tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25508666553447813972024-03-16T13:53:13.563-05:00Susie Can StitchCrafty with fiber and fabric? Me too!IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-25569144326757417842011-07-05T17:19:00.007-05:002011-07-06T07:15:46.700-05:00Olfa Cutter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRqCoeHTqxYGdINfMxLSr0Bmy5Z0HdspUfRIoADtmlAbQ6K7_AinnVbiMG_jq9hvET-jieZ5P69YTp6EHXCygdets5uLaEAkKe1g05xy5iBG6DQjb1DHD95_seE6EKmF8v4cbsga31QM/s1600/P1090457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">It was a great Independence Day weekend here at the Susie Can Stitch house. I even got a little bit of sewing in! I had a Craft Critique deadline to meet and I got my article in on Saturday just barely on time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got to test out the <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/07/vendor-spotlight-and-giveaway-olfa_05.html">Olfa Quick Change Rotary Cutter</a>. Which is an indispensable tool for any sewer.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRqCoeHTqxYGdINfMxLSr0Bmy5Z0HdspUfRIoADtmlAbQ6K7_AinnVbiMG_jq9hvET-jieZ5P69YTp6EHXCygdets5uLaEAkKe1g05xy5iBG6DQjb1DHD95_seE6EKmF8v4cbsga31QM/s1600/P1090457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRqCoeHTqxYGdINfMxLSr0Bmy5Z0HdspUfRIoADtmlAbQ6K7_AinnVbiMG_jq9hvET-jieZ5P69YTp6EHXCygdets5uLaEAkKe1g05xy5iBG6DQjb1DHD95_seE6EKmF8v4cbsga31QM/s400/P1090457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625998920743960578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I used my rotary cutter to make a set of reusable shopping bags:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh1S5_EBiqk3NH_Eg_XhsvK9mkZlu1ud3Cfi3lVgcvnubWzopnpG3zFZcXcupFnSajZdPieXkVai8CHQSP7LLvzNlxBg82c-Ft03JPTNXhjlqzXoSw-mZ5l3nPp1WSzHSaigolmHevyE/s1600/P1090486.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh1S5_EBiqk3NH_Eg_XhsvK9mkZlu1ud3Cfi3lVgcvnubWzopnpG3zFZcXcupFnSajZdPieXkVai8CHQSP7LLvzNlxBg82c-Ft03JPTNXhjlqzXoSw-mZ5l3nPp1WSzHSaigolmHevyE/s400/P1090486.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625997910020765490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px; " /></a>And I used specialty blades to make this frilly felt flower:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpk3b0CcbtWGjccItp78omL2xX4uydQmtFXVhFnrExFL73sQpi20jlwQnfM84vbqKqJaY6ZYLuLCIklu-rS_L9BsjxvxExnQZQUo9TrdQoycxRIh4eXETKv4LnPscwIhaxBDuKZCOzcI/s400/P1090467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625998224048408962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Comment on any of the <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/07/vendor-spotlight-and-giveaway-olfa_05.html">Craft Critique Olfa</a> posts running today and tomorrow, July 5-6, for a chance at our Olfa giveaway. I don't know how I could sew or quilt without one!</div><div><br /></div><div>I love comments on my blog, but to qualify for the giveaway, you have to go over to Craft Critique!</div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-36916347924027685482011-06-29T10:08:00.002-05:002011-06-29T10:19:04.906-05:00Silhouette Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamqge3S1XBFNF9EUcxecUdyb_lVUiWL5jisuZi_WyCsEopMxIlwO36DS3Vf_IX0QJfsUluCEusGhmLfAyVvdpkWgzCEGizN6y2jCc8Vl6elzUuQ5yPAqewpiItGml7q3l64e2FDV7KFfb/s1600/Silhouette+SD+product+photo.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamqge3S1XBFNF9EUcxecUdyb_lVUiWL5jisuZi_WyCsEopMxIlwO36DS3Vf_IX0QJfsUluCEusGhmLfAyVvdpkWgzCEGizN6y2jCc8Vl6elzUuQ5yPAqewpiItGml7q3l64e2FDV7KFfb/s1600/Silhouette+SD+product+photo.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Dreaming about one of those fancy electronic paper cutting machines? <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/06/vendor-spotlight-giveaway-silhouette-sd.html">Craft Critique is giving away a Silhouette SD</a>. With this printing and cutting machine, you can use their downloadable designs or you can design on your own using their computer software.<div><br /></div><div>Papercrafters are very enthusiastic about this versatile cutting machine. Head on over to Craft Critique and check it out. Leave a comment there before July 2, 2011 to qualify.</div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-12709450097149392822011-06-18T09:51:00.004-05:002011-06-18T10:04:47.263-05:00Practical Guide To Patchwork Review<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/06/book-review-practical-guide-to.html">My review of Elizabeth Hartman's book</a> The Practical Guide to Patchwork is up over at <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/">Craft Critique.</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5MWjge8rVfjxRajdJjZ5o5xU_Gntc5UJUzyG2bb8Oew8-1binlY1zaCjTrOMNStrlPkTYSAekGZjm7MGh947QWI5qMN_O2OLeRvG8JTG6P-4mnm0H6wMKzGY2LjFQh1JV30sg6i-wNY/s1600/P1090080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5MWjge8rVfjxRajdJjZ5o5xU_Gntc5UJUzyG2bb8Oew8-1binlY1zaCjTrOMNStrlPkTYSAekGZjm7MGh947QWI5qMN_O2OLeRvG8JTG6P-4mnm0H6wMKzGY2LjFQh1JV30sg6i-wNY/s400/P1090080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619573749714043538" /></a>It is an excellent book with very good modern quilt patterns. I had fun choosing some modern prints for the quilt top I made.<br /><div><a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNNc55ROqOQmGgQV2u-cbixySZod2REanY6bFosyPaKJdoNL7wRRYzCWqLhdh09thZphobesacgSY9iPjF5_2s5qLQmdCi_3Mc8XnEeRCk_wVUaa7v3_RlmZTgGAZyr2mGo6l__PI03g/s1600/P1080381.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNNc55ROqOQmGgQV2u-cbixySZod2REanY6bFosyPaKJdoNL7wRRYzCWqLhdh09thZphobesacgSY9iPjF5_2s5qLQmdCi_3Mc8XnEeRCk_wVUaa7v3_RlmZTgGAZyr2mGo6l__PI03g/s400/P1080381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619573779598692514" /></a><br /></div><div>She always presses her seams open which is.. um.. not a technique I prefer, but it was necessary for the pattern I chose to make. I started this project way back before Christmas but I had to set it aside to host the holiday and only finished it this spring.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsr7je6oJV1W_1WMkTayPrxztpN-eZiSPRCueGafcWERIa5Zjnu_cTXWPfrrkNj3pOdDpC-KR64aH1fJsoTt4gIg8P0AeTVYbI6gm0mKNhQPlO6Bi-fqSTGgQli2Ew61lWcXDjVdzcZPU/s1600/P1090079.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsr7je6oJV1W_1WMkTayPrxztpN-eZiSPRCueGafcWERIa5Zjnu_cTXWPfrrkNj3pOdDpC-KR64aH1fJsoTt4gIg8P0AeTVYbI6gm0mKNhQPlO6Bi-fqSTGgQli2Ew61lWcXDjVdzcZPU/s400/P1090079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619573768552758370" /></a><br /></div><div>Check it out at Craft Critique!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-28516206276966118822011-06-18T09:16:00.005-05:002011-06-18T09:45:06.654-05:00Baby Boy BibsThere were a couple of baby boys born to friends recently. I have trouble crafting for boys, but bibs and receiving blankets are easy as there are lots of good novelty prints suitable for small boys.<br /><br />These receiving blankets are a soft flannel on one side and a cotton print on the other and bound with packaged double fold binding. Fabrics are all prewashed and dried in the dryer. I make these blanket about 42 inches square, so they are larger than the little receiving blankets you purchase at the department store. At least they were larger than what was available a decade ago when I had babies!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5494958635/" title="Baby Receiving Blanket by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5494958635_22b0556fe7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Baby Receiving Blanket" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I also made these baby bibs. Each is a layer of prewashed flannel and a fun novelty print. These bibs are more absorbent with two layers of flannel, but I forgot about that little tip until after the bibs were finished and packaged. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5495549570/" title="Bibs for Baby Boy by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5495549570_eabf67ef74.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bibs for Baby Boy" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, I woke with a start in the middle of the night thinking, "TWO layers of flannel!" In any case, they are still absorbent and cute! I found a simple pattern free on the internet. They snap in the back.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5494955709/" title="Bibs for Baby Boy by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5494955709_365533af0b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bibs for Baby Boy" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One set of these were given at a shower to a mom who is an anthropologist/environmental scientist, so decorated the package with this elephant from the Martha Stewart website using fusible web backed fabric that I ironed on to brown paper. Have you tried finding something on the Martha Stewart website? Good grief... I'll keep looking for the elephant pattern and link to it if I find it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5495546586/" title="Baby gift for a boy by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5495546586_11877acd46.