Day #14 - A trip to Michael's ... now THAT was fun!

Good morning, all!

They say some of that "white stuff" is in the forecast for today - I AM NOT impressed!  Didn't anyone mention to Mother Nature that WE ARE DONE with all that?  Jeesh...

So yesterday morning, before things got rolling I did a bit stitching and creating. 

I had an idea for a book and quilt for the boys.  Let me start by saying we live out in the woods.  The boys, my son, my husband, both our fathers and their fathers grew up here, hunting and fishing.  So animal tracks are something we see everyday in the driveway and so I thought this set of animal tracks and names would be a good base for a cloth book and quilt (perhaps when they are older?).

My plan, which we know can always change... is to create a set and then find pictures to match and print those out on fabric, for the opposite pages.  I will post the progress on that as I go. I found the set at DollarStitch, one of my new places to find embroidery designs.  Connie was very helpful getting me set up with my membership after I struggled with the "how to" of it all!

Because I know NO other way of doing things, I was crafting thread catchers at the same time!  I've been thinking that I really wanted to make some of these because I have a nasty habit of just tossing dead threads on the floor because I can't locate the trash in time!  I played around with the first fabric, a border, so the size was dependent totally on the print!  Hey, you have to start somewhere... The second one for out by my embroidery machine, was try #2 to which I will add a bit of "grippy stuff" to keep it on the counter.  The top/pin cushion, is filled with rice.  I will play around with them a bit more and see what works the best!

Lastly, we headed over to Manchester to pick up Kelly at the airport.  We hit Famous Dave's, my first time, and man-o-man, was that DELICIOUS!!  The whole testing the sauces was fun and my bbq'd chicken salad was awesome!  I had one of Shauna's fries and they were probably the best fries I've ever eaten, seriously!  Gotta take Whitt back to that place!

We had an hour and a half to kill from the time dinner ended till her flight landed, so what do 3 creative ladies do? We head to Michael's, of course! I decided to follow my own idea/link the other day with helping kids be more creative by getting goodies to expand the options for artistic play at Memere's house. We traveled the the store, aisle by aisle, looking for goodies for the boys. Okay, so the youngest can't sit up yet ... I ended up with a cart filled with things for them... AND for Shauna! (Let's just say that the Whittemore women ALL have at least one henna tatoo! Yup, me included! Lol!!)

The goodies for lil man ... some will be for Easter, some, just to play with here!  Or, maybe ALL just to play with!  Muahahaha!  The beauty of being a memere!  Did I mention he's a Buzz fan?

Well, ready to start the day, folks ~ hope everyone has a marvelous one!

See you tomorrow,

Carrie

Day #13 - Not everything comes out right/good, but somethings do!

Good morning and happy first day of SPRING!  It is sunny and a balmy 22 degrees here in NH!  Brrrrrrrr!

Yesterday was a bit about how things don't always go the way you think they ought and not everything comes out the first time, REALLY?????  ARGH!!! 

I've been experimenting with embroidery designs from a few different sources and ran across the first ones that didn't really work too well for several reasons I can put a finger on.  One was part of a set I bought that were outlines with bits of flowers tucked in.  I was pretty psyc'd about making them, till I started and broke the thread ... oh I don't know, 100 TIMES!!  I realized that when it was digitized it was just too many stitches in an area.  Okay...so skip that part and go to the outline...hmmmm.... what I thought was a running stitch was a chain-like stitch and when THAT went over the too thick other part....zowie!  Not good! 

Okay, well maybe it was my machine? So, let's try another!  Got this cute set of little boy ones to make a quilt for the little fellas.  Stitched up nicely, TILL it got to the outlining (what was with that with me yesterday?) and then I found that the outlines and the fill didn't match up! 

So, at that point, I went back to a design from Embroidery Library and found that it wasn't my machine, thank goodness!  I've emailed the company I purchased them from and hope they can help me out ~ I really want to do those designs!

Oh a good note, I finished the "sit-upon"/cushion I was making for a friend's fundraiser.  I've got some more of the interior plastic cushions (thanks to CV Football!!) so I'll be perfecting that pattern .

I mentioned the "class" I was taking about working on my sewing space.  One of the things they discussed was having a place for things, so you know where to reach for, say...scissors?  Anyone else swear theirs have legs?  I have about 6 pairs and never seemed to be able to put my hands on one...so, I already love this little baby and it was such a simple thing to do.  Now, if only sorting and stashing the fabrics was as easy ....

A section of the class was on fabric stash, and the control, there of.  Bonnie, the course instructor, did have a great idea for cards to wrap your fabric on.  There was a great source for them here, if you want to check it out.  It was $9 + shipping for 100.  Who knows, maybe I might give it a try!   Bri will see them come and see they come from a comic book place and jump off the deep end thinking I'm taking up collecting something else!!!  Nope, that's my brother's world.  The only comics I have are ones he's done!

