Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts

Monday, February 25, 2019

Monday Makin!


This weekend I tried some new things, kitty beds. I wanted to make something for Moki, since he has decided to sleep on the table. I have been using old towels, but now he has his own bed and he loves it. It is big enough to cover the table and he can stretch out in it.

I just sewed a square by folding the fabric in half, leaving one side open, then turning it right side out. To stuff it, I put 4 layers of square batting in the middle, pinned it in place and sewed around the edge to hold it in place. Then I stuffed the sides with batting to give it an edge.

It is a great way to use up old fabric and I used batting from previous projects, so it is a cheap way to make your kitty a comfy bed.


Izzy also loves his bed and tried to steal it when he gets out. So, I decided to try another for her. I found a pattern online, which I cannot find now, but you can go to Instructables and find a similar pattern. I made mine a little differently. Once I turned it right sides out, I added a circle of batting, then I sewed around it, to keep it in place. Once that was done, I stuffed the sides, then sewed up the opening by hand. I like using batting for the pad, since I have extra, and it saves on my batting. If I was making more, I would use foam for the pad and a stiffer, cheaper batting for the sides.

This is the result, it is a bit cock eyed, I didn't have a template for the circle, so I got as close as I could. Of course Izzy wants nothing to do with it. I think I need to make her a larger one, like Moki's, she is so spoiled.

I also saw a pattern, where you make the sides with a flat bottom and make a separate pad to place in it, I like that idea.


I realized I needed something long to stuff the sides with, and I found a long metal tool, no idea where I got it, or what it is for. It was too thin to push the stuffing through, so I came up with an idea that did the job, I wrapped tape around the top, which was perfect for pushing it to the back sides.


This weekend we did a little shopping. I have been looking for couch pillows and there is nothing that matches my taste or colors. But, I found these ugly pink pillows, 25" and the pair cost 6.50. Now that is a deal and I can recover them with my own fabric. I am still trying to decide, but I am leaning towards making open back pillows so I can make designs for each season, and change them out.


And I couldn't resist stopping at the beach on the way home. I wanted to get out for a little while and walk on the beach and the tide was down enough to leave some wonderful pieces of driftwood. I will be using the larger pieces as bases for wood or needle felting and the smalls can be used with my art glass ideas.

I clean it in soapy water with bleach, so it is drying. It will lighten up as it dries.


Monday, December 3, 2012

Christmas Stitcheries!


I worked on some new stitcheries to add to my packages. I made some more flat ornaments and filled these with some balsam from Maine, I like giving my friends a touch of the north to enjoy in their homes.

The designs for these came from an out of print book by Cheri Saffiote, Two Hour Quilted Christmas Projects. It is filled with wonderful designs to stitch or for appiques. You can get copies on ebay or used book stores, for under 5 dollars, if you keep your eyes open. I antiqued these and decided to add some of my java spray to make them more grungy. The pieces are a lot darker in person.

Taken with my little camera, so the photos are not that great.


I also made a pillow, I love it when I find a free graphic with a  friend saying. Unfortunately, I forgot where I found it. But, there are lots of freebies on the web, just use the image search and change up the keywords, to find different types. You can also visit Free Stitchin' Patterns, Sue has some new ones up today. Another site that I visit to find new stitcheries and patterns is Craftgossip. Every day the editors list new free designs for crafts and cooking.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Presents and Freebies!


The other day I received a wonderful gift in the mail from Mary of Quilt Hollow. She made me a mini quilted piece with an opening at the bottom, so I could make it into something I want. I am going to fill it with pine balsam and place it on a shelf, so I can enjoy looking at it and a fresh pine scent in the house for christmas.


And I am working on gifts for others. I made up a couple of snowman ornies. I will add bells to the front and on the top of the hats.

I also found some new freebies on the web that I thought you might enjoy. It is fun to have things to make for the holidays especially if they are free!

Marjory of Pecks Pieces has a wonderful wall quilt with appliqué santas. She has the quilt and the first santa up, for you to download.

Check out Lyn Brown's mini quilt pattern pak. There are appliques for the different seasons, I love the pear block, it is an extra in the booklet.


Monday, November 22, 2010

Doll Makers Wanted!

I was visiting Edyth O'neill's blog and found a truly touching request and wanted to pass it along to my readers.
I know a lot of you make dolls and this is such a sweet cause and would truly make a wonderful woman happy.
Edyth has known this woman for years and she has helped Edyth when her house burnt down and now she is at a point in her life, where a sharing of our gifts, would truly bring happiness to her life.

So, if you like to make dolls or would love to do something special for the holiday season, please visit Edyth's site and you can get details there.

If you do not have black doll patterns, you can easily modify any pattern by using dark fabrics.
Here are a few sites for free patterns, to make dolls, if you would like to join in. Many of these dolls would be wonderful gifts for little girls too, maybe for a local shelter.

Annie's Cupboard

Cloth Doll Collection

Doll Maker's Journey

Free Cloth Doll Patterns

For epatterns, there are some wonderful ladies who make patterns for dolls and often have specials on their patterns.



Threadbare Primitives has some wonderful doll patterns, and some are on special. I love the Tabitha doll, that is one I would love to make and it is only 4.99 for an epattern.

Another wonderful designer is Jackie Schmidt. She has some wonderful primitive black angel dolls that would be fun to make.

Kim Koehler has some wonderful black doll patterns, that are primitive and simple to make.