Masks for Tyler Smith's Girls

 Lisa has been dating Tyler Smith for five months. This weekend he is introducing his two daughters to her, and she asked me if I would make them masks embroidered with their names. I hadn't done that before, but was willing to try and I am very happy with how they turned out.

Ashley's Nativity Tablecloth

I've had four yards of this Nativity fabric for years. 

Since my fabric storage is becoming cramped, I decided to pull it out and make a tablecloth for Ashley.

Kyle was happy to secretly measure the table while Ashley was in the shower. The table was not a standard size - it measured 46 x 100. This was going to be a tricky project.

I did some sketches, trying to plan out the best way to cut the fabric. Hoping that Craig would see a different way that that could be done, I had him take a look at my drawings.

He sketched out some diagrams himself but didn't realize that three seams on a tablecloth would not look good. Neither would having the tablecloth hang over the sides by only an inch. (Post-hemming would make that about a half inch.)

I went ahead and cut it as my second diagram showed and stitched it together. It won't completely cover their table, but I still think it will look nice.

The first (sewn) gift of Christmas 2020!

Embroidered Model Horse Blankets & Haversacks

 I am experimenting with my embroidery machine. Ultimately, I'd love to make these for gifts as well as sell them in Horsiemama's Mercantile.

This one I made for Liz Cory. Glengarry is her stable name.

Melissa's Halloween Pillowcase

 I wonder if this will be my last round of pillowcases to make? Melissa is our youngest grandbaby and I think several of our kids are finished adding children to their families. Maybe I'd better enjoy this set, just in case.

I used my new embroidery machine to put "Trick or Treat!!" on it. I think I may embroider all of hers. :)

Pillowcases & Masks

 I sewed three more pillowcases today - these are a surprise for Julie, Kate, and Susie.

Susie gets flamingos, Kate has the bunnies, and Julie the wildlife musicians (a juxtaposition of two things she likes!)

And I made matching masks for Lisa and Tyler. I will be meeting him this weekend and wanted to have something to give him. Lisa chose the fabric.

I'm Sew Busy!

 The count is in - I have made 166 haversacks since I began sewing them in May. I made 8 today and 6 yesterday, with 3 more cut out, pinned, and ready to be sewn. My eyes hurt and so do my hands, but I am having a blast!

Horsiemama's Haversacks & Mercantile has been very successful in its first month and is keeping me hopping. But that's okay - I love to sew and this gives me the opportunity to buy lots of pretty fabrics. (Allison Pareis made the graphic - can you see Abby's silhouette from the blog? Thanks, Allison!)

A stack of haversacks waiting to be tagged, photographed, and put on the Horsiemama Haversack & Mercantile Facebook page.

I posted on Monday that I would be restocking on Friday, just a day away now. As soon as I finish those last three haversacks, I will begin tagging and taking photos.

I've added two new tables to use with my craft table - one to hold the in-progress haversacks, patterns, and sewing tools,

and the other for packing up haversacks that have been sold.

I invested in a mailing scale so that I can use Click-N-Ship and have outgoing packages picked up here from home. (A real plus when there's a pandemic on and you're high risk!)

I ordered shipping supplies like packing tape

and tissue paper to wrap the sold haversacks for shipping.

I've been saving any large envelopes that have been delivered to our home as well as ordered free flat rate shipping envelopes from the USPS.

I even washed strips of the fleece fabric I was using to line the haversacks to be sure it was colorfast and would not bleed onto a model like some fabrics will.

The white test strips came out nice and white after washing with the other colored strips! It's colorfast!

And I've run out of storage tubs and boxes for the completed haversacks and have resorted to simply stacking them up on top of the other boxes in the closet.

It's been fun setting up shop, and I sure appreciate all those who have purchased haversacks from me. I'll also do donations for hobby events; just email me at horsiemama8@gmail.com.

Back to the craft table to finish those last three haversacks!

Pandemic Masks for Lisa

 Lisa asked me to make her some masks for school and went through my fabric stash to select the fabric for them.

Here they are in order of least liked (top) to most liked (bottom.) No surprise the yellow fabric is the most wanted - it's her favorite color!

Oops! This fabric wasn't in the photo. It was her least liked. It was also my practice one for size. It fit me fine, but Lisa said the elastic was too tight.

So I made this one out of her next least favorite fabric and she said it fit much better.

I was able to replace the elastic in the blue and white one so that it was more comfortable, and Lisa has seven masks to us at school. (So far. Haha!)