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Baby gift for a boy" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My spring project this year was to organize my whole fabric stash in the basement. I'd say that I have needed to do that for about 4 years or more, but I finally got to it after rewiring some extra lighting down there and installing a television that runs Netflix Instant. I have a lot of fabric. In fact, I started to feel guilty, like I haven't sewn enough or something, but then I remembered all the quilts and pouches and bags and pillowcases I've sewn and I realized I've sewn plenty and I should not feel guilty about my hoard. I even used up some of the stash of red fabrics my grandmother started collecting for a<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/"> Craft Critique</a> review that will run soon. Here is a sneak peek at that project:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJJLu-5V6bze3dE7mS93R59KjXYIA7MdQZqqqLzWoJW2XJS1GKyNsu4D9dnUj9221bHPxtHgQT-rT2ct8BqM5uIt31bFKzL6MAez6sHuaTCByxFOQqQKp_w5Mn8LbZzjGGFP1KN02ks/s1600/P1090376.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJJLu-5V6bze3dE7mS93R59KjXYIA7MdQZqqqLzWoJW2XJS1GKyNsu4D9dnUj9221bHPxtHgQT-rT2ct8BqM5uIt31bFKzL6MAez6sHuaTCByxFOQqQKp_w5Mn8LbZzjGGFP1KN02ks/s400/P1090376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619570244321090674" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-67753067757821138822011-03-03T16:12:00.005-06:002011-04-17T21:25:48.178-05:00Catching UpIn February, Craft Critique ran<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/02/vendor-spotlight-and-giveaway-arterro.html"> my review of Arterro Kits</a>. These kits are really high quality, great for kids, and there was a giveaway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgdp4UhyUPEB4U4XzYufgabhFZbDP82InScUX1KmNSK7GtqqGMDRXQyAkfq-aLjbUdt8vfSxC3-bT95uHfxilN_RSALhTXm3NYcxSI6tlj5j0WesI9VPlphvj498ELXqLRYZZVhSJPt4/s400/P1080476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgdp4UhyUPEB4U4XzYufgabhFZbDP82InScUX1KmNSK7GtqqGMDRXQyAkfq-aLjbUdt8vfSxC3-bT95uHfxilN_RSALhTXm3NYcxSI6tlj5j0WesI9VPlphvj498ELXqLRYZZVhSJPt4/s400/P1080476.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hope you add Craft Critique to your blog reader because there are so many giveaways, I can't keep up! <div><br /></div><div>This month,<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/04/vendor-spotlight-giveaway-slice.html"> I reviewed the Slice Fabrique</a>. It was really fun to test! We are giving some away, so just answer the question at the bottom of the article to qualify for the drawing. Remember, the giveaway is at Craft Critique, not here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look what I made with it! I did this happy banner (or is it a bunting?):<br /><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWegch8l5NCOnopZ0LbJd7fkP1IGjlB11DI4542WkMguPJ1w8chWP8Gn2twvGm5mTRWQuKhDzZpLwsX3zM1u-TVkWbUqd8T8rU6p5Ar1CM68NFuTrOyHssYMR0wc_k-8A8fTuprBgVEv0/s400/P1080876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596741613524469266" border="0" /><br />I added these applique to a couple of felt bowls I already had made. These are those kinds of things that have snaps at each corner so they store flat, but easily snap into a useful little cloth bowl:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmukEs345qt7ufoEvDtX-DqfvfErqkQnK19-AlAeYSQOlPIlK6836POFI3dIy8y44g07RpqGki4GyQRZbCJ_VZRclF89QA32LZUFDbirogHtRL20Q03IkD_byRQa8LQ8J6yKyyLepCP8/s1600/P1080845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmukEs345qt7ufoEvDtX-DqfvfErqkQnK19-AlAeYSQOlPIlK6836POFI3dIy8y44g07RpqGki4GyQRZbCJ_VZRclF89QA32LZUFDbirogHtRL20Q03IkD_byRQa8LQ8J6yKyyLepCP8/s400/P1080845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596741622975486386" border="0" /></a>I also make this monogrammed bag for a little girl I know who has a new baby brother. Inside the bag is a little bunny doll, but I totally forgot to photograph the doll. It was a <a href="http://neststudio.bigcartel.com/product/minimoopy-pattern">mini-moopy</a> which I downloaded years ago when she offered it as a free pattern.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalzMsrxLD-tkpQpqxIl9vesHhhz48PpifUOcOBCAyl-RMy1VqL7F9tibGIygzpSi5HcCAuUHHqvWwAmSKd3lGqp0ZSSf8itRQiTIBar8Hky61UXYtq6AkIz7uPWd0ZtUQSz0DwRB53XA/s1600/P1080854.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalzMsrxLD-tkpQpqxIl9vesHhhz48PpifUOcOBCAyl-RMy1VqL7F9tibGIygzpSi5HcCAuUHHqvWwAmSKd3lGqp0ZSSf8itRQiTIBar8Hky61UXYtq6AkIz7uPWd0ZtUQSz0DwRB53XA/s400/P1080854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596741627029996722" border="0" /></a>Her little brother got some bibs and a blanket, but I will wait to share those until they are received.<br /><br />Happy Spring! I'm sorry I rarely post anymore, I still get site stats, but I wonder if anyone still has me on their blog readers.<br /><br /></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-10404948894770149622011-02-02T12:20:00.003-06:002011-02-02T12:36:14.556-06:00Snowtorious 2011, SNOMG, SnopocalypseIt was a blizzard alright! Just a little bit south of us toward downtown Chicago, they even got <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/cantore-surprised-by-thunder-snow-19541">thundersnow</a>. I think instead of that, judging by the photos I'm seeing online, we got a couple extra inches of the fluffy stuff. School is cancelled for the next couple of days and everyone is out shoveling and plowing.<div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBB8flaA1j-9-K_Nsg6M15aSyR0RJv_WPhGkxda_Hgbq4V5I6MB6gVqYpFe73ZyMS78UfaTFfkJzfX2EnABGPK5ZSEftfV0XGYejGNd2sCRQUxUyd17mQc3wm913zLramR3_GXqwk1Es/s400/P1080540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569160391398113522" /></div><br />That's the snow drift blocking the second story window in my foyer. Here are my neighbors across the street plowing it all away with their monster snow blowers. On my side of the street we have good old fashioned shovels. You can see the snow at the street covers the mailboxes.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_gdo_gUAAC2HiI5zkgXUXXo8CxVwBkY9ZErzsAdkbfpFH0TVo1Jc6K6DLTyRRM48eAgNnVu_iWPsVjpSXczq5qW6BJskywvKp3CKIEBq5Xi4XpSjgmEl9jRIulO3CTRnmM7XqWr3GZY/s400/P1080539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569160394628845970" /> They came over later in the morning and plowed us out, so I'll be baking cookies for them this afternoon. The kids are having a blast! <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfZiSPqTOyuUbJnX_AHDAWsq1urUZc71YRO9hqKFF93jA2LtKY9p6q84caTU1uj7JAwZHXE8kiW1BxthU4E3LAyPfklOSoGG-m2yG5TOGla7eOXlTgWa0_dgyt5LMslHR41cwaptNF4U/s400/P1080546.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569160405158978482" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-84540069480747058652011-01-25T11:28:00.003-06:002011-01-25T11:38:25.433-06:00Hoopla Swap 3Check out my <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2011/01/scandinavian-stitches-by-kasja-wikman.html">Craft Critique review</a> of the terrific book Scandinavian Stitches by Kasja Wikman. The article ran a few weeks ago and I did all the crafting in a flurry before Christmas.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeH-hZRxGe9WhmDjuYD_70a4StvWdk63Wl-zZ61bWvDh3Xh8BmvYC_LjYbghVLUVl7eYb1uyg0-K-1URO7oSXcXcNosVlXeYoVk7yLjXDopQcevBf4ygWv4vysQYAy536HuWAohVatlI/s400/P1080278.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeH-hZRxGe9WhmDjuYD_70a4StvWdk63Wl-zZ61bWvDh3Xh8BmvYC_LjYbghVLUVl7eYb1uyg0-K-1URO7oSXcXcNosVlXeYoVk7yLjXDopQcevBf4ygWv4vysQYAy536HuWAohVatlI/s400/P1080278.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_VrFAkkzcPgaObRXGWc6_kPGnKhiJoCNrSp9nBK_7HtqTAGXqfNdVo96Xsz_KosBlaaswpOzQnwRvnKNSCBxiZ3Kojgi1HlFRhtnnLzKZL2B5ya9Qvoeg3ShG94fs8RiMsqXIs1ZG3I/s400/P1080281.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_VrFAkkzcPgaObRXGWc6_kPGnKhiJoCNrSp9nBK_7HtqTAGXqfNdVo96Xsz_KosBlaaswpOzQnwRvnKNSCBxiZ3Kojgi1HlFRhtnnLzKZL2B5ya9Qvoeg3ShG94fs8RiMsqXIs1ZG3I/s400/P1080281.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>The book is full of terrific seasonal projects. I highly recommend it.<br /><br />I also recently did another Hoopla swap on Craftster. For this one, we needed to exchange a tiny 2 to 3 inch hoop motif. Because if the small size and because my partner, pugwash, mentioned him in her sign up information, I stitched up a little Mario:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5354748011/" title="Mario Cross stitch by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5354748011_f7ec591098.