Sunday, September 30, 2012

Yummy Fruit Salad

 
 
I made this quick and easy recipe to take to a party Friday night and thought I would share.
 
 For some reason it doesn't look too appetizing in the green bowl, but believe me - it's yummy.
 
 
Ingredients
 8 oz Cool Whip
 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
 1 cup marshmallows
1/2 cup coconut (optional)
 21 oz cherry pie filling
 20 oz crushed pineapple (drained)
 1 cup chopped pecans
 
Mix all ingredients,except Cool Whip in a large bowl.
After all ingredients are well blended, fold in the Cool Whip.
Chill for one hour before serving.
 

 
Marshmallows, cherries, pecans, Cool Whip....

How could you go wrong?


Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday's Favorites

 
Good morning everyone and happy Friday.
My doctor appointment went well on Monday. I am now able to walk on two feet. Yippee!
Even though I still have another month to wear the boot and a month of therapy - I am just happy to be able to stand on two feet.
I have been so busy this week trying to catch up on things I was not able to do before; I almost forgot my Friday's Favorites.
 
The Edge/Joining foot.
 
 
I originally wanted this foot to join insertion lace, but I have found it to be THE most valuable foot in my collection.
 
You can use a small zig zag or decorative stitch to join the two pieces of lace or fabric together.
Here's a photo of a pillowcase using the Edge/Joining foot to join the different laces together: 
 
  
It also sews perfect topstitching.
 
 Move your needle over a bit to the left and let the little flange run along the edge of your fabric.

 
or
 
position the flange so that it is running in the ditch of the seam and move your needle to the right...


or left of the seam.

 
 Perfect every time.
(If you are wondering about the fly... you can see it here).

******
 
You need to stitch in the ditch?
Just position your needle in the center and the flange in the "ditch".


Can you see why it  just had to be one of my Friday's Favorites?


Linking today to:
http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/
 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday's favorites


College football!
 
The Florida Gators and FSU.


I am taking a little break from sewing another Alma Blouse right now and working on a little something for Mr. Fisherman.

Can you guess?

Thursday, September 20, 2012

~ Going sailing ~

 
 
How I wish....
 
This will have to do until I'm mobile again.
 
 
I think this has been the longest eight weeks of my entire life.
 
I have a doctor's appointment on Monday.
 I am hoping he will let me toss the knee walker and soon I will be able to walk again.
Keeping my fingers crossed...


 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Alma Blouse

 
My semi-wearable muslin....
 

I say semi-wearable because I have a few fitting issues going on.
 
I measured Madeline (my dress form) and made sure all her measurements matched mine.
According to the pattern, size 12 finished bust size is 41 1/2 inches.
Even though my waist and hip size is smaller than the size 12, I went with the bust measurement thinking I could grade the hip and waist down a bit.
Well..... silly me, I chose the size 12 because it was my EXACT bust measurement.
Yep, EXACT.... no wiggle room. What was I thinking?
In my defense, I did try it on Madeline a few times and didn't seem to have an issue.
It was when I tried it on I realized - WAY to tight at the bust
line.
What in the heck is going on?
Then it hit me....
For some reason these dress forms don't have realistic boobs.
Have you ever noticed that?
The bust is shaped sorta like a man's chest - no real cup size.
 
Here is my solution.
Falsies.
 
 
Yep, I stuffed an old bra and re-measured.
Much better.
 
The Alma blouse size 14 finished bust measurement is 43 inches.
I am hoping the extra inch and a half will help solve this issue...
 
 
I think because the bust is so tight, it is causing the drag lines on the sides.
Even though it does fit a bit better on me - verses Madeline, the bust is still a little too tight.
 
The back seems to fit pretty well.
 
 
I have already purchased fabric for a new one in size 14.
I think it will be much easier to grade down the waist and hips rather than doing a full bust adjustment.
Besides, it will give me a reason to try out my new fancy little ruler. 
 
 
It's back to the drawing board cutting table....
 
See ya soon.



Linking today to:
http://mineforthemaking.blogspot.com/


Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday's Favorites

 
Another handy little tool.
 
The SnapSetter
 


My favorite way to add snaps. 
  

Simply position the snap components and fabric between The SnapSetter layers and hammer into place.
Easy as that!
 
The SnapSetter is fun, easy to use and always sets snaps perfectly!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sewaholic Alma Blouse


 
After much research and comments from a few blogger buddies, I broke down and ordered two of the Sewaholic patterns.
 
I decided on the Alma blouse and the Renfrew Top.



Iv'e been busy tracing and getting all my pattern pieces ready.



I even found a cute polka dot in my stash for my Alma Blouse.


All I need now is an invisible zipper.
I hope to post my finished Alma soon.
Wish me luck!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday's Favorites

 
Fusible Fleece
 

  Fusible fleece is truly one of my favorite things.
 I use fusible fleece so often, I buy it by the bolt taking advantage of my 40% off coupon from Joann Fabrics.
 
Below are a few projects I have made using fusible fleece.
 
Totes and handbags

 
Mug mats





Notebook covers and sleeping masks


Coasters


and much more.....

Happy Friday, everyone!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Embroidered napkins

 
~ A thank you gift for a friend ~


Hope she likes it ! 


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

I have a new obsession...


While recuperating from my fall, I discovered U-tube.
I really never gave U-tube much thought before.
Okay, I know am behind the times, but I had no idea there were sewing videos posted.
Am I the ONLY one who did not know this?
(please lie to me)
 
Anyhow, I discovered  these cuties...
 

 Hand sewn hexagons.

Above is just a small stack.
I now have 117 of these cute little babies.
They are so much fun to make.
 
Since I am housebound right now and not able to get out to purchase one of the fancy smancy hexagon rulers, I decided to make my own pattern.
 
I downloaded a hexagon shape from my computer and printed it out.
Next I found an old file folder and traced out my hexie shape - many times.
I was able to get about 30 from one file folder.
 
 
I cut each hexagon out and I was ready to go.
 
 
I made about 30 of these babies before I discovered this trick.
 
 
A paperclip.
It really helps to hold the fabric in place while you stitch.
 
Below is what they look like from the back after stitching and removing the paper.
 
 
Here I stitched a few together.
Aren't they cute?
 
 
I found another use for my Tupperware too....
 
 
Even if you say your not interested in hand sewing, you need to give these a try.
They are so addicting.
I can't stop making them.
 
NOW...
What in the heck do I do with these babies???

Any suggestions?
 
Cute little mug rugs maybe?


Linking today to:
http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/