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!

I am returning with my shop to re-open soon!

Oh my gosh!, It's been so long. It is been a crazy few months personally, but I soon will be up and running again. I actually have be contemplating and whether to re-open the shop.  It's not easy trying to make a go of it and thrive to make ends meet. But there are several reasons why I want to make this happen.  First of all: I enjoy making and creating.  I am totally obsessed really.  I have a room full of craft supplies, an awesome sewing machine that almost cooks itself, and plenty of fabric to sew a quilt or two or three! 

Second of All: My 2 boys are my biggest inspirations. So with that being said AND the fact that my youngest Son, who has Autism and my oldest who just entered high school year are my biggest inspirations.  I just can't face closing up shop.  So my friends, stay tuned. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.  I love feedback.  Take Care Pigeon Peeps and happy crafting!

Need your opinions on new ideas! Can you Help?

Hi Pigeon Peeps,

I have been coming up with some pretty good ideas lately, but I wanted to ask for your opinion. I am not having much luck in the marketing area.  But it's not my area of expertise.  I wanted some opinions or comments on some new ideas that might be of interest.  Thought about creating some really cool pillow covers with cute sayings on the pillow.  I make my own letters and that is the fun part. I made a sample one. What do you think?

I think they have potential and choosing the right fabrics that grab the attention helps too.

Then I thought about creating some different stuffies to add to the owl collection.  I created a new one and I am calling her "Krazy Kittums!"  She is a little tweaked because working with certain fabrics tend to be a challenge.  Embroidery isn't easy on soft stretchy fabrics. But I made a good attempt.

So there you have it.  My latest creations.  Happy crafting peeps.

I have Returned!

Happy Friday,

I apologize for the long absence.  I was sick for awhile and I am now back in the groove of things.  I fully admit that trying to keep a blog is quite the feat. 


 Don't get me wrong it's not that I haven't been doing anything in the way of sewing but I seem to be on a creative block.  I have made a few things for the shop, but because my mind constantly runs in several directions at once I can never be satisfied! There I said it.  I do believe that I have some form of ADHD, just my like youngest with Autism.  It's funny even with such things as body wash, I get bored with what I am using because I want use one that smells different.  Crazy I know, but I do have it under control but it took me 44 years to figure it out.  That's why my reading comprehension is about two minutes.

Well enough about my psychological health, on to creativity! Yay!  Take a look at a few things I have sewn for the shop.

 This is "pinky" my latest Little Hoot.  My goal was to get her done before the end of October for Breast Cancer Awareness,but that didn't happen.  That's okay, on to something else.

Shoulder snakes. These are made with long grain white rice.  Put them in the microwave for the ultimate in heat therapy.  Great for the boys, especially if they have sensory issues.  My youngest loves to play with these!

Now, since you all know that I like to do everything, my latest obsession is Zakka Life and all the cute(Kawaii) Japanese Fabrics.  I have some ordered from Etsy.com and will be making some cute stuff.  Stay tuned. 

 

I actually very addicted to all the cute Japanese prints.  These are just some of my favorites.

Now on to the last item to share.  I enjoy painting quite a bit and just last weekend I finished up an acrylic 24" x 30" painting.  I call it the "Quiet Coast."  It's currently gracing our living wall. More are in the works. 

Enjoy!   

                   

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.  Happy crafting Pigeon Peeps. 

It's Friday...Time to Share, but is My Head on Straight?

I keep asking myself that.  I really wish physics could really increase the hours in a day, because lately I don't have enough of them. 

I am very encouraged and excited because this week I had my first two sales in my shop! I truly took me by surprise and I wasn't prepared. Literally! Running your own shop is a one man show and trying to keep the blog is a challenge as well.  Sorry for not having the weekly Tuesday tip, just didn't have one prepared.  Too busy running to the post office!

 Yes, I am overwhelmed at times, but having my own business is a dream come true for me and I wouldn't change it for the world.  I have all of you to thank for that!!

I made my first "Sne(e)ak n' Peek bag.  Other people would name it "I Spy" bag, but knowing me I wanted to be different.  I had to test this toy on my youngest son, just to see his reaction.  These bags are supposed to keep children occupied for certain periods of time.  Well, honestly it didn't work with my son.  He also has ADHD and his attention span is about 15 seconds.  The interest level was not there.  He periodically picks up the bag, looks at it for about a few seconds at time and then puts it down and goes to something else.  He is a visual learner and sensory to the extreme.  That combination of ADHD and visual stimulation is really tricky.  I find it a challenge to find therapy type toys for him.  It's one of the reasons that I decided to open up a shop to see if  I could create something different for every individual. Every child with Autism is completely different and that is what makes them so unique!

