Thursday, May 29, 2014

Witches Stitches – Bear Making


I have made bears in the past, but I always made them out of fur. I can’t stand using fur. As I said last week I have made one out of fabric. I used a vintage piece of feed sack fabric. I decided I wanted to use a heavier weight fabric, something with texture to it. I did not want to use plain muslin. I then decided on a pattern I chose one by Sweet Meadows Farm. You can get them on etsy as an instant download.
Here are the easy steps to making this bear.
Step 1 – Choose your pattern. Trace and cut out pattern pieces from freezer paper.


Step 2 - Iron you pattern on a doubled piece of fabric. Make sure you place the paper shinny side down on your fabric. The paper will stick to the fabric and all you have to do is sew around it.

Step 3 – After you have sewn around the pattern pieces, remove the paper and cut the pieces out. Now turn to the right side and stuff and assemble the bear as per the pattern’s instruction.
Step 4 – Give our bear a personality. When you put his head on make sure you atilt it a bit. This Twill give your bear an expression.

Sep 6 – Here is a pic of him done but no dyed or any eyes, nose or mouth. Now take the bear and add a nose and eyes, I use tiny rusty bells, for his eyes, you can use whatever you choose.


Step 7 – Dye your bear, you can use Walnut Ink or tea for this. After he dried I sanded him with a fine grit sandpaper.

I added a cheesecloth tie around his neck and he is done.

I will have to start making bears again. I love the way they turn out. What do you think?
...and now for a shameless plug for me, he will be listed on etsy tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Handmade Spotlight - My Sunflower Friends

Don't you just love sunflowers? I sure do! Today I'm featuring a whole group of handmade sunflowers. You can see all of them up close by CLICKING HERE.

Please stop by again soon!
Deena Davis

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: The Start Of Summer

Well I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day and spent the day enjoying with family and friends. We are truly blessed and I want to thank everyone who has served to keep this country free. 

Now that Memorial Day is over and most kids are out of school (except my grandkids which have a couple of more weeks!) the summer vacation and outing plans start coming together. With that you will need to get supplied and ready to go to head on out on your summer of fun.

I think we will look at some of the different ways people spend their summer vacations and what you will need.....and of course you know that the Etsy shops have wonderful items for this. 



Many people will be visiting the beach this summer so of course you will need a beach bag. DesignsByApril1234 has these wonderful bags and you can pick your color and have them personalized! What a great idea. 


Some of you may be doing some fishing in the north woods area and of course your feet would get wet if you weren't wearing your rubber boots. Even though you have boots on, your feet can still get cold so why not put some warm fleece warmers in those boots. Rayana at WithTheRain makes these warm boot liners and look at how stylish they are! :)




A favorite past time of summers is camping with family and friends. And with camping there is always the campfire. Now you can make it easy to start that campfire with fire starters from DoubleBrush and these fire starters are eco friendly too. :)



And then there is the all time favorite summer past time....picnics! And what better way to spend the day in the sunshine than having a picnic of fried chicken, potato salad, and all the other goodies that go with this. And of course you will need to have the "picnic" basket to put them in so why not take this wonderful vintage one from ZulasHouse.




And last, but not least.....the all time tradition of the backyard barbecue! This time of year is the best time to have those barbecues and if your are having friends over or just your family you will need the right equipment for turning those burgers and flipping those steaks so why not use these wonderful hand forged utensils from FrogLevelFarm


So no matter what your summer activities are make sure you have the "goodies" to have that summer full of fun. 


So....what are your plans for this summer?

Colleen :)




Monday, May 26, 2014

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Happy Memorial Day!



To all who serve, who have served, and who support our soldiers with love and honor; a very Happy Memorial Day! 
I am currently travelling and will be back next Sunday with more fabulous Etsy up-cycle artists!
LOVE  &  THANK YOU!!!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Blog Party Sunday - Show Us What You're Making

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. 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.