Samantha McNesby

Redwork Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 12 May 2020 21:24:00 +0000

The downtime caused by the Covid 19 outbreak has given me some time to pick up and revisit some hobbies in more detail! I write about travel and marketing for the most part, and everything is closed, so there is not a lot to write about at the moment!

I'm lucky enough to have some ongoing clients in place, but am enjoying the dramatic reduction in my schedule -- I had almost a dozen trips scheduled this spring for work! All fun destinations and all great opportunities, but time consuming for sure. These missing trips have opened up some much needed time in my schedule!

Redwork Revisited

I'm making new things -- this week I revisited redwork, a form of embroidery I love for both the dramatic results and the easy stitching. Since redwork is done in a single color, you don't have a lot of thread changes, and you don't have to spend time deciding which of the 4 blues included in a kit is the "medium" blue, either!

Stunning pillowcases via Bird Brain Design -- get the pattern here!

Redwork became popular after the development of stable red dye in the late 1800s. The dye was created in Turkey, so redwork is also sometimes referred to as Turkey Work.

Dying yarns and textiles red is a messy proposition, even today! Photo via AdobeStock.

The invention of a stable, bleed-proof dye proved irresistibleto needleworkers of the time, and many pieces of gorgeous redwork embroidery remain in collections today. Get the scoop on how this dye was discovered and why it was so important to textile production here, via the National Museum of Scotland.

Redwork surged in popularity in the 1800s, with quilts, pillowcases and other textiles emerging during this time period. Quilts like this one, from the Wisconsin Historical Society collection featured personalized signature blocks and images relevant to the maker and recipient.

Redwork Quilt circa 1890, Wisconsin Historic Society.

Free Redwork Patterns

You do not need a lot of supplies to get started or to try redwork (and if you don't have red floss on hand, don't fret, any single color will do). I've pulled together some simple directions, along with an original owl sketch in redwork to practice on. Just download and grab a needle and your choice of red threads and you'll be on your way!

Night Owl PDF Pattern Download - Free!

If you already do needle work (or don't like slightly judgmental owls, here's another to try, just right click to save and print it out:

I also really like this cute chicken weathervane pattern for redwork from the Spruce -- grab it free here!

I'd love to see what you're making during this time of social distancing and as handcrafts make a resurgence! Stay well, and happy stitching!

Crafts and Play Resources for Kids During School Shut Downs

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 14:22:00 +0000

I hope this odd season is finding you all well! Life is not very changed here so far -- though I did start a little more ambitious plan for the garden this year and found myself saying "yes" to new chicks as well :)

Seriously, how can we resist?

Starting Seeds

Amazon was out of the Jiffy packs I usually get (which are admittedly the easy or lazy way to plant), but paper pots (see directions below) and egg cartons worked well for seed starts. These will eventually go into the raised beds and hopefully become tomatoes, squash and other goodies for the garden.

We had a mild winter this year and the lavender I planted last year is huge! The folks next door have expanded their hives again so there should be some very happy bees around this spring.

School is out for now.

I have four at home right now (I usually home school 2, so this is a slight change). Activities are also cancelled, so we need some things to do each day, particularly the younger kids! I pulled together some resources to try at home if you've got kids out of school and wanted to share them here.

This is on my lifestyle blog, and contains dozens of free resources -- I am not sure how to upload it here, so I am linking you to it, I hope you find something you can use!

Crafts, Printables and Resources for Unexpected Homescoolers -- Free Guide

More Online Resources for Bored Kids

Free Printable Activities, Elementary School Age

Photo via the Spruce -- Find dozens of printables here!

Women's History Month Coloring Pages

Daily Livestream Safari Program from the Cincinnati Zoo

Creating Invitations to Play for Open Ended Playtime

Photo courtesy the Creative Toy Shop

Creative Doodling with Author Mo Willems Live Stream

Huge Collection of Polar Bear Crafts and Activities for K-2

Official Disney Coloring Pages -- Moana, Frozen, Disney Classics and More

Over 100 Free Craft Printables for Kids

Free Watercolor Lessons Online, From Let's Make Art

We're loving these because we can do them all together at the table -- it doesn't matter what your skill level is, just dive in with even cheap watercolors from Crayola and get painting!

Photo and lessons via Lets make Art

Christmas Crafting - Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 21:14:00 +0000

With an autism kiddo in the house, we're all about sensory -- and clay craft projects are about as sensory and tactile as you can get. Because of this, I make sure to incorporate some kind of clay or dough project into every holiday. I have other crafty kids too, so a fun project like this one brings out the creativity in all of us and leaves the house smelling amazing, too.

There's a really nice explanation of why dough is so beneficial to kids of all ages, primarily for developing dexterity and hand strength, via Michigan State University. Olivia's Occupational Therapist has long recommended the use of sensory dough -- playdough with tactile or scented elements that engage all of the senses while she works. This project satisfies her sensory needs and builds some much needed strength as well -- drawing, writing and even buttoning up and zipping up clothing require both strength and dexterity, too

We use simple, easy shapes and roll the dough out thickly to ensure they don't break -- seriously, these things last forever! Once complete, they'll give your tree and your home a wonderful spicy smell all season long.

DIY CINNAMON SENSORY PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Here's how to make your own cinnamon sensory dough ornaments with just a few ingredients:

2 cups cinnamon
1 cup salt
1 cup flour
1 cup water

You can find cinnamon relatively cheaply this time of year in the baking aisle -- but head to the dollar store and really save. Since these aren't for consumption, I feel ok about using the dollar store brand and saving quite a bit over the cost of a bulk container elsewhere.

Mix the salt, cinnamon and flour together in a big bowl. It will be a fluffy, dry powder:

Mix together then slowly add water. You're looking for a claylike consistency and the actual amount you'll need will vary depending on humidity levels, how "squishy" you like your dough and even the brand of flour you use.

Roll the dough out -- I keep ours at least 1/4" thick so they are super sturdy and easy to handle. Use cutters to shape and poke a hole in each with a straw.

Transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake slow and low -- at 200 degrees for 4 hours or so. This dries the dough out without burning or cracking and ensures your "cookies" are ready to decorate.

Add ribbons, paint or embellishments as needed -- the plain, rustic look works for us, but you can get as fancy as you'd like. Since these do not have eggs, butter or sugar, they last for years once fully dry, so you can enjoy them again next year.

Happy crafting, from our house to yours!

Building a Sensory Friendly Play Zone

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 14:52:00 +0000

Olivia loves to play outside - -and even though she is 7, her developmental/social/language age is about 4. A delay like this is common for a child with the Autism/High IQ combo she has.

We use a Waldorf style approach to learning that focuses on play, nature and broad concepts (color, rhythm, etc) until age 7+, this is suiting her well. While we incorporate a little Montessori and a little traditional learning as well (her abilities and disabilities mean a mix is best), you can read more about Waldorf here.

We spend lots of time at the zoo -- so a similar play area at home is ideal.

Olivia loves the nature -inspired playground at the zoo, and while we are annual members, I can't get her there as often as I would like. I decided to design a sensory space for her in the yard -- an affordable one that anyone can build, in case there are other parents who want to do the same thing for their own kids this summer.

Olivia's interest in sensory stuff (the autism) and preferred hands on learning style make a Waldorf style outdoor play zone a must. I built this sandbox, that she is using regularly for play (and practicing fine motor skills, measuring, sifting, pouring etc). '

The time to build, plant or create outdoors is now if you live in the South -- before the grass and plants go into hyperdrive and it gets hot! By building now, I can get everything done, then just hang out and enjoy when she plays later.

Photo via Ana White

First up is this fun sandbox, made from these (slightly modified) plans from Ana White. I liked that this had built in seats (she loves to play in sand but does not want to sit in it) and a lid (to keep out pets).
I asked Olivia what color she wanted...and that's how I ended up with a "Good and Plenty" pink sandbox :)
Here is our new box in progress:

Feathery supervisors approve...

It is now complete (I will share photos with the other components later), but this in progress shot gives a good idea of how it turned out. The pink is actually pretty cute -- it is "High Maintenance" from Behr in the satin enamel exterior, with a clear coat for extra protection.

I made a few minor changes, mainly to add support to the seats (which is good, because each of her older sisters has spent time playing with her in the box as well).

With simple 90 degree angles, no fancy cuts and a straightforward assembly, this is a good project for a beginner. Home Depot or Lowes can cut the wood to size for you (see the plans for a cut list) if you do not have a saw. Once the wood is cut, this goes together with woodscrews, so a drill/screwdriver is all you need.

If you follow the plans as written, expect to spend about $40. I spent about $90 because I added a high quality paint (a $20 quart did the whole thing) and exterior, gate style hinges and pulls (another $35 for those). You do not have to use handles at all -- simple rope pulls will save you money, as will smaller hinges.

The other component to consider is the sand. Which I did not think about until I poured the sand into the box above.

I assumed 3 bags or so would do it (roughly 120 lbs).

Nope. All three of the initial, 40lb bags I purchased are in the box here -- not even enough to cover the ground. (I added some weed cloth from the garden, that is the black that is peeking through)

Definitely not enough.

I've been running to Lowes/HD anyway for some other projects, mainly in the garden and the "grown up" sitting zone, so I grabbed a bag or two each time. A total of 400 pounds later, the box is full.

A Better Way to Fill a Sandbox

I realized after all that work hauling sand to the car, then to the yard, then to the box, I could have just ordered it in bulk with my mulch and topsoil. If you have a local landscape supplier, check with them. A yard of sand will fill a box this size with some left over; most landscapers will deliver it for you. If we need a refill, I will use the same company I use for the regular landscaping instead!

More pictures to come of the finished box!

Other projects for this space include a water table (in progress), hopscotch stones and jumbo blocks. I will share as they are completed. They join existing swings and balance toys to create a fun sensory space the kids enjoy for hours at a time.

Sewing: What is a Walking Foot?

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 14:24:00 +0000

Have you ever sewn a quilt or garment and noticed that your fabric slid around so much that you have had to tear out your stitches and start over again? The problem wasn’t your technique or your machine – you likely chose the wrong sewing machine foot for the job. When you have multiple layers of fabric or are working with a slippery fabric like Minkie™ or satin, a walking foot for sewing machines can save you both time and frustration.

Note: Affiliate links ahead -- I only share things I truly love and have used and will get a small commission if you make a purchase.

Minkee fabric is so, so soft, but absolutely terrible to sew! This little piggy took forever!

Prevent Fabric Slipping with a Sewing Machine Walking Foot

It's almost spring, and I am updating everyone's wardrobe -- which means both shopping and sewing. We use a lot of custom knits; they are soft, comfortable and I can get a perfect fit. The downside, though is that they can be slippery. Easter dresses and other pretty things for Spring can also be a challenge when it comes to keeping the fabric in place; the walking foot is my go-to for these projects.

What Is a Sewing Machine Walking Foot?

A walking foot is a special attachment that replaces the regular foot on your sewing machine. Oversized, with a large casing and moving feet, the walking foot looks cumbersome and difficult to attach, but it is quite easy to use. You can get a walking foot for a specific brand or just pick up a generic one that fits most machines; expect to spend between $8 and $20 depending on the model you need. (Affiliate link)

A generic walking foot fits almost any sewing machine.

What Does a Walking Foot Do?

A walking foot helps to feed the fabric you are sewing evenly through the machine. A sewing machine has built-in feed dogs that move the bottom layer of fabric through the machine when you sew. Since the fabric is only being pulled along on the bottom layer, slippery fabrics or projects with several layers of fabric can be a challenge to sew.

See a walking foot in action here:

When a walking foot is used, the feet work to feed the top layer of fabric through the machine at the same pace as the bottom layer, making it possible to have smooth seams without unintentional gathering. This specialty foot is fast and easy to attach and can cut both your sewing time and level of frustration when you are working with a tricky fabric.

What Projects Would Benefit From Using a Walking Foot?

