Tomorrow is CyberMonday!

Thanksgiving 2016 is now in the memory file. Preparations for the joyous Christmas celebration are underway!

~ Decorating ~

~ Shopping ~

~ Wrapping gifts ~

~ Baking ~

~ Giving ~

What an exciting time of the year!

Tomorrow is CyberMonday!

I don’t usually “plug” my shop on this blog, but I do hope you stop by my online shop, Lanetta’s Creations, where you’ll find unique, one-of-a-kind items Handmade in Texas!

On CyberMonday, use coupon code CYBERMONDAY

and receive 20% off!!!

I just loved creating this Red Cape (and accessories come with!) that fits 18” dolls like the American Girl, Springfield, Our Generation, Gotz, and the vintage Chatty Cathy!

Oh, and rather than calling it a “bib” – I have created “Wearable Napkins” for adults! This is just one that’s available in Dallas Cowboy print:

Cowboys are doing fabulous this season! We may even get to the Super Bowl! Wouldn’t that be amazing!

Don’t forget, classy aprons make wonderful gifts! And, tomorrow’s savings is a good time to think ahead for Valentine’s Day! I just love Snoopy…  

Although I love everything I create, the most special item I produce is the Action Quilt, also known as Fidget Quilt.

Time and time again I hear heartwarming stories of how these little lap quilts covered with doodads, bibs and bobs provide activities to help those with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, or Traumatic Brain Injury keep once busy hands occupied! As Martha would say, “It’s a good thing.”

So….

Don’t forget me ~ and other small handmade businesses ~ tomorrow!

I/We need your support!

Thank you in advance!

Game Plan - Part 2

I’ve already started a few of the Community Sewing projects mentioned previously.

A Veterans scrappy lap quilt is in the works. I need to finish it up before I get into the box of scraps I’ve set aside for it and do other projects with them instead! I started it back in August/September when I had my sewing machine in Dallas, while caring for my mother. After completing only two rows, I decided my back needed my normal cutting island rather than one of her regular dining tables. I had to put it on hold until I can dedicate the time to finishing!

While back at the country on a short visit last week, I could not not sew! So, I created a few shopping bags. They are similar to the Green Bag Lady’s, but a bit more finished & detailed. I completed five and have an additional five cut out & ready to sew but ran out of time due to helping with house renovation projects. Anyway, I may take the time to do some appliqué on a few of the bags! Or, at night while watching television, I could weave some ribbon fishes for a bit of embellishment!

My goal is to provide everyone in my little town a shopping bag! According to the 2010 census, I have 1,617 more to make!

I’m thinking… I may need to re-think that goal unless I get some help! I can see an assembly line and not everyone participating has to know how to sew! Cutting out and ironing/pressing would be awesome help! Maybe I can get a small group together! Wouldn’t that be a great winter project to do for and with the community?

Anyhoo...

In addition to the shopping bags, as I pull out to work a box or sack of fabric that family and friends have given me, I’m sorting the larger pieces to use in creating fun pillowcases. None are cut out ~ yet ~ but I know where I stacked the dedicated pillowcase fabric pieces!

I don’t remember how I found them, but I contacted Volunteer Match. I found a call out for sewing items I could create and simply mail to the organization for distribution where needed. Something called dignity scarves caught my eye. Come to find out, they are similar to my Wearable Napkins! So, I’ll use some of the larger pieces of fabric to create a few for their needs.

Working on a few more ideas.

Part 3 is a "work in progress" game plan to get things done and seriously downsize my stash!

Sewing for Seniors

I’ve seen oodles of websites offering suggestions regarding sewing for children. No need to go there, it’s fully covered. The market is saturated. It is my mission to comprise a list of Sewing for Seniors, items for people years older. With Seniors, the elderly, the Age-Wise generation in mind, I asked myself the questions:

What could I create that complements their active lifestyle?
What could I create to make life easier?
What could I make that is more comfortable?
What could I design to provide privacy?
What could I make while Sewing for Seniors?

When I set my mind to this mission, the list grew and grew. With your help, I’m sure it will grow even more!

  

Neck Pillows

“C” (Like a travel pillow) and “Bone" or "Bow-Tie” shaped neck pillows

in a variety of fabrics and colors.

I found this nice Bow-Tie shaped free pattern at Sew4Home.

And, a travel pillow pattern at The Cottage Mama.

Pillowcases

Made using satin polyester for easy maneuvering against bedding,

satin pillowcases are perfect for keeping the hairstyle nice between salon visits!

Lap quilts

45” x 60” minimum size

 

Ready to quilt!

Knee Rug

(I’ll use fleece rather than wool)

38” x 46” average size

Hats

Hats are great for sun protection as well as for warmth.

Any I shared in the Sewing Hats article would work nicely, too!

Phone Pocket Necklace

I’ve noticed telephones have a tendency to fall out of pockets,

they slip down between seat cushions,

then they are not “missed” until one walks into another room

and the phone starts ringing, or worse, a phone is needed.

