Spring Show Products

I have two craft shows coming up this month, so I am busssssyy!

Currently working on product for my Spring shows! Have lots of yo-yos out all over the table, along with bling, beads, thread, glue and clips.  I think these should sell well this month, just before Easter. (Of course I will add some pastel ones too!)

Here's a finished pair with fabric that is currently popular.  Seems if everyone likes grey, lately!

I am thinking that I might also offer my decorated flip flops--that I have stored away.  Weather should be warming up and I think maybe they would do well too!  I guess I am just feel like spring; aren't you?

Another "Yo Yo Lady" Project

Just call me the "Yo Yo Lady"!  I make all kinds of yo yos; some for my projects, custom orders for client's projects, and plenty to sell in my supply shop.

 

Here's my latest project with yo yos --Christmas Wall Quilts! 

 

 

With embroidery and bead embellishments!

 

 

Finished!

 

 

I also am making them in other color combinations, maybe I will show them to you later this week! Or, of course, you can see them in my handcrafts shop!

Yo Yo Tutorial

Well, for all you do-it-yourselfers, it's about time that I showed you how to make a yo yo from scratch! I know that there is a cute little tool you can buy to make them. (I bet you really don't want to part with your money for another tool that you will only use once?? :) Anyway, they are easy to make.

Use any square piece of fabric, preferably a cotton or cotton blend. Size should be from 3 1/2 inches to 5 inches square---your choice depending on the finished size you want.  (BTW, the "cute little tool" that you can buy only makes one size yo yo.)  Cut the square into a circle by using this little trick.  Fold the square in half diagonally making a triangle.    Cut off the corners using a curved motion.  Repeat for the other two corners.  Open and you should have a nice circle.  If not, adjust your cutting placement and you will get the hang of it soon.  Of course, if you have a die cut machine, you don't have to do this.  

When you have your circle, fold over a little hem measuring approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

Using a heavy thread, begin sewing with a large gathering stitch (approx. 3/8 inch or so).  Make sure you have a large knot in the end of your thread.  You will need it to grab onto when you gather up the yo yo.

Note:  You  may want to click on the picture to make it large to see. My thread should really have been another color so you could see it better.  But, obviously, for the thread to not show in the finished product, it should match your fabric.   

Sew all the way around to right next to the beginning point, right next to the knot. 

Pull the knot out about an inch or two away from the fabric so you have two ends of thread.  Hold the knot and pull the other end of the thread to gather. Then use both ends to tie a secure knot close to the fabric.  You want to double tie it for security. 

After the knot is tied, clip the ends close to the fabric.  You may want to tug at the fabric all around by pinching it and pulling it into shape. This makes the gathers a little more even and there you have it--your own finished yo yo ready for crafting!!!

The YoYo Lady

I guess you could call me "the yoyo lady" since I have been making a lot of them lately--Machine is still on the fritz! :(  I've been finishing some Christmas tree yo yo wall hangings.  Already posted about them here.  Have oodles of yoyos all around my easy chair!  If you need yo yos made in special colors, I make custom lots too! Also busy making kits for Christmas lollipop decorations.

 These turn out so cute to hang on a tree or use as package decorations! Kits and ready made sets will be available in my shop soon. 



Lollipop Kit





Ready made Set

I am also working on some cute little yo yo tree ornaments for Christmas!  Will show those in a later post.

Broken Sewing Machine!

It's National Sewing Month and my sewing machine finally "bit the dust"! It had a good long life; I've had it since about 1979.  I gave away my sewing machine kitty (designated savings) to a family that was short on rent money, due to a lost job.  (They have since gotten back on their feet! Yay!)  I did a side job, but will not be paid for about 30-45 days.  So what does a textile artist do besides the mending?  Well. . . .

 There is more to sewing than a sewing machine. 



Sew up a pretty broach with scraps by pruittcreations



Get out the floss!  Embroidered Art Hoop by pruittcreations

Or grab your scissors and some fabric scraps and make yo yos!!!


Yo yo tree wall hanging that I am working on for Christmas



Embroidery accents sewn on

It's fun and creative! And it's what I am doing lately,

until I get a new machine :)  



Christmas Creativity

Time for the Etsyblogger Street Team Blog Carnival.  The topics to choose from this time around are:

1) Share a holiday item that you created and tell us a little bit about it.

2) Create a holiday Etsy wish list and share it on your blog. What do you really want from Etsy this year?

I'm not really a person to "want" much, or to make lists for myself, so I have chosen to tell you about one of my creations!  Anyway, that is what this blog is about: CREATIVITY!  I've been making lots of old fashioned fabric yoyo's to sell in my Supply shop and decided to make a little candle mat at the Halloween time using some leftover orange fabrics.  I liked my candle mat and used it on little entry table.  So, later, I decided to go a little larger and created a center piece/table topper for Christmas.  I made  the yo yo's with Christmas colors, and added an underlayment of a gold lame fabric with tassels on the corners.  I liked the finished product and used it on my little apartment table!  It creates some fun for my dinning table!  You can order one for your table, if you like it!   (from my handcrafts shop!)