July 25th is Thread the Needle Day, referring both to sewing and the aphorism “to thread the needle,” meaning “walk a fine and difficult line between two things or issues,” according to Holiday Insights.
More info over at The Daily Green.
Jul 24, 2010
Confessions of a Diva about her Favorite Craft Addict
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Let me tell you a story about my favorite craft addict…
It all started more than two years ago. I was searching out fellow sewing bloggers and came across this girl who was too much like me, except she was more productive and even more organized (go figure?). She had qualities I longed for. Yes, I could sew in the same circle as her. However, she would sew so much more than me. It wasn’t that she had more time than me…no, in fact, quite the opposite.
She was the winner of The Magic Box on my blog—a sewing box filled with goodies. I was tickled that she posted about this Magic Box on her blog.
We became fast friends. And little by little, I let her into my inner circle…heck, she was hanging out with MY old friends, Lady M™ and Sheree in my absence (WTH?). We finally invited her into our little e-Bay SWAP group, to sit at the cool table…and lucky me, I was the recipient of her Valentine’s Day SWAP!
Mary actually told me about her upcoming book, Little Girls, Big Style, even before she told her husband. Yes, I was the first keeper of “the secret project.” I was so excited…but at the same time, scared for her. Writing a book would be a major undertaking. And most importantly, I wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to stand out from the rest. I mean, she is THE CRAFT ADDICT…and I don’t hang out with losers. Just saying.
Although it would be an enormous undertaking, I knew if anyone could do it right, it would be Mary. See, she had the qualities needed. She was focused, determined, and asked the right questions.
So many times, my fellow sewing friends would produce sewing patterns that were ill-fitted and/or lacked clear sewing instructions. But not my Mary. Nope. Once she completed her patterns, she had them checked by professional pattern makers and drafters. And then she had all her patterns tested by real people who sew.
I have read the book from cover to cover and back again. All 23,000 words. It is by far, the best book for sewing children’s clothing I’ve come across. I’m sure you’ll agree.
I am anxiously awaiting the book’s release in November. I’ll be the first in line and hope to get her to autograph my copy (hint, hint). In the meantime, come join the book’s Facebook page. And as soon as you get your copy, start sewing and post your photos on the book’s Flicker Group page.
Wishing my favorite craft addict lots of success! Ok, now let’s get started on the next book, Mary…LOL!
Jul 22, 2010
Sewing Tutorials I Must Try
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As soon as I get a few spare minutes, I’m dying to try these sewing tutorials!
Ruffled Camera Strap from Crap I Made
Jazzy Ironing Board Cover from Sew4Home
This is by far, the easiest tutorial I’ve seen for making Pettiskirts.
Happy Sewing!
Jul 17, 2010
Last Year’s Summer in the City Diva-Q After Dark – Part II
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lighted Lumi-Loon helium balloons
Arianne and Lady M™
Arianne
Eileen, Arianne and girls
Arianne helping Sue
Lisa, Renee, Myrinda, Sharlene, Jacq, Lisa’s Mom Peggy, Heather, Eileen, Arianne, Jenn and Stefan
Arianne, Sue and Eileen dirty dancing.
Erika, Sue and Jenn
Myrinda, Brian, Jacq, Lisa, Eileen and Arianne
Heidi and Jenn
Joe the Bartender and NYC’s Finest.
Sue and Heidi
Uncle Joe lighting sparklers for Hannah and Sierra
Whitney and Gavin
With friendship,
Lisa
Jul 17, 2010
Last Year’s Summer in the City Diva-Q 2009 – Part I
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Invitations by Leeziebee Graphics
Whoops! I forgot to post about last Summer’s BBQ! With the year’s BBQ only 3 weeks ago, I guess it’s better late than never!
Kelli send me a bunch of these awesome zebra paper lanterns
Arianne and Nick
Princess Aurora and Ziva were decked out in Zebra attire.
The Candy Cart
Cara, Erika, Sue Monsta, Jenn C and Renee
professional cotton candy machine
Diana Bagels, Lady M™ and Diana’s daughter, Sophie.
I spy my Josie Girl™ in a zebra and pink tutu dress.
Ziggy the Magic Man and Sharlene’s son
Grilling Silver Star’s Filet Mignon kabobs, Fiaco’s Italian sausage, hamburgers and hot dogs.
Jenn and Stefan who recently relocated nearby from Canada.
lighted Lumi-Loon helium balloons
Lexie and Kiera.
Bella, Gia, Whitney and Kiera
I spy Sharlene!
Brielle enjoying a caramel apple
Cara and Marielle
Nicole and Krista…the prettiest babysitters on Staten Island. (Krista is now a cheerleader for the NY Jets!!!)
Josie and Delia
Diana Bagels, her Dad Tony and daughter, Sophia.
Erika and Hot Fix Suzy
Hanna gets her face painted
Heidi Ho, Brielle and Don all with their custom Diva Q 2009 t-shirts
Jacq Attack™ and Eileen the Bean™
James, Alex and Kayla
Boys will be boys
Stella and Kayla
BIL Steve and my cousin Jen’s son
Part II After Dark coming up next…
stay tuned!
With friendship,
Lisa
Jul 11, 2010
Because I Don’t Have Enough On My Plate
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Sometimes I wonder why I have to do everything in excess. A perfect example:
While trying to come up with some decorating ideas for the upcoming BBQ, I came across Martha Stewart’s Tissue Pom Pom Tutorial. Easy enough you say. Correct. Except I ordered a ream each of hot pink and lime green tissue paper. Umm, that’s 960 sheets. That means I can make 96 of these giant tissue pom poms!
7 tissue pom poms done…only 89 more to go. If I’m to get them done by the BBQ (Saturday, August 7th), I’ll need to make at least 4 a day. What the heck am I thinking? LOL
Wish me luck, because I’m going to need it!
With friendship,
Lisa
Jul 4, 2010
ALL IS WELL IN DIVA LAND
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ALL IS WELL IIN DIVA LAND…YES!
SORRY I HAVEN’T UPDATED IN AGES…
MY DESKTOP PC HAS SOME NASTY VIRUSES. MY COMPUTER GUY FIXED IT, BUT PUT TOO MANY SECURITY FEATURES ON IT AND NOW I CAN’T GO TO ANY WEBSITES ON IT. THEN MY SON DROPPED MY BEAUTIFUL APPLE POWER BOOK. AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, HE SPILLED SODA ON THE KEYBOARD (HENCE THE REASON THIS POST IS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS…UGH).
I’M DOING GOOD. FINALLY HIRED SOMEONE TO REPLACE ME AT MR. DIVA’S OFFICE. AFTER ANOTHER MONTH, I WILL BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO MY DIVA LIFE…YEAH!
MARIELLE IS DOING FANTASTIC! SHE PASSED HER ROAD TEST TWO WEEKS AGO AND HAS BEEN DRIVING EVER SINCE! GO MARIELLE!
BEEN BUSY PLANNING FOR THE BIG DIVA BBQ! IF YOU’RE IN THE AREA (STATEN ISLAND, NYC), COME ON BY…SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 3PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
STAY TUNED!
WITH FRIENDSHIP,
LISA
