Friday, December 17, 2021
Foster Kitten Friday - Taking Notes
Friday, December 10, 2021
Foster Kitten Friday - Milestones
It was a little over six months ago when the Duck Tales Gang - Huey, Dewey, and Louie - had started out with a good week. They were hitting some milestones like moving into the pop ups and getting big enough for supervised play on the couch. But the fun ended when they were found to have ringworm and had to be isolated for the next several weeks. And I learned all about foster home biosecurity.
It was also the week I was bragging about my Etsy shop taking off with me having sewn (and sold) 800 vaccination card holders. With my sales now approaching 4,000 I am reminded how much things change. And how much they remain the same.
Mr. Hans Solo/Mr. Milestone, what a guy you are becoming. For those who don't know, when he came into Simply Cats just three weeks ago he was cold, dirty, underweight, dehydrated, with low blood sugar and infected eyes.
Poor Hans Solo 3 weeks ago. Photo credit: Simply Cats |
Two of his siblings were with me, but despite all our efforts – medications, IVs, tube feedings, glucose, and an incubator - they were so sick they didn’t make it. But by some miracle Hans Solo did.
With him being so much smaller than he should have been, the developmental milestones you would expect from a kitten were a bit off. But boy, the boy is making up for it now. This week was an exciting one for the little fella.
He learned the ways of Spiderman and climbed out of the pop up pens.
Wait, this isn't sand?! |
What? This was straight formula? Look at the mess you made me make! |
And now you're making me messy with gruel? I'm so confused! |
Fine, I'll use my own tongue to clean it up! |
See my beautiful paws? Don't you just want to take me home? Can't have me yet. But soon, I promise. |
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Quick and Easy Mitered Binding - Tutorial Tuesday
For today's Tutorial Tuesday we'll be learning a simple technique for mitering corners when sewing and quilting. Sure, you can purchase a mitering tool like this one, but if you prefer the DIY method, here's the way I've been doing it when doing the fold-over binding method.
Note: For this example, 1" of my backing is showing so I'm marking 1" from the corner. If the backing is 2" I would measure 2", if 3" of the backing was showing I would measure 3" from the corner, etc.
•Measure 1” away from each corner and mark. Draw a straight line to connect the marks. Cut on the line.
•Fold the raw edge corner over the corner of the batting and front fabric. Press.
•Fold one of the sides so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press.
•Fold the backing over one more time so it becomes the binding on the front. Press.
•Fold the other side in so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press.
•Fold the backing fabric over one more time on one side and press. Adjust your corner as needed.
That's it. Easy peasy!
Monday, December 6, 2021
Make Your Own Fabric Christmas Light Bulb Bunting - A Quick and Easy DIY Garland Project
Today we're making another garland, a Christmas light bulb one! It's another quick and easy handmade sewing project to get your home ready for the Christmas holiday. This bunting is great way to decorate your tree, mantel, wall, or anywhere else in your home you'd like to add a pop of color. You could even use the Christmas lights as handmade Christmas tree ornaments! This DIY holiday sewing project is a great one for beginners, too.
Looking for more fun Christmas projects?
Check out some of the other patterns and tutorials in my Etsy shop, DebsDaysDesigns!
Or just hang with us as we make the Christmas light bulb bunting:
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Make a Cute Snowman Potholder for Christmas - An Appliquéd and Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project
Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute snowman potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial. It's a fun project for your Christmas kitchen decor, and since it's a snowman you can continue to use him for your baking and cooking throughout the winter. We're both appliquéing and quilting with this sewing project.
- fabric scraps for the applique
- fabric for the front and back
- cotton batting or Insul-Bright
- paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
- pencil
- fabric clips or pins
- iron
- sewing machine and matching thread
- basting spray or powder
- scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
- optional: walking foot or free motion foot, tear away stabilizer
- snowman templates from pattern