Adjusting Patterns

A lot of times I like certain parts of a pattern, but not others.  I love taking bits of each and shrinking, enlarging, or tweaking and putting them with parts of other patterns. The dog I am working on has parts of a teddy bear, a rabbit, and dog.  I brought fur and hardware to make it while in Sacramento. The weather has been warm here, so I am spending a lot of time outside with the children, but I am still working.  I have a pattern to finish writing and publish.

Why not try mixing patterns? Take the parts of each pattern you like and mix them together. I wonder if Picasso started this way?? If your patterns are the same size, it should be easy to take parts of each and put them together. If not, you may need to decrease or enlarge with a scanner and printer. OR, if you like the pattern just the way it is, shrink enlarge the entire pattern for a different look. If you are working on a garment, try using sleeves from one and bodice from another. If you have any questions, just ask. I've done this a lot and am old hat at it!!

I also brought my knitting. I am working on a dishcloth. I usually take one along when I travel. It is an easy, quick project and everyone can always use an extra dishcloth! This one is a raised diamond pattern. Pretty easy once you get in to the groove!

Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate you. I hope you get time to do something today you enjoy. Please share. Also, try adjusting a pattern and show us your new creation. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Go ahead, jump out of your box!!

Debi

Busy in CA

I have been in California since Saturday. We have two grandchildren here and I have been looking after them while their parents are on TDYs with the Air Force. One is overseas and the other on the other side of the nation.  The children have been really good and I am getting a lot of pattern drawing and writing done. I am enjoying my time here. Two children is kinda like a break after looking after five and three.  I love all our grandbabies tho, so this summer has been fun.

I got this bunny finished while in Colorado last week. It still has thread hanging out in this picture, but you get the idea. I am taking part of this one and making a dog. See tomorrow's post for that one!

The pattern for this bunny will come out in pieces as tutorials on Patchwork Posse soon.  Try heading over there for a look. Becky has a fantastic blog with tons of ideas across the crafty spectrum. Enjoy your time there!!

I hope you have had time to do the things you love and you will post and show us what you're up to. I love to see your projects and get inspired to try something I have never done. Have a fantastic day. Thanks for stopping by, see you again very soon!

happy crafting,

Debi 

 

A Bit of Time

Since I have about half an hour, just thought I would post an update.  I am sitting in LA waiting for my next flight to Sacramento to look after two grandbabies while our son and his wife are both deployed on a TDY for the Air Force.  I have my computer this time, so it should be easier to keep up with my deadlines on Patchwork Posse and my own deadlines. 

I have been busy while away, looking after grandchildren, feeding pigs and poultry, keeping a farmhouse moving, and bathing children for their broken armed momma. I also finished the bunny I was working on.  I am currently drawing a dog, so watch for that soon! Here is a picture of the bunny not quite finished though. I will be happy to put it on the website and also, it will be on Patchwork Posse as a tutorial and free pattern....go pick it up once it posts.  I'll let you know when it is there. Mine is made from light cream string mohair, but I am sure it would look good as a patchwork, felt, acrylic fur, or any fabric you may choose. My grandchildren tell me I need to add a tail!  I will do that when I go back home and add it to the pattern.

I will be away until next weekend, so posts will be sporadic but will be posted.  I only have two grandchildren this trip, so it will be a bit easier. Going from five, then three, now two....I get to see all my grandbabies this summer. YAY!

Well, I want to get this posted before I have to board. So, I will stop here and post and try to get another ready for tomorrow. If not, I'll see you the next day. It will be late-ish when I get in this evening, so the post may be a bit late tomorrow.

Hope you have a good day and you have the time to do something you love.  Please let us know what you're up to. We love the inspiration and encouragement. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you.

happy crafting,

Debi

Repairing Soft Toys

Seems like no matter where I am or which set of grandchildren I am with, there are always soft toys to repair.  Today it was Hunter's little teddy bear with the head holding on by a few stitches.  I think he is really excited to have it back all fixed and he can play with it again. He is such a sweet little man, saying thank you and blowing kisses to Nana in thanks. Love my grandbabies!

I have found the easiest way to fix the seams in these guys is to use a ladder stitch and pull it all together. It seems to keep them together and give new life back into the little guys.  But, be sure all the stuffing is secure and you take into account the seam allowance.

I found it takes a while to upload pics to an old computer. I think I have been sitting here an hour!!  Oh well, we got there in the end. At least I know I can do it.  I will start earlier tomorrow!

If you check out Becky's blog at the PatchworkPosse.com for today's post, I know you will see someone familiar.  I am excited with my introduction post.  Lots of pics of my bears there. Looking forward to working with Becky.

I hope your day is going great and you have time to do something you love. Please post pics of what you are up to today as we look forward to the inspiration.  Thanks for stopping by.

happy crafting,

Debi

Coming and Going...

Tomorrow I will be going home from Colorado. I have been here helping Rachel and the children get used to the broken arm.  I've been changing diapers, laundry, cooking, cleaning...you know, all the things it takes to keep a mini-ranch moving.  She is healing pretty well and is finding ways to do things one handed.  I will be praying she does well once I'm gone.

I will be home for about fifteen hours before I head off to Joshua's.  He and his wife have a short TDY with the Air Force and I will be looking after grandbabies for a week. I WILL NOT forget my computer this time. I will be posting from there on both blogs, mine and Patchwork Posse.  I will be rolling out the new "bear" soon.  I am already working on the next one.  It is all so exciting.

Now I have been sitting her for half an hour trying to upload a picture. The internet keeps failing, so I give up.  It will all be back to normal in a couple days.  I'm sorry, I will post pics from this trip as soon as I can. P.S. I just connected the computer to my phone instead of a straight connection and it seems to be working!! YAY!

I hope you have time today to do something you love. I am finishing up the new design and the post for Patchwork Posse. Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to see you again soon.

happy crafting,

Debi

Patchwork Posse

Hey everyone, go have a look at PatchworkPosse.com and you will find someone familiar. Today was my introduction post to the website as a contributor.  I am really excited to work with Becky and will be posting tips and tutorials to her site. I am rolling out a new design on her site next week, really excited to show you. I think you will find it cute and fun to make. I am posting drafts to the site now and she will roll them out for you next week. Clue to your guesses: carrot!!

It has been busy trying to get things done for Rachel while she is in her cast. She is slowly getting used to working with a cast and picking up baby and working with her left hand.  Thanks for all your prayers, she is doing better. We went out yesterday and this little guy was totally worn out by the time we were done! Check out his shoes and lack thereof! Poor wee pop dot! 

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you. Please post your current projects on the facebook page or on the blog. Can't wait for the inspiration and encouragement. Looking forward to hearing from you.

happy crafting,

Debi 

Busy Month

July is proving to be a very busy month. I had a busy beginning of the month. It is my month to post tips and a tutorial to Patchwork Posse. I will be busy typing away over the next week.  I am  looking forward to all the new things we are going to be doing. I am on a borrowed computer, so I don't have access to my photos, sorry.

On the family side, our youngest, Rachel, broke her arm and I am currently in Colorado to help her with the children and house until she feels better. From here I will go to northern California to look after our son's children while he and his wife will both be deployed on short TDYs with the Air Force. I will be home toward the end of the month.

I have been busily finishing up on the new critter. It is so cute. It has long floppy ears and arm and legs that are so adorable with the body and face. I can't wait to roll out the new design. This "bear" is one like I have never done, the rabbit doesn't have a name yet...with Petra and Floppy as the first contenders.

Time to sign off and try to figure out the picture issues.  I hope you are having a fantastic day and have some time to do the things you love. Please post and let us know what you're up to.

happy crafting,

Debi