Something for the kid in all of us....

Nope, not candy or toys or clothes. Though I wouldn't mind one of each in that order right now ;) But wildlife....ah, the beauty of nature and the things we can discover online!!

I recently made a boys hoodie of a hooded falcon (note the subtle match-up ;) Anyhow, what I never mentioned was I was once fortunate enough to hang with one of the most noted American Falconers (yes, there are such things!) and watch one be released, where he later caught a bird that was released just for him, and gobbled it up for a quick snack. (note my look of fear next to him ;)

It was unreal. They can swoop at about 200 miles an hour and apparently they have vision 30 times better than we humans.

Anyhow, I was recently introduced to a few web cams of falcons and owls and wanted to share them with you. Finley thinks they are adorable. I do too. Except for when they bring home some live creature and chew it up and regurgitate it to their young. But I digress and probably grossed you all out! Sorry about that, but I am giving you your fair warning. ;)

Peregrine Falcon Cam

Owl cam

Enjoy!!

Giving is the best way to receive....

“They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing” Hindu proverb

I've always been a giver. Sometimes a little too much ;) I'm the girl who roots for the underdog, cheers for my opponent, and will give whatever I can to help someone that I know is in need. My parents grew up with very little, especially my late-father, and the amazing stories he's shared about how people helped them out in their lives really inspired me (I'll share those another time!)

Most of you probably don't know, but I have a job. A job job; or work work.... Meaning I work outside of sewing :) I manage the philanthropic activities of a large private Family Foundation, plus some other stuff. :)

So, the reason I mention this is (I get to the point eventually, stick with me!!) ...I was inspired by my amazingly talented friend Ashley when I saw her list her gorgeous dress on eBay to raise money for our online friend Jane's and her daughter, who organized a team called Anna's Bananas in order to raise money for Down Syndrome Association of Delaware.

Well, I had to do something too to help out team Anna's Bananas! Now I didn't think I could raise quite so much per dress on eBay, so I decided I would sell a few items in my shop each week, where 100% of the sale would be donated to Team Anna's Bananas! But wait, there's more! (Feel like you're watching an infomercial?;) I asked my generous boss if he would match my sales, which I was hoping might be about $100, and he did even better! He's donating an additional $250 to the effort!

So...time to start shopping for a great cause! I am listing my first item (below) for Team Anna's Bananas today and as the week goes on I plan to list more in my etsy shop.

Thank so much for being a part of a great effort. :)

Yesterday you met my serger...today is a Serger Tutorial!

I read a serger tutorial once online, and for the life of me I cannot find the link.

Well, it seems that many of you are sewing addicts, just like me, so I thought I would share my favorite serger tip: What to do with that long piece of thread that hangs off your seams!

I used to snip mine, and then they would fray. Then I started knotting them, but I'm no sailor. Now here is what I do, it's so easy!

So here's the culprit...long serger thread:



Go find the biggest needle you can find. One that isn't all sharp and pointy. I use a size 22 tapestry needle. Then stick it under/through the seam you just finished sewing:



Bunch up your long thread at the end, rolling it between your fingers a few times in order for all those threads to fit through the needle eye:



Pull your needle through, so that the long thread tail goes under all that stitching and comes out the end:



Snip close to the end:



Add Fray Block or Fray Check:



Tada! Seam is finished, long thread vanished, and no chance of it ever coming back to haunt you!



Hope this little tip helps you!

A conversation with my serger....

(Yes, I speak with inanimate objects, a habit I picked up during pregnancy)

Me: "Good morning Charlie."

Silence. Menacing silence.



Me: "I've missed you. Look, I brought you back a rock from Sedona."

Charlie "Harumph"

Me: "Hmmm, I also brought you back some new knits."

Charlie "Oh?"

Me: "Yeah, look!"



Charlie "You left me for 5 days, all alone in this house, with nobody around to hang out with. You think that's good enough?"

Me: "Well, I thought about you a lot. I actually brought you more knits, but I was going to wait to show you these another time..."



Charlie: "Whoa, is that for me??"

Me: "Yup! There's more!"



Charlie "I love you, Shari"

Me: "I love you too Charlie. Next time I'll bring you even more knits, plus some new thread and maybe even a new needle."

And they lived happily ever after......until Charlie broke a thread ;)

A letter to you dear blog....

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry I have neglected you these past few days. Although I must admit I am typically slightly obsessed with you and have spent many sleepless nights thinking about you....well, right now you are on the back of my mind, and I hope you will forgive me. I have been busy.

So though you have been replaced by something else for a few days, you are still on the back of my mind. Plus, I have been inspired. I have a vision of new dresses and tees based on this. How could you not be inspired here?

So please forgive me. I will come back to you soon and lovingly labor over your HTML and settings. I will even bring you a rock back from Sedona.

Your friend,

Shari