Summer Fun

I love summer.  I love that my kids are home, that we can go to bed late and occasionally sleep in.  I love having a few months a year without alot of structure.  The one frustrating thing about summer is I have very little time for art.  Since art has taken a back seat for a little while I thought it would be fun to do a summer craft with some of my daughters.  I'm sure you've all seen the ombre designs all over pinterest, the curtains, bags, hair, shirts.  Well we decided to try dyeing some shirts ombre style.

We bought some simple white t-shirts then found the coolest color of ritz dye we could, the tangerine orange.  It turned out to be easier than we thought to dye the shirts.  Let me tell you a few things we learned along the way.

First thing we did was wash our shirts.  We dyed them straight out of the washer while they were still wet.  Having them wet helps you control the color saturation.

For the first dipping of the shirts we only used half of the dye in the water this gave us a much more muted color.  After we dipped them the first time we laid the shirts out on plastic garbage bags to dry slightly.

For the second dipping we added half of what was left of the dye to the water.  Then for the third dipping we added the rest of the dye and left the bottom of the shirt in a little longer until we had the color we wanted.  We let them air dry then washed them in cold water and then dried them in the dryer.

So it's not absolutely necessary but it is a good idea to wear gloves.  We didn't and our hands have a slightly orange glow to them now.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer!

Sherri

Dear Lizzie's Dizzie

 

Dear Lizzie is one of the most delicious places to shop in Utah. It is a destination shopping experience. It is packed with lovely home decor, chandeliers to die for, beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry and clothing, and so much more. There is also a smart bistro where you can have something yummy and of course you must try a "Dizzie Lizzie". 

It is an inspiring little shop so of course if I am stuck and need inspiration, I buzz over, order a "Dizzie Lizzie" and wander through filling my head with ideas. 

I have no idea how these delicious drinks are made and I am sure it is a secret recipe but I came home and started to mix, concoct, play, and finally this is what I came up with. 

Lori's Raspberry Italian Soda

You will need:

1  2 litter of Shasta Raspberry Soda

1  pint of half and half cream

Pure Whipped Cream (the kind you squirt)

Maraschino Cherries

Tall glass tumblers

Fancy straws

and chunky ice

Fill tumbler half full with ice. Pour Raspberry Soda to cover the ice (about 2/3 full). Add 1/4 cup of half and half cream...let it drift down through the ice, it looks so pretty. Now just squirt out loads of delicious whipped cream and top with a cherry. 

I hope you enjoy your soda...and don't forget to visit Dear Lizzie's Bistro and Boutique. 

hugs,

Lori

visit me at my blog lorigardner.typepad.com (currently under spiffing up and dusting )

Free Motion Stitching

Before we begin, let's just get one thing straight - I am not a seamstress in any way, shape or form.  I DO have a sewing machine, it's nothing fancy, and I DO use it to sew an occasional tear in clothing or a blanket.  I have, on occasion, used it for a craft project. But most of the time, it's sits idly catching dust.  I have a few dear friends that own very nice free motion quilting machines - because THEY QUILT!  That is an art form I cannot wrap my head around...too much measuring! I can, however, wrap my head around a messy, free form looking stitch!  You will need to have these things on or for your machine: 


#1:  A Free Motion Quilting Foot.  
#2:  Retractable feed dogs.
#3:  Tension dial.


First off, this is what my machine's version of a free motion quilting foot looks like.  It easily replaces my everyday pressure foot. See that small screw on the left?  It comes with it's own screw-driver!


I didn't get a picture of my tension setting.  But, my machine dial rotates to the number 8. I like to keep my setting around a 7 or just below.  If the tension is too loose, you have loopy back sides (oh! the funny jokes that just popped into my head! loopy back sides!) ...and if you have the tension too tight, your thread will fray and snap. Play around with your machine and see what works best for you.




The next two pictures show the feed dogs. You will see the top picture shows the feeders UP - as you would have them in normal sewing.  The bottom picture shows the feeders DOWN - this is what you need for free motion stitching.  Most machines will have some type of switch for you to lower the feed dogs.  Mine is directly in back of my pressure foot - on the rear of the machine (what is with all the "rear and back side jokes going off in my head???)

Don't be envious of my photog skills...

I said DON'T BE ENVIOUS!!!

You want to make sure that as you start stitching you are holding the fabric with both hands. Some people use rubber gloves or gloves with some type of grip so that they can have more control over the fabric.  I like the really "organic" look to mine - yeah, that's what we'll call it..."ORGANIC".   Even though you are holding the fabric, you may feel a little out of control.  Just take your time, try a few practice runs!  I chose to stitch a simple heart for this example. You can really start any place on your shape that you want, what ever is comfortable for you. With the heart, I started at the center point and worked upward.  When stitching flowers, I start with the petals.

