Our Archeological Dig Finds (in our own front yard!)

J. Cosgrove blue bottle is circa 1855-1870 and contained mineral water in its former life. Would be worth big bucks if it were whole!







My Husband decided to use his metal detector in the area where the house slab is going to be in a couple of months (in our present front yard) and hit some sort of pile of old stuff underground. This is the little bucket of stuff that entered the house = there's a lot more in the yard, but these were a few of John's picks. What a large pile of buttons!



Only the front of the bottle survived, but it is a cool find. The South Carolina Dispensary system was a state-run monopoly on liquor sales in the United States state of South Carolina which operated from 1893 to 1907 statewide...pretty neat stuff huh?

Two Rompers -- Ready to Smock

Both of these are taken. You are looking at the front and back view. It is a size 3 mos ready to smock baby romper. I haven't installed the snaps yet on the inseam, but will handle that today after I buy the snaps. All seams are sewn and serged -- fabric is a poly/cotton blended broadcloth.

Robe Embroidery

I added this embroidery onto a ready made bathrobe. The thread in the embroidery matched a light blue trim already on this super soft robe I got at Old Navy. I embroidered the snowflake twice so it would really stand out. I was pleased with the results and should have gotten one for myself too!

Clemson Purse

Another Christmas Present -- she will be the coolest tiger fan at the game!!!

Toile Bag

Another Christmas Present -- Mom liked it!

Drawstring Jewelry Pouch

I got a free pattern online for a jewelry pouch. The inside has 6 pockets and it cinches up to keep it all sorted when you travel -- made 3 of these for presents this year.

Here was the pattern:
http://www.northtipton.com/jewelry.htm

Nativity Lapbook

It's not all the way colored, but you get the basic concept. The girls are working on Nativity Lapbooks -- a small coloring book on the left bottom and a small nativity storybook on the right bottom. When she finished coloring all of the characters she'll have a little nativity playset in the center to act out the Christmas Story on the little barn. The blue part on the bottom will be a pocket to store the characters. I have this little kit in a Adobe Acrobat file if anyone it interested I'll email you all the stuff to print out and set up one for your own kids!

Free Bib Pattern

http://www.poopockets.com/free/bibs/bibs.htm

I didn't use the bias method they describe -- just sew two layers together then turn right side out and topstitch -- MUCH easier! Install a snap and you're done! Now that I get a good look, I didn't even topstitch this duo...even simpler

Talk about quick and easy baby gift! I can see a lot of cute things to embroider on a bib...any suggestions for my next ones?

Adult Bibs

My Grandmother is in a nursing home and she is diabetic so her eyes and fingers aren't as good as they used to be so my mom bought her an "adult bib" at a craft show one year -- I finally got around to copying the idea for my grandma. It is totally reversible, with the same design on the front and back. It was quite easy to make too. I left the one on the right open so you can see how the Velcro goes... I did one for the Christmas season and the other one for other celebrations throughout the year. I think she will be looking good! They are about 18x23, a generous size. I am thinking that it would be good next time to possibly put terry (towel) on the back side for absorbtion...hey, you live, you learn, right?

Pink & Green Pajamas

My daughter had to wear pajamas to school for "Polar Express" day. I came up with these -- don't laugh, but the hot pink fabric is actually made out of a bed sheet...leftover from someone else's project. They said what am I going to do with a fitted sheet and two pillowcases -- I bought them (deeply discounted of course) and used the two pillowcases this summer for birthday presents and then have been using the fabric of the sheet for various projects in past months. I think I have enough for only one more project after this one.

Simplicity 9964 size XS

Ms Jane's Purse

Finally finished Ms Jane's purse. Has a palmetto tree on one side and the name of the dance studio "Palmetto Xtreme." I think she is going to love it. It is very Ms Jane looking with the fringe. The fringe is just some of that wacky crochet or knitting yarn they have out now. Just crochet in a chain and sew directly onto your item...easy and super trendy! I also figured out something with embroidery lately. It looks nicer when you are doing a name to have the capital letter acutally be a font size a little larger than the rest of the lettering...You can see it on the Palmetto Extreme side of this purse. A small thing that makes it just a little nicer.

Monogrammed Towel

Just monogrammed this towel for my friend to give as a gift. I think it turned out nice.

Hollie/Berkeley Purse

As you can see I have gotten a little carried away with the purses lately. This one is a little smaller than the others -- the front is about a 6x8 rectangle -- I think she is going to have a lot of fun with this! I can't remember if I posted it already, but these bags are all from pattern Simplicity 8331.

Cloth Infant Shoes

If you are a sewing person, you have to check out these cloth baby shoes:

http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/cloth-shoe-pattern.html

Christina/Horse Purse

The ladies are going wild over these purses. The front is about an 8x10 rectangle and the bottom is about 3 1/2 inches wide so you can really get a lot into these purses. I am trying a smaller size next for a children's purse -- Maybe I'll get it done this morning before the kids wake up -- not likely! Tried a new, wider ribbon this time, I think it looks nice.

Christmas Lights Purse

This is my holiday purse this year...festive!

Stratford/Carolina Purse

Another one of the same pattern I have been making -- this one is for a Stratford Student, but could also be Carolina! I actually cut out two so if anyone wants one of these (or a clemson one) let me know -- I have one of each cut out and ready to sew ($20) Purse has two side pockets on the inside and a plastic bottom inserted within for stability and washability!