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mario Cross stitch" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5355364976/" title="Mario Cross stitch by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5355364976_57a5978d5c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mario Cross stitch" /></a><br /><br />A few days later the hoop she stitched for me arrived. We were completely on the same wavelength because she did a piranha plant for me:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5388002572/" title="Piranha Plant Crosstitch by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5388002572_eef4ee9572.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Piranha Plant Crosstitch" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5387398343/" title="Piranha Plant Crosstitch by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5387398343_c71fca6dee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Piranha Plant Crosstitch" /></a><br /><br />Swapping is really fun. Thanks, Pugwash!IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-79998922382977669642011-01-15T18:13:00.005-06:002011-01-15T18:57:15.778-06:00Amy SedarisHave you seen Amy Sedaris' new craft book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Times-Crafts-Poor-People/dp/044655703X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">Simple Times, Crafts for Poor People</a>?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumN-wNU4o0c1dNqfxjZtrY7r0ZmoPKSxSrM0M3NalKusqgnIxjS4UMzeduZDrOnV5HJW1Eo15o0lOYJfJwhWJKRstST_ujgnvocsEV6Ie6aQzj8euCaHo6xCx4Q6fdrJguykj-J3413k/s1600/P1080518.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumN-wNU4o0c1dNqfxjZtrY7r0ZmoPKSxSrM0M3NalKusqgnIxjS4UMzeduZDrOnV5HJW1Eo15o0lOYJfJwhWJKRstST_ujgnvocsEV6Ie6aQzj8euCaHo6xCx4Q6fdrJguykj-J3413k/s400/P1080518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562575185412083298" border="0" /></a></div><div>Judging by the wildly varied reviews on Amazon, Amy Sedaris is not for everyone. I am not offended by her tongue-in-cheek suggestions to refashion household items into useless silly crafts like rope dolls, marshmallow stars, and fake hot plates. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here she shows how to make pom poms (she calls them pompons) using big scary scissors that don't cut well at all. I bet you have several pairs of bad scissors in your house you simply can't throw away:</div><div><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eygy9IbC1qw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eygy9IbC1qw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object></div><div><br />I received this book twice for Christmas. I took some time to go through it and came upon this layout in the "Crafting for Jesus" chapter:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p5Hq5zu5GsdnkcOC-ZiB9_QDjzmN0ykH4A6TTh7FSkeXJg2fciqa6A4F_QRo5AzGO8tctpcfILcLVLf-_AflGaUk4jO8-VgTqc1BCF54pMzUMprMas7FY0FMAyBgdSX5sBPSY_SS44I/s1600/P1080519.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p5Hq5zu5GsdnkcOC-ZiB9_QDjzmN0ykH4A6TTh7FSkeXJg2fciqa6A4F_QRo5AzGO8tctpcfILcLVLf-_AflGaUk4jO8-VgTqc1BCF54pMzUMprMas7FY0FMAyBgdSX5sBPSY_SS44I/s400/P1080519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562575187736164306" border="0" /></a>These are "Jesus Coins"<br /><blockquote>Cut a circle pattern out of cardboard. Use this pattern to cut felt pieces of the same size. Glue the felt pieces over the cardboard coin. This represents "sticking with Jesus." Any image you remember from the Bible can be recreated and placed on your coin.<br /></blockquote>These, hilariously, look quite similar to the felt disks I stitched up for my advent calendar. I made these in 2007, but only <a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-garland.html">blogged about them</a> this winter.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/2068509117/" title="Felt Ornaments by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2068509117_99f7dbd289.jpg" alt="Felt Ornaments" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />See my glowing cross in the center? That's the one we hang Christmas Eve. Here is Amy's from the book:<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxXkZ9DS-O2mZd7HzUycWPTlSspLdvHQr9YebNR7FVjiYCe3hMHV8uV4o64sTldUc_1HagU5IhX-6-0HDErltY1gRopxKcWLHk5uiylzCYYQmD1dhf7Vi0N5_P4yL2eoRlZdG6edc_fA/s1600/P1080520.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxXkZ9DS-O2mZd7HzUycWPTlSspLdvHQr9YebNR7FVjiYCe3hMHV8uV4o64sTldUc_1HagU5IhX-6-0HDErltY1gRopxKcWLHk5uiylzCYYQmD1dhf7Vi0N5_P4yL2eoRlZdG6edc_fA/s400/P1080520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562575193987048114" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p5Hq5zu5GsdnkcOC-ZiB9_QDjzmN0ykH4A6TTh7FSkeXJg2fciqa6A4F_QRo5AzGO8tctpcfILcLVLf-_AflGaUk4jO8-VgTqc1BCF54pMzUMprMas7FY0FMAyBgdSX5sBPSY_SS44I/s1600/P1080519.JPG"><br /></a></div>Too funny. I love this video too. Especially when none of the 5 bottles of glue she has works:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NaSTopnH-Pw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NaSTopnH-Pw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-39022922418379485092011-01-14T14:15:00.008-06:002011-01-15T11:38:09.439-06:00The various things I made for Christmas<span style="font-size:100%;">I am really behind sharing my projects! I made things for Christmas, but as usual, I didn't get to photograph them. My favorite items were the crochet edged pillowcases. I made 3 sets for 6 pillowcases in all. They looked great! How could I have neglected to photograph them?<br /><br />I used <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/09/book-review-around-corner-crochet.html">THIS BOOK</a> and the edges looked even better than those in the article...<br /><br />Also for Christmas gifts, I made some reusable shopping bags from my fabric stash. I saw <a href="http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/daisyjanie/2010/12/how-to-fabric-produce-bag-free-pdf-pattern.html">this pattern for a fabric produce bag</a> online at <a href="http://www.daisyjanie.com/">Daisey Janie</a>. That was an excellent pattern and I made 6 bags from it as gifts for an early holiday gathering we had a few weeks before Christmas. Alas.. I really craft in a rush for Christmas and I didn't photograph those either. The pattern conveniently uses a fat quarter and ends up quite narrow. Perfect for a produce bag, but I thought I could try modifying it to achieve a more useful size.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5355390678/" title="Fabric Bags by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5355390678_26cf6c9fc3.jpg" alt="Fabric Bags" height="500" width="439" /></a><br /><br />I used a full half yard and got this perfectly sized bag that measures 15 inches high by about 17 inches wide. I love that these bags roll up neatly when not in use. I also love the way the sales clerks respond when I pull these out to use them: "Nice bag!" "You made it?!" Sure! It was easy! You could do it too!<br /><br />I've made a lot of reusable bags, but this is by far my favorite pattern. I made these two for me and another set of 4 for my mother-in-law. The fabric I used for hers was quite nice, but you'll just have to imagine it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5354776017/" title="Fabric Bags by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5354776017_36da3842fb.jpg" alt="Fabric Bags" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Take a look at this beautiful <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=367327.0">Queen Anne's Lace Scarf</a> by fantasticmio on Craftster. When I saw that, I simply had to make one EXACTLY like it for my mom. I also got another colorway of the Bernat Mosaic yarn to make one for my Mother-in-law. They turned out terrific and that is a really nice yarn. This is the one by fantasticmio, but the one for my mom looked pretty much exactly the same:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.craftster.org/pictures/data/500/medium/77747_15Dec10_DSC04987.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.craftster.org/pictures/data/500/medium/77747_15Dec10_DSC04987.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />My mom understands my crafty urges and she got me some cool yarns for Christmas. I've been playing around with them. First I made this<a href="http://www.cocoknits.com/knit/garments/accessories/wormscarf.html"> Worm Scarf </a>from a pattern by Julie Weisenberger using Lumpy Bumpy Yarn by Charlene.