Silk Foliage

I don't know where the week went but it's Friday evening already. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?  I have a little idea for you super thrifty crafters out there that I would like to share. A while back I had some excess silk foliage that was just too good to throw out. I took the plastic veins from the back of the leaves so they would be flexible and started playing around with them. I used some as appliques and thought that looked pretty good. So what could I do with the rest of them?...... I always like something under my table lamps, vases, etc. so I cut a circle of heavy (denim or canvas) fabric, serged around the edge of it and started placing the leaves in an eye pleasing arrangement to see what looked best. I ended up making a circular pattern with the different sized leaves. I started sewing them to the backing from the outside edge, overlapping each row to cover my stitching. I was very pleased with the results. The foliage was so life like (Ajuga ground cover) and the colors blended well with my color scheme. I want to try another one with a different type of leaf soon. Or maybe something with silk flowers! Maybe a styrofoam topiary....... I will make a virtual one tonight as I sleep, who knows what I will find in dreamland. If it turns out well you may see it on our website  http://www.yoursmineandhers.com/.  Good night and sweet dreams!

Well today has been a busy Saturday. We had beautiful weather here in OP, KS and I took advantage of it and ran several errands. Needless to say my travels took me past a few garage sales that lead me to an entire neighborhood sale! Wow. Some interesting things out there. My "finds" included several twin flat sheets for $1.00 each that I will use in many of my projects.  They were in really good condition and came from someones lake house after it sold. Lucky me. There is so much fabric in a sheet! I am teaching my great grandson (age 6yrs) to sew this summer so I am sure they will be put to good use. He has already made 2 totes and is doing exceptionally well at the machine. He wrote his name with the zig-zag stitch and free motion presser foot! Love my Bernina's.

Photos above of a cute tote that I made using some bias binding fabric and my ruffler on my sewing machine. See more at (www.yoursmineandhers.com) I used a ready made bag and took it apart and added the ruffels to the front, a floral pocket to the back with some ribbon above the pocket and sewed it back together.  I just have to sew or I feel like something is missing from my day. I love small, quick projects and am running out of space to keep all my ideas and finished items.  My 2 daughters have the same problems, therefore our website. www.yoursmineandhers.com

Beautiful countryside between Holdenville and Wetumka. My home state of Oklahoma!

Well the past couple of weeks have been busy, busy, busy but very good. I went to an all school reunion on the weekend of June 2nd. A small country school (Fairview) in Hughes County Oklahoma between Holdenville and Wetumka that no longer exists. It was great to visit with friends that I have not seen in more than 50 years as well as ones I see occasionally. A very good time was had by all I am sure.

It is sad to see that we loose school mates each year and eventually there will be none left that remembers the school that was so important to those of us that spent our childhood there. We were all thankful for another year of fellowship and remembering.

Our family reunion several miles north, the next weekend, was another opportunity to be thankful. We have always been a close family and try to gather each year for a few days of joy and laughter. As our children, and now grandchildren grow up and add to the numbers it is seldom that everyone is there. Even so, we will continue each year. We remember fondly our parents and those siblings and in-laws the are no longer with us.

It is good to be home again and back to the old routine. Blessing to all and happy reunions to those of you who have one to look forward to this summer!

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog. I look forward to sharing my various interests with you all. I have a webpage www.yoursmineandhers.com  with my two daughters and we have a wide range of interest in recycling and repurposing unique items from clothing to hardware. We are a family of do-it-yourselfers and crafters and enjoy finding new uses for things old and new. I love the feeling I get when I take an unused shelf board and make myself a laptop desk for my recliner. Or cut a cardboard cereal box into a holder for my many quilting magazines.  I have been at a sewing machine since I was a child and really get into making something different from a retired piece of  clothing. (See the picture above of the purse/bag I made from a thrift store sports coat.) I plan on making some potholders soon for use in our newly remodled kitchen and look forward to trying a new pattern I have in mind. Picture to follow when I get the project started. My time revolves around the care of 2 wonderful great grandsons and a summer full of activies so my post may be sporatic for awhile.