Quilts: Quilters love walking feet because the even feed makes it easy to keep the layers together. Most quilts are composed of three layers – a decorative quilt top, warm and insulating batting and a plain or decorative batting.

Special occasion clothing: Bridal gowns, prom dresses and accessories made with taffeta, satin or organza become much easier to sew if a walking foot is used. Most special occasion fabrics are slippery, so evenly feeding the top and bottom layers is a must. Delicate fabrics like organza can easily be damaged or destroyed if a seam ripper is used to correct errors, so a walking foot can save both fabric and time.

Special occasion fabric is much easier to sew with a walking foot!

Costumes and toys: While faux fur, chenille and sequined fabrics are not as delicate as their special occasion counterparts, the even feed provided by a walking foot makes it easy to assemble even the most intricate design with ease. Making a competition costume? The stretchy spandex used for swimwear and dance costumes is much easier to sew when a walking foot is used.

What to Consider When You Buy a Walking Foot

Since the walking foot has many moving parts, including the actual feet, it will be much noisier than your other sewing attachments. Noise is normal and may increase if you sew very thin or delicate fabrics. Thick fabrics and quilts may muffle some of the noise; don’t be alarmed at variances in how your foot sounds.

Brand specific walking foot -- this one is a Brother

While all walking feet are installed the same way – by removing the existing foot and snapping the walking foot into place – you may need a specific brand of walking foot to fit your machine. Before buying, check to make sure the foot you are considering is compatible with your make and model.

Caring for a Walking Foot

With proper care, your new walking foot will last for as long as you have your sewing machine. Treat the walking foot like part of your machine, and clean away dust and debris regularly. Store your foot when not in use to preserve its life and prevent damage.

If you use your sewing machine often or you love to quilt or work with a diverse range of fabrics, a walking foot makes an excellent addition to your sewing room. The first time you sew a slippery fabric or quilt a project with a walking foot for sewing machines, you will see an immediate difference in your finished project – and your level of frustration.

Making Your Mark: The Importance of Quilt Labels and Labeling your Work

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 17:04:00 +0000

You’ve taken the last stitch, completed the binding, and no matter what approach you’ve taken to quilting or pattern you’ve used, your quilt is finally done, right? Note, a few of my favorite quilt labeling supplies are listed below using affiliate links :)

Not so fast.

Your quilt is not truly completed until you create a label for it. A label that bears your name, the date of completion and some identifying information is a must for a variety of reasons. Whether you turn to technology, create a special embroidered block or use a permanent pen, your quilt is not really done until you label it.

These are my favorite markers for labeling quilts and made items. (via Amazon, aff link)

4 Reasons to Label Every Quilt you Make

Label your Quilt so it Can Be Cared for Properly

You know that your fabrics were all washed prior to quilting, and that you used a good quality batting – but does the recipient? If your quilt is a gift, the person receiving it (or his or her parent, in the case of a baby or child quilt) may not be familiar with quilting at all. This lack of familiarity can lead to several issues when it comes to actually using the quilt:

“I’m afraid to get it dirty!” A lack of understanding about how easy it is to care for a quilt can lead to that quilt being admired from afar. Instead of being pressed into service on an actual bed, the recipient is so worried about washing and potentially damaging the quilt they are afraid to use it. Including a clear and easy to understand care label can remove this concern and improve the chances that your lovingly made quilt actually ends up being used by the recipient.
“Oops, I killed it” On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have the folks who wash everything. In hot water. And then dry it, also at high temperatures. While most traditional quilts will withstand this treatment, it can cause color to fade over time or damage more delicate fabrics. Including care instructions allow the proud owner of your finished quilt to enjoy it for as long as possible.

Label your Quilt for your Family

You know you made the quilt you just finished for your daughter – but she’s just three. Will she remember you making it? What happens when she passes it on to her own daughter? The creation of a quilt is more than just a hobby, when you spend the time making something special, you are often creating a family heirloom.

Whether your piece is a Christmas table runner that comes out every December or a workhorse that adorns a family member’s bed, labeling it properly ensures that your kids – and future generations – have a sense of family history. Knowing that the piece they are enjoying has been made by loving hands in their own family is part of what makes a quilt truly a treasure. Taking the time to label your finished quilts ensures that future generations have a piece of family history to hold on to.

Label your Quilt for the Future

They may have been created to warm a family, but quilts have given historians a glimpse into the day to day lives of people from various times and places. When quilts are properly labeled, they can be treated with the respect they deserve by future generations and even function as a learning experience for generations to come.

From the Pre-Emancipation quilts made by African Americans in the American south to the intricate, use-every-scrap frugality of quilters of the Great Depression, these textiles reveal an amazing amount of historic data. By labeling your quilt, you do your part for future generations of your own family and preserve a bit of history as well.

Fascinating look at how quilts were used to send messages in the Civil War

Label it so you Don't Lose it

Probably the most practical reason to label your quilt – so you can be reunited with it if it is lost. A label is particularly helpful for a baby or child’s quilt that goes on to become a beloved comfort item. As a one of a kind piece, a lost quilt is truly irreplaceable. A label helps reunite a special piece with the person who made or received it and helps a missing quilt find its way back home after a separation.

How to Label your Quilts

While the label may be the last thing you add to your quilt, you can make labels in advance or even as you work on the quilt itself. There are a few techniques that lend themselves particularly well to label making, including:

Fabric Transfer

Create a printed piece of fabric by using your computer and printer. You can either use a product designed to allow you to print directly onto fabric or create a t-shirt style transfer.

Pigment Pen

Use a high quality pigment pen to add all of your details to a white or light colored piece of fabric and then applique the label to your quilt.

Embroider a Label

Put your hand embroidery skills (or embroidery machine) to work and create a long lasting label with needle and thread.

No matter which type of label you choose, hand sew it to the back of your quilt to provide much needed information about your project for the recipient and future generations.

Your label is important for many reasons and taking the time to create an enduring, identifying label is an essential part of the quilting process. Print it, stitch it, write it by hand – but take the extra time to label your quilt – future generations of your family will be grateful that you did.

