Stamping Up Fun Day April 25, 2010

To all of you who know about our crazy fun days and to those of you who haven't attended one yet let me tell you about the next one.
I will be hosting a Stamping Up party and when I say party I mean party. This event as usual is free and there is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything. The demonstrator will be teaching us how to use rubber stamps to make greeting cards. All materials will be provided and all that you have to do is bring your sense of humor and gift of gab. The date for this event is Sunday April 25, 2010 and there are no reservations required although I would like to know if you are coming to make sure I have enough seats. You may contact me for further information at this blog site. Please feel free to bring a friend and have a fun afternoon with us.
As for party, most of the time we have so much fun and food that it turns into a great party. Catching up with fellow crafters and doing fun things together is was has inspired us to do many of the projects that you see on this blog and we all agree to share our knowledge with each other.
I hope to see a lot of you there. It will be a great afternoon and I wouldn't want you to miss it.

Little accomplishments are the most rewarding.

I have promised myself to spend as much time as I can working on building my Etsy store. I have finished a few more items and listed them, but my mind is forever working ten steps ahead of what I'm working on. True crafter I think.

I finished this darling child's apron today on my day off and couldn't wait to show it off. Its made from a vintage 1951 pattern and the Hello Kitty is also vintage. Adding the eyelet lace finished it and with a little updated altering I was able to make it in a couple of hours. The first one is always the hardest.

You can see my other accomplishments on my Etsy store at Butterflyplace.etsy.com. Enjoy!

New Listings on Etsy

I am having the most wonderful time of my life sewing for fun and to earn a few dollars to support my habit. I made my first tea cozy for a friend and now it's become addictive. I just listed two sets on my Etsy store and have designs for more. I have this abundance of fabric just waiting to be used. I cannot wait to see what my imagination can inspire me to achieve. This is what friendships have done for me and I know I'm smiling more and looking forward to what 2010 has in store. I'm welcoming the universe into my life.

I have been diligently working on my Damn it Dolls also. I have ten ready for hair and five more to put together. I hope to be listing them this weekend. They are standing in a box staring at me so I need to get them finished.

I've also accumulated more fabric for my fun projects and have been ironing it and putting it away in my stash. One step at a time and remain patient. I can do anything.

February Fun

February Fun day is exactly that. On cold winter days there isn't anything better to do than to spend time with family, friends and comfort food and that's exactly what we did. Laughed and supported each other, created and criticized, and indulged in warm food. Eleven hours of pure madness and fabric everywhere, but some of the creations were absolutely fabulous.

I have posted a few of the pictures here, but you can see more on face book. Become my friend and share all of the excitement. And for those of you who are curious, yes the devil was at our event also. She was exposing her horns.

Finally a picture of the Christmas Tree

Okay it's taken long enough, but today I figured it out and got the picture from the disk to the HP image zone. Still somewhat baffled by the computer, but I'm learning more and more each day. I spent some time today listing more items on my Etsy store so feel free to visit.

The Christmas tree was a Canaan fir and smelled just wonderful. It lasted a month and brought great pleasure to us during the holiday and into the new year. I finally got to display all of the homemade fabric ornaments I had been working on and included mostly Santa ornaments to go along with them. I hope you enjoy seeing it. It's a memory that will last forever.

Fabric Origami Christmas

It was decided to have a real Christmas tree this year and I chose to adorn it with mostly home made fabric Christmas ornaments. I did some fabric origami, folded fabric quilting, and used odds and ends of things given to create a beautiful tree. We got a Canaan Fir and the aroma was wonderful. We combined the ornaments with simple white lights and we enjoyed it's company for a month. Just some simple scraps and a little bit of time can make anything into something.

I also made new Christmas stockings and decorated them with fabric origami. If you ever need something fun to do try this method of fabric folding. It was relaxing for me.

Jr. Chef

Look at our new Jr. Chef. At age seven Josh is discovering cooking. What would any seven year old do without an apron, oven mitts and a chef's hat. I think the transformer pattern worked because Josh was ready willing and able to eat brownies, cookies and Christmas ham. Sewing is so much fun and the gifts are so much more personal.

