Rayen

My first project of July was this slighty wonky practice piecing on point mat (say that three times fast) made out of scraps. Still using scraps, I made a hand-quilted dog bowl mat. Also a little gift pouch closed with a brooch. I pieced this quilt top out of scraps, too. This and everything above were part of a one-day challenge to see how many things I could make out of scraps in 24 hours. My first mini-quilt of July was made with one of 14carrot's quilt tags and my thrifted/harvested beads. My second mini-quilt was a stitch practice piece with more bead play. Sewed, quilted and embroidered a bubble wrap alternative mailing mat with selvages from the scraps bin. My third mini-quilt for July was an embroidery and beadwork mindset prep for my summer art quilt project. I composed this poem for my pink-only quilt. My fourth mini-quilt for July was a heavily stitched piece celebrating the dubious achievement of reaching the age of 64. I crocheted...

I don't often make direct recommendations for products online, mainly because I believe everyone should do their own research and try things out. I'm going to make a rare exception today because I've had such success with the product, and I think it can definitely help others with arthritis in their hands. I have trigger finger as well as moderately severe arthritis in both hands, and I can now actually dislocate one finger at will by moving it the wrong way. That's why I was looking for some finger braces that would shore up my damaged joints but still allow me to move and curl my fingers. I invested in VOCOSTE 10 Pcs Breathable Finger Sleeves, Thumb Braces Support Elastic Compression Protectors for Relaxing Pain Arthritis Trigger Finger, Gray , which cost $12.99 for ten at the time I wrote this post on June 1st. From the moment I put them on I knew they were exactly what I needed to help support my joints. They're lightweight, snug without cutting off c...

I've really enjoyed rehabbing the Vera Bradley bags I've thrifted in the past, and while I don't strictly need more, I thought I might try and thrift some in need of repair, that I could makeover, or in colors I like but don't have. This pair appealed to me because of the colors, which I don't have in my purse collection, but I was outbid and I didn't want to go over my minimum of $10.00. Winning bid price was: $11.00. I was hoping to get this big lot of repair-quality bags. Alas, it went to the winner for $23.22. Big lots like this one draw a lot of bidders, and it wasn't any surprise that I didn't get this one. Winning bid was: $43.10 Image credit: all the pics in this post came from the original auction listings on ShopGoodwill.com.

For a few years now I've been noticing slow-stitch supply vendors on Etsy offering blank stitch journals made out of batted muslin, felt or felted wool. I was tempted a few times to buy one so I could journal by embroidery, but they seemed so simple that I thought I could make one of my own. Fast forward to this spring, and the rapid deterioration on my one working hand due to arthritis has stolen the time I usually procrastinate about such ideas. I decided to invest in a book that would teach me about stitch journals and how to make them, which resulted in my purchase of Journal with Thread by Jessie Chorley. This is a very neat book, chock full of advice and ideas for hand stitchers like me. Here you can see the indepth explanations and sample pics of two different embroidery stitches. The author gives you step by step instructions on how to sew your own 8" X 8" stitch journal, and plenty of ideas on how to fill the pages with embroidery and appliques. ...

Back in May while I was having a bad arthritis flare-up I went to the scraps bin to dig out something I could sew on the machine, and settled on a bundle of green scraps and a charm pack in what I think are Kaffe Fassett prints (where I got those is anyone's guess). I had enough charm squares to make a decent size table topper, and I knew I could sew it all together on my machine in one night. As I was piecing the top my angst over my hands being too crippled to hand sew eased a bit. I've been struggling to accept my new limitations, and it's difficult letting go of my hand work, but the transition is becoming more necessary by the month. Eventually I won't be able to do anything but machine work. I pieced the backing, too. Using scraps to make things on the machine is fun, and I don't mind if I mess up (which I did.) These bright colors were also really cheerful, and I need more of that, too. The final topper came out okay. I definitely need ...

I am a sucker for a good mystery, and when I saw these two offerings at a local antique mall back in May I couldn't resist them (I also deserved a reward for finishing the second big work project of the year.) The blue Christmas tree bag cost $5.00, and cntained 23 rolls of fabric ribbon, which I use for crazy quilting and wrapping gifts. Since I'm running low on every color in my ribbon stash I'm really delighted with the variety, too. The pink mystery box was $15.00, and held an awesome collection of vintage cooking items. I especially love the little Asian tea cup, the embroidered towels, the sweet bassil seeds and the Salads recipe book. Perfect reward!