Blog Party Sunday - Show Us Your Handmades

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would love to have you show us what you are making.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Witches Stitches- Fast and Inexpensive Curtains

Between my gardens and work I have been so busy, so this is a quick and easy tip.

I like the finished look curtains can give a room but I am not always thrilled with the heavy look and the expense involved. I decided I needed some curtains in the living room but just wanted to add a little something without a lot of fuss.  I went to Dollar General and I picked up 3 sheer panels for $4.99, (I have one small window and one larger one in my living room) each. They are 84” long. All I did to hang them was to hammer in a nail on each side of the window frame. I then strung my curtain on a piece of twine.  Made a loop at each end and hung them on the nails. I then put another nail about half way down the window frame and pulled back the curtain with another piece of twine. I used twine because my living room is primitive. If you have a cottage chic room or something a little more formal you can do the same thing and instead of twine you can use a pretty ribbon. I used tan, but sheers come in all kinds of wonderful colors. You can even use two different colors on one window. Use your imagination and have fun.

So that is my curtains on the cheap. All it took for my living room was 6 nails, some twine and 3 curtain panels. So for $15 I have curtains that finish the room and I did not break the bank. Have a great evening, Faith

 

Handmade Spotlight - Here's Your Sign

These handmade signs say it all!
To get a better look at all of them, CLICK HERE.

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Sewing Tips

Today I think I will give you a few sewing tips and information on needles and bindings. I know all of us do different kinds of sewing and crafting so today I would like to touch on a few different things like information on needles and bindings. 

First......have you ever really looked at your sewing machine needle? I never did until one day when I saw this chart. I new the different sizes, but never realized the different types of needles. This needle chart from Feathers Flights shows the parts of a needle, kinds and sizes. Nice to have this chart in your sewing room. 

Do you need a quick way to determine the yardage needed for that quilt binding? Quilting Tidbits has this chart to show you how to do that. 

I do a lot of embroidery also when I make my little stitchery pillows and embroidering on my pot holders. For all of you embroiders here are some basic stitches from Tip Nut. Most of these stitches I have used, but there are actually a few I didn't know and have never used! I will have to try them out. :)

Now....how many of you buy bias tape? I use to until I started making lots of pot holders for my markets and craft shows and thought I needed to come up with a way to make my own. Now you can buy machines that does this like this one.......

 or little bias tape maker clips.............

But me.....being "cheap" ( I call it "thrifty", but my kids call it "cheap") I make my own by just cutting and ironing them. :)  I do so many of them that I have this down to a routine so it is very simple to do. 

First I cut a 2 inch with of fabric strip. 

Then I fold both ends to the middle. 

Iron it flat.

And whalla..................bias tape!! :)

Well I hope some of these tips are useful for you. I always seem to find tips that I have never used or didn't know about. So excited when I do! :)

Have a good day!! 

Colleen :)

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: The Great Outdoors

Summer is a time of relaxation and enjoying the great outdoors! Time for exploring, observing, and lingering with laughter.  For summer essentials turn to the vast resources of Etsy up-cycle experts to make this a summer to remember.

Take a first class seat  under the sun with a custom chair from

TCBarrelWorks. Made from up-cycled California wine barrels, each chair is expertly hand-crafted. So elegantly simple, nature will envy the owner.

Don't miss a single thing with ultra cool binoculars! From bird watching to fireworks to woodland walking, this vintage pair from  OddandFound helps maintain the path with a built-in compass.

Turn routine summer lunch into a backyard expedition!  Classic peanut butter and jelly tastes like fun on vintage trays in rainbow hues. Pick up this colorful picnic basket and tray set at vakvar.

 Summer learning can be fun with the right tools!  Grab these vintage Native American books at injoytreasures at take the kiddos on an educational hike.  Teach them about recycling after the hike by up-cycling the books into summer scrapbooks.

Fun for kids of all ages are these wee bug collection bags from bethmoscreations!  Okay, okay.... these are not up-cycled or vintage but oh my goodness are they cute! Affordable and oh-so-adorable, they even look like tiny camper tents! 

For more up-cycled summer wonder search recycled summer on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

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