I need to create something like this very soon!

Shoulder capes

Elegant yet functional, shoulder capes are easy to wear

while sitting underneath drafty vents

watching television, playing Bridge or Uno, or dozing in the easy chair.

A while back, I quickly created one for my mother using fleece.

Shawl

A shawl is similar to a shoulder cape, but a bit more versatile.

Depending on the fabric and style, a shawl would work nicely for a man, too!

No Sew Fleece Neck Wrap

Oh, I hate the drafty draft that comes down the back of my neck.

This is something I “fixed” for my daddy… it was so quick and easy, too!

I cut a long (60”) narrow (12”) piece of dark brown (his favorite color) fleece

and that was it! Fleece is lightweight yet warm!!!

Then I showed him how to wear it without having to tie a knot!

This website calls it a European Loop

Fold in half, matching cut ends together, forming a loop at opposite end.

Place around neck and thread both cut ends through the loop,

tighten as desired.

Arm sleeves

My daddy always complained about his arms – from wrists to elbows –

being cold / chilled so I created “sleeves” out of fleece.

Tapered at the wrist, the seam was on the outside

so not to rub or bother his thinning skin.

I so wish I had a picture of him wearing his sleeves…

Wearable Napkins

Originally designed and created for my mother while spending time in a rehab center,

the wearable napkin functions like an adult bib.

But, for something my lovely momma wears, even at home,

I will never refer to it as a bib!

Walker bags

I have several patterns in my stash for walker bags,

but when I went to make one for my mother,

I didn’t like the way they looked so I created my own style.

She loves it, too!

Shopping bags

(13"H x 12"-17"W x 6"-8"D is the size of a standard grocery bag)

Don’t we all have enough plastic already?

I read somewhere,

over the life of one fabric shopping bag

hundreds of plastic ones will become obsolete!

I hate to think of the loss of marine life

and the tackiness of our beaches

if we don’t put a STOP to using plastic shopping bags!

Personal Accessory Bags

I haven’t yet designed this, but is on the top of my to-do list –

I want to create a flap over bag to keep in the bathroom, next to the toilet.

A discreet storage for daily personal needs, and a great use for those monthly needs, too!

It must be at least 11” long, 6” wide, and 8” tall – I’m working on it! 

Cane covers

 In June, a friend of mine brought her cane to show me at our annual slumber party.

She had thought of me, thinking it would be a cool item for me to create.

It was SO cute covered in fabric up to the handle. I had never seen this before!

(I since have gone on a search and found bunches! Guess I need to "get out" more!)

Wouldn’t this be lovely in a leopard print?!?!

Or, coordinating with the different seasons or holidays?!?!

I will be making this for momma’s cane when I get back to the studio!

She is my beta tester!

NOTE: I’m a “baby boomer” (born between 1946 and 1964). When I began this mission I had in mind my parent’s generation. I realize now many items on my list would also work fabulously for other generations!

What else could I make? Please help me with suggestions!

The Wearable Napkin

They are in the mail!

My sweet 84 year young mother is in a rehabilitation facility recuperating from a fall she took on July 9th. After surgery the following day to repair her left femur, and a few days in the hospital, she’s now discovering muscles she’s not used in years while maneuvering the wheelchair and walker! Every day she is a bit better and stronger. Praise the Lord!

She's wearing the Hawaiian Artist Smock/Apron I created for her before her fabulous
trip to Hawaii a couple of weeks before the fall!

During the interim, sitting up straight in her wheelchair while eating meals has been a challenge due to other physical issues she has unrelated yet aggravated by this fall. While sharing a meal with her last week, she dripped and spilled food down her blouse.

Dabbing up the trail of syrup here and there, and laughing at herself, she said, “I guess I’m going to need a bib like Wouida wears.”

Well, my momma will never wear a “bib”!

Wheels began turning in my head to create something else with the same purpose, but not to look like a "bib" in any form or fashion!

Drum roll, please! Announcing the

“Wearable Napkin”!!!

 

Pocket for cell phone is behind the black dress with white dots -
see the cell phone barely sticking out? It does slip all the way down, but I pulled it up some to show!
I used a terry cloth towel for the bottom "skirt" 

Besides being a "so momma print" - I kept in mind what others across the table will look at and read!
Wish I could be a fly on the wall when she wears this for the first time!

Reversible!  Only difference between the 2 sides is the pocket size/placement.
Just like wearing a "real" apron, the neck tie only needs to be tied once!

I came up with two similar styles and have ideas for a bit different ones in the future.

Keeping in mind busy prints makes for hiding spills and drops!

            Like a camo print for men?

Also, she likes to keep her cell phone close. I applied a pocket (matched within the print) on the upper left side sized especially for her phone.

They are in the mail to her! She should get them tomorrow at the latest!

I can hardly wait to hear what she thinks! I've told her they won't be a thing like Wouida's!