Back to School 2012

Here we are one full year later.  Grandkids went back to school today.  They are very excited to meet their teachers and hope to see friends from last year.  Grandma Cat hopes to get back on track.  Haven't 'blogged' for a full year because the connection from the Captive Illusions domain name wouldn't connect to the blog, which made the blog next to impossible to find.  My daughter, De'Anna, visited from Colorado a couple of weeks ago and straightened everything out for me.  Let's hear it for daughters...Hip Hip Hooray!

I've been helping said daughter, De'Anna, build inventory for a craft fair she will be doing in October in Colorado.  I used Simplicity pattern 1957 (shown below) to make these sweet miniature aprons.  I intended to make them for decorative purposes like it shows on the pattern below; however, the aprons fit Barbie dolls perfectly.



I've made 36 of the full aprons and intend to make a dozen or so out of Christmas fabric.  If I do not run out of time, I'll make a couple dozen or so of the 1/2 aprons as well.  These are fun and quick.  The first apron took about 30 minutes, but after tweaking the pattern a bit, I can now make them in 10 minutes.  They are fully lined and didn't cost a thing as I've got drawers of scrap fabric that I've saved for quilting.

Time to get this blog posted, get shipping done, finish the laundry, make some zucchini bread before the grandkids get home from school, get some accounting done, make a grocery list.....and so on and so forth!
 
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
              
   Captive Illusions            Captive Embroidery
              &                                  &
Grandma Cat's Attic            Crafty Family

Black Friday Sale Alert

Black Friday

Just in time to finish up Christmas gifts in the process, or to start completely new projects, I'll be listing many different fat quarters on my eBay ID catsdontmeow for $1.25 each.

I'm happy to combine shipping, so grab whatever you can use (or must have for your fabric stash!).  All my fat quarters are 100% cotton, measure 18" X 22", and are calico or novelty fabrics from a variety of designers and manufacturers including Hoffman, Alexander Henry, Debbie Mumm, Fabri-Quilt, South Seas Imports, Heidi Grace, Fabric Traditions, Galaxy, Maywood Studios, and so many others.

Also, while you are surfing the web to find great craft deals and steals on Black Friday, check out the auctions on my eBay ID dream77catcher.  I've got some fun things planned with fabric, patterns and decals.

I hope you can join us for some good old fashioned cyber shopping!

As usually, Happy Crafting

Captive Illusions
&
Grandma Cat's Attic

Fat Quarter Window Valance

Fat Quarter Window Valance

Okay, so here's what prompted this project. I moved from California to Idaho this summer and am leasing a house with blinds. I hate blinds. But since I don't own the home and am only leasing it for a year or two, I don't want to spend money on covering the blinds. But I HATE blinds. So, I dug though my fabric stash and came up with some fat quarters that will work well with the very dark kitchen cabinets and the stark white walls and provide a bit of class (I hope) to the blinds. Did I mention that I hate blinds?

Here goes . . .

Measure the width of your window. My kitchen window measures 36” wide; however, I’m going to use a tension rod from cabinet to cabinet. The space between the cabinets measures 42”. For a nicely gathered valance multiply the width times 2.5 (42” X 2.5 equals 105” for mine). That's how wide you will want your finished valance to measure. For the Fat Quarter Window Valance the fat quarters will be used as the 22” being the width and the 18” as the height. Dividing 105” by 22” will tell me how many fat quarters are needed for my 42” wide area which is 5. I can use 6 for a fuller valance for 4 for one with less gathering. Since I have 3 fabrics I want to use, I’m going to use 6 fat quarters, 2 of each color.

If you want your valance to be longer than 17" you can turn the fat quarters and use the 18" as the width and the 22" as the height, if the design of the fabric will allow. Mine would not, but that's okay because I'm fine with the 17" length.


Step 1:

Verify that your design does not run along the selvage but across the 22” edge. Iron the fat quarters. I trim off the selvage more out of habit as a quilter than a necessity for the valances, however, if the edge of the selvage is white you will want to cut if off so that it doesn’t show up in the front of your finished valance. Trim the fat quarters to the same size. I’ve received fat quarters that measured anywhere from 17 ½” to 20” in one direction and 21 ½” to 23” in the other direction. It is important that all the fat quarters are the same size before you begin, but it does not matter what the actual dimensions are . . . as long as all fat quarters are the same size.

Step 2:

Fold a fat quarter in half with the printed side of the fabric together so that the18” edges meet. You should be looking at a two layer piece of fabric that measures 9" X 22". Sew a ¼” seam along the bottom on a 9" edge, cut the inner corner diagonally for ease of turning, turn the fabric, pulling out towards the sides to make a peak. Press. Do the same with the remaining fat quarters.

