Laughing Duck

ready for stitching both big and small.

projects

typepad your driving me crazy!!!!

I've written this post twice now and as I was proof reading it vanished!!

To make a long story short here's what hand projects I've started:

a wool and cotton applique

and cathrdral windows

I'm obsessed

for some reason I can't stop making these market bags. I guess it's better then paying for therapy. I'd love to sell some of them but they cost me around $15 in materials and take 45 +/- minutes to make--hence I'd have to sell then for at least $25. They are the very best grocery bags! perfect size, stylish, washable (but no dryer) they have a piece of plastic in the bottom for easy loading but I need to have at least 8 in circulation---4 for groceries and 4 hanging on my door waiting to go back in the car. Maybe I'll list a few on etsy.

 

OK Monica....a Sewn rag rug tutorial

Start with a heavy weight fabric--20X26 for a finished rug of 18X24. Fold over the edges 1-inch and use stitch wizard or leftover Ikea iron-on hem "glue". Yes, you can sew it if you want.

Then starting 3/4-inch from the edge make line every 3/4-inch. You may need to adjust the final line a little...no big deal.. this is a VERY forgiving project.

Cut up your old used t-shirts into stips of 1 1/2 X 4-inches

you'll need about 4 large shirts to complete this rug. I think the more color the better but have fun with this.

then lay the strips over the lines you've drawn and sew them on.

keep sewing---back stitch a little at the beginning and end of each row. Fold the first row over and continue.

keep going and you'll have this:

and this

looking forward

This is up on the "Wall"...

I have this wonderful hoard assortment of Denyse Schmidt fabrics and I've been playing around with what to do with them.

I think there are at least 2 quilts here and Free Spirit is going to re-releases "fleamarket fancy" in the next few months!!

also, much to my husbands chagrin I made this wondeful rag rug out of his old t-shirts

you cut 1-1/2 inch by 4 inch strips out of 4 or 5 t-shirt and sew them onto lines marked on your base fabric 3/4-inches apart. I think photos may be better then words but this was a fast and easy project. There may be a tutorial in the making...

I'm not one for resolutions as I think each and every day begins anew and is a gift. I love how my daughter declares that she wants art in her life everyday while applying to college saying she's interested in economics, history and politics. I am lucky.

For my friends and family I am ALWAYS grateful.

Happy 2012...
may your days be filled with magic, love and good health