r-anne-dom : a place for me (anne) to leave random blog posts.
Such as:
..knitting, sewing, and other random activities pursued
..Girl Guides of Canada : yep, Guiding Lives Here
..the 4 shops on Etsy : one features quality handmade items; the second has lots of patterns, & crafting supplies; the third is stocked with Vintage; and the fourth is guiding flowers.
Enjoy the r-anne-domness!

September 28, 2011

Where in the World .... ?

Where in the world have I shipped to?

The answer, my friends, is in the sidebar of this blog!!

Simply scroll down and watch the right hand side of the page!

You'll see a list of Countries, as well as the states in USA and the provinces in Canada!

Selling on Etsy, truly is an international experience!!!

Visit my shops now
- ennadoolf  for Quality Gifts for Men, Women, Teens and Children
- PatternsAndSuch  for Patterns for Plastic Canvas, Knitting, Sewing and Craft Supplies and more!
- VintageAndSuch  for Vintage Military, Housewares, Collectibles & Treasures


September 27, 2011

Girl Guide Cookie Contest!!

Contest Details

We know that you love Girl Guide Cookies! Now we want to see just how much! Get Girl Guide Chocolatey Mint Cookies and enter our “Thinking Outside the Cookie Box” Contest! Show us your creative and crafty sides by submitting a craft made out of, what else but Girl Guide cookie boxes (and/or their contents)! We want to see crafty murals, mosaics and more!


Prizing
The contest will offer prizing for two separate submission categories: submissions by GGC Members/Staff and submissions by our fans and supporters (non-Members). One winner from each of these categories will be selected by an online voting system open to the public. Each will each receive:

•A $100 Sears gift card
•5 boxes of Girl Guide chocolatey mint cookies
•Girl Guide merchandise
•Special mention on our blog as one of the craftiest Cookie lovers of them all!

Click Here for More Details!!

September 20, 2011

Girl Guide Mint Cookie Time!!

Watch for local Girl Guides with Mint Cookies!


Over the next few weeks, mint cookies are being distributed across Canada.

Girl Guides will be selling cookies in local businesses, malls, door-to-door . . . and if you know a Girl Guide (or a Spark, Brownie, Pathfinder or other member) then contact them to buy your mint cookies direct!

September 08, 2011

Crochet and Knitting on TMZ ! ! !

Crochet and Knitting on TMZ ! ! !

Yes, the staff on TMZ said it!

They were discussing that Rosé wines were making a comeback - "everyone is drinking Rosé now!" one staff member says.

"Are they gonna start Crocheting too?" asks Max, and then he mimics knitting motions and says

"Get Ma Knit On"
I think we need to send him a pair of knitting needles, some yarn, and a link to How to Knit on YouTube.  ☺

September 05, 2011

Tutorial - Small Tags for Handknits

Tutorial - Small Tags for Handknits

I wanted some small tags to attach to some of the handknits I make for my etsy shop ~ ennadoolf ~ and thought I'd try Shrinky Dinks.


My local Michaels store only had one kind of Shrinky Dinks in stock, so that is what I bought.

They are the "bright white" ones with both sides being shiny - no rough side.
That means I could only use permanent markers on them, not colouring pencils.
 
I cut out several shapes in various sizes.


cut shapes

All of these photos were taken on my cutting board where you can see the 1 inch squares to give you an idea of sizes.

I figured that the items would shrink to about 30% of their original size.

The Shrinky Dinks sheets were 8 inches wide x 10 inches long, so I cut the sheet into 3 pieces - each 8 inches wide and using 1/3 of the length of the sheet.

before - in inches

before - in centimeters













I shaped many of the corners so that they would not have sharp edges.
And I cut some circular shapes too.

Decorate each piece as you'd like - with pictures, words, etc.

If you plan to punch holes, do that now.  Remember the hole will shrink too.