Step 3:

Decide the order in which you fat quarters will be sewn together. With the printed design together place one fat quarter on top of the other, aligning the peaks. Stitch from the upper edge to the beginning of the angle. Press seam open. Continue with remaining fat quarters in order.

Step 4:

Time to line the top portion of the valance. Each of the seams between my fat quarters measure 7 ½”. I’m going to add 1” to that and cut a strip of lining 8 ½” deep by the width of my valance which is 132”. Press ½” under on one long edge of your lining. Pin the lining to the top, sew a ½” seam allowance. Press open. Fold sides ½” in, insides facing, press, top stitch ¼” from edge. Fold top of lining towards inside making sure lining covers raw edges, press. Stitch close to edge of lining.

Step 5:

To sew in pockets to insert a curtain rod, you need know the type of rod you are using and whether or not you want a ruffle on top. My valance is going to use a tension rod which is ½” in diameter. I’m going with a top ruffle. Stitch across top edge 1 ½” from the edge across the valance. Stitch from one edge to the other across the valance 3 ½” from upper edge. You’ve now formed an upper ruffle and a pocket for a curtain rod up to 1” wide.

Step 6:

Your valance is ready to hang unless you would like to add embellishments. You can string beads from the peaks, sew on bows, pin on butterflies, whatever strikes your fancy. 

Captive Embroidery

Have you noticed the lack of embroidery in our eBay store? Well, there is a good reason for it. 1/2 of Captive Illusions has now become Captive Embroidery. Cathy will continue to run the eBay store as Captive Illusions, and De'Anna will be taking the embroidery. We will still be working in conjunction but will be 2 separate businesses. To keep the business separate, we have taken all the embroidery off eBay and are moving it to ArtFire. It's a site for homemade and art products and supplies and I'll be slowly transitioning all our embroidery there.

In the coming weeks, you will see out Christmas stockings going up. Some old favorites and some new fun styles. I'm also working on some fun new baby items which will go up as soon as I have them perfected. In addition to anything you see listed, we do a lot of custom work so don't be afraid to ask for something special.

Captive Illusions (dream77catcher on eBay) will still be there and offering the cotton fabric, ceramic decals, sewing patterns, AccuQuilt GO! and accessories, along with anything else that catches Cathy's eye. Through this transition, and past it, both companies will continue to be dedicated to customer service and satisfaction.

We look forward to seeing you here and reading your comments. 

Friday Humor: My Wife, The Quilter

An oldie, but a goodie...hope you enjoy the poem.

My Wife, The Quilter            

 

She learned to quilt on Monday.
Her stitches were very fine.
She forgot to thaw out dinner,
So we went out to dine.
 
She quilted miniatures Tuesday.
She says they are a must.
They really were quite lovely,
But she forgot to dust.
 
On Wednesday, it was a sampler.
She says the stipplin's fun.
What highlights! Oh what shadows!
But the laundry wasn't done.
 
Her charm quilt was on Thursday,
Green patches, blue and red.
I guess she really was engrossed;
She never made the bed.
 
It was wallhangings on Friday,
In colors she adores,
But she never seemed to notice
The crumbs on all the floors.
 
I found a maid on Saturday!
My week is now complete.
My wife can quilt the hours away;
The house will still be neat.
 
Well, it's already Sunday.
I think I'm about to wilt.
I cursed, I raved, I ranted--
The MAID has learned to Quilt!!


         Author Unknown

Check out our Fabrics  on eBay

Project Update: Christmas Gifts

64 days until Christmas.  I should have been working on Christmas projects for months now, but life got in the way and I'm just beginning the process.  I've got 22 grandchildren, nieces and nephews on my Christmas gift list.  More than some of you, but less than others.  With the economy the way it is, I certainly can't afford to spend $20 on each child, let alone the $50 to $100 toys being advertised on television during the after school programs for kids.  Last year I made pillowcases out of fun fabrics and my daughter and son-in-law embroidered each with the child's name in wonderful fonts that matched the fabric.  This year I've decided to make Christmas Loot Bags for all the kids.  I've gone through all my fabrics and chosen 22 different Christmas fabrics and cut one yard pieces.  I've made an excel spreadsheet with a description of the fabric, the child's name and thread color and passed the information on to my daughter.  She'll embroider each child's name on a piece of 100% cotton white fabric measuring 5" X 8".  If she didn't have the time, I would have either embroidered the names  by hand, used fabric paint, or applique the names.

While De'Anna and David are embroidering the names I'll start sewing up the Christmas Loot Bags and creating a casing at the top to insert a drawstring.  When I get the name blocks back, I'll applique them onto each Loog Bag.  The Loot Bags will be wrapped and handed out as the first gift the children get on Christmas Eve so that they can put all the goodies they get from everyone inside.  Easy to carry home.  Hopefully, the kids will bring their loot bags to every Christmas Eve family get together.

