about 20 years ago.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I think they are all too old to have value.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
These days, I’m mostly just making toys, pillowcases, a few pillows and kitchen things. I’m not making clothes anymore.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I probably sew less than 20 hours a month now, although that’s way down from a few years ago.
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I am ambivalent about my machines. It’s what I had when I couldn’t afford anything else, and now that I can afford to upgrade, I don’t see much sense in it.
What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Pretty featureless.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Not really,
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
When I found the older Singer at an estate sale, it was tucked into a bedroom on the second floor. I carried that machine, in the cabinet, across that house, down a steep, narrow flight of stairs with rude people trying to push past me to get upstairs, and outside to the car. All by myself. I worked for that machine!!!
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Honestly, I’d have to say yes to both Singers. You can pick them up on ebay and estate sales for almost nothing. If you are just getting started, or just doing basic sewing, it’s an inexpensive way to get a machine. Mine have all been extremely reliable and both make a pretty stitch.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I honestly don’t know what’s available now. I just plug along with my antiques.
Do you have a dream machine?
Funny you should ask. I want a sew/quilt/embroidery machine. I actually planned to buy one at the State Fair last fall. I saved for a year and had the money in my hot little check book. But, that was about the time the economy started getting a little shaky. I’m self-employed, my husband is semi-retired and works for me, and the truth is that I got scared. I started thinking about how much it was going to cost, and anyway, my office/sewing room is so crowded now that I don’t have a place to put a large machine. In the end, I went home without it. It was a good decision. We had a few rough months, before we re-bounded with record sales this spring. So, even if I’d bought it, I wouldn’t have time now to get a lot of benefit from it.
So, basically, if you want to get started and think that a machine isn’t in your budget, do 2 things. First, ask around and make some phone calls to find out who can work on machines in your area. That might not be an issue in urban areas, but in rural areas, a machine repairman nearby is a very good thing. Once you’ve done that, start visiting estate sales or yard sales for a machine.
Tags: sewing machines
Posted in BookCrossing, Other blogs, sewing | Comments (2)
Welcome to the Sew, Mama, Sew Blog Giveaway!!-Now closed
May 26th, 2009
First, let me say welcome to my visitors from the Sew, Mama, Sew! May Giveaway. I don’t have a lot of posts here, because until recently, I’ve been subjecting my friends over on LJ with my projects. I decided that if I wanted to stay friends, I should find someplace else for those posts!
You may see BookCrossing.com mentioned around here a lot, because that’s my second favorite place. There is a link in the sidebar to a page with more information, if you like to read, like to share books, and love Random Acts of Kindness!
Now, on to the giveaway. I’m willing to ship internationally, so everyone can keep reading. I know that’s always an important issue.
I am giving you a choice of prizes this time. You can choose between a pair of floral pillowcases or 3 fat quarters.
If you look closely, you will see that the pillowcase isn’t finished yet. I have an excuse. I worked 14 hours yesterday, and my dog had surgery today—a 2 hour round trip-made twice, plus I worked. He’s fine, but he could use some good thoughts for the next month as he undergoes heartworm treatment. But, I digress. The pillowcases, both of them, will be finished before the giveaway ends.
If you choose the fat quarters, the light polka dot one is actually a mossy green, not as brown as the dots appear.
These things come from a smoke-free house, although, as you probably guessed, it isn’t a dog free home.
I will use a random generator to pick the winner on June 1, CST. That way, visitors will have all day on the 31st to enter. Leave a comment, be sure to leave your email so that I can contact you, and, well, welcome, and good luck!!!
Don’t forget to head over to Sew,Mama, Sew’s site for a list of all of the other participants!!
I’m looking forward to meeting you all!
Tags: giveaway
Posted in Other blogs | Comments (184)
Welcome to the new Wren’s Crossing
May 23rd, 2009
Some of you may have reached this page expecting to find the old home page, with links to all of the BookCrossing related information.
Never fear, the information is still there, and except for the map page, the links are still the same. Since I loaned most of my faqs to the BookCrossing faq page, I’m finding that fewer people are visiting me here. So, I’m in the process of re-doing the site, starting with a new blog. The blog will be mostly crafts, with some BookCrossing and anything else that crosses my mind. I hope that you will visit often, bookmark it, and join me in this expanded site.
The link to the new map page, which includes all of the old pages, can be found here. You might want to change your bookmarks.
Tags: BookCrossing, introduction
Posted in BookCrossing | Comments (2)
All about yo-yos
May 14th, 2009
Much to my surprise, I’ve had a lot of questions about yo-yos–what they are, how to use them, but no one has asked how to make them. Hmm…
Anyway, I have no proof, but I think yo-yos were another product of the Victorian era, those lovely, idle ladies who were looking for yet another way to decorate with fabric. The early ones were probably made of silks and velvets, like the crazy quilts.
Yo-yo quilts are not really quilts in the traditional sense. The yo-yos are sewn on top of a backing fabric which shows through the yo-yos. Sometimes, the yo-yos are stitched together without a backing and used as a coverlet.
This would be an example of yo-yos used as a coverlet, just imagine that the expanse of your bed is covered with these, with a white or ivory sheet underneath.
Now, imagine that you wanted a more dramatic backing. You could sew the yo-yos to a darker fabric, or maybe a rose color in a little girls room. Imagine how feminine these would look done in pastel florals, sewn to a pink background.
In the 1970’s this craft became popular again. I’ve seen them made into sleeveless vests worn over turtleneck sweaters. I’ve seen them covering throw pillows. If you dig through your memories, I’ll bet you can remember a grandmother or aunt that had these pillows. Lately, I’ve seen them made into purses and used as a brooch or decoration on a purse. And of course, there are animals. And clowns.
Tags: doll, sewing, Toys
Posted in Other blogs, Thing's I've Made, Toys, Uncategorized | Comments (1)
