Mamas*Little*Treasures

Got plans for the holidays?

This is the first holiday season in several years that I have had the time and energy to actually have fun!  Although we will have very little money to work with    ;o)  at least I can be at home with the girls, baking cookies and making Christmas treats.  And we will have so much fun decorating the house and the tree this year!  I am actually planning on making a holiday-themed wallhanging, and maybe a tablecloth and napkins for our table on Christmas day.  Can't wait to pull out all of those old recipes of the traditional treats from past Christmases, and share them with our girls.  Time marches on, and there are just some things that are worth cherishing over all of the years that fly by.

One of the best parts of this holiday season for me is having time to create!  I found this cute little black skirt one day while out on my treasure hunting expeditions . . . . . and it just called out to be dressed up.  It is made of a lightweight, flowing black fabric and it has an elasticized wide waistband above a row of ruched fabric trim and a dropped waist panel with another row of ruched fabric trim.  Then, below that is a double-layer bubble skirt which ends just about knee-length. Sweet and simple!  It has been hand-embellished with gorgeous shimmery black sequined fabric which has been gathered into a ruched ruffle and trimmed with ivory beaded braid in a gentle swirl down the front of the bubble skirt.   

At the top, on the left side is a fabric flower of the same black sequined fabric, with a vintage ivory button in the center.  Three more fabric flowers with vintage button centers embellish the hemline, and more ivory beaded braid swirls all around the bubble hemline.  So simple, and yet so sweet and feminine!  I think this skirt would be so comfy for all of your holiday events . . .. . elegant enough for a party but also versatile enough to wear to the office and then out to dinner. 

Have a wonderful Thursday!  I'm off to run some errands this morning, but will be listing a gorgeous hand-embellished bridal bustier tonight.  Be sure to visit my Etsy shop and take a peek!  

www.gossamerwingsstudio.etsy.com

 

Friday Flea Market - sounds like fun to me!

 

Short and sweet this morning, as Grandma and Grandpa will be visiting for the next couple of days on their way home from Florida . . . . . but I just have to share another of my latest discoveries on my vintage journey!  Through Vintage Indie, I found my way to Friday Flea Market, and I'm so excited to connect with another community of friends who love all things vintage.  If you love vintage, too, be sure to stop by and visit all the sweet little shops at Friday Flea Market.  In the midst of the craziness that is LIFE, I finally had time to work on a couple of my reconstruction projects and they are now listed in my Etsy shop - and I'm looking forward to getting set up with a shop at Friday Flea Market.  So many wonderful vintage treasures - and it reminds me of my commitment to focus on "vintage values" in my life, and to build the old-fashioned, time-honored values into the lives of my daughters . . . . honesty, hard work, community, and integrity.  Gotta run, but I'll be back with more vintage discoveries tomorrow!  Nina

Vintage Indie, where free spirits reside

I recently discovered Vintage Indie, a community blog where lovers of vintage "stuff" can come together and find each other.  I know that there are lots of other places for artists and designers can congregate, but since MY love is to create new stuff from old stuff, I think this might be a good place for me!  In her post, "Making the Most of Monday: Sewing Seeds," Gabreial opens her heart to all her new "vingtage" friends.  She says, "I would like to encourage you to sew "seeds", I'm not talking about literal seeds, I'm talking about seeds of good things."    Now this sounds like a girl I could like! 

Its time for mamas*Iittle*treasures to find the courage and the time to just be brave, and jump into the things that I love!  I've been so overwhelmed for the past many months to really have the time, the energy, the interest, or the motivation to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to the community of artists / creators / moms that I know are out here.  I know, too, that because of my absence, I've lost many of my previous online connections.  That is NOT working for me!

So, here's to moving forward, while maintaining what Gabreial calls a "vintage perspective" on life!  Vintage Indie . . . . check it out, be encouraged, and if you have some of the same ideas, questions, concerns, and determination to make the most of everyday, stop by and visit Gabreial at Vintage Indie.  I might just see you there!  Nina  

PS here's a sweet ivory spring sweater that I discovered a couple of weeks ago, and decided to add a little embellishment with some ruffles and vintage buttons.  Thanks for the inspiration, Vintage Indie!

Three Ideas for Unblocking your Creativity (and fitting it all into your crazy schedule!)

