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| A grab bag of topics to kick off the new year... |
Additions to my Sewing Notions
Simplicity Tin
This was a Christmas present for myself while shopping on Amazon. I needed to bump my total over $35 to get free shipping on an order and found this under sewing notions as an "add on" item.
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| Vintage-inspired Simplicity magnetic tin... |
The name Simplicity conjures up memories of my youthful sewing years like nothing else. I had no real need for this (although it's now being used as a container for my DIY bobbins), but as a piece of sewing memorabilia, you can't get much better.
If you are similarly captivated by the retro appeal, let me tell you that there are other products available from large tins (sized just right for old style paper patterns) to measuring tapes and sewing kits. Just search for the "Simplicity Vintage" store on amazon.com or "Simplicity" on amazon.ca.
Beeswax
I've repeatedly said that I'm not a fan of hand sewing, and one of the major turn-offs is when the thread knots up by itself, creating a situation that can be a headache to undo. At some point, I read that "conditioning" the thread with beeswax may alleviate that problem.
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| Beeswax thread conditioner... |
As usual, not being a regular at any sewing shop works against me in these circumstances. I couldn't find beeswax thread conditioner at my usual discount store sources. Amazon was selling one for almost seven dollars, so that wasn't going to happen.
My annual stop in the Okanagan Valley came to my rescue, as I found this one for $1.49 at a discount store in Penticton.
I tried it out and will say that if your fabric is dark, you may see marks from the wax. However, I haven't used it enough times to confirm one way or the other whether this is indeed a must have item. (When I did use it, my thread did not knot up, but I'm not saying that would happen all the time anyway.) For the time being, it's a tool in my tool box and I'm happy not to have paid seven dollars for it.
Silicone Scrubbie
Do you exfoliate your face as part of your skincare regimen? Okay, so that's not exactly on topic with my discussion of sewing, but it's actually not completely off base.A while back, a fellow blogger mentioned trying out a new silicone kitchen dish "sponge", stating that while the dish washing application wasn't entirely successful, the item was good at picking up lint off a quilting design board. I immediately wondered whether it would also pick up bits of thread that invariably end up all over my sewing table (or my ironing surface) after a project.
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| Dual purpose silicone scrubbie... |
But back to the skincare aspect of things, I do use a facial scrub and normally apply it with my fingers. It can be a bit harsh that way — or maybe it's my super strength — and I read that using a silicone scrubbie does the job with just the right amount of pressure. So when I saw these at Dollarama for $1.50, I picked up a pack. (They look exactly like the ones being sold for $8 apiece at Sephora.)
One is being used to apply my facial scrub (and I really like it) while the other is in my sewing room, used to pick up thread and lint. It's not perfect, but it has sufficient gripping power to corral everything into one area so that I can clean up easier.
What's New on the Subscription Service Front
Did you know that Bluprint has started a subscription service? (And that it's being discounted right now?)
Since the fall, they've made a quarterly box available to US subscribers only — apparently coinciding with the seasons of the year — filled with everything needed to make a sewing, quilting, or knitting project for the "cool" price of $199 a year.
In case you thought that was somewhat expensive — which was my initial impression — the price includes access to everything else offered via Bluprint, plus twelve classes to own "forever", thus its name of premium membership.
What's in the boxes?
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| Bluprint's current subscription boxes... |
All of the projects are led by video tutorial (presented by the person behind The Crafty Gemini), which is arguably a step up from a new subscription service that popped up late last year.
In November 2018, I posted about SewersClub, a sewing box subscription service out of Brampton, Ontario. The instructions for those projects appear to be printed in text only, usually on a postcard.
I often wonder how it's fared, but news has been hard to find. Its Facebook page was silent from February to September of 2019. Its Instagram account was similarly barren. The renewed activity since September has been focused on a redesign of the company's website and logo, but apart from more (Christmas themed) giveaways, I can't find any information about the boxes that would have been sent out throughout 2019.
I'll leave it to you to surmise what the lack of information indicates.
A Failed and (Somewhat) Rescued Project
Remember my post about why we don't share our failed projects? Well, here's one to file under that heading, even though it's been rescued sufficiently to function.
On the surface of it, you may not think this is such a bad little bag, but it's gone through major wear and tear just in the construction phase!
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| My failed and rescued mini backpack... |
What's wrong with it? I used the wrong type of interfacing, thinking my choice was the best match to what the video tutorial indicated.
After letting it sit for several days, I decided to rip out the original interfacing and put on some fusible fleece after the fact. (That's why the bag — particularly the back — is so very wrinkly.) The reason I left the exterior sewn up was that the edges were all piped. I wasn't that committed to rescuing the project if it meant going to that level of dismantling.
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| A very wrinkly finish, but it will still function as a bag... |
In any case, I have a use for this bag that isn't going to require it to be red carpet worthy. Remember my renewed and redone bag that I use out at the "cabin"? There are times when I need to carry more that that little crossbody bag holds and this one will be my new go-to in that case.
The fabric is my own. In between the limited palette and the neutral retreat Spoonflower challenges, there was a color block challenge that I participated in as well. The lighter version shown here was my entry.
Being Kind & Polite
I've previously shared in this space that I don't make new year's resolutions. But I do set out to do things better every year and at times, they include making promises to myself on specific things.
Last year, I was inspired by Paddington Bear's "be kind and polite and the world will be right" narrative. I made a promise to myself to keep that thought at top of mind, particularly where it's easy to do.
For example:
Isn't that an easy thing to do? Don't you sometimes wonder about people who put their shopping carts back into the longest line of carts, which then extends out into the parking lot and makes it a hassle — and a danger to pedestrians — for vehicles to get around?Always return your shopping cart to the shortest row...and if you have to, be the one who starts the missing row!
I truly believe that in some things, it's not difficult to choose the kind and polite path. If we choose it often enough, might it not be habit forming?
Speaking of habit forming, let me share two things that I am particularly pumped about having achieved last year. Number one: I managed not to eat potato chips ("crisps" to you over in the UK) in 2019. If you're thinking, "so what", let me say that if you were to give me a bag of potato chips — of a flavour that I like; that's important — I can eat the whole bag, whatever the size. So in all of 2019, while I regularly bought chips for hubby, I did not eat a single one myself. (Fortunate that I don't like what he likes when it comes to chips.)
Number two: I managed to stick to a regimented Monday to Friday workout routine all year, excepting days when I was away from home. And it's become something that I look forward to instead of dreading.
Did you achieve something personally noteworthy in 2019?
Congrats on your 2019 health achievements (chips and gym time). I appreciate that you are intentional about "kindness" moments and habits. No one, or few, will affirm you for those actions but that is not why you (we) do the right things. You are an amazing soul. Here is to good things in 2020.
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