Today I noticed...A finished product really encourages me to try something else.

I've been playing with my new sewing machine and learning to make different items. It is such fun to create something from a few pieces of fabric. Then, having the opportunity to personalize what I create and really make it one of a kind is also rewarding. 

I just finished my third bandana tote bag. I saw an advertisement for one and then saw a blog post tutorial and decided that I wanted to make one for myself. 

My First Bandana Tote Bag

I'm really partial to a red purse. So, the traditional red bandana seemed to call my name. I lined it with a navy bandana. I also added a handy zip pocket and a recessed zip top closure. I'm probably going to remove the closure because I'm finding that I rarely want to close it up and that sort of gets in the way. All in all, though, I am really happy with my tote bag.

I decided that creating personalized bags would make good gifts. So, I've started down the path of making the girls in our family a tote bag. I've done a bit of tweaking on my method and I'm still not perfectly satisfied with how I want it. The bag below has traditional red bandanas as the lining.

My Second Bandana Tote Bag

Yesterday I finished another gift tote bag. It really made me smile in spite of the fact that I had to pick out the stitching for the lining because I had made a mistake putting it together and the fact that the bandanas I used were a little off-square and I had to wrangle with them a bit to make it work. 

My Third Bandana Tote Bag

The finished tote bag is just so cute and eye-catching. The brown one above is lined with bandanas that have boots and hats intermingled with the paisley print and has a pink background.

I love how the different prints coordinate and really do make each bag unique. At this point I have completed the three using slightly different techniques for each one. I think I am honing in on exactly what steps and methods work best to create just the bag I like! 

Even though I had a couple of hurdles to jump with this particular bag that I finished up today, when I hung it up on the closet door, I really felt encouraged to make another one. It is exciting to see how each one turns out and anticipate how the recipient might enjoy it. I don't know if I will start another bag tomorrow or will delve into a smaller project. One thing is certain, I'm looking forward to giving some sort of stitching project a try!

More Wreath Sash Gifts

I've said before that wreath sashes are my Go-To and that really is true. When I want to try out a new design, I almost always go to a wreath sash. They are perfect for a three-inch embroidery design. They are easy to assemble with long straight seams. They don't require lots of extras like zippers or snaps or buttons or tabs or anything. They make good gifts.

Side one of an H wreath sash - patriotic and monogrammed

Side two of the H wreath sash - floral and monogrammed

I've been seeing that people are easing into fall already even though the temperatures are still in the hot summer ranges of the nineties around here. I had bookmarked and added things to my shopping cart and all the things one does these days when scrolling and thinking and gathering ideas. So, I pulled the trigger on a few new designs and decided to stitch them out.

Side one of a B wreath - patriotic and monogrammed

Side two of a B wreath - fall pumpkin and monogrammed.

I used a few pieces of leftover and found fabrics to make them. I'm not sure where I got the yellow gingham but it was a nice squared-off piece that still had selvage edges. So, I just ripped widths from selvage to selvage. I remembered that the last time I had made a sash out of the light yellow gingham the fabric on the back side sort of peeked through. So, I used and iron-on interfacing and backed it to try to prevent the color peeking through. That also helped to make the fabric have more heft. However, with a design that is pretty dense with stitching, like the pumpkin, there still was some puckering. Most people who are the recipients of my gifts don't notice or care but it frets me somewhat. However, in the big scheme of things, the product is still beautiful, personal, and one-of-a-kind. Isn't that sort of the definition of a good gift?

   

   

I made a couple with patriotic designs on one side and floral on the other and a couple with the fall pumpkin on one side and patriotic on the other.. They will go to different folks and I really like the look of both options. I'm guessing the patriotic design could be used in the summer for Flag Day or Independence Day or for most any patriotic holiday such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, etc. Then, the simple fall pumpkin design could be used from late September all the way through till Thanksgiving. The floral monogrammed sides could be used most anytime no matter what season. I feel like that is a nice gift for some of my women friends and family members and offers some versatility.