Do you ever find yourself just wandering around your house, or your yard, or your garden, or your sewing room, or studio, or craft room . . . . . totally clueless as to what it is you should be doing next?  I think that's sometimes called "writer's block," but in my case it encompasses so much more than being "stuck" with a blank brain when it comes to my writing projects.  One aspect of being "stuck" while trying to make the next move is oftentimes that we have too many choices, and too many projects.  It seems impossible to decide which direction to go in, and which task to tackle first.  Since I've been struggling with this mental / creative block for quite some time, I've decided to try to figure out why I'm having such a hard time moving forward.  Maybe my discoveries can help someone else who is wandering in a creative wilderness . . . . or maybe someone out there can help me figure out where I lost myself!

So, even if no one else ever reads what I'm writing here, perhaps it will at least help me get a bit of focus, motivation, and direction for all of the junk that just keeps bouncing around in my brain.  I've always heard that the best way to eat an elephant is just one bite at a time - and a journey of 1,000 miles starts with the first step.  I guess I had better start eating . . . . or walking . . . . or whatever it is going to take to get me moving!  Here are just a few ideas that come to mind to get myself creating again:

1.  MAKE A LIST OF IDEAS:  I know that seems rather simple, and for many creative types, list-making is the LAST thing they want to do!  But for me it really is a good place to start.  Because I am so overwhelmed by my ideas, I become paralyzed.  Should I work on this writing project, or that sewing project, or that craft project?  And what is stopping me from just doing SOMETHING????  OK, for the next week, here is my first list:

 *  Finish two eBook patterns (that have been neglected since before Christmas)

 *  Organize my studio so I can find all of my supplies

 *  Create ONE reconstructed garment from vintage fabrics/buttons/embellishments

 *  Organize supplies / photos for ONE scrapbook page

2.  DO JUST ONE THING DIFFERENT EACH DAY:  That's kind of like not dieting!  Instead of "dieting," I've decided to do just ONE thing different today.  For instance, I'm trying to minimize eating foods with sugar.  That's not too difficult, and I feel so much better when I avoid too much sugar.  Or, I'm trying to get up just 15 minutes earlier in the morning, and stay up 15 minutes later at night.  That isn't so easy for me . . . . by the time I get the girls in bed, I'm usually exhausted.  But just 15 minutes - I might be able to do that.  So, tomorrow I'm going to try to work on my eBook patterns for just 15 - 30 minutes.  That's the goal, and it is manageable.  We'll see!

3.  SET THE TIMER - for yourself and for your family:  If they know that you'll help them with their homework, or pick up the toys, or read to them in, say, 20 minutes, perhaps they will be less determined to make you crazy!   I'm not sure if this will work or not, but it's worth a try.  Just give yourself 20 minutes or so to tidy up your studio, or gather up your craft supplies, or lay out that pattern.  It's a start.  And when the timer goes off, move on to the next thing.  Do you think we can train our families to manage for just a few minutes without our presence?  It's a place to begin to give ourselves some space for our own interests, teach our children and husbands that we need a bit of personal time, and take care of our own needs - after all, I'm much better with them when I've had a little bit of time to think my own thoughts. 

I'm on an adventure here, to see if I can rediscover my creative self.  Maybe I'll even find the time and motivation to post my progress here, and perhaps discover a few new friends along the way who want to join me on this creative journey.  I'll keep you posted!

 

What should we do?

Well, here we are, all of us, in the midst of a recession . . . . or is it actually a real depression yet?  Who knows - I guess it depends on who you're talking to and what the definition is.  All I know (about this particular subject) is that we are struggling financially, and just about everyone else that we know is struggling, too.  Whatever that makes the state of our economy, here we are.  So, I've been thinking.  So what else is new?  I usually think too much and make myself crazy.  And then there are those around me who have to put up with my "too much thinking," and I really make THEM crazy!  How can I do something, create something, write something that will help a few other folks out there who are struggling through this mess along with the rest of us?  Since I've been working away from home (while I'd really rather be working right here in my cozy little lake cottage), I haven't really had much time to work on my creative stuff, and that is making me crazier than normal    ;o)   I must get back to the creative, artsy stuff one way or another. 

I guess it hasn't helped that we've had two weddings since we moved to the lake in the fall . . . . and then, of course, there were all of the holidays, and birthdays, and then there is school, and work, and church.  So, somewhere in the middle of all of this stuff called "LIFE," I have to find a little bit of time to get all of this junk that I just think about, out of my head and into action!  So, here's one of my ideas:  Since I've done lots and lots of projects where I take OLD stuff and turn it into some NEW stuff, maybe there are other moms and dads who want to try some deconstruction / reconstruction projects for their families.  If I can squeeze out a little bit of time every few days, or even once a week, I want to begin documenting some of these ideas to share with you.  I'm still getting emails about my eBooks and patterns, so I know you all are still making stuff.  But what do we need to make these days?  Clothing for our kids . . . . . or for our own use . . . . or home decor projects . . . . or practical little projects for our yard and garden?  Here are a few pix of some of the vintage and retro garments that I am currently working on.  How can I transform them?  Maybe add some embellishments, cut them apart and add a little skirt . . . . some vintage jewels or a few fabric flowers?  I'm thinking . . . . .

