Gardens and Napkins

It's a busy spring here in Montana as we enjoy hikes and visitors, while working in our gardens and outside, all mixed up with plenty of work travel. 

There's lots of Lupine on our land, but this beautiful one in my flower

bed is half purple and half pink, so pretty!

Here's a quick update on a fun project I attacked recently with some of my current favorite flowers from the garden.  I apologize, my camera wasn't taking the best pictures today - I'm sure it had nothing to do with the picture taker!

I've had this blog post for quick and easy cloth napkins saved for two years now, http://kirtsy.com/2011/07/25/cloth-napkins-how-to/?kp=YToxOntzOjE6ImkiO2k6NDAyO30. 

Well, I finally broke in my new sewing machine with these easy napkins.  I plan on making more, but so far I've made three different versions with fun fabrics I found.

Each version has one main fabric and then two other fabrics that go with it.

I've made eight of each type of napkin. 

My goal is to have a whole basket full of fun napkins that we can just grab as needed and then throw in the wash.

The gardens on all sides of the house are coming together and it seems each day something different is blooming. 

I'm just amazed by these white bleeding hearts.  Love them!

I'll leave you with this pretty purple columbine (I think that's what it is).  I have pink ones in the front flower beds and purple in the back.  I hope all of you are taking on your challenges with as much joy as this little flower did when it didn't let these rocks get in it's way!

The "Things To Make List"

Do you have a "things to make list".  No, I'm not talking about the normal non-fun lists like wash the walls and go grocery shopping.  Hmmm, funny how wash the walls just keeps going on the next list without ever being done....

Anyway, I'm talking about the list of fun things that you'd like to make or do someday.  It could be crafty things, or things like learn to knit, learn to refinish furniture etc. Well I've been collecting some ideas lately. Here are some of the things I'd like to do someday.

Cloth Napkins: I've been thinking for years I want to make my own cloth napkins in fun colors and patterns.  Ta-da! As soon as I get a new sewing machine these are on the list!  How fun are they?  The picture and directions are from the Kirtsy site.




Reusable Bags: Ok, I admit, I like to watch the Martha Steward show while I eat lunch.  They had a whole bags show.  I have a lot of reusable bags, more than I use!  But, this is a great cute idea. I like the idea of using the laminated cotton and I think I'm going to look for some other ideas for making this type of bag, bigger, sturdier and with handles.  The laminated fabric would be perfect for grocery shopping, so you can just wipe off spills.  This picture is from the Martha Steward site, linked above.



Cute Fabric:  I'm not a quilter, but I do intend to buy some fabric here at Quilt Home.  There is just so much cute fabric that will be perfect for my napkins and bags.

Knit Socks: You already know that knitting socks is on my list. It's been raised up as I enjoy wearing the socks given to me by my friend Ellen. This posting on Knitters Review makes it look doable!

Knitting Bags: There are lots of great books on knitting different types of purses and bags.  I've had this book for a long time looking at me from the shelf.  



Well those are just a few things on my list.  In between taking care of my plants, cooking, gardening, and staying active outside, hopefully some day I'll allow myself enough time to sit still and knit or play on the sewing machine.  What's on your fun to-make list?

2011 Christmas Project

Hello;
Sorry about disappearing for almost a month there.  I kept thinking "maybe you should put up a note saying you are taking a break", but then I'd convince myself I'd get a post up soon.  Hmmm, what's your definition of soon?

Anyhow, here we are in 2012 and it really is time to begin again!  Let's start with a crafty post and then we'll move back into food. 

I took the plunge this fall and "committed" to more craftiness in the future by purchasing a Silhoutte Cameo machine.  This machine can cut vinyl, fabric and more.  I used a similar machine (a Cricut borrowed from a friend) to do the wall art in my office, found in this post. 

This year for my Christmas gift project, I decided to make coasters.  I got the idea from http://www.tipjunkie.com/.   I think you'll agree these are great gifts.  Who doesn't need a set of nice coasters either for year around or to brighten up their end tables during the winter season?

You need three items to get started:

1. Tiles - Home Depot, here I come!
2. Thin cork board for the bottom.  Go with the self-adhesive!
3. Vinyl.  You can order this online at a variety of places.  I ordered from, http://www.expressionsvinyl.com/.

Now, you will also need something to cut the vinyl.  Unless you are committing to future craftiness, I wouldn't suggest purchasing a Cricut or Silhoutte just for this job.  Maybe you also have an amazing crafty friend who'd be willing to let you use their machine?