 So I probably won't end up making these for the shop.  One, they aren't beneficial for everyone and two, everyone seems to be making these because they are really easy to create!

But I will share the bag that I made and pass it along to you.  Enjoy!

 

No word list here, just a visual list.  These are all actually buttons. Aren't they cute? How do you like the wizard?!


I want to share something special to me.  It's actually very old. I finally had to dig it out of my closet after a few moves.

I don't even have a name for her but she is an heirloom handed down to me by my Mother.  It was hers when she was a child.  I am not sure of the age, but I am guessing around 60-70 years or more.  She is handcrafted from felt.  The details are amazing.  Just look at the detailing on her skirt, on her face and look at the bottom of her shoes.  I just love her face and eyes.  Look at the curls in her hair and the braids.

I am not done yet.  I decided to try working with wood last weekend and came up with this cute welcome sign.

Cute penguin! Originally I thought it was an owl.  My oldest son informed me that it was a penguin!

Painted the wood sign with acrylic brown paint. Let dry. Purchased some small wooden stars and painted one with yellow paint, glued on.  Found the penguin and glued him on as well. Then I bought a sharpie paint pen
and did some fancy writing. Then I took a little hand drill and put a few holes in the upper corners.  Walaaa... Quick welcome sign.

Hope your enjoy your weekend.  Happy crafting Pigeon 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,

Happy Friday! Time to Share

Hi Pigeon Peeps,

Oh my! I can finally say that my computer's is up and running again. Yahoo! While my computer was sick I was able to create a few items and share them.  I still don't have everything installed yet, but it's coming along.  I have sooo busy that it seems like I don't ever have much time anymore!

Today is a special day in my family because my oldest son is turning 13! Happy Birthday to him! 

Of course being in middle school he thinks that his parents are walking ATM's and wrote out a long birthday list of things he wanted!  Welcome to Middle School and this is his last year. High school is next! Yikes.

Here is my projects I wanted to share.

A Messenger for Peace

I absolutely fell in love with this fabric. 

It's fully lined with a nice coordinating blue fabric with peace signs all over it.  Also has a 45 inch length strap 1.5 inches wide. Perfect for wearing across your body.

I will be putting this next item in the Etsy shop.  It's a cute boxed corner zippered coin case.  It's fully lined with Kona cotton and is made with some really cute Owl fabric from Joann's Fabric.   It can hold a lot.

Take a looksy.

Thanks again for sticking with me and I will be back later!

Happy Crafting everyone!

Being Busy and Sharing the Love!

Hi Pigeon Peeps,

I have been very busy doing everything but sewing! I have been trying to spiff up the blog, then BOTH my boys have their "Back to School" nights this week. I have also had a death in Family, so it has been an interesting week.

But I wanted to share with you many of the past projects I have made that really have never made it to the cyber-world.  They either have a flaw of some kind or an "oops." Sometimes they are just "trial and error."  Please enjoy!  Warning this post is picture heavy.  Hope you like my projects!

This is a large heated rice bag that I created, but it has a Velcro flap to it.  Not the style I had in mind. I do like the fabric though.

This is another version of a Heated Rice Therapy Bag.  A fold-over snapped version.  Good concept but I felt it wouldn't be all that comfortable if used on their heads or other areas.  The snaps just would not feel good next to the skin.  There again, I love the fabric.  How about those cool fish!  By the way, I am thinking this a good give-away item!  Hint, hint, nudge, nudge! Stay tuned!

This is my very first boxed corner zippered pouch.  I totally love this, but I couldn't sell it! It is an "oops", unfortunately the bottom seams don't line up. Boo... I would like to try making this again because these are just awesome.

This project here was intentionally going to be a cell phone case.  I call it my "Trial and Error".  It really just needed to be tweaked.  I made it too small for the cell phone when folded over.  But it's my own design and I think otherwise, it turned out rather nice.

One more note:  I am still tweaking the blog.  I would like to get more of my blogger friends following me, but   I am little apprehensive to place many gadgets on my site until my computer gets completely back to running properly.

Thank you for all your support! You are the ♥BEST♥!

Happy Thursday to you all.