#bloglikecrazy For 30 days....

#bloglikecrazy
For 30 days....

Thirty days done!  This is my last post in the #bloglikecrazy challenge. 

I started this blog because I wanted to have a digital record of sewing patterns that I attempted.  You know, what worked and what did not...It is still good for that.

I've always been a blog reader.  I find it a great way to connect with people all over the world that were school librarians (like me before I retired), that knit, or sew.  Blogs make the world smaller.  Here's the tough thing about being a school librarian: You are the ONLY one in your building and possibly the entire district.  NO one understands what you are talking about.  People are polite and will listen but SO often their eyes glaze over or they are just out of their element.  Other school librarians understand that but if there NONE in your district, how to connect?  BLOGS!  Librarians are technology leaders but how to find other similarly minded teachers?  BLOGS!  You like to sew and are not sure how to put a zipper in a new pair of blue jeans you are making?  BLOGS!  There is someone else out there trying the same thing.  Blogs are moderated so you don't have to worry about a thread blowing up like on Facebook. 

Has technology changed since I started using blogs?  Heck yes!  But blogs still have a place in social media and they still have a niche. 

I was explaining the #bloglikecrazy challenge to my friend on the sewing retreat and she said, "Is anyone actually reading your blog?"  I don't know.  It might still be a digital sewing record for me and that's it BUT if I reach ONE person who finds my adventure helpful, well then, my friends, it was worth the journey!

Blog on.....

And just to end with a visual, my grandson's pj's cut out and ready to go.....cause that little boy LOVES trucks!

#bloglikecrazy Finished the tote...

#bloglikecrazy 
Finished the tote...

Noodlehead to the rescue!  Another item off my Christmas list...

And then I was in the fabric store with a friend and found this....the perfect fabric for leggings for my 10 year granddaughter.  Cross one off...add one on! 

#bloglikecrazy Noodlehead again

#bloglikecrazy 
Noodlehead again

I'm making a large tote for my daughter to carry her supplies back and forth to work (she cuts hair for a living).  The best totes around are made by Noodlehead so I'm making her the smaller of the Explorer Totes 

I've made this one 5 or 6 times and I always get rave reviews.  It's big (but not so big that it's cumberson).  It has lots of inner & outer pockets for storage and a zip top so everything stays secure.  I like to add swivel hook on the inside so there is a place to attach your keys.  I simply hang it on a piece of ribbon and sew that into the side of the lining, letting it hang 1.5-2 inches.  Just hook the keys on, zip the tote and when it's time to leave, you'll know exactly where they are.  No digging!

My daughter is an animal print fan so I'm making it out of a leopard print for the main body with a cool metallic looking vinyl for the bottom.  (I always put vinyl on the bottom so the bag can be placed on the ground without worrying about the contents of the bag getting damp).  The handles will be black cotton and the inside is a white and gray neutral.  The print is a bit directional and I've cut it in two different directions for contrast.  Experiment!  I'll let you know how that goes!

Here we go....

#bloglikecrazy Noodlehead's Maker Tote

#bloglikecrazy 
Noodlehead's Maker Tote

I've had this pattern for a while and have been trying to find the time to make this one.  I'm a huge fan of Noodleheads patterns because they are well written and have a classic simple design.  This is one of the toughest ones I made but after fighting with it a bit, it is done!

It's a maker tote so there is plenty of room to store supplies in it for when the carrier goes to a crafting event.  On the inside there are slip pockets and pleated pockets and a huge space in the middle.  On the outside, there is a snap pocket and a zipper pocket.  Everything is kept secure by a zipper across the top.

It's really very big.  Much bigger than I anticipated actually measuring 16 by 12 with a 10 inch span when opened all the way up. 

#bloglikecrazy. Queen at the DSO

#bloglikecrazy.
The day I sang Queen at the DSO

My husband and I went to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with a band that plays Queen. Queen is one of my favorite rock bands from my younger years so I was very excited about this concert.