Side one of an O wreath - fall pumpkin and monogrammed

Side two of an O wreath - turkey and monogrammed with a swag of greenery

I had seen some monogrammed wreath bows. So, I gave one of them a try. It really takes a very long strip of fabric to make one of those. I'm not sure how the bow will stand up to wind and rain either and we all know that most doors are going to have a bit of weather exposure. I do like the look but I think I like the shorter one that is just looped and knotted better.

Side one of an H wreath sash - greenery with bow and monogrammed

Side two of an H wreath - pumpkin and monogrammed

I think one of the fun things about creating wreath sashes is how each and every one can be different. Even though I used the same fabrics on all of these wreaths, each looks completely different. They could all be hanging on doors in the same hallway and each would have an individual and unique appearance. The stitched designs vary or the font can vary or the monogram is different for different people or the colors can be mixed and matched. Sometimes simplicity really provides a whole lot of variety.

Wreath sashes lined up on a bed

I catch myself walking by the bedroom where I have the finished products laid out flat to prevent wrinkles and smiling a little smile of satisfaction. I hope the recipients enjoy them half as much as I have enjoyed creating them!

Just 3 Things | #42

I wish I could be more like Dolly. Don't we all? I think we are all mourning the loss of her and her goodness. Here in Tennessee we sort of feel like we lost one of the best parts of our entire state. She was a ray of sunshine, a philanthropist on another level, and a talented storyteller and performer. May she rest in peace.

- What I've Been Working On -

After catching up on some housekeeping chores, I've been working on stitching up gifts again this week. When I purchase an embroidery design, I try to consider different ways I might use it. I look at so many things but one of them is the number of different sizes that are available with the purchase. I'm always thinking that I might use a larger size but haven't really had a need to thus far. Then, this week I tried out one of the designs that came in a larger size. Again, I learned so much. The number one thing I learned is that a solid design like this really takes a LOT of time.

The design I stitched in a couple of sizes is a simple pumpkin with a leaf. I stitched the smallest size onto a thin gingham fabric with an iron-on stabilizer added as well as a couple of layers of tear away stabilizer. It stitched up nicely. There were a couple of thread problems when stitching the leaf veining, though. I guess it was just the heavy duty stitch concentration that caused the thread issue. The smaller one will eventually become a wreath sash with the pumpkin on one end and a monogram on the other. Then, I stitched the largest version onto a heavier weight upholstery fabric with a couple of layers of cut away stabilizer behind it. This version will eventually become a table runner with the pumpkin stitched on either end. Again, on one end the leaf veining caused some thread issues and I had to rethread my machine. Again, the design stitched up nicely. Neither is perfect, however. On the smaller version, the outline of the pumpkin on the right hand side is a bit off. On the larger version, the outline of one of the pumpkin sections is just a wee bit off. Both are still beautiful in my eyes and I am excited to give each as a gift!

- What I've Been Watching -

We haven't really been watching much this week. I started a series from Amazon Prime called Heart Guy. I think what I'm enjoying about the show is the people dynamics. The main character's dynamics with his quirky family and the dynamics with his coworkers. 

I really like watching something where there is representation of what people are really like. Oh, there is some rather exaggerated quirkiness and that just seems to add to the humor of the situations depicted. 

I also watched an episode of Reacher recently. I forget how violent this show is. I'm sure that some of that violence is a reality in this world but I'm so thankful it is not in mine. It is always rewarding when a program shows the good guy winning and I think that is what is the attraction in this program for me. Plus, I like the main character and how he breaks down things in life to their most simplistic base. This is a program that I do nothing other than watch when it is on because I would miss so many clues and vital pieces that make up the story. He is a noticer and I am always impressed by that in people. 

- What I've Been Reading -

After finishing my last book authored by Kathryn Hughes, I decided to dive into The Secret, also by her. I guess I just wasn't ready to let go of the concept that past events and the back story of those contribute to the present day. I did really enjoy The Letter and the concept of how the letter really did seem to bring people together in the end. I'm just barely into this one, so I cannot say whether I love it or not or whether it is a good follow up after reading Hughes's first book. Maybe I can report more deeply about it next week. 

