Sunday, December 28, 2008

Lessons, instruction, guidance


I've placed an ad in the local paper for Adult Sewing Lessons. I trust that those who tried their hand at sewing many years ago will realize the value of the craft and will contact me to reintroduce them. For those who never had the experience, I look forward to teaching them a new skill.
I have this logo in the ad (yes, another by my wonderful sister) and hopefully the word will spread. Wish me luck in yet another new venture.....

Saturday, December 6, 2008

It's Christmas, It's Christmas, that wonderful season....

No photos today! Christmas gifts are secret ofcourse and so there will be no photos posted until after the holiday. Sewing is slow going as my wrist heals and maybe those Christmas gifts will end up being I.O.U.'s.

We've had an interesting couple of months here. Our dishwasher flooded the kitchen and warped the new hardwood floors and all the water went into the basement and we ended up with a "water mitigation" crew doing cleanup just after Halloween. Those blasted mice ate through the drain hose....After many days of dehumidifiers running noisily and constantly (!) the floor is almost back to normal. Resurfacing is in the future....

At last the new dishwasher arrived and was installed, it is a thing of beauty. That night as we sat enjoying the hum of the dishes being washed we noticed a problem with the woodstove.....

A chimney fire was blazing and the Fire Department was called. My woodstove is temporarily residing on the back porch until the reinstallment can be done. First year I think I ever had so much wood cut and split (thank you Derek and Sam) and I can't even burn it.....

So, I am forced to decorate for the holidays and warm myself by the radiators but we are all well; healthy, happy, lucky to have family and home and love in our lives. I will be back soon.

Merry Christmas!
Michelle

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mason! My socks don't match!






Last year I made a set of Christmas stockings for a family that is close to my heart. Each couple had different prints from the next, but all the fabrics were coordinating. One of the couples was expecting and so after the birth of their son, I took the fabrics that made up each of the families stockings and combined them into a stocking for the newest member....I have yet to deliver this stocking, but I know it will get there before Santa arrives!!!
I have had this stocking hanging in my sewing room; I've been looking at it for months and wondering how the boy will spend each of his childhood Christmas Eves and hope that this piece will be a part of them. It prompted me to make a few more for this years craft fair. I did add to the fabric choices and combinations as the scraps would only go so far!!

cozy treats

Three flannel stockings ready for Santa to fill. These 100% cotton flannel stockings are lined, batted, quilted and ready to hang by the chimney with care....

Monday, November 10, 2008

if you squint your eyes it looks pretty....

This fabric reminded me of being a child and laying on the sofa at Christmas time and squinting my eyes while looking at the tree.....all the lights and reflections of the ornaments blurring into round balls of light.....the flip side is a subdued green and white stripe with a small red print.





Is it see scallops or eye candy?


Either way, these aprons are retro just like the last batch. This set is scalloped edge and reversible. This first apron is appropriate for the upcoming holidays with one side covered in red and white peppermint candies and the other in an equally festive stripe. Half round pocket is self lined.

I particulary like how the contrasting fabric just peeks out from underneath as the scallop edges move....

Ruffles in the breeze

These half aprons are so ingrained as a memory. Never quite these fabrics, but the feeling is still there! Trying to get out of the house while the massive dehumidifiers are running, I stepped outside yesterday and today to photograph. Today was a bit more breezy than yesterday and that only made my ruffles happier! Scallops are next! Stayed tuned.....




















Sunday, November 9, 2008

roll that crust baby



















"Pie, pie, me oh my,Nothing tastes better, wet, salty and dry. Apple and pumpkin and mince and black bottom,I’ll come to your place every day if you’ve got ‘em.Pie, me oh my, I love pie."

Monday, November 3, 2008

I think of Grandma making pies

These aprons are so cool! Some time ago I purchased a large lot of vintage patterns off of ebay. This pattern from 1946 was in the box. I love the style, probably because it reminds me so much of my Grandma Faria! I purchased the 'retro' 30's fabric too many years ago to admit, but it was specifically for this pattern.....good things come to those that wait.

Back yoke button and tied at back waist; single layer fabric with bias cut bound edges.














Tospy Turvy Upside Down

These Ladies seemed to be a bit surprised at having their photos taken!! Always wanting to add something different to each show I opted for these upside-down dolls. Searching online I discovered that most parts of the country call them topsy-turvy dolls. These are modeled after a doll that my Nana Grace had for many years.

Each doll has a 'working' side and 'party' side. Their clothes are 100% cotton, hair is acrylic yarn ~ except for the red head who is adorned with thin strips of polar fleece that are curled! They are filled with polyester fiber fill. Each lady has one of a kind couture!

Always afraid to make a mistake, I drew one face, scanned and printed it onto transfer paper. Next batch I think will be hand done!!








Sunday, October 19, 2008

Remains of the day....

A little photo esssay of the items remaining from the fair yesterday.

New items will be listed by November 15th for the next Fair (sponsored by Friends of the Conant Public Library at the First Church in Sterling)!!
Look for Fire and Police Dept themed bibs, autumn print bibs, snazzy aprons, new winter weight handbags, holiday bow ties and a few art to wear pieces of clothing!

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Sterling Craft Fair


We had a wonderful fall day today, mid 50's and sunny. OK, so mid 50's by noon anyway; setting up at 7:30 we could see our breath....I sold most my inventory so there are only a few stragglers left behind and now there will be a new batch for the Nov 15 show.....I will keep you posted! Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

Monday, October 13, 2008

two new Michelini Bags




One of my favorite fabrics is used to make up these two bags. The round button is from a stash I purchased at a closeout and the red rectangle bakelite one was found in an antiques shop. I love them! How can you argue with an old button??

whether it's latkes or sugar plums...

...the little ones will inevitably dribble something onto thier special outfits. I constructed these toddler and baby bibs for the winter holidays. I just like playing with the fabrics and wanted them to be cheery!!
These are 100% cotton outside with poly batting inside and are relatively indestructible. The velcro closures are extra soft for babies!! The more you wash them, the softer and more user friendly they become.
The holidays are fast approaching......