My new older Brother
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: December 20, 2009
I went to the Salvation Army Thursday looking for some kitchen chairs, my MIL gave us a really nice maple kitchen table but no chairs, and to my hubbys despise we are using the lawn chairs (LOL, I KNOW). In my search I found this sewing machine sitting on the floor and the guy that works there happened to be standing there and said he tested it in the back and seems to work and I was more than welcome to test it myself. So I did. It seemed to work fine. When I was getting to the register I thought it looked broke, the spool holder was missing. SO I decided to put it back. On my way home I got thinking that if it was broken it was probably a plastic piece that could be replaced cheaply. So I got home and googled it, didn’t write the model # down so I just put in older brother sewing machine and saw a girl with one that looked like the same exact one! And it didn’t have the spool holder that I thought was missing. Since Sallys is about 35 minutes away and it was almost 6. I called and asked if it was still there. The girl who answered the phone huffed and puffed about having to go over and look and was just like “No, I don’t see it, it’s gone” Well honestly I thought BULLSHIT she didn’t look. So yesterday morning at work I called at 9am when they open and the girl this time who answered the phone went over and said “Yup it’s still sitting here on the floor, it’s marked $11.99″ And I asked her if she could hold it til Noon and she said she could only hold it for an hour. So I explained to her that I worked at the hospital and had to run home first, switch kids and come out. So she told me to hold on and gave me to the manager. So I explained my situation again and PROMISED I would be there no later than Noon. She agreed. I went home swapped kids and vehicles and made it out there in the nick of time! When I walked in the guy from the day before was there and was like “I know what you are here for” and went back and got it for me.
So here is my new older Brother VX 847. This is before I cleaned it.
And the best part when I was cleaning it I found in the accessory box the spool piece which I think is a secondary spool holder for when using the twin needle which it had too in there, wish I thought to look in there in the first place! There is a little extension thing towards the back that pulls up for the spool.
I finally got the chance to go up tonite and play with it. I printed out last night some diagrams and stuff on how to thread it. All though it was sewing really smooth the tension was just not getting tight enough, I played with it for a good hour plus. Gave up and came down stairs and just googled threading tension on brother. And found a better diagram, went back up stairs fixed my thread and it sewed perfect, just like butter and it is so much more quieter than my Singer Simple.
YAY now I can’t wait to go play. OH and the whole reason I was interested in it is b/c I wanted something that was older and heavy duty to sew some of the thicker stuff that I do. Like dog beds that get eaten after I put them in certain Miss somebodys cage. Or when hemming thicker pants or for when I find my Tullsta chair and re-upholstery it. So since this thing is solid and weighs about 20 lbs I am hoping it will do all the heavy weight stuff.
American Girl doll for my girl
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: November 19, 2009
- In: Crafts| kids
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About 2 months ago we started mysteriously reveicing American Girl Doll catalogs in the mail. From page one My Girl hemmed and hawed at every doll and accessory. I ah-hemmed at the price! She picked out the one she really liked and right off the bat wanted the ballerina outfit for her. And of course asked if we could order it. I told her no, that her birthday was coming soon and then christmas was right after. Off she went with catalog in hand……..Off I went to ebay……and found
She is an older AGD made by Battat. Her hair was matted and her vinyl skin was a bit dirty. But she washed up good and other than that she was in pretty decent shape. Best of all I only spent $9.98 with shipping!
Next I went to the wonderful web to find out what I could do with that hair. I found some great tuts on conditioning it, which I tried a deep conditioning but I kinda already knew she was going to need more, a lot more! Then I found a couple of how to re-wigs, and decided that would be the best option. Found a great site although I think the layout of it could be better, took me awhile to understand the navigation part of it…. but it’s called PrillyCharmin Doll Shop and this is where I found the new wig, the wig was size 10-11. Only thing is your order has to be at least $8.50, so I got her a few other things and my total with shipping was $17, still not bad at all!
Then off came the wig and out came the glue. Her she is all nakey and cleaned up waiting for her new hair to be put on. And taking the wig off was pretty easy indeed once it got started.
Here is my helper and this is also for blackmail purposes. This is before it was glued on I was checking to see how I wanted it lined up. The 2 little ones were with daddy going to get grandpa so without Miss Nosy in the house I got it done.
Here she is after I got it glued on. I did leave her out to dry for awhile sitting up so the glue would not leak or anything, that’s also why she is “wearing” a plastic bag, to protect her. I did get a little glue on the end of her hair which I have brushed out and there is one spot by her ear where I got some glue in the hair and the majority of that has combed out too, if I do it again I will do it in sections rather than putting glue all over the head and slapping the wig on.
Now you tell me does it even look like the same doll?
