Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Swap & Quilt Guild

I have been busy - but - not with my blog

I made an ArmChair Pincushion - Organizer for a swap over at the Yahoo Group: Art4Mail
AND
Made another for our "White Elf Exchange" at the Bluegrass Quilt Guild

I made the caddy using inspiration from
Elizabeth Hartman's
Weighted Pincushion Organizer Post
on Sew, Mama, Sew


Front


With Scrap Bag
 
The scissor keeper (Simple Sewing Companion) and the needle book was designed by Brenda Dean (don't know how to reach her:(

The finger pincushion was designed by Angela Padilla at Bits and Pieces 


Let me know what you think AND visit and follow the blogs - they are GREAT

Monday, December 12, 2011

I WON!

I am SEW excited!
I wanted a sewing machine to take to quilt guild and doll classes.
But looking at new ones was well depressing :(
The less expensive ones are just made so cheap!
I wanted something to last without spending $500.00

SEW

I started looking at VINTAGE Singers!

I have a Singer that was my mothers, but it weighs a TON!

I decided to look at Featherweights on ebay.
Then found out they are quite collectable.

Anyhow, I got to looking further and found that the
only weigh a bit more
AND
Use the SAME attachments as my mom's

SEW

After several unsuccessful bids . . .

This is what I WON!


It includes the Case AND Attachments!
The auction was from Goodwill in Portland

SEW
the proceeds went to a good cause too!

I will be back when it gets here!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving in Kansas

Hope you all had a great Turkey Day

What a trip!

Spent 4 days in PAOLA, KANSAS with the 
Daughter
Heath (the boy friend)
Grand-daughter
Grand-dogs- Chip, Charlie and Klink

Our traveling companions were
Daughter
Grandson
& of course - Beauregard 

We had a great time

Shopping
The GIRLS stood in line at Wal Mart for 5 HOURS - (I stayed home with the guys, dogs and kids)
Took Grand-daughter to the QUILT STORE!!!!!! 

 Thrifting
Got some of the cutest little things at Goodwill

Eating (of course)
Turkey 
Cranberry "Jelly" - OH SO GOOD!!!!!!
Turkey & Noodles (REALLY YUMMY)
Pork Roast
 





Friday, November 11, 2011

Sew & Tell Mini Quilt Party (Giveaway Too)

Hop on over to anylouwho - she is having a show and tell and giveaway.

My "One and Only" is number 55. It is very simple but since it is the first one I made - I am pretty happ with it. It was only about 4 1/2"  x 4 1/2" to go with a doll.

Here they are - this was a gift for a friend who was retiring!




HUGS!

Veteran's Day

THANK YOU for Service!

Christopher M. Buford            
           United States Navy              Husband
Shawna R Buford Spears         
           United States Air Force        Daughter
Jeffrey Donald Williamson        
           United States Army              Brother
Timothy James Williamson        
           United States Marines          Brother

In Remembrance:
James Donald Williamson         
          United States Navy Seabee's         Daddy
James Odist Williamson            
          United States Navy               Grandfather
James Richard Williamson         
          United States Navy               
                        Great-Grandfather
Allan Williamson                       
          United States Air Force        Uncle
Haynes Dean Buford                 
          United States Navy              
                        Grandfather-In-Law
Frank  Perdew                        
          United States Navy              
                        Grandfather-In-Law



SK 1(STS) Christopher Michael Buford 
US Navy - Submarine Service, Navy Seabee's, Naval Supply

EA2 Sharon Ann Williamson Buford
US Navy Seabee's

Thursday, November 10, 2011

One More Day

One more day to comment on my post for the pay-it-forward fun!
Find it here.

Don't forget to thank a Veteran tomorrow!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Ghastlie Creation

I had SEW MUCH FUN -
following the Ghastlie Blog Hop

I even created my own Ghastlie

Front
Back




Pockets 

I wanted it to look scrappy
I cut out the motifs, and then used embroidary floss to sew them on

I used 3 layers of fabric for the ruffles down the front and long the pockets

If I do this again I will graduate the ruffles - they aren't as fluffy as I would have liked.

This really took no time at all and I think I am starting to look for something like it for Thanksgiving!

Hugs to you all

PS - Don't forget to VOTE tomorrow

Friday, November 4, 2011

Where is everyone?