I got my hair cut a little differently last week and I'm still trying to decide if that was a wise choice or not. After wearing it in a fairly single layer for a while, I asked the hair dresser to add a bit of breeziness to it and add more layers as I showed her a photo that I liked. Usually when I get a new shearing, I immediately either really love it or really hate it. This is a first for me. I guess time will really tell. Of course, it seems that no matter how I have my hair cut and styled, it seems to sort of gravitate back toward the same look. I guess I just know one way to style my own hair and that is how it will be no matter what. Have a breezy, layered weekend!

County Livestock Show Fun

The county beef show was this past weekend. The grandchildren who live up on the hill next door had their parents take their cattle to the Ag Expo Park for the show. They got things settled in - bedded the space, set up fans, put out some hay, rinsed the cattle, and tied them in. Then, it was over to another barn and the 4-H project chicken sale to sell the chickens they'd raised for the boys and mama, Bonnie. Dad and Abby Lee were off to their softball scrimmage. The Mister, grandfather, was left to keep watch over the cattle.

Later, the Mister returned home and had a snack before we loaded into the truck and headed over for the cattle show. First, came the showmanship classes. Abby Lee participated in the Pee Wee class. She did a good job, thanks to the coaching of older brother, Levi, and a docile Hereford heifer named Kaitlyn.

Then, it was Levi's turn to show in the Junior showmanship class, followed by Easton's turn to show in the Explorer class. Then, it was time for the heifer classes. First, Levi showed the registered Angus heifer they had raised. 

She and Levi worked their way up to Reserve Champion Angus heifer. It is always rewarding to win an award with an animal that was born and raised on the family farm.

Levi and Kaitlyn returned to the ring for her class. Together, they earned Champion Hereford Heifer honors and Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer 

The steer show followed the heifer show. Easton and his steer, AJ, shined in their class. The steer was sort of a middle-weight calf. 

Levi and his heavyweight steer also caught the judge's eye for a little extra attention. All in all it was a wonderful experience for the kiddos and their family. Even dad was all smiles back in the barn.

We were all smiling big smiles as they loaded up the cattle and equipment to head back across the county toward home. It was loads of fun and quite rewarding for all of us. Let's hope that everyone is still smiling after the sale of the steers on Thursday!

Just 3 Things | #41

I'm trying to get back on track for a Friday post of J3T this week. When I started writing this sort of post, I was adapting an idea by Marian Parsons of Miss Mustard Seed fame. I knew that I had a hodge podge of ideas from time to time that I could just throw together as a post, none of which were really important enough to garner their own individual post but just ideas I wanted to capture. I liked Marian's categories and figured I could adapt to make them work for me if I kept it to a good old 1,2,3 format. Some weeks it is easy and some weeks I have to think about it. But, by and large, three things seems to work for me.

- What I've Been Working On-

This week I was a bit tired from galivanting round to watch the grandchildren exhibit their sheep and weathering through the unbelievably hot temperatures during the Tennessee State Fair. So, I didn't tackle a big project. I'd had a little bit of a hiccup last week when my sewing machine was bunching up the thread making a huge mess of a project that I was working on. So, I knew I was going to have to do some troubleshooting. I'd spent some time reading up to find out what might be causing the problem and I'd watched a few short tutorials and figured out that I might need to look for some sort of dust gathering in the machine and change out the needle again. I learned that some people change to a new needle with every single new project. I don't really believe that is necessary but maybe I could be wrong. I feel like I am alright to make three or four little zip pouches before changing out the needle. I did think it was time for a new needle and changed that out. 