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5355389906/" title="Worm Scarf by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5355389906_4958593ae4.jpg" alt="Worm Scarf" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />I think there is a smudge on my camera... This yarn is really funky and squishy and I love the way this scarf turned out. I've been wearing it a lot since it is really wintery where I live.<br /><br />Mom and I were really on the same wavelength in our yarn choices because she also got me this rainbow colorway of Mochi Plus yarn which is very much like the yarn I used for her scarf except Mochi Plus is wool and Bernat Mosaic is acrylic.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5355384984/" title="Crochet by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5355384984_e248d33d0b.jpg" alt="Crochet" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Since I already made two Queen Anne's Lace scarves, I decided to try playing with some of the motifs in my crochet books. This is my first try. It is maybe a little too lacy, I am not sure..<br /><br />Once I started playing with crochet motifs, I pulled some stuff out of my stash to try this little clover pattern:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5355386144/" title="Crochet by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5355386144_a19a52f66c.jpg" alt="Crochet" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Here is the center:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5354773105/" title="Clover Crochet by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5354773105_ba108efc92.jpg" alt="Clover Crochet" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />And four motifs crocheted together:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5354771585/" title="Green and White Crochet by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5354771585_9f78dc2c10.jpg" alt="Green and White Crochet" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Pretty cute, but my daughter turned up her nose and declared, "I don't like it, Mom." I like crafting for the seasons and holidays, but this may be just a little bit overboard to make a scarf like this for St. Patrick's Day.<br /><br />I did even </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;">more</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> crafting for some articles at<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/"> Craft Critique</a>. More on those later.</span>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-54082227925097669702010-12-09T10:26:00.003-06:002010-12-09T10:38:13.446-06:00Small Treat TotesThe pattern for these was in the fall issue of Quilts and More. You can get the pattern online <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/small-treat-tote_1.html">HERE</a>. As soon as I saw them in the magazine, I knew I had to make them. They are called Small Treat Totes by designer Monica Solorio-Snow of <a href="http://www.thehappyzombie.com/blog/">Happy Zombie</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5246924734/" title="Fabric Treat Bags by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5246924734_5edf1f22f1.jpg" alt="Fabric Treat Bags" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />They came together really quickly, but I don't really notice the passing of time when I work on certain projects. I am not sure what I will use them for, but they are super cute!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5246320491/" title="Fabric Treat Bags by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5246320491_cf8b67f4dc.jpg" alt="Fabric Treat Bags" height="375" width="500" /></a>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-62875723707064311282010-12-02T13:08:00.003-06:002010-12-02T13:22:39.593-06:00Advent GarlandSince Jenny at Allsorts is revisiting <a href="http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2010/12/a-day-of-beginnings.html">this project from the past,</a> I thought I'd share my version of it too. Back in 2007, as soon as I saw her felt pocket garland, I had to make one, even though I scarcely have room for any more holiday decorations. We don't have a mantle, so I have to get creative about where the stockings and garlands go.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/2078842558/" title="Felt garland detail by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2078842558_f31710f7e6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Felt garland detail" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the Advent garland hanging over our old sorry sofa. I used to try to mask the pitifulness of that sofa with pretty blankets and pillows, but it was really bad.<a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2009/09/sad-sad-sofa.html"> This is the post I wrote</a> on the glorious day the garbage truck came and took it away.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/2078052939/" title="Felt Garland by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/2078052939_ee0c5504f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Felt Garland" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Her pattern has some cute printables that you take out of the felt pouches each day, but I made a variety of seasonable felt applique disks. I loved making these and could scarcely stop until they were all done. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/2068509117/" title="Felt Ornaments by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2068509117_99f7dbd289.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Felt Ornaments" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My kids actually agreed that we didn't need to stuff the envelopes with candy too. There is hardly ever a shortage of treats around here.</div><div><br /></div><div>We celebrate Advent, but Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends and readers!</div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-80406704120371890312010-11-29T14:21:00.003-06:002010-11-29T14:32:22.728-06:00Hoopla Round 2Look what Luckdragon stitched for me in the E<a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=362394.0;topicseen">mbroidery Hoopla Round 2 swap</a> on <a href="http://www.craftster.org/">Craftster</a>!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5188111268/" title="Embroidery by Luckdragon by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5188111268_19d2199cd0.jpg" width="494" height="500" alt="Embroidery by Luckdragon" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I love the french knot lei on the little boy. She did a little bit of crayon tinting and it makes a very nice effect. I also like the thick texture of the girl's hair. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5187511679/" title="Embroidery by Luckdragon by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/5187511679_90cabeb9c1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Embroidery by Luckdragon" /></a></div><br /><br />I just signed up for round 3 of this swap. This one went very fast and was a lot easier than the Tea Towel Tours I used to co-organize. Those were an extravaganza of messages, mailouts, and communications. This is a simple exchange with no extras. I imagine a nice display wall of hoops as I do more swapping. I have a lovely collection of fully decorated tea towels from my last several embroidery swaps, but those are hard to display. <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=search2;topic=362394.0;search=img;show_complete=true;sort=ID_MSG|desc">Check out this link</a> with just the image posts from the swap and you won't have to read all of the chit-chat.</div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-7813670657592888072010-11-25T10:24:00.002-06:002010-11-25T10:42:02.203-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5172078723/" title="Owl Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5172078723_4316098537.jpg" width="500" height="485" alt="Owl Embroidery" /></a><br /><br />It's not a turkey, but it is the owl I stitched up for Luckdragon in the Hooplah 2 swap on Craftster. She made me an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5188111268/">adorable pair of children</a>, but since that isn't very autumn, I'll post it later. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5172683850/" title="Owl Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5172683850_0fd19f6703.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Owl Embroidery" /></a><br /><br />Luckdragon indicated that she likes owls, and it so happened that I felt like stitching one. This is from an Aunt Annie's transfer pack. I've stitched from this package before and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/2327370052/in/set-72157594496327787/">that owl</a> also went out in a swap. One day I will stitch up an owl to keep. I palnned to do a colorful owl, but somehow it ended up in earth tones. I did lots of color changes this time.