The place was packed with an  excited crowd.  As the band came out the lead singer told us he'd woken up with a sore throat and would do his best.  After 3 songs, he sent the piano player out to play one of the songs. Then he came back on stage and said he just couldn't do it. Here's the best part...a woman in the audience said she could!  So she began to sing bohemian rhapsody into his microphone.  The leader singer decided that we, the audience, could sing and the band and the DSO would play. It was awesome!!  I've always wanted to hear that song played with a live symphony orchestra but I never thought that I (and several hundreds of my best Queen friends) would get to sing with the DSO!

The concert was stopped soon after but what an unexpected treat. Hope the singer feels better soon!

#bloglikecrazy best job ever

#bloglikecrazy
best job ever

I used to think that I had the best job ever!  I was mom to three great kids and I was a teacher/librarian that worked with kids to give them life skills that they would use forever. 

At 47 I became a very reluctant grandma.  My youngest was graduating high school and my oldest was having her first child.  I had not even ONE year of no responsibility so I was not really on board.  Then that little girl was born and I was there when it happened.  I held her little newborn finger and sang her the lullaby my grandma sang to me and my heart doubled in size (kind of like the grinch!) I was reborn that day as Gramma.

When Lexie is in trouble, she tells her parents to call my Gramma cause she wouldn't yell at me like that!  And if there is a movie she wants to see, she calls me...Gramma we have to see the new Minion movie and we do.  And do I let her eat ice cream for breakfast, well of course!  It has dairy just like milk!  What's the problem???  My daughter frequently stares at me in horror and says, "You are NOT the same person that raised me!!"  Well, true enough!  Just an old person, working her way into heaven!  ;-)

Two and a half years ago, the second little one came along.  He's all boy and worships the ground that Papa walks on but if I put him on my lap and read him "Pete The Cat" repeatedly, he leans over and kisses my arm.  Sigh.....

So here's to the best job EVER!  May you be blessed in your lifetime to have the honor to be a grandparent.  I hope you enjoy every moment. 

#bloglikecrazy getting ready

#bloglikecrazy
getting ready

I'm not sure how holiday have been sneaking up on me this year.  After all, I am now retired.  I'm thinking it might have something to do with the fact that I am no longer a slave to my calendar.  Everyday really feels like Saturday.  It's so freeing to be able to answer yes! when someone asks for my help and know that I won't feel stressed or pressured by things that need to be done before I go back to work. 

Anyway, with Thanksgiving over I sat down to take stock of what needs to be sewn before the big day.  I'm happy to report that 4.5 things need to be completed.  A pair of PJ's for the grandson (in truck fabric, of course!), a leopard print tote for my eldest daughter to carry back and forth to work, a clutch for my niece and 1.5 makercases for my girlfriends. 

The makercases are a new noodlehead pattern.  It will be the perfect case to tote supplies to our planned weekend craft retreat!  One friend does paper work and the other crochets.  I am halfway through the first and it's bigger than I thought but I guess that will mean more room to carry necessities. 

Here's a sneak peek of the outside:

One side has a snap pocket and the other a zip pocket.  I love the Tula Pink fabric. 

Back to work...I need to keep sewing...

#bloglikecrazy So thankful

#bloglikecrazy
So thankful


I am so thankful for the many blessings in my life. 

Anytime I think my life is difficult,  I only need look around to find someone who's life is a greater struggle than mine.  May we all reach out a helping hand to those in need who cross our path.

May God bless you all. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

#bloglikecrazy A mom's work is never done...

#bloglikecrazy 
A mom's work is never done...

Even though I've been cleaning all day, cooking, doing church work and looking after grandkids, I find myself at 8 p.m. with no pumpkin pie done.  My granddaughter and my brother are hunkered down on the couch watching multiple episodes of Scorpion (thank goodness a 10 year old and a 60 year old can find common ground)

I think that pumpkin pie may just have to wait until after breakfast tomorrow.  That couch and those 2 sitting on it are looking very welcoming....

Hope your holiday preparations are almost done....

#bloglikecrazy Why do I read bloglovin?

#bloglikecrazy 
Why do I read bloglovin?






People frequently ask me why I read blogs.  The simple answer is to learn. 

The more complicated answer is I worked for 15 years as a teacher/librarian in public schools in  Michigan.  Teachers do not have the luxury of learning during their work day.  We have children looking at us from the minute we walk through the door until the minute we leave.  If you have the chance to eat lunch with adults and use the restroom twice, it's been a good day.  We need to learn on our own time. 

