What To Do When The Stress Hits The Fan?? Sew!

Wow! Two posts in one day?!?! So this is what can happen when I feel better and I don't take a nap! Haha!


Look out folks! I have my first pair of pinking shears...and I know how to use them!

Summer time always puts me in the "project" frame of mind. Recently I dove in headfirst and brought my sewing machine with me.

Some friends of mine have been making pillowcase dresses and I wanted to try my hand at it...especially while little bugs is still small enough to wear one!

So this is my first pillowcase dress!!


I used the instructions found on this wonderfully creative blog I visit frequently. I couldn't get past the fact that every time I looked at it, I could see nothing more than a pillowcase. Soooo...I did a search for video tutorials on youtube on how to make bows and taught myself kind of quick to add these cute little green bows on her dress. Here's the before and after pictures.


I'm diggin' it a little more now with the bows. And here's a funny outtake of Bugs flexin' her muscles. I gotta give it to her...she's got some guns for as scrappy as she is!


Well, so that was my first sewing project, and now that I know I can actually produce something that is wearable...I'm on to new sewing projects!! No more dresses made from pillowcases, but I do plan on making a few more dresses for the other cutie pies in my life. Here are some of the fabrics I chose...
CANNOT wait to get this^^ dress made! I LOVE this fabric! The one below is for a halter top my mom wants me to make for little Bugs. Should be cute!

And I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with this fabric below but I fell in love with the pattern and the animals. I'm gonna thump the 'ole noggin and come up with something crafty and creative to do with this one!

So apparently when I get stressed out, the best thing for me is to put my hands to work on something fun and let my mind zone out for a while. And sewing does just that for me!

For My Feathered Friends...

Welcome to what I have deemed my "bird sanctuary."

Essentially, the overgrown fence line at the back of the property has become too big of a beast to be tamed by one gal. So as the saying goes...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em...and I'm big enough to admit defeat. Instead of cursing the jungle in my backyard, I have chosen to embrace it. To cultivate it lovingly, trim it as I can and enjoy it for the wildlife that it brings my way.

As I have laid in my hammock evening upon evening, I have enjoyed watching the numerous kinds of birds flit back and forth. Some are "twitter-pated," others are chasing worms and still others are just content to nest upon the branches and serenade me as I swing back and forth.

I've been wanting to add several bird feeders in the back so I can attract more birds, watch them eat and play and of course keep them fat and happy! My budget is an issue, seeing as I'm back in school and can't justify the expense of several new feeders. Therefore, I turned to google. The results yielded the ever-popular 2-liter soda bottle feeder. Which is nice, except I don't drink soda. So this meant nothing more than a scavenger hunt for me! I raided my office and lo and behold the lightbulb went off when I saw my collection of CD spindles.

Okay, so on to the real reason you're reading this! The "how to's" of the CD Spindle Birdfeeder.

What you will need:
1 pair of needlenose pliers
1 Box cutter knife
1 CD Spindle
Some rope (I used raffia)
2 sticks (you could use chop sticks, popscicle sticks...)


First, using the pliers, I poked three holes in the base of the spindle to allow any moisture to drain out. Then, using the pliers, I poked two holes in the side at the top of the spindle cover. I gathered several strands of raffia together, twisted one end and ran it through the holes and then tied it together at the top creating a loop to hang the feeder on.


Then I made the holes for the sticks that would give the birds a spot to perch. I attached the cover to the base to give the sides some support. Once the pliers break through, you can twist them to make the hole large enough for your stick. Do the same thing on the other side. You can place as many of these as you want. I went with two since I was using a smaller spindle.


Once the holes for the perches were finished, I then took the box cutter, and VERY carefully made a horizontal cut about half an inch above the perch, then two vertical cuts, going up from each end of the horizontal cut. This creates a flap. I then had to score the plastic from the inside to get the flap to stay open. This is done by making a light cut at the top of the flap. The flap will then push in and stay open and keep bird seed from just pouring out of the feeder.


Here is a detail shot of the flap going in:


Here is the completed construction and the tools used.


I went with a very earthy, natural look to compliment the plastic : ) Here is the finished product hanging in the backyard. The birds have already discovered it and are feasting away!

And then for your viewing pleasure, here are a few more pictures from around the bird sanctuary. I missed getting pictures of all the honeysuckle while it was in bloom but in the spring the back is just filled with it! I love the smell!




And of course, Daisy Lou has her running trails beneath the mass of vines and branches, there is a ground hog that calls the bird sanctuary home and I think she likes hunting it.

A Change In The Air

Fall changes are coming to a front door near you!

This weather, and added stress are making me antsy to do something crafty. For me, there are few things I find truly relaxing where my overstimulated, always thinking brain can slow down and focus on just one thing. One of those things is crafting something or making a change.

So, now that the weather is turning (much to the shagrin of those who just can't get enough of summer) my thoughts have turned towards mums and fall colors! So, I figured I would post a picture of the summer wreath I made (nothing more than shoving four colors of different types of flowers in a grapevine wreath) along with the setup of geraniums and the ferns. Mainly so I can look back for next summer as a reference point for setting it all up again!

So here you go, my bright colors that I have enjoyed this summer.

And when I decide what kind of crafty thing I do, I'll be sure to post it to maybe pass along any ideas.