Boutique Craft: Lined Window Valances

Valances are almost a One Size Fits All item- small windows end up with more gathers than large windows - making them a great boutique item.  Simple Lined Valances are quick and easy and can be stitched up by the dozen.  Fat Quarter Lined Valances with embellishments cost more and take a bit more time, but they bring in a much higher dollar at boutiques.  Use your imagination to make them unique, stunning and fun!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Our project is done in pink to show our appreciation for all the wonderful work done by the American Cancer Society towards finding a cure.  Please give your family the best gift possible for Christmas this year...a healthy you.  Take care of yourself by getting the dreaded yearly mammograms, eating right and living life to the fullest.  Visit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website for more information on breast cancer, getting involved and donations to help.

Click here to view full project detials

Boutique Craft: Pillowcase Dress

Pillowcase Dress

Pillowcase dresses are absolutely adorable.  But what if you don't have cool looking pillowcases to use?  Here's how to make your own pillowcase and then turn it into a stunning, stylish pillowcase dress.  Make up a couple of dozen for your next craft fair and see how fast you sell them.  You need 1 yard of fabric, a bit of bias tape, a bit of elastic, maybe some rick rack or other trim and some ribbon for the shoulder ties.  If you shop like I do (must be on sale!), you should be able to make pillowcase dresses for well under $10 and sell them for $20.  After making a couple and working out the kinks, you will probably be able to create 1 or 2 dresses in an hour.

Click here to view full project detials

Model:  Trinity Joyce Chapin Princess Ballerina Butterfly, 5 years old

Craft Tip: What is a Fat Quarter?

A Fat Quarter is the same amount of fabric as a traditional 1/4 yard cut of fabric except instead of measuring 9" X 44", a fat quarter measures 18" X 22". Many quilters find the wider width offers more versatility for cutting templates or strips than the traditional 9" width of 1/4 yard.

Traditional 1/4 yard (9" X 44")

A fat quarter is produced by first cutting 1/2 yard of fabric from the bolt, then cutting this in half crosswise (usually along the fold), yielding 2 fat quarters.

Fat Quarter (18" X 22")

Uses for fat quarters is limited only to the imagination of the crafter. Besides quilts, stash builders utilize their fat quarters in aprons, place mats, napkins, tea cozies, pin cushions, tote bags, doll clothes, pot holders, and so on and so forth. Post a comment and share you fun ideas for fat quarter stash busting.

Microwave Potato/Corn Steam Bag

Holiday Boutiques and Craft Fairs are right around the corner. Time to whip up some quick projects that can be turned into holiday cash. This Microwave Vegetable Steamer is a quick project that can utilize scrap fabric and batting. You can easily make a dozen in a day...and still have time to call the local pizza parlor to order dinner, put the kids in the jacuzzi for a quick bath, and let the dog out for his daily constitution,. The finished bags measure 10 1/2" X 10 1/2", but you can make it any size you like as long as it will fit in a microwave.

All you need is 1/3 yard of outside fabric, 1/3 yard inside fabric, and 1/3 yard batting.

Click here to view full project detials

Heather's Quilt Progress

While I meant to update the progress on Heather's quilt weekly, life intrudes and so it's 3 weeks later! I now have all the silhouettes appliqued on the block. My sister Jan came over last Saturday and after lunch and a movie we cut the blocks with the silhouettes to the exact same size and then we cut all the sashing and border strips for the quilt.


The top is now ready to be assembled. The next time all the grandchildren with their sticky fingers leave the house for the day, I'll sew the top together and then baste top, batting and backing together. Then I'll have to wait for the next childless day to do the actual quilting.

Corn Bags

Whip up a bunch of corn bags for your next craft fair. You can easily sew up 4 dozen in one day if you've pre-gathered all your materials. The cost of materials for 4 dozen corn bags should be around $75. If you sell them for $8.00 each your profit after deducting your expenses would be over $300. Use novelty cotton fabric and/or cotton flannel for some real fun corn bags.

You can make as many covers as you have time and material to complete for a craft fair. Don't worry about making and filling the corn bag inserts for every cover. Bring a bunch of corn bags without covers on them, let the customers pick their cover and insert a fresh corn bag. I

f you have electricity to your booth bring a small microwave. Keep a couple of small corn bags warm so that customers can ohhh and ahhh over them. In the summer, freeze a dozen or so bags overnight. Bring them in a cooler to the craft fair and put one or two on the table at a time. People will flock to your booth for the cooling sensation of these bags.

Click here to view full project detials