Favorite Craft Supplies

 I'm linking up at Thursday Thirteen.

Today I'm sharing 13 of my favorite craft supplies.

1. Folk Art craft paint

2.  Tim Holtz distress inks

3.  Neenah card stock

4.  Alcohol inks

5.  Altenew stamps and dies

6.  Wow embossing powder

7.  Bling and faux gems

8.  Prismacolor pencils

9.  Bearly Art glue

10. Echo Park paper collections

11.  Fiskar's paper trimmer

12. Siser heat transfer vinyl

13. Cricut heat press

13 Crafts I Pursue

1.  Making Cards

2.  Scrapbooking

3.  Sewing ( gift card holders, wall hangings,purses, and dresses for my granddaughters. )

4.  Tee shirts (with vinyl and infusible ink - sublimation)

5.  Shadow boxes

6. Home Decor

7. Jewelry

8.  Keychains

9.  Infusible Ink on tote bags and zipper bags of all sizes.

10. Painted wood

11. Making wreaths

12.Watercolor

13.Sublimated tumblers, pens, pencils, wind spinners, and luggage tags

I'm linking up with other Thursday Thirteen people.  Have fun visiting!

What does a beginning sewist need?

 

For 3 years I have been back in the sewing game after a 30+ year hiatus, and what I haven't been able to remember on my own, I have been able to learn and relearn. So if you're thinking of taking up the hobby, go for it!

There are a few obvious essentials:

1. sewing machine

2. scissors or rotary cutter (or both)

3. needles

4. thread, bobbins, pins or clips

5. an iron

6. fabric

7. tape measure

8. self healing cutting mat

Here are a few other things that make sewing easier that might not seem so obvious.

9. Seam ripper. I make mistakes. I've had to take projects apart and start over. Even the most experienced sewists do, too. 

10. Pen with Soluble or Disappearing Ink. I need to be able to mark my fabric for patterns, hem lines, cutting, and so on.

11. Nippers. I call them that. They are little sewing scissors that are actually called thread snips. Even if your machine has an automatic thread cutter, you will need these small scissors. Your regular fabric scissors can be unwieldy when trying to cut small threads.

12. Pinking sheers. These not only help prevent fraying but are also one easy way to finish a seam.

13. Patterns. I have purchased a few, but I also find free patterns on the Internet.

I'm linking up with Thursday 13. 

To-Do for Vacation

 

There is a lot of planning that goes into a vacation, and my to-do list just keeps adding up. (These are not in order)

1.  Purchase some black sandals

2.  Sew a bucket hat (free pattern and directions here)

3.  Make arrangements for the cat to be taken care of

4.  Purchase another duffle bag

5.  Do some laundry

6.  Pay bills that are due during the time we will be gone

7.  Purchase travel size toiletries

8.  Pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy

9.  Get a beach bag

10. Locate the passports (should be in the lock box)

11. Make arrangements for someone to look in on mom at Memory Care while we're gone

12. Put my Etsy shop on hold for the days I will be gone.

13. Pack

It sure is nice being a retired empty-nester so I can go on vacation while school is in session.  Have a great rest-of-your-week!  And visit Thursday Thirteen for more fun!

Crafts I'm Making

 

I love crafting (in case you couldn't tell)!  I'm working on so many projects simultaneously.  Maybe I have a little ADD going on, but one project at a time is just not going to work for me.  So, here's what I'm working on (other than the constant planning and ideas in my head):

1.  Re-learning how to embroider. It's harder than I remember.

2. Personalized hand-sewn Cricut dust covers for my sister and friend for Christmas

3. Personalized and dated Christmas ornaments

4.  Faux leather book marks with suede tassels

5. Acrylic key chains

6.  Sewing a reversible bucket hat (free pattern)

7.  Designs for the grandbabies' tee shirts.  I got these designs from Creative Fabrica.  I love it!

8.  University fabric key chains (like UT, Baylor, UH, ATM, Michigan)

9.  Get well cards (for family)

10. Card kit to sell (1 premade card and the materials for 4 more)

11. A layered shadow box for each granddaughter (a mermaid and a castle - the castle is done.)

12. A tote bag for travel games (Tic Tac Tote)

13. A box covered in pretty, patterned duct tapefor gift wrap and gift bags storage. Right now I'm using a hanging storage system, and it's difficult to get to things.

