Origami Owl - Living Lockets

I have a new adventure  - a young girl named Bella - decided at the age of 14 that she needed to start to earn some money so that by the time she was 16 she could buy a car.  That was 3 years ago - she is now 17 years old and the founder of a jewelry company - Origami Owl.

I love the line and like what it stands for......sharing our memories, our emotions, our hobbies ect by creating a Living Locket that is unique to me.

Here is a link to my website:    www.shawnstoen.origamiowl.com

Here are a couple of photos of lockets - these are the two that I wear.......

This one is honor of  my day who passed away in April 2004.  He died of lung cancer that metastasized to the brain.

This one represents me ----- I love my earl gray tea, I am a nurse and I believe in God

I am excited to announce that Origami Owl are launching there new spring line........let me know if you are interested!!!
www.shawnstoen.origamiowl.com

Sweater refashioning

Here is a project that I worked on this weekend.  I have a lot of sweaters!  A lot!!!!!!  I find that I do not wear my pullovers very much - either I am cold or I am HOT so I like the functionality of a cardigan.

Here is my sweater........

So here is what I did......

1.  I cut directly down the center front.
2.  Trimmed the cut edges with double fold bias tape.
3.  I made a button loop out of ribbon
4.  Made a little flower decoration out of left over bias tape and ribbon

So now my husband and I are having this discussion..........does it look like an "old lady" sweater?

We need your honest opinions!

Office wear

My next project was this jacket that I could wear to work.  I loved the colors and the heaviness of the woven material.  It is a simple pattern to make but the material is what makes it look so nice.  Lessons learned - woven fabric is a pain to cut and sew - NEVER pull the loose thread!  I really like this jacket and I have worn it several times.

I decided that I wanted to make a pair of fitted pants next.  I loved them - fit where they should - loose where they should be ect.  I again followed the pattern and soon realized that I needed to cut the pant length longer - of course I realized it too late.  I will only be able to wear these slacks with flats.  Oh well - I wear them a lot.  Next time........

You will never see photo's of me wearing my pants - I have a steadfast rule ----- photo's only of the waist up!  I am who I am - I am overweight.  Someday I hope to not be but that is a mute point - I am happy and the most important person in my life - loves me the way I am.

I would love your comments and suggestions regarding my sewing projects.

My first sewing project....

Okay - last fall (September) I invested in a wonderful sewing machine - a Singer Secura SEQS600.  I had this idea that I was going to make my clothes.  I have a hard time finding things to fit me ect.  I also thought that it would be cheaper if i were to make my clothing.

The machine is an all in one machine and I have been making embroidery projects - embroidering on purchased clothing, towels ect.

The first item I made was this lace jacket.  My niece was getting married on October 11th and I decided that i would make my outfit.  I made my pants - pretty basic pants (did not like how the waist band laid down).  Then I started on the jacket.  A couple of things - the lace is not stretchy (like it should have been), and there is a very distinct pattern.  I took my time cutting out the material so that I can make sure that the pattern lines up - I realize that taking the time to cut it right really is the most important thing.  Sewing lace is not as easy as i thought it would be but I do like the way it turned out.

Like i said - I also made pants - no photo's - pants are pants.  I have learned to watch the length more closely. 

Winter Coat conversion

I have had a wonderful and warm dress winter coat for three years.  It was a hooded pea coat.  It was dated - in other words - I did not like the hood and the fit was too loose.  So I took matters into my own hands - er scissors - and went to work..........

I cut the hood off........

 

I trimmed the excess to create a "sailor" type collar and sewed a new seam.........

I also took in the back waist band to cinch it in a bit.......

Here is my new coat!   Excuse the model - but I love it!!!!

Some Christmas Cards for special people

So last week my step son called me to ask a favor.  He wanted a special Christmas card for his aunt who is a breast cancer survivor and also wanted one for his Godson.  I was so thrilled - the fact that he felt that my cards were worthy of these special people!  He made my day!!

Here are the two cards that it made!!  I hope you like them and I hope the recipients like them too!!!

This one is for his Godson

 

This is the one for his aunt - his mothers sister.  

I absolutely loved making these cards.  The one for his aunt meant so much!!  I would love to see your comments!!

My first designed embroidery project!!

A very dear friend has the most precious little girl.  Colleen is celebrating her 1st Birthday with a penguin theme.  I made this little bib for her........

I hope her Mommy likes it!!!

So what have I been up to???

I recently purchased a Singer Futura sewing machine - you know the kind that does everything!  I have a goal to sew and resew clothing so that I can make outfits for work and special occasions.  I am excited because I have made two tops, a pair of pants and have embroidered on store bought jackets that needed spicing up.  So what does this mean?  It means that I will be sharing photo's of my sewing projects on this blog as well.  With my new crafting area - I am able to do all projects.  My goal for the weekend.....resew a sweater that I purchased that really didn't fit well, resew the pants I previously made to make the legs less "wide", start on a vest for work, start on my Christmas cards, and make a bib for a friends Lil girl.  Lots to do - but first I had better clean house......I hate to craft when I know that I have housework to do..........
Can I ask a favor?   I am not sure if my posts are going out to my followers automatically anymore....please - will someone let me know if they are getting the automatic notification?
Thanks!!!!

It is all done!!!

The final stage of my craft area redo is now complete.  This is what this wall looked like before:

 

Here is what I did.....

a. removed the wall organizer

b. removed the vinyl words

c. removed the shelf

d. repainted

e. moved the rod to center it on the entire wall

Here is the end result:

I hung black and white framed photo's with black ribbon from the curtain rod.

I painted wooden letters black and hung them from the rod with burgandy ribbon.

HERE IS THE FINAL VIEW FROM THE LIVING ROOM!!!

 I love it and I hope you do to!  Please let me know what you think.....I value your input.

My New Crafting Space

My crafting area is in a small area next to our living room.  When we have company people are able to see right into the area and are able to tell that it is my crafting area.  Our home is decorated with the North Woods decor - this area really stood out.  Here is a photo of the before:

On Pinterest I had seen people making desks using two 9 cube shelving units.    I decided that I wanted to create an island - using three 9 cube shelving units.  This is what we came up with........

This is what people will see from the living room - actually the rocking chair is in the living room.

Of course while i am crafting the two candle holders and runner will be removed.

My lil poodle, Buddy, has found that he can walk through this bottom square and sit at me feet or hide.

I painted the white shelves black.

The other wall is still in progress.....I removed the white wall unit (giving it away), and am selling my craft armoire.    The white cubes are stacked in the closet - out of sight.

I hope you like what I have done!!

I have recently purchased a sewing machine that also embroiders so I will also be posting photo's of sewing projects that I have made.

Wedding Card - Made with the Something to Remember Cartridge

This weekend we will be celebrating the marriage of my nephew Nathan to his lovely bride Jessica.  I recently renewed my membership with the Cricut Circle and we had a choice of cartridges to choose from.  I took the Circle exclusive cartridge - Something to Remember.  I like it!  It has a great font, wonderful label shapes and some very interesting items such as a toilet, arm in a sling ect.  There are mixed reviews about this cartridge but I honestly think that the colors that Provocraft uses in the cartridge handbooks definitely do not do the cartridge justice.

The bride and groom and the "Just Married" label are from the Something to Remember cartridge.

The papers used were from the My Minds Eye Life Stories Collection.

I hope that you like the card - I would love to hear your comments!!