Allura's Dangerous New Pair Of Shorts!!

Allura stayed all night on Friday.  I was tired and went to bed early.  When Allura got up the following morning she was all excited and said" Hey Mamo, want to see the new shorts I made while you were sleeping last night?"  Well here they are!!  Yikes!!!

 

I said they are so cute, but how are you going to sit down.  She said, Oh they don't hurt!

I just said o.k., but please, please, don't sit on my leather couch or on the leather seats in the car.  I guess I am going to have to carry a thick blanket or something when she wears these in the car.  She really comes up with the ideas for only 13.  I wonder what she will be like when she gets older!!  I definitely will be saving the pictures of these shorts!!  Who knows, maybe they will catch on!!  Oh gosh, I better go warn her not to sit on my waterbed!!  I can just see 50 holes springing out water!!

Yes, this grandma loves her waterbed, last of the hippies still out there!  Cindy

IF YOU LOVE TO GARDEN, READ THIS ABOUT MY GRANDFATHER!!

My grandfather loved to garden.  My mother always told me she was the teachers pet because their yard was full of flowers and my grandmother always cut a large bouquet for her to take to her teacher.  No wonder I love to have my hands in dirt!!!!

Here are some photos of a mulberry tree that my grandfather, John Rabal, planted at the G.B.U., later Hunsinger Park and now Ashland Railway in Mansfield, Ohio.  He planted the tree up-side down.  This is a trick that he learned as a nurseryman in Austria, Hungary prior to WW1.  He said, mulberry trees were the only trees you could do this to.  It was planted in the thirties.  Tree is still growing!!

 

 

Allura Designed Another Pair Of Jean Shorts

If you remember from last year, Allura loves to design.  She always comes and tells me her ideas and then I sew them up.  She told me a couple of weeks ago, Mamo, I have another idea.  I want leopard material on one leg of jean shorts and I want the material on the back pocket like this and this and the front like this etc. and I want the hem fringed.  Then she says I told Mom, but she has no idea what I was talking about.  Can you help me make these?  I told her to tell me exactly what she wanted and I would try to get that accomplished.  She also had jeans that were to baggie and she wanted them to be taken in in the legs.  She really hasn't started to sew yet, so I said O.K. its time.  I will work on your design and you need to sew up the legs of your jeans.  So I sewed on one machine and I started her out with filling a bobbin and threading the machine.  I showed her how and then pulled out my threads and would say now you try.  After about an hour she filled her own bobbin and threaded the machine.  We were now ready to go.  I showed her how to peg the legs and gave her chalk to make her new sewing line and she actually took in the jeans totally by herself.  You never saw such a proud girl!!  She even said, I am just so proud of myself!!!

Now as she was accomplishing this, I started to do her design work.  It was a tough job.  I just tucked and sewed as I went for each tiny detail.  On the back pockets she wanted the sewing in between the jeans gold thread.  It was a slow process and I really took my time so it would look professional and like she bought them that way.  They are finished now and she is going to wear them to the lawnfete this weekend. 
We had lots of fun sewing together and making memories!  She thought when she wears these jeans maybe she could get some orders to sell them!  I said "NO WAY", that took me forever to get this accomplished.  I would have to sell them for $400.00 a pair if I had to make them to sell!!  I guess if she can get that much, I would make another pair, but I'm not worried about that happening!    She is very excited and here are the finished pictures! 


Designed By Allura!

 

If you don't remember what she made last year, here are a couple of links.  Now these she did make all by herself, but there was no sewing!

 

http://www.cynsehttp://www.cynsew.com/2013/07/jean-shorts-and-fabric-painting.htmlw.com/2013/05/camouflage-painted-jeans.html

http://www.cynsew.com/2013/07/jean-shorts-and-fabric-painting.html

 

What did I do??

