What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~My Mask Making Report ~Who Else Needs One?

This is a challenging time.

When going out and about, the CDC recommends

that you should wear a Fabric Face Mask.

Crafters across the country have put

their other projects aside to create masks

for their family, their friends, and their community.

The following was on my Newsfeed yesterday...

 I couldn’t agree more with these thoughts.

It’s why we all keep cutting, and stitching,

and folding, and  pressing.

I feel like I am doing something worthwhile, 

when I am helpless about everything that is going on around us.

I’ve been making the two different styles,

as some folks like elastic around their ears,

and some prefer the longer elastic around the back of their head.

Helper Cat provides good support.

Over the weekend we had requests for about two dozen masks.

So we stepped up our production...

We filled those orders and have about 30 more in our inventory.

Please let me know if you still need a mask.

I am not charging for them,

as my objective was to just create protection

for our family and friends.

I have received some very generous donations

of crafting supplies, delicious baked goods,

and cash for our elastic fund.

Thank you, everyone.

Stay safe and well.

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Winterfest Preparations ~Crafting ADD is Strong

With six weeks until our local Winter Arts Festival,

I have several projects on my work table.

My helper cat has gotten involved to select fabrics,

and most importantly provide good support.

She wasn’t quite sure how these pieces of Chenille

would become snowmen...

But I think she gets it now.

These Turkey Tail Feathers are soaking in my

Vanilla Coffee Solution for that Rustic Aged look.

Helper cat is also right there to offer support to Hubby

as he creates new Wine Bottle Necklaces.

Hubby has also been busy in his woodshop.

While the paint dries on these Santas and Snowmen...

I can create hats and scarves for these snowmen.

Sounds like it will be appropriate to put snowmen out

with our witches and black cats this October.

Currently, a Winter Storm Warning for our area.

This photo was in my Facebook Memories today.

Looks like Callie and I were in full Winterfest Mode

three years ago on this day.

I will be living by this Philosophy for the next few weeks.

Stay tuned to follow our progress.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Winterfest Countdown: 3 Days ~~And Winter Weather is on Its Way

With Winterfest this coming weekend,

it is time for some finishing work.

These tiny beanies are created 

from an upcycled Christmas sweater.

The beanies are finished just in time as our weather forecast 

has been now upgraded to a Blizzard Warning!

The vintage buttons are from my mother's button box.

Ready for Winterfest and hoping to find their

forever home on your Christmas Tree!!

Monday Mania ~Countdown to Winterfest...5 days

I have some lovely fabrics in my "stash".

During my BC era (before children), I worked a 2nd job in a fabric store.

Yes, I taught Home Economics during the day, and measured fabric by night.

I invested in some lovely wools.

I constructed several teacher suits,

consisting of skirts and blazers. 

I wore them with pantyhose and heels.

Those were the days when teachers dressed up...

I mean, really dressed up.

every single day.

Well, I have many remnants of those fabrics...

and it's perfect for these winter birds.

(And the Santas in my previous post.)

And speaking of winter...

what's up with this weather?

This is more typical for January,

not November.

With the snow and cold,

hopefully folks will be in the mood for some snowmen!

I am certainly glad I have an inside job.

Stay safe...stay warm...

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday?

Countdown to Winterfest...

Three days!

We are busy here cutting, stitching, pressing, stuffing, painting, twisting, tying, gluing, pricing, packing...

This is a new scarf style that I am introducing to our shop this fall....

Single crochet strands of novelty yarns... all tied together.

 Here's one with our school colors!

Of course, Hubby has his wine bottle necklaces ready for sale.

Snowmen are dressed and ready to go...

...and infinity scarves are organized in baskets.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania & Where the Weekend Went...

I'm not going to lie...

Our weekend highlight was the Kansas concert 

on the campus of Northern State University.

We were lucky to attend the pre-concert events.

This is the set-up, looking out from backstage.

Hello...

Yes...

that is Hubby and I...with Kansas...

Like I said, we were lucky to be able to attend the pre-concert events,

including the Meet and Greet.

This was our view of the stage, as we had

front..row..seats!

Thanks to our friends, the LaFaves...

Dr. Lave is the Dean of Fine Arts.

We sat with him, Kari and Ashley.

The best part of the story is that Kansas is touring all over our country...

performing with university orchestras...

promoting live music and they are donating their proceeds to these music programs...

providing opportunities for music students to learn and to perform.

Giving back...

I'm so impressed.

Carry On My Wayward Son...

humming that tune all day!

But real life continues...

My Basic Foods classes prepared their Creamy Potato Soup today.

It is so yummy.

For a printable copy of the recipe,

click here.

And in the Sewing Studio,

I am stitching my Summer Collection of Infinity Scarves...

The spring and summer colors are so cheerful.

The finished scarves will soon appear in my Etsy Shop.

I hope you all had a marvelous Monday...

Take care,

~Natalie

Saturday's Studio DeStash ~ Embroidery Floss

There was a time when I was addicted to counted cross stitch...

that was 1978 to 1984 BC

(before children)

I purchased DMC floss whenever it was on sale.

And, I purchased DMC floss  whenever I started a new project...

I needed the exact color that the pattern specified.

Serious stitchers know that you can't just use any blue...

you have to look for the exact number of the blue hue!

While I still enjoy stitching...there is way more floss here that I can possible use up in my lifetime.

I am taking photos to list the extras in my Notions shop today.

I will offer some in bundles of like colors and some in bundles featuring all the colors of the rainbow.

Please contact me here, if you would like something specific.

Happy Stitching!

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in my House Thursday ~ the Little things that make me Happy

I absolutely love vintage dress forms...

Perhaps it is my fond memories of my mother sewing her own clothing...

fitting them perfectly to her dress form.

(I wish I knew what happened to her dress form.

It is no where to be found...)

On our recent trip to visit our daughters, we all stopped at several antique stores.

Most shop owners looked at us like 

"Good Luck, dress forms are impossible to find."

But, Monday morning...on our way home...

in a small town in southern Minnesota,

We found her...

This little gem, looking for a new home...

She has one here!

Take care,

~Natalie

Please join Cindy at My Romantic Home

for more Show and Tell Friday.