Sunday, January 4, 2015

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: G L I T T E R

I began this post on New Year's night.  I kept thinking that it was Sunday--the day had such a Sunday feel to it.  Of course, that feeling had me all turned around.  Then the fireworks on TV (halftime, maybe?) had me thinking of sparkles and glitter...so here we are....glittered!


Gold Glitter Wedding Theme


One of the Betas at school called glitter the vomit of crafting.  I laughed at that because I know only too well how long glitter hangs around a classroom after a afternoon of painting glitter onto props.

burnt out lights, dipped in glitter! Would be cute to display in a glass bowl as a centerpiece for Christmas! :)

Shimmering Wall Decals - Tiffany Wallcoverings Feature Crystallized Swarovski Elements (GALLERY) (interesting idea to add interest to furniture)

,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ❤Color※Green❤

DIY Glittery Pink Vases - This would be perfect w/ aqua spray glitter & white flowers!


The Homes I Have Made: Glittered Pinecones

Honestly though, nothing adds a sparkle quite like glitter.
Love gold glitter wedding themes? Create your DREAM WEDDING with stylish wedding favors, wedding decorations and wedding supplies from www.EventDazzle.com

Glitter | 19 Adorable Ways To Decorate A Light Switch Cover

I'll admit, however, that I'd have not thought of glittering some of the things on this post!


Ceiling Fan Covers. $45.00, via Etsy ... why pay $45 bucks when you could mix Modge Podge with glitter & paint the blades yerself for a lot cheaper? That's what I would do. :)


Oh, and let's not forget edible glitter!
Cannot wait to make these!!Red Glitterbomb Cupcakes These remind me of the wizard of OZ but would be fun to serve anytime!!!

Glitter pants - totally impractical, but I want them so badly!

glamorous curve skimming sequin gown from Jenny Packham

Purple GLITTER HEELS  Perfect for Prom by ashleybrooks1984 on Etsy, $70.00

DIY simple glitter covered table makeover - now I want to cover everything in glitter!


Carpe Noctem Cosmetics Holiday Nail Polish Collection: Review and Swatches


Pink Chevron & Glitter Pumpkin | Community Post: 39 Outside-The-Box Pumpkin Ideas

Inspiring & Dreamy



Not necessarily glittered, but these quilts are just as beautiful and easy to imagine with glitter.  They do have a sparkle!

Angela Walters

Rainbow Nest  xox


Friendship Quilt Along | Laundry Basket Quilts Blog   xox

http://indesignartandcraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/batik-quilts-patterns.jpg

if I ever make a quilt...! {Nadia's Quilt}

Really like this.  The stars give it a glittering effect...  Not a clown fan, but you could do something else in the light blocks.  Highlights from the 2014 Tucson, Arizona Quilt Fiesta  (continued)

Cupcakes 'n Daisies: I've Made an Executive Decision . . . .

{blogged}: very excited to see my #charmed quilt pattern today in the latest issue of @makemodernmagazine alongside so many other gorgeous quilts and projects from @msmidge #aussiecharmswap Its always a thrill to see your work shared and featured on other sites and magazines. Grab your subscription and past issues to Make Modern in their online store {link in their profile}. There's no doubt this quilt and its gorgeous @katespain fabrics are #myfavoritemoda2014 @modafabrics - thanks for the love and support all x

Thursday, January 1, 2015

25 Uses for silica gel packets

Google images
Silica gel packets are very useful for drying out objects.  That’s the main reason they are found in many packages: shoe boxes, medicines, electronics, leather goods, etc.  Any item that could potentially be damaged by moisture has silica gel packets in its packaging.

<b>Fresh Step Crystals Cat Litter, 8 Pounds</b>
Google images
Cat litter is a safe version of silica crystals, which are made of silica dioxide sand, oxygen and water.  The gel has tiny pores that absorb up to 40 times their weight in liquid. Any item that can be damaged by moisture but you’d want to store for any amount of time can be stored with silica gel.  

If you find that you’d like to use silica crystals but would prefer to save money by buying cat litter, you can make your own silica packets.  Just like making bean bags, cut two pieces of fabric whatever size you’d like, sew up three sides.  Use the open side to pour the silica crystals in and then hand-stitch the opening closed.  That’s it. All done. 

I found this off-brand, which is much ($10) cheaper at Walmart.  Just make sure the package says "porous silica sand."  Otherwise, you may be getting clay or corn byproducts, which do not work as quickly.


