House Manual & Link Love: Housekeeping Helpers

As much as I love technology (I blame my first Palm Pilot! it was The.Most.Incredible.Thing.EVAH!!!!) I'm finding good ole fashioned lists are doing more to keep me organized that ever before. I've been making use of a few free downloadable lists and thought I would I share.

Check out this post on DesignFinch.com - Sunday Planning She's got a nifty collection of Daily Planners, Menu Planners, Weekly Planners and Blog Planners. I'm using three of these right now :)

Ok. I am so not a Christian. And I pretty much roll my eyes at some supposedly "devout" folks... however... I have to give some serious credit to this chick at 31 Days To Clean! This 31 Cleaning Plan is really cool. Ignore the Christian stuff (or not, your choice!) and print out a copy of the calendar. As a hoarder I either see the big picture and get overwhelmed; or only see the small details and ignore the rest. This plan is actually helping me to Get Stuff Done.

I've instituted a plan where I was the dishes I've just used, wipe down the sink, make the bed when I get up, pick up whatever I just put down, etc. This is great for the current messes but then I see the sheer number of things that need to be cleaned and handled - and I panic.

Using the calendar is helping me to work through one extra chore a day. Seeing my refrigerator sparkling clean and organized so inspired me to keep going. Now life does occasionally get in the way. If I'm unable to do that days chore I just pick up where I left off.


I've added the above calendar and list to my "House Manual". I've been taken with the idea of creating a manual for my home. Riffing off the house manuals that Leather Families use I thought, "Why not do one for my home?" While my manual may not be so specific as to behaviors and actions it can represent the ideals that I like to espouse and strive to live toward. I've added the below sentiments to my House Manual.

10 Ways To Love

Source: None via Beria on Pinterest

In This House
Check out this cool Subway Style sign on Etsy, I love the message!
In this house...

We do REAL

We do MISTAKES

We do I'M SORRY

We do FUN

We do HUGS

We do SECOND CHANCES

We do HAPPY

We do FORGIVENESS

We do REALLY LOUD

We do FAMILY

WE DO LOVE!

Eye Candy - Pinterest

I am so addicted to Pinterest.com! I am both inspired and despairing of the awesome stuff I'm finding there! Below are a few things that have really caught my eye and imagination :)

This is such a lovely-cute-adorable-ohmygawd-squee studio!


I used whole wheat pastry flour and added a dash Garam Masala. Next time I may add some Old Bay Seasoning. Nom Nom Nom!


Glamorous! Sparkly! Sexy! Rawr!

August Game Plan

I'm deep in the Great Purge of 2011! Woohoo!

I went through approximately 3/4 of my outdoor shed. I threw away so much stuff! It was awesome!!! I moved my camping gear into the shed, and will be moving lawn mower & other yard stuff in shortly. I will also be moving my show displays and luggage in there. It will still be very accessible but not under foot.

My "theme" for the new sewing room is "corsets"! I can decorate and practice setting grommets at the same time :)

I've got some links to share tomorrow, ones that have really inspired me :)

Up to 80% off at VistaPrint

Last week I ordered some goodies from VistaPrint - a banner, some notebooks, stickers, etc. I've been very happy with the quality of the work, and the price can't be beat on somethings. I would prefer to use local resources but sometimes my budget (or lack thereof) means I need to seek out more cost effective sources. VistaPrint was able to fill that niche.

Save up to 80% on custom printed products at Vistaprint. Order today!

Memorial Day decorating inspiration

Work is having a Memorial Day contest - the department that wins the decorating contest gets a VIP Ice Cream Social. I'd love for my team to win something like that so I've decided to kick-butt and create some awesome decorations!


My idea is to take vintage military pictures (preferably family members) and postcards, surround with pleated cupcake wrappers to simulate bunting, and hang from the cubical dividers, with crepe paper streamers.

Inspiration and Resources
http://www.morechicthanshabby.com/2010/05/patriotic-party-ideas.html

http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-swap-with-every-crafty-endeavor.html

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/31642

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/patriotic-crafts#slide_2

http://littlequilts.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

http://www.heartrockshome.com/heartrockshome/2009/05/let-us-remember.html

http://www.purpletrail.com/partytrail/party_ideas/holiday_parties/memorial_day

Finished project - Gypsy's Secret

I am so thrilled with the way this turned out! Cigar box, Re-ment miniatures, torn paper collage, alcohol inks, and a customized Obitsu doll.

New Assemblage for 30 Days of Creativity

Take one nice, sturdy wooden box and cover with gesso. Actually first I had to scrape off the various stickers & pogs some young person had decorated it with, then I used the gesso. This is mostly to provide a surface for more paint and paper.


I love alcohol inks! I originally bought them to use on my skulls to simulate moss and fungi but find myself reaching for them more and more. Here they add some background color and texture.

Inspiration shout-outs

I was inspired by "pretty little mini quilts" published by Lark Books.

There are a couple designs in the book I want to try next: "have a cup" designed by Mary Hubbard and "shrine to pretty little things" designed by Janie Fingal. I've got so many bits and pieces of fabrics horded plus my stash of vintage table linens & doilies should keep me busy for awhile.


