Review: Fleecie Dolls

Fleecie Dolls (2008)

by Fiona Gamble 0896897346, 112 pages

Summary: This book gives detailed descriptions and patterns for making dolls from fleece.

Review: I happened upon this book at a fabric store during a time when I was just becoming interested in doll making. I was just learning about how to do hair, and I was fascinated that hair could be done so easily with fleece.

This book has patterns for dolls of different sizes. It includes patterns for clothing as well. It has a range of challenge levels for doll details. I've already planned to make several of the dolls and have ordered my projects by perceived difficulty level.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to doll makers at the beginning to intermediate levels.

Kombucha Kraze

I've read about it, wondered about it, and have now started it. I'm on the bandwagon and, thanks to a good friend, started my first batch. I had never tried it, and had no idea what it tasted like. Kind of silly in retrospect! But I was looking forward to testing the rumored health benefits. Well, it ended up being really sour to my taste. I tried to improve it by adding juice. I'm not sure that it helped.

My batch was big enough to produce these jars plus a starter for my next batch and another starter that I've stored in the fridge.

I started my second batch with twice as much sugar and the intention of brewing for a shorter amount of time. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

Thrifting

As seems to be the trend in many places on the blogosphere, I have discovered the joy of thrifting.

What I’ve learned about myself is that I like vintage. I have to admit that I have secretly loved visiting Goodwill for a while. But I thought I was just cheap, and I would hide my rare tags and bags from my husband. But after discovering the Thrifty Chicks and the Frugal Fashionista, I’ve started to shop with my head up.

Recently, I seem to have developed an obsession with jars and storage containers. I’m sure it’s a result of participating in the kitchen cure and seeing these images of jars as storage. And this week I scored these vintage Tupperware containers.

Although I don’t recall seeing these specific containers in my childhood, they made me think of some containers my grandmother had. 

Set of 4 Vintage Tupperware Servalier Bowls,
originally uploaded by vintagegoodness.

And this lead me to ebay where I discovered toys that I had as a child but had completely forgotten about. What great memories. (I'll let you know if I win my bid!)

Vintage Tupperware Shape-O-Ball Baby Puzzle Toy,
originally uploaded by vintagegoodness.

I’m still trying to categorize what I don’t mind getting second hand. I have an obsession with chairs, so I’ve picked up a few of those. One day I’ll get around to attempting reupholstering them. I’ve grabbed some drinking glasses and a couple of blazers.


I've been on the lookout for a dresser for my kids' room, and I find that I gravitate towards antique styles. I'm currently loving old school storage containers and serving dishes.

When it comes to furniture, my more favorite second-hand option is Craigslist, but I’ll save that for another post.

Bloggiesta completion list

Here is my initial to do list along with what I actually accomplished.

• Write some book reviews. There are some kids fiction books with quilting as a theme that my kids and I have enjoyed. I didn't get around to getting this done. I did set up some template posts that are ready for me to fill in with the reviews.


• Write backup posts for a rainy day. I only got one of these done.


• Write that great post idea from three months back. It was great to me. We'll see what you think.


• Create template posts for your future reads (ie: title, images, linking, tags, etc,) so you can open up, write review and post without being bogged down with technicalities. I did some of these for future book reviews and for a landing page.


• Learn what a favicon is and maybe add one. I learned about this from Trish. Turns out I had looked at this a while back, but I didn't remember what it was called. This ate about 45 minutes of my time since the most talked about hosting site was down for maintenance when I tried to do mine. I went in search of other sites,but never found what I liked.


• Install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do. I decided that I want a related posts widget on my block. I spent about 45 minutes researching and trying out code, but couldn't get any of them to work.
  
• Create landing pages (for example - an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have. I've made a template for a landing page for the distant day when I get a big hit from a referring page. I spent way too much time on it for the simple results that I settled on. But I got great information from these two posts at Problogger.


• Go get a gravatar. I have to learn what this is, too This took me about 20 minutes. I'm not yet sure where I will use it since blogger already using this image for me. Learned this from Trish, too.


• Work on any specialized projects that you may have going. Think I'm going to turn this into a series post. I know what series of posts I plan to do, but I didn't to work on them.


• I also used website grader to run a report on possible changes to improve my search engine results. Thanks to Bookish Ruth for teaching me this.
  
• I also want to add myself to a directory. Got this idea from Infant Bibliophile.

In all, I think that I spent a good 10 hours on this. And in true challenge fashion, I did a lot of it through the night while my family slept.

Bloggiesta to do list

I've decided to participate in Maw Books Bloggiesta, "a blogging marathon with a fiesta flair.” Based on her suggestions, here is my initial to do list for this weekend.

• Write some book reviews. There are some kids fiction books with quilting as a theme that my kids and I have enjoyed.


• Write backup posts for a rainy day.


• Write that great post idea from three months back. It was great to me. We'll see what you think.


• Create template posts for your future reads (ie: title, images, linking, tags, etc,) so you can open up, write review and post without being bogged down with technicalities


• Learn what a favicon is and maybe add one


• install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do. I want to try that related posts plugin


• create landing pages (for example - an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.
  
