Time to Purge

I've been so bored lately, so I figured I'd go through my studio hoping to find something to inspire me to create- something... anything. I did come across a lot of things, unopened or literally only used once... Nothing motivated me to create with it. So, that inspired me... to purge. I did take a good long look at these things.... they look like fun, but I decided I don't need 'em. Tons and tons of these, I've never used any of them.....  The one on top peeked my interest, but I got over that and added it to the pile of things to get rid of. I think it makes a container???  A bunch of templates. More templates to create mini books.A lot of envelope templates. Not going to lie, I love envelope templates. I guess it is bordering on an obsession by the looks of my collection. I got some pretty crazy templates along with the patterns for the cards too. Old school alphabet tracers... Then I went through a bin of sewing kits...These looked like fun once upon a time... I used to LOVE to cross stitch.  A lot of these came attached to magazines as a little gift with purchase. I've got several duplicates...I think these were a little gift from a magazine too...I think I've come to the realization that I'm more of a shopper than a crafter. I've got a plastic tub that I'm going to add these things to and reopen my Etsy shop one of these days! That might be something to spend some time working on! I hear a lot of people are not happy with the reviews they are receiving due to the slow shipping delays- due to the pandemic. I'm not in a hurry to reopen-- so in the mean time, I'll just keep searching for something to peek my interest and purge what doesn't!

Labradorite Pendant

My new normal these days is procrastination... since I've mastered that- I thought I'd try mastering something new! I love looking at other peoples beautiful wire weaving/wrapping on Instagram... wishing I could create similar pieces. Then it hit me, I can! I just need a visual to recreate it. (or something similar) Sooooooo I've been printing out pages and pages of things to make from earrings to pendants.

In the corner of each picture I put a number so on the corresponding blank page facing this sheet I can write down the wire gauge I used and bead size and any pattern I've created.

I've been seeing this image all over facebook and pinterest... it definitely was added to the book of inspirational photos! It was a little challenging, but I think I managed to recreate the piece pretty accurately... Here is my finished pendant. I like how it came together... although I am still not a fan of doing the "netting" part. I'm not sure which image I'm going to try to recreate next, but it is nice to have a lot to choose from :-)

Tree Stump Miniature House

About a year ago I purchased two tree slices figuring I'd do something with them. I figured I'd take pictures of my wire wrapped jewelry on them, but that never happened. All I've done with them over the past year is put them in a bag to donate to a thrift store... and then take them out. Yep, a year of doing that. While going through my studio again purging items, I again came across these two tree slices... again, they were put into the "donation bag." Then I had an idea what to do with them, finally! Turn them into a miniature house! So out of the donation bag they came!

A miniature house? Yes, a tree stump miniature house. I haven't quite figured out how to do this just yet, I'm just going to wing it. The first thing I was needing to do was to get the bark cut off the edges. Once that was done I stained the wood to give it a nice appearance.

 Then using super sturdy cardboard I cut a base for the miniature house trying to replicate the look of tree roots that show on the surface of the ground. I cut a piece of cardboard to create the walls of the tree stump and cut long slits about 1/2 inch apart so I could get the cardboard to wrap around the shape of my tree. I only have two wood slices, so the center floor I made used two pieces of heavy duty cardboard glued together. I used tacky glue and nails to secure the wall into place. I cut holes into one wood slab and the cardboard floor so I can add stairs later.

Once the cardboard and slabs were in place I added balled up pieces of tin foil and tape to make the tree stump look more realistic. When the shape was how I liked it I added a layer of torn up paper bags to everything so I would have a smooth surface to work with. I also added a chimney to the right side of the tree stump.

 For the top of the tree stump I added a piece of leftover tubing from my outdoor drip system. I wanted a slight raised edge of my stump and this worked out perfectly. It is covered in pieces of glued on paper towels.

 To create the windows I used pieces of clear acrylic sheets that I had on hand. I framed the windows with illustration board and then covered it with drywall patch.

 Here you can see the front panel of my miniature tree stump. I'm still needing to cut out some windows on this piece and then figure out how to create a hinge so it can swing open and shut. You can see in this photo how I use the tin foil and tape to create shapes on the cardboard...

I think it is turning out super cute so far. Next up is to work on getting the interior walls done along with the tree bark on the tree stump itself.

New Garden

Our house is on a corner lot and I've taken part of the front side yard and fenced it in so that it not only makes the front yard look better... but it gives me room to grow a garden.

I am going to paint the fence... eventually... but I've got a lot of other little things I'm needing to address first. This side yard area was where I had a rose garden, after giving away all the rose bushes I had all of these retaining stones left. I dug up my grass along the sidewalks edge and created a long planter. Oh.My.Goodness. I'm in love!

I was lucky to have enough pavers to have it graduate up towards the house, which is great because my yard/lawn/driveway do that.

It was a lot of work moving the retaining stones, planting, putting down weed barrier, laying a drip system... and putting down the bark and rocks for decorations... I'm loving how it is turning out though!

 I have one more area next to the fence that I'm needing to complete then tie the drip system into a water line so I don't have to hand water this area anymore.

I'm going to use a cement form to lay down a cobblestone path to the gate-- eventually. I created an opening in the fence for my outdoor cats to use so they can go into the backyard. Here is my former feral cat Barney coming in the garden to join me...

  He is so good natured  it is hard to believe he was once wild.

He is like a puppy-dog... always following me around and wanting belly rubs... love him~

I was in a rush to get these tomatoes in the ground as they were pretty root bound. I only planted four out of the six I had bought as I need to buy more good dirt to turn the corner of the planter.

