A few weeks ago we had a major issue happen in our home. The video below will give you a peek into what we are dealing with and where we are headed. Things are beginning to get sorted out and moving forward on the sewing room remodel. Life can be very, very messy sometimes. We are ready for the cleanup to be completed and get back to normal.
Danna
A few years ago I was blessed by a friend who gave me her mid-arm quilt frame and machine. She no longer wanted to quilt her own quilts and needed the room for her grandchildren.
My husband and I brought the frame home and set it up in the 5 foot length position. That is the largest I have room for at the moment.
I finally loaded some test fabric and gave it a try
Learning something new is always fun but also stressful. As I begin to face my fears and "give it a try" I am amazed at what I have learned. Wish me luck!
Keep quilting!
Danna
During the pandemic quarantine I was looking for things to do that would make me feel good about my home and my life. Since I now had a lot of time on my hands I started looking at what I had around that I could use.
Because I am a big sewer, crafter and quilter I had lots of supplies. I had been wanting to give my porch a little "redo" for a while so I gathered my supplies and dove into the project.
It was also a good project to put on my newly started YouTube channel - Sew-Learn-Create. Making the videos gave me a deadline and the extra push I needed to get the project completed.
Watch the videos below to see the before and after of my porch redo. It was fun to do and it did help give me a purpose during the difficult times of the pandemic.
I hope this will inspire you to go dig through your supplies and start that project you have wanted to do for a long time.
Keep creating!
Danna
Are you on a constant search for a healthy snack for you and your family? I know it is sometimes a battle to find something that is healthy and tasty when there are so many other choices.
I recently came across a project that was a great solution to this dilemma - a popcorn bag. The popcorn bag allows you to use regular popcorn kernels and cook it with no oils or butter. This project joined several of my passions together. I love to sew, in case you haven't figured that out, I love popcorn and I love to do my part to help the environment.
Watch the video below to make your own popcorn bag. I sometimes add to my popcorn a little salt and some butter powder for extra flavor. But by adding my own it is much healthier than the microwave bags, for you and the environment.
Happy sewing and eating!
Danna
Beginner Sewing - Let's Make a Popcorn Bag for a quick, healthy snack
One of the toughest aspects of starting a new hobby or learning a new craft is gathering all the supplies. I teach beginner sewing lessons and as part of my class fee I provide all of the supplies for the class. There is nothing more frustrating than to sign up for a class, go to get the supplies and you have no idea what to purchase. I try to make this easy for students and parents by providing what they need so they can come to class and focus on the project we are making.
When I started my YouTube channel - Sew-Learn-Create I wanted to provide the same type of experience. So I now offer kits for some of my YouTube projects. The kits don't have everything you need but they do have the basic fabric supplies. With a few other sewing supplies (i.e. scissors, thread, clips and/or pins etc.) a sewing machine and the kit you can make the project.
I sell the kits on my Etsy shop. These make a great gift for anyone who likes to sew. Click the link to purchase a set for yourself and a friend. Beginner Sewing Kits.
To learn more about these kits and how you can support my YouTube channel check out this video.
Thanks for your support and Keep Sewing!
Danna
While cleaning out my sewing and craft room to get ready for a complete remodel I uncovered several UFO's. I have been trying to work through those projects before starting something new. Which is really hard for someone who has Creative ADD. By that I mean I am easily distracted by that shinny new project that looks really fun. So I drop the current project and begin the new one. Therefore, my shop has been invaded by UFO's.
I came across a method of motivating and tracking your progress on projects that is working. But I will post more about that at a later time.
So far I have been able to complete these projects from my alien invasion.
Scrap Bag Challenge from a friend
I will admit that my Creative ADD did get the best of me a couple of times. I recently joined a local quilt guild and I learned about a new technique that I just "had" to try. But now I am back on the UFO hunt and elimination.
Comment below and share what UFO's you uncovered recently and the progress you are making. What out for more UFO sightings since I still have several areas I have not cleaned out yet.
Keep creating!
Danna
Now that 2020 "The Year Like No Other" is behind us we can move forward. Right? If there is one thing I learned during the quarantine it was that I need to get busy on some ideas and projects I have wanted to do for awhile.
So my goals for 2021 are to finish all those UFO's (UnFinished Objects) in my sewing and craft room, and start working on some other ideas I have been tossing around for years.
One of those ideas was to start a YouTube channel. I did that in 2020 and you can learn more about that adventure here: 2020 A Year Like No Other and New Beginnings. During the Summer of 2021 we will be remodeling our shop to accommodate filming and teaching in person. No more taking over the Living Room! That remodel has started off with a bit of a hurdle - the hot water heater burst and flooded the sewing/craft room and office. But we are pushing forward.
I am still a few years away from retirement and I have been working on my plan for when I have "all the time in the world" Ha Ha. When I retire and walk away from 20+ years in education I want to continue to teach what I am passionate about - sewing, crafting & quilting. Online courses through Skillshare as well as in person classes are in the works already. My plan is to add several presentations and/or workshops for quilt guilds and quilt shops. Those presentations would focus on leaving a legacy from your scrap bin and how to motivate yourself to finish all those UFO's.
I hope you will join me on this journey and adventure in 2021 and beyond. Subscribe to my YouTube channel Sew-Learn-Create so you can create some fun, simple projects, and check out my upcoming courses on Skillshare (coming late Summer 2021).
Leave me a comment below about how your are moving forward in 2021 and what adventures you are going to try.
Keep creating!
Danna
