Beer Carton Cowboy Hat

Although I donot drink beer, I was asked to try to do a cowboy hat made from the empty beer cartons several years ago when recycled crafts were all the rage. Recycled hats, recycled juice pouch purses and accessories. Everyone wanted to learn how to make purses from empty juice pouches like capri sun and Koolaid juice pouches. Then people got even more creative and started making purses, hats and accessories out of just about anything you can think of potato chip bags, pepsi cartons sandwiched between clear vinyl,dog food bags, coffee sacks, even beer cartons... like this cowboy hat. People were selling these at craft shows for around 25.00 to 35.00. This actually is made from 2 beer cartons. I fiddled with several before I was able to make it. I posted a tutorial on my tut site; if interested you can find the step by step instructions free www.itsmybag.myeweb.net
Yes some say they are a bit tacky but rednecks up my way love this stuff. You know someone like that... beer drinkin, truck drivin, fun lovin, just a good ol' boy.

A Money Tree

I love making these. Can't figure out what to get that special person as a gift. So you decided to give them money. Well make them a money tree. It's easy to do and quite the crowd pleaser. I made this one for my nephew. I took a fallen branch from the yard (about 18" tall), I added some metal garland sold at the Dollar Tree for 1.00. I wrapped all the branches with this then I added flowers to every other branch with hot glue. Planted it into a piece of styrafoam and placed it into a cheap clay pot about $1.00. Then I added some peat moss which I hot glued in place. Next I pleated about 10 one dollar bills and 2 five dollar bills and used some floral wire to tie them onto the branches of the tree.
I have in the past glued those chocolate money coins on the branches as well.
If you are going to do one. Think up themes and try to add the themed items to the tree as well. If you are doing one for a golfer... you could attach a few golf balls to the base and attach the tees by dangling them from the branches. If you know a kid or grown up who is crazy for cars. Dangle some match box cars from the branches. You are only limited by your imagination.

Angel Cross Stitching

I began cross stitching years ago but only do it from time to time. I made this little bag for my oldest granddaughter to carry. First I cross stitched by hand on Ada then used the panel and fabric. Just did a quick casing top and ran a ribbon through to use as handles. She said she liked it but she is almost 13 and into a bit more adult themes. Oh well I enjoyed making it. I have had an embroidery machine for several years now but I still like to do it by hand in front of the TV sometimes. Most of the time when you google embroidery patterns you get machine embroidery designs. There are less and less hand embroidery designs available as time goes by. Does that mean that it to is a dying art like sewing? Life has become so convenient and hurried that no one wants to learn the art of crafting. In my job place out of a few hundred people you can count on one hand the people who actually sewing or so do any hand crafts. This is so sad and I think it has also caused the price of fabrics, threads and yarns to become pricey. Not enough people doing it for the companies to make alot of money without charging an arm and leg. If you are a sewist (sounds better than sewer) how many times have people found out you can sew and hit you up to do alterations and mending for them. And if they offer to pay you ... it's no where near what you should get for your services. Funny how every body wants you to do it just not willing to pay what you're worth. Would they go into Olen Mills or a mechanics shop and ask they to do a job for them and then give them some sort of monetary compensation? I think not!

Okay... I'm climbing down off my soap box.

Christmas Totes

I haven't done any crafting since Christmas... maybe burn out at the moment. I think I spend so much time the last 6 months of the year getting ready for the craft shows and then Christmas that I usually take a month off before the urge to craft hits me again. Anyways I thought I'd share with you some things I've done Like my Christmas totes. I made the blue snowman tote for my daughter and the red one for my Mom for Christmas. Of course they got them early in December so they could use them before it was over. I usually draft out my own patterns so these were 12" tall by 14" wide by 3" deep. They look taller in the picture. They are lined with pockets and have a magnetic snap closure. The trim is crocheted fun fur yarn sewn on. Matching checkbook covers and change purses complete the onsom. They loved them. If I had been thinking I would have embroidered Mom's name along the bottom but oh well.....

Happy New Year!

Well another year has come and gone. This being the 30th. Did you do everything you wanted to this year? I most certainly didn't. But the good thing is Friday starts the beginning of a new year and all the possibilities.
Do you have your resolutions ready? Mine are simple.... loss weight, try to save a few bucks and be more open to people and things. I plan on trying to sew at least 15 minutes a day. Don't sound like much but you would be suprised just what can get accomplished in so little effort and time.
I also want to try to learn a new craft. Like I really need to spend more on craft supplies (which have almost taken up the entire house). I also am going to try to clean on the house 30 minutes or so a day. Even when the crafting bug has got me. Well anyhow, just wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year! Be careful and be safe.
Huggles until next year...

Twilight Tote

Well I finally finished the Twilight Tote for my granddaughter. I bought a Twilight calendar and cut out the pictures. I then sandwiched them between heavy clear vinyl I bought at Walmart. Sewed them up like you would a juice pouch purse. I then added a large grommet to either side and threaded strapping into the grommets. I did made a big mistake, if you look at the side of the first picture you will see how the vinyl slid as I was sewing it together. If you have ever worked with vinyl you know how unforging it can be. Once sewn you can not pick the stitches out and resew them. and you have to use a vinyl foot or a walking foot to get the vinyl to slide through.
Edward is on one side, Bella is on the other. The sides have all the characters and the inside is Edward and Jacob.
Even with the mistakes I hope she likes it.
I did find several Twilight purses on the web but didn't want to pay their prices.
I am thinkiing of making a matching change purse to go with it... we'll see.