Today is about finishing up the weekend's housework (blah...blah...blah...), seeing IF I can finish the wrestling slideshow and get the DVD's started, grocery shopping ("there's NO FOOD in the house, Mom!), and picking up DD from the airport!  Sounds like a day in Whitt-World to me!

Have a great one, all!
Carrie

Day #12 - A day of planning & gathering

Good morning and HAPPY Saturday, everyone!

The sun isn't out yet and it's only about 50 degrees or so, but it feels GREAT!

So yesterday was a day of planning, plotting and gathering materials to work with this weekend.  Having to work till 4 pm and then birthday party at my sister's in the evening made for a short day of things I could get done.

Yesterday I mentioned doing an online class about organizing my sewing space.  Read through the whole thing and am going to see what I can do with the ideas today.  If I make any progress, I'll post about it after the weekend. 

Had time to create a new Etsy treasury on Made in New Hampshire. This one is for children (or the young at heart!)  Here are three of my favorites from it!

I've been doing some projects that require printing photos from the computer on fabric.  It's way fun and makes some very unique creations.  The issue is that over time, it gets a bit expensive to buy the product from JoAnn's (use my coupon each time...).  So I found a blog (by Rebecca from Oklahoma) that gives directions to make your own!  You need washing soda, alum, fabric softener and fabric (we all know I have PLENTY of fabric!)  The trick was to find the washing soda!  I went to Edmunds ("If we don't carry it, you don't need it!") and they were able to get me some!  I also remember reading on another site something about ironing the treated fabric onto freezer paper, got some of that, too. So, this weekend, I'll be giving THAT project a try and will let you know how it comes out.

Sewing-wise, I'm making another dress for my best-buds daughter's birthday this week.  Should be fun!  Blue fabric with white polka-dots!  Ah...to pick a pattern...

But this time the sun has come out here (this entry took a bit of time this morning...) and it's time to get some housework done so I can PLAY!

Hope everyone's day is GREAT!

Carrie

Day #11 - Wrestling Team Slide Show, "Sapping" photos and "Oh, of course I have enough time to take a course on line..."

Good morning, everyone!

Yesterday's creative endeavors including being outside for a bit IN A SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRT!!! OMG!!! Did the sun ever feel good! I took some pictures of Bri & Ror's sap collecting and then headed back up to the house to work on the wrestling team video.

Here is the line, heading up from the brook to the tank/truck.

My very patient hubby, priming the pump to try and draw the sap up the line.

Talking to Ror, who is a the bottom of the hill - what did we do before cell phones? Eh?

I took lots of other shots of trees, blue sky, muddy driveway...you know those first outdoor pix of the season?  We'll see what we do with those...muahahaha!

Then, I proceeded to spend about 5-6 hours working on the slide show for Wednesday night!  I've been doing this for his program, the softball team and my field hockey team for about 5 years.  I use Window Movie Maker,some good music and THOUSANDS of pictures!!  Still toying around with the music I want to use.  Right now I have "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts for the senior section and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" by Kenny Chesney for the candid/friendship section.  I had to give up just before 11 PM though, 'cause things were starting to run together...  back at it this weekend and then once it's done, copy, copy, copy!

Lastly, while waiting for the computers to warm up, I was reading my email and one of the groups I belong to mentioned something about an online class for embroidery.  So I clicked through and found Embroidery Academy. You can take classes, online, at your own pace!  I am trying one of the free ones, first, to see if I like how it works.  It's called "Organizing your sewing space"!  I will let you know how it goes!

Well, it's time to get rolling for the day.  I had this GREAT idea for a fundraiser for where I work (Peterborough Historical Society) to go along with an event we are planning for this summer and I need to sew out some more fairy designs! Doesn't that make you wonder WHAT we are doing?  That's the idea!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Carrie

Day #10 - Little Bit o' This and That!

Ah, the final day of early morning practice for the softball playing folks here in the Whittemore household! YEAH!!! Everyone involved is thrilled for that, let me just say!


Didn't get tons of time for creating yesterday. After day of work, took my oldest DD to the airport for a few days back out at college, to tie up loose ends and visit friends (Hi, Ryan!!) While out in the BIG CITY, I did make a trip to JoAnn's Fabrics and picked up some heavy weight fusable interfacing, so I can get to work on more knitting bags! YEAH!!! I was on hold till I had that. Gotta love the 50% off coupons!

I am also working on a new idea (BIG surprise there, if you know me....haha!) It involves photography and my new love, machine embroidery. I will keep you posted as it develops ... more to come on that one ... lots of experimenting (which means family gifts, as I try!!!)

I did a new Etsy Treasury ~ wicked fun one ... (hint hint: about NH!) I called it "Made in New Hampshire." I did an Etsy search for shops local to me and unbelieveable what I found! You should go take a peek! Funny: unbeknownst to me, till I posted them all together, got a real BLUE thing going!! The dinnerware below is made by clearmountaincraft, out of Claremont, NH! 

Well, have to get ready for the day.  Let's see what it has to hold, eh? I believe there is some sap boiling this evening, which I hear may go into the late night/early morning!!  YUM!

Have a great one, All!

