White Knitted Spats/leg warmers

I made these spats/leg warmers awhile back for a friend during the holidays last year(yeah, I'm that behind on post/projects to show). I really loved the results of this project and have been hoping to make more this year. I only had one real hang-up on the knit spats and that was due to both my sewing machines did not like sewing the knits. My newest machine seems to do find as long as it's not a thicker wool so I'll just have to watch what I pick up from thrift stores and garage sales.

One exciting thing I did learn about from this experience was how to make button holes. Not actually on the spats themselves mind you, the fabric was way to thick so I had to do that by hand. I did do a a lot of practicing using my sewing machine to make button holes on scrap material to make sure my machine was capable of doing button holes.

Next up, finish my xmas stockings and cards.

String art and cardmaking

It's been pretty crazy the couple months.  Toby and I moved to a new place so now I have my own office/craft room, yay!  I'll get pictures once it's all setup.  Hopefully once we are situated better I'll get more crafting done.  At least I did get a couple crafty projects done

First up was two string art pieces I plan to hang up in one of the rooms.  I took some old hexagon looms and spray painted them black then used red yarn to do the circle pattern on them.  If you are as unsure of what a hexagon loom is as I was, check out this video: weaving on a hexagon loom

The other project I worked on was some cards for a Stampin' Up.  We had a choice between Wedding or Anniversary cards, I choose to make wedding cards.  Here are a couple:

I used pictures from a free magazine I picked up at a store entrance.  I made eight total but I wanted to show you my favorite two.

Fused Glass Jewelry

This weekend I hung out with my friend Dawnee.  I helped her work on her website and in return she taught me the basics of glass jewelry making.

The image above is the end results of my lesson.  I'm very pleased with the results, especially since it was my first time working with a material that I consider kinda scary.

Not sure if it's a childhood memory of getting cut on glass, but it is a craft I was a little nervous about trying before I met my friend.  I still think I did pretty good.  I broke the glass into the shapes and sizes I wanted and learned how to use the grinder.

Thankfully I did come out of it cut free and seriously considering picking up another craft hobby.

Pencil Skirt Made from Pants

Hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays through this winter season.  Mine has been pretty good, I was able to do more crafting than I did last year.  I gifted myself this year with a new sewing machine and am very happy to have done so.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my 40 year old Kenmore sewing machine, but the years of neglect it went through before my parents rescued it from a yard sale took their toll on it.

I feel very lucky to have had that as my first sewing machine.  It gave me a better understanding of a sewing machines workings then I would of had if I had a brand new sewing machine right away.  Which is why I've handed it down to my sister in hopes she'll be able to use it and love sewing as much as I do.

The first project I did with my new machine was to take an old pair of office pants and turn them into a pencil skirt.  I think it turned out pretty well.

I opened up the inseam of the pants and sewed them together, then hemmed it.  Not the most intense project but the sewing took less than 30 minutes which would have taken over an hour on my old machine.

edit: Check out my new post How to Make a Pencil Skirt from Pants for instructions on making this pencil skirt.