A Little Down

Woke up this morning to this outside my front door. Had my day all planned but sadly it's not happening. Although the roads appear to be fine my dear hubby is terrified of driving in the snow. My daughter is having a dessert swap party this evening, my car is broke down and I can not drive my hubby's truck so.... I am sitting here feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Although the snow is gorgeous, earlier it looked like a winter wonderland but we were not expecting quite so much of the stuff.

At least it's the weekend and there are not too many travellers.

I was hoping for a great weekend with my birthday tomorrow. Oh well.....

Happy Thanksgiving and Twilight

With all the hectic activities this week... I did want to get on here today and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I haven't done alot of crafting lately. Can't seem to get in the mood. I have so much crafting to do before Christmas but I don't want to do it. Have you had days, weeks or months like that?
I did go Christmas shopping today. Managed to get something or two for all the grandchildren, my daughter and my Mom and Dad.
I did buy everything for the Thanksgiving feast. Although I won't be cooking at home this year. Since my son is going to his in laws for Thanksgiving, doing some hunting too. We will be going to my daughters for Thanksgiving. Hopefully we will get a chance to go to Mom's too.
It's a shame to cook for days and days and eat it all in an hour or two. The cost is aweful too.
My daughter and I split the items for the meal so it didn't cost an arm and leg. But it is still too expensive.
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Did anyone get a chance to go see Twilight's New Moon this weekend?
My granddaughter is a huge fan (Twihards) is the new term I believe. One step higher than a twilighter. Anyways, all her friends had plans and she was so excited to see it. Her Mom didn't want to go.... So she called me and asked if I would like to see it with her. I jumped at the chance. Not because of the movie but getting to spend time with her. To be a part of her world even for a short time. Now understand my granddaughter and I are very close but to a 12 year old I at 50 am ancient.
Hot Topics called her name ... so we went to the mall before the movies. I did get a few hints as to Christmas presents.
Although I have not seen the first Twilight, I must say I did enjoy the movie.
The teens in the movie are a bit sadder than I like, brooding and deep but I can see why so many teen plus are drawn into the plot and characters. All in all a good time with her.

I purchased a Twilight calendar the other day and will be trying my hand at making her a Twilight purse. If I manage it I'll post the outcome.
Well untill next time....
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and try not to eat until you explode.

Christmas Tutu Dress

I found the cutest tutu dresses online. They were so expensive I decided to make one myself. I made this for my youngest granddaughter to wear for her birthday or for Christmas dinner with the family. We tried it on her.... it fit perfect and she looked sooooo cute.
The only problem is she refuses to wear it. She throws a fit every time we try to get her to wear it. Evidently she hates red. She loves the purple tutu I made her. Now I wish I had made it in purple. I had made a headband and a matching pair of wings too. You know anyone who would like to buy a tutu dress that fits a 2 to 3 year old with wings and a flowered headband for 30.00 plus shipping? If so... send me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Creating with food

Someone recently sent me an email and got me thinking. People with too much creativity and too much time on their hands. I have done simple food arts like a cucumber shark, a palm tree made from a carrot and green pepper and of course tomato roses. But nothing prepares you for these creations. Who comes up with these? Of course one would have to have some type of sculpting abilities (which I don't) to master several of these. I think I'll stick to my sewing.

If you know of the person responsible for these creations please let me know so I can give them credit.

New Addition and Tutorial

We have a new addition to our family. My hubby got him for me as a present. Picture of him is after the tutorial. The cell phone is for size comparison.
He is a 10 week old weenie dog. My youngest granddaughter gave us his name. So meet "Puppy".
Not very imaginative but cute none the less.
He is so full of himself and loves cuddles and kisses.
So now comes the (Fun ? ) part. House breaking him and training him one a leash.
We went last night to buy a collar but didn't have any luck so I thought until I train him, I'll just make him one. This would never hold a grown dog but is ideal for a puppy.

How to make a collar for a new puppy:
First find a scrap of fabric you like. Measure around the puppy's neck and add 1 inch. My puppy's neck measures 7 inches, so I cut a strip 8" x 2 inches. I also cut some Ultra Firm interfacing the same length. Next step: fold the fabric around the interfacing equally.

Then you fold the whole length in half and pin in place to hold.

I then sewed a 2 inch strip and placed it with the edges inside the folded strip. This will form the loop to latch the leash on. Sew up the length of the folded strip keeping close to the edge.

I then remeasured it (I got it way too long). I added a small strip of velcro to one side and to the out side of the other side. I hope that makes sense.

And there you go.... a training collar for your littlest addition.
I'll post a picture as soon as I can to show you just how cute he is in his new collar.

Half way into October

I've been gone for a little over a month. I needed to get some things sorted out in my life. I know we all have times that seem almost overwhelming and that was my life for awhile. I have not done alot of crafting this past month. I've been looking alot just not doing.
I did the fall festival and it went really well. I sold almost all my tutus and all of the marshmallow guns. Plus I am still working on orders from the show. I was a little disappointed in not selling any of the bibs and bears or bonnets. But I guess people were just not in the market for these at this time. I had made plenty of aprons but so did alot of other booths. Last year not one booth had an apron to be found. There was plenty of primitive art but no one was buying them. I do think 65.00 for a small primitive doll is a little much. I know alot of work goes into them but in this economy people are not willing to spend like that. At least not in this area.
I've also taken some purse orders and welding cap orders. Finished 2 of the orders this week.
I've been wanting to find a new craft and will be posting when I find and finish one.

It's half way into October and so it's time to really start working on holiday crafts, decorations and Christmas gifts. One year I made all the kids stuffed dogs, one year I made everyone a quilt, one year I made everyone an embroidered scarf, last year it was everyone jewelry sets.
I can't figure out what I want to make this year but I know I need to figure it out in a hurry.
Until next time.... Take care and craft-craft-craft.