Category Archives: Being Creative

Fostering creativity through sewing and other hobbies

Perfect Proportions

I’m a nerd. 

That’s your warning for all that’s about to follow! 

But, if you promise to hang with me for a couple of minutes, there is some sewing/design info at the bottom.

Here we go!

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144…

Recognize those numbers? 

They begin the Fibonacci sequence. 

(If you don’t remember it from math class, you might remember reading something about this in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci’s Code.)  Anyway, back to the  numbers. 

You can find the next number in the sequence by adding the two previous numbers together:

0 + 1 = 1, 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, skip a few,

34 + 55 = 89, 55 + 89 = 144, 89 + 144 = 233, and so on.

 

So, I promised you proportions and you’re wondering where they are.  Here you go: 

The ratio between two consecutive numbers in the sequence is about 1.62.

That’s your ratio!

1.618…

Your Golden Ratio.

The Golden Section, the Golden Mean, Divine Proportion, Golden Number, Phi (φ)

In nature, we see this ratio often.

 pinecone3nat

  sunflowerLeaves cauli

Amazing how nature follows a Plan.

We also see this ratio in architecture, art and design.

Think about The Parthenon. The Pyramids.

So you’ve kept up and now you’re wondering what does all this have to do with creativity?

Well, if you don’t see the genus and beauty of it, you might be beyond help, but here’s why it’s on my mind today:

Some design texts suggest that the most flattering clothing for a body divides a body into this same ratio, the perfect proportion if you will. 

For example, if it is 40 inches from my waist to the floor, then following this suggestion, my skirt should to fall to 24.7 below my waist. 

brown skirt with phi

This dress obviously doesn’t fall to that length.

Shall we take a look at some others?

100_2562 18 inches

100_4054 20 inches

102_6560 15 inches (Yikes!)

So what does 24.7 inches look like?

brown dress with longer skirt

Uhm.  Not so sure I like that. 

So, what’s a girl to do?

Follow the rules—or not?

 

 

Spring Break Sewing

It’s spring break.  Never mind that’s it’s not really spring yet.  The kids are out of school this week. 

To occupy a few of them, I offered a sewing class for a few 1st and 2nd graders. 

The girls had a blast. 

We learned about the parts of a sewing machine,

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  we learned to press our projects,

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we covered buttons to make ponytail holders,

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we made pillowcases, 100_7524

we learned to make casings and hems,

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we learned (or tried real hard to learn) how to sew on a button,

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and we made skirts.

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The girls did a great job!

The Good, the Bad, and the Awesome!

Ever been so busy that you lose track of time, but then when you step back, you aren’t really sure what you’ve accomplished?

Yeah. That’s me.

In the past week, I’ve embroidered onesies, appliquéd onesies, made tutus and jumpers and jon-jons and a quilt for teacher appreciation week, taught a sewing class and bought a pop-up tent camper.

With all this craziness, one thing has really stood out in the past week: customer service and referrals! So, I’ve decided to make a list—The Good, the Bad, and the Awesome!

The Bad: Heat n’ Bond Ultra

This stuff is tough. I’m not sure how’s it’s marketed, but it will gum up a sewing machine faster than anything I’ve ever seen. A student brought it to the appliqué class last Tuesday and we fought with the sewing machine, yucky needles and broken thread all night. I’m sure this stuff has its purpose, but never, ever try it for appliqué!

The Good: Hancock’s on Mansfield Rd.

The customer service at our local Hancock’s Fabrics has never been known as “quick”. If you plan to buy fabric, allot yourself plenty of time, because the lines take a long time. Last week, after waiting to check out forever, the cashier suddenly switched lanes and I found myself moving to the back of a new line. As I was the next customer in the original line, I was MAD. But, I spoke with the manager. After telling her about that experience and several prior experiences, she was extremely apologetic and told me she would be speaking with her staff. The good part: I went back in this weekend and found just what I needed with a very short wait! Plus, the staff was cordial. A much better experience.

The Awesome: Bayou Outdoor Supercenter and Crash

We were looking for a pop-up camper. I had a budget. I didn’t have “this much money” and maybe some more I could come up with. I only had “this much money”. For everything. Including taxes and hoses and hitches and whatever else I needed. Well, we found a camper we loved, but it was just a little more than “this much money” . So, I gave the Crash my budget and he made it work! Now we have a camper and we can’t wait to take it out. If you are looking at RVs or need service, head over to Bayou Outdoor Supercenter and tell Crash that Salinda sent you!

Honorable Mention: Shreveport Sewing Center on Bert Kouns

Mom, Aunt D and I all use Shreveport Sewing Center to service our machines. The turn-around time is quick and the technician is very knowledgeable. So, when a student at my appliqué class asked for a recommendation for her machine’s maintenance, I sent her to Shreveport Sewing Center. She called me back to say what an awesome experience she had with them. They answered her questions and gave her a great estimate on a minor repair on her machine. That’s why I refer people there.

