Image: sxc.hu

1. Blazing Star
2. Sunbean Block
3. Feather Edged Star
4. Lone Star
5. Eight-pointed Star
6. Virginia Star
7. North Carolina Star
8. French Star
9. Tennessee Star
10. Le Moyne Star
11. Saw Tooth
12. Rising Star
13. Lone Star

Of course, there are many more variations of eight-pointed stars.  What have you made utilizing these designs?  They also can be incorporated into other types of art and crafts.

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday 13 – Eight-Pointed Stars

The Apron Goddesses are holding a one day “Aprons, Aprons Everywhere” event today, Thursday, July 16th.  Bloggers are invited to take a picture (or a dozen pictures!) of their favorite apron.   You can add your photo, name and link to their Mr. Linky and then have fun checking out everyone else’s favorite aprons.

There are so many great apron patterns on the market these days too.  Simplicity has some real charmers, from the contemporary #2932:

How about a sassy retro apron?  This one is pattern #2592:

How about apron Christmas tree ornaments (pattern #2748)?  Actually, I would keep them up all year round

images: Simplicity Patterns

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Love Aprons?

I’ve tried quite a few different methods of the years, and I still find that my trusty set of plastic drawers work just fine for me:

image: C Findlay-Harder

All of my patterns are in there – in no particular order, I will admit.  I’ve tried using different boxes for different types of patterns and I found that it just got too hard to manage.

And besides – I ended up with waaaay too many patterns that way!  One drawer works for me, so what works for you?

Post from: Blisstree

Wordy Wednesday

But what if you don’t like the fabric it’s made out of?

Or what if it’s too small?

Or bits of it are falling apart!

Luckily, there are pattern companies who are making vintage-style patterns for modern bodies. Vogue has some lovely ones in their catalog:

Click on the patterns for more information.

Of course, if you prefer to work from the original sewing patterns, So Vintage Patterns is the place for you!

images: Vogue Patterns

Post from: Blisstree

Sew Your Own Vintage-Look Wedding Dress

• Sweet Sassafrass has a great tutorial for re-working an older sweater – yay for re-purposing!
• Wow – these sewing-themed tattoos are amazing…
• Maya Made has an adorable how-to on sewing a little felt basket for Spring – perfect as an Easter basket.
• I would have loved making these charming little wooden spool people from Mr. Monkeysuit when I was a child, actually – I think I would still enjoy making them today
• I’m a sucker for little fabric birds, so I’m definitely going to  need to try out Molly Chicken’s tutorial for her “Love Bird “…

Happy crafting!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Crafting Around the Web

• The Twisted Stitcher has a great idea for using Altoids tins, fabric and a little piece of cross stitch embroidery to create a cute little needle carry case.
• I laughed so hard at this wonderful video from Hankering for Yarn!
• Embroidery As Art is a new-ish blog that focuses on embroidery, not as a craft but as fine art – there’s some amazing stuff here!
• Large is a sewing blog for plus-size seamstresses.  There are some great tips and ideas – as well as real-world women modeling their own clothes.
• Purl Bee has an adorable tutorial on making jelly bean beanbags.
• I love Betz White’s handmade felt pomander – besides, you’ll save yourself “clove pushers thumb” by making them out of fabric

Happy crafting!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Crafting Around the Web

I’ve been keeping a reading journal for several years now. Not only is it handy for finding the title of a book you’ve read, or the author’s name, but reading through can give you insight into yourself. Last year I decided to reread through the lists of books I’ve read in my reading journal. I hadn’t read with the intention of seeing a pattern, but after only a short time, I did. Most of the books I’ve really enjoyed have been coming of age type stories. This helped me understand why the stories I’ve written often include this element.

Of course, I enjoy other books, but this was one theme recurring throughout my reading history. I spent some time writing in my journal about this and realised I feel I have something to share with young people facing the momentous changes that make up their daily lives. Perhaps writing my stories will help someone. I felt empowered to discover this about myself.

What about you? What themes do you tend to enjoy in novels? Is this theme somehow reflected in your own life? I’ve used my reading journal only as an example. Try looking for patterns in your regular journal on rereading. You just might be surprised what you see & learn about yourself.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Reading Patterns in Journal Writing