Following the instructions from another source, I decided to really examine my machine and look for where dust might have gathered. I noticed a teeny tiny little bit of lint in my bobbin case.  I took a cotton swab with some machine oil on it and gathered up a teeny tiny little ball of lint that was about the size of a small piece of broken pencil lead. I had a hard time even finding that and had my reading glasses on as I was peering into the innards of my machine. That must have been the problem because I had no issues with the first item I stitched. I guess the mechanics that allows for clean, precise stitching also causes it to mis-stitch at times. I don't like having to troubleshoot but I do like the work the machine does. So, I'm trying not to get frustrated when each attempt I make doesn't turn out perfectly. In addition to completing and sending off some bag tags for one of the granddaughters, I worked on making some other gifts for holiday giving.

Embroidery for a Fall Wreath Sash

This week I have stitched up several gifts. I'm making wreath sashes for some of my relatives. I think the gals will appreciate them and it will be a different sort of gift than what they might get from anybody else. I tried out some new purchases - a new font, a new generic leaves and bow, a new turkey. I started with the closest match I could get to the colors described by the creator on the turkey. Then, I tweaked him a little bit. I didn't really like the green colors used in the fan and wings of the bird. So, I changed it up a little bit when I changed fabrics for the next gift. Then, I'll change it just a bit more for the next time. I don't think I will be making loads of things with this turkey, though because it takes quite a while to stitch out and uses lots of color changes. He does stitch out beautifully, though, in any color!

More Embroidery for a Fall Wreath Sash

One thing is for certain, I really like the new font I tried. It was part of a combination that I purchased from Blue Willow Embroidery. My next attempt at a wreath sash is definitely going to include the pumpkin that the font came alongside. I can see it looking pretty in several different colors as well. I look forward to having it on a wreath sash but I think it would be pretty on napkins, placemats, and more. 

In addition to the fall themed wreath sashes, I did a few with summer patriotic themes. I think a reversible wreath sash with a summer concept on one side and a fall or winter one would be a gift I'd really feel good about getting and that is the sort of gift I like to give.

- What I've Been Loving -

Thursday morning of this week we awoke to a thunderstorm. It was rattling the windows and we even had a lightning strike somewhere near enough to us to knock the power out briefly. In addition to the thunder rolling through and the downpour of rain, we also had some marble-sized hail bouncing around on the roof and the porch. It was quite the alarm clock. 

The best thing about the rain moving through - well, besides the fact that we got some moisture that was much-needed - is that the temperature cooled off. That meant it was not sweltering and for the second time this month the Mister has put chicken on the smoker to prepare us a delicious meal. 

Oh, we don't eat the entire chicken in a meal. We have leftovers and that is the best part. One day we have the chicken fresh off the grill and I add a few vegetables to the mix and it is a wonderful meat and three sort of meal. Then, the Mister will debone the chicken and we've enjoyed pulled chicken bar-b-que sandwiches. I've made a little batch of chicken salad. We've eaten some of the cut up chicken on a salad. It really is fabulous. I love that it is delicious, clean eating but I also love the fact that we have a good ingredient for another meal or two and that means less thinking and effort on my part. Win! Win! So, does that mean that this 'loving' section is sharing that I'm loving the Mister or that I'm loving the smoked chicken? Both! For sure!

- What I've Been Reading -

As I mentioned in my post about writing letters yesterday, I'm currently reading The Letter by Kathryn Hughes. I love the concept of this idea. A letter was written in one era but didn't get to the intended recipient. Instead it was opened and read by another person during a later era. I like that we get information about why and how and when the letter was originally written. I like that somebody else winds up reading the letter and it impacts their life. I guess I just like to think about how a letter really does make an impact even when it reaches the intended recipient. 

In the classroom, I often had students write letters as part of an assignment. Sometimes I would have them write to a character in a book or to the author. At other times I would have them write a letter to another student sharing information about a book they were reading. We would write letters at the beginning of the year where they were telling me things I needed to know about themselves so that I could be a better teacher for them. We would write letters to our future selves as a way to think about the future and make goals and plans for later in the year or for the next year. We would write letters later in the year to future students telling them what to expect in the class and I would share those letters at the beginning of the following year to new students. 