• Go get a gravatar. I have to learn what this is, too
  
• Work on any specialized projects that you may have going. Think I'm going to turn this into a series post.

This list is looking long for 48 hours. We'll see what I get done and how long it takes.

Fabric Quiet Book Lessons Learned - Part 2

In my previous post, I shared the things I learned from making my first fabric book. This post continues those observations.

My biggest issue is with the pages themselves. I found lots of sources for creating this type of book (like here and here). Since I wasn't in the mood to bind multiple pages, I treated my fat quarter like a single sheet of paper and created a foldable book, an idea I got from the book Cover To Cover. Unfortunately, my measurements were apparently off a bit because some of my pages are wider than others. This made it difficult to bind my book in the manner I had planned.

In spite of all the faults I've named, there are some things I do like – besides the fact that I actually finished a project.

I like the photos, but I'm afraid that they won't last. I went quickly and a couple seem to be peeling a little. Since I suspect I'll need to wash this book at some point, we'll have to wait and see how this turns out.

I like these bullion flowers that I learned to make here. I know that I will be including this in more things that I make in the future.

And I liked finishing the covers with ribbon that I've had a long time trying to find just the right project.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this project and am pleased with the results. I'll continue striving to make it better.

Fabric Quiet book Lessons Learned - Part 1

I finally completed my first fabric book. I did my best to keep it simple, so there are no moving or detachable parts this time. My eye sees all sorts of things I could have done better, but it turned out OK for my first effort. I'd like to share what I learned, and perhaps what I will do differently next time to make it better. Some of my pictures are a litlle fuzzy. Sorry!

First, I should have taken my time. That probably sounds funny considering that it took me forever to complete this project. My delay had more to do with a lack of spare time than with time put into the project. Since my time to sew is sparse, I tend to take shortcuts. The problem is that not all of my shortcuts resulted in a pleasing product.

I'm not so pleased with my applique. I started off trying to blind stitch. But my technique isn't great, so my stitches often showed. And then it seemed to take too long, so I switched to machine stitching. I think that I should have continued with the hand stitching. It takes practice to get it right, and I stopped too soon to get that practice. I also should have found a way to temporarily adhere the fabric until it was stitched in place. Since I didn't do that, a lot of my pieces are lopsided. I'm trying to play it off and hope that it looks like that was intentional. But it wasn't.

My embroidery needs a bit of work. I started using ideas from The New Crewel. I was really excited to get this book and was glad to have a place to try out the ideas. But some of my results don't seem as exciting as they appeared in the book. I'll keep playing with technique and color combinations. 

I also tried making lazy daisies. While this is an easy stitch for making flowers, my problem seemed to lie in my ability to place the petals in a circle. In trying to eyeball placement, my flowers were crooked and displeasing to my eye. Anybody have tips for making circular flowers by eye? I looked for ideas but was unable to find tips on making my flowers even. But I found a couple of people to aspire to be like here and here.

In the next part of this post (tomorrow), I will share my biggest issue with this project and some things I like.

Read with Kids challenge

Reading for the 48 hour book challenge has me on a roll. I'm now particpating in the 2009 Read With Kids Challange. I didn't intend for this to be a book blog, but I am a sucker for a book. The challenge dosen't end until June 30. You ought to do it too!

From their site:
"Read and Win a Disney Vacation!
For a second year, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and US Airways are working together to help children nationwide discover the joy of reading. Starting April, adults are invited to join the 2009 Read with Kids Challenge and help collectively log 5 million minutes spent reading with kids. You’ll have the chance of winning a family vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort® and more great prizes. Get on board! Visit www.RIF.org/readwithkids today."

I'm done: 48 hour book challenge

I completed something! Here is my summation.

Number of books (re-) read: 8

Number of pages read: 847

Hours spent reading/reviewing: 16

My comments: This was cool to do. It gave me a reason to add posts to a new blog. It refreshed my memory of what resources I have at hand. I wish I could have done more, but life got in the way this time. Next time, I might focus more on fiction books. And next time, I WILL get my kids to participate.

Review: Miss Patch's Learn to Sew Book

Miss Patch's Learn-To-Sew Book (1969)

by Carolyn Meyer, 0152549331 96 pages

Summary: This book is written for young readers. It contains instructions for basic skills and simple projects.

Review: Using the premise that Miss Patch is learning to sew, the reader walks alongside her learning what he learns. There are instructions for making a pillow, a bag, a skirt, and doll clothes. The reader learns to work with patterns as well. All sewing is done by hand.

Recommendation: I also bought this book to have ideas of what and how to teach my children. I'd like them to do a few things by hand before going to the machine. I have not had an opportunity to try any of the projects yet.

Review: The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

by Nancy Smith & Lynda Milligan   1571202544, 128 pages

Summary: This book is designed to create a course for teaching young children to sew.

Review: This book is geared towards making using the sewing machine more like a game than a chore.  There are activities like word searches and puzzles as well as projects.

Recommendation: I was excited to get my hands on this book. The projects look fun and appropriate for my younger kids. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to see how well they work with kids.

