The Fabric Addiction

It's incredibly dangerous for me to go in search of a fabric for someone's order. I try to use mainly thrifted, re-purposed fabrics. (My sister is forever seeing some of her favorite old clothes made up new into shoes...) So my first stop is always thrift shops. This weekend I went searching for gray fabric for a pair of boots I have an order for.

There are two reasons why it is dangerous for me to shop this way. Firstly, I inevitably run across fabrics I would love to make into shoes. Secondly, they are usually only fifty cents to four dollars tops, and thirdly I know that if I don't buy it then, it will probably be gone if I go looking for it in the future. So I generally end up leaving the store with a giant bag full of items.

That's what happened this weekend.

It's all awfully pretty though, right? Almost all in the same muted tones.

Grays and yellows in a sweet floral pattern...

Love this pink and cream stripe...

Fabulous creamy cotton perfect for lining shoes, and crochet trim as a bonus!

This one I see summer clothing for Em.

This is the fabric for the boots, slightly grayish purple will look fabulous with a little cream colored lace and black velvet...

This one wasn't a thrift item, but it was hugely discounted Waverly fabric and I love the pattern.

I also bought a vintage white tablecloth, so soft and romantic.

Yards and yards of fabric for under $20. Not bad right? And there were so many items I resisted buying, so we are making progress...

Microwave Popcorn In a Paper Bag

I have loved popcorn as a snack my whole life. So much so that when I was a kid, I used to get popcorn makers as gifts at Christmas. (Now that I am a parent I realize this is probably because I ate so much of it that I broke the one the family had, so mom bought a new one and "gave" it to me as a gift. I hold no grudges, I was totally happy with it.)

Had we only known then what I know now. Having seen this on Pinterest, I knew immediately I had to give it a try. Microwave popcorn, in a plain old paper bag? There are a few reasons why that is AWESOME. Firstly, it's cheaper to buy bulk popcorn. But, secondly, it's a pain to get the big whirly pop out and cook it on the stove having to clean it as well as the bowl you eat the popcorn from. And thirdly, the stuff they put in microwave popcorn, the stuff that coats your mouth when you eat it? I have a friend who worked in a factory where they make this stuff, and shortly after starting, he developed "popcorn cough.". Just hearing that made me want to steer clear.

So, I gave it a try per Squaxkfox's directions and it worked fine the first time, but, the next few times I tried it I had some major burning issues. I've tweaked the method a bit and thought I would share my tips with you since, I have heard I wasn't the only one who had issues with burning.

First, I have found if you double bag, it insulates the popcorn better. So double up!

(Please excuse the picture quality, I am having camera issues.)

Then I though, there might be a reason why you're supposed to cook the store bought variety on its side. The popcorn has more room to spread out while it pops, cutting down on burning too!

Cook for 2.5 to 3 minutes, listening as always to make sure it doesn't over cook. Then enjoy! Hope that helps for those of you who had the problems I had!

Cari Cucksey Has Her Shoes!!!

Cari Cucksey's shoes

Last night was so exciting for those of us in The Artisan Group who gifted HGTV's Cari Cucksey in a special swag bag. This was the fist tweet that we saw.

 CariCucksey Cari Cucksey 

Oh My Goodness @theartisangroup I'm in the middle of opening my bag of goodies & I feel like a kid on Christmas morning! #IAmSoGrateful

16 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

We were all on pins and needles waiting to hear how she liked everything. She followed up with this:

CariCucksey Cari Cucksey 

@theartisangroup Okay you all are Amazing Artists & So Awesome-still opening my little treasures. I'm Loving everything!!! #theartisangroup

16 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

When she was done opening, she thanked the Group:

CariCucksey Cari Cucksey 

@theartisangroup Thank you to All of the artists that created my AMAZING gift bag! You Rock! #theartisangroup

15 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

And then she took the time to thank some of us individually. How sweet was that?  Here is what she said to Good Little Things:

CariCucksey Cari Cucksey 

@ 

@goodltlthings I Love everything...when something is handmade it just radiates Love! My shoes are Adorable!! Thank you very much. Xoxo

16 hours ago Unfavorite Undo Retweet Reply

Yay! I'm so thrilled. It's been so interesting to see as a part of this group which celebrities will take the time to acknowledge a gift, and which ones don't. Cari has been simply delightful. In fact, she has asked if any of the members who gifted her wholesale, so that she can carry them in her shop. How great is that?  Got to love a down to earth Michigander.  

