Anyway, on to the shirt - dress
Cut the bandannas into pieces
lining & skirt sewn together
and sewn onto the shirt
add a bow
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Turning a T-shirt into a dress
I love to sew. I've been sewing for many years. Although I learned to sew in my teens I didn't really start making a lot of my own clothes until my early 20's I made clothes for both of my kids, my grandson, pajamas, pants, shirts - and now I have 2 little granddaughters too! I was given an old Singer sewing machine in my early 20's - it only did straight stitches, and only went one way! But I managed to make some pretty cool clothes for my self and my daughter on that machine. Shortly before my son was born, I bought a Kenmore that I still and use. A few years ago I bought a White machine (it's digital!) with some fancy stitches on it. There are some materials that the White machine just won't handle, so keeping the Kenmore is essential.
Anyway, on to the shirt - dress
Starting with 2 of these
t-shirt sz 24mo's
Cut the bandannas into pieces
some lining material (yeah I know it's out of focus)
ruffle & skirt pieces sewn together & hemmed.
and sewn onto the shirt
add a bow
and another bow, and you have a dress!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Anyway, on to the shirt - dress
Cut the bandannas into piecesand sewn onto the shirt
add a bow
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Compassion
There are 1000's of ideas, thoughts, art ideas, creations that I want to write about. I went in & edited what this blog is about, as it rarely is about just my ornaments. And, I want to expand it to more than my creations. There are a variety of causes that I have been interested in for many years, and am getting a bit more involved in again, but unfortunately this involvement is somewhat limited. And what does this have to do with compassion? A lot actually. Please excuse me, I'm trying to focus so many things going through my head into one idea here! Did I ever mention that I'm ADD? Yeah, I am!
A few of you may know who I am talking about, and if so, I ask that you please help me keep this person's identity undisclosed. Thank you.
Somebody I know got caught up in a legal mess not too long ago. She had gone to her husband's apt to ask him for some money to buy their baby a jacket. (Yes, they are separated) Their baby was about 7 mos' old, and they had separated when "baby" was 4mos old after 4 - 5 years of marriage. She deeply loved this man, and went through a lot with him. He literally was her best friend for many years. Because of an unfortunate brain injury, he changed over the years, and went from a very caring gentle person to an abusive, & highly agitated person who for some reason connected his wife to his disastrous time in the Army. While at his apartment, things got out of hand. As she was finally able to leave with him following her out with the intention of following her in his car, she was concerned about him driving, after having taken some pain pills, anti-depressants, and drinking the night before, & she called the police.
They were both arrested. The police didn't allow her to call a friend to come get the baby or to pick up her other child who was at home. So of course the cops called CPS, who picked up the kids and took them to different foster homes for 5 days. The baby was being completely breast fed, & the other child was old enough to be home & but pretty freaked out when the cops showed up & hauled them off to a strange place for 5 days, & didn't have a clue what was happening with mom.
From what this person told me about this incident, she really should not have been charged with anything. But, she was & eventually ended up taking a plea deal because she was scared. She was scared that if she was convicted, she could spend 10 years in prison. Not too long ago she was injured in a way that has made getting around quite difficult, especially because she does not own a car. This is causing a problem with probation because she is supposed to start taking Domestic Violence (DV) classes as well Anger Management classes, that will cost about $400 - $500./mo. that she does not have the money for. She was just starting to look for a job when she was injured, but right now cannot work until she heals. Probation isn't being very compassionate about it all. Somewhat, but could definitely be more so! I seriously doubt that having her go to jail and having her 2 kids put in foster homes for the duration will do anyone any good! Besides, it will cost the state a heck of a lot more money.
(yeah, I know, it's getting long!)
Many years ago, in domestic violence cases, it was up to the victim to press charges. This didn't always work out so well. Now, the police have more discretion in some citys & states, but in other states, there are mandatory arrest clauses, along with strict "no drop" policies in DV cases! So, even if you accidentally hurt (even slightly) the other person & get charged, the DA will push for a plea deal & could end up on probation & required to take DV & Anger management classes that are expensive. These strict arrest & no drop policy have led to many people in this area to NOT call the police when they really need to - leading to people being hurt pretty badly or even worse, killed.
People have asked her why she didn't leave her husband long ago. She loved him, this man was her best friend for years, she knew & fell in love with the "real" person, not the person he came to be. She wanted & hoped that with help he could return to at least some degree, the person he once was. People have asked her why she isn't angry at him for leaving her for another young woman. Most of us would be! But, she loves him enough that she truly wants him to be happy. That, is true compassion & love. DV classes teach compassion. I'm not sure that she can be taught to be more of a compassionate person than she is - in fact - even she realizes that her compassion for him, got her in this legal mess. No judgements, if you haven't been there, don't judge. It's an extremely difficult process to leave someone you love, even when that person is hurting you. It is also not a gender thing, there are many women who are the abuser.
