Plumtickled

What do you make

a person who has no more room for stuff? 

That's right, something useful and if it just so happens to be something pretty....... it's even better.

 

For my Mom's 70th birthday I made her a fold over bag to hold all of her medications..... mostly for when she travels or goes on little trips to Daytona.

 

I chose a pretty table runner than was in great shape.  I trimmed the sides to make it more even, cut it in half and then sewed it right sides together and along the bottom.  I "paper bagged" the bottom and made a lining out of a sweet reproduction print in pinks and blues. 

 

I sewed in a white pony-tail holder in the center of the bag between the linen and the lining.

 

Then made a button to match the lining.

(I am presently taking donations for a manicure....)

 

Then sewed it to the bag being certain to mark the correct spot first with a mark-b-gone marker.  I love those things!

 

I added a copy of "Dozen's of ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase" to the bag too.  I fit perfectly!

 

I also added a "gift certificate" for a cheesecake made with Splenda for her trip to Daytona with my Aunt Rosemary.

 

I think she liked it!

Off to my next project(s)

I felt so accomplished yesterday.  After finishing up on the last details of some purses and dresses........ I loaded them up onto Etsy and now.......... I'm off to my next project.

I received a very exciting email last week and I'm just bursting with ideas.  I'm not sure if I'm able to share it as of yet but will as soon as I can.  I promise!

In the meantime....... I'm still growing this little baby.  I've been feeling her little kicks and nudges from time to time and it gives me so much joy.  I'm halfway there........ and it's going super fast.  We're having a tough time thinking up names that we both like.  So far, we know we want to name her Avonlea....... just stuck on her other name, be it a first or middle.  Any ideas?

I also want to finish the girls' room before she gets here.  ( I just typed girls'!)  I've decided to not worry about the "finger destroying quilt" that I started for Amelia as I think the colors are too strong for a new baby.  So, I've decided to use some other fabric that I have been hoarding for a while now.  It's Moda's Seaside Rose and it's just so sweet and girlie.  My sister Jerri Lynn will be here soon.......... I'm sure there will be quilting involved during her visit!

So, off to take a shower...... my new resolution, to try and look halfway decent for my husband everyday.  Phew....... what a chore!  Amelia's bedding needs to be washed.......... and I'm out of Dreft!  She suffers from Excema like crazy and shouldn't be touched with anything but........ poor thing.  I guess I need to call her Daddy to see if he'll stop at Wal-Mart/Target to pick some up.  He's so great....... he also checks the shoe aisles for her..... he knows his girl so well!

Blood, sweat, tears & part of a finger!

Meet my leetle friend!  His names is Percocet or Oxycodone for short.......... but I like to call him .......... Mom's Crack.

My Spazoid self totally whacked off the top of my thumb........ including my fingernail yesterday afternoon while cutting out the last of Amelia's quilt. 

The scene of the crime....... minus my finger part that was lying on the fabric.  My sister Debi was kind enough to gather it up and take it to the ER for me....... you know, in case  reattachment was possible.  I totally freaked when all I saw was "meat".  I had no idea how much I cut off and flew straight to the ER.

After the worst shots ever known to man since creation, that were directly injected into my knuckles.......... the pain was better.  But, now I'm left with the pain from the Lanacain shots and the missing fingernail/flesh that I zipped off with my rotary cutter.  Oh and the best part....... she had to poke about 10-12 holes into the remaining bit of my fingernail and nail bed to relieve the pressure of the collecting blood.  Nice.

My ever clever and quick thinking older son Coley......... the highly trained Boy Scout.............. devised an on the spot  First Aid center made especially for me......... ah, he knows me well.  It apparently includes items to help with all of my burns, cuts and boo boos that I collect while in my kitchen.  It's right next to the sink that I use to treat my numerous burns with cold water.  What a kid!  He used duct tape....... it's there forever.

So while I was flying high and totally oblivious to the pulsating pain flowing from my once totally normal thumb............ I made this:

This bag will be given to one lucky person who leaves a comment and/or tells a bit about a klutzy thing that they've done.  It doesn't have to include the ER or pain medication but anything trippy, fally, whacky, slippy or runny into-y something.  Oh and droppy on toesy things........ like the other day when I dropped a 2 1/2 pound jar of Jif Peanut Butter on my big toe....... and yes, it bruised my toe and part of my foot...............  or even how like last night I picked up a hot metal spoon from my stove with my good hand and burned myself.  Yup, life with me is a chuckle a minute.

It's work of prescription pain medication art........ yup.