<br /><br />I also put a quilt block on the back. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5172081815/" title="Owl Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5172081815_cb759efb56.jpg" width="500" height="491" alt="Owl Embroidery" /></a><br /><br />My daughter surprised each of us this Thanksgiving morning with little turkey drawings. Here turkey sees November on the calendar and observes, "My time is almost done!":<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5207005258/" title="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5207005258_ee7cb91d6f.jpg" width="500" height="391" alt="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing" /></a><br /><br />On this one the turkey is on a coffin platter ready to be buried in the ground, "Dinner too old?" Live turkey notes, "I'm just glad it's not me!"<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5207005708/" title="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5207005708_e3f1aa4f2e.jpg" width="500" height="385" alt="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing" /></a><br /><br />Here the cow and the turkey have protest signs encouraging chicken meals. Frustrated chicken realizes, "Everyone's against me."<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5207006658/" title="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5207006658_19c3e7075c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Happy Thanksgiving Drawing" /></a><br /><br />We are going to Grandma and Grandpa's for our meal this afternoon. Mom already called this morning with a turkey emergency, but I am confident that our bird will be delicious. Until just the last several years, we all went to Iowa every year for the holiday and never did any cooking, so we are still working out the best way to do the meal.<br /><br />Have a great day! Tomorrow is shopping day! We always go to antique stores and stay away from the big sale craziness.IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-23839545606610657182010-11-04T13:40:00.005-05:002010-11-04T13:59:06.512-05:00Vintage from Grandma Part TwoThis is a continuation of my <a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2010/11/grandmas-vintage-part-one.html">last post</a>. I suppose it will come up in your blog readers in the wrong order. You do use Google Reader, don't you?<br /><br />I got a nice stash of vintage laces and embroidery at a family reunion from my Aunt Lavina. These are things that belonged to my Grandma, Leonace Burrell McKee when she was young. Here she is with my grandfather, probably when they were courting. They married in 1930:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyB-pSFiFbrSx-BtoppKdMbji0ZdNWnpyHYHxov5fKN1DWWI2y5LZfWVPZtL-sLb7N9TpoW1XWVoOZxwHBCpkzDe12mHJ-ttKRIUkKd-ubCsGOqkytSedFqOmfL32dcN8wQiAxxa7Km8/s1600/P1070967.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyB-pSFiFbrSx-BtoppKdMbji0ZdNWnpyHYHxov5fKN1DWWI2y5LZfWVPZtL-sLb7N9TpoW1XWVoOZxwHBCpkzDe12mHJ-ttKRIUkKd-ubCsGOqkytSedFqOmfL32dcN8wQiAxxa7Km8/s400/P1070967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535759024620734498" border="0" /></a>There are some nice embroidered linens in this section of the collection. Times were tough for folks back in those days and Aunt Lavina told me of a story she remembered about a full set of embroidered sheets. After they were completed, I guess they were too scratchy and uncomfortable to sleep on, so the pretty embroidery had to be pulled out because there wasn't any money to buy a different set of sheets. Can you imagine? That was just the way it was, I guess.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988637810/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4988637810_9562173e6f.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />Look at those perfect satin stitches!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988634600/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4988634600_488cb7679b.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />These pieces are cut off of the ends of well used pillowcases.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988028891/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4988028891_489b9decc7.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988629796/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4988629796_a6e77e6b98.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988026195/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4988026195_821699a4cf.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988627234/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4988627234_20339b69d6.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988022943/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4988022943_8d70cba5ca.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988021623/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4988021623_07c1ea99ee.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Aunt Lavina and Uncle Larry have traveled the world and Lavina has collected linens and needlework from cultures everywhere she has traveled. She showed me her beautiful stash of stuff, but I didn't have time to photograph it. I am so happy she gave me these lovely things from the tradition of needlework in our family.<br /><br />My mom has been giving me my stuff from when I was little. Handmade doll clothes, Joan Walsh Anglund dolls, a very old Raggedy Ann. My loved teddy bear.. not all of it is worth posting, but those vintage dolls... I've got to take some pictures of those to share..IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-16761584893662327432010-11-04T12:57:00.006-05:002010-11-04T13:57:54.006-05:00Grandma's Vintage Part OneIt's November already! I still haven't planted my bulbs, but the garden and yard are all cleaned up and I usually don't really get to that until the spring thaw.<br /><br />We had a fun Halloween, but my son at age 13, didn't even go out this year. My daughter's <a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween.html">ice cream cone costume</a> was a hit, and she loved all the attention. I got way too much candy again this year, but I found this yummy recipe for <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/Shortbread-Candy-Bar-Recipe-11688485">Shortbread Candy Bar</a>, which was originally in Everyday Food. Ours shortbread candy bars are topped with Snickers and Milky Way and are way better than the candy alone.<br /><br />So I've got to catch up and post all the vintage things the family has been giving me. Back in September at a family reunion, Aunt Lavina gave me some very special handmade laces and hand sewn items that had been my grandmother's when she was young.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzcqe2im4Zxs0-SZFRvbGvTWeE9MyVqBr2xiCCQqpMJFa0v4of1cr0rGoOYUFvkErSrbl0iSOPPz_gM7oEHQ8rIjRkjuRT_4FrOyGfbFhnOAHLXBXMHmX2ASCeDF3n2cpywsS9ZsmSXM/s1600/P1070960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzcqe2im4Zxs0-SZFRvbGvTWeE9MyVqBr2xiCCQqpMJFa0v4of1cr0rGoOYUFvkErSrbl0iSOPPz_gM7oEHQ8rIjRkjuRT_4FrOyGfbFhnOAHLXBXMHmX2ASCeDF3n2cpywsS9ZsmSXM/s400/P1070960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535759020247823298" border="0" /></a>She passed back in 1997 after suffering from late onset Alzheimers. I remember her as one of the sweetest and kindest women. She was an elementary schoolteacher before she married in 1930. We have generations of schoolteachers in our family.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W423PjAqWKv2GQACy7tvSGTmKPF-2UMJ6iM1yuTptSHlyhBgRNPqNm4lI0RVP_zs6HGDgaalK01PsXpBw-O7uMQe_LZcPjyd7gcG5DAIT3Q7UaRPleIIXnh4WAgZSrbZ6Ipc41p3oMc/s1600/P1070987.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W423PjAqWKv2GQACy7tvSGTmKPF-2UMJ6iM1yuTptSHlyhBgRNPqNm4lI0RVP_zs6HGDgaalK01PsXpBw-O7uMQe_LZcPjyd7gcG5DAIT3Q7UaRPleIIXnh4WAgZSrbZ6Ipc41p3oMc/s400/P1070987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535759032216730466" border="0" /></a>Okay, so let's get to the pretty stuff. These are hand crocheted borders for pillowcases. Someone pulled them off the case to save them.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988684844/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4988684844_4ebb0c9b79.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988679614/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4988679614_ec382295e1.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />These are borders that were rolled up into strips:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988678018/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4988678018_cf354916fb.