In Like A Lamb!!

March came in like a lamb here in Pine Grove, NS. There was a mixture of sun, clouds, a few flurries, some wind (not much) and cool temperatures. It did get above freezing here in my backyard!!

This guy, last year's Dollar Shop find, usually sits on the edge of my piano. It gives me a chuckle every time I look at it.

Last week I was making lamb Shimmer Ornaments on the embroidery machine (click on the links to see more of my shimmer ornaments). Some of these (among others), will be found at Museums by the Sea. Shelburne's Historic Waterfront, NS, later in the spring.

• All Things Sheep  (cute, free patterns to knit, crochet . . .)
• Free Sheep Crochet Patterns 
• Sew a sheep softie (Free pattern)
• Crochet a Sheep Granny Square (cute one)

 Enjoy!!

Studio Storage Solutions

Well, September has started out with a bang! Hurricane Dorian reached the South Shore of Nova Scotia yesterday. There were high winds and lots of rain. We were among the lucky few who had power so I spent the day in my studio.

The studio is still in transition. However, I will eventually share lots of photos of my 'Happy Place'. Today, I'm sharing a few inexpensive storage solutions that I am using.

Baskets

Cloth bin with rope handle from the Dollar Shop

Rope Baskets (also from the Dollar Shop)
Burlap Shopping Bag

A bucket from my sewing machine. Easy and quick to make! I do need more of these.

This rope basket sits behind my machine. It holds a single spool of Sulky Sliver Metallic thread that is threaded to the sewing machine. Having metallic threads further away from the machine allows it to unwind easily with less tangling.    

Ice cube tray with cover holds bobbins. Snap on lids is a way to transport bobbins for workshops.

Vinyl tote bag holds large plastic rulers on the side of my large cutting table.

3M hooks under my cutting table holds embroidery hoops

I have 3 of these owl Christmas Stocking holders that cost me $2.00 each at the Superstore last January. They sit on the half wall next to my sewing machine stations. They are metal so magnets can be used on them.

Woven wire basket

The blue paper recycling bin is extra tall and holds lots of stuff on rolls.

Stacking drawers hold lots of small things such as threads, floss . . .

I like visiting the Dollar shops, Value Village etc. It's not necessary to spend an arm and a leg on storage for your special space.

Did I mention the plastic scrap board boxes from Michael's. More about these later.

• For an earlier post about storage solutions, check HERE
• Pinterest Boards of Keile Haley -  lots of interesting things Also check out her web site Do You Sew
• Free patterns for armchair caddy and sewing organizers 

Check out my Instagram page for photos 

Enjoy!!

Nifty Idea

I was roaming the reduced Christmas section of the Superstore a few days ago, and came across a useful item for my studio. Part of my room has a step wall so this mantel stocking hanger is perfect for using on the ledge beside my machines. It's heavy, won't fall off and can hold a fold up travel case that I found at Dollarama a few years ago. I keep scissors, sewers aid, clips and whatever else accumulates next to the machine. The table top is not as cluttered (for now). I hope they aren't all gone as I need to purchase a couple more!

More Finds:

• I'm going to borrow a nifty link from my friend's last post at Magpie's Mumblings, Sew Free Patterns.  
• A retired St. John's surgeon transforms NL scenes and famous paintings into rugs. His wife (also a doctor) is a quilter friend of mine. Check HERE.
• This Half Round Hanging Basket would be perfect for hanging beside my machine too. 

Enjoy!

$ Shop Find

Happy October 1st!! It was 25C today which certainly isn't the norm for here but I'll take more of them.

I had errands to run, one of which was a visit to the local Dollarama, I found a very simple ice cube tray with a snap on lid. It holds most of my metal bobbins. I will be getting another one tomorrow.

Work Table

I have been working on my Fibre Art Pendants. My work table is filled with beads and other assorted tools. Selecting which beads to use and stitch on the little pieces of fibre art takes time. One of the most useful tools that I have for beading (in my opinion) is the bead tray that I purchased at the $ Shop a few years ago. I find that the $ Shops have lots of cheap, useful items for crafters.

Watch maker cases from Lee Valley Tools

Today's Sewing Tip

Years ago, my friend gave me a very useful gift to keep beside my sewing machine. It is for holding sewing machine needles. If you are doing a lot of different kinds of sewing and always changing needles, then you need a way to keep track of which one is in the machine. This little case is quite helpful for doing that. The hair clip (Dollar Shop find), placed in the small pocket, indicates which needle is currently in the machine. You can choose to place the slightly used needle back in the case or, as I did, stick it beside it. The dimensions are approximately 6" x 11". Clear plastic pockets hold the plastic cases.

 

Another method that I use, is to stick the plastic case of needles currently in use, on the side of my machine, with sticky tack (blue stuff that is used to stick posters and other stuff on walls). I prefer this method over all the others. It is quick to do when time is a factor.

• I came across a needle sorting pin cushion at Gen X Quilters. This one would make a great gift for yourself or to give away to a friend.  
• Whimsey Box has a similar method for storing sewing machine needles in a pincushion as above.
• Two Kitties shares their idea for storing needles (similar to the first one I mentioned).

Enjoy!

Folded Machine Needle Keeper

Hanging beside my maachine

 

So Logical - Why Didn't I Think of That ? !!!

I was just taking a break from sewing and decided to read some email. The latest from Pintangle caught my attention! For those of you who use transparent stencils, this post is for you. To keep these stencils from been invisible on the worktable, put stickers on them. How simple is that!

I guess it's another trip to the Dollar Shop unless I just use some coloured dots I already have on hand. For more stuff from the $ Shop, check out my December post on Dollar Shop Finds.

stickers

My Display at the Atlantic Canada Trade Show (ACTS), Halifax

Here are several views of my section of the Newfoundland Labrador booth at the Atlantic Trade Show. The company setting up the displays were very cooperative and prompt. My section didn't have a black panel, which had been requested. Within minutes that was corrected. My lighting was changed too.

To the left (on back wall) is a large poster displaying the wholesale items. Below that is a clear Plexiglas shelf holding Art Cards and Wearable Art Pins. Thanks goodness for the Dollar Shop! I purchased small art easels to hold samples of the cards. If you look closely, you will see them.

Everything hanging is attached with Velcro.

I have a sample binder with samples of all my wholesale products. My tablet has a spread sheet installed for doing orders and that is connected to a small portable printer. So, I'm all set up. It's going to be a very busy weekend.

Dollar Shop Finds

I just got a chuckle from the latest newsletter from the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild. The editor usually highlights a web site or two that she found interesting. This time, the focus was on organizing ideas for quilting. Why did I get a chuckle? Well, for a couple of years, I looked after the organizing of the monthly programs, which included Ideas and Tips to Share. I would usually have one or two fantastic finds that I purchased at the local Dollar Shop. It got to be a regular part of the evening - Judy & her $ Shop finds!

Here's some of the things I found:

• small plastic containers with lids to organize beads, buttons, bobbins,seam binding . . .
• embellishments (beads, ribbon, yarns, glitter glue, glitter, buttons , , ,)
• cheap scissors for cutting wire
• folders with zippers for organizing patterns, applique pieces, small sewing projects . . .
• jumbo plastic bags
• nylon laundry bags for transporting quilts
• hooks
• office supply containers
• heavy clear glass vases

The site recommended (with me in mind) is Organize Your Whole House.

Have a look at some of my great finds!

Portable doggie water cup holds threads

Glass vases

Magnetic Memo Board

Command Hooks

Pencil case and sharpener

Office Supply Baskets