I have been trying to make my own pizza for many years now with no success.  My pizza was always done on the edges and soggy in the middle.  I finally decided about a year ago to give it a try again.  I will work at something until I get it correct!   I have tried many different crusts for many different tastes and also tried making my own sauce.  Every weekend I would bake a new recipe and my grandkids and Dave would try it out.  Finally, with many tweeks and twists, I have created a pizza crust that is just as done in the middle as in the crust and created my own pizza sauce that is delicious.  This is a thick crust pizza and I have to admit it is pretty good!  The only problem I have now is that I realize I did a stupid thing.  Nobody wants take out pizza any more which every mother knows is a real break for us when we don't have to cook.  Now they all want my homemade pizza with the homemade sauce.   I do have it down to a science and can have it finished and on the table in about an hour. 

If anyone would like the recipe, just let me know, but beware, you may never get a break again!!

 

I found this tip and thought I would share!   What a great idea!! Be sure and try this, you will be amazed!  Thank You Sebastian Sandersius!

The Easiest Way to Thread a Needle

 

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Sebastian Sandersius, a co-founder of Bison Made.
Like so many honest moments captured by Norman Rockwell, his depictions of this exasperating task are true to our experience. Whether trying to re-attach a button that has popped off, helping grandma thread her sewing machine, or stitching your own wallet, we have all had our frustrations with threading needles. Sometimes we get lucky but then sometimes we get caught up in the iterations of cutting, licking, and coaxing the thread into the eye of the needle.
Luckily, there is an easier way to thread a needle!

At Bison Made, we do a lot of hand-stitching to ensure our products are finished with the finest attention to detail. When I train a new employee to sew our products, lesson 1 is the best way to thread a needle.
Every time I show someone this method of threading a needle, they are astonished at how simple it is — and they take to it very quickly. I personally happened upon this easier method after countless bouts with needle and thread during the early days of developing our products. I scoured the internet and couldn’t find any documentation on this method, so I decided to write it out myself to help make this simple task common knowledge.

When most people thread a needle, they hold an inch or so of thread between their fingers and try to guide it through the eye of the needle. Leading it directly through is difficult, because the thread is flimsy and floppy. When you inevitably miss, the thread deflects and frays, forcing you to put it in your mouth to reform the fibers before making another attempt.
The 4-step “pinch the tip” method offers a simple, but significant improvement to this method. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Hold the thread between your thumb and index fingers.
2. Pinch down on the thread between your fingers until you can barely see the tip of the thread between your fingertips. With your other hand holding the needle, bring the thread and needle eye together.
3. Instead of trying to push the tip of the thread through the eye of the needle as in the typical method, here you push the eye of the needle onto the tip of the thread. Your fingertips give the thread support so it will not deflect or fray. Even if the thread is too thick, pinching the tip compresses it into a shape that fits the oblong shape of the needle eye.
4. With a little practice you should be able to feel with your fingers when the needle is being threaded properly. Keeping your fingers pinched together to support the thread, follow through and push the needle between your fingertips. As you part your fingertips you should reveal a threaded needle.

When it comes to threading the needle on a sewing machine, this same method should work just as well. The only difference is now instead of holding the needle in your other hand, the needle is fixed in place. Approach the needle eye with the pinched thread tip as shown below.

This “pinch the tip’” method will work for all types of threads: bonded, unbonded, cotton, polyester, nylon, kevlar, teflon, etc.
I hope you find this method useful and straightforward so that next time you need to replace a button or patch up a hole, you won’t be frustrated trying to thread your needle. Don’t worry about cutting a clean taper or wetting the thread in your mouth to twist the fibers tight, just pinch the tip.
__________________________________________________
Bison Made uses the principles of high-quality craftsmanship when producing quality leather carry goods. Instead of paper patterns and hand cutting, we use high precision cutting dies to create consistent leather components that are hand finished and stitched. We have taken a position that by starting with high-quality raw materials and detailed precision, beautiful and functional works that are designed for life will follow.

 

 

 

December Projects!

Where did December go?? Wow, it just flew bye. I was sewing a few projects, but I didn't want to post them for fear my grandchildren might get on my site. My three granddaughters all have American Girl dolls now and I thought I would make them an outfit. I have never sewn doll clothes. When my girls were young, they just were not into dolls. Sooo, I thought I would give this a try.

What an experience! I must of been sewing them way better than necessary. I swear, it took me as long to make them as it would an outfit for me. I think it was because they are so small and have places that are hard to get at. I also made them chairs. I really only sewed for two girls and I still have to finish up on my one granddaughter's things. She just got her doll for Christmas this year and I didn't want to give her anything until after Santa came. I need to get those finished!