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Look at the elaborate detail:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988073823/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4988073823_44cda9829b.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Now, we aren't sure that these were actually made by Grandma, but they did come from her stuff. She was always busy with sewing and crochet. They certainly are of an old vintage.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988067487/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4988067487_13d55c4af3.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988064037/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4988064037_12128dbf3f.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a yolk and a collar that they would wear to pretty up a simple dress:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988058471/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4988058471_d923044fde.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />Look at this beautiful handmade dress. So delicate and lovely.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988658950/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4988658950_833b898080.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="500" width="450" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988657526/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4988657526_f66d29aa0b.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />And this pretty underskirt:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988053503/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4988053503_c4089d9585.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4988654152/" title="Vintage Needlework by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4988654152_0747360498.jpg" alt="Vintage Needlework" height="375" width="500" /></a>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-37459093995538709522010-10-19T11:10:00.003-05:002010-10-19T11:24:02.000-05:00Halloween!I finished my daughter's Halloween costume two weeks early! <div><br /></div><div>She wanted to be a cowgirl, but I discouraged her because that would not be very DIY and I didn't want to buy her cowboy boots she would never wear again. Boots like that are not easily found up here in the upper midwest..</div><div><br /></div><div>So here she is as an ice cream cone:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5089841109/" title="Ice Cream Cone Costume by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5089841109_e2d7b0ffdf.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Ice Cream Cone Costume" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The pattern was in the Halloween 2010 Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications magazine. <a href="http://m.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/kids-costumes/ice-cream-cone-kid-halloween-costume/">LINK</a>. The pattern was provided in the print version, and I guess they were the correct shapes, but you have to enlarge them at a copier to use them. <b>The instructions were AWFUL</b>. I mean really really awful. I did one basic version based on their recommended pattern enlargements and it would maybe fit a 3 year old child. I fiddled with it and just made really large pieces and got it to fit my 10-year old.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other BHG publications are really good with instructions. I especially like the seasonal <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines/quiltsandmore/index.html">Quilts and More</a>, but this was really bad. Basically it says, "Sew up the parts, attach the cherry to a headband... " and that is pretty much it. I am sort of experienced with these things, so as you can see, I figured it out. She loves it and it may be one of my most favorite of all the Halloween costumes I've made.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here her cherry is a bit askew:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5089842661/" title="Ice Cream Cone Costume by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5089842661_5c5a8b65ca.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Ice Cream Cone Costume" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Felt is really inexpensive and easy to work with. I had polyfil, sweatshirt, and pom poms already, so the cost of this costume was about $12. Happy Halloween!</div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-68595436004323883772010-09-23T09:54:00.001-05:002010-09-23T10:01:21.570-05:00Pillowcase BordersI reviewed the terrific crochet book Around the Corner Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman over at Craft Critique. <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/09/book-review-around-corner-crochet.html">Check it out!</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/5017917326/" title="Crochet Border by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5017917326_16b20b8098.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Crochet Border" /></a></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-83618546944149176492010-09-16T11:42:00.003-05:002010-09-16T11:54:57.877-05:00More VintageMom gave me these beautiful crochet pieces. They were part of her collection and not made by anyone in my family.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772009109/" title="Vintage Table Runner by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4772009109_07a2ccdc7a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vintage Table Runner" /></a><div><br /></div><div>This is a lovely dresser scarf or table runner:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772007677/" title="Vintage Table Runner by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4772007677_b227dae264.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vintage Table Runner" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are two doilies that would probably have been used on the arms of a chair:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772649730/" title="Vintage crochet doilies by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4772649730_1d2785c482.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vintage crochet doilies" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They were probably never ever used:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772012319/" title="Vintage crochet doilies by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4772012319_406ac6808b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vintage crochet doilies" /></a></div><br />This is a lace trimmed linen table runner. If my dining room table wasn't piled high with sewing supplies and projects, I might use one of the many table runners I have in my collection. I think this is a kind of bobbin lace. I am not sure, as I have never tried making bobbin lace.<div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772652640/" title="Linen Table Runner by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4772652640_5790eec002.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Linen Table Runner" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I like to use my rainbow crochet afghan underneath my crochet photos. I tired of crocheting that blanket before I finished it, but it does generously cover one side our our queen sized bed on chilly nights. </div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-16048782349287915002010-09-09T12:08:00.005-05:002010-09-09T12:33:26.660-05:00Block Tool ReviewI reviewed the<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/09/vendor-spotlight-quilt-block-tool.html"> C&T Quilt Block Tool iPhone App</a> over at<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/"> Craft Critique</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoJrd9OPERXHD6rzw0_8asoml_72nxkQ-2O-61-u_1TJwYKzzs82TkL5u1DR2FDtK0SE-N4BN02uH5mGKsX5oaUFOocRdoaSEylHrR2T63H-cW3Ypym7RwwSvJ8CEJ_ObPBH41vTFDog/s400/IMG_0007.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoJrd9OPERXHD6rzw0_8asoml_72nxkQ-2O-61-u_1TJwYKzzs82TkL5u1DR2FDtK0SE-N4BN02uH5mGKsX5oaUFOocRdoaSEylHrR2T63H-cW3Ypym7RwwSvJ8CEJ_ObPBH41vTFDog/s400/IMG_0007.PNG" alt="" border="0" /></a>I liked this app, and I made these simple blocks with it:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwipjVRjLgOyg_btnRZMjlGBafSGgaqrRBj_UPBFW401Ha2qLP4H1zYQnSVOJe6bW4AWs7_8IW-mv7cI5-IJEV96CnSvioyTSx9LoanSJCQHdoc3u3-P9HumiA6S2WwYN06d1FsXMTTI/s400/P1070808.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwipjVRjLgOyg_btnRZMjlGBafSGgaqrRBj_UPBFW401Ha2qLP4H1zYQnSVOJe6bW4AWs7_8IW-mv7cI5-IJEV96CnSvioyTSx9LoanSJCQHdoc3u3-P9HumiA6S2WwYN06d1FsXMTTI/s400/P1070808.