So.......... as I was saying...... leave a comment any comment....... it doesn't have to be a story...... and I'll throw everyone's name into a something or other and have a kid of mine pick it out.  With clean hands of course.  And..... you can be from another country....... so you over the sea friends........ you're totally invited as well.

So....... I'm off to take another crack pill........ sip on my Wal-Mart brand of Strawberry Crystal Light....... and feel nice and fuzzy and try not to smack my thumb on anything.

Oh Percocet....... where art though?

 

Such perfect timing!

Just look at what goodness has come to me in my mailbox.......... wait, I must correct myself and say...........

Look at what goodness has come to me and Amelia in our mailbox........ such sweetness and thoughtfulness!

I bought this unbelievable sparrow bag from Miss Tiny Happy herself..... Melissa.  She has been such an inspriation for sewing and crafting for me and everytime I see she has made something new from this particular piece of fabric.......... my heart skips beats.  I check her blog and her etsy shop daily........... yes daily, but no need to worry......... she lives a world away and there is no chance of me stalking her at her little booth on the weekends!  Although, it would be so, so nice to sit and chat with Melissa about her findings and sewing!  ( You MUST go and see her adorable baby shoes........... no one is like the other!).

Now, I said I bought the bag but............. being the kind, thoughtful and generous person she is ........... she added the sweetest little dancing skirt in the package for my girl Amelia!  And, I must say that I'm not sure what Amelia likes more......... the skirt or the tag with the "squirrrrrrrrwl" on it more! 

Here she is being a ballerina......... twirling and twirling........ and very pleased with herself and her new dancing skirt!

Thank you so much Melissa for being so kind to us.  From across these many miles, your gift is very much appreciated and my new bag...............

Melissa mentioned in a quick email that she knows that I can sew and make bags........... which is true............. and I can honestly say that I've only bought three bags from others........... she and our mutual friend Rhiannon.  There's just something about knowing who made them and also being aware of the time, talent and imagination that it took to complete the look and feel to the bags.

One more quick little note about the Tiny Happy blog.......... the one thing I come away from after reading her daily entries is the amount of time she spends making things for others.  Now, I don't mean to sell......... she makes things for friends and family and one can tell that she enjoys this above most anything else. 

It is something I wish I would do more of................ perhaps it's time to stop wishing and begin doing.  But what first?  I think I know......

Stalling....

is what I'm doing.  I have all of the tulle cut out and sorted into individual bags, the elastic cut and sewn into the circle and am about to get started on the tying.  (I'll try to take pictures throughout and do a quick tutorial, just in case you would like to try to make one.  Meredith & Lotta.... you guys can whip one up for your girls if you want... no sewing involved!). 

Anyhoo....... I'm pretty much doing anything I can to keep from getting started.  I wish I knew why I procrastinate so badly.... it's what I'm about.  In fact, one of my very favorite sayings of all time is:

"If it wasn't for the last second........ I'd get nothing done!"

And that's the truth.

So, while on the subject of procrastination.........I made this when I got home from Church:

It's already on Etsy and will hopefully sell as easily as the rose one I made yesterday.  It's a biggun at 33" long from the top of the strap to the bottom of the bag.  I love the colors as well and really should keep it as it's the last of this tablecloth...... but since buying my beeee-u-teeee-fool Ball bag from Rhiannon....... I don't need to!

Oh, on the shop front..... time is ticking closer to the day we open!  We plan to open on September first.......which of course I haven't even checked to see what day it falls on yet, but whatever.  My Angel of a Husband built our office walls last weekend and is at this moment building the shelves for the shop.  Here is a rough shot that I took this morning. 

He made the back with bead board which matches the walls of our office.  He still has one more left to build and then he wants to put some trim along the edges.  We plan to paint them a nice smooth vanilla-ish color.  (Our walls are turquoise!).  I had one little bolt here and the house and so I ran in to test it and then take a picture to share with you guys).  Next weekend...... WE PAINT!  Then the next weekend I guess we get to start "playing shop" and set everything up. 

I counted the other day and so far we have had about 117 bolts of fabric delivered plus two bolts of muslin.  I also ordered lots of notions the other day and of course yummy patterns.  We also have some great smelling triple scented candles, notecards and some great patterns from Sublime Stitcheries.  I hope it all goes well for us!

Well crud.  I guess I have to go get to work.  Amelia is asleep and both boys are with their Dad today and of all times this is the best to do work.  Have a great Sunday ya'll!

Done, almost done & not done enough!