When I was a little girl, my mama often would take hand-me-down clothing in adult sizes, cut it apart and recreate something for me to wear.  Dresses, especially (back when little girls wore dresses to school most of the time), but she also made my winter coats sometimes.  That's why I learned to sew at such an early age . . . . in self-defense!  When I became a teen-ager, if I wanted something new, I would have to babysit for a few hours, buy a couple of yards of fabric, thread, and a pattern and make a new outfit.  So, now I LOVE to create new designs and beautiful clothing for children (my own girls are just as happy with a raggy pair of jeans and a t-shirt, though), but I REALLY enjoy the challenge of taking something old and making it into something new.  As I am able to make slow, but hopefully consistent, progress on some of these projects, I think I will try to take a few pictures and write up some tutorials and eBooks just in case some other families want to try their hand at reconstructing and recreating whatever they might need.  After all, it doesn't take much looking around to know that the world is overflowing with STUFF . . . . . so maybe using up some of that STUFF to make different STUFF is just plain common sense.  And if you are interested in being eco-friendly, well that works, too! 

Just have to post a few pictures of our sweet little Leah . . . . she is just about 4 months old.  Since she is in Colorado with her mommy and daddy and big  brother Jacob, it will be a while before we will get to see her again, so I took these pictures to keep her close to our hearts!

Holiday Applique eBook is available

I finally finished up this tutorial!  I still can't find a bunch of my sewing stuff, so I'll be sorting through a few more boxes today.  But at least I managed to get all of my computer and photo editing projects finished up for this tutorial, and I wanted to get this one ready for the holidays.  Now I can move on to a couple of other projects, but if you are interested in this tutorial, just email me and I will gladly forward the PDF file to you. 

This tutorial is actually more of a complete eBook pattern, as it is 28 pages long, complete with four pages of holiday applique patterns.  But, I decided that this would be a good pattern to offer FREE as a tutorial so that lots more of you can get busy designing and creating fun projects for the holidays.  This eBook also includes directions for embellishing jeans, or any other garment, along with the basic directions for using applique to embellish a little white t-top.  Lots of info in this FREE tutorial! 

The applique designs are very simple, so even if you are brand-new to applique, you will have great fun with this tutorial.  Especially right now, when so many of us are experiencing a bit of financial stress in our lives   ;o)   this is a great time to think about re-purposing some items that we might already have, or can pick up at a thrift shop, and turn into hand- crafted, personalized holiday gifts.  I've got lots more ideas spinning around in my head, not only for gifts, but holiday home decor, more embellished clothing, simple and creative cooking projects, and ways to establish your own holiday traditions, even during times when we all need to stretch a dollar, or pinch a penny.  Or, a ten or a twenty . . . . . you know what I mean!  If you have any great holiday ideas for celebrating the season on a shoestring, please email me and we'll share YOUR ideas here, too.  Have a great Wednesday! 

Wednesday: What is it?

Well, this week it's not a mystery what I've been working on!  Here is the applique tutorial that is just about finished.  When I get it edited just right, I'll post it here so you can make your own appliqued treasures this fall.  A little t-shirt or a pair of jeans with holiday appliques would make a sweet gift for every child on your list.  This tutorial will include holiday applique designs, as well as a variety of other designs such as birthday, Valentine's Day, and Halloween.  Step-by-step instructions will walk you through this applique process that is "easy-peasy," as Gracie would say.  This applique technique can be used on all kinds of projects, too.  You could applique a pillow or a wall hanging . . . . . or a skirt for winter, maybe a jumper, or a jacket.  Anything that you want to give a little creative spark can be appliqued!  And once you get the hang of it, you'll want to put an applique on everything in your world - tell the kids to get out of the way, or you'll stitch an applique on them!  I love to do applique projects, combined with other stitchery techniques such as patchwork and ruffles.  Well, anyway, if you want to join our Wednesday:  What Is It? project, just post your current project on your blog, and come back here and post a comment with a link so we can see your creative treasure of the week. 