The other book to really spark my creative jones "Mixed-Media Dollhouses" by Tally Oliveau and Julie Molina. These are just so cool!!! I have bunches of containers and miniatures I've collected over the years that are stuck away in storage. This idea seems like the perfect way to blend both. I went on a Re-Ment bing a few years ago and have some adorable miniatures of varying scales. Plus I have a big box of old German dollhouse furniture that needs to see the light of day.

Mini Quilt - 30 Days of Creativity

I'm so happy with the way this turned out!

It's approximately 13"x18" of cotton fabric (mostly those fat quarter and charm packs that JoAnn Fabric's sell), bamboo batting, and various stitches on my machine. The leaf shapes are double stuffed and free-hand stitched on the machine for a trapunto effect.


Check out the 30 Days of Creativity's Twitter and website.

Earlier this morning I spent several delicious hours reading various blogs that focused on doll houses and miniatures. When I was younger I was a pretty serious miniaturist. I even made a working loom following life size directions in one of the Foxfire books. I loved the itty-bitty stuff. So I got the fancy to build a doll house kit.

As I was looked up kits I came across this: Greenleaf Miniature Travel Trailer! How adorable! It sparked the idea of doing one for my Mom since she loves the old 'canned ham' and Airstream styles.

Later I was browsing the magazines at Barnes & Noble when I spotted the corner of a 'Miniature Collector' magazine peaking out behind a knitting magazine. As I haven't looked at one in years I pulled it out of the rack. And this was the cover...

Ok... I think I'm supposed to make a tiny travel trailer this summer. I'm good with that :)

PreHeat - Trapunto

I want to get this down before I lose it. Idea - trapunto pendants for PreHeat swag. Use fabric book samples, smidge of stuffing, multicolor thread around 'swirl&sparks' logo with 2010 stitched on. Maybe a sprinkle of beads? String on lanyard cording, I think I have some glow-in-the-dark still. Maybe add a drop bead (mom's clay beads might just be perfect!)

Now, back to chores so I can play later :)

Apron tutorial

Tonight I finished up the apron for my Steampunk costume. Go me! This time I had the forethought to take pics along the way so I could post a tutorial of sorts.

I started with some beautiful fabric I've had for ages. It's a crinkle cotton woven with richly colored stripes. I started kinda backwards as I draped the pleating first, then figured out the base shape.


Luckily the width was fine for me so I didn't need to piece lengths together. I tossed the fabric over my dress form and began to play...err... drape the pleats.

Once I had the pleating to my satisfaction I roughed out the base shape, again using the dress form to check curves and fit. From there I cut the base shape out of mid-weight satin and ironed on the interfacing.


I basted the pleated fabric to the base wrong-sides together. I decided to not do it right-sides together because of the bulk. I would have nearly 6 to 8 layers at some points if I did due to the pleating. I'll bind the raw edges when done. To keep my pleating secure I folded up and away each pleat...


...and stitched it at the base through all the layers. Only the very bottom layer of fashion fabric is stitched down, leaving the folds to drape naturally.



I basted around the raw edges and then trimmed up with my rotary cutter.


I missed pics of pinning the bias tape around the bottom :[ To spiff the plain black bias tape, and to secure down over the multiple layers, I decided to use one of my machines decorative stitches. I found a repeating scallop that was similar to the wide gold stripe pattern. I used rayon embroidery thread that also matched the gold stripe. The waistband is finished with satin blanket binding. I did not use a decorative stitch here, but I may go back and add one.

Post Holiday Sigh of Relief

I didn't blog much during the month of December due to working 6 days a week, and because my projects were presents for family. Didn't want to give away the surprise :)

Naturally I didn't manage to get pictures of them before I wrapped them up LOL

I bought nice 'beefy' tee shirts for the guys, then embroidered a different design on each one. Step-dad's had a color crab, Cousin's-husband's was a multi-colored Asian dragon, and Teen-cousin's was steampunk wings (Urban Threads).

Gals on my list got funky, patchwork, shabby-chic purses based off The Jenny Bag Tutorial. Again, each purse was embroidered with at least two different designs. My Mom got crabs and palm trees, Cousin's had Asian dragons, and Little-Cousin wild paisley and flowers.

I'm really happy with how they turned out! I may make up some more to have for ready gifts.

Next big project is an urban-style kilt using the X-Kilt Tutorial. As I told my boyfriend Doug, "I don't know if you even want one, but your getting one" LOL

Oh Lucy! You Gotta Lotta 'Splainin To Do

I honestly didn't realize I had not updated since September!!! Yikes!!!

The biggest reason is my full time. I applied, interviewed, and was granted a seasonal promotion. In theory it's only for the holiday season and I may go back to my regular position end of December or in January. But I'm usually happy and excited about the job, but come home utterly exhausted. And starting next week we start working 6 days a week.

So no crafty bitch time :(

However, today I plan on embracing the Muse to start working on holiday presents! I've downloaded some fun embroidery patterns and plan to rifle through my stash for fabrics to match.

