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Emergency Sticky Iron fix

3/7/2016

WHAT TO DO??? It's hard to see in this photo but my iron is a mess.

I'm working on deadline, I've been using a lot of fusibles and some glue AND my iron has gotten all gunky!

I don't have anything on hand to fix the problem and no time to run out looking. But, I remember a tip my mother taught me a long time ago.

All you need is a brown paper back and some table salt.

Open the bag and sprinkle on a moderate amount of salt.

Then with rub your COOL iron back and forth and in circles over the salt until all the gunk is gone. It is a gentle abrasive. Probably not something you want to do on a regular basis. But in a pinch it's a life saver.

All shiny ready to go back to work.

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Fun and games at Sewcial!

3/6/2016

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LOOK what was in my mail today ... a mystery package. But I did recognize that "Sewcial" logo!

And inside an artfully wrapped packet with ...

very cool sewing themed tape on the back. I WANT a roll of that tape!

And inside ...

a half yard of really nice cotton. Everyone is supposed to make something using the fabric sent for a gift exchange.

This is just the beginning of all the fun activities brewing for this weekend sewing retreat.

If you have been tempted to come. I believe there are still some spaces.

It is May 8 - 10. Click here for all the info._

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New Pattern for BABIES!! ... close up view

3/3/2016

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It's nice to get an assignment from time to time that is NOT a costume.

I really do love to make and design toys. I miss my years working for the toy industry and would probably still be working for them, if freelance designers were being used as much as we were in the 80's and 90's. Most the work has gone overseas ... alas.

I want to share with you the pictures I took before sending these samples off to New York.
The envelope photo can't show all the fun features I put in these baby toys.

Here we have a tray table play mat good for a high chair or airplane tray!! There are straps to hold it too the various trays.

So, if you compare this photo with the one above you can see that the bird, with crinkle paper inside the wings and rattle in the body, comes on and off the sky with a velcro tab. The cloud flips up to reveal a smiling sun with interesting rick rack beams for texture. The three wooden beads can slide along the ribbon to the bumble bee appliqué. A fox, with a squeaker in it's body, comes out of the zippered pocket. (see the cool zipper I got at Joann's!) The flower buttons on and off that button (forgot to show that) and the 3 sliver fish, with crinkle paper in their bodies, can come in and out of the water.

I hope this will keep a little one busy for a while ... I have memories of traveling with babies.

Then the 4 sectioned play mat uses all the features from the tray mat above with some added ones.

See that curved pillow? Because they decided to use an older baby for the photo shoot, they weren't able to show that this is a pillow with velcro to be used in all 4 sections of the mat for ...

tummy time!

As you can see, one of the added features is a clear vinyl pocket just the right size for a safety shower mirror (easy to buy on line). OR this pocket can hole 4 x 6 photographs to entertain your baby.

I also added several ribbons with velcro loops for purchased teething rings and other small toys.

Here are the bird and cloud (with sun underneath) from the tray mat. Notice the velcro tabs for the tummy time pillow.

AND zippered fox pocket with 2 flowers here.

I will be writing another post with tips for sewing some of those small items. Not too hard, really.

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Emergency Sticky Iron fix

Fun and games at Sewcial!

New Pattern for BABIES!! ... close up view

From Andrea

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