I punched holes using both a 1/4 inch and a 1/8 inch punch.

ready for the oven
after the oven

in the oven ... starting to curl and shrink

in the oven ... about half time
 
after - in inches

after - in centimeters


August 20, 2011

My Favourite Photographers

My Favourite Photographers

I am definitely an amateur photographer. Sometimes I get lucky and have a great shot.

I am also lucky to know several professional photographers whose work is amazing!
They are so skilled and have a such a great eye for a great shot!





August 19, 2011

A Properly Lined Tote Bag


Remember I was trying out that Zest Tote Bag from Joann.com?

And I didn't like the unfinished look of the inside seams?
 
Well, I did make one with properly hidden seams and here it is.
 
I loved the contrast fabric at the top - and because it was all Spagetti, Rigatoni, Lasagna and other Italian pastas, I had to give the bag to my friend Joanna.  She and her mom, Nonna, will shop for pasta with it, right?! 
And maybe she'll bring me some Fettucini some time!  :)
 
I also thought of another way to hide the unfinished look of the original pattern ... and since those instructions are quicker, I might do this on the next ones ... simply cover the seams with bias tape.  Should work.  I'll let you know.

August 13, 2011

Coming Soon! Crafting Workshops in London Ontario!

Coming Soon!

Crafting Workshops in London Ontario!

"Like" Workshops at Nanc's on facebook so you'll be notified of workshop dates!


Pattern Review - Zest Tote Bag from Joann.com

Pattern Review - Zest Tote Bag from Joann.com

Bag 1 - Side 1

I liked the look of the Zest Tote Bag (link is to a pdf file) on the Joann.com website and thought I'd give the pattern a try.


Modifications:
1. I did not include any quilt batting and did not stitch the quilting lines.

Bag 1 - Side 2

2. I replaced the fabric trim with battenburg lace I had in my stash.


Issues with Instructions:
The instructions are not clear on Step 3 for attaching the lining to the outer pieces - when I first did this, I automatically put right sides together but you must put wrong sides together for this step.


Ugly seams showing inside.  :(
Additional Review Notes:
I was very disappointed that the seams show on the inside of the bag - since there is a lining, I assumed the inside seams would be hidden between the outer fabric and the lining.  When I make my next bags, I will see if I can correct that and have the lining sewn separately to hide the seams.  I'll be sure to post about that project.

The project is labelled as a Skill level 2: Sewing experience needed - I am not familiar with their levels, and I've been sewing since before my teens (and that is many many years) and I would have liked to see clearer instructions for Step 3 ... or perhaps clearer drawings depicting right side vs. wrong side.

Bag 2 - Side 1
Bag 2 - Side 2
The bags did turn out great, though, and I'm sure will be loved by the gift recipients. 




August 06, 2011

Nan's Bear Hug

Please "like" my friend's new facebook page
- Nan's Bear Hug -
Designed & handcrafted Teddy Bears plus so much more in gift ideas!

August 01, 2011

CAL - Crochet-a-long - Mesh Raglan Pullover - hibernating. :(

CAL - Crochet-a-long - Mesh Raglan Pullover - hibernating

Yes, I have officially abandoned this project ... for now.

Once I "finished" the yoke, I realized that I did make too many mistakes - the corners were'nt square and I didn't have enough completed stitches for the size I was making.

So I must have misunderstood the instructions.

Since I have other projects I need to work on between now and Christmas (yes!  Christmas!) I want to get started on those.  So I've "hibernated" this CAL and it is now a UFO (unfinished object).

For now.

I promise I will get back to it ... eventually.

July 31, 2011

LAST DAY for Christmas In July SALE!



LAST DAY!!!!


It's time to start your holiday projects!

Shop now for patterns and supplies for your seasonal projects!

At PatternsAndSuch on Etsy, use Coupon Code CIJ20 at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase prices!


July 30, 2011

London International Quilt Festival

London International Quilt Festival.

I can only imagine the colours will be spectacular!