2015 Thrifty Thursday Recap

When I was in the first grade, our teacher gave us a little math assignment, figure out how old we would be in the year 2000. The year 2000 seemed like more of an idea out of science fiction rather than an actual date on the calendar. Now here we are saying goodbye to 2015. The 21st century has become commonplace. Just think of all that wasn't possible just 15 years ago. I love this new era that we are living in. I love being able to connect with people all over the world. 

Just 15 years ago, I would never have dreamed of being able to access a pattern on the internet, download it, cut it out and make it up. Amazing! I absolutely love doing the Thrifty Thursday posts. It gives me the opportunity to discover new pattern lines, and hopefully bring a little something fun into your life as well. So here's a look back at the free patterns that were showcased during 2015.

2015 began with me sick. But I covered my face as well as the horrible fever blister I was sporting and shared with you this super cute winter hat. I need to make another as I gave this one away...washed it first though :) This project is perfect for upcycling old sweaters, and it also works well out of fleece. You can find the post HERE.

Perfect for Valentine's Day or just a little memento of love, the free heart pattern from IThinkSew. See my post HERE. 

I absolutely love this free skirt pattern from Tessuti! In fact, you might think it's the only skirt I have as I wear it so much. In the post I also did a little tutorial and adding a lining. You can find the post HERE. 

The next piece we did was this little raglan sleeved top. In the upcoming weeks, I'll get a picture of me in the top. It really is quite nice on. I made a few changes which you can see HERE.

My beloved Kantha Jacket. I went back and forth about cutting down the collar and finally just left it alone. I get so many compliments on this piece. 

This is the first jacket that I made. It's a free download from Sew News. You can see all of my posts on the jacket, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Last winter, my husband bought himself a vest. He raved about how much warmer he was when he wore the vest. I just couldn't see how he could be that much warmer in a garment that had no sleeves. Well, I started wearing his vest and found out. Rather than completely hijack his vest, I decided to make one for myself and use the free pattern from The Purl Bee. I lengthened the vest and added the elastic to the back for a better fit. You can find the post HERE.

When March rolled around, I was ready to start making some things for summer. I could not have been more pleased with the free t-shirt pattern from iCandy. Great for scraps that are too big to throw out and too small for much of anything else. You can find the post HERE.

I loved the top so much that I decided to make another, but give the back a shirttail hem. You can find the post HERE.

The peasant dress/blouse pattern from Martha Stewart was a favorite over the summer. People at the grocery store probably thought it was the only piece of clothing I owned. So easy to slip on. Find the post and pattern HERE.

In April I made the free Tate Top from Workroom Social. For me, the back was a little too cut out, but easy to fix. The piece works well as a top or a dress. I wore mine with a skirt and tights. So I guess I didn't wear the peasant dress ALL the time ;) I like how the darts radiate out of the neckline. You can find the post HERE.

After the team at Martha Stewart redeemed themselves with the peasant top/dress pattern, I decided to give the pajama pants pattern a try. It's now my favorite pajama pant pattern. I love this particular pair so much that I will actually take them off in the morning, and wash them so that I can wear them again that night. You can find the pattern and post HERE.

After a bit of a hiatus, I finally did this free hooded scarf pattern. I no longer own this one, but I have another cut out and ready to be sewn up. Just love it! You can find the pattern and post HERE. The pattern includes a size for children too! 

The last Thrifty Thursday piece of 2015 was the Cat-Eye Pouch from Thread Riding Hood. Such a great piece for customizing. 

I made a bag for my mother for Christmas and included a customized pouch for her as well. The only change I made was to add a clip and wrist strap. Worked out so well as the bag can actually hang from the ring on the handle. I actually had it hanging inside the bag, but she just wanted to include it in the picture. You can find the post and pattern HERE. A makeup, accessory pouch that's perfect for everyone on your list. You could even make up a few generic bags and have them ready for whenever you need a quick gift.  

So that's it for the 2015 Thrifty Thursday posts. I'm looking forward to a new year and lots of new patterns. 

BTW, if there's a pattern that you've found that you would like to see me try, just leave a link in the comments below.

Happy Sewing!

Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase 2015 Hall if Fame

During the last week of the year, I always like to take a look back, and one of my favorite look backs is the Wednesday Showcase. The Wednesday Showcase began as a way for me to say thank you to all of you who have blogs and follow my blog. I have met some of the most amazing women. I love seeing what you do and sharing in your creative lives. 

This past year, my Wednesday Showcase posts have been a bit sparse, my apologies. But nonetheless, those who have been showcased are fun, amazing and talented. So in case you missed a post, here's a round up of the ladies of 2015. Be sure to check out their blogs. A couple have not posted much in recent months, but I am hoping they will return. One hasn't posted for a number of years, but I'm hoping that I can talk her into returning.

In case you missed the 2014 Wednesday Showcase Hall of Fame, you can check it our HERE. I'll leave it up for a few more weeks, so check it out :)

The year began with

Janice of http://www.theviviennefiles.com/

who brings us inspiration based on art. 

The lovely MaxLau of  http://vonmaxlau.blogspot.de/ who knows how to copy a designer piece like a pro.

Duckndam of http://www.duckndam.blogspot.com/ I especially enjoy seeing her sketches and plans.

The very talented Helena of http://www.grayallday.com/ Lovely patterns and be sure to check out her monthly feature, Sew It Chic, where you get to feature your makes.

Carolyn of http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/ Always such an inspiration!

Oona of  http://www.oonaballoona.com/ One of a kind and always a fun read.

Rebecca of http://sewpomona.com/ loves beautiful details.

Angela of https://frayedbanana.wordpress.com/ She is rather new to sewing, but does amazing work!