It seems there has to be some happy medium between the old "victim having to press charges" to this mandatory arrest thing, but what? Allowing the police to have more discretion? Not having a strict "no drop" policy regarding charges would certainly help. There is a site that promotes having an escape plan & finding other safe places to live (unless you are in "real" danger of being killed) before calling the police in this area! They also recommend putting up video cameras in your home so you have proof. What is NOT ok, falsely charging someone with domestic violence. Yes, there people who have done this, & I hate to say it, mostly woman, who have falsely charged their husbands with domestic violence & have ruined this persons life. If you are unhappy in your marriage, either try to fix it or get out - don't destroy the other persons life.
So, if you are in such a situation, I recommend you find out just what the policies are where you live before you call the police - even if you are innocent, or there's an accident & the other person gets hurt - you can end up in a very bad situation that will affect you the rest of your life. But, be safe!
Sometimes, we just need to walk away for a while & calm down. Walking can do a soul good! Stop & smell the roses!
A few of you may know who I am talking about, and if so, I ask that you please help me keep this person's identity undisclosed. Thank you.
Somebody I know got caught up in a legal mess not too long ago. She had gone to her husband's apt to ask him for some money to buy their baby a jacket. (Yes, they are separated) Their baby was about 7 mos' old, and they had separated when "baby" was 4mos old after 4 - 5 years of marriage. She deeply loved this man, and went through a lot with him. He literally was her best friend for many years. Because of an unfortunate brain injury, he changed over the years, and went from a very caring gentle person to an abusive, & highly agitated person who for some reason connected his wife to his disastrous time in the Army. While at his apartment, things got out of hand. As she was finally able to leave with him following her out with the intention of following her in his car, she was concerned about him driving, after having taken some pain pills, anti-depressants, and drinking the night before, & she called the police.
They were both arrested. The police didn't allow her to call a friend to come get the baby or to pick up her other child who was at home. So of course the cops called CPS, who picked up the kids and took them to different foster homes for 5 days. The baby was being completely breast fed, & the other child was old enough to be home & but pretty freaked out when the cops showed up & hauled them off to a strange place for 5 days, & didn't have a clue what was happening with mom.
From what this person told me about this incident, she really should not have been charged with anything. But, she was & eventually ended up taking a plea deal because she was scared. She was scared that if she was convicted, she could spend 10 years in prison. Not too long ago she was injured in a way that has made getting around quite difficult, especially because she does not own a car. This is causing a problem with probation because she is supposed to start taking Domestic Violence (DV) classes as well Anger Management classes, that will cost about $400 - $500./mo. that she does not have the money for. She was just starting to look for a job when she was injured, but right now cannot work until she heals. Probation isn't being very compassionate about it all. Somewhat, but could definitely be more so! I seriously doubt that having her go to jail and having her 2 kids put in foster homes for the duration will do anyone any good! Besides, it will cost the state a heck of a lot more money.
(yeah, I know, it's getting long!)
Many years ago, in domestic violence cases, it was up to the victim to press charges. This didn't always work out so well. Now, the police have more discretion in some citys & states, but in other states, there are mandatory arrest clauses, along with strict "no drop" policies in DV cases! So, even if you accidentally hurt (even slightly) the other person & get charged, the DA will push for a plea deal & could end up on probation & required to take DV & Anger management classes that are expensive. These strict arrest & no drop policy have led to many people in this area to NOT call the police when they really need to - leading to people being hurt pretty badly or even worse, killed.
People have asked her why she didn't leave her husband long ago. She loved him, this man was her best friend for years, she knew & fell in love with the "real" person, not the person he came to be. She wanted & hoped that with help he could return to at least some degree, the person he once was. People have asked her why she isn't angry at him for leaving her for another young woman. Most of us would be! But, she loves him enough that she truly wants him to be happy. That, is true compassion & love. DV classes teach compassion. I'm not sure that she can be taught to be more of a compassionate person than she is - in fact - even she realizes that her compassion for him, got her in this legal mess. No judgements, if you haven't been there, don't judge. It's an extremely difficult process to leave someone you love, even when that person is hurting you. It is also not a gender thing, there are many women who are the abuser.
