Doing the Research

Hi Pigeon Peeps and Crafters,

Hope you all "never forgot" 9/11 this past weekend and so far having a good crafty creative week.  It's almost Friday and where did the time go?  I have been busy going a lot of research on what to create for my shop.  It is quite the challenge because I like working with so much different media and materials that I can't decide on the perfect project.  I enjoy doing so many different things: sewing, painting, calligraphy, macrame, beaded jewelry and the list goes on!

But since I am doing the research I might as well share what I created this past weekend.  I enjoy up cycling fabrics.  If I can find a use for it it makes me happy.  I love all those recycled stuffies that use old wool sweaters and vintage fabric, it's so inspiring! I attempted to make a heat rice therapy bag out of an old clean white t-shirt.  Then created my own applique and used heat bond to iron it on.  It turned out okay. 

Here's how I did it: Basically cut out a square about 3.5" X 5" long, stitched it together and left an opening on one side to add long grain white rice.  Filled it up about 3/4 cup full, then double stitched it to close.  That's it.  Now for the testing and research.  I placed it in the microwave and heated it for about 30 seconds.  Heated up nicely but being t-shirt cotton, it doesn't absorb the moisture like 100% cotton. It felt moist the entire time.  I don't think that would work well perhaps making the rice eventually go bad. So I decided to use it as a bean bag instead.  Problem solved. Lesson learned, when making rice bags use material that absorbs moisture and can breathe.  Like fleece, cottons, and linens. So back to the drawing board. :)

Here's the project:

Have a great rest of the week.  Happy crafting!

Where did the lights go? Shop Re-opened and Felt!

If you haven't heard by now there was a massive power outage here in my area on Thursday.  We had no power for almost 12 hours.  But everything is back up and running now.  No problems.

Announcement: My shop is now officially reopened. Yay! I am slowly adding my inventory to make room for other new items in the works.  I am constantly thinking of ideas and different materials to work with.  My latest obsession is with felt.  I love it.  It is so fun to sew with.  The possibilities are endless.  I made some little felt creatures with some really inexpensive eco-felt, they turned out okay but cheaper felt has a tendency to pill and pull apart. Really not impressed.  If you are sewing projects with it, I recommend wool blends or 100% wool felt.  Much better quality. 

This is my cute owl.  He is created with eco-felt.  I have ordered some wool and I can't wait to sew with it. i made a few more items that I will post later. 


Enjoy your weekend.  Happy crafting!

 

Sewing Tip

Happy Tuesday,

Sewing tip #1 for those of you who sew:  Change your sewing machine needle often or you will end up with skipped stitches and not a good look for your projects. I suggest changing your needle about every eight hours or every project! 

It's short and sweet today! Happy Crafting Peeps.

Beveled Corners

Happy Tuesday Pigeon Peeps,

Welcome to another Tips and Tutorials Tuesday.  Today's tip has to do with sewing and creating clean corners for projects such as curtains or place mats. Take a look at this easy tutorial.   

 

 I did forget to add that you should press again to keep things flat.

I hope this tutorial helps you the next time you want to make those pretty cut and clean corners for all your sewing projects.

Happy Crafting my Friends,

Tips and Tutorials Tuesday - Hiding the Veggies

Hello Pigeon Peeps,

I am starting a new segment here at Blue Pigeon called Tips and Tutorials Tuesday.  Every Tuesday I will post either a tip or a tutorial to share with each of you.  When it comes to tips, it could be anything from cleaning to Autism! I want to share what I learn with each of you!  Project tutorials won't come as frequently, perhaps only once a month because they take time to plan and prepare.  I haven't learned yet to make things simple!

This is Tuesday and Today I have a very simple tip for when you are cooking for the family. 

My son has Autism and if you are familiar with it, they tend to be very picky eaters. This tip isn't just for children with Autism, but for any child.  He likes about five kinds of foods and that about it.  One of his all time favorites is Spaghetti.  If he had has way, he would make Spaghetti a separate food group.  

This summer we had a nutritionist visit our house to weigh and measure Brendan.  Before she arrived I had to record exactly what he eat and how much for three days.  He's a little chubby because his behavior tends to be an issue with food.  He was eating WAY to much and it was becoming a problem.  Can you say "meltdown?"   He wasn't getting everything that he needed nutritionally.  Doesn't really like any veggies except salad and LOVES tomatoes with Light Ranch Dressing.  But we needed more. 

Since Brendan loves Spaghetti, the nutritionist suggested taking doing this:

Take about 1/2 cup of fresh spinach leaves and place in the food processor.

Then prepare Spaghetti as you normally would.  You can cook ground beef or turkey (I use turkey) in a saucepan. Or use no meat at all.  Then without your kids in the kitchen peaking, quickly add the chopped spinach!

Next, add a jar of spaghetti sauce or if you have time, prepare your own.  Me? I don't have the time.  This jar will do fine. 

Sauce complete. My son cannot tell the difference and doesn't even notice that I have added anything.  It has been working fine.  He has even lost weight and the meltdowns happen less now during dinner time.  I hope this one tip has helped you today.

Enjoy! Until Next Tuesday!