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Go ahead and check it out! <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/09/vendor-spotlight-quilt-block-tool.html">HERE<br /></a><br />Since my kids are back in school and I am still not working (although I would like for that to change), I've been playing with crocheting borders onto our pillowcases. I love them They are totally durable and washable! The patterns are in a book I purchased and this project will be part of my next Craft Critique review.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4974610430/" title="P1070915 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4974610430_b46415b256.jpg" alt="P1070915" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4973996189/" title="P1070905 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4973996189_779aefc6df.jpg" alt="P1070905" height="375" width="500" /></a>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-19811905497632187232010-09-09T11:38:00.003-05:002010-09-09T12:07:24.552-05:00Nostalgia!One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep track of my own projects and to archive the vintage linens in the family collection. My mom has been cleaning out her house and has given me piles of lovely sentimental things and I am hopelessly behind on photographing them.<br /><br />Among the things she has found in the corners of my childhood home are some art projects I did in school. Here is a very surprised looking portrait of someone:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772000023/" title="Clay Face by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4772000023_d0d2b102fd.jpg" alt="Clay Face" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I made this in 1976 when I was in Mrs. Mustoe's 4th grade class.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772001145/" title="Clay Face by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4772001145_b1e04474fa.jpg" alt="Clay Face" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />In fact, here is a picture of that very class. I'm the girl in the middle row on the far right below the teacher. On facebook, someone tagged the little girl with the glasses in the front row as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Phair">Liz Phair</a> whose indie rocker career has cooled a bit in the last decade, and the boy below me in the front row is a successful producer of short lived guilty pleasure prime time soap operas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmhPYC8A_sYQ1Hkgx26hrxx99VIooopb8EN9RYr5li8TuDS3CRykuDHmQiSLpzPzm5F7vAgboT5EbDQAQL7I7AexVEXz0HH-2mClz6WkxHz6PT9-DtjhOHyIA2HNM4ytXFT1G8xQufSg/s1600/n1189667995_30274494_6760.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmhPYC8A_sYQ1Hkgx26hrxx99VIooopb8EN9RYr5li8TuDS3CRykuDHmQiSLpzPzm5F7vAgboT5EbDQAQL7I7AexVEXz0HH-2mClz6WkxHz6PT9-DtjhOHyIA2HNM4ytXFT1G8xQufSg/s400/n1189667995_30274494_6760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514956607638352450" border="0" /></a><br />At any rate, don't think I was particularly talented with clay, but here is a wall hanging we appliqued in art class:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4771997431/" title="Felt Applique by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4771997431_b8c1cf28b9.jpg" alt="Felt Applique" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I love that blue burlap. I suppose someone still sells soft burlap like that, but I don't see it at my fabric stores..<br /><br />Mom also found some very beautiful crocheted things. These were not made by anyone in my family, but they are still lovely.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772004455/" title="Thread Crochet Aprons by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4772004455_9b73119739.jpg" alt="Thread Crochet Aprons" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772641670/" title="Thread Crochet Aprons by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4772641670_947086a7f7.jpg" alt="Thread Crochet Aprons" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />My grandma gave these thread crochet aprons to my mom because Mom used to hold a little vintage style tea party for a small but lucky group of little students of hers. The tea party was a fundraiser offering at her elementary school. I think I was already away at college when the tea parties occurred.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772644888/" title="Thread Crochet Aprons by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4772644888_072969769c.jpg" alt="Thread Crochet Aprons" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />If I had a vintage style waistline, I would totally wear these.IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-11983686422562412312010-07-07T19:48:00.003-05:002010-07-07T20:02:11.428-05:00Felt PinwheelsI saw t<a href="http://blog.betzwhite.com/2010/06/liberty-pinwheel-brooch.html">his adorable pinwheel brooch project by Betz White</a> last month in several crafty places on the internet. If you browse crafty blogland, I imagine you saw it too. I had to make them especially since I have that cherry fabric in my collection.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:12px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772617484/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4772617484_5f6390f596.jpg" width="500" height="462" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4771974589/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4771974589_89fb94a249.jpg" width="500" height="438" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4771975799/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4771975799_114b0c1b29.jpg" width="500" height="448" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div>This is the one that my daughter made:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:12px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772622032/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4772622032_526d2d36d6.jpg" width="500" height="462" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div>She's a bit crafted out since she got a nice variety of craft kits for her birthday recently, so I let her be the designer and I would simply be the craftsman for the rest of our lot.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:12px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4771981731/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4771981731_f23b064458.jpg" width="500" height="481" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div>This one is my favorite. I love that dotted fabric:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:12px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4772619914/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4772619914_aa7b911bc4.jpg" width="490" height="500" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>They all have safety pin backs. We each wore one to our holiday picnic, but the rest we attached to little sticks and stuck them in the flower pots as decorations.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:12px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4771979483/" title="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4771979483_1ee29a1b30.jpg" width="500" height="479" alt="Felt and Fabric Pinwheel" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a relaxing 4th of July holiday! Hope you are enjoying the season!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-22123605013924285522010-06-07T14:31:00.003-05:002010-06-07T14:36:15.579-05:00Fabric Heaven<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZtdSrKK6yaKwuibRJEpwAUAjv-3I9qVIlICBpkexiRJw3rggR5Au9sRuxfV87im_4sqfvjcXjczkfPfLX_o_8kFd4WNiHoU1Fth9upIyrXD0nNsC2HbE0Lawod1-E_hsytBeGaJLq5o/s400/P1060725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZtdSrKK6yaKwuibRJEpwAUAjv-3I9qVIlICBpkexiRJw3rggR5Au9sRuxfV87im_4sqfvjcXjczkfPfLX_o_8kFd4WNiHoU1Fth9upIyrXD0nNsC2HbE0Lawod1-E_hsytBeGaJLq5o/s400/P1060725.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>For Mothers Day, my mom and I planned our own trip to the Indiana Amish Country. We had a great time! This area is a quilters heaven, so I wrote about our adventures for Craft Critique <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/06/trip-to-fabric-and-quilt-country.html">HERE</a>.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAoT3IfTx245gGl7zclkhSvYV-A0E6wlDLG8JWWj7kFo27turLTuTKws6UoHCRmVui2cwNiu2AJyU1mSeOg3-T6Xp4v-xwhDc1Et47VF_S6cxQyIiG2HqvcELt7aSsSgyG66Q9ywzDzE/s400/P1060782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAoT3IfTx245gGl7zclkhSvYV-A0E6wlDLG8JWWj7kFo27turLTuTKws6UoHCRmVui2cwNiu2AJyU1mSeOg3-T6Xp4v-xwhDc1Et47VF_S6cxQyIiG2HqvcELt7aSsSgyG66Q9ywzDzE/s400/P1060782.