Librarians are technology leaders in schools.  Technology is always changing and the only way to learn about new technology is to learn it from someone else.  Blogs were the first place I found where I could learn about what was new in technology and then I found teachers that were blogging about how the new technologies could be integrated into teaching.  Most of these blog posts were quick to read and gave me enough of an overview to know whether I needed to dig deeper to learn more.  I was hooked!

I'm retired now and don't face the time constraints I have in the past.  However, I still find blogging to be a great way to learn about sewing.  First purses, and then garments and now quilting.  I am able to take the expertise of others in the field who are scattered all over the world and learn how to sew better. 

Honestly, some of the bloggers seem like friends.  I have favorites that if they pop up I stop what I'm doing to check out what they have to say and they seldom disappoint. 

At my recent quilt retreat, I had a couple of women look at me skeptically when I told them I stored my patterns in the cloud and only printed what was absolutely necessary.  Then I told them about my blog feed.  Most turned away but a couple of newer retirees and I talked a bit more about it.  I think they'll be checking out blogs too. 

I frequently tell people that after you've been locked in a building with teenagers for a decade or two you begin to appreciate adult contact....in any form!  Blog on....

#bloglikecrazy The day that I didn't sew at all

#bloglikecrazy
The day that I didn't sew at all

With the holiday fast approaching, I spent the day picking up the turkey and groceries, visiting the eye doctor, and looking after a sick husband.  And then I did this with my 2 adult daughters....

We went to Painting with a Twist in Novi, MI, and painted this tree together.  It looks a bit like a weird pokemon on the bottom but I like the leaves and I've never painted before so I enjoyed the process.

So many way to be creative....

#Bloglikecrazy The things grandmas will do...

#Bloglikecrazy 
The things grandmas will do...

I picked up my granddaughter friday after school and took her to see Wonder.  Great movie but really a phenomenal book!  If you read only one book this year, make it Wonder.  Anyway, she spent the night again and we were searching for PJ's.  She started telling me that she really needed PJ's for her American Girl doll and please remember grandma, I have TWO of them....sigh....

I dislike sewing doll clothes.  I do it because I love that little girl but definitely NOT my favorite thing to do.  So I bit the bullet and came downstairs and spent the day finishing the really PJ's for Lexi and making duplicate PJ's for her dolls out of the leftovers. 

Here's hoping she loves them...

The things grandmas will do....

#bloglikecrazy Best idea my husband had in my sewing room

#bloglikecrazy
Best idea my husband had in my sewing room

Last summer we had a flood in our basement which is where my sewing studio resides.  We had to waterproof the basement which involved removing EVERYTHING!  Wow!  You have no idea what is IN your basement until you have to take everything out.  I was very selective about what I brought back in AND felt it was the perfect time to paint that HORRIBLE 1970's panel to a beautiful cream color.  It has lightened up the basement dramatically along with the extra lights my husband installed for me.  (I'm still not to his best idea yet...)

As we were hauling everything out he found a piece of pegboard hanging on a wall.  He suggested we cut it in half and use it for my tools.  Sewing tools on pegboard?  Sounded very furnace room to me but once I painted it a lovely lavender and hung it up, I decided it looked great.  Then I hung my rulers and scissors up!  Amazing!  I have spent YEARS searching for scissors that are laying on the table and are hiding what I am working on.  This pegboard has been life changing. 

It's right above my cutting table so I reach up, get my appropriate ruler, use it and hang it all back up again.  I always know where everything is.  The hubby was right!

#Bloglikecrazy Time to deal with the unexpected..

#Bloglikecrazy 
Time to deal with the unexpected...

A couple of years ago I opened an Etsy shop.  I've never actually sold anything on the shop itself.  I have business cards with the online address and when asked, will give the address to those interested.  Usually they contact me via email and we make fabric decisions, colors, drop off, etc. 

Last night, I actually SOLD a bag on my shop to someone in Kentucky.  Unfortunately, the bag listed had been long ago sold to someone else.  Fortunately, I still had the same fabric so I spent last night and this morning sewing up the new bag and shipping it off. 

Here it is..

