I spend quite a lot of time each week on digitizing or tinkering with the website, but I also like to work on other crafts and projects. This page showcases mostly things I've been working on, though I do sometimes feature items made by my sisters. Most are embroidery-related, but some show other crafts and activities as well. Many of the items, though not all, are gift items for friends and siblings, mainly for Christmas, the biggest gift-giving time of the year in my family.
If any of these project ideas interest you, please let me know and I'll post some detailed instructions.
Sewing-themed Altered Puzzle Ornament
Posted 5 November 2021
My jigsaw puzzling friend donated some cast-off puzzles that were missing several pieces -- and I decided to make ornaments . . .!
Click here to see the Altered Puzzle ornament that I made for my sewing room tree.
Marvin Kaboom Ornament
Posted 22 October 2021
This Happy Meal figurine is the basis for my latest Christmas ornament, and it's a blast . . . . so to speak.
Click here to see how I adapted Marvin into an ornament for our Looney Tunes tree.
Christmas Cracker Hats
Posted 8 October 2021
Several years back, my sisters started making specialty Christmas crackers for everyone in the family. They're lots of fun, but it is often difficult to find the tissue crowns to put inside.
Click here to see my solution to this dilemma.
It's a Choo-Choo Train, Grandma!
Posted 24 September 2021
Little kids still love Thomas the Tank Engine, and what 3-year-old wouldn't want a Thomas-themed cardigan, made by his Grandma?
Click here to see the one my sister crafted for her little treasure.
Shark!
Posted 9 September 2021
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to school!
Click here to see this neat Shark pencil case that I made for my 5-year-old nephew.
O Christmas Tree
Posted 3 September 2021
I made a quilted applique-style Christmas tree wall hanging for my brother-in-law. DH loves it, and I think his brother will too.
Click here to see Michael's new tree.
The design is another from Kreative Kiwi. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but I do love their designs, and I think you will too.
Eat 'em RAW!
Posted 27 August 2021
I don't really follow football, but if I did, this would surely be my team. I might even have to put an ornament on my Christmas tree . . .
Click here to see my newest bauble.
Bumper Feet Replacement
Posted 20 August 2021
These bumper feet from my vintage Singer are toast, but replacements are fairly pricey, especially if you have several machines to refurbish. . . . unless there's a reasonable substitute!
Click here to see what I used instead.
Large Applique Dragon Wall Art
Posted 11 June 2021
If you think this wing is beautiful -- and it is -- you should see what it's attached to!
To see the beautiful dragon wall hanging I made for my sister-in-law's Christmas present, click here.
In case you're interested, this is a beautiful large applique design from Kreative Kiwi. I'm not affiliated with her site in any way. I just really like her designs.
Change to the Big Frame
Posted 4 June 2021
Are you tired of getting this error message on your multi-needle Brother or Babylock embroidery machine? So was I!
That is, until Jaret told me how to fix it! Click here to learn the secret.
Mr Piper Returns -- Again
Posted 28 May 2021
A couple of weeks ago I stitched a tee for my friend, featuring this logo. Then -- since I seem to be in ornament mode -- I thought I'd make an ornament based on the same image.
Click here to see how it turned out.
Baby's First Ornaments
Posted 21 May 2021
I've made several of these felt-and-applique ornaments for new babies over the past few years, and this year (so far) I've made three. It's interesting to see how a change in fabrics alters the look.
Click here to see the latest ones, and to see how I brightened their little faces with a touch of crayon.
Mr Piper Embroidered T-Shirt
Posted 14 May 2021
If you recognize this guy, you'll want to see the shirt I embroidered for my friend's birthday!
Click here to read about it and see the result.
Space Command "Special Envoy" Shirt Ornaments
Posted 7 May 2021
Have you ever wondered what other uniform colours Star Fleet might need? Me too!
Click here to see what I've come up with!
Matchbox-style Slider Boxes from Greeting Cards
Posted 30 April 2021
This week's project is just one of the reasons I save greeting cards. Click here to see what I've made!
Feeling the Bern
Posted 23 April 2021
My sister Nita, the freestyle crochet artist, was beseiged with requests for crocheted Bernie dolls after other people started posting theirs on line. And I made custom gift bags for them to travel in, using my redwork Bernie design -- the first time in years that she and I have collaborated on a project. (We live quite a distance apart, so don't have a chance to get together as often as we'd like).