Frizzles! Bantam Chickens with an Extra Dose of Cute

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 19:37:00 +0000

It has finally started to cool down a bit here -- as in it was 86 degrees at the pumpkin patch last week and now it is in the 70s.

That change in weather means it is time to start thinking winter, or what passes for winter here -- we do get some nights that drop below freezing. Up until this year, we had full sized chickens and silkies - the silkies have fluffy, full coats so they stay warm year round. This year, though, we expanded (due to popular demand by the kids) and got Frizzles:

Cute, right? BTW, all photos courtesy of my just turned 16 year old, she loves photography and the birds are very willing subjects!

They ARE super cute, with fun, inquisitive personalities. As we draw towards the winter, though, I am worried about those feathers. They basically look like they've been installed upside down -- so instead of smoothly (or not so smoothly) overlapping and trapping in heat, they stick out all over the place.


This one looks like my down comforter exploded...

So it's either knit tiny little chicken sweaters like the ones from theWHOot.com, shown here:

Click above to be taken to the free pattern!

Though that may be the chicken related activity that pushes me over the edge from "a little quirky" to "people cross the street to avoid"...

I have a few more weeks before it gets too cold and they are in an enclosed building, thinking of making some kind of mini-roost packed with hay for them. I know heat lamps are a no-no....brainstoming time!

Learn more about this fun, silly breed of chickens here: What are Frizzle Chickens?

Follow this space for either well dressed frizzles or a breed-specific solution I've not discovered just yet, but will have to come up with!

Painted Shoes -- Doctor Who!

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 17:14:00 +0000

Wow, it has been awhile! I post on a number of blogs as a ghost or guest and have sadly neglected this one! I have to remember to post more often, I am lucky enough to get to work on so many fun projects and with some awesome people that are certainly shareworthy!

Another round of painted shoes, both of the big girls are super into the new series of Doctor Who on Netflix, so it made an ideal subject for shoes:

Adipose/police box pair for our 10 year old who loves cute!!

Super scarey Daleks for the 12yo: Exterminate!!

And a quick shot of the backs, since apparently I can't leave any surface undecorated...

Despite a WiiU and various other toys, these were the girls favorite gifts, they've been wearing them everywhere, yay for handmade!

Painted R2D2 Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 16:30:00 +0000

THe StarWars crafts continue...
I have a few pairs of TOMS that I'd like to paint, but didn't want to experiment on them -- enter a pair of cheapie knockoffs from CVS :)

They were super easy to do using fabric paint and sharpie marker -- I decorated the back and sides as well. They were a big hit with my 9 year old, who is a huge R2D2 fan!

I found a great tutorial on iLoveToCreate which details just how to create your own pair of painted R2D2 shoes if you want to make your own.

This is an in progress shot (I also made a pair of Hogwarts/Ravenclaw flats for my 10 year old, they are in progress here as well).

We'll be going to Disney/Universal this fall, and these shoes will be cute for touring Hollywood Studios and the Wizarding World, I think!

Total cost per pair was $3.00, as I used cheap shoes and on-hand paints and supplies.

I may be brave enough to take on a pair for myself now, with a (slightly) more grown up design!

20 minute R2D2 Dress Up Costumes

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Star Wars Girls Costumes:

These were fast and easy -- they were both done in under a half hour, ironing time included!
We'll be bringing these to the Star Wars Weekends at Disney World this year for sure :)

Here's how we did it:

For each R2D2 you'll need:

1 white tshirt
1 or more sheets of printable transfer paper (the 5T used one sheet, the adult small used 3)
1 roll of tulle in sparkly white
1 roll of tulle in blue
1" elastic, cut to the desired waist measurement + 2"
Scissors

Shirts:
I hesitate to call this a craft at all, it was so easy! I spotted these R2D2 printables awhile ago and have been waiting for an excuse to use them. You can find the printables free on the Serial Mom site -- I used it as is for the little version (and accidentally used it upside down) and made it larger for the bigger size.
Print and iron on following the manufacturer's directions for the transfer sheets you're using. Done!

Tutus:
You can find directions for making tutus here -- I did a tutorial last year. For the R2D2 tutus I went with a longer length and these will be worn over white shorts (not shown here, it was COLD outside!)

Top the shirt with the tutu, and be prepared for happy little girls!

Painted Princess Peg People

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:41:00 +0000

A little Christmas gift for our 4 year old:

Finished princesses, with rainbow (missing one piece for this picture, oops!)

I was inspired by this cute Box o Princesses on Lil Blue Boo -- she has a tutorial and some printables to go with it, check it out if you want to make your own princesses!

I made a few modifications -- the source peg princesses are about 2" tall; we have enough little pieces around here, and an active one year old, so I went with the bigger, 4" pegs. I found a great source for them on Etsy.com -- the shop ClicketyClack has them, priced very reasonably -- that's where I picked up the cute Waldorf rainbow cutout in the back, too.

I included a few different princesses, we are big fans of Merida and Rapunzel, so they had to be part of the set. I also had fun painting a variety of hairstyles :) The ladies and rainbow are finished with the beeswax polish I made this fall.

What did you make this year for Christmas?

Southern Style Hurricane Preparation

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:58:00 +0000

We were thankfully spared Hurricane Sandy’s wrath – just a few downed branches and a lot of debris tossed about the yard. Our SC house (the usual target of hurricanes and tropical storms) came through just fine (thankfully, as my parents are staying there!). SC was spared this particular hurricane.

One thing that stands out to me after the storm though is the preparation process. When Sandy was pretty firmly predicted to hit NJ, I did what I assumed everyone did – filled the gas tank, bought supplies and started baking.

I posted this on several networks, including Facebook, and the responses were surprising. Every Southerner asked what I was cooking, if the propane tank was full on the grill and if I had filled up the gas tanks in the cars. Northerners thought cooking up a storm before the storm was weird or surprising, and were mostly fighting over the last loaf of bread at Target. I had just assumed that “everyone” knew what to do when an unprecedented storm came, since they come so often.

But they don’t. Not here, anyway.