It was fun.  A little crazy but fun.  Another bonus of being retired.  The time to deal with the unexpected. 

#Bloglikecrazy Going to the Gala...

#Bloglikecrazy 
Going to the Gala...

My daughter works for a big company in downtown Detroit.  Her employer has a foundation that raises money for research for a medical condition.  Erin has done quite a bit of work on getting a fundraising Gala up and running and she's been invited to go.  She can bring a guest and she invited her mom!  What a great daughter I have!

We went out last weekend and bought (I know...but seriously, this was last minute!) cocktail dresses.  As a finishing touch, I've made us each a clutch to carry that matches our dresses. 

Here's hers... (it reminds me of the night sky)

Here's mine...

OK, I admit...mine's not quite done.  I just need to finish the lining and attach it.  I think they are going to be great and add to our 'galaness'?

#Bloglikecrazy Sew much fun...

#Bloglikecrazy 
Sew much fun...

I'm back from fantasy sewing land and have landed squarely in reality land where although I can now post pictures, I will also have to make my own meals, do my own laundry, address the barking dog, and generally act like an adult.  But before all of that, I want to show you what I finished this weekend.

I made a computer bag for my chromebook out of one of Sara Lawson, Minikins patterns: Sleeve & Go.  I love the way it turned out, however, I'm not sure why the bottom of the bag doesn't have lining.  We cut the lining but never used it and if we'd basted it to the inside of bag bottom, it would have worked fine.  I'm going to reread the directions and make sure I didn't miss a step.  Here's how it turned out.

Computer fits and it's super cute!  What else to ask for?

I also pieced my first baby quilt.  Here's that one....

I still need to quilt it but it's all pieced together.  Pretty sure that it won't actually get quilted until after Christmas.   I'm very proud of how it turned out.  

Sew what's next?  I bought this beautiful fabric to make clutches for my daughter and myself.  We are going to a Gala downtown and these will match our cocktail dresses.

And then there are these beautiful batiks that will become my next quilt.  They are cut and ready to go but will have to take a backseat to Christmas sewing for now.  

I had SEW much fun but glad to be home...

#bloglikecrazy. Why didn't I do this sooner?

#bloglikecrazy.
Why didn't I do this sooner?

I have spent the day talking about sewing, actually sewing, unsewing (of course), and learning how to sew better.  I finished my first quilt.  It's a super cute sheep themed background of 5 inch squares with a really large sheep appliqued on top using buttonhole stitching.

I wish I could show it to you today but I am in a technology black hole.  It was a trick to post while here.  Pictures will have to wait till tomorrow.

Wonderful people willing to share all they know with a newbie!

#bloglikecrazy I made it!

#bloglikecrazy
I made it!

I have safely arrived on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan and have already made progress on my first quilt project

I have met some wonderful sewers, learned some tricks and had some laughs.  It's going to be a wonderful time!

#Bloglikecrazy What to take????

#Bloglikecrazy 
What to take????


This is my sewing space...or sewing studio...or haven from reality.  Whatever or which ever it needs to be!  I have everything I need within easy reach (thanks to a handy husband that knows that a happy wife is indeed a happy life!)

Tomorrow I am going to be fulfilling one of my lifelong bucket list items.  I am going on a 3 day sewing retreat!  Sewing all day, any time of the day!  No cooking, no laundry, no family interruptions AND other sewers that actually UNDERSTAND what I am talking about and who's eyes will not glaze over 10 seconds into an explanation of how/why I'm making something a certain way!  I am so excited BUT I am so overwhelmed.  I have to bring my own machine and supplies.  Which machine to take?  The new one or the old workhorse?  What else do I need?  EVERYTHING?  Oh my goodness!

When next you hear from me I will have figured it out and hopefully be set up in my new space.  Until then I believe I will spend the next hour picking things up and putting them back down again trying to decide if they are vital to a sewing retreat! 

#Bloglikecrazy Sew what's it worth?

#Bloglikecrazy
Sew what's it worth?

I spent Friday night and Saturday at the Saline Craft Show, at Saline Middle School in Saline, Michigan.  We sister-in-law and brother-in-law have had a booth there each year for the past 5 years.  My brother-in-law, Ray, does wood scroll saw work and make beautiful wood pieces that he sells.  We, being newly retired and free with our time, went to help them set up and run the booth.  This gave us the opportunity to spend time with people we really like but rarely actually see because they live on the other side of the state, 2 1/2 hours away. 