I made many packets with the help of our oldest granddaughter. The largest size is for the truck since Richard tromps lots of water and mud into his truck during the winter.  The medium sized packets are for the car to help with the foggy windshields.  I plan to keep them right on the dashboards.

The small packets are to put under the sinks in the house.  I haven't  had a really big problem with leaky faucets, but the condensation on the pipes does cause some moisture which can draw insects into the house.  Now that the house is getting older, we've been trying to find ways to help alleviate potential problems.  Notice that I used an ugly 80's fabric....why waste new, pretty fabric on something that only potential bugs will see?


Other packets are going into my quilt storage trunk.  Those packets are not yet made as I want to double the fabric to help protect the quilts from the chemicals that make up the silica granules. Supposedly it's safe to use with natural fibers, but I prefer to be extra sure.  Besides, I have no plans for this fabric!


You can use silica packets to keep just about anything dry.  The following are only suggestions as many come from a variety of websites.  I did quite a bit of research, but I’m betting that together we can come up with many more ideas.  

Keep packets to protect, dry out, and store
  1. hearing aids
  2. herbs and dried flowers
  3. electronic equipment, especially cameras and phones  
  4. tackle boxes
  5. stored silver from tarnishing as quickly
  6. tool boxes
  7. out-of-season clothing
  8. bulk pet foods 
  9. Christmas ornaments
  10. quilt storage (and blankets)
  11. fabric and notions
  12. keep razor blades from rusting (and other metals)
  13. keep in suitcases and makeup bags in case of spills
  14. flower and vegetable seeds
  15. silverware drawer 
  16. safety box to protect documents
  17. gym bags and lockers
  18. athletic shoes (absorbs odor-causing moisture)
  19. damp or musty items, such as old books
  20. photos
  21. collectibles, such as trading cards, toys, etc.
  22. the dash of vehicles to help clear foggy windshields
  23. window seats and sills to help clear foggy glass
  24. under sinks to draw out condensation from pipes
  25. behind leaky toilets
If you decide to make a few packets, let us know how you plan to use them.  And if you think of another use for them, please come back and share.

A Sewing Grand!





Dusti is visiting since we're off for a few more days.  Left to her own designs, she soon became bored.  Only moments after coming to the studio to find me, she asked to "sew something."  



I was making bean-bag like packets of silica gel to put in the car and truck.  (Info on that project coming soon.)  So I put her to work making the packets.



I "learned" to sew on my grandmother's machine, also, but it was a treadle, certainly not a Bernina.   She added seven packet to my four and had enough.  After thumbing through a few sewing magazines, we decided that she could handle making a set of puppy shoes for her miniature schnauzer, Lucy.  Of course, none of the magazines had either pattern or directions.  
  

That's okay, I enjoyed designing on the fly, and Dusti saw that an idea can be brought to life with a little work.  I broke the steps down and taught her the steps using scraps.  She got good practice since her puppy needs four shoes.



Our Maltese modeled the shoes for a few minutes just so we could see that they will work.  Candy was not very happy about it.  Lucy is used to wearing clothes, getting her nails painted, and having tight bows attached to her head, so she will likely handle the shoes better.  Besides they are sized to fit Lucy, who is much bigger.


Pin It Weekly #96

It feels so much like a Sunday that I'd already begun a Sunday Quilt Inspiration before realizing that it should be Pin It instead.  

Rose Parade, Pasadena, CA. Every year growing up with my parents and my sis. Great memories.

We have the Rose Parade going on TV, so I thought I'd share a few pins that I found from previous parades.

Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California.  Marched in it once...boy, was it long...of course, I was in a full-length wool band uniform/hat/spats/gloves & a piccolo.

rose_parade - Rose Parade - Tournament of Roses Parade Float - volunteering to decorate floats at the Rose Parade

Rose Parade - Tournament of Roses Parade Float - volunteering to decorate floats at the Rose Parade - Rose Bowl Parade Float, Pasadena, California, USA

Rose parade

New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade - Always watched this on TV with my parents. Beautiful!!

Rose Parade....someday .....want to see it LIVE!

Viewing the 2013 Rose Parade Floats Up Close

I've found a wonderful Pinterest board with almost 300 pins specifically for Rose Bowl photos.  

shriners-hospitals-for-children-helping-children-live-their-dreams-rose-parade-2013.jpg (500×400)


6c0d094a28b2b500470f6a7067002630.jpg (960×1439)

Here's hoping that you're having a wonderful New Year's Day.