GreenStitch Episode 33 - Earth Day updates

Episode 33 was filled with Earth Day stuff and other updates. Haven't heard it yet? Link in right here.

Check out Shilo's podcast and her Ravelry group (she's aJoyfulGirl) for the photos on the Ravelry side of the 2011 Repurpose Along. The Flickr group is here. Be sure and make your Viewer's Choice pix ("love" on Ravelry, "favorite" on Flickr) to determine who wins extra prizes. In the meantime, congrats to "goodstuff," Lesley, and Beth!

Want to make a pillow for breast-surgery patients? Here's the pattern I traced off of the one Susan's team uses. I hope there's enough info here so you can make your own pattern.

From there, using any sort of cotton or cotton-blend fabric:

• Cut out two, on the fold.
• Cut a piece of narrow elastic (1/4" or 3/8" wide) about 13 inches long. Pin or baste each elastic end to the right side of one of your fabric pieces at place indicated by large dot.
• Place your two pieces of fabric right sides together, and stitch around the edge, using a 1/4" seam. Make sure to keep your elastic loop between the pieces, stitching them into place as you make the seam.
• Leave an opening along the bottom, as indicated by the dotted line.
• Clip curves.
• Turn inside out and press.
• Stuff lightly with fiberfill.
• Hand-stitch opening closed.

They really go together so quickly and easily. Why not contact your local hospital or cancer-care center and see if they could use some?

A few other links from this episode:

• Restylistas
• Refashion Co-op
• Miss Knitta's Studio

Finally, I must share with you this photo which marks such a historic event in my family:

GreenStitch Episode 32 - Spring, spring, spring

I'm so happy spring is finally arriving in Western New York. Hopefully, no more snow in the background of my photos! You can listen to the full episode here.

Check out the Repurpose-Along 2011 Flickr group and add your own! Shilo and I (do check out her podcast, it's wonderful) will do our drawings next weekend. I've got to get a move on and finish my backpack, too. I'll not be eligible for the drawing, of course, but I want to impose the deadline on myself, too, in the spirit of the project.

Here's my work-in-progress. Check out the process in It's a Wrap. It looks rather dull in this photo, but up-close it has a really neat, vintage feel.

Here's another book on the same topic: Sewing Pottery by Machine.

It was really fun to chat with Erika from Miss Sews It All. By all means, check out Erika's great links here:

• Her blog
• The great venue for her upcoming classes
• More on "Sewing for Survival"

GreenStitch Episode 31 - My love for linen

Basketball, linen, a fine cat's birthday, and the Repurpose-Along 2011 - it's a varied agenda indeed in this week's broadcast. Click here to listen

The flash sure gave a yellow wash to these photos, but I think you can still get the idea of my reupholstered entryway bench. The previous version was navy blue and drab indeed. I think the big, splashy print of this linen is actually much more flattering to the bench than it once would have been on the backside of someone wearing the original skirt!

Do check out the Sewing With Linen Flickr group - but only when you have enough time time to browse, because I can guarantee you'll want to stay there awhile.

Also, join in the Repurpose-Along 2011 Flickr group by April 22, Earth Day, and be part of the drawing fun.

I thought you'd enjoy this photo, one of our family's favorites. My mother was an avid fan of all sports, and she loved the NCAA basketball tournament. She won the family prize in 2000 with her ace picks of Michigan State, Wisconsin, and other teams making it to the Final Four. Here she is accepting the treasured photo of Carol Burnett from my brother Joe. Isn't she cute? (By the way, if you'd like to read more about my mom, check out the "About GreenStitch" section of this blog.)

And here's the birthday boy, the fine Grendel, enjoying his felted wool nap blanket with catnip pockets. Twenty years ago he was a tiny stray kitten at a construction site. He's a much-loved and wonderfully cared-for fellow, and it was great fun to help my friends salute his two decades of loving companionship!