Oh where, oh where
Has my followers  gone?
Oh where, oh where can they be?
With their fabric cut short
And their comments all gone
Oh where, oh where can they be?

You have been very quiet - I am leaving my Pay it Forward "giveaway" open until Nov 11

I need 3 friends to PLAY! 

HUGS

Friday, October 28, 2011

Traveling Stash Giveaway

Sarah over at http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/traveling-stash-giveaway-you-know-you.html?showComment=1319814766173#c3018612527974846715 is sponsoring a Traveling Stash Give Away.

It's really kind of like a traveling swap - Sarah is a quilter - but I bet she would welcome some "Doll Ladies" too. So take a sec and hop on over!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Go! Baby Give Away and the

You have to go see the Ghastlies Blog Hop 
It runs for 10 days and every bog uses 
Alexander Henry.
Be sure to check all the blogs
so many talents and great projects!

Be sure to look at the post for 
Besides her cute little 
Evil Emil the Bat-
She is having a give away for a
GO! Baby.

Ghastlies Hauntings!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

WIP's and PTS

So, I have finally made a list of the WIP's I need to finish !

1. Baseball quilt for GS

2. Doll for GD

3. Bag for D

4. Wonky Quilt Blocks (and put it all together)

5. Sewing Room Accessories


THEN I have made a list of my PTS (Projects to Start)
 Christmas Gifts 
Table Runners - M-I-L and Friends
GD - Jammies (the cutest fabric)
GS - University of Kentucky Quilt

My Halloween Resolution to get these done!

Has anyone else made any Halloween Resolutions?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pay it Forward Fun!

So I am following Nicole @ Sew Daughter and am going to "play" Pay It Forward. I am mostly using the same rules she set for her fun time -

I promise to send a surprise gift to three people to comment on my post. This gift will be madeby me and sent sometime before  July 10, 2012 . I

Of course there are some rules in this game. Here it goes:

Rules:

 I will make a little something for 3 people that comment on this post.

 It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time between
Jan 1, 2012 and July 10, 2012 
(my birthday)

To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along too.

1. Share the FUN on your blog by promising to send a goodie to 3 people that comment on your blog post.

      If you are not a "crafty" person, you must promise to send something fun to your 3.

      If you are crafty send something made with your own two hands,
          
-don't despair  if you don't have time to make something-
then you can send a goodie box
          - fill it with crafty things
-stuff from your stash
-stuff you will never finish - think UFO.

2. You must have a blog. (leave me your blog address & be sure I can respond to you)

3. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love.

I will leave the "Fun" open until November 1, 2011 (my brother's birthday). At that time I will pick my three giftees (is that a word?), check to see that they are playing and will contact them.

Hugs to all of you!

Been a While - Now Some Fun

Well, once again time has gotten away from me:) Too busy for my own good I guess.

The oldest GS has been playing Fall T-ball - he loves it so much and is pretty good for a 6 year old. That takes a couple of nights a week - but it is well worth it!

Our newest GS (aug 29, 2011), with Mommy and Daddy in tow was here for a week. At 5 weeks old they don't do alot, but MeMaw sat and held him anytime he wasn't eating or PaPaw didn't have him. Having a baby in the house again was pretty cool!

Summer is camping time too - every weekend we spend with good friends, eating, telling stories, and sitting around the fire. (yes we have fires now matter how hot it is)

So there has not been alot of crafty things going on right now. I did go to my first meeting of the Bluegrass Quilters Guild this past Tuesday - what a great group of talented and friendly ladies - I can't wait for the next meeting!

While I was there I heard about the Quilts of Valor, then today I saw the Jan 2012 new releases over at Green Fariy Quilts - I fell in love with the Moda Prairie Paisley II - so perfect for a quilt for a service woman. Anyhow, then I had to find a pattern, surfing I found this quilt - kisses and hugs - at Amy's Creative Side - made by Nicole @ Sew Daughter. Waiting to find out about the pattern so I can order fabric. I promise I will post updates!

While I was at Nicole's blog, I saw a fun idea - Pay it Forward Fun - I decided this would be a fun way to connect with my (few) followers. Check the next post - I will have the details there.

Hugs
Sharon the sewn seabee

Monday, August 8, 2011

Take a Moment to Remember 30 Brave Young Men

Please take a Moment to remember my 22 Navy "Brothers" (and their families) of Seal Team 6, and the other 8 brave young men who gave their lives on August 6, 2011, for our country.