Rediscovering Aprons

It seems that one of the most popular items people want to make today is an apron. Mostly fancy ones that are retro in style, but if you're going to actually use them a simple apron works wonders. Here's my latest creation and there are two of them. A his and a hers. I made them for some special friends. I hope everyone is having as much fun sewing aprons as I am.

Keep smiling.

Just a quick note to say hello to everyone and keep smiling. Life is and always will be great no matter what we have to deal with. Do a little crafting, cooking or just spend some time with a friend and the world is your happy place. SMILE!

My name is Mariosal.

Hello. My name is Mariosal. I'm a new creation from the Craft Zone. I'm part of a round robin altered doll project that is underway to create a doll and story so that our imaginations can fly. This has been great fun for Elaine because she didn't think that she could be so creative. It's been more than she ever expected and her creative juices have just been flowing. The story she has created for my journey into this round robin will make her and her friends laugh and she's left me open for the adventure of a lifetime.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13 CRAFT ZONE SWAP

This is the date and I can't wait. I have invited more new people and I hope it will be as much fun as the past swaps. Bring whatever you don't want any more and take what you think you can use. It's time to move on to new projects and maybe you'll find that treasure to do the projects you always wanted to.
This is an early fall Sunday and it will run from 1-5 pm and most of you know that we usually go a little longer.
Refreshments will be available with time to gab and craft or just exchange ideas. I hope to see you all there for the third annual Craft Zone Swap.

The Craft Zone Swap

Once again its time to clean house. Do you have craft stuff that you no longer use? Maybe someone else has something that you need. Start cleaning now and bring your bags, boxes, baskets, whatever filled with what you don't need any more and swap it for something that you do. All things crafty welcome. Some suggestions: craft magazines, sewing items, yarn, paper, stickers, wood shapes, rubber stamps or whatever you have. I'm sure you have things to clean out that are not ready for the trash. Everything can be given new life and we need to save the landfills for stuff that's really trash. This is a free fun afternoon and light snacks and beverages will be served. We look forward to seeing you and if you would like to bring friends please do. Everyone is welcome.

Black and White

Black and white kitchen attire. That was the gift for my nieces wedding which was beautiful. Her colors are black and hot pink, but her new home will have black, white and gray tones. Staying with this color pallet I decided to make them something they could use every day. For the groom I chose an all black barbecue apron. Simple, practical and not embarrassing to wear. For the bride a favorite apron with a beautiful flounce which will meet her very feminine side while working in her new kitchen. To finish the gift I made a quilted table topper that was a project at the American Sewing Guild meeting, a pair of solid black oven mitts and a pair of pot holders made from the remaining fabrics. A white glass two tiered serving tray completed the gift. I had fun making this personal gift and I know this couple will appreciate them.

Staying Busy?

With all the warm weather that we've had up until today it's been hard to want to stay busy. It's been a challenge to be disciplined, but I keep going. As a result I have been using some of my creative spirit to refashion items into something new. My mind keeps thinking of things to do with all the stuff that I have around, but to put them in a separate pile would probably fill a room. I do a few and stack a few and it's working out that I am at least completing some tasks and at the same time having fun doing it. I guess in the long run it's fun we should be having isn't it? What's the sense in doing something if we're not having fun? At the same time there's so much stuff in the world that we can't throw it all away can we?


So here are three of the latest projects that my mind and hands created. I hope you can have fun too doing something creative with something that you already have and you can see more creations at butterflyplace.etsy.com. See you there!


Keep in touch and happy spring to everyone.

Damn It Doll

At the last play day the discussion of stress dolls came up, and we had all had some type at our disposal at one time or another in our lives. I remembered that I did have something in the form of a pattern for one, but of course with all the stuff in the Craft Zone where could it be? Well the organized person that I am, had put it with my patterns. If this isn't original I don't know what is and it only took half an hour of searching everywhere but with the patterns to figure this out. Was this a senior moment or what? We took the pattern that we had and altered it to come up with the above doll and I gave it to Jill because she seemed to be most interested in it. She said that her mother had just made herself a new one and found the information on line. Well the doll has gone with Jill to Arizona and from what I hear is a big hit. Pardon the pun. We sure hope it's getting her through the rough moments that she is dealing with and it doesn't get too worn out with use.