Floyd, Bertha, Bonnie, Fran, Ivan…these are just a few of the big storms I remember, prepared for and lived through on the SC coast. But just like our little Southern beach towns were totally unprepared for the very few snowfalls we’ve seen in the last decade , the folks here in NJ had no idea how to prepare for a real tropical storm. For my Southern neighbors, though, that inch of snow meant every adult on our block was out playing in the street and marveling at the snow at 6am – and school was cancelled for 2-3 days. A hurricane strike here in NJ has had much more serious consequences.

Obviously you should stock up on the basics like bottled water -- but what else should you do?

I thought everyone did the same thing to prepare for a hurricane – but just in case you’ve never been in one, I hope some of this info helps!

For our Northern friends and neighbors, here are a few things to remember and do before the next Sandy comes along:

1. Watch the tropics, but don’t obsess: New reports usually come from NOAA at 8, 11, 2 and 5, around the clock. That frantic report at 10am, a full week before a storm is close? That’s based on the 8am advisory. Get your news direct from NOAA – read the actual advisory and look at the models. Look for more frequent updates the day the storm makes impact, but until then, true “breaking” news related to the actual weather is only available at these advisory times. I like WeatherUnderground.com – they seem to be the most factual and least likely to twist reports for maximum news impact.

2. Fill up…everything: Head to the gas station and fill up every car you have and a gas can too. You’ll need that extra gas if stations are closed (lack of electricity or unsafe conditions can close gas stations, and keep them closed long after a storm has passed). Fill up the propane tank for your grill – and have an extra handy. You can not only cook burgers on your grill, you can boil water for safe consumption – and coffee!

3. Get cash: Don’t wait until the last minute – hit the ATM and get actual cash. If the power goes out, ATMS won’t work – or they can and do run out of cash after a storm.

4. Eat the perishables, and don’t buy more: In the days before the storm, eat the perishables in the freezer – steak, burgers, whatever won’t last if the power goes out. I never stock our freezer well in the summer for this very reason. Cook them up and make dinner and you won’t have to worry about losing that pricey tenderloin you’ve got stashed away.

5. Bake: Why baking? That question is what started this lengthy post! Baking converts perishable items like butter and eggs into nonperishable items like cookies, granola, muffins and more. You’ll end up with more good food on hand, and less to worry about in the fridge.

6. Distribute supplies: I have 4 kids and several cats (each of whom took one look outside the day Sandy struck and hid under the bed in the in-law suite for the next 24 hours). Due to our large kitty/kid population, I don’t use real candles, so I distributed the lanterns and flashlights at strategic places upstairs and downstairs. I also put a flameless candle in each bedroom, just in case. Even if a storm hits during the day, it gets dark inside! I also pulled together a few books and other items for each of the kids, to be used only when the storm hit.

7. Babies and Pets: Animals act weird before a storm, not sure why. We rounded up our chickens a full day early and secured everyone in the barn, with two days’ worth of food. I did check on them in the early hours of the storm, before it got too bad, but wanted to make sure they were ok, just in case. Grab some extra pet food – and if you have a baby, some baby supplies as well.

8. Charge everything: Laptops, cell phones, even the kids sadly neglected DS’s -- we charged them all. If it casts light or can be used for entertainment when the power is out, get it charged and keep it charged, you’ll be glad you did.

9. Freeze water: Toss a few bottles of water into the freezer – just shove one into any exposed space. They’ll freeze and keep everything in there cold for a while if you lose power.

Hope these ideas help someone (though I certainly hope they aren’t needed anytime soon!)

Stay safe!

Sam

Mechanical chicken!

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:49:00 +0000

Here's some more shots of the Trex/Chicken transformation -- and our finished chickie in her costume!

At the school Halloween Parade

Of course he needs a close up!

All chicken/rexes love Vera Bradley!

Halloween Costume Update

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:42:00 +0000

Busy Day!
Rapunzel's hair is done (and trimmed, at the length we started with it was a hazard to both the princess and the people around her!
2 chicken costumes are complete -- one was super easy, a premade cutie from Old Navy!
Ariel's dress is complete
And our last project, the candy grabbing chicken puppet is done too -- here he is:

He started life as a TRex grabber thingie:

Some airdry clay, paint, fabric and feathers, and he has a whole new look :)

Happy Halloween everyone!

Works in Progress

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Lots going on right now -- this is a busy time of year here!
I am working on some new book things and will share when I can -- in the meantime, here are a few works in progress:

Halloween paintings:
We do homemade Halloween costumes, so I started with a sketch for each...the sketches turned out cute, so I decided to paint them out -- here they are in progress (on cardboard, I just used some from the recycling bin, so we'll call this a green project, too!)

Various stages of completion -- I'll share the finished ones (with the real camera, not the iphone!) when they are done!

all together:

Plus, this guy is about to get a makeover to be included with one of the costumes -- This chomping TRex toy will soon be a chicken (hopefully) that can grab candy. Here he is in action -- he likes mandarin oranges apparently...

They say dinosaurs are related to birds...we'll see how he looks when his new paper mache beak is dry!

What's in progress at your house this fall?

Chicken Coop Update

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:39:00 +0000

So, the chicken coop was just plain wood -- and needed an update! We were going to move it (well, I was going to point and Jeff was going to move it) to a new location, so it was a good time to give it a seasonal cleaning and update. I chose a nice, orangey red (tuscan red) and a butter yellow> I actually started to paint this myself, but it wasn't long before I had lots of help...


At least they're not parked in front of the TV!

Once dry, we moved it to a new spot (we have several with buried wire to deter predators, so simply move it about. Chickens are very sweet -- but very dumb creatures. The coop moved about 6 feet, and they were totally confused!

The final, redone coop (complete with painted children -- did you know you can get dried red paint out of hair with mayonnaise? Ask me how I know).Also, did you know that white silkies are paint magnets? Our white rooster now looks like roadkill -- or a chicken zombie...

The roof is getting an update too -- Jeff is planning a green, planted roof, and in true engineering style, there is a lot of design work going into it right now. I'll post more when it is in progress.