While working at their booth, Gail & I began to discuss selling our sewing at a booth.  We wandered the show looking at others sewn items gauging if they were having selling success and wondering what we would sell our items for. 

I like to sew and have sold my work before (mostly because it began to take over my house).  I'm not sure I can do productive sewing and am afraid it would take all the joy out of my sewing and creating.  I enjoy the challenge of figuring out new patterns and I love to see how flat fabric can become a multi-dimensional "thing" that has use in my life.  I just don't know how to put a value on what I sew. 

These are two of the new minikin patterns I've made recently.  Lots of fun figuring out how to make them (in fact, I messed up on the polka dot one and the lining became the outside). 

Sew what are they worth?  Is there any real monetary value on the enjoyment I get from figuring out how to make something work?  Should I even dip my toe into that pond?

#Bloglikecrazy Autumnal Beauty

#Bloglikecrazy 
My name is Mary and I have a button problem....

I love Michigan because my children and grandchildren live here.  I hate Michigan because it the winter it miserably cold and bleak.  I fight that bleakness with color!  So even though it snowed this morning, I have filled my home with Autumns beautiful colors.

The table runner is the first thing I have quilted in a loooong time.  It's really basic quilting but I love the way it turned out.  My friend, Auleen, taught me how to use buttonhole stitching to attach the pieces.  I really like this new look. 

If you look closely you will see some of the buttons from my vintage collection.  I have a jar of buttons I inherited from my grandmother, mother, mother-in-law and my own jar that holds odds and ends. They are a small thing that tie me to the women that have gone before me. 

#Bloglikecrazy Speechless....

#Bloglikecrazy 
Speechless....

I was running behind Tuesday night and was late for a Christian Service Commission meeting at my church.  I grabbed my Chromebook, unplugged the cord and took it with me (just in case!) and hot footed it out the door.  I made it to my meeting just in time with said digital device under my arm with the cord trailing behind me.  My 70 something friend looked at me and said, "All the purses you sew for other people and you don't even have a bag to put that computer in??"  Ummm....speechless.  I didn't know what to say.  Point made...point taken.

On my birthday in October, I had gifted myself with Sara Lawsons Minikin pattern bundle.  In that bundle are the directions for a digital sleeve.  While taking a break from unicorn PJ's, I have cut out the Grab and Go Sleeve for MYSELF!  I know! 

I love this fabric.  I made Lexi a backpack out of it and I know it's a bit juvenile but those cute foxes in their glasses always make me smile. 

Next on the list....

#Bloglikecrazy M & M's and Unicorns

#Bloglikecrazy 
M & M's and Unicorns

20 some years ago when my middle daughter was 10 years old, I made her Christmas PJ's out of M & M fabric.  Somehow those much loved PJ's survived her childhood and ended up in a closet, safely preserved. 

20 years later, my 10 year old granddaughter was unexpectedly spending the night and we were searching for some PJ's for her to wear.  Once again, the M & M PJ's were found, worn, and seriously loved.  However, after just a couple of wearing the back tore (and not on a seam). 

For Christmas, I decided to make the same PJ's for her.  I still have the pattern so all I needed was that M & M fabric.  Alas, I looked everywhere but was unable to find it anywhere. 

So next best thing....Unicorn fabric.  She was a unicorn for Halloween this year so I'm hoping the second choice will make her happy. 

All cut out and ready to sew.  More memories to be made....

#Blog Like Crazy Making lemonade...

#Blog Like Crazy
Making lemonade....

When I was making this purse for the first time, you may remember I interfaced the wrong side of the outer purse.  This meant when I wanted to put the lining together with the outer piece, the asymmetrical handles did not match. 

I recut the outer bag and finished my purse.  However, when I was done I had this intact outer bag that it seemed ridiculous to waste.  I decided to take that lemon and make lemonade, or a birthday present for my sweet daughter-in-law (same thing actually!). 