My Darling's New Boots

It's very hard not to let it be true, that saying about the cobbler's children having no shoes. But, sadly, it really is. When the weather first turned cold, I started dreaming up designs for my girly's boots. I even went ahead and cut them out. Now, here we are, at the end of January and they are finally done. Good thing we live in Michigan, where we are assured of another couple of months' worth of wear. Want to see?

They're my first pair of leather boots, the leather coming from her father's old leather coat. I love when I can do that, make something for my children from something that was once another family member's.

I went with this fabric for the bow because at this time in her life anyway, she has a very bibliographic nature. When she's very tired, she will climb into my nap and say "Anne, Anne." And then she will sit there sweet as can be, and listen to me read her an entire chapter of Anne of Green Gables. It makes for very sweet memories.

And did you notice her sweet little hat? I couldn't resist adorning her head too.

I love the flower made from lefter lace. And the tie is antique velvet ribbon. She's my little elfin love, so how could I not make her a little elfin hat?

She seems to like it.

What do you think?

The Muse Revisited

After Christmas last year, my daughter was in need of a new pair of boots. So I lovingly fashioned her what I call my Muse Boots, because she is my muse. I will always remember designing them, while freezing in my basement sewing space and watching "That Hamilton Woman" on Netflix. I love the design. And this year, I got to make a pair for one of Em's friends. They were born a mere month apart. I can not believe how time has flown by.

Remember these?

Oh, the sweetness.

Well, here they are slightly larger, but still I hope just as sweet.

This was a very impromptu photo session, and Em was very anxious to get back to watching Cats. Yes, from Broadway, that Cats. Totally obsessed with it. It could be worse.

At any rate, it was hard to get her to stay still for long...

These lovelies have seven layers of fabric in them, and while putting on the soles, my poor old Bernina said, "I just can't do it any more." I was asking too much, I know. So, I had to buy a stronger machine. Did you even know that Toyota has been making sewing machines since the 40's? I now own one, and I love it. It works like a charm for my needs. Powerful, but not a full on industrial machine. So happy with it, so far.

And, as an update, the shoes I made for HGTV's Cari Cucksey are en route to her officially and she should have them by Friday. I will keep you posted!

Bubble Bath for a Doll

I have two boys, and my youngest is a girl. So, to say that I am reveling in having someone who loves dolls and mothering and all things girly would be an understatement.

Though, for a while there, she had no interest in stuffed animals or dolls or anything like. I was beginning to think I had a tomboy on my hands. Not a bad thing, mind you. It's just that I had all of these dolls from my childhood that had been saved, what was I going to do with them if she didn't want them?

Then one day, I was doing some cleaning out in the basement, and I came across my old cabbage patch premie named Victor Bruno. Oh the mothering practice I got with him. I actually picked him out at the Cabbage Patch hospital in South Carolina. That was quite a memory. As soon as I pulled him out of the box, Em who was standing right there, held out her hands for him, called him "Baby" and it's been love ever since.

The thing is, he's decades old, despite his baby like appearance. And I played with him. A lot. And then he's been in storage, carted from state to state for years and years. So, he wasn't looking so good. I threw him in the wash, and it helped a little but, he was still looking rough. And the problem is that for some reason, Em likes him naked. So all of his stains and character marks are there for all to see. I let it go, but then when her friends were over and  practically fighting to play with the only other doll to be found, and flatly refusing to play with Victo, I knew something had to be done.