The following is the poem that goes with this doll:

When you think you want to climb the walls

Or jump right up and shout

Here's a little "Damn it Doll"

You cannot live without

Just grasp it firmly by the legs

And find a place to slam it

Then as you whack it's stuffing out

Yell "Damn it, Damn it, Damn it"

Midwinter Play Day

What better way to cure the winter blues than to have a play day. It was a blast. Five of us got together to laugh, enjoy some lunch, sew, create and just spill our souls with friends. I couldn't have had a better time. We will be doing this more often I promise.

Since this meeting some of us have been together again over coffee and a light sandwich and done some more laughing and have promised to stay in touch more often and take more time to be creative.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jill whose son has been in a terrible vehicle accident and it has taken her to Arizona to be by his side. She is remaining positive and we have good vibes that he will be okay. With all that life has to throw at us it is important to take care of one another and remember that without friends some of us could not make it. We owe a lot to each other. May the fun continue despite our difficulties and may we all offer help when it is needed.

Latest Creation

Who says that waiting for the cable guy has to be boring. He was due to arrive between eight a.m. and noon. What is a person to do? Well I started working on a new bag. Just for me too. Unheard of to say the least, but I did it. I started early and kept going until the cable guy arrived. This was about eleven. By this time I was about one third of the way done. While this poor soul, (Keith by name), was out in the bitter cold wiring the house from the pole with his companion cable guy, I kept going and by the time they were ready to come in and hook up the TV it was after one and I had quite a bit more done. I had it pretty much sewn and pinned together by this time and was almost ready to finish the job. When Keith finished getting the cable in and I had signed off on the job there was time for a quick bite to eat and it was off to the sewing machine because by now I was hooked and wanted it finished. I worked along for about another hour when the phone rang and it was the cable company. They needed to inspect the mornings work and review with me a few questions, but this couldn't be done over the phone they needed to ask me personally and check the hook-up to the TV. Well my hands were sore anyway and I needed a break and fifteen minutes later I was going over my experience with the cable company for 45 minutes. It is now 3:50 in the afternoon and I'm torn between finishing the bag and preparing dinner because Lisa would be home in a little more than an hour. My choice was to finish the bag and I did. I prepared dinner later.

So now let me tell you about the latest creation. Jill will recognize this fabric right away. It is an upholstery fabric. Quite thick too that has been bonded with a knit on the back. I lined it with a coordinating gabardine and included three pockets inside. I added a tab with a hook to attach my keys and this way I won't be searching for them on the bottom of the bag. I made a smaller bag with a zipper for my medications and personal care items out of the same fabric to keep order in the bag. I used a magnetic fastener to keep the flap closed and added a butterfly pin for embellishment. This pattern is the one I have used in the past with the exception of the longer strap. As I am getting older the over the shoulder bag has bothered my arm and I was getting to the point where I would feel vulnerable and feared someone pulling my bag off of my shoulder. The messenger style has freed up my hands and taken the stress off of my body. Okay I admit I am getting older, but it was such a simple solution. This was a very difficult fabric to work with because of it's thickness and turning the handle was the hardest part. My hands ached for a day.

So next time you need to wait for the cable guy and need a project why not make a new bag for yourself. I had more fun organizing myself and figuring out what to put in and take out of my purse and now I can even keep my coupons with me. This makes it all worth while.

What's going on?

Well haven't I been away for a while? So much is happening and so much more will. Most stories to long to tell and better left untold. It's a new year and a new time and with today's economic situations what can be said. I have been taking all of the positives in life and throwing them into the Craft Zone.