DISCLAIMER: Apparently, the powers that be, have now decided that if you recommend a product or a service on your blog, that you have to tell people what they gave you for free, how much they paid you for advertising, etc. None of these people/business/products gave me anything. These are just people/businesses/products that I’ve used lately and I’m telling you what I think.

A Scarf for Your Diva

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Isn’t this scarf the cutest?  And super easy to make as well.  Want to make your own?

You’ll need:

  •    1/4 yard  flannel
  •    1/4 yd cute cotton
  •    1/2 yd pompom trim
  •    lots of scrap trims and ribbons (in 6+ inch lengths)
  •    a rotary cutter and mat
  •    pins
  •    thread (either matching or clear)
  •    your sewing machine and a blind hem foot if you have it
1.  Trim a full length (usually about 44-45 inches long) of flannel to 6 inches wide. 100_7040
2.  Trim a full length of cotton to 6 inches of wide. 100_7038
3.  Match flannel and cotton pieces.  Trim length of one if necessary. 100_7042
4.  Stitch trims widthwise across the flannel piece in a random placement.  Vary distances between trims, mix and match colors, just have fun.  Just avoid the 1/2 to 1 inches of either end. 100_7045
I attached the the wider trims using my blind hem foot.  I scooted my needle as far to the left as possible and then lined the edge of my trim up with the guide on the blind hem foot.  If you don’t have a blind hem foot, just stitch as close to either edge of your trim as possible. 100_7050
For the skinner trims, I zig zagged with my clear thread over the trim.  
5.  Press 1/2 inch hem on both short ends of both flannel and cotton pieces. 100_7052
6.  Place flannel to cotton, right sides together.  Pin in place. 100_7053
7.  Stitch along long edges of scarf with 1/2 inch seam allowance. 100_7055
8.  Turn the scarf right side out.  Press carefully.  
9. Cut pom-pom trim to length so that you can slip it into the open short ends.   I decided to use 2 different colors and layered them.   Pin in place.   100_7056 100_7057  
10. Top stitch along the short edges, securing hem and pom-poms in place.  100_7058
11.  Wrap around the neck of your favorite diva and let her enjoy! 100_7059

100_7085 Finished size:  approximately 44 inches by 5 inches

Coffee Cozies!

Here’s a quick and easy Christmas sewing idea:  Coffee Cozies to protect your fingers from that hot cup of latte you just grabbed at your favorite coffee shop. 

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To make them:

  1. Buy a drink from your favorite coffee shop. 
  2. Enjoy your coffee.
  3. Before you throw the cup in the trash, snatch that handy little cardboard cup-sleeve and tear it apart at the seam.
  4. Trace it for your pattern.  I chose to add about 1 inch to the height of mine.
  5. Cut out your pattern twice:  once in fleece and and once in a really cute cotton.
  6. Cut a 3 x 3 square in a cute coordinating fabric.  (Raid your scraps!)
  7. Place your cotton and your fleece right sides together and stitch all the way around, leaving about 2 inches unstitched for turning.
  8. Trim your corners and turn it right side out.
  9. Press, folding in the hem on the unstitched  section.
  10. Top stitch around the finished edges, securing the opening.
  11. Now for your 3 x 3 square:  Fold under 1/4 inch on 3 sides and 1/2 inch on one side.
  12. Top stitch the 1/2 inch hem in place.
  13. Center your square on your new cup sleeve and top stitch on remaining 3 sides.
  14. Add a button for cuteness.
  15. Stitch your two short edges together to shape this flat piece into a sleeve.
  16. Slip it on your favorite travel mug and enjoy another cup of coffee!

Giving Thanks for…

life. Jesus Christ. grace and mercy. adam. addie. topher. creativity. music. dogwood blossoms. mom and dad. my health. the freedom to worship. paved streets and running water. our church family. susan and sarah. my sewing machine. satsuma trees. friends that get me. friends that don’t get me and love me anyway. the creativity of my children. facebook (sad, but true). my in-laws. an incredible elementary school with teachers who love my child. nita. rose bushes that bloom in the fall. a favorite football team (win or lose, though winning is great). jane. ashley and ashley. my Bible. encouraging phone calls from friends and family. good books. teaching sewing. a full pantry. brainstorms. hot coffee. cars that run. teaching swimming. a safe home. BG’s reading ability and LM beginning to sound out words (such precious sounds). little jobs that mean i don’t have to get a real one. random funny text messages. creative aunts and witty uncles. the generosity of others. the wisdom of a few. a cup of tea. sock puppet shows and silly stories. doc. rex. coupons. past opportunities to grow. lsmsa. obu. friends and family who have died but left me with lessons and wisdom and memories. this blog and all my blogging friends who leave comments. second chances. jokes that really make me lol. rainy days. sunshine. hand-me downs. snuggles with my children. popcorn and movies. quiet moments to stop and reflect. crazy moments when Christ calms me. sad moments when Christ lifts me up. struggling moments when Christ carries me.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5