Review: Simply Sewing

Simply Sewing (Kids Can Do It) (2004)

by Judy Ann Sadler 1553376609, 48 pages

Summary: This book walks a teen sewer through basic sewing techniques and a few projects.

Review: This book contains information on hand sewing techniques, sewing machine stitches and age appropriate projects. Though there are few pages, it contains a lot of information for a beginner.

Recommendation: I bought this book in hopes of having resources to teach my children to sew. The content is good for a teen who learns visually.   

Review: Fabric Art Journals

Fabric Art Journals: Making, Sewing, and Embellishing Journals from Cloth and Fibers (2005)
by Pam Sussman 1592531962, 128 pages

Summary: This book focuses on creating fabric journals.

Review: Aimed at altered art artists, this book teaches techniques for creating and embellishing fabric journals. There is instruction on stitching techniques, dyeing fabric, applique, photo transfer and embellishment. There are also projects for different types of journals based on the difficulty of binding.

Recommendation: I was so excited when this book was published. It is beautiful and I can see the potential of using these techniques in making fabric books. A must have if you want to go beyond the plain and ordinary fabric book.

Review: How to Make Cloth Books for Children

How to Make Cloth Books for Children: A Guide to Making Personalized Books (1993)

by Anne Pellowski 0801983983, 104 pages

Summary: This book gives detailed instructions for making fabric books.

Review: This book goes into great detail on putting books together. There is a section on customizing, a section on materials, a section on planning layout and format, a section on applique and applying color, a section on finishing, and a bibliography and resources.

Recommendation: I was impressed with the amount of information shared in this book. If there is one must have book, this is it. 

Review: A-B-C 1-2-3 Craft Book

A-B-C 1-2-3 Craft Book (1994)

by Phyllis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta 0806906715, 128 pages

Summary: This book explains how to make a fabric book with pages based on the alphabet. It also gives directions for making stuffed letters instead of a book.

Review: This books offers a lot of details on options for materials and techniques. While I doubt that I would ever use these options to make the individual letters, I will definitely use the techniques described to make pages in books.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to someone looking to learn how to make a fabric book because there are ample explanations of how to do it as well as great pattern ideas.

Review: Busy Christians

Busy Christians: Patterns for cloth books (1978)

by Janet Sage 0570079284, 119 pages

Summary: This book is primarily composed of patterns for pages in a quiet book based on biblical themes. Sage has written three other books in this series.

Review: This book is a bare bones minimum on directions. Guidance is offered on materials to use and steps to bind the book. However, the pages that give patterns for the different pages of the quiet book have no written directions. One would need to have some other book with more detail or have some experience in making such books.

Recommendation: I checked out all of Sage's book through the library prior to buying this one. Although the directions are minimal, I wanted at least one book from the series because I like the patterns with moving parts. I was hoping that, after making such a page, I could improvise to use the techniques on other patterns. I would recommend it to someone who has experience at making such books and who is looking for other pattern ideas.

Review: 26 Lively letters

26 Lively Letters: Making and ABC Quiet Book (1977)

by Barbara Williams and Carol Grundmann , 96 pages

Summary: This book gives detailed explanation for creating a fabric book using felt applique with buttons, snaps, and other attachments. It has various activities. If directions are followed, the crafter will create a 28-page ABC quiet book.

Review: This was the first book I purchased for making quiet books.  I appreciate the variety of activities and that the author gives suggestions for variation. For example, instructions are given for applique, but the author suggests using fabric paint if the creator is in a hurry. 

Recommendation: This book is out of print and apparently hard to find online. (I got mine on ebay years ago.) If you can find it through the library, I would recommend it. I get excited every time I look through it. I'm not likely to make an alphabet book, but I will definitely be making several of the pages in different books. 

I'm in: 48 Hour Book challenge

I’ve decided to participate in the 48 hour book challenge. So I think that I will reread and write reviews on some of those craft books I purchased.

I also hope to get my daughters to each read at least one book and write a review. I know that school just let out, but they’ll thank me for it later.

I'm starting Saturday morning. Why don’t you join in?

Sewing Machine Meme

I'm participating in the Sew Mama Sew meme on machines I have two machines to tell about.

What brand and model do you have? Singer 5838C

How long have you had it? 12+ years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? It was a gift, so I don't know.

What types of things do you sew? quilts, kids' clothes

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? I only get to touch it every other week or so. But when I first got it, I used it almost daily.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? It has sentimental value since it was my first.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It has several stitches, but I rarely utilize them

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? just not finding time to use it.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? It's very reliable although heavy. I don't take her to class or anything.

What brand and model do you have? Janome 3125

How long have you had it? almost 2 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? About $80 (I think).

What types of things do you sew? quilts, kids' clothes

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? I only get to touch it every other week or so. This one travels with me. My girl scout troop uses it once a month to make quilts. I take it to class or to quilting bee. I've taken it on a flight with me so that I could sew at night after meetings.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I like the convenience of being able to take it along.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It has a few features, but I typically only use a straight stitch.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? I don't like that I can't shift my needle position.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? It's convenient and light weight.