Have a great week, everyone, thanks for reading!
Sam

5 Signs You've Hired a Bad Freelancer!

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Has this ever happened to you? You wait all week for the content you ordered from a freelance writer, watching your Inbox and ready to post the fresh content to your site or blog. Finally, the content arrives. You open it and…

“What is this – it has nothing to do with what I asked for!”
“This is awful , incomprehensible writing, my third grader could do better”
“OMG, this totally failed Copyscape, it’s a direct copy from Wikipedia!”

I get asked all the time -- how do you hire a great freelance writer? A bad freelancer can cost you big in terms of both cash and wasted time, so choosing right at the start is essential. Here's some signs of a poor freelance writer -- spot these red flags and you'll avoid wasting time and money on your next project!

You can see the full piece over on the WriterAccess blog today!
Stop by and say hi!

Other freelance writing tips -- Red Flags for Freelance Writers

First Day of School!

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Can you believe it? Summer just flew by!
With pencils, notebooks, index cards, highlighters, erasers, red pens, black pens, gluesticks, post-its, markers, crayons and more school supplies at the ready, the big girls just loaded up onto the school bus! One was fully dressed and ready at 6am...for the 8am bus!

Hope you have a great first day of school at your house, too!
Next up, new shoes and the first day of Preschool for #3!
(looking for little sized Converse to match mine!)

Warning Signs for Freelance Writers

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Hi!
I'm guest posting on the WriterAccess Blog today--stop in and say hi!

Here's the details:

5 Red Flags in Freelance Writing Ads

"This is an easy job for someone who knows what they are doing"
"This job should take you X number of minutes/hours/days to complete"

If those statements don't make you cringe, then you haven't been writing long!
Check out these -- and other --red flags for writers here:

Off to the local farm fair today! Hope everyone has a great day, thanks for reading!

Back to School....Already?

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:21:00 +0000

It's only July, but I'm already thinking back to school! Uniform fittings are coming up soon, and while we have most of what we need for next year, pants are always a problem - one of the girls needs super tall, super skinny pants, so they generally end up taking a bigger size for length and then hacking it to death to fit. I realize I sew all the time -- and could do this on my own, it is just a lot of not fun work, and they charge barely anything, so I go for convenience on this instead of the DIY route. The nice thing about uniforms is that all the back to school clothing can get done at once, and it's not exactly rocket science!


Yep, I'm school supply addicted and shop early! Photo copyright Stephen DePolo 2010

I've found that school supplies go quickly here -- so we've started stocking up on the markers, crayons, pencils, etc that each child needs. Best prices in NJ seem to be at Target -- though I did spot some 10 cent glue sticks at Walmart (I won;t tell you how many I bought, cause I sound like a glue hoarding nut, but there were some left!)

I'm not buying backpacks yet, but have been working on restocking our bento and lunchbox supplies--with one vegetarian and one super picky eater, the big girls don't buy school lunch often. I use quite a few bento supplies and techniques, so they get a healthy lunch that is kinda fun, too. I recently did some guest blogging for the Best Bento Supplies blog -- I reviewed a few boxes we own (including the adorable Hello Kitty one pictured below) and some tips for quickly creating cute bento box lunches for kids -- check it out if you like cute food stuff!

Farmy stuff: On the farm, our battles with the groundhog continue-- he (and his family) have consumed all of the zucchini plants, but are shunning the potatoes so far. I've started dropping odd items into the groundhog holes, just to annoy them -- I figure turnabout is fair play in this case. So far the rotten little critter has rolled out a croquet ball, several golfballs and some rocks. He is apparently quite the housekeeper!

The newest chicks are really not chicks any more -- they have gotten very big very quickly! We're already bringing eggs to friend's houses when we visit, I'm not sure what we'll do when these start laying too (great planning, right?)

Crafts! Yay for hand crafting! I have some cute things to share soon, just have to get around to taking the photographs :) Thanks for your notes, and I promise pix soon!

Raising Chickens ... Beyond the First Year

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:11:00 +0000

We had decent luck with our first batch of chicks -- all survived to adulthood, but we lost two to a dog -- the pretty Gold Laced Wyandotte and one of the Cinnamon Queens. Aside from that unpleasantness, the big girls are doing well -- we ended up with four hens (we bought them from JerseyChickens.com, and they were correctly gender-identified), and two silkie roosters.

We knew we were taking a risk getting silkie chicks, because there is no way to tell if they are roosters or hens until they begin cock-a-doodle-doing, or lay an egg. We must have poor chicken luck, because both turned out to be boys!


Teddy bear for size comparison!

Fluffy, the silkie rooster shown here, is perfectly tame, and enjoys being carried around (preferably in a basket). I was even able to take him to show and tell at my daughter's school, and he didn't crow once. Believe it or not, this wasnt the first time a chicken graced the halls of the girl's otherwise fowl-free Catholic school--one of the Kindergarten classes is raising chicks this year from eggs.

Our other silkie, James, on the other hand, has become a bit of a problem. Thankfully he is very small, about 3 pounds. His favorite move is to plant himself directly in your path and try to intimidate you into running away. Ever seen Lord of the Rings? He basically does his best Gandalf and squawks the rooster version of "You Shall Not Pass". You have to shoo him out of the way with a broom to get by, and he does his best to pounce on you as you pass. This does not hurt, but is terribly annoying. I can see why so many full sized roosters end up in soup pots -- we don't eat our chickens, but a 10 lb rooster with these antics could hurt someone! (James is safe and he knows it -- he is Sarah's special pet).

We have a ton of fun with the chickens so far-- so we picked up a few more! I owe some crafting posts soon, but will posts some pictures of our fluffy new arrivals soon..on the plus side, I was able to reuse the light, feeders and homemade chick brooder from the last batch, so my investment this time was under $20!

Ready to make your own chicken coop or hen house? Click here!

Giant Granny Square Afghan

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Sharing a photo of the world's largest granny square -- I have a ton of cute, scrappy granny patterns saved in my ravelry queue, but I am lazy and made a single great big square instead.

If you can double crochet, you can make a huge granny, too!

