Recycled T Shirt Bracelet

Saw this on Instructables.  Also saw a T-shirt necklace made the same way.  Looks fairly easy.  Can also put beads on.  Also check out this   T-shirt Scarf/Necklace  I have a great piece of red tube fabric that I can use.  Hmmm, maybe with black?? Would be a great gift idea. 

Late night sewing...

Been making my heat packs lately. Don't know if it is because my fibromyalgia and back pains been re-occuring, or just the fact that it is getting colder. I call them my "warm hugs". I have made quite a few of these lately, even have a production line going. Some are for gifts, some to hopefully sell, some just for me. They really help with all my aches and pains, and sometimes I even have 3 of them going. I usually use them in the morning, at least once during the day, and before I go to bed. In fact, as I sit here now, I have one on my neck. Now though with the cold weather, I use them just so my fibromyalgia doesn't flare up, and to keep my muscles warm.

My chiropractor has some, and was interested in seeing what I make. I made a variety of my favorite sizes. I think the most versatile is the 8" x 30" one. This can be used for the neck, or the low back. You can even warm it up, and use it as a scarf before you go into the cold. My favorite is the shoulder one, it does the shoulders and upper back. I still need to tweak it so it can also be up around the neck.

All of the "warm hugs" are made with the inner liner of a rice/herb blend, and a removable outer cover. Since I use mine so much, I know the benefits of having a cover you can wash. Not pretty otherwise!!!  Here's some pics...... (updated January 1, 2010)

Also made a set of hand warmers. Jim's hands get cold a lot, so just this seems to help. Just 30 seconds in the microwave and he can hold it in his hands to warm them. Should also be good inside a glove or mitten. Did a pair of mittens with the heat pack in it; but it was a little bit too tight, so back to the drawing board.

Finally, made a infinity type scarf out of fleece and cotton. Saw the link at Infarrantly Creative . Did a little variation with a bias strip (which I made as a continuous bias strip....still perfecting how to do that easily) with some green and gold trim. The only thing was that I cut the fringes too wide, so I didn't think it layed (laid??) right. Going to recut it and see.

Birthday Gifts for a Great Granddaughter

Gifts for a great granddaughter 3 year birthday. Fabric was from a Jo-Ann's which was moving and was 80% off. Here is the apron and chef's hat.

And matching crayon roll

Don't you just love the bee print? The closure is velcro with a yoyo on the strap, and a button over it. Too cute.

Head Bobber Stoppers

I just hate to be riding in the car with my grandkids and they fall asleep and their heads start bobbing. It hurts MY back and neck just to look at them in those positions where their head is down to their knees. Ouch!!

Well, when I went to Florida to visit 3 of them, I brought along the pillows that I cut and sewed for them at home. Their jobs were to help stuff, and I finished sewing them up. Here's one of them

Well, they loved them so much they were using them at home and forgetting to take them in the car. So, we got some more fabric and they helped sew this time. All 3 of them, ages 2, 3 and 7! The 2 and 3yos worked the pedal. I put it on the table and told them to "stop" or "go". Both of them were wonderful. The 7 yo actually did the sewing with my guidance. And, it was a lot easier for their little fingers to stuff the pillows. We just used fiberfill and stuffed until it felt comfortable.

The pattern for them was really easy. I just made a large C shape and cut it out of newspaper, then tweaked it until I liked it. I figured anything had to be more comfortable than having their heads hanging down. Even easier to make it is to draw the outline of the pattern on the top fabric. Place another fabric, same or different pattern stacked right side together- and cut a larger square around it - but not too close. Then, just sew on the marked line leaving a space about 4 inches on the top for turning. After sewing - then cut about 1/4" away from the stitching. This is much easier to do, no shifting. Try it.

It was so popular that I have to make another one for my DIL to use when she is traveling. The tool pattern was one we bought at Jo-Ann's for my grandson. The doggie patterned fabric was one I had at home, and the smiley face fabric was a garage sale purchase - 3 yards for 50 cents!

These were so popular, that I made 3 for our great grandkids. They used it the other day on a 3 hour trip to Chicago and Mom said they loved it. If you have kids, strongly consider making this. In fact, I'll be making more as gifts for traveling friends.

Crayon Rolls

Made this for the grandkids. Saw a bunch of directions online, and changed mine to add a flap to cover crayons, and added a velcro closure. Have some other changes in mind. Will show later.

Here's the rest that I brought with me. My grandkids helped me sew them. Their Mom and Nana both took one for their purses to keep the kids amused

Aprons and Chefs Hats for the Little Chefs

Today was spent at a funeral for my hubby's cousin. What with the early time we had to be up and on the road, the driving, sitting, standing, and visiting, I was exhausted and in pain by the time we got home. Plus the weather was in the 90s and hot and humid! In fact, I fell asleep on the way home and caught a half-hour nap. Then when we came home, took a pain pill, and snuggled up to my heat pack...like it wasn't hot enough out? So, after sleeping awhile, and having a light dinner, I started on my evening projects.

Last week, I had a friend who wanted to come over and refresh her sewing skills. Well, we decided to make an apron for her 4 yo daughter. I made one also for my 7 yo granddaughter, They both turned out really cute. This one was made for my granddaughter here in Illinois. It is reversible and the pics show both sides...

Well, I decided to make more aprons tonight for my Florida grandkids. It will be great for them to have when grandma comes down, and they can "help" me in the kitchen. And maybe even a chef's cap - just because!!!

My fabric was one I had picked up at a garage sale last week $2 for several pieces mostly cotton. The one I used was a blue with sailboats on it. After all they do live in FLA. I did it differently than the one last week. All 3 were made with the same fabrics; but styled slightly different. The yellow fabric was part of an old sheet. The red was also garage sale.