Write It Down, Get It Done

December is turning out to be the month of getting things done. I love it!

Quite a while ago, I began the sweater below. It's from a Rowan magazine, and it's a Martin Storey pattern. It appealed to me because I love anything with a cable, I loved the oversized aspect of the sweater, and too, I had yarn that would work. 

In progress. 

I finally finished the knitting!!! For those of you who knit, you know that the knitting is one thing, the putting it all together is another :/

The sweater is basically together, all I have to do is a bit of steaming, and then sew the cable to the hem. I have a pair of wool tights that I made using my own pattern, and a fabulous pair of over the knee boots. The boots look more gray in the picture. They are gray, but with a green undertone. I plan to get the piece finished up today, so pictures of me in the sweater will follow soon. 

The yarn I used as you can see in one of the above pictures is from Lorna's Laces. The warehouse is opened maybe 2 or 3 times a year, and small batches of mill end yarns are sold. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase an entire bag of this yarn, so I had plenty for the sweater. While the ply and stitch count is the same as the Rowan yarn, this yarn is a little less drapey, so my collar doesn't come down as far on my shoulders, which I really like as it turns out, so all's well that ends well :)   
  

Quite a few years ago, I came across THIS pattern for knitted and felted clogs from Fiber Trends. They are so easy to knit, so I ended up knitting a boat load of them as gifts for friends and family. They LOVED them!!! In fact, all have been worn completely out, and all have been asking for more. 

My husband is one that has been asking for a new pair. I finally got a new pair done for his birthday. You should have seen the look on his face when he opened the gift :)

Even if you are a novice knitter, these are quite easy to make.
They are huge once the knitting is completed. 

You will need access to a regular agitating washing machine. The slippers are put in and allowed to agitate in hot water. It takes about 45 minutes. When they come out of the machine, they are fuzzy as you see below, but beautifully shaped. 

 A bit of a hair cut, and the slippers look fabulous. 

Now to get them off my husband's feet so I can sew on the leather soles. The leather soles are a must if you have tile, or hardwood floors. The slippers can be, well, quite slippery! You can find the leather soles HERE. 

When I finally get a project completed that I have allowed to languish, I always wonder why I didn't get to it sooner. A question I have yet to figure out. 
But, I will say this...
Back in January of this year, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2018. While there are things I have not accomplished, I have been amazed with all that I have. The trick was to make attainable goals. I listed things as small tasks that would end up as big projects being accomplished. 
Last year, I read the book, Write It Down, Make it Happen. It has had a profound affect on me. I highly recommend it to anyone who has dreams and goals that they would like to achieve, and yet has a difficult time making it all happen.

This year, I am adding a little something to my daily routine,

It's a simple daily task of recording what was important about your day. I love it! So often we have accomplishments that just become part of the fog of our past. Once I receive my book, I'll share a little more. Look for it on one of my book review videos :)

Have a wonderful day, and I hope it includes getting something done that will make you feel fabulous!

Rhonda  

Monday Morning Inspiration/Christmas Gifts

For those of you here in the U.S., and those of you who are not, but still celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. We had a lovely day with friends, did our traditional Thanksgiving day hike. It was just the boost that my dog Gracie needed. She misses Little Bit so much, but I think that she is finally beginning to move on. 

I usually do a bit of the cooking for Thanksgiving. I did Roasted Cauliflower, recipe HERE(skip the wrap and just serve the cauliflower, it's delicious!), and I also roasted Brussel Sprouts. I always soak my brussel sprouts in salt water for a few hours before cooking, removes the bitter aspect. I then added the same ingredients as the I did for the cauliflower. A great touch for brussel sprouts is to add toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese. Give it a try, I think you might like it :) 

The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the Christmas season here in America. So many of us enjoy giving handmade gifts, I know I do :) So here are a few ideas that are quick to make.

If you look at the top bar of the blog, you'll see a tab for free patterns that make great gifts.

The Free Beret Pattern

You can find the instructions HERE, and the pattern HERE.

Free Slipper Pattern For The Family

You can find the patterns HERE, and HERE. The instructions can be found HERE.

Free Poinsettia Napkin Ring Pattern

Not only does this make a great accent for your holiday table, it's a fun and easy project to do with your children, or grandchildren. You can find the pattern HERE, and additional pictures HERE.

Make a pile of headbands with THIS tutorial.

From my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series;

Kimono Bag

This bag is nothing more than 2 rectangles. You can find the instructions HERE.

Necktie Cummerbund 

Just combine 2 coordinating neckties and you have a fabulous belt! You can find the instructions HERE.

Fleece Ski/Winter Hat

This is my favorite winter hat. It's nothing more than a rectangle, so it goes together in minutes. You can find the instructions HERE.

Tote Bag

This bag is super easy to make, just purchase a panel at your local fabric store. It's large enough to carry everything! All the instructions can be found HERE. 

Pompom Collar

Super cute and will dress up jackets as well as sweaters. Find the instructions HERE.