I guess I just like the idea of capturing ideas and thoughts and expressions and revisiting them and a letter is really a good way to do that. I'm enjoying this book and by reading it and some of the other things that relate to letter writing that I've stumbled across this week, I am inspired to write more letters!

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Summer is hanging on around here and we are not rushing it away. We wouldn't mind if the temperatures stay out of the ninety degree realm though. I guess that when it gets that hot, I'll just have to stay inside and do a bit of letter writing. What about you?

Today I noticed...Letter writing really is a thing.

I just started a new book. The title is The Letter and it is written by Katheryn Hughes. The letter is written in one era and the reader is in another. The book is telling the story of how the letter came to be and the impact it had on the people involved. I'm just about a third of the way into it but I'm already engaged and looking forward to getting to know more about these characters. I'm sharing this because I kind of thought letter writing was pretty much a thing of the past.

When I was a young girl, letter writing really was a popular means of communication. We wrote letters to relatives who lived in another state, for example. I remember corresponding with my Great Aunt Mae, who lived in Mobile, Alabama. She would send us a package and we would write a thank you note. She would write us a letter and we would write her back. Now, I realize that was a way for my mother to keep us writing and practicing what we learned in school. It was a way for her to keep us occupied and not making messes or fussing with one another. It was a way of showing respect to her aunt, who lived alone and far away. Plus, it gave us something to look forward to - our own mail arriving in the mailbox. 

I continued my letter writing habits up until both of my children were involved in dance lessons, baseball practices, student council, and other school activities that required me to be a taxi. The busy days and quick communication by phone seemed to replace letter writing. 

Then, a few weeks ago I learned about Postcrossing. The school teacher in me comes to the surface and I think of loads of ways for students to write a short message and send a postcard. If I was in the classroom these days, I'd probably have students do that as a warm up activity or use the exercise as a quick way to fill that last few minutes of class if a lesson wrapped up early. (Does that even happen? I always ran out of time to do the things I'd planned in class!) It would be a low stakes way for students to practice their writing skills and they would have an authentic audience for their work.

Then, just this week I was reading through ideas shared through a list I'm on related to The New York Times. It is called The Good List. It is just a collection of good things that are happening in the world. Who doesn't need to know about some of the good things around us? There is a short list of "six good things to add some joy to your day." Anyway, I learned about an online game that is sort of fun and addictive to play each week - Clues by Sam. I completed all of the Clues by Sam games for this week and it really challenged my thinking skills! I highly recommend giving it a try. The puzzles get harder as the week goes by. I found I had to rely on the hints - a lot. 

There was an interesting link to an article and information about Baseball Walk-up Songs. We think about that sort of thing already since we have had several ball players in our family. (Don't mention walk-up songs to my son, Bryan, though. He dislikes anything that might be distracting to his players.) There was also an interesting link to an essay about a couple's third thing. It really set me to thinking about what the third thing is for the Mister and me. It also made me pause and wonder what might be the third thing for other couples we know. Plus, it made me want to ask my grandchildren what the third thing might be for them as they navigate dating. Curious minds want to know.

At any rate, I really enjoyed reading the offerings of this week's Good List and each item on the list certainly made me pause and ponder - as usual. Added as a sort of afterthought to the list this week was a mention of someone from New Orleans who found a new calling. Boy, did I find her new calling inspirational. It makes me want to write letters again. I went down the rabbit hole of this site: The World Needs More Love Letters. It might not be the type of love letter that you first think of, though. I tend to agree that it inspired me to write more letters. I will give a try to writing letters to those who I love as well as those who might need a little more love in their lives. First to come forward in my mind is my hairdresser who shared a bit of personal information that really tugged at my heartstrings and made me keep her in my thoughts for days after my hairdo appointment. I'd also like to make sure my grandchildren get a bit of mail from time to time and I will probably stray from the prescribed hand-written and snail mail letter and send some positive text messages and emails to them, too. 

I know I'm a writer at heart but I would be remiss if I didn't encourage others to be writers as well. A letter is an easy way to do that. Why not write a letter to somebody this week just so that they can feel a little extra love? Letter writing really is a thing and I think it is a good thing.