Sunday, July 31, 2011

Giveaway Link

Here is a link to a give-a-way over at a Quilting Life - the give-a-way is from Green Fairy Quilts.

So while you are here what do you think of using your blog to link to other blogs so you can get entries to give-a-ways? Do you do it? Do you NOT do it? Why (either way).

Do you want to see only an entry for the give-a-way or do you like to see it as part of a "regular" post?

I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Hugs - Sharon

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Musings

Musing
Noun: Meditation - first known use - 14th Century.
Adjective: thoughtfully abstracted
Muse: intransitive verb
1: to become absorbed in thought; especially : to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively

2archaic : wonder, marvel
transitive verb :: to think or say reflectively

Well I don’t know if I could call my “musings” meditations or even thoughtful (although maybe I should look at that definition too :))

Mostly my musings are just turning things over in my mind (which I do a lot). Right now I am wondering 1) why I am watching a infomercial from Courtesy on Wheels (nothing else on and I want noise), and 2) why ANYONE would be in an infomercial in SPEEDO’s, even if he is young and buff J UCK!!!

Anyhow, back to what I was saying. My musing’s usually run to thinking about abstract things. I will sometimes sit with my “vintage” pattern collection, or buttons, or antique lace and think about the people who made and used these items. I am not the most patient person in the world so I wonder about the beautiful crocheted laces I have and wonder what the women who made them were “musing” about when they made them, and how long it took!

Who ever sat with a button box their mother or grandmother had? I would set for hours when I was little, sorting buttons into colors or sizes thinking of nothing else but what was at hand. Now when I look at them, I am usually looking to find some for a particular project, and wonder  – who wore them, what item of clothing did they come from? The one’s I have on cards, I wonder about what they were supposed to be used for, or where they just bought because they were beautiful, or did the item just never get made?

My vintage patterns are mostly from the 50’s but I do have a few older ones. I haven’t bought any in quite a while (years in fact). When I lived in Peoria, IL, there were A LOT of “Estate Sales” and on the second day, I could buy a huge box of patterns for little of nothing. I would take them home and go through them, wondering at the amount of detail. I should have been born about 20 years earlier – I would have loved making these!

There are two blogs that I follow that I just love - This Old Life - “Nabby” loves the 1930’s and dresses and makes items from that decade. Go take a look!The other is - Eva Dress- so many cute things – that she actually makes and wears!

Can I add another? What-I-Found - I don’t know where Tina finds these things but I love them! She looks at all types of things – clothes, home décor.

I have only made up one of the patterns, quite a while ago. It was an Easter suit, from a wonderful waffled silk. I still have the coat, but don’t know where the skirt ever went. I don’t have the patience to alter patterns, so I haven’t attempted any others.

Lately I have been “musing” about making up some of these patterns for Art Dolls. I think that I could get through making “small patterns.” I have several “vintage” books for pattern design and think that it might be fun. I only wonder what type of fabric to use – I would have to be careful about scale. Maybe I should start looking for vintage clothing that is not in good shape and use them – what do you think? I can’t decide if I should make them for my Vintage 1940's Fashiondol Sewing Mannequin or use a cloth doll pattern. Guess that is up for my musing now.

Well, got to get moving today. I am at the camper with my Grandson, and need to get the “Pannycakes” made. Hugs to all. 

Friday, July 15, 2011

New Doll

She is done! The doll for my "Birthday" friend. I posted the link for the pattern last time - it makes up quickly and is a great pattern.
This is the picture of the "baby" that Angie wanted a doll to match. I really hoped to find a tub and little washboard too but none of the craft stores had any.

And here she is
 This is her little face - Hubby asked why her eyes were not the same size - I said - she is primitive :). What do you think? I kind of like her expression.   



I wanted to be sure that she had the little apron tied around her neck.


She has "knickers" too! My grandson and I were working in my sewing room (he likes to be crafty), he saw the pattern and asked me what knickers were. I told him that is what they used to call girls undies - well - he went home and asked Mommy if she had knickers! She called me to see what I had been teaching her son :)

GS doesn't want to "learn" how to sew - but he loves to watch me and push buttons on the machine - maybe some day - out of 5 kids none of them sew - guess it is up to the next generation.

