Sew I Did it

     Before leaving Ontario in 2018, I was determined to only take 10 sewing projects and complete them all during the year we were in Nova Scotia

Here is a sampling of the material that I had with me.
There are bins and bins still in Ontario.

Again, only a sample of the threads I have.
I have used up quite a bit of old thread.

My trusty old Singer sewing machine. It is made of metal
and very durable, not like the ones made today out of plastic
.

Projects completed since June 2018 to the end of May 2019:

1. Rug Hooking (2 projects)

A trivet

A Puffin which is now framed in a shadow box frame.

2. Almond Milk Bag (I made two)

 

To make almond milk, you soak 1 cup of raw almonds in 3 cups of filtered water overnight.
In the morning, drain the almonds and put in a high speed blender with another 3 cups of filtered water and blend until almonds are crushed to a pulp. Pour liquid with pulp into the milk bag and squeeze the liquid (milk) out of bag into a bowl with strainer. You can add vanilla extract and other flavours if you wish. Use it immediately or store in the refrigerator. I make almond milk all the time to use in smoothies and other recipes. At least I know exactly what is in it.

3. Bag for remote storage (1)

Storage bag for the trailer air conditioner remote.
It is conveniently hanging on the inside of a closet.

4. Mug Rugs (21 made) The material used were leftovers from curtains, pillows, store samples, and of course, some I purchased recently to go with the theme I was looking for for specific people.

This trivet is one with an embroidered tea pot from a 
series for a quilt. I started this one years ago but I got
stuck on one part of it so it just sat there. I would look
at it and say, "I really need to finish that" but I just
couldn't get past the challenge that stuck me. Anyway,
I finally got past the challenge and finished it. There are 
more to make in the future.

The fabric was from the living room curtain in my childhood home.

Many of the striped fabrics were originally made into pillows
 used in my childhood home.

5. Tea Pot Cover (1)

Ilse, Al's Mom, asked me if I would make her a tea pot
cozy. I learned a new method of quilting:  English paper
piecing. The material used in this project were left over
pieces of material from dresses, blouses and costumes
The things you can do with left overs.

6. Going Zero Waste: Make up remover pads (made a couple of dozen pads)

I use these all the time to remove my makeup. I just throw
them in the washer and reuse.

7. Going Zero Waste: The un-paper towel (made several dozens of them in all different sizes) These are made with old flannel which was probably supposed to be used for PJs and old linen toweling. We have not purchased paper towels for about 6 months now.

8. Fabric baskets (although I have made many of these baskets, this year I have only made one.) When I have a large enough piece of material I make one. They make great hostess gifts once you fill them with candy or some other goodies.

9. Coasters (two sets) A friend asked if I could make these Maple Leaf coasters. One for him and one set for his Dad who are both Maple Leaf fans. The fabric I purchased but I used leftover batting.

10. Aprons (3 childrens' sizes)

My mother had this apron cut out and partly sewn.
I finished it off and gave it away

A friend gave me two golden coloured pillow cases.

I turned those pillow cases into child-sized aprons.

11. Cross stitch of Map of Nova Scotia (1)

This cross stitch map of Nova Scotia in the tartan of Nova Scotia is in our
Nova Scotia scrap book

12. Baby Quilts (3 quilts)

My Mother had these strips of fabric sewn together.
I added batting, the back and trim to finish it off.

I saw the cat fleece fabric in an fabric ends basket at 
the fabric store. It was the right size for a baby blanket. 
I found corresponding plaid fabric and put it together 
with a blanket stitch.

My mother had all the squares for this blanket already
cut out but not put together so I came up with the design
and finished it off.

Fleece Blanket for a child

13. Cross-stitched Hand Towels (2) I have had these towels for many years. Finally, I decided on a pattern for each towel and just got it done.

The towels will be used in the trailer where
we can hang them on a rod.

This towel shows all the cats that we have fostered. The paw
prints represent all the kittens we have fostered.

14. Straps for Crock Pots (2)

When moving around with crock pots, it can be very difficult
when the lid is loose and the cord is hanging down, so for two
friends I made some straps for their crock pots to hold down the
lids and store the cords.

15. Apron for Factory work (1) My friend works in a factory where they make milk and sugar dispensers. When standing at the work bench they found that if they dropped a screw or nut they would have to get down on the ground to search for it. I was asked to make an apron which could be folded up short when not in use and longer with magnets when needed. When working, the magnets could be attached to the edge of the workbench so that any dropped screws or nuts will land in the apron.

Above is the apron undone and below is when the apron is 

buttoned up short.

The apron in action, attached to the workbench at the factory.

16. The Puff Log Stool (1) I made this for our grandson Henry who just turned two years old. Along with the stool, I sent a book about a tree which ends up being a stool for the grown boys who grew along with the tree. I am sure I will be making more of these as grandchildren come along.

 This Log Stool, big enough for a two year old. Top

photo is the wood grain and bottom photo is the bottom

side of the stool. I added a handle for easy carrying.

17. Book Marks (6) Made from leftover flannel and ribbon.

18. Gift Bag (1) I started this one years ago when I was an Education Consultant for Discovery Toys. One of the items they sold were fabric gift bags in three different sizes and colours. They were plain but I decided to embroider a picture on the bag to enhance the look as a gift bag. My idea was that this gift bag would only be big enough for a small gift. The challenge was for the recipient to pass along the bag to someone else with a present inside and so forth. Sometimes, well made plans never happen.

19. Baby Item: (1) Baby burp cloth or towel. My mother had this cloth cut out ready to be sewn. I don't think you can find Raggedy Andy on any fabric nowadays.

     Well, I did it. I completed items in 19 categories with a total of over 55 individual items. I had a busy year but I still have more. My goal for the 2019 to 2020 year (June to May) is 20 different projects. I have several that I started years ago and just need to finish them so I am on my way to completing my goal already.