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /></div>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-45323643137502964482010-06-01T09:11:00.003-05:002010-06-01T09:44:06.872-05:00Summer Already!It seems I have settled in to this pattern of only occasionally checking in to the blog. Last time I told you about the Chicago Quilt Show. If you want to see more quilt photos, check out my flickr photoset <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/sets/72157623784809519/">HERE</a>. Gosh, I love a good quilt show..<br /><br />It took me a long time, but I finally finished an African embroidery pattern for my mom. She picked it out several years ago when we were shopping the vendors at the Chicago Quilt Show.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4586777463/" title="South African Girls Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4586777463_8be1fb3dee.jpg" alt="South African Girls Embroidery" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />At the time, I thought, "I've always wanted to try that kind of embroidery, I bet I could do it." This is the project where I first learned my most favorite chain stitch.<br /><br />Thus began a long and satisfying <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/sets/72157594496327787/">love affair with embroidery</a>.<br /><br />As it happened, I got about halfway through this project and then I started doing <a href="http://www.weewonderfuls.com/store/stitchettes-4seasons.html">Hillary Lang's Stitchettes</a>. I never did finish all of those either... You can see the Stitchettes I did stitch at the bottom of <a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2007/03/embroideries.html">THIS BLOG POST</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4586778673/" title="South African Girls Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4586778673_ffef9e1e3a.jpg" alt="South African Girls Embroidery" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />It was a rainy afternoon just before Mothers Day this year and I was watching some of the PBS craft shows, and the host was stitching this very <a href="http://www.aflembroidery.com/html/About-Us.htm#">African Folklore Embroidery</a> project. I got my act together, and stitched the rest of this during several of my guilty pleasure DVR shows. (Aren't the Real Housewives crazy this season? And Eep! Hoarders!)<br /><br />Mom finally has her African Girls pillow! I even managed to sew in a zipper. When she picked out the project, she figured that she never would go to Africa, even though she is fascinated by world travel and native cultures, folk art, and artifacts. Fortunately, the opportunity came and she went on a trip there with a good friend.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4587401476/" title="South African Girls Embroidery by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4587401476_2965061728.jpg" alt="South African Girls Embroidery" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br />This pillow really looked cute on my sofa too, but I don't want to start another identical project that takes five years to finish.<br /><br />In other news, look how cute the<a href="http://iamsusie.blogspot.com/2010/04/cuddly-cute-crochet.html"> crochet bunny hat </a>looks on the recipient. She is such a sweet little girl:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72UnUGZMrSydB7DXGhs67QBTTtmMIzkOVNYVLH1QfWn0oQI9wOhoDzeISjq8OLSRyN2fOoL1a_KGz08LVWVL47rf9r421vPfdJMxzSZcDB4iWOUjzo7T7ZZbYwe8lQBf0F9dyxDFb5KA/s1600/P1060843.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72UnUGZMrSydB7DXGhs67QBTTtmMIzkOVNYVLH1QfWn0oQI9wOhoDzeISjq8OLSRyN2fOoL1a_KGz08LVWVL47rf9r421vPfdJMxzSZcDB4iWOUjzo7T7ZZbYwe8lQBf0F9dyxDFb5KA/s400/P1060843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477814924425842306" border="0" /></a>IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-45629435809278311502010-04-26T09:17:00.003-05:002010-04-26T10:33:15.103-05:002010 Chicago International Quilt FestivalLast weekend was the 2010 International Quit Festival/Chicago. I did a review article for Craft Critique. Read it <a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2010/04/event-review-2010-international-quilt.html">HERE</a>. Go to that Craft Critique post to see my photos of some of the winning quilts.<br /><br />Because I went as a reporter, I had a press pass! Which means all my photos this year are totally kosher. Everyone takes pictures, though.. I am supposed to disable any way that you can steal my photos to use them on items for purchase...okay, readers, please don't do that.<br /><br />I take nice, but slightly blurry pictures some of the time, but you really have to come and see a quilt show in person. The details are amazing..<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543783762/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4543783762_a4f6c4998e.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="477" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543154213/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4543154213_628d3da09c.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />"Foxy Sisters" by Ann Horton<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543150657/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4543150657_b39f7552c3.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />"Emerald Treasures" by Barb Forrister<br /><br /><br />The following photos were from an amazingly detailed quilt from Japan:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543143329/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4543143329_0b05c42f83.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543141935/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4543141935_75f50765b1.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543140683/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4543140683_552fe55a1d.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543138691/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4543138691_14a945a2ee.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543137167/" title="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4543137167_c5ef5b589f.jpg" alt="Chicago Quilt Festival 2010" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />This is "My Quilt Room" by Yasuko Ito and Oharibako. Every detail is done by hand including the quilting. The quilt shows their quilt group members enjoying making a quilt in each member's room.<br /><br />The show has a section of beautiful vintage traditional quilts. I love this graphic one. This is "Sunburst" by Unknown Quiltmaker c. 1800:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4543344736/" title="Chicago International Quilt Festival 2010 by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4543344736_0293fb0859.jpg" alt="Chicago International Quilt Festival 2010" height="500" width="464" /></a><br /><br />I will share more photos in another post later, but you can see my set from the 2010 International Quilt Festival/Chicago on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/sets/72157623784809519/">HERE</a>.IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550866655344781397.post-5205971863892426962010-04-23T13:20:00.003-05:002010-04-23T13:30:19.458-05:00Girl Scouts CraftI'm having fun being a Girl Scout Co-leader, although the badge requirements are getting more and more complicated. Fortunately, our girls like getting crafty. We meet in the school gym, so baking and cooking are tricky.<br /><br />I brought supplies to a recent meeting to make felt flowers:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4442661655/" title="Girl Scout Flower Project by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4442661655_f86a28e7b2.jpg" alt="Girl Scout Flower Project" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4442663645/" title="Girl Scout Flower Project by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4442663645_4a616eb3be.jpg" alt="Girl Scout Flower Project" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsusie/4443435382/" title="Girl Scout Flower Project by IamSusie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4443435382_e2912f77c7.jpg" alt="Girl Scout Flower Project" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately, I get kind of busy running the activity and I always forget to photograph the finished projects. I used the Klutz/Chicken Socks book <a href="http://www.klutz.com/Make-Your-Own-Paper-Flowers?merch_location=Chicken%20Socks%20Listing">Paper Flowers</a> for the templates, although I had to make our own from tagboard. My daughter had fun with this book over the Christmas Holidays.IamSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477300247354661564noreply@blogger.com0