Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

"Treasures"






Remember when I mentioned finding "treasure bags" of sewing notions at the thrift store? Here is one of the cool things in the last batch-- a crown shaped pincushion! The fabric is a gold velvet; trimmed with a metallic gold braid. The metal base contains a retractable tape measure and there is a clip on the top that holds a thimble as the crowning 'jewel'. All the pins and needles on it came on it---- as well as the dust!


Then there's this... needle? Awl? I don't recognize this tool. It's about 3 inches long, one half is smooth with a sharp point at one end while the other end is rough, like a file of some sort. Does anyone have any ideas?












Saturday, April 10, 2010

A bug took over my machines today-





My Jaciebug, that is. It's not the first time she has sewn but it may be her first project that she shopped for the fabric, had it cut on her own, measured, cut, and sewed herself. I was there to instruct but she did it. I have no idea why she chose those fabrics/colors. But she's happy and I'm proud!
She's faking.

Friday, April 9, 2010

What NOT to do with buttons-

A two foot tall, umm, sculpture(?), currently for sale on Etsy. I dunno-- I guess the idea is okay. It's just--all those beautiful buttons that could have been on a cute shirt or lovely dress or just looked at and imagined into wonderful creations. Or this. *sigh*

Friday, April 2, 2010

Some women like diamonds, some like pearls--

What do I like? Thrift store goody bags from the sewing department! Whenever I find a plastic bag filled with the most random notions I consider it a successful mission, no matter what I was looking for! I hit thrifts a lot for my costuming and I always check for these bags. Often, they are the result of someone emptying a box, basket or drawer that held supplies for an older sewer and it was donated to the thrift as part of an estate. These bags contain the most wonderful little surprises and it always makes me wonder about the original owner. Did she sew often? For pleasure or necessity? Did she sing while she hemmed her daughter's dresses or curse while patching her son's jeans for the umpteenth time? My favorite things to find are wooden thread spools ( I display them in a vase on a shelf above my machine), fabric measuring tapes (retractable ones are a bonus!) and buttons. LOVE buttons! Especially if they are still carded. I keep telling myself I'm going to sell some in my Etsy shop but...not yet. I always find hand sewing needles ( I have enough to choke an elephant), rusty pins (usually threaded through a random scrap of paper or cardboard) and one half of a snap set. Always. Why does every notion drawer or box have only one side of a snap set? Is this a Murphy's Law of Sewing? Anyway, I found three great bags this week! I want to share some of the neat things with y'all but I can't find my camera--I might have left it at the theatre when I took the publicity photos for "Savage''. I may have to borrow my son's-- there are two items I can't identify and I hoping someone out there can help me out!
Also, sending thanks again to Donna over at Comin' Home (http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/) for the lovely note cards I won from her giveaway! They are beautiful!