Just a Few Sewing Notions

A few sewing projects completed.

First up, a plastic bag (plarn) rug.  I'm using it as a placemat outside underneath the dog's food bowl. 

A reversible swiffer cover.  I have the name brand of these a Mr. something or other (smile).  I paid five dollars a piece for them.  They are washable and work fine but sometimes you just need something smaller.  These homemade swiffer covers are made from the Sugar n Cream yarn $1.77 at Walmart.  It doesn't take a full roll.  I believe I will have enough between two rolls to make three covers.  Plus you use one side and flip it over and get twice the usage over Mr. Shiney Head! 

I didn't make these but snagged them at the 50% off sale at goodwill.  More napkins for my paper free kitchen! 

Lastly, this is my new tote bag.  I'll use this more in the summer time but wanted to get it done early.  It's made out of Sugar n Cream Seaside.  I'd love to make another one of these but smaller to use as a purse.....hmmm. 

Until next time, Kristi.

Granny Squares Rag Rug

I set aside my oval rug to see what a granny square would look like in a rag rug.....

My sheet rag rug made out of granny squares. 

Just three rounds in three different colors and single crocheted together.

It goes with my countertops nicely!

May add a few more blocks to make it bigger.  Not sure yet.

Within five minutes of being down, she decided it was "fit for a Queenie".

Homemade Cloth Pads

We like to do the food storage for preparedness in case of an emergency. We are two hours away from Memphis where the fault line lies. I'd like to think we wouldn't be affected directly in case of an earthquake but I do like to be prepared in case we are indirectly affected. I expect that most supplies from surrounding areas would have to be shipped to the most affected areas and that would mean limited quantities for us around here in our own stores.
   One of the things to store up is feminine products for women's needs. Have you ever tried to store up a year' s worth of sanitary pads? It boggles the mind. And what if you did have a year's worth stored up but found you had to grab a backpack, leave your home, and possibly live off the land. Then what? I decided instead of storing up disposables from the store I would revert back to what our foremothers used. Home made pads. Midwives are still suggesting the use of these today. They divert allergic reactions, lessen flow, and lessen cramps. They are 100% cotton ;completely breathable and not loaded with bleached out man made fibers. You can purchase already made ones but they are very expensive. There are numerous patterns on the internet;  so many that I had a problem picking the ones I wanted to try making. I tried several different ones and have a few more that I'd like to try.    I bought pretty receiving blankets at Goodwill during their fifty percent off sale for the flannel material  to make them. And no, I didn't get the ones that had baby themes on them. I did get a pretty lilac color with bows on it, and a pretty pink stripe, a blue one with butterflies, and I also picked up a few pairs of flannel sleep pants at the thrift store pretty cheap. I can get more pads out of the sleep pants than the receiving blankets but they aren't near as pretty. And a girl just has to feel pretty, doesn't she?
  I figure this way I can store in a backpack a week's worth and then they can be washed and dried and restored in the backpack if it ever came to that. A weeks worth is so easier to store than a years worth.
  And comfortable! On all of the sites I read the comments on how comfortable they were but I was skeptical that there was really that much of a difference. I had enough made that I used them this month and the first thing I did was apologize to my son for not using cloth diapers on him!
  I am a convert now and I will never go back!

Here are some pics below and yes, they are in the sleep pants material. But trust me I made some in the pretty material too. These were just on the top of the stack and I wanted to take a pic before I forgot.

Sewed around the edges like the instructions stated

Turned it.

Put in the inserts I made out of towels and flannel.

Sewed a seam on the edge so the flaps turn down easier.

I sewed a few straight but a few I contoured for a more natural shape.

This is a liner below in the lilac.  So cute!

This is before the snaps were put on.  I bought snaps like on the baby "onesies".

And like Always says "Have a Happy Period"

Well, I WILL NOW!

Sewing Project Update

The Halloween banner that I showed you on here a few weeks ago is finished and then I went on to Frosty the snowman. No, he isn't my Christmas door hanger but he will be my winter decor. January and February if I can stand his gaudy self that long. A few things about him: I embellished him with real buttons on his cuffs and down his front, the flag wasn't suppose to be quilted and instead glued to a dowel and glued to him. I didn't like that so I quilted it and am going to tack it on where you see it pinned.

The flag had white dots for the stars and just looked rather plain so I decided to embellish it with clear and white buttons in various sizes. I believe it turned out rather well. The button stars give it a more country feel I think.

I finally got my sheets tore into strips and started my rug.  I'm freestyling here on the pattern and the color changing.  Flying by the seat of my pants to put it plain and simple.

I started mom's lap throw.  These are flannel receiving blankets, cut into strips and sewn together.  After the front and back are sewn together you go back and snip about every inch or so and then toss in the dyer to sort of fray the edges.  I thought she might stand out more and make more of a statement with this type instead of the traditional quilted throws!  One side is sunny yellows and the other is pretty pinks.  

Things are coming along. Of course, like everyone else, for every project I complete, two more takes it's place.  But..........

Busy hands are happy hands!

Until next time.......Kristi.