Here is the outfit (I know the collar is up on one side) I got her with the wig a little dress and shoes. Red is My Girl’s favorite color right now so it worked out perfect. I know she looks a little wonky but I was trying to balance her on the box so I could take the picture.
I have also picked up 2 Simplicity patterns to make her some clothes. One is a dress which I have the ballerina dress cut out, and the other is pants, shirts, jacket, pjs. I just need to find time where she is not over my shoulder trying to see what I am doing. I am also going to figure out how to make her some ballerina slippers. BUT I did notice at Hobby Lobby they have dolls that look similar and are the same size called Dress me too or something like that and in the same area they sell a few clothing items and some shoes, so if worse comes to worse I will go buy a pair. And I saw at Joanns the other day they have some ribbon that looks very similar to what is on her dress, so I think I am going to go buy some and some red and white fabric and make My Girl a matching shirt, she’s a PITA when it comes to dresses, but if her and the doll match I might get away with a shirt.
SO for a total of about $30 including the patterns (99cent joann sale) and the 1/2 yard of pink ballerina fabric, she has an American Girl doll, with 2 outfits, maybe more depending on what I sneak out of my existing fabric stash. I would like to make her some other clothes, a few outfits perhaps b/c My Girl is into the whole changing the doll clothes and stuff right now. And the older brother is supposed to be making her a doll bed for christmas, b/c that is the one thing she really wants for her dollies. The box she came in is perfect size, I could make that her carrying case, humm……………. I will update when more is completed.
Make your own washable duster cover
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: November 19, 2009
I got one of these dusters at the dollar store, problem is it only comes with 3 dusters then you have to buy a new one there is no refill. Well I already have now and I really don’t want anymore. So I looked at the thing and thought, I can make my own and washable too. The swiffer one and the one from the dollar store are the exact same piece of plastic by the way, even the same color. JUST IN CASE if you are not sure it looks like a 2 prong fork. I didn’t have a pic without the covering.
I have a bunch of microfiber towels I put in my stash. I took one and cut the edges off and folded it in half and cut. And as you can see the plastic piece fits perfectly in the half there.
Next as you can see in the pic above as weel, sew down the center of the prongs. I marked where they met and sewed from the edge to the dot.
Next leave the plastic thing in there and using a zipper foot butt the plastic up as close and you can get it and sew from bottom edge (where the blue is) to the top where the plastic ends. Then switch sides on your zipper foot and do other side. Make sure it’s snug. I did it in 2 parts before and after the little bumps there.
Simple enough right?? It comes off with a bit of force, which makes it secure enough not to fall off when you (or the kids) are using it.
Lastly just cut the edges, shake it a bit to get the fuzzies off. And you (or your kids if they are like mine) can go have fun dusting now. See fun progect to keep the kids busy!
As soon as I said it was done it was snatched from my hands and my little girl took off downstairs to use. She loves cleaning, she still thinks it’s fun.
The problem with cleaning.
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: November 4, 2009
- In: Dogs| sewing
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The problem with cleaning is that it always leads to more, and who wants to spend the day cleaning??!!
Today I was cleaning and sorting my sewing room, which lead to laundry. I had to fix Rocks bed and brought it down to the washer, switched loads and decided to do socks since hubby said he didn’t have anymore after his pair this morning, I only wash socks about every two weeks, I HATE doing socks, we all have enough to last about 2 weeks so. Anyways that lead to vacuuming out the bottom of the hamper, which lead to vacuuming the bathroom then the hallway. Which lead to cleaning under the couch b/c I had to look for socks of course. Was it fixing Rocks bed that lead to all of this or maybe hubby is right when he says I have ADD sometimes…..who knows back to cleaning the sewing mess……..
HELLOOO
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: October 23, 2009
Busy Busy Busy, busy doing nothing.
I have joined 2 swaps on craftster.org. One is a swap for the doggies and the other is a sock monkey or related swap. SO I have been busy crafting for those. Right now I have dog cookies in my oven that will be frozen then mailed out on Saturday with the rest of the stuff.
I used this here recipe . I had all the stuff on hand and it looked easy, which it was. I did use 1/2 cup pumpkin instead of 1cup bananas, which I used a baby food jar of. TIP: I hand patted my on my cutting board, next time I will then put it in the freezer for a few minutes to harden it a little b/c it got a little sticky after a few minutes. Shoot I just took them out and remembered I forgot the egg wash, oh wel, no shinny cookies.
And you know who was waiting very patiently, very drooling, very hoping a crumb would hit the floor. Sorry Benny Boy no raw egg for you.
