"I made that!"

After a time out for health and family, I'm back with knitting needles and jewelry plyers at the ready. Knitting needles first.

My daughter's Girl Scout troop leader asked me to teach knitting. I brought several examples of twoneedle knitting and loom knitting. First, I'll be teaching loom knitting. I need to get started putting together reference materials.



I have this same yarn!

I was pleasantly suprised a few of the girls 
had projects started!  Most kids these days remember their grandmothers knitting and crocheting.  Needle arts are disappearing.  Young girls aren't being taught in Home Economics at school how to cook or sew a button onto a piece of clothing.  It's all about fast food and buying new clothes.



Loom knitting

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to introducing the girls to saying with a smile, "I made that!".

Cupcake cuteness!

I finally got the cupcake apron finished.  Between the holidays and being sick most of 2012 it seems, I finished the apron and have it listed in my Etsy shop.  A good friend's daughter, Kate, modeled it for me.  Isn't she adorable?

Though it was  a simple pattern, it was a challenge for me.  I haven't used a pattern in quite a long time.

Out with the old and in with the new ...

With the new year fast approaching, I need to finish a couple projects before I can move on to new ones.  The reversable Fall/Halloween table runner needs embellishment and the children's kitchen aprons need finishing, as well.

Reverse Collage Painting

In a magazine called Cloth, Paper, Scissors, I found a painting technique called "reverse collage painting".  You apply decorative paper to canvas, wood or a picture frame, then cover the paper with paint.  You then create your image by removing the paint using your finger or a cotton swab.  The surface is treated with acrylic medium before paint is applied for easy removal.  I'm not a painter but I'm looking forward to trying my hand at this. 

Stone, Glass, Clay, Flowers, Watch Parts and Gears



Bev's necklace & earring set





My wonderful sister, Jody, commissioned me to make two necklace and earring sets using Vintaj brand components and findings.  I love the brass metal and the style of these necklaces; an eclectic mix of stone, glass, clay, flowers, watch parts and gears. 





Nancy's necklace & earring set



I was walking through Hobby Lobby and found free project sheets using Vintaj products and fell in love.  I grabbed each sheet and later found a project booklet put out by the company.  Jody wanted something special to give to her sisters-in-law, Bev and Nancy, as Christmas gifts.  I was touched she came to me. 



Each necklace contains an oblong bead I made using dried flowers from my/our niece, Sarah's, wedding bouquet and cream-colored clay with glitter.  There's a round bead with dried pink rose petals from my church and the same clay.  For me, the necklaces are a way to connect our families.

















Brrrrrrr ....

It seems like the perfect day to put handmade scarves in my Etsy shop.  It was difficult trying to take creative photos with gusting winds up to 30 mph.  It may be time for a fire this evening!

Join me at WildeVioletbyJamy.etsy.com to see more photos of the scarves I just posted and much more.

Making progress ...



Seasonal Table Runner

I have each side of my seasonal table runner pieced together.  Now, I need to figure out how to embellish.  Beads, of course; "stitch in the ditch", which is sewing between each piece of fabric.  My sewing machine can free motion stitch so I'll need to figure that out.  A trip to JoAnn's for binding fabric will be in my immediate future.  It will take some time to find just the right color to work for both sides.

Initially, this project was to fine tune the process to make table runners for Wilde Violet on Etsy.  After thinking about it I've decided to keep this one for myself.  My next project for Wilde Violet will be kitchen aprons for kids.

Looking forward to seeing you on WildeVioletbyJamy.etsy.com.

It's time to get out the sewing machine for seasonal projects.



Fall/Halloween Fabric for Reversible Table Runner



I love to sew in the fall.  It's somehow comforting to turn a pile of fabric into something bright and cheery when it's gloomy and raining outside.  The next few weeks I will be working on a reversible, seasonal table runner for my dining room table.  I've always wanted to make a reversible quilt with fall and Halloween fabric but never quite got around to it.  I've had the fabric for years.  After watching Quilting Arts TV with Pokey Bolton on PBS one afternoon, I got the idea to make a seasonal table runner instead of a quilt. Stay tuned!



Cupcake Apron

My daughter gave me the idea to make children's kitchen aprons.  She loves the little apron I bought her at the dollar store and has asked me to make her one so she can pick out the fabric.  I found some cute patterns on sale at JoAnne's "sew" I'm going to get started.  I'm not very good at reading patterns so this should be an adventure.  I love the cupcake fabric for a little girl's apron.  I think it will be adorable.  I can't wait to get started!

Join me at WildeVioletbyJamy.etsy.com to see what I've been up to while you were gone!