Heirloom Project

I am a sentimental person and like to keep all things that have sentimental value. Recently I heard an idea that has in turn given me some ideas for quilts I would eventually like to make. One of them involves saving all the Little League (or whatever) uniform shirts while your child is young. By the time they reach college, the shirt fronts with the team name and logo, and the shirt backs with their individual number can be used for squares on the front and back of a quilt. The border fabric could be a print fabric with baseballs, basketballs, or whatever is appropriate to match the squares.

Another similar idea is using fabric scraps either from sewing projects that involved special events for the child or from actual outfits worn by the child during special events such as a school play, a Halloween costume, a wedding they were in, or any other special occasion. It could even be a favorite outfit that would bring back memories of special events. I have an abundance of ideas in this same vein such as vacations, etc. I can't wait to have time to do use some of these ideas in quilts myself.

At this moment, I need to read my Server Migration assignment.

Bobbin Organizer

I don't know about you, but I have tried numerous ways to keep my bobbins organized over the years and have yet to find the perfect method. Here are a couple of ideas for you to think about.


Clover offers the Stack 'N Store Bobbin Tower, a freestanding bobbin keeper. I like the fact that each stand holds 30 bobbins, and the towers can be stacked on top of each other for even more bobbin storage. Individual bobbins are easily snapped in and out of the tower, and thread colors are clearly visible. Although this is not an inexpensive choice, it is the closest I have come to the perfect product for bobbin storage.



A less expensive choice is Bobbin Wraps. This is one of those products that you look at and think, "Why did't come up with this idea?" It really does tame those stray threads. Additionally, since my sewing machine utilizes a clear plastic bobbin, I am able to see the thread color through the top of the bobbin. However, if your machine uses a metal bobbin with a limited ability to see through to the thread color, this is probably not your best choice as it covers too much of the thread color. Bottom line: This product is inexpensive and keeps stray threads securely locked into place.

Holiday Buying Guide

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dirt Devil. All opinions are 100% mine.

My favorite thing about Christmas is seeing the excitement on everybody when they open their gifts. Normally I wrap my gifts beautifully with lots of ribbons and trimmings. Besides having fun wrapping them, I want my gifts to stand out among other people’s gifts.

As for the content, I don’t think I want to give something handmade. The main reason is because I don’t think I can find time to make it. Also, not everybody appreciate handmade items. They though that if I make something from scrap, it is because I want to save money. They don’t know how much time and efforts that goes to handmade items.

I try to organize myself early on in this incoming Christmas. I made a list of things to buy as gifts for my family and I tried to find good bargain online.

I just found out last night that Dirt Devil published holiday buying guide. It lists over 300 websites, tricks, and celver ways to save when you shop online. For example, if you want free shipping, you just browse the links that the buying guide lists under free shipping. The buying guide also lists a bunch of link to website that provides coupons. So, before buying anything make sure you check these website, sometimes you find coupon that will save you even more.

I found it interesting that this buying guide also includes the links to handmade items. They list out etsy, but I can’t find artfire there. Probably it’s because artfire is new.

Anyway, I found this buying guide useful because I can find so many tricks and tips to find good deal, not to mention the “Dirt Devil” good deal itself. How can I resist a good deal like “A hand and stick vacuum in one” for only USD 29.99,- ?

Quilt Festival

The Palm Beach County Convention Center will be host to the first World Quilt Show on Nov. 13-15, 2009. The event will be host to the 2009 Grand Finale of the World Quilt Competition XIII. This international quilt contest draws entries from across the globe. Last year's 2008 competition displayed quilts from 10 countries spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and including Australia and New Zealand. It is the largest and most comprehensive showing of international quilts in the United States.

Hearts & Garlands by Liz Jones was the 2008 Best of World quilt in the World Quilt Competition.

Valley View by Pamela Druhen won third prize in the Innovative category in the 2008 World Quilt Competition

Scottish Dance by Linda Steele won third prize in the Traditional category in the 2008 World Quilt Competition.


The show will also present a Florida statewide prize-money competition. Entrants are required to be residents of the state of Florida. This, along with many other special exhibitions, is sure to create a spark of excitement with enough "eye candy" to satisfy any quilt-loving enthusiast in attendance. The festival will also boast a Merchants Mall with a lineup of nationally known vendors offering everything imaginable for quilters, wearable artists and home sewers. If you are in the Palm Beach area on these dates, swing by to see some beautiful quilts and buy a few yards of fabric to add to your growing collection. Go to QuiltFest.com to check out other locations of shows around the country.