Thoughts for a Thursday

Is it time to start thinking about the holidays already????  Well, I guess some moms and grandmas are getting ready for the holiday season, because I just took a custom order for this fun little set.  This one is called, appropriately, "Christmas Presents," and it is full of ruffles and ribbons and lots of applique designs.  And, since I just received an email requesting some guidance on learning how to do applique work, I think I will just write up a new tutorial for anyone else who wants to learn how to create whimsical designs with fabric.  As I go along, creating this outfit, I will be taking pictures of each step of the applique process, and then put all of the pictures together with the instructions, and it will all be available for FREE right here on my blog in the next couple of weeks.  Be sure to stop by and comment, so I know who is working on applique projects this fall! 

I think I will also include the patterns for several applique designs, such as autumn themed ideas including pumpkins, leaves, and a harvest moon.  And then, once I get started thinking up fun holiday ideas, I will probably include something for Valentine's Day and spring flowers . . . and maybe a kitty and a puppy, butterflies and dragonflies . . . . well, maybe I will need to do two or three applique pattern eBooks!  How about one for birthdays, back to school, summer fun, names, and even balloons.  OK, enough brain drain for one post!

So, if you are interested in learning how to do something new, be sure to visit me here at mamas*little*treasures often, because it just seems like I"m always coming up with new ideas - and when my creativity takes a break, I have lots of cyber-friends who have ideas of their own to get me going again.  By the way, I'm looking for a couple more testers for my eBook patterns, so if you are interested in helping out, you can get all your M*L*T patterns for FREE for the rest of your life!!!   ;o)   Shoot me an email, and we'll chat!  Have a great Thursday, and remember to be thoughtful . . . . take care of yourself and everyone else in your little world.   

Thoughts on a Thursday

Do you ever feel like your life is scattered in tiny pieces all over the universe?  I'm kind of feeling that way this morning . . . . we are in the process of moving our family from the mountains of Colorado back to the midwest.  Farm country.  That's where we're originally from, and I guess that is just where our "comfort zone" will always be.  I think that, as much as we have enjoyed parts of living here in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, there were a number of things that just didn't work for us.  One aspect  of living at this elevation of 7,540 ft is obviously the altitude issues.  Seems like I've had a headache for the past three years!

We're from an area where there is a church on every corner, and in general, it's OK to be a church-going family, with two small  children.  One of the things that has been a huge culture adjustment for us living out here in the wild west, is that it seems that there are so many people who simply don't want to have children.  We're not used to that!  Where we come from, having children and being a family is held in high esteem.  I've actually had people out here tell me that they never wanted to have children because they were just too selfish!  I was surprised not only that they would think that way, but that they would say those words out loud. 

I guess I'm just feeling a little bit pulled in my emotions about leaving here.  We've made some friends, we were involved in a small community theater group that I was asked to start, we love our house.  But there is so much that we want for our children that just is not available to us here.  And we certainly feel like true outsiders when people discover that we go to church, and especially when they know that we already each raised four children before we adopted Gracie and Annie.  They think we're nuts!  Well, maybe we are . . . . but I don't appreciate being reminded of how "different" we are every time we go out in public, including to church.  My life feels like these little dishes of buttons.  Everything all tumbled together, intertwined somehow and yet each piece is a fragment.  But I'm reminding myself today when I look at my pretty button dishes, that even though all of the individual buttons are kind of jumbled up in a pile, the whole thing looks pretty good!  That's my life right now, and I know that all of the scattered pieces are coming together in God's little "button dish" of my world, and all those pieces will make a beautiful pattern soon.  Thinking good thoughts this Thursday for you!  Nina

Wednesday: What Is It!

So what is it?  Well, that's the question that I hope we can all answer together, every week, right here at mamas*little*treasures.  I would like to start a Wednesday:  What Is It? challenge, and hope that some of you will share with us what you are working on every week.  I know that one of the things that I need to do is to get this blog connected with some other feed thingies (that's the problem, I can't quite figure out how all of that "feed" stuff works!).  So many of you have stopped by and commented in the past, but I know how easy it is to get lost in the blogosphere.  But I'm working on it.

So this is going to be my next focus . . . . working on getting my blog out where other artists and crafters can find this fun weekly challenge.  I realize that many "artists" do not want to be considered "crafters," and that's OK.  My goal is to reach all creative souls who love to just MAKE SOMETHING and share it with the world.  So, whether you consider yourself an "artist" or a "crafter," please join us as we create together and share our progress every Wednesday here at mamas*little*treasures.   

I think I'll spend some time today working on this little project so I can show you pictures later in the week, or at least by next Wednesday, and then while it is quiet around here this afternoon, I'll look for ways to link up with other artsy blogs and try to entice some of you to join me for Wednesday:  What Is It? 

Happy creating!  Nina