Market Bag and Vintage Patterns

Hi all, I stuck to my word and made the market bag from my amazing thrifted yarn. I used the Lion pattern here and it was super fast and easy. I will definitely be making more of these. The bag is quite large it measures 19" across (laying flat) and 2 ft 4" tall, and it will certainly fit a lot of groceries or beach supplies.

I made another trip to the thrift store yesterday and picked up some great patterns. I am in love with the McCalls 4092 the Stephen Burrows Misses' wrap top and middy top and skirt pattern, so adorable. I always love the Marlo's Corner series by McCall's and here are two more to add to my collection. The stretch knit McCall's dress or top will be a great project to try out my new serger on.

Check out my handsome husband, in a commercial he just shot for WOWzzy

More Thrifted Goodness

I have had the most amazing thrifting karma lately. Check out my goodies and you will agree...

This delicious 100% cotton ribbon yarn, it's like t-shirt material. I am making a market bag out of this, I will post it when I am done. I got 12 skeins for 7.96, they retail for 8.95 per skein.

Designer yarn 18 skeins for $7.96 for all 18, retails for $11.95 per skein. 50% Alpaca, and 50% wool, yummy. I'd say that's a steal!

Vintage Trim, I love the 70's colors!! and 240 yoyos in all diffrerent colors, for $2.98, WOW!

Addicted to the Thirift Store

I, like many crafters love the thrift store! I just so happened to find one in my neighborhood that has an abundance of vintage and not so vintage sewing and crafting supplies. I really scored with the vintage sewing patterns this week. I have another Etsy shop besides Zuliblu, where I post vintage sewing patterns, notions and other vintage finds for sale. This shop is called Ifyouthinksew and it has been pretty successful. Now, I know I won't get rich from selling vintage patterns but it does give me a little extra money to feed my fabric addiction! Look at some of the great patterns I found over the weekend.


Love the baby doll blouse, so 70's, and the short, short his and hers robe pattern.

This looks like the Bridesmaid dress pattern from my first wedding, and the scarf and bag pattern is just so sweet.

Addicted to Swapping...

Oh my, that title kinda sounds dirty, oops. Actually I am addicted to craft swaps through Craftser. I have had to limit my swapping to one at a time. Why you ask? Because there have been times in the not to distant past where I have been involved in four at a time and that gets a little crazy! My latest swap is the mini make a friend swap round 1, and my partner is fabricfriend. In this swap we send three packages, one a month beginning in August. The first package was to be a craft kit of a new crafting technique to our partner. Check out the amazing first package she put together for me of jewelry she sells in her Etsy shop, amazing.

Picture 1, the whole package Picture 2, this is what the kit makes, cute!


Thank you Fabricfriend, I can't wait for package two.

I'm Back

Hi All, I have been away for a while with a family emergency, and I am happy to say all is well and everyone is now healthy! I just wan't to make this short and let you know that I will be doing the March Indie Sacramento Show and to give you the info. So here it is:


I hope to see you all there! This is going to be a great Spring Show with a lot of Awesome Vendors.

Have a Miraculous Day,

Julie

Hot New Projects on Craftster

Well, we are half way through the December Holidays and we all made it!! I had an amazing time with my family and I hope you all did as well. I am a huge fan of Craftster.org and I credit the site for getting me creating again! It is a great palce to post your projects and get feedback and encouragement from other creators. It's been a while since I posted any projects on Craftster, so I decided to post something that is near and dear to me. This awesome Craft supply carry-all made from a placemat, ziplock bags, and some ribbon and trim. I was thrilled to be moved over to the Hot New Project side on Craftster. With all the posts I have made over the years, I had never been chosen. Due to popular demand I will be posting a tutorial on Wednseday Jan 7, after this weekends Indie Scaramento Show. So, check back if you want to make one of these super carry-alls.

Making Christmas Gifts

Every year I say, "this year I am going to make all of my Christmas Gifts" and it usually doesn't happen. This year however, is different, I am making a "majority" of the gifts I will be giving. What makes this year different you ask? Well, I am not working 60 hours a week at the restaurant this year, so I have a little time on my hands.

My dilemma is always, what do I make for the men I give gifts to? I think I've figured a few things out. For my son a purple scarf, he's 24 and loves purple (I will buy him something as well) For one of my brothers I came up with this camera case. The grey and orange one is something i made for myself when I purchased my new camera, and I love it. So I made a male version complete with a loop on the back to wear on a belt.


I made these cases out of old wool sweaters that I found at a thrift store, and felted in my washing machine at home.

To felt:
I placed the sweaters in the washing machine, set the temperature to HOT on the longest cycle, and add a little detergent and a pair of jeans or something else that will help in the agitation (It is a good idea to place the sweaters in a zippered pillowcase, your washing machine will thank you) . I have found the most effective detergent to be one with baking soda. The heat will swell up these fibers and the agitation will force the individual wool fibers together. Rinse the items in cold water to encourage shrinking. Dry them in a hot dryer to pull the fibers together even more. Depending on the sweater, you may need to do this process more than once to get nicely felted wool pieces. They were reduced in size by about 50% and should not unravel when cut.

Next I cut three pieces one 4" x 5", one 4" x 10" and one 1 1/2" x 3 1/2.

After you have them all cut use some wool yarn and a large needle and blanket stitch the pieces together. First stitch the belt loop to the back of the larger piece (see diagram View A) Then turn large piece over and stitch the last piece to the large piece, lining up the bottom edges (see diagram View B) Blanket stitch the pieces together and continue the stitch around the top of the case.

After you are all stitched up sew on the button( I like to use vintage buttons) , and cut a corresponding button hole (stitch around the button hole as shown).

Diagram:

Supplies:

For my camera case I crocheted a strip of orange wool yarn and I felted it as well. Felting hand knit items is a slightly different process. You can find a lot of instruction on felting on the net.
I hope you can understand this tutorial. I usually like to do my tutes on video. Please comment with any questions and I will answer them for you-Have fun!!