So back to the doll - I used vintage lace for her dress and the bottom of the knickers and some vintage buttons for her earrings and up the back of the dress.

I got some "nubby" yarn for her hair, but it was too soft and I could not get it to work - so I went and got a cheap black yarn and wrapped them both. Lastly, she got the bows in her hair.
I think that she turned out really nice. I showed one of the girls at work and she fell in love - she retires the end of the month - so I am going to make her a "baby" for her retirement and make her look like Kim.

I got the fabric from my great quilt shop - Q First in Quilting  - also where I go for my liberated quilt class -   the dress fabric is "French General. Don't remember the other - but I really liked the combination

Hugs to ALL. Sharon B

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Too Long

Boy time sure fly's! Just realized it has been a month since I blogged :(  Busy, Busy!

Work has been busy - lots of meetings with the public and such, so I am just worn out by the time I get home. And if not then I have been busy working on my Liberated quilt. I had class today and made Shoo Fly Blocks, they were alot like the stars that gave me such a fit last month - but they are turning out well.

Started a "Prim" doll today (my first) for a friend at our Campground who shares July as my birthday month. I was going to make her a purse, but went to her house today and she showed me the cutest picture of a little knot head baby with a washtub. I found this great free rag doll pattern at "Soggibottom" blog - its not a "Prim" but is just what I needed for the baby" - So you can guess what she is getting. :)

I will add an entry in a few days to talk about some of my "musings"

Hugs! Sharon

Friday, June 3, 2011

First Swap

Well, now that my partner has received "Dame" I can post pictures of my first Swap Doll. The pattern is Damesfly by Cindee Moyer. It was a fun pattern to make and had a great time with her.


This is DAME - the Damesfly I made for Peggy - Let me know what you think :)

The Daphane - My beautiful lady from Peggy!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vintage

The Webster dictionary defines VINTAGE (the adjective) as

1 of wine : of, relating to, or produced in a particular vintage
2 : of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : classic
3 a : dating from the past : old b : outmoded, old-fashioned
4 : of the best and most characteristic —used with a proper noun <vintage Shaw: a wise and winning comedy — Time>

Now I do like wine every once in a while but the other three more describe the Vintage that I am drawn to.

I especially like the elegance of "enduring interest" - mostly because the things I love about  Vintage is that the items and things that draw me in have endured and are usually interesting because they are unusual, either by design or by the fact that they have endured through time.

Some of the Vintage things that I find interesting are

Clothes - especially the wonderful costumes of the movies in the 1920'a - 1950's -Yes even those from the hokey "Western's" whose costumes were FAR from accurate. I also enjoy the wild colors of the 1960's

Fashion Designers / Illustrators - Chanel, Etre, Mucha, Edith Head, Helen Rose ( Princess Grace Wedding Dress and Head designer in High Society), Givenchy . .

Jewelry -  1950's CLUNKY stuff

Cars - MGB and Miata - really any Convertible

Magazines  & Books- Architecture, Fashion, Interior Design, Home Improvement, Sewing and Crafts

House Stuff - Mostly 1950's and 60's

Architecture - Technically I have never heard of anyone calling a house "Vintage" - The correct term is Historic - but I LOVE OLD HOUSES! Thus my degree's in Architecture and Historic Preservation (another tickler:)

So you could really say there is not much that I don't like that is of "enduring interest"
As this blog goes along I will share some of my Vintage items and maybe you can share some of yours with me



 

Just for Fun

Jump over to http://seasonsofmymind.blogspot.com/2011/05/lonelyboredwanna-play-marco-polo.html
and join in the MARCO POLO game.

I say MARCO - you answer POLO :)

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Vintage Things

Tonight is going to be busy, so just a short post.
Go on over to the Blog of Bramcost Publications and check out the cute VINTAGE beach to towel pattern. Sign up for their blog too - they will send you notifications of new "FREE" vintage patterns. Usually a couple a month.

This is a cool company - they publish (re-publish) vintage  - sewing, millinery, hair styling, beauty, knitting, crochet - even if you are only on a "wishing" trip, it is a cool site to look through.

I promise I will get to explaining the Vintage next blog


HUGS!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Great Weekend

Well, it was a busy weekend but a good one.

