Little Things - Straightening Up, My Craft Sewing Box, and A Project!

As I sit here typing this post, I am looking out of my office window onto what normally is an unusual sight, but is becoming more frequent . . . SNOW!  This is our second substantial snow since Christmas Day, and we rarely have one per year!  On Christmas Day we had about 5 - 6 inches, and this week we've had about 7 - 8 inches!

It snowed over night on Sunday night, iced over Monday night, and is still here on Thursday.  Hubby finally went back to work today and so I am a HAPPY girl!  Northern Georgia has pretty much been shut down by this storm, and many of the roads are still impassable.  Our low temp here this morning was around 12F, and our high today just might get to the freezing mark!  Tomorrow (Friday) may get up to 40, and then after that our temps should regulate a bit so this snow and ice can go away!  This is all very unusual for us, so many people were not prepared although they had plenty of warning if they had only watched the news!

 

But, because of being pretty much housebound for the last few days, I have crafted a good bit, and yesterday I finally tackled straightening up my work table and rearranging a bit.  One thing I'm loving, that was so easy to do was this . . .

The wire mesh basket holds the essentials very well!  And I don't know if you can tell, but there's a plastic mesh basket in center, a piece of oasis foam holding my Stickles upside down so they will be ready to use, and places for smaller things as well.

 

This is the pincushion my sweet friend, Phyllis made me for Christmas - I'm very proud of this, and it stays right here handy for me!

Stickles upside down in oasis foam - love this idea!

 

Here you can see what I have in the basket.  It works really well as an organizer for the things I want close at hand! 

And here is a closer up view of what is in the old Crystal oatmeal juice glass - my most used small tools!

I think I'm really going to enjoy the way I've got these things arranged.  I've also straightened up my storage a bit, and kept a couple of boxes EMPTY to put WIP's (works in progress) in when I'm not working on them. 


Another thing I've done is straighten up my "craft" sewing box, and yes, that is different from my sewing stuff!  This box is actually a plastic pencil box for children to take to school, and it has a small round compartment on top.  I've had this box for at least 10 years, and use it very often!  And I think I got my money's worth for this, because I paid about 49 cents for it!  Before I got this, I could never find needles or needle threaders, but for some reason this one 'worked'!  And I know it's not 'cute', but it's very practical and use-able, so I'm sticking with it. 

 

For years I've kept a denim tote bag filled with crafting things that I can grab on the run, and called it my "hospital bag".  It's where I kept bits of fabric, felt, embroidery floss, needles, thread, small scissors, etc. that I could take to work on projects when in waiting rooms or hospital rooms - usually with my dad.  This little box has been with me through a lot!  And here is a little breakdown of what I keep inside:

Bits of fabric already cut to make yoyos . . .

 

Yoyo 'templates' or circles cut in 3" to 6" in 1/2" increments . . .

Button and craft thread.  It's a bit heavier duty than regular thread, and works great in craft projects.  I have white, beige, brown, black, and red.  It comes in a few other colors, and I hope to get the rest of them eventually.  It is on the same racks as the regular thread in your fabric store.

 

Needles.  Somehow I have amassed quite a collection over the years.  Some I've bought, some have been in boxes of stuff I've bought at yard sales, and this little round red box . . .

 . . . was in the drawer of a cabinet I inherited from my paternal grandmother - Mama Cliffee.

My eyeglass repair kit!  I keep it in here because I always know where it is!

 

And this is what I keep in the little round compartment on top . . .

 . . . needle threaders - I've had that one on far left for at least as long as I've had the box!

And my new 'needle keep' that I just made this morning!  For years (8-10 maybe?) I've used this piece of felt, and it has worked well, but it's downright ugly! 

If you look closely you can see the marks where needles have been stuck through the felt.  I just rolled it up . . .

 and stuck a quilters pin in to keep it secured.  But to be honest, after all these years it's gotten kind of thin, so I decided it was time for something new!  Here's what I came up with . . .

It's made of a soft cream flannel with a little deeper floral print, and it ties with a cream satin ribbon.

This (above) is the back side . . .

And the one above is the inside.

When I have a good bit of thread left on a needle after a project, I wrap it around the needle so it's ready for the next time.

Here (above) you can see how the ribbon is loose on 3/4 of the flannel so when you roll up the 'keep' the ribbon doesn't roll with you!

You simply start rolling from the end . . .

and roll until you reach where the ribbon is attached . . .

And roll it the rest of the way and tie it in a bow.  Very simple, and it's only about 2 1/2" wide by about 3/4"  thick after it's rolled up.

Do you like my felt needle keep???  Want one for your own???  I'd love to make one just for you, with your initials sewn into the fabric!You can choose from these flannels . . .

The cream floral like mine, or the pink poodle . . .

or the baby blue or baby pink . . .

or the VINTAGE (at least 30 years old) pink gingham . . .

or the baby yellow . . .

or the VINTAGE (at least 30 years old) red, black and white bandana print . . .

If you would like one of your own, simply email me here and let me know which fabric you want, and what initials you want on the outside, and I'll make one for you!  The cost is $5.00 each, plus $2.00 for shipping, or a total of $7.00 total.  If you order more than one, I'll do 2 for $12 or 3 for $17 including shipping.  If you have a paypal account I will send you an invoice, but if not I will give you the address where you can send the money.  As soon as payment is received I will get to work making your very own needle keep!

Thanks so much for visiting me today!  The ground may be covered with snow and ice, but the sun is shining in my window and warming up my little studio room!  I just love these days!  Be Joyful!!!  Becky