Rainy Day Kerchief

This began as an experiment with stencils and fabric paint on a white cotton t-shirt, it went very wrong, but I couldn't bring myself to throw it out. So it sat in a drawer, languishing, not even good enough for pj's. Then I got the Alabama Stitch Book and Inspiration, and spirals.

I wear my hair in bandannas and kerchiefs all the time so this seemed a natural use for the ugly shirt. I had to add beads, just because.

I like the way it came out, it was a great rainy day with sick kids project, it only took a couple of hours including sick kid interruptions. I'm going to use the rest of the shirt to add spirals to a dark green t-shirt.

Here's how.
1. cut the front and back of the t-shirt into a triangle using the hem of the shirt to make the front of the kerchief. Cut the triangles a little shorter that the width of the shirt but cut out the whole length of the hem, the ends on the hem make perfect ties. stitch across the front
2. cut circles out of other fabric, cut the circles into a spiral, pin spirals to both layers of kerchief. hand stitch in place. add beads or other embellishment.

I only stitched the two kerchief layers together at the front hem. I left the edges unstitched, but the spirals hold everything in place. Old worn t-shirts work really well and are very comfortable to wear, especially in the summer.

Rose and Fern Bag - How To Make It

This canvas tote bag came from JoAnn Fabrics, I liked it because it had a fern printed on it. And it was on sale!

To make the pocket I folded an old dinner napkin in half and sewed it to the bag with the fold at the bottom, then I stitched vertical lines to make smaller pockets. The dinner napkin was large enough to reach around the back of the bag.

I cut the original handles in the middle, they now make ties to keep the bag closed.
The shoulder strap is two long pieces of cotton cord sewed into the sides.

Last I added some ribbon trim and buttons and yo-yos to dress it up, the doily was my grandma's. I use this bag a lot, for a purse, a bag to hold my sketchbook and pencils, it is the perfect size to hold a magazine or a small knitting project. I plan to make another for my daughter so she can carry her books and sketchpad everywhere we go.

I Love the Remnant Bin

Nellie's new kerchief and skirt

Front of Skirt

Back of the Skirt

I found this beautiful chenille and denim remnant at JoAnn's and had to get it, there was just enough to make a skirt for Nellie, and a kerchief for each of us, the skirt is almost finished. This was my first attempt at sewing in an elastic waistband. I just need to finish sewing in the ends and finish my kerchief.

Roses and Birds and Springtime

Everywhere I look it looks like spring
Even at the bottom of my scrap bag where I found

Birds in flight and

Roses as bright as Lemons

The bird hanging is made of felt, copper wire, stone beads and a silver bird, it is about the size of a bookmark. The broach is the size of a credit card and made of fabric scraps and bright yellow ribbon roses and a pin back.

New Boots Old Rain

What better way to deal with a flooded backyard than to buy new boots and splash around.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

A wonderful, sunny, warm day. Stew and Soda Bread for supper. Plenty of traditional Irish music to sing along to. A wonderful way to share my heritage with my kids.

mmmmm, yummy. Irish Soda Bread

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with flour
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Starting at the center and working out stir until all the flour is incorporated. the dough should be wet but not sticky. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Clean hands.
Coat hands with flour, and pat and roll dough gently into a round shape. Turn over and flatten to about 2inches thick. Transfer dough to a baking dish. Mark with a deep cross.
Bake bread at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 400 degrees F for 30 more minutes. Loaf is done when it is brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool for 30 minutes.
Can also be cooked in a cast iron covered pot over a campfire...I'll be trying this method next.

Wearin' of the Big Green Ponchos

It rained on our parade. The parade was in the middle of 4 days of rain here in the northeast. Today the sun finally came out and the rivers are heading back into their banks. We did have a fun time at the parade despite its being wet and shorter than usual, the kids decided that morning that it was worth sitting through the weather and they were right!

Joe can Sew!

Joe's first sewing project - Shamrock smiley face



Two pieces of different colored green felt
assorted buttons
needle and thread
shamrock pattern
scissors
sticky felt shamrocks

Trace shamrock onto felt and cut out
holding the two pieces of felt together sew on button eyes, nose, and mouth.
add sticky felt.
I traced and cut the felt shapes out and helped Joe sew on the first eye, he took over from there, choosing buttons from the pile and the deciding where to place them. He was very proud of his creation!

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

March is all about St. Patrick's Day at our house, and dressing warm for the parade.

2009 parade, they may not be altogether Irish, but their eyes are definitely smiling!


my favorite March accessory, nothing keeps you warm like Love, Loyalty, and Friendship