Pinterest to the rescue. I found stain this treatment recipe and thought, "I wonder what would happen if I were to give Victor a good soak in that..." So, on to the experiement. The sad and dismal "befores", which thankfully don't photograph as truly bad as they were.

I mixed Dawn and Hydrogen Peroxide together in a big pot with some hot water...

And gave Victor a nice soak. I was totally jealous, it's been a really long time since I have had a bubble bath.

I did scrub the toes and the hands with a more concentrated solution. Then I tossed him back into the wash and sent him through the dryer with a load of clothes. And you won't believe how he turned out!

The "Afters"!

He's spotless, and so much less embarrassing. Now, she can love on him all she likes.

Also, in case your curious, (because I was) I tried this spot treatment on our very old carpet, and it worked wonders with very little scrubbing. I highly recommend it!

Shoes Made For Cari Cucksey of HGTV's Cash & Cari!

I am privy to some incredible opportunities as a member of The Artisan Group. Remember the headband and cuff  that I designed for and gifted to Zooey Deschanel? Well, I am excited to announce that Cari Cucksey of HGTV's Cash & Cari will be receiving a pair of Good Little Things shoes, designed and made just for her!

Source

If you don't know her, Cari is an estate liquidator based near Detroit, Michigan. (A fellow Michigander!) She also has a shop where she sells antique finds and re-purposed items. My favorite quote from her is this: "Everything was once worth something to somebody, and it can be again." This couldn't have been a more perfect pairing!

Aside from all of that, Cari is incredibly down to earth and so sweet! She has already been responding via Twitter, to member inquiries about likes and dislikes, and has expressed in advance excitement and gratitude for all of the handmade goodies she will be receiving. Which just makes it an even greater pleasure to gift to her.

It took me forever to decide a color combination for her shoes. Her three favorite colors are green, orange and turquoise. All colors I love myself. But, I finally decided on orange and turquoise because I thought the warm color fit her warm personality.

Then it took me forever to decide on the embellishment. She doesn't strike me as overly flowery, so I decided on a bow. I had planned on putting it towards the back, but it just wasn't working visually. So, it ended up near the front. I simply adore the sumptuous silk it's made from.

The orange fabric was a remnant I had on hand. It looked fresh and modern and bright and cheerful. All words that came to mind when thinking of Cari. The turquoise silk is fabric I have held onto from my college days. That's a long time, and let's just leave it at that.

The soles were made from re-purposed suede. (Let's face it, I have no business wearing suede pants these days.) And the little turquoise beads on the bow were taken from a belt I bought at the Country Living Fair this year. I know that Cari was there as an exhibitor, so I thought it was fitting to add them!

I lined them with fleece, because I happen to know it gets really cold here in Michigan! Oh my gosh, I hope she loves them.

For the New Year

We are trying to implement some new things around our house this new year. One of them is the letter of the week. My oldest taught himself to read, phonetically, when he was two. So teaching a child to read is actually new to me. My middle one is 3, and while he recognizes some letters by what words they might start, naming letters has only happened with the letter S. So, I thought, let's make this fun...because, he just isn't into being read to as much as his brother and sister. But, I have a feeling when he can read himself, there may be no stopping him.

So today we did the letter A. We taped up a flash card on the wall. We colored on letter A printouts. We traced the letter A with our fingers in some sensory bags. And we had an A lunch. Apple slices, ants on a log (and all over our plate) and letter a bread sticks.

The bread stick recipe couldn't be quicker or easier (unless you just open a tube.)

1 packet of yeast (or 2.25 tsp of yeast)
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp oil
2.5-3 cups flour
1 cup barely warm water.

Mix all together and knead until no longer tacky. Let rest for five to ten minutes. Shape and bake at 350. While warm I brush with butter and sprinkle on some salt.

And now, he calls it the letter A instead of the letter apple. Progress!