Cooking

My husband likes to watch cooking show. Sometimes if the recipe is easy and the result looks good he would try to cook it. I can't cook and don't like to cook but I like to eat. So, it's nice to have someone to cook for me. Probably I should ask him to learn to cook at one of the culinary schools such as Northwest Culinary Institute. This school is a Division of International Air and Hospitality Academy. International Air and Hospitality Academy's main campus and corporate headquarters are located in Vancouver, Washington, just 12 minutes from Portland International Airport. This 15,000 square-foot facility accommodates up to 20 new students per quarter. For more information, visit: www.nwculinary.com.

Crocheted Necklace

Crochet isn't just for clothing or housewares. Some of the trendiest jewelry today is made from thread and beads. Even if you've never tried threadwork or beadwork before, this amazing beaded and crocheted necklace will probably be within your skill comfort level. Beads are threaded onto a double strand of thread, so it's fairly quick work too. It would make a wonderful gift for any girlfriend on your list, but be sure to make one for yourself too!

Need Better Vision

Embroidery has been around for a very long time. As long as people have sewn clothing, they have decorated it with stitching. Embroidery began in the Middle East and the Orient. I love to to embroidery, I just don't like the time it takes to do a project... or the vision to do it. When I was younger I used to be able to spend hours to do it without tiring my eyes, but not now. That is why nowadays I prefer knitting or crocheting. I can do it without looking.

Speaking of better vision, do you know that you can win $5,000 grand prize from Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) just by making video showing the impact of improved vision? If not, then hurry since the contest is still open for more entries. You can choose one from three selected theme:
1. My contacts are getting in the way of my good time
2. My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision
3. You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure

If I win this iLASIK Video Contest, I will do vision laser correction and nothing can stop me to do my beloved hobby again.

The Prizes
$5,000 Grand Prize
First Prize (one in each video category):
HDTV package — a $2,500 value
Second Prize (one in each video category):
The Flip UltraHD™ camcorder — a $199.99 value

Teaching Your Children to Crochet

One important key to successfully teaching children something new is to make it meaningful to them and have the result be something fun and creative. When teaching kids to crochet, it's generally best to use a smooth acrylic or wool yarn in a medium or bulky weight, and light or bright color, along with a larger-size crochet hook, such as size I, J or K. The lighter color and smooth texture of the yarn make the stitches easier to see, and the larger hook is easier for small hands to grip.

Naturally, learning to crochet starts with the simple chain. As kids get the hang of chaining, it's wonderful seeing them get "hooked" as they beam with pride at their accomplishments. Once kids feel comfortable with their chaining skills using the smooth yarn, you can then introduce them to a few novelty yarns with interesting textures.


What really makes learning to crochet "click" for kids is discovering what fun, cool things they can make -- even with those simple lengths of chain. Thanks to the flexibility of the crocheted chain, it can be used just about anywhere you might use a piece of string or cord.

Kids can turn longer chains into necklaces, which can be embellished with beads, buttons, charms, medals or school awards. Shorter chains are perfect for bracelets, anklets or even rings. Chains can also be made into cute hair decorations or colorful ties for holiday packages. With some cardboard, short chains and a hole punch, kids can make hanging tags to match!



For a personal, one-of-a-kind style, kids can string their shoes with their own unique crocheted chains, made to the same length as the original shoelaces. Colorful chains can also be shaped into pretty flowers and scrapbook embellishments or used to create simple bookmarks. Two or three long chains braided together make a cool-looking belt. The creative possibilities with the simple crocheted chain are virtually endless!


Not only will children enjoy putting their new crochet chaining skills to good use, but they can also help you use up your yarn scraps in the process. What's more, after seeing how much fun they're having with chains, kids will be eager to learn the next step -- single crochet.

Pocket Calendar

As a stay at home mom, I need to have 2 pocket calendars: a basic one (for doctor/dentist appointments, birthday/anniversary, etc) and the other one is lists of things to do.

I need to have a routine and stick to it. Monday and Wednesday are my doing things out of the house, Tuesday is cleaning bathrooms and laundry, Thursday is laundry again and Friday is dusting, mopping. If you like me and like to get organize, get pocket calendars and write things down so you can see what you have to do. They have nice selections and I am sure you can find one or two pocket calendars that you like.

If anyone asks me if we can do something on a certain day, I can look right then and see if we are free to go.