I used a lovely yarn from Noro, Iro; this is one of those cool kettle dyed yarns that gradually shifts from one color to another--so I got a great striped effect without having to change colors (or weave in all those nasty little thread ends. It's also made from wool (75%) and silk (25%) so it should be nice and warm. You can see a pretty pic of the yarn I used on the Waldorf mama blog--she's used the same color for a pretty little dress.

I was totally optimistic when I started this (and obviously have no ability to estimate yardage at all), so I bought three skeins and got to work. The first lasted a good long time (this project starts in the middle and grows, so each round eats up a little more yarn). #2 lasted a good long time too, so I was feeling very proud of my awesome estimation skills...until I attached skein #3. Which got eaten in just 8 rounds of the blanket (which was then about 24 inches across, not really a blanket at all).

Back to the yarn store. Do I need to add that these are $15 per skein...so the "cute, quick little blanket" is rapidly becoming the "kind of costly blanket"...

Just to be safe, I picked up skein #4 and #5 (my LYS officially loves me and my poor math skills). I am sure you are much more clever than I am at this point, because I really thought this would be enough--not only enough, but that there would be copious amounts left over for the chunky tassels I was planning for each corner....

Not exactly. Skeins #6 and 7 (yep, back to the store, who had thankfully put aside the remaining skeins in my dyelot, "just in case"). They ran out, so I bought 4 more skeins from Webs (at just $10 a skein, yay!).

Behold, the finished yarn eating granny in all of her glory:

This project has been dubbed the "rainbow blankie" and has been stolen by my 4yo for her bed...

If you want more colorful crochet, check out Lucy's work at Attic 24; you'll find pretty ripples, grannies and more.

Review of Heartsy -- for Buyers

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Have you been to Heartsy yet? If you are a fan of handmade, and want to save a few bucks, head on over to Heartsy and check out the deal of the day. I shop on Etsy just about every day, (usually when I am supposed to be working) so when I heard about Heartsy, I had to check it out.

Heartsy works like the popular coupon site Groupon.com, but the deals are all with shops offering handmade goods, mostly from etsy or artfire artisans. Customers purchase a heartsy coupon code, that can then be used with an online seller. The deals change each day, with plenty of jewelry, art, photography and accessory shops to choose from.

Like Groupon, Heartsy offers coupons for a set price; the coupons can be redeemed in the store immediately or within the next 30 days. Regular Heartsy deals offer about 50% off a particular store or item. VIP deals increase the savings, and are worth the cost of a VIP membership ($10 per month, optional) if you buy a lot of handmade items.
Recent offerings include:
$10 for a $21 coupon for handmade jewelry
$10 for a $31 VIP coupon for handmade, organic kids items (yep, I grabbed one of these)
$10 for a $31 VIP coupon to a hand-dyed yarn and roving shop (got one of these too...)

Save on handmade, like this luscious soap from the Soap Seduction

Since the deals change each day, you'll need to visit and keep an eye on current offerings; Heartsy does send an email each day letting you know what's up next.

The Good Stuff about Buying on Heartsy:

You'll save money: Obviously, the savings is the big draw here. If you are like me and spend a decent amount on handmade soaps, kids toys and other gear each month, then you can save a considerable amount of money by using Heartsy.

Creative and fun jewelry from XOXii shop, featured on Heartsy this week.

Fewer flakes: If you buy a lot of handmade, then you already know some shops can have great items--but less than stellar follow through. Shops that are using Heartsy are actively marketing their businesses, so you can be sure that the products you get will be great quality. The main draw to sellers is the exposure and potential good publicity; all of my purchases so far have been great, and I am planning on buying again from at least one seller (full price, but worth it).

Support handmade: When you buy handmade items, you put money directly into the hands of the artisan. If you haven't taken the handmade plunge yet, using a Heartsy voucher is a good way to get started without much risk. Click here for a great post on why handmade is "expensive" by Lex, the creative genius behind SmarmyClothes and WhattheCraft. I read this awhile ago and bookmarked it to share, it is a must read.

Heartsy is juried: Part of the Heartsy application process involves jurying; users can vote on the stores that they would buy from if a code was offered. What does this mean to you? Just like real life art fairs, jurying means that the shops that make it through likely offer appealing items that you'll want to check out.

Shipping is included: You can use your Heartsy coupon for shipping, so if you plan your purchase right, you won't have to pay out of pocket for shipping.

Upcycled comic books meet pencils, notebooks and more at Colleen and Cohort, a featured Heartsy shop.

The Not so Good Stuff about Buying on Heartsy:

You'll get hooked on handmade:This isn't really a bad thing, but once you try real, handmade soap or custom made clothing that fits your style and figure perfectly, you won't want to go back to the retail, mass produced stuff. Consider Heartsy a gateway drug...once you're hooked, you won't look at jewelry, clothing or accessories the same way again.

Timing: You'll need to snap a deal up when you see it, so if you are looking for favors for a birthday party or a gift, buy early. You may not see a deal you like if you try to shop at the last minute. The site has also run out of coupons for popular stores in the past, so if you see something you like, grab it before it's gone.

Expiration dates: Heartsy coupons are only good for a month, so you'll need to use yours before it expires! If you buy a code, don't forget about it (though Heartsy will remind you that your code is languishing, via email).

Lower stock levels: While most shops stock up prior to offering a Heartsy deal, they can get overwhelmed. Most shops are run by a sole proprietor, so expect your items to ship out a little later than usual if you buy during a big Heartsy rush. (A little later means 3-5 days, not 3-5 weeks in most cases.) Shops can get pretty depleted when a Heartsy deal is offered, so either pounce and order immediately, or buy your code and wait a week or two until the shop restocks.

Flakes: It happens when you buy handmade...just like it happens when you buy commercial. The last order I placed and didn't' receive was from Burpee, the seed giant, so it can happen with any vendor (I am still waiting for my garlic and potato seeds, Burpee!!!). The flake rate seems to be a little higher with Artfire shops than Etsy ones, but be aware that it can happen. If you don't get your item, you can get a credit (not a refund) from Heartsy, so you will be covered.

