Valentine's Day

The next holiday will be here quickly and we need to prepare some crafts for decorating and giving a gifts. I plan to make some scented sachets - never got them done for Christmas - for my family.
The boys will get little squares in the Bow-tie quilt pattern, filled with cedar chips and the girls will get some satin squares filled with lavender

Welcome 2011

Some people make New Years Resolutions - I prefer to make affirmations or promises to myself.
This year I am going to try to eat healthier, regular meals, cut down on sweets and exercise daily.
I need to lower my cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels. Not an easy feat but with help from medical professionals I can do it. This is my personal promise.

Christmas is Over

The rush of shopping for gifts, wrapping and preparing family dinners has slowed down finally. My family has had a bout of the flu over the holidays - everyone is fine now.
I helped some ladies make about 50 snowmen from felt to give as gifts at a potluck lunch before Christmas - we were very busy attaching eyes, noses and tiny bells, then stuffed them and sewed together with a blanket stitch. As soon as I learn how to post pictures - I will put some of my stuff on the blog.
Best wishes to all for a safe and happy New Year

Is Christmas ONLY 5 days away?

It's been hectic around my house, sewing gifts for family and friends, wrapping gifts and bagging candy for 54 kids at local Moose Family Center, making 60+ snowmen for Women's Employment and Resource Center for Potluck lunch on the 23rd, attending and conducting workshops at WERC. Finding time to just do some grocery shopping is tricky.
Best wishes during the Holiday Season to all

Baked Potato Bags

For use in the microwave
1. Cut one piece of pre-quilted fabric 9" X 30" or 2 pieces of cotton and 1 piece of flannel
2. If designing your own with fabric and flannel - layer together with flannel inside the 2 pieces of cotton with right sides facing out. Sew down the middle and then about 3" apart down each side of middle stitches - this will hold your fabric together
3. Fold over short ends by 1/2" and sew - trim excess fabric
4. Fold over 1" and sew - optional- top stitch along edge
5. To make pouch - with right sides together, place long piece down about 4" from other edge, then place short piece just overlapping the folded area on top - potatoes to fit in opening
6. Sew down each side - back-stitching over folded area for extra strength
7. Angle cut each corner and trim off excess fabric
8. Turn right-side out - place washed potatoes in bag and cook
This size will fit 3 medium or 2 large potatoes

Microwave instructions - DO NOT puncture potatoes
for small to medium size potatoes - about 1 minute on each side - just turn bag over
for large or multiple potatoes - about 2 - 3 minutes on each side - depends on your microwave

I'm Back

been out of the loop for a while - but I am hoping to continue this blog

Sewing for your home is very rewarding - when you can tell your family and friends that you made that pillow they are admiring - you will have achieved success.

Pillows can be made any size or shape that you choose - just modify the basic instructions

I prefer to make envelope style pillow covers - they can be removed to be washed

1. measure the width of the pillow form that you choose and add 1" seam allowance
2. measure the length - cut fabric 3 times the length - this allows fabric to turn under at opening
3. place pillow form in center of fabric and wrap fabric around it
- then fold under at least a 2" seam on both ends and top-stitch it
4. Wrap fabric tightly around form with open ends overlapping and pin closed
5. mark with chalk the position of the side seams - remove pillow from form
6. Sew both side seams with a 5/8" seam allowance
7. trim extra seam allowance and corners
8. turn right-side out and insert pillow
Optional: embellishments may be added before or after completion
I like to add buttons, ribbon, or lace
I have also made crazy quilt fabric for the pillow tops and sew two backing pieces for the envelope opening - more on crazy quilts later

Who Am I?

DonnaLee Designs makes custom Tote Bags using decorator fabrics and woven handles that are great for shopping, Butcher-style aprons, Decorator pillows, Tablecloths from vintage fabric, adult bibs, Primitive home decor accessories and Christmas decorations. Most of my fabric is purchased at local thrift stores, yard sales and auctions. I also do Faux-finishes on clay flower pots, stain or paint and varnish wood frames, shelves, boxes and small tables. I am presently making quilts and pillows from recycled jeans and pieces of denim with a flannel backing.
Recycling is my business and my passion.
You will find samples of my work for sale at oxfordcountypeddlers.com under crafts.
Please browse my work and send me a comment. I will also custom make to order any of the items.
Great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, showers or for yourself.