Visit Thursday Thirteen for more great lists!

Beginner Sewist - What You Need to Get Started

 

 

In 2019, I had a part time gig at Jo Ann Fabrics.   I really liked it so I continued even after I returned to my full-time teaching job.  I knew I would be retiring from teaching soon.  And I really loved being surrounded by all of the crafts and fabric and creativity!

A card I made for my granddaughter to give a friend.

I've been an avid paper crafter for years, and I dabble in wood and paint crafts, but I never thought I would take up sewing (again), until I worked at Jo Ann.  I took sewing in middle school and high school, either 3 or 4 years, and I remember the basics.  So 30-something years later, I decided to jump back in! There are so many things to create!

I made my own sewing machine cover.

For 3 1/2 years I have been back in the sewing game, and what I haven't been able to remember on my own, I have been able to learn and relearn.  So if you're thinking of taking up the hobby, go for it! 

There are a few obvious essentials:

1. sewing machine

2. scissors or rotary cutter (or both)

3.  needles

4. thread and bobbins

5. pins and/or clips

6. fabric

7.  tape measure

8. cutting mat

Here are a few other things that make sewing easier that might not seem so obvious.

9. Seam ripper.  I make mistakes.  I've had to take projects apart and start over.  Even the most experienced sewists do, too.

10. Pen with Soluble or Disappearing Ink.  I need to be able to mark my fabric for patterns, hem lines, cutting, and so on.

11.  Nippers.  I call them that.  They are little sewing scissors that are actually called thread snips.  Even if your machine has an automatic thread cutter, you will need these small scissors.  Your regular fabric scissors can be unwieldy when trying to cut small threads.

12.  Pinking sheers.  These not only help prevent fraying but are also one easy way to finish a seam.

13. Patterns.  I have purchased a few, but I also find free patterns on the Internet.

Bonus:  You need resources that you can trust.  There are a multitude of resources on the Internet with their own blogs, YouTube channels, and what-not. I have curated a list of sewing enthusiasts that I trust.

**Made Everyday - I usually watch Dana on YouTube where she does all types of tutorials such as zipper bags, totes, drawstring bags, skirts, quilts, backpacks, envelope pillows, and so much more!

**Vintage Fashion House - I also usually watch Evelyn Wood of VFH on YouTube as well.  I don't design clothing like she does, but she explains things so well, and not only how to do something but why.    I learned about understitching and stay stitching which I had never heard of before. She taught me how to sew darts. She gives practical tips for beginning sewists like how to choose a fabric, how to read a pattern, what to do if you don't have a serger, and all about good sewing habits.

**Professor Pincushion - Their YouTube channel is an invaluable tool.  I've learned how to add piping to a pillow, gather fabric, and use bias tape.  They teach everything from basic sewing information all the way to advanced projects.

** Hello Sewing.  I spend more time on Helen's blog, but she also has a YouTube channel.  I watch her videos on her blog rather than on YouTube usually, because she also gives written directions and lots of free patterns.  She shows you step-by-step how to make your project right there on her blog.  I've made headbands with and without elastic, gift card holders, a poncho, and fabric bins.

And if you watch their videos or read their blogs, and these experts tell you not to skip a step, DON'T SKIP THAT STEP!  

I don't work at Jo Ann anymore due to COVID.  They didn't close, but I didn't want to bring COVID home to my family.  I miss being surrounded by all the creativity!  It feeds my soul! Happy Sewing!

My Pinterest Textiles Board

Crafting Brands I Like

My Etsy Shop (some items I've sewn recently)