So there's the deal for buyers--Heartsy is pretty much a win for those of us who love handmade. My husband is a fan, even though he has never visited the site; thanks to the reduction in my etsy/artfire spending.

But what about the sellers?

Does offering such a substantial discount really pay off for sellers? Check back soon for the scoop, I am working on a review of Heartsy for sellers this week.

Boring small print disclaimer:

I don't work for Heartsy, and purchased the codes I used to evaluate and learn about the site on my own; no freebies, nothing to see here, move along...

This post is part of the TA DA Tuesday Link Party on Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night
Click the link to drop in and visit!

FO: Thrummed Mittens

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

I spotted a pair of thrummed mittens somewhere recently, and loved the idea...of course, when I gathered some supplies and sat down to knit a pair up, I had no idea where I had seen the original pair. I suspect it was in a recent issue of a knitting magazine, I was browsing them in the bookstore before Christmas. Anyway, the idea is that the "thrums"--the little white fluffy bits of wool--conform to the shape of the hand as the mittens are worn. They are supposed to be super warm and I just finished these in time, it is supposed to be very cold here this week!:

Finished mittens, the fluffy one is inside out so you can see the stuffing!

Since I didn't have a pattern to go on, I just made these up as I went along. I chose a little girl friendly color combo (Plymouth Galway in a rainbow variegated) and figured they would fit someone in both size and style. It turns out they are a perfect match for our 7 year old, so it worked out well...I will just adjust the size up a bit for the 9yo and down a bit for the preschooler, and everyone will have warm hands! One skein was plenty (see the leftovers in the pic?), and I think I used about 2 ounces of roving.

Project notes (aka boring technical deets):
Yarn: Plymouth Galway and white roving (from the awesome Sheep Shed Studio)
Needles: Size 6, knit on 2 circs
CO 36 stitches, 2 1/2" of 2x2 rib, switched to stockinette and added a thrum pattern every 4th row. Reserved space for the thumb with waste yarn (7 stitches), no gusset.

My big girl is shopping the yarn closet now for "her" mittens, I will cast on for the next pair as soon as she chooses.

Goodbye, Jaws, Hello Harry?

noreply@blogger.com (-Sam) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Say goodbye to Jaws...and hello to Harry Potter? Rumor has it that the Jaws attraction at Universal Orlando will be replaced by an expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with a Gringott's themed ride. While this info is still in rumor form (Universal has not confirmed or denied), the park has announced the permanent closure of Jaws, starting today. The Theme Park Insider has full details on the proposed attraction, including a ride map and a look at the ride vehicle. Pretty detailed info for a rumor! Check it out on the Theme Park Insider site.

I am a little bummed about the closing of Jaws, though. It is one of the first rides I tried at Universal, and one of my favorites...I jump every time that rotten shark jumps out of the water towards the boat! Sorry to see this one go, it joins the ranks of other rides/attractions I miss--Mr. Toad, Millionaire and 20,000 Leagues....

Get plenty of extra time on your favorite rides on 2/29/2012!

This has been a busy week for Disney travel news! First up, the Disney Company revealed its newest promotion, "One More Disney Day", on New Year's Eve. You can get all the details on my Examiner post here; the short version is that the Magic Kingdom will be open for 24 hours on February 29, 2012 (leap day), and there are a few ways to save on your vacation if you travel during this time period.

I have seen plenty of Disney sunsets, it would be fun to see the sun rise from inside the Magic Kingdom!

Samantha McNesby

Redwork Revisited

Redwork Revisited

Free Redwork Patterns

I also really like this cute chicken weathervane pattern for redwork from the Spruce -- grab it free here!

Crafts and Play Resources for Kids During School Shut Downs

Starting Seeds

School is out for now.

More Online Resources for Bored Kids

Christmas Crafting - Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments

DIY CINNAMON SENSORY PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

Building a Sensory Friendly Play Zone

Olivia loves to play outside - -and even though she is 7, her developmental/social/language age is about 4. A delay like this is common for a child with the Autism/High IQ combo she has.

Olivia's interest in sensory stuff (the autism) and preferred hands on learning style make a Waldorf style outdoor play zone a must. I built this sandbox, that she is using regularly for play (and practicing fine motor skills, measuring, sifting, pouring etc). '

A Better Way to Fill a Sandbox

Sewing: What is a Walking Foot?

Prevent Fabric Slipping with a Sewing Machine Walking Foot

What Is a Sewing Machine Walking Foot?

What Does a Walking Foot Do?

What Projects Would Benefit From Using a Walking Foot?

What to Consider When You Buy a Walking Foot

Caring for a Walking Foot

Making Your Mark: The Importance of Quilt Labels and Labeling your Work

You’ve taken the last stitch, completed the binding, and no matter what approach you’ve taken to quilting or pattern you’ve used, your quilt is finally done, right? Note, a few of my favorite quilt labeling supplies are listed below using affiliate links :)

4 Reasons to Label Every Quilt you Make

Label your Quilt so it Can Be Cared for Properly

Label your Quilt for your Family

Label your Quilt for the Future

How to Label your Quilts

Fabric Transfer

Pigment Pen

Embroider a Label

Frizzles! Bantam Chickens with an Extra Dose of Cute

Painted Shoes -- Doctor Who!

Painted R2D2 Shoes

20 minute R2D2 Dress Up Costumes

Here's how we did it:

Painted Princess Peg People

Southern Style Hurricane Preparation

Mechanical chicken!

Halloween Costume Update

Works in Progress

Chicken Coop Update

5 Signs You've Hired a Bad Freelancer!

You can see the full piece over on the WriterAccess blog today! Stop by and say hi!

First Day of School!

Warning Signs for Freelance Writers

Here's the details:

Back to School....Already?

Raising Chickens ... Beyond the First Year

Giant Granny Square Afghan

Review of Heartsy -- for Buyers

FO: Thrummed Mittens

Goodbye, Jaws, Hello Harry?

You can see the full piece over on the WriterAccess blog today!
Stop by and say hi!