It seems there has to be some happy medium between the old "victim having to press charges" to this mandatory arrest thing, but what? Allowing the police to have more discretion? Not having a strict "no drop" policy regarding charges would certainly help. There is a site that promotes having an escape plan & finding other safe places to live (unless you are in "real" danger of being killed) before calling the police in this area! They also recommend putting up video cameras in your home so you have proof. What is NOT ok, falsely charging someone with domestic violence. Yes, there people who have done this, & I hate to say it, mostly woman, who have falsely charged their husbands with domestic violence & have ruined this persons life. If you are unhappy in your marriage, either try to fix it or get out - don't destroy the other persons life.
So, if you are in such a situation, I recommend you find out just what the policies are where you live before you call the police - even if you are innocent, or there's an accident & the other person gets hurt - you can end up in a very bad situation that will affect you the rest of your life. But, be safe!
Sometimes, we just need to walk away for a while & calm down. Walking can do a soul good! Stop & smell the roses!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Thank You & My Apologies
It's been a very strange year, a lot has been going on. Without a computer, this site and my 2 others ones have been badly neglected. Most of my followers on my lisianblue sites have remained - Thank you! I haven't really been creating much, in any medium! I've managed to do some crocheting, but have had to slow down on that - it was creating "tennis elbow", a little sewing, but mostly personal stuff.
I moved Oct 1st 2010 and I'm still trying to get this place organized, it's smaller than my previous apt, so it's a bit of a challenge. Plus, I plan on moving again this Oct. No, I do NOT like moving. However, I cannot stay here, the current manager is horrible & even if she leaves, I need to move. I want to move to an apt. complex that has an indoor pool so I can swim year round. I imagine I will be busy getting rid of things through some yard sales, and doing what I can online - it's hard to have yard sales here - it's a gated complex, so it's mostly limited to the people who live here.
It's been nice to have a computer again and have more contact with the world.
My apologies, I know I don't always keep up with the ArtFire Crazy Train posts, or the HAF Blog ring, and other things online.
I have a lot going on - mostly Dr's appointments. For instance this coming week, I have 6! seriously 6! and that's just Monday, Tuesday & Wed. So, I expect I will be worn out by the end of the day on each of those days and probably worn out for the next 3 days after Wed.
I just made a calender for myself, organizing the things I want, need to do - online, and otherwise. I'm hoping this will help me keep on track a little better!
I recently had cataract surgery in my right eye. The surgery went ok, but I lost a lot of vision in that eye. I can see better close up, but became more near sighted in that eye. My left eye has a small cataract, that isn't impeding my vision so much, but it is affecting my color perception! The color perception is good in my right eye - but with both at the same time - my color perception is not accurate. My eyes are very different now, and it has taken some getting used to - major nauseating headaches, that have finally stopped - thankfully! I see further away with my left eye than I can with the right eye. If I'm closer than a foot - it becomes blurry with my left eye! Right eye - great close up - further than a foot, it's blurry. Sometimes when I'm reading things will go out of focus! And the surgeon told me my eyes are are really very similar! NOT! So, it does take me a little longer to do a lot of things, especially writing or reading. Plus my right eye was inflamed for some time after the surgery which didn't help matters. I'm hoping that when I finally get my new glasses that this situation will improve! Guess, I will get the bifocals - but honestly I'm not counting on that working! I tried them once before and I just could not get the hang of it! Maybe this time I can get the hang of them!
Most of the time, I really don't think about how old I am - but, then my body reminds me. And as some of you know, it's not just an age thing - I just have health issues that have to be dealt with.
For those of you who have children, especially in the SW, please add sunglasses for the outdoors along with sunscreen - most of the damage is done by age 10! I'm not even 60! I realize my health problems may have contributed to early cataracts - some meds like Prednisone can also contribute to cataracts forming. The sun not only leads to cataracts but also macular degeneration, and cancer - yup in the eyes!
I also added "visit blogs" on my calender, so I hope to be visiting more blogs.
Ok, I'm done!
and yes, I can get long winded at times!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!
I moved Oct 1st 2010 and I'm still trying to get this place organized, it's smaller than my previous apt, so it's a bit of a challenge. Plus, I plan on moving again this Oct. No, I do NOT like moving. However, I cannot stay here, the current manager is horrible & even if she leaves, I need to move. I want to move to an apt. complex that has an indoor pool so I can swim year round. I imagine I will be busy getting rid of things through some yard sales, and doing what I can online - it's hard to have yard sales here - it's a gated complex, so it's mostly limited to the people who live here.
It's been nice to have a computer again and have more contact with the world.
My apologies, I know I don't always keep up with the ArtFire Crazy Train posts, or the HAF Blog ring, and other things online.