Being one of those persons without a "job" isn't easy, but it's not the end either. It's another door opening and it's what I want to do any way. I am learning more about business every day and learning to get it more organized, although you'll see by the updated pictures that this doesn't look like it's happening. The organization is coming with the bookkeeping and filing and controlling the business end of the Craft Zone. I have installed new bookkeeping software and created the spreadsheets needed for 2009 and feel at least like I can perform end of month duties on time. I'll just have to stay disciplined and it will all happen.

As for the physical side of the Craft Zone, you'll see that the fabric and projects keeps rolling in and I have purchased brand new machines. Six in all, but one was given to a supporting member for her dedication to me. These are inexpensive but good machines that should stand up for a while as I take the Craft Zone to the next level. Advertising is the next step and so far I am relying on word of mouth and any where I can post an ad for free. The budget is not quite set for anything more at this time, but time will change that too.

So as all of the business and physical aspects of the Craft Zone develop there is still one part that needs work. This is the scheduling of events. I have been trying to come up with new events and I hope to add one to this years calendar. We are working on a date for the third annual swap and as soon as we can we will print the fliers for this event and give everyone time to prepare. The other event we are thinking about is the Linus project. We have been doing this on a personal level. This project creates blankets for needy children and children in hospital situations. As we all know there are many in need and we can all do some small part to help, so I'm looking forward to scheduling this sort of event maybe twice this year. There are several other ideas, but so far they are all in the planning stages.

Well enjoy the updated pictures and feel free to pass this site on to all of your friends. Who knows who will come to our next play day. See you soon. I promise

The Quilt is in Lake View

Okay it took some time, but it is finished and on my granddaughter's bed. She loved it and said it almost touches the floor. It turned out better than I thought, but after hours on the floor putting the layers together I managed to get it to her one week after her 13th birthday. It was so big and fluffy and I fell in love with it too. Lisa has named it Juicy Fruit because of all the colors involved. It will brighten her room for sure and make her feel like a special person.

I have also found temp work while I look for permanent employment. I've heard there aren't any jobs out there, but I've had little problems coming up with something. Not what I want to do permanently yet, but at least it's an income and I have my business moving too. My spirits have never been higher and I can see all possibilities. Never stop dreaming. The universe has many directions for us to follow.

I can't believe that summer is almost over for the kids. Besides a bad case of Bronchitis summer has been wonderful, but I know that my favorite time of year is here because of all the pears that are in containers on the deck. Lisa and I managed to pick about two bushel's this weekend and now we will have to find them a home. Too many for the two of us. I can smell the pie now and the air has felt like fall the past two days. So here's to the last days of summer and everyone please have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend.

Better Late Than Never

Okay so it's been a few months. I'm not very good at keeping up, but now that I am not working, I'll see what I can do. I had a wonderful trip to Florida with my daughter and her family. I can't wait to do Disney World again, but this time walking through everything. It was hot and humid, but I loved every ride I went on with them and even the days driving. I am scrap booking the event in the form of a story book for myself, but I can't wait to see the kids reaction to my format.

We had a great swap this past weekend. It's amazing how much fun just trading stuff and gabbing is. I have to admit that I wasn't prepared for it at all, but I pushed to empty out and I hope everyone got something that they could use. It's a dandy way to recycle and keep things out of landfills. I think more people should try it.

My wall of fabric has grown some more. I have added another shelf, but if you see bare spots don't worry I have plenty to fill it up, I just have to do it. Maybe tomorrow. As you can see I have been busy this week. My grandaughter will be thirteen Saturday (time flies) and I am making her a quilt and as I was told it would go together quick. I got it to this point in a few days. Not without issues though. I won't have it done for her exact birthday, but I have promised that I will have it to her in the next couple of weeks. I guess if I keep with it I can keep my promise. I just hope she can sleep in a room full of so many bright colors.

So the Craft Zone goes on. The lessons continue and I am hoping that by fall the number of students will increase. I have more leads on special needs woman and am working to get them here.

Not much else is new, but for all of you who viewed the pears in the refrigerator from years past, it's almost that time again and I'm not excited at all. I may be calling on you to come and get a bag full. These are the things that keep me from updating my blog, but I will improve. I have more time on my hands now.