I may even go so far to get pics up of the few bits & bobs I've got in the works currently. Hats, book cover, blouse...

I've been conspiring with a creative partner and have some ideas percolating in my

Well, I can either blog about it, or go do it - Have A Wonderful Monday!!!

***UPDATE - I tried to post this last night but Blogger was not cooperating. I'm trying again this morning. ****

I finally sit down to update my Izoralee Blog... and Blogger is having major issues. Won't save or publish, and generates random error codes. Everyone is having the same error but all are getting unique codes. Sounds fucked up to me. I've c&p'd my post below so I can copy over when Blogger finally is fixed. Arrggghhh.

Getting Over My Fears
Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.

Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.

Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.

It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!

My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.

After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.

Off to be domestic :)

Getting over my fears

Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.

Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.

Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.

It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!

My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.

After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.

Off to be domestic :)

Getting over my fears

Rather getting over being intimidated by the embroidery machine! I've figured out how to sew regular stitches, fill the bobbin, thread the machine, how to use the pre-programed fancy stitches, and how to set it up for embroidery.

Yesterday I stitched a one color decorative design, then managed a FIVE! color pattern. I think I may invest in one of those thread stands that sit behind your machine and hold several spools of thread at once.

Yesterday I also downloaded a bunch of free designs thus leading to my next set of challenges. The first being how to use the ATA PC card! Took me a bit but I figure out how to pull up the stored files.

It wasn't until this morning when I went to unzip the new freebie files that I realized they were in the wrong file format. A quick Google search and I have a freeware program that will convert the different machine formats. Woot!

My sweetie Doug is coming over this afternoon to watch 'Westworld' (can't believe he hasn't seen this fabulous early 70's Michael Crichton staring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin! it's the cheesiest!) so I'm putting my aside my shiny new toy to tidy up house and myself.

After his visit I'll probably play with the machine some more. I think I want to try embroidering on a piece of chiffon, with the appropriate stabilizer. Creating 'appliques' may be the best way to get designs onto the hats. But I won't know until I've tried both ways.

Off to be domestic :)

Last week I received my millinery kit from JudithM but today is the first day I've had to start making something. I'm using the book that came with the kit and the classic 'From The Neck Up' to create a boater style hat.

So far I've drafted the pattern, and cut it out of buckram. I originally made the brim 3" all the way around but then adjusted that to suggested mesurements from the kit book. I'm afraid the new brim might be a bit narrow for my taste but I'm reserving judgement until it's completed.

I've wired the tip and the inner brim. I'll wire the brim edge when I get home from work. Then start covering it with fabric.

I went on a cleaning and organizational binge Sunday and Monday. I made a lot of improvements to my studio room. One of the perks of having re-organized is re-discovering a bunch of deeply colored feathers. I had used them several years ago on some holiday ornaments. These will come so in-handy!

Work is pretty slow tonight so I may be home earlier than normal. I'll decide on sleep or hats then :)

Steampunk Costume #1 - The basics

Recently I was gifted two big garbage bags full of clothing. The Fabulous Gift-er had lost some weight and no longer fit into them. I was delighted to take them off her hands. In going through and selected what I wanted I came across three items that individually didn't strike me, but when I glimpsed them laying together in a pile - Inspiration Hit!

I realized the three separates were perfect, with a little tweaking, for a great Steampunk costume. And really, who amongst us can't be improved with a little tweaking? ;)

Sadly, I've mis-placed my camera so shoddy camera phone pics will have to suffice for now.

The basic blouse and skirt:


The blouse is a 100% cotton, white, princess cut with short sleeves. Shaping is very important especially when boobalicious like myself. I originally thought to tea dye it but decide to keep it white for now. I can always dye it once if it gets stained. I plan on using button covers to cover up the plain buttons with steamy bits of beads & gears.
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The skirt is also cotton in the quasi-military style. I hate elastic waists but I can deal with it. I may add bits of old cotton lace scavenged from linen napkins to the pockets for just a touch of femininity. You can't tell from this picture but it's mid-calf length and A-line in shape. Kinda reminds me of the stuff Banana Republic put out in the day.


Ahh, the stodgy, grandmother-ly cardigan. Soon to be a sexy steamy cover-up! I have two ideas for this piece. One idea is to re-sew the front so it is more fitted and shape the back to almost a bustle. The second idea is add a ribbon along the top of the lacy part and use that to draw up to the waistline. Maybe to add some additional lace. I can see wearing this over a sexy bra :D

Success and Setback

Gosh darn it! I was feeling pretty good about the hat project. Trust me, I've stitched, picked out, and re-stitched it a couple of time, but it's been a steady forward movement. so I've been riding that wave as I diverted my attention to adding LEDs to my friend's Burning Man costume.

I'm adding LEDs to the wedding dress that I previously added el-wire on to. I tried out the soft circuit pattern. Worked on the first try. I start stitching on the dress... nada zip zilch. Phooey! It's either the soft battery pocket or I'm goofing up the stitching pattern. I've stitched one circuit of five LEDs three times now with no success.

I'm going to try using the hard battery holder. Hopefully I can figure out a way to attach it.