High End Clutch Bag

The lovely Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist did a guest tutorial for us on making THESE fabulous clutch bags. Just be careful if you do decide to give one as a gift, it might end up being a gift for yourself!!!

Clam Shell Wristlet 

You can find my pattern for the Clam Shell Wristlet along with the instructions HERE. Great for any holiday party. Great gift for upcoming proms and weddings too.

That should be a nice start to get your creative juices going :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a few more ideas.

Just remember....

 Happy Holiday Making!
Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Gift Giving Made Easy

It's been a rather tense morning as my dog Little Bit is not feeling well. As I drove her to the vet's office this morning, I couldn't help but shed a few tears. She's 15 years old, so our time together is drawing to a close, faster of course than I would like. The good news is that the vet feels that she will pop back. So today, I am making some special food for her and just staying close in case she needs me. 
Since I am in the kitchen today, I decided to make up a few jars of Fire and Ice pickles for friends and relatives who have been asking for a new jar. If you like pickles, and you like a bit of heat, these pickles are just the best. I originally posted the recipe HERE. They do have a little kick, but only a little.

The pickles are so easy to make up and make a wonderful "homemade from your kitchen" gift. And, they cost next to nothing to make! The only problem is that once you give someone a jar, they will want more. So print out the recipe
on a cute card and attach it to the jar. Maybe they'll get the message that they can make their own jar next time...maybe :)
I have 4 batches going at the moment and I'm thinking that I may need another 4. At least they are easy to make!

Remember too that I have a few free patterns available that make up quickly, and make a wonderful gift. The poinsettia napkin ring can now be downloaded by just clicking HERE. They really do give a holiday table a special touch.

I also have the Beret and the slipper pattern available. Sadly, I have not figured out how to get the patterns onto a downloadable file, at least not yet. But if you would like the pattern, just send me a note and I will get it out to you as quickly as I can, sewbussted@yahoo.com. If by chance you don't hear from me, please try again as sometimes the messages go to my spam folder and I may miss it.

Hope you are having a lovely day. 
Just remember to enjoy the simple moments, as in time, they become our most precious memories.
Rhonda

Happy Feet, Warm Feet!

Good Morning Everyone! It was like Christmas yesterday. I received a box packed full of pillowcases. As we say in the south, we're just "spitting distance" from 1000 pillowcases!!!!! More on that later. To make it even more like Christmas, there were two little gifts for me in the box. Again, more on that later, thanks Andrea :). I also received a fun little package with goodies for a potential project that should be over the top fun. And last but not least, a package with the new issue of Sew News Magazine......

 where you can find my slippers. Yea!!

Talk about just in time. I wore through the slippers I made last year so I was in desperate need of a new pair. Now I can wear the slippers I made for the article. My feet are so happy :) Let me tell you, I am loving the sole on these.

I have found just one little issue. In all fairness, I have rather skinny ankles, but the slippers bag a little in the back. It really isn't that big of a problem, I would just rather that they didn't bag.

If you make up the slippers, what I would suggest is to taper them at center back. There is not a seam at center back, but you can easily pinch them in and serge in the seam. The drawing below demonstrates the tapered seam. Be sure to do this before you glue the slipper to the platform.

 I had called the slippers, Mommy and Me. For an alternate version,

I bought this glow in the dark paint from Tulip. The soles are made from just regular canvas fabric. Once they were finished, I then took the paint and drew in my design. This was so much fun! And the paint really does glow in the dark. It comes in a wide assortment of colors too. The paint gives you the ability to personalize the slippers and have a blast in the process. It also keeps the slippers from being too slippery.

Since the holidays are just around the corner, many of you are beginning to think about gifts. You can download a copy of the slipper pattern here, http://www.sewnews.com/articles/Mom___Kid_Easy_Sew_Slippers?bc=c, and then pick up the magazine for all the instructions.
Or, you are always welcome to email me, sewbussted@yahoo.com for the pattern I made here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/09/fabulous-free-pattern-friday_20.html

Have a wonderful day and make some feet happy!!!
Rhonda

Slippers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just received this picture from Mary and had to share. She made slippers!!!! Don't they look wonderful?!!
Here's her note,

"Here is my first pair. They were so much fun to make and I can't believe how quick! I plan to make many more. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. Have a wonderful holiday season."

The pattern will be available for as long as I can send send it out, so if you would like a copy, just shoot off an email to me, sewbussted@yahoo.com and I'll get the pattern out to you as soon as I can.
By the way, I recently received another copy of the catalogue where I originally saw the slippers and they are still selling them for $26.95 each, but you have to buy two pair. Incredible.
If anyone makes up the slippers, send photos, I would love to see your creations!
And if you would like to see the original post and tutorial on the slippers, you can find it here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/09/fabulous-free-pattern-friday_20.html
Thanks Mary for sharing!