I have a lot going on - mostly Dr's appointments. For instance this coming week, I have 6! seriously 6! and that's just Monday, Tuesday & Wed. So, I expect I will be worn out by the end of the day on each of those days and probably worn out for the next 3 days after Wed.
I just made a calender for myself, organizing the things I want, need to do - online, and otherwise. I'm hoping this will help me keep on track a little better!
I recently had cataract surgery in my right eye. The surgery went ok, but I lost a lot of vision in that eye. I can see better close up, but became more near sighted in that eye. My left eye has a small cataract, that isn't impeding my vision so much, but it is affecting my color perception! The color perception is good in my right eye - but with both at the same time - my color perception is not accurate. My eyes are very different now, and it has taken some getting used to - major nauseating headaches, that have finally stopped - thankfully! I see further away with my left eye than I can with the right eye. If I'm closer than a foot - it becomes blurry with my left eye! Right eye - great close up - further than a foot, it's blurry. Sometimes when I'm reading things will go out of focus! And the surgeon told me my eyes are are really very similar! NOT! So, it does take me a little longer to do a lot of things, especially writing or reading. Plus my right eye was inflamed for some time after the surgery which didn't help matters. I'm hoping that when I finally get my new glasses that this situation will improve! Guess, I will get the bifocals - but honestly I'm not counting on that working! I tried them once before and I just could not get the hang of it! Maybe this time I can get the hang of them!
Most of the time, I really don't think about how old I am - but, then my body reminds me. And as some of you know, it's not just an age thing - I just have health issues that have to be dealt with.
For those of you who have children, especially in the SW, please add sunglasses for the outdoors along with sunscreen - most of the damage is done by age 10! I'm not even 60! I realize my health problems may have contributed to early cataracts - some meds like Prednisone can also contribute to cataracts forming. The sun not only leads to cataracts but also macular degeneration, and cancer - yup in the eyes!
I also added "visit blogs" on my calender, so I hope to be visiting more blogs.
Ok, I'm done!
and yes, I can get long winded at times!
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
AND A HAT TOO
So, I just wanted to put this one here real quick - I finished up a hat to go with the dress, be sure to check out the dress in the previous post! I wanted to make a cute little pair of pants ( ya know the ones with ruffles for babies! no not really) but sort of ran out of material - I could piece one together, but I'm afraid it would look like it came off a mini-clown - so the dress and hat will do!
And one of these days, soon I hope, I will figure out where I'm going!
Friday, July 9, 2010
A DRESS FOR EVIE
After going through most of my belongings, throwing things away, selling things, and trying to get stuff packed up to move to Colorado Springs, and generally creating a big mess in my apartment, we decided that it might be better if I wait a year to move - to give me time to get through everything and get it packed! I just don't move as fast as I used to.
So, the other day as I was unpacking my material I came across these small pieces of red and white striped material - all different, and not much of any of it. But, I thought mmmmmm they just might work to make a tiered ruffle dress for my 6mo old granddaughter, Evie. With a little unbleached muslin as the underskirt, this is what I managed to put together. I thought it would be cute - but with the bow and a little fancy stitching, it turned out even cuter than I first thought it would.
and oh yeah, the material is from blouses that I rescued from the dumpster. and I think I may even have enough left to make a little hat to match. ! so you see, even those blouses or jeans that have a little rip in them can often be repurposed and made into something else just as usefull!
So, the other day as I was unpacking my material I came across these small pieces of red and white striped material - all different, and not much of any of it. But, I thought mmmmmm they just might work to make a tiered ruffle dress for my 6mo old granddaughter, Evie. With a little unbleached muslin as the underskirt, this is what I managed to put together. I thought it would be cute - but with the bow and a little fancy stitching, it turned out even cuter than I first thought it would.
and oh yeah, the material is from blouses that I rescued from the dumpster. and I think I may even have enough left to make a little hat to match. ! so you see, even those blouses or jeans that have a little rip in them can often be repurposed and made into something else just as usefull!Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Wonders of Grandchildren
I admit, I haven't been keeping up with things, and until I get resettled in my new home, in a whole new city and state, come Aug or Sept, I probably won't be able to. I've been trying to go through things deciding what to try to sell, what to keep, give away, throw away...........................but the thing is I need money in order to move!!! The place I really wanted to move to here in Alb, isn't really an option anymore for various reasons, and then my daughter asked me to move to Colorado Springs to help her out with the kids and she could help me out with shopping and a few other things - seems like a win win situation to me - only problem is after we decided that this would work, her husband decided to move out - so they have less money to help me move up there! I probably would have gone through this process anyway, it's just more critical now!