Caroline of http://www.4-sisters.blogspot.com/

You may remember that Caroline lost her mother back in September. She has not posted since she made the announcement. I'm hoping that in time she will return.

Tina of https://gavannasewing.wordpress.com/ Be sure to check out her Star dress pattern. A little challenging, but well worth the effort.

Mads from https://lifeinamadshouse.wordpress.com/ I so enjoy her blog and of course, I am infatuated with her dog :)

Siri of http://pinhouseplaymate.blogspot.no/ You must check out some of the new adventures that Siri is taking, like making tatting!!! 

Sarah of https://sewsarahblog.wordpress.com/ She loves a beautiful dress.

Ooobop of  http://ooobop.com/ So very talented. Lots of inspiration on her blog.

Ann of http://www.sewbabynews.blogspot.com/ Check out the bias sleeves on this top. Just a taste of what you will see on her blog.

Linda of http://ellegeemakes.com/ So adventurous in her sewing. Never afraid to take on a challenge.

Pauline of http://sewuthinkucan.blogspot.com/ No designer is safe around Pauline as she can copy a piece perfectly.

Dorothy of http://sewingfunthings.blogspot.com/ Just as her blog says, Dorothy likes to sew fun things to wear.

Lori of http://frivolousatlast.com/ Always an inspiration. Be sure to check out her latest post. She'll have you coloring!!! 

Neela of http://www.sewfusion.co.uk/ One great gal as you can see from her picture. 

Jean of http://sewjeanmargaret.blogspot.co.za/

Such a lovely lady and sews with such precision. 

Meg of http://www.cookinandcraftin.blogspot.com/ So energetic! Meg is now a blogger for the Curvy Sewing Collective. Way to go Meg!

Alexa of http://almostahippy.blogspot.com/ This is one girl who loves a great top, and she does some amazing things with repurposing too!

Bianca of http://thanksimadethem.blogspot.com/ I hope that Bianca will forgive me for choosing this picture, she has so many beautiful pieces on her blog. Her daughter is just the cutest little munchkin :) Be sure to read about the award her husband just received and their amazing trip to Washington D.C.  

Shirley of http://www.thepolkadotinfinityroom.blogspot.co.uk/ 

New to sewing and so many firsts. She hasn't posted for a while, but fingers crossed that we'll see more from Shirley soon :)

Tracey of https://topstitched.wordpress.com/

Tracey has not blogged in quite a few years, but I showcased her as her work is incredible and fun, like the picture below. Maybe, maybe she'll return in 2016. 

Mary of http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ does the most beautiful easy to wear pieces.

Stephanie of http://poppiesandthistle.com/  You must check out her gardening pictures!!! Her sewing is pretty incredible too!

Ariation of http://ariation.blogspot.com/ Lovely pieces and a great sense of style.

Myra of http://1simpleinspiration.blogspot.com/ is one lady who knows how to take a flop and make it a wow!

So 30 ladies in all this year. All talented, all inspirational, and all adding to this lovely creative craft that we all love.

One last note, do you have a blog that I have not showcased? It can be a little difficult to find some of you! So if you have a blog, let me know. Just leave a comment below with a link to your blog. A couple of years ago, I put the word out that I would like to meet new bloggers and gave an invitation to email me with blog info. I have felt so bad as I managed to lose the links :( So Leaving a link on this post will be best.

Wishing you an inspiration filled day!

Rhonda

Christmas Creatures/My Folk Art

For those of you who have been following the blog for some time, you know that there's a quirky little side to my personality ;) Once a year, I sit down and make what I call a Christmas Creature for my husband. It all began because I was a bit jealous of a ski ornament that an old girlfriend had given him. Each year I would give him a new ski themed ornament thinking that I just might trump the old, but never. When asked, he would always say that the old ornament was his favorite. Not because he had any ties to the old girlfriend, he simply liked the handmade, quirky aspect of the ornament. Once I finally realized what it was that he liked, I decided to give it a try and see if I could come up with something out of the ordinary. Below is the first little guy that I made, and I am quite pleased to say that the old ornament slips farther and farther down the favorite line. He needs a little work on his mustache. The mustache is made from seeds, and one side broke off. A simple fix.

Below is the group, minus this year's new addition. 

    

I'm always amazed by how they just seem to come to life. I actually feel that I don't do the creating. It's like the little creatures know what they want to be and I'm just there to put them all together.

Love this little mountain man with his horse chestnut seed backpack. 

This was last year's addition to the group, and I think my husband's favorite. Actually, his favorite seems to always be the new addition. 

If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be this guy. I love his peach pit face and his acorn cap hat. And I really like how the pine cone snowshoes worked out. His walking poles are stems from a large leaf that I found.

I call these two, The Cousins, just two dudes sitting back on their skis with their stogies in their mouths, enjoying the trip down the mountain.

And now for this year's addition to the group.....
He's such a happy little guy!

The body/mouth is a huge horse chestnut seed pod that I found. The biggest I've ever seen. There are 3 seeds in the pod. I was afraid that the pod would open completely, but this was it, and so a mouth was born. 
His eyes are acorns, but I took the acorns out and turned them around so that he had bigger pupils. His feet are smaller horse chestnuts and his skis are milkweed seed pods.

His eyebrows are the same seed pods that I used last year to create the ears on the rabbit.

I really enjoy making the little creatures and seeing them come to life. They are truly one of a kind! 
Now, I'm no Picasso, or even a Grandma Moses, or any other famous artist for that matter, but it's something I never would have thought I had in me. I've always loved seeds and the pods that they grow in, as well as interesting rocks and shells. I'm forever picking up whatever it is that catches my eye. So, if there is something that you find interesting, lay it all out on a table and give it a look. You just might find an artist waiting to be born :)
Wishing you a wonderfully creative day!
Rhonda