Done........ and it's pretty.  It's already up on Etsy and will hopefully contribute to this years school clothes.  I'm telling ya'll.........  the older they get........ the more clothes'll cost ya!  Phew!  We traveled to Jacksonville to the Mall yesterday where apparently just the fact that Cole was in the same three mile vicinity as his Mother was enough to cause sheer pain in his body.  Sorry Coley Spagoli....... if I talked too loudly, talked about certain underwear and asked if you liked Old Navy still.  Oh, and walked near you and whatever else made you roll your pretty blue eyes........ oh sorry..... roll your eyes.  (I'll keep the pretty blue part out till we're at home and there's no chance anyone is around that will see, hear or know me). 

Of course he sure as heck knew me when it was time to pass out money for lunch and arcade games..... HMmmm?  Funny.

Just wanted to add that my other boy........ you know, the one that still loves me, is now wearing waist and length jeans.  I had a moment in the Pac Sun dressing area when he came out and they fit.  For the record....... he wears a 28/30.  Sigh. 

Done........ 15 tissue cozies for a wholesale order.  Along with seven halter dresses and 4 halter tops. 

Almost done:

Another Carry Around bag made from this awesomely beautiful tablecloth that I just adore!  it has the best yellows, greens and grays that I've seen.  It'll be done hopefully tomorrow and will be up on Etsy....... again, two kids in the High School and they need school clothes!  I made one similar to this one a while back and came across this one all cut out and ready to go........ it was a nice surprise!

Not done enough........

The damn tutus.  Ugh.

Get this.......... I cut out enough tulle to make 14 tutu's. 

I.will.never.ever.ever. make.another.tutu.as.long.as.I.live.  The end.

Dresser scarf no longer

Ah, it feels good to get something done that doesn't contain a hem!  Earlier this month my sister Jerri Lynn brought me some vintage linen love from New York.  She wasn't sure I would like this table scarf or even be able to use it ...... Like Hello...... do you NOT know me?  It's amazing....... truly it is!   Just feast your eyes on this puppy....... I mean birdies"

I couldn't stand it any longer and broke out the red corduroy and made a bag.  I'll be listing it on Etsy later but will definitely be making one for me with the other one....... oh, forgot to mention, there was a pair of these scarves!  Oh, the love!

Sunday, my boys left for Boys Scout Camp.  After much packing, signing of permission forms, and the ever aggravating....... "Please be carefuls"........ they were off.  Here is what two boys who went through all of the above look like when leaving their poor distraught Mama:

Yup, the one on the right is 14 years old and doesn't think he needs the "please be carefuls", "watch over your little brother", "use the sunscreen I gave you", "please bathe this time", "for all this is holy and good, wear the deodorant you packed", "brush your teeth, EVERYDAY", and so on.  He loves me, really he does!  The one on the left rarely gets yelled at as he is still sweet.  Give me a couple of years and I'll report back on that one!  All in all, they are both excellent kids and I couldn't imagine my life without them..... even with the look Cole is giving!  (This was the third or fourth picture I took, Kavin just can't keep his eyes open in the sun, hupid hid).

Oh yeah, also made Amelia Claire an outfit to wear to the Go Diego Go Live show tonight in Jacksonville!  Her Aunt Debi bought a couple of yards of Diego fabric so I could make her something special to wear....... this is what I came up with:

It wasn't easy finding any other fabric to match nor was it easy to make it girlie.  Although, I think I managed to solve both issues.  First, I found a scrap of the yellow..... it has bugs all over it and matched the yellow on the Diego fabric.  Then, since I didn't have enough yellow to truly make the pants I had to make a ruffle to go along the hem of the pants......... which girlied it up a bit.  Added a vintage yellow button to the top and TA DA........ La finishe-dad.  (Took two years of Spanish and can barely say "Taco", so bare with me please.)  I think she'll like it and maybe even feel special wearing it.  She's really been enjoying playing with other kids lately.  Last night she got to play with her cousin Kristopher....... in his pool!  Can I get a whut, whut on that one?  So much fun, I wish I had a picture.  Also, my niece Brookie Snookie turned 18 flippin' years old and at the "Happy birthday to you" party she got to play with more friends including Kalianne..... basically a cousin.  How dang sweet is this I ask:

And this:

Oh, to be young again.  And skinny.  I can dream.

Have a wonderful evening....... I'm off to see Diego and his baby Jaguar.  Rowr, rowr!

Guess where I'll be...