Giving

Today is the Thanksgiving holiday here in America. As I think about the word "thanksgiving," I'm a little overwhelmed with all the thoughts of what this holiday seems to kick off here in America. In an increasing attempt to be the first to grab our holiday dollars, stores are opening earlier and earlier. If I'm not mistaken, there are stores that are open now as I write this at 8:30 in the morning. Now, I am not 20, and I'm not 90 either, but I well remember what this holiday represented at one time. There was the coming together of family, the Thanksgiving Day Macy's Parade on television, food that was lovingly prepared, games in the yard later in the day. There was no thought of shopping whatsoever, all the stores were closed. If there was something you needed for your meal, you borrowed it from a neighbor. On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we would head downtown for the traditional kick off of Christmas with the parade where Santa would make his first appearance at the end. Stores did not open early, people did not stand in line for ungodly amounts of time, nor did they run over each other as the doors opened. And yet, stores made money.

Thanksgiving, a two part word, the first part implies a thankful spirit. I have so very much to be thankful for, but today I want to focus more on the second part of the word, giving. I recently received a message from a woman asking for the slipper pattern. She told me that her funds are quite tight and yet she wants to give gifts. I've also heard from women who are getting together to make slippers for people who are bedridden as the slippers easily slip on and off and are not tight against their legs. There was a home ec teacher who wanted the pattern as a community service project for her class. I'm so touched. 

So in the spirit of giving, I thought I would revisit some of the items that I have posted that make lovely presents, or wonderful decorations and cost very little to make. 

First up is the Pointsettia Napkin Ring that I posted last year. I have sent out so many patterns for this little napkin ring. If you would like the pattern, just email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and I'll get it out to you as soon as possible. A lovely little present for a friend would be to make a set and include the pattern. Just an idea!!

Many of you have seen the slipper pattern I posted a few months ago. If I had a dollar for all of the patterns I have sent out...I would have a lot of dollars!! But money can never replace all the lovely people who have floated through my life. And even more, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity and honor to hear your stories. Thank you. If anyone would like the slipper pattern, once again, just email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to send it out.

  

Last year I posted this Christmas ornament. It's basically a quilt on a styrofoam ball. Even better, there is no stitching, just ModPodge!! Many of you make clothes for your children. What a wonderful little memory piece it would be to use scraps from the items you have made for them. You can find the instructions here.

This is a funky little item I made for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday a year ago. The necklace is made from strips of felt, super easy to do and it doesn't take forever to make. You can see the instructions for the necklace here.

I hope that maybe one of these ideas will help to make your holiday season a little less stressful.

I'm off for a hike in the woods with my dogs!

Have a wonderful day!

Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday/Fleece Sippers For The Family

Welcome to Friday!! I'm really giving you a free pattern today, Yea!!!!!!!!! Make sure and read all the way to the end.

Last winter I came across this slipper in a catalog. I liked it, especially for traveling, but look at the price. The $26.95 was not the price for two, it was the price per pair of slippers if you bought two. I don't think so. As I looked at them I thought, how hard can this be? As it turns out, not hard at all.

My finished slipper.

As I said, they are great for traveling as they fold flat and take up no space in a suitcase.  

The slippers that were advertised just had fleece on the bottom. I used the Slipper Gripper on mine. Really works great. 

For the slippers you will need a package of Slipper Gripper. There is enough in the package to make two pair of slippers. You will also need no more than 1/2 yard of fleece. Check out the remnant bins at the fabric store and be inventive.

 Cut 2 soles out of Slipper Gripper.

 Cut 2 soles out of fleece.

 The layer of fleece will be against your foot and inside the slipper.

 Cut 2 sock extensions. Serge the top of the sock extension as you see above and below.

 Fold the sock extension in half and serge the center seam.

Cut 2 of the toe caps and serge them to the sock extensions as you see below.

 The slipper is beginning to take shape.

Now match the soles to the top of the slippers. There will be ease in the slippers so pin in place before serging.

 Fold down the top edge of the slipper about 1".

 Zigzag over the serged edge.

 The slipper is complete.

 

If the slipper is too large, you can always go around it with another row of serging and just come in as much as will make a comfortable slipper for you.
So....the pattern is FREE!!! Just click HERE to download the pattern. There are 3 sizes on the pattern. The medium size was the slipper I originally made for myself. I wear an American size 7 shoe. The medium size would fit a size 8 as well. I sized the pattern up so that it would fit my husband. He wears a men's size 10 shoe. The slipper is definitely large enough to accommodate a men's size 11 as well. I sized the slipper down to a small. You may need to tweak it a bit, but I think you can make it work. If by chance you don't have a serger, you may always zigzag the edges. These make wonderful gifts. They are so fast to make, less than an hour for the pair, cut to finish. They would also be wonderful as items to sell in a bizarre.
I also have another slipper pattern available. This pattern is the same slipper, but it includes a small size for children, a medium size for women, and an optional cuff. Just click HERE to download the pattern. 
If you have any questions, email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and I'll do my best to help.
Happy Slipper Sewing!
Rhonda