The tops I made a tiny bit different so they know which one is theirs. They really loved them.

Down below are their chairs. When they opened them up, they really just thought they were pillows. I made them to match their bedroom. Tara (my daughter), told me yesterday that the girls were using them more as pillows than chairs! I bet they would be soft and comfortable. Now the top and the skirt I found a free pattern for from this website:

This is the skirt.

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/01/fabrictulle-skirt-for-dolls-and-decor.html

This is the top. Here is that website:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/free-doll-clothes-patterns/products/free-t-shirt-18-doll-clothes

.
I had to purchase the chair pattern and it is called the Square Chair and cost $3.99. Here is that website:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/furniture-18-inch-doll-patterns

Anyone else into making doll clothes? Maybe you can give me some tips to speed up this process!

Paperback Book Christmas Tree!

Thank you to:  kaylaaimee.com for allowing me to use this post!

I remember making a tree like this when I was very young.  I think this will be a great project for my granddaughter and me to make this weekend!

How To: Make A Paperback Christmas Tree

How To: Make A Paperback Christmas Tree

This decorative paperback christmas tree is super cute, easy to make, and affordable. It’s even a great craft to do with your kids, although I recommend letting an adult do the cutting with the exacto knife. That’s how we do it in my house. I mean, we don’t have kids but my husband is a little leery of leaving me alone with sharp objects. I can’t ever imagine why. (UPDATE: We totally have a kid now but J has still not changed his position on the whole “sharp object” thing)
There are several variations you can make on these trees (like the rolled tree & the full glitter cameo tree in the background) that you can learn to make HERE.

A paperback book – you can use one you already own or pick up an old holiday themed book at a thrift store!
An exacto knife
Dry adhesive
Optional supplies: glitter and glue (I used Martha Stewart tinsel glitter in brownstone and gold, as well as Martha Stewart glittering glue w/brush applicator. It’s hands down the best glue for applying glitter.)


Step One: Find a paperback book. Oh look, I found a few. That is because I inherited 352580551 paperback books of my grandmothers and they are currently multiplying themselves around my house.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 1

Step Two: Gently remove the cover so that it is naked. I hope your book is not modest. Mine did some nude modeling back in art school.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 2

Step Three: Count out 30 pages of your book. This is where page numbers come in handy.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 3

Step Four: Use an exacto knife to slice down the spine where you’ve partitioned off your thirty pages. Don’t worry, the book won’t feel a thing.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 4

Step Five: Repeat steps three and four. You should have two sets of thirty pages that look like this:

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 5

Step Six: Now take one section of the book and lie it on the table so that the spine is facing left, as shown. Grasp the top right corner and fold it down so that the edge of the corner is touching the spine.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 6

Step Seven: Now grasp the part of the page where the folded edge meets the straight edge. Fold it over so that the part of the page that it already folded from the last step will be flush with the spine. It’s just like folding a paper airplane.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 7

Step Eight: either fold the overhanging part of the page up, or cut it off. I prefer to cut mine. It will sit well either way.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 8

Step Nine: Continue to do this until all of the pages are folded.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 9a

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 9b

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 9c

Step Ten: Take the other set of thirty pages and flip it so that the spine is on the right. Repeat steps six through eight.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 10

Step Eleven(OPTIONAL): Now hold the book page with the folded part towards you and brush glue along the edges. Then dip the edges into glitter and shake off the excess.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 11

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 11a

Note: when you use the glitter, you’ll have to gently seperate the page edges afterwards so that the glue doesn’t adhere the pages together.
Step Twelve: Lay the folded pages down and apply dry adhesive liberally to the front and last page

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 12

Step Thirteen: Press the two edges of each set together, lining up the edges. Open the pages and curl around until you can do the same both sides.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial Step 13

Step Fourteen: Sit it up and let dry! Occasionally you’ll need to add some glue to the very top of the tree, along the inside edge to keep it from gapping but if you use enough dry adhesive that shouldn’t be a problem! Sit back and enjoy all the compliments you get on your awesome tree.

Paperback Christmas Tree Tutorial