My initial plan was white tile with red snowflakes.  These can be out all winter! You can see my snowflakes and tiles below.  Note, one is turned over to show the cork bottom.  My dear husband joined in and helped by cutting the cork and putting it on the tiles!

How cute are they tied up in ribbon for giving?

I quickly got distracted by the variety of colored tiles at Home Depot.  Below you can see some green tiles with red.   Hmmm, I really must find the best place in my house to take pictures!  Sorry about the glares.

I also quickly started thinking about the individual receivers of the coasters.  See the below tiles made for a dear friend and my yoga teacher.  The tiles are a pretty clay color with the bright purple Bohemian designs.

And these were the clay color tiles with chocolate brown vinyl.  They will work year around!

Brief vinyl cutting tips:  These machines are nothing short of miraculous.  Once you have cut your design (specific to your machine):

1. Peel off the vinyl around the design.
2. Lift the design off your vinyl backing by using simple clear contact paper.  Press it down over the design -- lift-- and then carefully set it down on your tile or wherever it's home will be. 
3. Press the design down onto it's desired base and lift the contact paper off.

What crafty projects did you take on this holiday season?

A Kindle Cover

I became the owner of a kindle last week at our company's sales meeting.  And, since I'm not teaching right now and don't feel overwhelmed, apparently that brings out the crafty side.  I decided, I could make a cover instead of spending money on one.  So, Sunday I pulled out my old fabrics and the sewing machine and found some foam.  It's not as perfect as some I've seen online, but it works!  Please forgive the dark pictures.  I just need to accept the dining room is not a good place to take pictures.

First, I measured my kindle and added an inch all the way around, I wasn't going to make a closure so I wanted it to fit tightly so it wouldn't fall out.  I cut 4 pieces of fabric and 2 foam pieces that were slightly smaller than the actual kindle.

I used some soft green flannel and brown corduroy.

Next, I pinned together a flannel and corduroy piece, right sides together and sewed three sides.  I trimmed the corners a little bit and turned them right side out.

I inserted the foam pieces, then sewed the three sides, including the top.  The bottom didn't need reinforcement.

The trickiest part of this little project is this piece.  I then pinned together my two sides, right sides out.  I was going to put the flannel on the inside, but thought it would be more fun to have one side flannel and one side corduroy.  I sewed the sides and bottom together.  This was tricky because with the foam on each side it was thick and I was really trying to hit just the edges.  But I got it to work and my kindle fits nice and snug.  

Not the prettiest seam jobs, but my kindle is safe, warm, and in a soft place that can be stuck in a backpack or purse.  I've already downloaded two books and charged it for an upcoming flight.  What else will I make during this break from two jobs?

Christmas 2010 Do-It-Yourself Presents

Everyone has received their presents, so it's time to share my do-it-yourself present of the year.  Well, all except one person - so act surprised when you get your gift! 

I made Rice Therapy Bags that can either be heated or kept in the freezer, depending on if your muscles or headaches like heat or cold more!  I read about a variety of fillers, such as flax seed and Bulgar, but plain rice seemed to work well.  If anyone ever has a problem with it smelling off, return and I will refill with fresh filler!

I made three different types of therapy bags.  Each piece had an inner rice bag made of muslin and filled with essential oil scented rice and an outside cover.  The neck bags and eye pillows have lavender scented rice for it's relaxing qualities.  I just filled a bowl with rice and added essential oils until I thought the scent was about right.  Below you can see the rice bag for the neck therapy bags, wrinkled because this was Joe's bag and it has already been used - by me!

 Next you can see the cover for the eye pillow.  See how each cover has a simple folded edge that makes it really easy to put the heated or cold bag in and take it out.  I made the covers with a soft flannel and a pretty brown corduroy.  This project started as a reuse project.  I was looking for ways to reuse old clothes that weren't really good enough to give away.  I had a long brown corduroy skirt with a hole in it that I used for these covers.  Can you just imagine putting the warm bag inside the cover and laying the soft warm flannel against your tired eyes after a day at the computer?

 I also made some with some soft green flannel.  This is the finished neck bag and also a square muscle therapy bag I made with muscle cooling mint essential oils.  It feels good on my knees and I made myself 2 of them!  I am finding these indispensable during ski season already!

 Below, you can see how I wrapped them pretty and put directions on them.  I took the idea for the bags and directions from the SewMamaSew blog, but she had her directions in a pdf and I needed to make changes so I redid them.

 I hope everyone enjoys their bags and they help your neck and other muscles to relax.  Finally, it is ski season so we will end with the requisite ski hill picture.  This was taken Dec 28th at Steamboat - it was a perfect day on the slopes.  More snow is on the way today!