See how "organic" my stitching is? (insert raucous laughter here)  I usually go over my shape 2 or 3 times, just for dimension and interest.  But, many artists just do one simple line which looks great.

After you have finished stitching you will want to trim all the excess strings. You can then trim your shape with a straight edge or get creative with scissors or fraying, etc.

Once the piece is finished, you don't notice the major imperfections, you just notice that the piece has "personality".

To simply finish it off, I used permanent ink to stamp the lettering, and added some vintage bakers string. This could be a gift tag, ornament or just a hanging thingamajig.

Some other fun things I've made are these bunnies.  My children and I made them Easter morning from a hand drawn pattern.  Before sewing the body together, we free motion stitched his little tie and belt.  The flower was stamped with blue paint, then stitch over the top.  We had so much fun making them.

Isn't her one snaggle tooth hilarious?  She must think a large flower will detract anyone who might stare... 

No, that's not a sock around my neck!  It's a TIE!

It's also been fun making flowers for headbands, pins, garlands, etc.  These particular flowers were hand painted onto black fabric.  Then, stitched over the top.  I then single crocheted two long strands of white cotton thread and attached the flowers to them. It ties at the base of the neck.

Now onto some good eye candy...enjoy these other ideas for free motion stitching...and then...GET OUT YOUR SEWING MACHINES!!!

http://stitchedincolor.wordpress.com

 http://blog.crescendoh.com

http://www.realphotography.com

 http://papernstitchblog.com

 http://thelongthread.com

http://judywise.blogspot.com

    

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecothreadscouture

Happy Stitching!

Emily

My youngest child and I - feeling the LOVE!!  Can't you see it in his face?

I HAVE A THING FOR ROCKS!

I

I suppose my love for collecting rocks began when one of my children handed me a tiny heart shaped rock. I was fascinated with what nature had so perfectly created. Thus began the search for finding heart shaped rocks.  

I couldn’t help but notice there are beautiful rocks everywhere and our children wanted to collect them, but that could be a problem. So as a family, we decided to find one rock “the perfect rock” to bring home as a reminder of our vacation. We clean the rock and write with permanent marker the details of our vacation. We love to look back through our collection of rocks which hold our family memories.

Since my family knows I collect heart rocks my sweet niece Annie found a large “perfect” heart shaped rock and gave it to me. My husband was in the process of building me an art studio which I affectionately call the “Love Shack.” I couldn’t think of a better place to treasure the heart rock Annie gave me, so my husband incorporated it in the foundation of the Love Shack. 

A great craft idea to do with your family for this 4^thof July is gather smooth river rocks. Clean and dry them. Paint the tops with white paint and decoupage patriotic images on the top. I found most of my images in magazines. Add a final layer of decoupage medium over the top of the rock and allow to dry. 

  

 

I hope you enjoy looking for the “perfect” rock with your families.  It is a great way to spend time together that is very affordable and will always be treasured. 

HAPPY 4^TH OF JULY 

XO DIANA CAMOMILE PECK

vintage.clementine@gmail.com



I love summer!!!!

Great gift idea:   Magnet Board

I am a camp leader for 12-15 year olds for part of the summer!! Here is a fun project we are doing at camp.  These make handy gifts for friends and a great activity for you or your teens to create!

 You will need: 

• 20 guage sheet metal cut to size. Mine is 9x12. I had a metal company cut mine.( I needed 100 boards all the same size so they started with sheets of 4'x12'. )You can find it already cut in many different sizes at Lowes. 
• To drill holes you need a drill press and a drill bit (I had a friend do it the size of a regular hole punch)
• Gel or Modge Podge and brush
• Your favorite ephemera or scrapbook paper  (I used a 12x12 cut to size)
• a favorite piece of ribbon or tulle
•  Breyer

Let's get started!!!

Wash the piece of metal with some vinegar to get any rust or grime off.  Dry thorougly.

Cut your paper to fit the size of the metal.

Spread a thin layer of gel on the metal.  Not too thick.

Match up the paper to the corners. Smooth it with hand and use your breyer, start from the middle and roll away from the center.

 I like to have a damp washcloth here to pick up any excess so my breyer and paper stay clean. Roll and press for a couple of minutes

 Let dry. (10-15 min)  Then push a sharp pencil through your metal holes so the paper gets a hole.  Brush an even layer of gel over the paper to give it some protection.  Let that dry for an hour or so.

Next get your ribbon put through the holes to hang it.  Add some cute magnets and insirational mementos and.... VOILA!

You have a magnet board!   ENJOY!

Happy Summer!

Deborah

Happy Summertime to All of You Lovely Art Ladies!  