Besides that it has been a crazy week, last week it snowed we got about 2 inches, didn’t stay long it was melted by afternoon. The past 2 days it has been so warm when I left for work at 6:45 that I haven’t needed a jacket. Yesterday later afternoon it was gorgeous out so we went out side and me and the little kids did some raking. And I took some pictures of the lady bugs that have been swarming our house, unbelievable.
Fall is in the air and leaves are falling. This is my favorite tree.
Here is Benny boy walking around with a lady bug on him. Yes I know he has a pink collar, Scoob chewed up ALL his other ones! Is he cute or what!!
And here is the big pain in the ass. She is now bigger than Benny. She has her good days and other days she’s on my shit list. Yes she is still chained up b/c she will take off if not, and no she will not come when called and she has a chocker b/c she gets out of or chews up everything else. She’s very disobedient, that’s the Rotti in her. The taking off must be the Staffi terrier.
Oh and here is the new bed they finally got. Not only is it a doggie bed but it’s a seude doggie bed, la-ti-da!
OH back the lady bugs.
And just because
Make your own cleaner
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: September 9, 2009
I have posted this before. And I have used it since. Just made up a new bottle. I have made others but this is my favorite.
“Natural 409″
1c. lemon juice, 2 c. water, 1c. vinegar and 1/4 c. liquid dish soap
I use this on everything. Sinks, counters, floor, whatever I need to clean this is my go to. I do not buy cleaning products anymore, not in about the last year that is.
How to sew a Driving Cap
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: August 24, 2009
I spent countless hours searching the internet trying to find a pattern for the Driving Cap (Ivy cap, Flat cap, Golf cap, Scally cap) depending on what you call it. My oldest son wanted one and we couldn’t find one, so I thought I would find a free pattern and print it off and sew it up. HAHA! There are tons for crochet/knitting but none for sewing. So at last I found one at the thrift shop for 99cents and figured I’d just dismantle it and trace out my pieces from there………
I did forget to take a picture of the original but here is my finished piece.
So this cap was not that hard at all. You have 5 pieces including your brim board. There was a lining but since my fabric was kinda heavy (canvas) my son didn’t want a lining in it.
FEW THINGS FIRST:
I am not an expert Millinery so bare with me. If my name piece labeling is confusing, sorry again not an expert here.
**This is my personal pattern, not for anyone to copy and sell thanks!**
Suggestions-If you have never made a hat before with a brim, try it out on cheap/scraps first b/c attaching the band/brim is a real PITA! You can also do some top stitching on the brim before attaching. Or around the top seams. You can stencil the top/sides. Have fun.
IF you want the pattern pieces send me a comment
CUT: 1 Top hat piece, 1 side pieces (labeled crown), 2 brim pieces, 1 band piece (or twill tape long enough), 1 brim board (if you are going to do a lining just do an extra top hat & crown piece)
ALL my sewing is at 1/4 inch *except brim piece*
First pin your brim pieces wrong side out (my wrong side are the camo) and sew on the outside curve leaving top open to flip and tuck your brim board in.
Now with your brim board inside *sew across the top as close to edge as possible*. For the brim board I just used a piece of card board from a soda box, OPTIONAL: I think I sprayed it with some silicone water gaurd stuff I got at walmart in the camping section (I already had it for something else). And there is actual special brim board you can buy just not sure what it is called.
Take your top piece and fold it so the center comes together and sew to the X that is marked on the pattern and it will look like this
OK so I wish I had taken better pics of this part here. Pin the top piece and side/crown pieces together. On the pattern I marked it with red Xs that say Pinning on both pieces. Match up the center of the sides with center of the front. Sew from one end to the other all the way around. (if you are doing a lining sew that together the same way)
Flip it out and your cap should look like this 
, and the brim is ready to be attached soon.
SO here is where it gets a little foggy b/c I did not take good pics again, and forgot to write it down and it’s been almost a year so…..plus I can’t get to the cap to take a look either, so we’ll wing it. I think I had bought twill tape to do around the inside but it was too short so I had to use some of the camo fabric and since it was a first time I was not worrying about it being perfect. **I did find another hat that the inside/brim/lining was done the same.
If you are going to have a snap on the top assemble those pieces now. I have seen them where the brim is glued to the cap, I suppose you would use permanent fabric glue. Snap your top and brim together and pin it flat make sure you get it centered and the brim edges come right to the edge of the cap. Sew the brim on abuot 1/4 in. Now your brim should have 2 sewn lines.
*TRICKY PART*(If you are doing a lining place that inside as well and make sure you have all 3 layers while sewing) So now take your band piece and starting at the center back line it up to the edges and sew 1/4 in up to brim. WHEN getting to the brim area make sure you get the edges of the brim. Take your band piece and bring it down the brim and stitch over top that first close to edge stictching, making sure when you are coming back to the next edge that you get all layers (I missed and you can see it sticking out a little-it’s under the cap so not really noticable). Meet back at the center, where you can fold the band over at the end (if there is enought) making it clean.
