Lorraine’s This2That

I'm so excited that I finished my pattern design and it's ready for sale. I hope to post step by step instructions soon!!

Taking the clothing of loved ones that have passed to help keep their memory close to heart. What better way than making clothes for a teddy bear that you can hold and keep close for comfort. The sweater of this bear was made from a cardigan, the pants made from a t-shirt and cuffed from the fleece of a fleece jacket, vest made from the fur lining, scarf and the pillow was made from the same fleece jacket. I believe that this holds so many fond memories that help comfort the loved ones left behind!!

This is a project where I'm taking the clothes of a loved one and making clothes to fit a teddy bear. I study the clothes that I'm given to see what would work best for what. This takes time but is well worth the investment. Sometimes you have to walk a way take a break and come back later other times it just comes to you, oh yes this will be perfect. I made the pants out of a t-shirt and cuffed the bottom hem with a fleece material from a jacket. The sweater and hat made from a cardigan. The vest was also made from the fleece jacket. Before doing the finishing touches on the clothing you try it on the teddy bear to make sure that they fit and this is where you make any needed adjustments or changes. I also embroidered the name, "Mary Bear", at the family's request, on a pocket that I sewed on the fleece vest. I hope this brings comfort and joy to the recipent of this precious sentimental value teddy bear!

What a way to keep memories so close to the heart -- from clothes to quilt! I took 6 dresses and cut 10"x10" squares from them until I had 5 blocks from each dress. To make the 5x6 you will need 30 blocks. You can make it more scrappy if you want to by using more dresses and just sewing them randomly. This is a very cool way to treasure memories of your loved one!!

The original dress was quite simple but I wanted to change it up a bit. I shortened the black jacket and the material I removed I added to the bottom of the dress. I bought approximately 4 yards of a beautiful trim with cord and sequin. I embellished both the dress and jacket with that trim. The material I cut off from the dress I used to make rosettes to embellish the purse and shoes. It was a fun project.

This story touched my heart I hope it touches yours! Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here." It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?" "My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he respon...

This is one of the many special sentimental ways of passing on to the younger generation. First as a wedding dress and now as two grand-daughter dresses and purses. I can't think of a more sentimental way to pass a little history on. I'm sure they will treasure these precious gifts.

This dress is turning out so so adorable. I'm ready to stitch on the lace.

I have to cut up this beautiful wedding dress to make two adorable dresses for two grand-daughters. They will be so special and sentimental.

This is a pattern by Kathleen Brown. I made it out of a cotton print with fish and seashells--just right for a day at the lake. I really like this simple and easy yet so cute hat that protects! It doesn't take much time to make!

I taught a class on how to cover seat cushions. For the four chairs it took about 2 yards of upolstery fabric 54" wide. Remove the old upolstery to use as your pattern, cut and now you are ready to attach with a staple gun. Very fast project! Give new life to those old cushions!

Just read this and wanted to share it!! Let's be someones Susie!! WET PANTS Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.' He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered. As the teacher is walking toward him, a class mate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is fil...

Pictured here are two tote igami bags. It's an easy technique to learn. You start with a square and go from there. FUN!!

This dress is adorable! I wish I had before pictures so you can see how I altered it to fit! It was so revealing I added the ruffle to the bodice and added a similar ruffle to the bottom to add length. Added the wide shoulder straps too. Adorable...

A little bit of Sage, anyone? This is one of the aprons from my class yesterday. I love the colors, just goregous. Wearing this you wouldn't mind cooking or possibly baking, NOT!! LOL

This is so cute and ABSOLUTELY true, right? Well if you are wearing it I suppose it's TRUE!! Retail $40

This is a special order. I think it turned out adorable.

These aprons are for big boys going to youth camp. One is the cook and the other a nurse!!

Lorraine’s This2That: Having Fun With Tie Dye the Sharpie Way : "I will be teaching a class on tie dye but not the traditional way! It's fun, fast and EASY!! Did I say EASY? I hope to have a lo..."

I will be teaching a class on tie dye but not the traditional way! It's fun, fast and EASY!! Did I say EASY? I hope to have a lot of pictures to post. Please see the pictures and let me know what you think!!

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.' Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.' Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.' After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'Thi...

Lorraine’s This2That: Nursing bib/blanket : "Just made this nursing bib/blanket. Borrowed a pattern from a friend. Goes together quick and easy. E-mail me if you want the dimensions."

Just made this nursing bib/blanket. Borrowed a pattern from a friend. Goes together quick and easy. E-mail me if you want the dimensions.

Here are a few things made from a mother/grandmothers clothes. I made a teddy bear from a fleece jacket, requested by a grandson. A pillow from her nightgown and an apron from a skirt and kitchen towel. What a neat way to remember...

This is a class I took at the Quilt Expo 2011. It was fun, easy and a great way to recycle those men's silk ties. This is another way to make something sentimental from a tie of a loved one!!

This article was in the Pueblo West View March 31, 2011.

I just got my Spring issue of Haute Handbags. My article on Angora Sweater purse is on page 128. Check it out http://www.stampington.com/hautehandbags .