Click here to see both the dolls and the bags.
(Almost) Free Parts Bins
Posted 16 April 2021
If you're anything like me, your craft/sewing room has lots of small bits and bobs that need to be corralled. If only there was an abundant source of inexpensive bins to help organize and store these little essentials . . .
Recently I've been using several sturdy cardboard bins that I made myself. Click here to find out how I made them from reclaimed cardboard boxes.
More Specialty Gift Bags
Posted 9 April 2021
I'm still making gift bags, and lately have been going with some family themes, such as this caricature.
Click here to see the completed bags I've made for my brother and sister-in-law.
They're Back!
Posted 2 April 2021
They made such a hit last Christmas, they were booked for a return engagement . . . this time in a different guise.
Click here to find out what my freestyling crochet sister has done now.
Welcome to My Pad
Posted 26 March 2021
This little doodad may not look like much, but it can come in mighty handy if you've got a vintage sewing machine that you keep in a cabinet.
Click here to find out what it's for.
Large Quilted Applique
Posted 19 March 2021
I don't buy many embroidery designs anymore, but a few weeks ago I discovered the wonderful designs at Kreative Kiwi, and ended up purchasing several.
I just finished my first of what I expect will be many projects from her designs. Click here to read more and see the complete wreath project.
I'm not affiliated with Kreative Kiwi in any way; I just like her designs.
Using Giant Thread Cones on a Serger
Posted 12 March 2021
This gigantic reel of synthetic thread was a huge bargain at the thrift store, but how on earth am I going to manage to use it on the serger??
Click here to see how I improvised a solution.
Writing a Manual for a Mid-Century Zigzag Sewing Machine
Posted 05 March 2021
Mid-century Japanese sewing machines are often missing their instruction manuals, as several of mine are, so I decided to write up some of my own.
Click here to read a bit about how I went about that process.
Another Cat Cardigan
Posted 26 Feb 2021
The cat sweaters my sister made for Christmas (see my post for Jan 8th) were a huge hit. Now she's added another variant to the collection. Click here to see the result.
Modify your Multi-Needle for Tangle-Free Stitching
Posted 19 Feb 2021
If you've been tearing your hair out over threads tangling on their way from spool to needle, and haven't yet seen this easy modification, you're going to want to read this!
Click here to see how I eliminated this pesky problem on my Brother PR600.
Lots More Mittens
Posted 12 Feb 2021
DH really liked the personalized mittens he received for Christmas, as did my friend, so I'll be adding mitts to nearly everyone's Christmas parcel next year.
Click here to see several of the new pairs I've been making lately.
Animal Print Gift Bags
Posted 5 Feb 2021
I picked up a remnant of this fun animal print flannelette, and couldn't resist making some any-occasion gift bags . . . and digitizing some new designs to go with.
Click here to see the finished products.
Bahai Banner
Posted 29 Jan 2021
My friend loves banners, and I've made several for her over the years, including a lovely blue one that displays symbols and quotations of the Baha'i faith.
Click here to see the finished banner.
Crowell's Totes
Posted 22 Jan 2021
After my sisters saw the gift bags I made using the store logo from our childhoods, they asked for tote bags with the same design.
Click here to see the finished bags that everyone got for Christmas.
Scampers Ornament Collection
Posted 15 Jan 2021
Through his first Christmas season, it was difficult to keep Scampers out of the tree! But while I don't like him being there for real, I do kind of like the idea of his being on the tree in the form of personalized ornaments.
Click here to see baby Scampers immortalized in three different handmade ornaments.
Hand-Knit Cat Cardigans
Posted 8 January 2021
My knitting sister spent the Covid-19 lockdown time making beautiful cat-themed cardigans for all of her sisters for Christmas. They are just gorgeous (the sweaters, that is -- and the sisters too), and they were a great hit with all of us.
Click here to see her beautiful work.
Crocheted Character Stockings
Posted 1 January 2021
We all got a host of lovely handmades for Christmas this year, but my sister really stole the show with her crocheted masterpieces.
I've already written about the Yip-Yip stockings, but there was more, and they're great!
Click here to see what else she sent.