This new space is 25' x 25' and with that is a lot of new pickets that will shrink so, I dismantled a 8'x4' lattice to get the long thin pieces of wood to nail over the openings. I have a staple gun that also shoots nails-- so it was easy peasy to tack them up. Instant privacy. This isn't going to be your typical veggie garden. I'm going to have a few tomatoes and peppers growing in a planter and the rest of the area is going to be an area I can use all the yard surplus I have in the other side yard.

In this area by the gate I'm going to lay some red cement bricks to create an area for the wooden spool table and chairs. (I was eager to put them in this area but now are getting in my way!)

Everything except the plants I'm pulling from my other side yard where everything is stacked... I evidently over buy things for my yard as much as I do for my studio!

I have so many fun things to put in this area-- I grabbed some chairs and a bird bath.. all of which are getting in the way of making progress, so I had to stop bringing over the fun stuff until the not so fun stuff has been finished! Oh-- and I've got a huge tree stump with loads of roots that needs to come out! You can see it in the lower left part of the photo below. Just one more thing getting in my way of having fun!

I had to grab some cinder blocks and use them for stairs until I come up with a cute step down for this area.

We are expecting a long stretch of 100 degree temperatures, so I imagine other than watering-- very little is going to get done in this area for awhile!
big hugs,
Cheryl

Face Mask Pattern

I've been spending my days making face masks for my husbands coworkers who work at our local hospital. These masks are not for them to wear at work but for them and their spouses to wear when they are out in society running essential errands. I'm giving these masks to them to wear as "gentle reminders" to keep a safe distance from others. They are not hospital grade masks.... so keep that in mind.
At first I was concerned that I wouldn't have any elastic at home knowing all the elastic in town is sold out. I don't know why I was worried, if you know anything about me, you know I like to buy things in bulk. I've got a full spool of elastic and a full spool of twill tie as well. Plus a jar full of white and black thread... and obviously a huge hoard of fabric. *wink*

So, here is how I make my easy peasy face mask.
Firstly, you'll be needing a piece of fabric measuring 9" by 12" I've got a huge stack of fabric cut, I like to buy in bulk-- and I like to make things in bulk too!

Take the rectangle fabric and fold it over so it now measures 9" by 6" Pin the sides together along the 9" side so that there will be an opening to turn the mask inside out when the piece is completely sewn together. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Next you'll be working along both sides of the mask (the 6" sides) Cut a piece of elastic 7" long. Place the elastic inside the mask and pin each edge to each corner on one side of the mask.

 It will look kinda wonky, but it will lay flat---

when you pin it down. Do this on the other side of the mask as well.

Sew along both sides of the mask using a 1/8 inch seam allowance. Go back and forth over the elastic to make sure it is securely attached. You can use a 1/4 inch seam allowance, but it makes the mask a smidgen smaller, its your call. So here is the mask sewn together. At this point, using the opening in the 9" side turn the mask inside out.

Once it is turned inside out you can see it resembling a face mask.

Iron the mask flat.

Now comes the part in constructing the mask where you'll be creating the pleats. Don't be intimidated, it is easy peasy. If I can explain it well that is! First, figure out which side is going to be the front as opposed to the back, and also, the top from the bottom. If your working with a pattern in the fabric, it should lay with the image/words facing you. Once you've figured all that out, fold the mask in half and iron it creating a nice crisp edge.

Next, open up the mask and take the bottom of the mask and iron the bottom edge up to the line created when you folded it in half previously. Iron that crease in the fabric.

The top edge needs to be folded down to be ironed too--- BUT, the top edge will not be flush with the center mark. It needs to be ironed leaving about 1/4 inch above the center line.
Here is what the backside of the mask looks like. I've highlighted the ironed creases with chalk so hopefully you can see what I was trying to explain. 1.)Fold in half 2.) fold the bottom edge up to the middle 3.) fold the top edge down 1/4 inch above the center line.

Lastly, pulling the fabric together to create the pleats. I'm hopeful I'll explain it well enough for you to understand me-- if you choose to give this mask a try.
Ok... so, the previous photo shows the backside of the mask....so I needed to turn it over to start making the pleats. Each crease you created when folding and ironing the fabric will be the backside of each pleat. First pleat: open up your mask you have what looks like four rows. I like to start with the wider side, the one that folded up to meet the center line. I fold one side completely before going to the other side of the mask.

Hopefully, looking at this next photo will be helpful! This photo is the backside of the mask. See how the chalk lines line up with the fold of each pleat? That is what you want. The ironed crease is pinched, then the fabric is folded onto itself and pinned...

If you take some fabric and just try to copy the above photo-- you'll get it, I promise! So, here is one side pinned and now I've started on the other side of the mask.

Again, here is the pleats from the backside---  the ironed creases will be folded to the back. So, you pinch the fabric and lay it down and pin it.

Now, if you've got all that. the last thing you'll be needing to do is sew along the entire outer edge of the mask. I used a 1/8 inch seam allowance. You can use a 1/4 inch seam allowance it wouldn't change the size of the mask at this point, but make sure your catching and closing the opening you've used to turn the mask right side out.

Here is the mask completed.

I like to iron the completed mask super flat... and then iron them in half. This serves two purposes. One, it looks cuter... and two, if by chance someone (even though they shouldn't) rewears the mask, the person will be able to tell which side should be up against their face. These masks should only be worn one time then washed and dried to be worn at another time.

Here is the finished mask popped open.

The mask is surprisingly comfortable to wear.  It does have a gap at the bridge of your nose -- but you can easily tighten that up by adding some double sided tape and adhere it to your face.

One word of advice, don't use super cute/adorable fabric! People stop and talk to you about your mask! Move along people, move along...
Stay safe! Big hugs,
Cheryl