DIY DISH

Creativity is indeed being served at DIY Dish (including second helpings.)  Kim and Kris are delightful and do a great job.  In an easy to understand manner, they have taught us to make cup cake pin cushions in the first episode and the decorative pins to ice the cake in the second.  I enjoy watching them and I can tell they thoroughly enjoy what they are doing.  As an added bonus this week they included Easter egg decorating to enjoy with the kids in your life.  Can't wait for next weeks episode.
Be sure to go to their site and register for the Jenome machines. Just click on the link at the bottom of the page.  The contest ends in one week.  I know I have my fingers crossed!
Later,
Grandmabenny

DIAPER COVERS AND FASHION SHOW

It's a lot cooler today. I'd say I wish it was May and warm but I'm too old to be wishing my life away. It's funny how when you're young you can wish away time without thinking you're wishing your life away.

For the past week I have been making adorable little Diaper Covers. I found this cute pattern at the "Tie Dye Diva Designs & Monkeysbug Tees" I fell in love with this one because of the style. They look so cute on the little ones. I did make a change because of my preference. The pattern calls for laying the bias tape over the pressed up leg opening. I prefer to fold out one side of the bias tape and stitch it to the right side of the garment, clip the curves, trim the leg opening and then press to the inside and stitch closed leaving about an inch to an inch and 1/2 opening to insert the elastic. This is the way I learned to apply bias and I think it makes a cleaner looking finish.

I am in the planning stages of a style show which, if all goes well, will be held in July in Saxonburg, PA. My sister, the photographer, is researching and making the contacts. We hope to have several little models from newborn to 6 years old. We are currently looking for models in the Saxonburg area. There will be discounts on clothing and photo shoots for participating. If you have little ones in this age range and would like to participate, please email me at benjamin4189@adelphia.net and I will put you in touch with the program coordinator. Be sure your subject line says "Fashion Show"

I will keep you informed as the plans progress.

Later,
Grandma Benny

GIVE AWAY AT YCMT

To celebrate the launch of a new show, YCMT has teamed up with Janome to give away 2 machines! Two great prizes to win. One is the Janome 350e EMBROIDERY machine and a the second is the Janome DC4030 SEWING machine!

Check out DIY DISH and get details by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.

No matter how old you are or how accomplished, you can still learn something new. I entered the contest and I plan to watch all the videos.

Let me hear your comments as the DIY videos progress. I am really looking forward to it.
Later,

SHE'S B-A-A-CK

We moved in finally and I promptly fell on my knee.  I won't go into detail but suffice to say the shower tub is about a half a foot higher than the normal tub.  Not exactly a garden tub but none-the-less,  when I stepped out, the floor wasn't where I expected it to be.  I looked at my leg and I had a huge hematoma.  I thought it was my leg bone.  My first thought was, "Why doesn't this hurt more?"  I quickly determined that nothing was broken so I dressed and went downstairs to continue unpacking.  First order of business was to organize my sewing room as I had a huge order to complete and I was on a deadline.  I was making good progress going at a good clip when I grabbed a shelf that I thought was empty and began scooting it across the room.  You guessed it.  The bottom shelf had two small but heavy plastic boxes on it and they dislodged as I scooted the shelf and landed on the foot of the leg that I had damaged earlier.  Now, not only did I have a swollen knee, my foot doubled in size and I think I must have fractured one of those tiny bones because it hurt like a son-of-a-gun.  Needless to say, I didn't do much stair climbing for quite a while.
I did finish my order and shipped it just in time.  This same customer sent a piece of German cloth and I made two vests and clip-on bow ties for her boys.  I love making the bow ties.  It takes so little fabric that you can virtually make bow ties out of any fabric you have laying around.  There is very little sewing involved.  The secret is in the final step when you hand stitch the band.  It is very important to catch in the bow fabric to keep the band securely in place.  The best way to learn to make one is take one apart.  However, I will post directions and photos in the very near future if any of you are interested.
We had an interesting Christmas.  We went to my sis-in-laws in Florida.  This was her first Christmas without her dear husband who died of cancer last year.  And, wouldn't you know it, the night time temperature was in the 40's most of the week.  It was spring like in the daytime so that was pleasant.  I spent a couple of days making a vest for her out of her husbands neckties.  It was real cute and she was pleased to have it to remember the good times.  I am including a picture of a necktie vest that gave me the idea and a link to the directions if you want to tackle this one.  If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't have tried a fitted pattern.  The vest in the picture is probably the best way to go.  Mine ended up looking "patchworky"  Cute, but didn't look a thing like this picture.

If you try it, please send pics and let me know how it went.  How to make a vest from old neckties

I am currently recovering my dining room chairs that we purchased at a second-hand store.  I am learning how to use an electric staple gun. OMG! can you say "machine gun?"  I'll post pics if I don't kill myself or my hubby in the meantime.  I must say it seems like it will be much easier when I learn how to control it.
That's enough for now.
Later

Not ignoring you

I am not ignoring you.  I am packing and making appointments for UHaul, mail stop and start, utilities transferred, bulk trash pick up (We have way too much stuff!) and keeping the laundry caught up so I don't move a bunch of dirty clothes.  After Friday the 30th, I won't have internet access because Time Warner can't hook us up at the new place until the 4th. AAAGH! 
Later.....

WE FOUND OUR HOUSE!

It has a great area for my sewing.  It's bright and airy.  I am looking forward to setting up shop there.  Not, however, looking forward to all the packing.  I certainly hope someone is out there reading this.  I am actually too tired to be writing but I wouldn't want to dissappoint my one follower. (Thanks, Jan)  I'll keep this blog going as long as my fingers work. 
Great things are coming and I am going to share them with you.
Later
Grandmabenny

House hunting

We looked at a very nice home today.  It was nearly exactly what we need.  A gigantic living room, a gigantic kitchen, a full bath, a laundry area and most importantly, a perfect room for my shop on the first floor.  Oh, and three bedrooms and full bath upstairs. We filled out the necessary paperwork, talked to the landlord and now we wait the two or three days he said he needed to go through all the applications.  If the Lord wants us to have this house, it will be ours.  Pray that His will be done.   I'll keep you updated.