NOW turn everything into the cap and iron it down good. Sew around the edge about 1/8 in. MAKE sure you get all that brim (lining if you did one) in there too! In the pic you can see the inside of my cap with the band folded into it.
The inside should look like this. And you notice my brim corner on the top where I missed it.
Now let everyone try it on!
And after all that my son wore it to school and he said his friends said it looked like an old man hat and he didn’t wear it to school again. Even though he really liked it. Peer pressure gesh!
Today we learned another reason why Benny is part of our family!
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: August 20, 2009
- In: Dogs| Family
- 2 Comments
Today we learned why God had sent me Benny so many years before. If you know Benny than you know he is always 2 feet from my feet. He is my dog. My husband and I have always wondered what he would do if someone or something tried to hurt me or the kids. I have always said he would be able to tell by the tone of my voice if there is danger. Sure enough we found that out to be true today!
This afternnon I had taken Scoob out and tied her up on her chain, grabbed my can and went around the yard blackberry picking. My little guy was in the sandbox playing and Benny was right on my heels and my girl was in the house thankfully. While I was over at the blackberry bush on the side yard my little guy came over to tell me Scoob got off and was in the road over infront of the neighbors. I put my can down and was spitting and sputtering about that stupid dog. I walk over by the gazeboo and can see her still tied up. So I told him she was right there and walked back over to the bush where Benny was still lying and gaurding my blackberry can. My little guy comes back over and says Mommy that’s Bella in the road and runs over towards his sand area. Realizing something must be over there I put my can down once again next to Benny and walk over. My little guy is inbetween the corner of the swingset and tree that is next to the house, pointing saying Look Momma it’s Bella. No sooner do I get next to the sandbox area and where you can see down the side of the house here comes this dog right at my little guy. The dog was about 2 feet from my son starring him in the face, tensed up and barking nasty like he was going to attack him. I scream at him to back up and get in the treehouse and as I started to walk towards him to grab him, the dog (a pitt mix) & another one behind him is coming right towards my little guys face. Before I could get to him Benny came flying out of nowheres and lunged into the other dog running the both of them down towards the road. I grabbed my little guy and threw him up in the treehouse. And yelled to Benny to get up here (I didn’t want him getting hit by a car). Benny came back up and as he got to the same spot again the other dog came up behind him, Benny turned around and tore into him again. The other dog yelped and the both of them took off. Benny came right over to find me. The 2nd time Benny went after them I grabbed my little guy and took him in the house. I had run back out to get Scoob and Benny in the house too. I kept telling him he was good boy and gave him some cookies.
It is very scary thinking you are going to get bit by a dog (this is the 3rd time this year) let alone your child, specially when the dog and your kid are face to face. I thank god that Benny is always at my feet and always in sight of me. He saved my son from being attacked by that dog, and I am sure the other one would of joined in too. Benny was our angel in disguise today!
I immediately called Ray after everyone was in the house and I made sure Benny hadn’t got bit. I was so shaken up at the thought of what IF Benny hadn’t of been out there with us. And I told him the rest of that fence needs to go up pronto!
Here are 2 pics of the yard. The first one I am standing at the base of the slide, and at the base of the slide is where the sandpit area is. My little guy was standing closer to the tree where the picnic table is stood up (mowed earlier) the dog was at the edge of the hose. When I got to the spot where I took the picture is where I saw the dog come running up towards my little guy.
And here is how far away I was to begin with over by the blackberry bushes, where you see the clippings on the ground way in the back to the left. And you can see my freshly cut lawn too.
And here is the Hero of the day.
More on the blackberries
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: August 18, 2009
- In: Dogs| Homemade| Recipes
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So I decided that since we have these huge blackberries I am going to make some Blackberry Jam and can it too! So tonite I went out and got an ice cream container full. I wanted to make a test run before I did a huge batch. Test run was successful!
And just remember when you are picking your Blackberries not to use the ones the dogs were eating! This is Scoob taking a few from the bush.
And yes Benny & Scoob will both help themselves to the blackberries. Specially Scoob she takes mouthfulls as where Benny will pick one at a time.
Recipe to follow in a few days…………..
What was my girl drawing???
Posted by: stayinhomensewin on: August 18, 2009
- In: Crafts| kids
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My girl was sitting in the wagon facing the neighbors field, so I went over to see what she was doing.
She was drawing a picture of a cloud over the barn. She loves to DRAW!
So here are some pictures of what she was looking at. I did some black & whites too, but forgot to take a picture of her drawing, oops. Next time.