Gift Making - Bag Tag Style

Well, I've made a little something for all the girls in my daughter, Bridgette's family with the exception of Lydia. Bridgette got one of my first projects as I was testing out my machine. I made her a reversible wreath sash. One side was patriotic and one side was floral. I still like it and I hope she does as well. 

Then, I made a couple of pouches for Lillie for her birthday. One was a cute makeup pouch that is lined in a really cute clock fabric and the other was a simple stand up zip pouch with nail polish embroidered on one side and her name on the other. It is lined with a cute nail polish print fabric. 

I used scraps of fabric for the outside of both pouches. I just love how they turned out and I think they will be useful for our aesthetically minded Lillie.

Next came Luci's birthday gifts. I made her just a simple zip pouch using scrap fabrics. Embroidered on one side of the pouch is her name in her current favorite color - purple. On the other side is the name of her school mascot - Tigers. Since she recently earned a spot on the middle school volleyball team, I thought she might use the pouch for things to take to matches or practice. 

This is such a versatile little pouch that it could gather up all sorts of things and be dropped down into a tote of backpack. 

I'd also done some practice work making some cute bag tags. Bridgette got a couple of them.

I even threw in a multi-colored ribbon tassel for her as I was learning to make those at the time as well. Middle school Luci also needed a bag tag, I thought. So, I put a couple together for her as well. 

Again, her volleyball interest became an easy theme for those bag tags. I later added another bag tag for her that I mailed in her birthday card.

The birthday bag tag is one of my favorites that I've made so far. The designs and fabrics just seem to be a perfect fit. Those little tags are really cute. I can see why they are trendy but they also are quite a bit of trouble, especially since I seem to think they should have something on both sides whenever possible.

So, three of the girls in Bridgette's family have gotten treats from my new embroidery machine. However, Lydia was a bit left out. Her birthday is in the spring. So, she didn't get a birthday gift. I didn't use her as a practice project. So, she had no little cute treats from me. I decided I'd better remedy that shortfall this week.

I did a little head scratching to decide what I needed to stitch up for her. As a senior in high school who is taking college classes as well as high school courses, I knew she probably didn't wag a book bag or back pack full of books around. However, she does play in the band. So, she has a saxophone case. Plus, she just recently got her driver's license. So, she would need a keychain. I decided bag tags would be just the thing. 

I adapted one of the designs that I had purchased to use for decorating a zip pouch for her for Christmas and featured the sax on the center of a bag tag.

I tried out a new font I had gotten as a bonus with another purchase and put her first initial on the opposite side. 

On another bag tag, I tried out a music note design that I had purchased. One of the reviews says that the machine stops after stitching the heart and would allow for changing colors. I must not have been paying close enough attention to do that. But I do like it all in one color. It stitched up smoothly and beautifully. 

On the back side I used a scrap of fabric and added a bit of a LaVergne and Shirley touch with the swirly L. I'm sure Lydia won't know about LaVergne and Shirley but I have fond memories of all her monogrammed items.

As I was stitching up those two, I got a brainstorm to create one for her as a senior year sort of thing. I've been wanting to make a long narrow bag tag and this Bengal Tiger design was perfect for it. I got it free with another purchase. So, I decided to give it a whirl. As sometimes happens, the colors did not translate well for this design. The first one I stitched had the tiger body in a brown color. While I know that tigers do look sort of brown, I wanted that true orange look for this tag. So, I stitched it out a second time using a true orange. (That's one thing I wish these sellers would do - tell what thread brand they use. Giving the number of the thread is just not enough for me sometimes.)

Then, on the back side, I combined a couple of fonts to commemorate her graduating class year. One came with my machine and the other is one I purchased. I kind of like the long, narrow bag tag. I strung them on a carabiner and added some ribbon to a key ring to finish them all off.

Now Miss Lydia will be all gaudy with her keys or her instrument case or something and all four girls in the family will have a stitched up something from me!