I finished the second Moxie crossbody today.  I made a couple of small changes.  I used rivets on all the connecting points of the handle.  Not sure why I didn't do that the first time but I do like the way it looks.  When making the handle, I made the accent fabric 1/4 of an inch wider than the gray fabric.  When I sewed them together, you could see just a small amount of the accent fabric peeking through on the gray side.  I like the look of it. 
Here she is...

#Blog Like Crazy...when the next thing, is the same thing

#Blog Like Crazy...
When the next thing, is the same thing

After finishing my Moxie crossbody, I was wandering around my stash trying to decide what to do next and I came across a bright batik. 

Batiks always remind me of my daughter-in-law.  She should have been born in the 1960's.  She favors long flowing skirts, and small braids in her long hair and pretty batik colors in her clothes.  So I decided that what she really needed was a Moxie Crossbody with batik accents.  She works as an accountant so I'm hoping the conservative gray tones down the bright colors in the batik.  Halfway there....

It's a birthday present so mum's the word....

#Blog like crazy Moxie Crossbody Bag~Final...Finally!

#Blog like crazy 
Moxie Crossbody Bag~Final...Finally!

I got back to my purse sewing and finally finished the Betz White, April 2017 Bag of the Month Club, Moxie Crossbody Bag.  Whew....

I am a huge fan of Betz White.  She is of the reduce and reuse mindset and encourages sewers to remake garments into something else instead of putting them in a landfill.  Her patterns are well written and easy to follow and her bags are well thought out and a pleasure to use. 

This pattern gave me some problems but more because of my lack of attention to detail.  My exterior fabric was the same inside and out so even though I was careful to cut mirror images for the asymmetrical handles, when I went to apply to interfacing, I flipped them and put the interfacing on the wrong side.  When I went to put them together, they did not match up.  This led to me having to remove the pocket, remake the outer bag and put the whole thing back together again...sigh...

However, I am glad I persevered because this is going to be MY new purse.  I love the colors, fabric and the look of it and it's small enough to not be cumbersome but large enough to use daily.  Here she is in all her glory....

The exterior fabric is Essex Linen (from fabric.com) and the flamingos and the matching pink is fabric I bought on vacation at Fabric by the Sea outside of Bar Harbor, Maine.  I spent 2 lovely hours in that fabulous store.  If you ever get out that way, it's totally worth the time. 

What to do next....

#Blog Like Crazy Baby Dress 2

#Blog Like Crazy
Baby Dress 2

Sewing heals my soul.  I don't know why.  I take nothing and make it into something and it makes me feel so much better.  If I'm angry or sad, sewing helps me find a better place to be.  When I'm uplifted and happy, it helps me share that feeling with others through what I create. 

When I heard about this babies passing, I was so sad.  Then I thought that every little girl deserves a beautiful dress and maybe making one for her will help me deal with the sadness.  I prayed for this baby and her family while I was sewing, so I think the dress will also be a blessing.   I hope it helps her mom, in some small way, deal with this tragedy. 

#Blog Like Crazy Baby dress

#Blog Like Crazy
Baby Dress

I have set the purse aside for the moment to work on a very small baby dress.  My dear friends daughter was expecting twins and has learned that one of them has passed away.  I was so sadden to hear this news and wondered what could I possibly do to help this young woman.  I had the thought to make a small dress and bonnet for her for the baby. 

After much searching, I finally decided that a preemie pattern would be to big and have settled on a doll pattern.  I am making the dress in pink and white.  Every little girl should have something beautiful to wear and even if the dress cannot be worn, I hope that it's making will help heal her mothers heart. 

#Blog Like Crazy

#Blog Like Crazy

Just found a blogging challenge that encourages you to blog daily during November and even though I'm a day late, I'm going to join in!

I'm working on a purse pattern from Betz White, that was part of the Bag of the Month purse club in April 2017.  The pattern looked super easy but I've run into complications while cutting that I didn't figure out until I tried to complete the last step....

Looks good here....

But when I tried to add the lining I realized I had flipped the outside fabric and but the interfacing on the wrong side...

The asymmetrical handles do not line up.
I have no more lining fabric so I am going to have to remove the pocket from the outer and add it to new pieces.
Some days you do more UNSEWING than sewing.....persistence is the name of the game.