Carrie

Day #9 - Making my first Etsy Treasurys, stitching out some new designs and sorting 100 pounds of fabric!

Good morning, everyone!

Heard some sleet hitting the roof as we were just getting up this morning ~ March in New Hampshire can be a cruel, cruel time of year!  DD flies out for PA this afternoon to tidy up loose ends before graduation and visit all her friends.  She's doing her last semester internships here (saved on room and board and gives someone else to schelp her sister around!! Muahahaha!).

I mentioned that hubby and son and boiling sap this year to make syrup, got a phone pic of the beginning of the event.  More to come, I am sure!  There is a great learning curve on a new venture like that, but lots of fun, as well!

So, I discovered the FUN of creating Etsy Treasurys yesterday!!  Talk about an addictive activity!  You dive into Etsy with a theme in mind and see what turns up!  It's GREAT!  I did one I called "Monkeying Around" filled with all sorts of little monkey items with my two little grandson monkeys in mind!  One of my favorite items (gotta get some for the boys!) Is a treat called "Monkey Farts Body Butter" made by Sweetsoaptreat from CT.  How fun is that for little fellas??

The second was because I (like most New Englanders) am DYING for spring!!  I called that one "Think Spring...Please!"  I think the karma of that one might have worked yesterday as I saw some grass (okay, soggy slightly greenish mud) on the softball field at the high school, ALWAYS a sign!

I'm working on another filled with items all made right here in NH!!  Yah, baby!  We are a talented lot!

Through out the rest of the day I was jumping back and forth between stitching out several designs, pressing them and begining the sort of 100 pounds of fabric!  One of the projects is a tote for a fundrasier for a local racer (he also happened to wrestle for my husband...) the other a couple pieces for Autism Awareness for another friend (yup, you Tammy, hee heee!)

While doing the above, I have discovered my new best friend: spray starch!  Okay, I have to give some background.  I do NOT enjoy ironing REAL objects, ie: shirts and such.  To the degree that a few years back my iron was sitting on the kitchen counter, hidden, I think, for some time.  When I went to use it (NOT for the faint of heart here...stop reading now if things are icky to you...) and after I put the water in and turned it on...ANTS CAME RUNNING OUT FOR THEIR LIVES!!!!  Yes, it had sat lonely and unused and become an ant condo!!

So, I've gotten better (oh, and have a new iron) and one day at work, while preparing an exhibit, my boss (thanks, Michelle!) introduced me to spray starch.  WOW! No more struggling with those dang creases on the fold of fabric?!?!?!  This stuff is GREAT!  (It's the little things in life, really...)

So I finished up the day/night with a bit of time sorting through 100 pounds of fabrics, my latest purchase from my wholesaler.  So many new projects in the making with it!  Muahahaha!

'Twas a busy day.  Time now to finish up here and get ready for work.  Have a GREAT day, all!
Carrie

Day #8 - Week 1 over...week 2 begins!

Good morning, All!
An early morning here as 3/4 of the family was off to "open gym" softball before 6 AM!!!  Me?  I'm in jammies having breakfast!

Yesterday was loads of fun!  Made up a set of a "Lil Back Sack," a bag tag and headband, all in coordinating black and white!  The Back Sack has a machine embroidery of a piece of music made with birds for the notes!  Lots of ironing, some zigzag stitching (till I get me a serger!) and a bit of playing with what to use for what, so all good!  Now, I need to decide if I am going to use them for my niece's bday or pop them up on Etsy! 

Also worked up another of hubby's shirts for awards, dang, but they come out pretty professional looking!  :o)  I found a great site with lots of free designs and then LOADS of field hockey, wrestling and softball designs called "Embroidery Designs.com"  ~ pretty straightforward, eh?  I got some (okay...a few...just couldn't decide which ones!) for $5 each ~ which is more than I usually pay (yup, like the $1/$2 ones at Embroidery Library, baby!)  But they were of wrestlers and such!  Most sites don't have that sort of thing!  So, I grabbed, well...some! 

This of course proved stressful for hubby as he had to finish his calculating of how many of this and that, made stressful by having to look through 29 years of records (YUP, that's how long he's been coaching!) and the fact that Word locked up on the computer BEFORE he'd saved about an hour's worth of work!  YIKES!!  All good in the end, though.

Spent a wee bit of time working on a tag for my finished products. Played around with a half dozen fonts and then printed them up for the fam to see and "vote" on.  2/3 vote selected the one I am going to try!  Now to create them!

If finished up my night by attacking the table in my studio/room/etc space.  It had been the repository of, well... EVERYTHING that comes into that room!!  And you KNOW how neatness/things in their place/whatever you want to call it makes the karma better?  Well, I'm FEELIN' it!!  Oh, and do you know there is a website call Unclutterer?  I'm going to make it my home page, lol!  There is a great piece about putting away laundry!  They said the key was NOT to have more clothing than storage for it...my goose is cooked then...sigh...

Well, of to meet the day ~ hope yours is a wonderful one!
Carrie