Yesterday we took Ian and Meredith to Churchill Downs, to see "the ponies run." Neither DH or I had never been there, so it was the first time for all of us. I was the only one who didn't win, but we all had a good time. I really do like Keenland better though - it seems more cozy and like you are closer to the action. They made it back home to Illinois safe.

This morning I spent some time at my fav quilt shop (http://www.qfirstky.com/), using the AccuCut, to make half-triangles - so much faster than using the rotary cutter. Then  we went to #1 Grandson's T-ball game - GO CUBS! - they lost and it was hot, but I really love to see him play and he really is a slugger.

Then we went for a drive in "Natasha"  with the top down. And used LOTS of sunscreen :). We took the back roads to Cave Run Lake and had a nice sunny ride. Told DH we need to get a cooler and take lots of ice and water next time - a convertible ride means lots of water.

If you haven't take a few minutes out of your day, to say thank you to a Veteran you know, or say a prayer for those you don't - take that minute now. We owe our freedom to all those who gave all and all those who give!
GOD BLESS THE USA!

Hugs!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Friends & "CRAFTY"

Well, Peggy was my first visitor last night! Yeah :)

But, I cannot get the Google Friends button to work, it says the code is bad :( :( I am hoping my daughter or a friend from work can help me figure it out, , so for now at least if anyone wants to follow, it will have to be by email, or if you use Blogger follow.

Now to explain the "CRAFTY" in my blog name. I was lucky to grow up with a Mother and several Great Aunts who did many "CRAFTY" things.  My "Grandma Yaeger" sewed, and did all sorts of things - she even made cards for people out of dollar bills - we all loved getting those. Aunt Frieda and Aunt Alma quilted. They did their piecing both by hand and machine, but ALL of the quilting was done by hand. I was always fascinated by the tiny stitches.They were all patient and had a great influence on me, I loved to set with them and watch them and have them teach me. I wish I had been old enough to learn to quilt - to this day it is the one thing that intimidates me.

Mom was a seamstress and made BEAUTIFUL things - she could make anything, from Barbie clothes - of which I have a few still -  to Wedding Dresses.  She did beautiful hand work and made me learn it before she would let me use her machine. I still have that machine - and many of the attachments. Do you remember machines with "cams" for fancy stitches? I have quite a few for those, and even though I have a fancy embroidery machine, I still use the Singer! Back to Mom, she also did embroidery, mostly on the pre-printed towels and things, and we had lots of fun picking the out at the Dime Store.

Mom also crocheted, mostly basic things, but she did teach me and I have made a few things, although I do have quite a few UFO's. Anything too big and I usually get frustrated and put it away. In fact I have a blanket I started for my grandson who is now 6 and it is not finished.

Mom always told me that by reading you can do anything, which is were the CRAFTY comes in - I have tried just about everything (well maybe that is an exaggeration) - I can't knit. I have done counted cross-stitch, needlepoint, clothes making, toys and dolls for my children, macrame . . .

So now you know about "Sewn Seabee" and "Crafty" stay tuned for "Vintage"

Hugs
Sewn Seabee

Friday, May 27, 2011

My First Blog :)

Well, I am going to see how this blogging thing goes. 
Naming a blog is not an easy thing I decided while thinking of a name.
What things would describe me best and give everyone an idea of what I would be blogging about.


Most of my online contacts know me as "Sewn Seabee"

"Sewn" comes from the one thing that I have done for as long as I can remember - SEW.
Started on my "Grandma Yaeger's" treadle machine, with her "treadling" and me on her lap sewing, when I was about 5. And I have been sewing ever since!

SeaBee comes from my eight years in the Navy Seabees as an Engineering Aid

I meet my husband when I commented on the awful job he did sewing his name tags on his uniform. He laughed at me and said "Can you do better?" I told him sure I started sewing at about 5 and I knew I could do better. That was almost 14 years ago now and I found out later that the "bad sewing" was actually his mothers. 


I guess I shouldn't reveal everything about the name in my first post - so check back again - or "follow me" and I will explain the rest soon! 


OH MY - I guess I am hacing a "how not to do it day" (more on this later)
I named by blog one thing- but didn't type the "address" correctly - the address for the blog left out the "g" in musing - oh well - find me here:

http://sewn-seabees-crafty-and-vintage-musin.blogspot.com/



Hugs
Sewn Seabee