I went to Colorado Springs the beginnning of May and brought my grandson home with me - so, between trying to go through things, and taking care of him, my presence on the www has really dropped off.
I was making chicken soup and he was looking at some of the bottles I've painted and started coming up with magical potions my "potion vials" might hold!
these were some of his ideas.
Transport Potion
Scent Potion - pour a little potion on yourself to create any scent you want.
Love Potion Bottle (Vial as he calls them)
Healing Potion Vial
"Mystery Potion Vial" to be revealed!
We spent Sat at a friends having a yard sale - which meant loading up another friends car Friday night, getting up at the break of dawn Sat and going to another friends house, unloading the car, setting up all my stuff, arranging enough items to fill up 5 tables on 2 tables and a sheet and leaving a bunch in the tubs, then loading it all back up 5 hrs later and heading home. 2 hours later after a short nap, unloading it all! I've been unloading all the boxes and going through it all, labeling the boxes, trying to put like items in one box - which I had done to some degree before this, but I'm trying to get it more organized so I can note what I have, and what has sold instead of thinking I lost something or it was stolen! Not sure if it's a Capricorn thing or an ADD thing!! or maybe an OCD thing! maybe a bit of both! We talked about doing a yard sale this weekend, but since it's the last weekend of the month, I decided to wait until after the 1st. Doing yard sales is really hard on me, even when I do them here at my apartment - but I certainly did better at my friends than I do at the apt as far as sales go. I'm going to be listing more items in both my artfire and etsy shop and some supplies and other items in my lisianblue2 shop on artfire - and yay I think Summer is really almost here - my back got burned! I forgot my sunscreen - ouch!
Thanks for stoppping by and have a great day!
I went to Colorado Springs the beginnning of May and brought my grandson home with me - so, between trying to go through things, and taking care of him, my presence on the www has really dropped off.
I was making chicken soup and he was looking at some of the bottles I've painted and started coming up with magical potions my "potion vials" might hold!
these were some of his ideas.
"Mystery Potion Vial" to be revealed!
We spent Sat at a friends having a yard sale - which meant loading up another friends car Friday night, getting up at the break of dawn Sat and going to another friends house, unloading the car, setting up all my stuff, arranging enough items to fill up 5 tables on 2 tables and a sheet and leaving a bunch in the tubs, then loading it all back up 5 hrs later and heading home. 2 hours later after a short nap, unloading it all! I've been unloading all the boxes and going through it all, labeling the boxes, trying to put like items in one box - which I had done to some degree before this, but I'm trying to get it more organized so I can note what I have, and what has sold instead of thinking I lost something or it was stolen! Not sure if it's a Capricorn thing or an ADD thing!! or maybe an OCD thing! maybe a bit of both! We talked about doing a yard sale this weekend, but since it's the last weekend of the month, I decided to wait until after the 1st. Doing yard sales is really hard on me, even when I do them here at my apartment - but I certainly did better at my friends than I do at the apt as far as sales go. I'm going to be listing more items in both my artfire and etsy shop and some supplies and other items in my lisianblue2 shop on artfire - and yay I think Summer is really almost here - my back got burned! I forgot my sunscreen - ouch!
Thanks for stoppping by and have a great day!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
AND MORE FOR THE BABY
Little boys are so cool, but they grow up and things that were ok at 4 aren't so ok at 10. Thankfully, I have a little granddaughter to make bunnies for now!!! I couldn't resist, since this is Evie's 1st Valentines day. So, I made a baby bunny for her. Well, it's 14" instead of the bigger 20" one - she'll get one of those soon.
Her whole body is made of the heart material except for the inside ears which is a soft pink flannel with little tiny rosebuds. The outfit is one I designed using a combination of the dress yoke and the pantaloons for the 20" bunny - had to really resize them to fit this 14" one. Although I dislike Velcro, the back closes with it. (no buttons for babies!) The eyes are french knots ( a little hard to see) so she doesn't have little buttons to fall off. The flannel outfit and ears match blankets I made for Evie, and soon I'll be making a bigger bunny out of a piece of floral fleece that is also a blanket along with some pink fleece, because there isn't enough of the floral one - and unfortunately the store seemed to be out of it. :-( She's sitting on a piece of striped flannel that is left over after making several blankets with it. I've made about 8 receiving blankets with flannel material, not sure that it was really much cheaper than buying them, but she has blankies that are bigger and much prettier than any I found out there. Flannel ones are zig-zagged edged sticthed. Made several out of fleece, and another one will be finished up soon. Not too hard to do, just cut the material down, the upcoming pink one will be the only one that will have a blanket binding around it. Will be able to put some on the others when they come down here in March (HOPEFULLY).
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
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