I'll be sewing me up some Carry Around goodness this next week!  I finally received my box-o-tablecloths and will get to town beginning as soon as possible.  (Of course as soon as possible means after clearing the dining room of the baby's bedroom, painting said baby's bedroom, driving kid to car wash, driving same kid to ball game, biting fingernails while my piano is being delivered without me being home, doing laundry and attending church.)  It'll happen...... this just gives me many more hours of sewing and crafting planning.  Here's a glimpse at the new bags that will take shape next week:

And the SEVEN napkins that match:

I love the colors of this yellow one.... I think I may have a green that I can make the handle and stuff out of that will match it's goodness:

Here's a closeup of the colors..... yummy!

I think I'll have to make a Carry Around or one of these for me with this pretty blue one:

Close up:

I do believe I like making bags more than any other thing out there.  I haven't made a bag in weeks and I'm having withdrawals........ I'm twitching and everything.  Also, just updated my shop with more outfits for little girls, including this cutie made from Alexander Henry's Apples and Pears, which has to be one of the sweetest fabrics ever!

Better get off of the puter....... my sister Debi will be here in a minute with the baby and Kavin..... I need to look like I've been working and not playing. 

I'm gonna leave you with a pretty shot of an unripe Persimmon.  I personally don't like the texture but think I'll try making quick breads with them.....  you know, like banana bread or Mango bread. Looks like were gonna get a ton of them soon! 

Have a great Friday night...... we have no kids tonight!  Bonk-chicky-bow-wow! 

Another productive day!

I don't have very much time to write tonight but thought I would share with you the another bag that I made today....... It's a biggun!

I had to put the ole white chair on the syrup boiler just to keep it from skimming the ground!  I think I'm making the other one for me to keep to use for the beach.  It's big enough to hold all of my magazines, Dr. Pepper, flip flops, hat, sunscreen, cheetos, sunglasses, towels, keys, phone and all of the other things that don't let me relax while laying in the sand!

I'm lucky enough to live about 45 minutes away from the beach.  We always go to Fort Clinch which is in Fernandina Florida...... it's usually quiet and not packed.  Not too many skinny, tanned & fake boobed girls running around either..... which is what I like of course!  We didn't go very much last year for some reason, perhaps it was the heat or the baby.  This year though, we've decided to head there every chance we get!  I was born and partially raised in Hawaii and miss it like you wouldn't believe........ the beach brings back so many memories for me.  I do have to say that no beach I've ever been on since Waikiki smells as sweetly or looks as beautiful.  Maybe that explains my addiction to Magnum P.I..... Amelia calls him "Nummy Num" and I must agree, he is! 

Here's a picture of my Magnum and his super babe.....

Tomorrow I'll be sewing again.  I'm finishing up on an order from a friend for a halter dress set........ it's going to be very girly and sweet.  Have a great night and happy sewing to all!  Judi

Today was in the bag!

Today I had a blast making a couple of new bags.  I was lucky enough to come across some really cool vintage linens last Saturday....... two in particular were screaming ...... "Large Market Tote Bag".  So I listened and here is what I came up with:

I call it the "Carry Around"........ only because it's big enough to be able to carry around just about anything you want!  I haven't seen too many tablecloths of this age without spots, stains or a hole of some type.... these kept their colors really well which makes them even more exciting to me!  Yes, this is exciting..... I have no life remember?

Anyhoo........ I have another tablecloth that I just cut to make another for tomorrow.  This one has great colors also except these are way more muted.  It has large yellow flowers with some sage green leaves.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.  (Lets just hope those who visit it on Etsy like it too!).

Here is the other I made.  This one is from a vintage quilt.  I don't like this one as much but I know there are those who do:  Here it is:  right here.

I'll be working on an order I got from a friend from Church on Sunday for two of these:

I love making these for Amelia Claire.  The back is open like a halter and ties with more ribbon.  Add those bloomers and it's just too cute.  I've already picked out which fabrics to use and can't wait to get going on them too! I guess I'll be busy the next few days.......... I've been trying to stay that way to keep from eating everything in sight.  Tonight was our Fat Lady meeting at my house.  Every month we're "supposed" to decide on 3 small changes to incorporate into our days until they become habit.  It's a great concept and actually works.  This month I'm NOT going to lick the spoon or keep tasting supper as it cooks.  I think I eat an entire meal while cooking.  Then, I'm going to get up and get dressed, do my hair and makeup before anything else......... including checking my email.  Then, the third change is going to be to pull Amelia around in her ultra cool wagon her Daddy built her last Christmas.  We did this today and was so much fun.  She hollered "Yee-Ha" the whole time!

Anyhoo...... Ya'll have a great night.  Go check out these things I've seen this week and love:

These bags,this sweet bunny, this idea that I'll have to do now.  Where are those drawings my big boys did years ago?  Oh and now I want an I-pod so I can look cute with one of these.