Vintage Embroidered Doily Apron, Part 2

O.K.  Let's start sewing!


Just to give you an idea, here is a picture of the approximate layout of the pieces before cutting and sewing them to show you the different types of doilies and  pillow case pieces. You will want to make sure to read the directions before proceeding.  (I took this picture of un-ironed doilies just for reference, but you will need to iron yours first.)

Here is a look at a possible cutting layout.

Again, I don't want to hear any whining from anyone if you mess up your apron, ha, ha:  Please read all of the directions before cutting and sewing since this is a "design and sew as you go" type of pattern.  You will have to make adjustments to work with your individual doilies!

Directions:

1. Launder and iron all of your doilies. Tip: This will make it easier to cut them and sew them!  If some of the doilies have never been laundered and you sew them together with those that have been previously laundered, and then you wash the finished apron, there could be uneven shrinkage making your apron look wonky.  Most of my sewing is done with my favorite sewing tool, the iron.  What I mean by that is if you have to turn a seam under it is much easier to turn it under by pressing it in place before you sew it!

2. Lay out your pieces in the manner that you will put them together for the apron so that you can measure how large or small to cut them so that they will fit together.  

3. Cut out the pieces making sure that you add enough for your seam allowances if you have to alter. (Tip: Measure twice, cut once. That way you will make sure that your measurements are correct.) 

3. Note: Seam allowances are one-half inch. Sew the skirt center and sides together by placing the raw edge of left and right panels about a half of an inch underneath the center   panel. Topstitch down the finished edges of the fabric of the center panel and then another topstitching on the lace edging of the center panel just to secure the side panels and to finish their raw edges underneath.  

4. Finish the top raw edges of the pockets whichever way you choose by making a cuff, sewing on seam binding, or turning under and finishing with lace, etc.

5. Place the pockets on the apron skirt in the areas of your choice and topstitch in place.

6. Mark the center of the skirt.  Sew two gathering stitch lines on the top raw edge of the skirt. Pull to gather so that the skirt is the same length of the waistband (not including the lace) while distributing gathers evenly. Or, if you don't have a lacy finished edge on your waistband, gather it one inch smaller than the length of unfinished band.

7. If you have a waistband with a lace edging, turn the long raw edge under one-half inch and press with an iron. Then fold in half lengthwise matching the turned-under edge to the opposite finished fabric edge with the right sides of the fabric out and press. Mark the center front of the waistband.  Or, if you have a waistband with two raw long edges, turn the long raw edges under one-half inch and press in place. Then turn the short raw edges under one-half inch and press in place.  Then fold in half lengthwise with the right side out and press.  Mark the center front of the waistband.

  

8. Place the wrong side of the finished lace edge of the waistband on the top of the right side of the skirt gathers matching centers, evenly distribute the gathers, pin in place, baste, and topstitch at the edge of the fabric.  Or, if you have a waistband with all raw edges, then place one folded edge of the waistband on top of the right side of the skirt gathers matching centers, evenly distribute the gathers, pin in place, baste, and topstitch on right side at the edge of the fold making sure that the short side raw edges are folded under at the pressed turn of the raw edge.

9. Fold waist ties lengthwise, right sides together, and make a seam along the long raw edge and one short raw edge. Turn out and press.  If you are going to sew lace on top of your ties, do it now.

10. Place the raw edges of waist ties into the waistband matching the top folds of the ties to the top fold of the waistband. Fold the back part waistband over at the center fold and encase the raw edges of the shirt gathers and waist ties, pin, and baste.  Topstitch on the right side along the short edges and the bottom long edge of the waistband making sure to catch the inside waistband all along the edges (that is why I suggest that you baste, old-fashioned, I know, but it works well and saves time in the long run!).  Tip:  If you don't want a bib top on your apron you can stop here and you will have a finished apron!

Detail of the wrong side of the apron.

11. Fold the neck ties lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along long raw edge and one short raw edge. Turn out and press.  If you are going to sew lace on top of your neck ties, do it now.  Finish the raw edges of the short ends with a zig-zag or appropriate finishing treatment.

12. Sew the round doily bib layer to the top of the oval doily bottom layer of bib.  Finish the bottom raw edge of bib with a zig-zag stitch or other appropriate finishing treatment.  Center the bib bottom edge under the top folded edge of the waistband, pin and baste.  Secure by topstitching all along the top folded edge of the waistband and add another topstitch one quarter-inch in from the fold.

13. Place the neck ties on the underside of bib and secure with topstitching.

14. Now, tie your apron on, admire your work, and go make some French macarons for your tea party!   

Happy Sewing and Happy Apron-Wearing! 

Loves and Hugs, 

Cheryl