The Mint Needle

Guess what?......Yahoo, my store is up on Etsy! Yay, yay, and more yay's:) This was a must post before 2011 turns into 2012.   The last month has been really hectic, but I gotta hunch....I'm going to have some mellow-me and crafting time very soon. The shop name follows my blog, The Mint Needle -with a label - Lucy Loves Me. (Thanks to a dear friend who inspired me to use our cat Lucy in the label.)  I originally joined Etsy in 2010, but didn't start selling till the end of November - e.g. not too many blogs for the month of December. Ideas are all about, but the time, unfortunately is not. I have alot of projects going on right now and will be adding more items as time proceeds. I hope you stop in and take a look at some of the fun things I've done so far. The pics posted today are of an apron that completely reminds me of the movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", and for that reason am having a hard time parting with it. The dress is...

I hope everyone is enjoying this Holiday Season as we all scramble to get those last minute items.  I can't believe how fast this month has been moving by! I can honestly say I'm savoring every moment I get to craft as the month of December has been quite difficult, being packed with too many 'to-do's'. In the previous post about our Christmas tree, I photographed a bird's nest my mother had crocheted and made mention of some beautiful snowflakes. I had to share in hopes that you all may enjoy and want to replicate these on your spare time.  (Ya know, to maintain sanity during the holidays. ) These snowflakes were starched and dried flat to hold there shape. Each measures 3 to 6 inches and you really don't need hooks to attach to the tree. Could you picture a beautiful garland of snowflakes with ribbon intertwined?  Just a thought.

Christmas tree, Ooooh' Christmas tree, how I love thee! Okay.... Let me start off by telling you how much I love Christmas time! I love the smell of fresh pine in the house, the toasty fire, hot chocolate galore, and most of all - Snow Days! Anyone who's got little ones can appreciate how great those snow days can be. The tree is finally up, (actually a couple days ago), and it looks beautiful! I just had to share. The girls did a great job decorating it. The exciting thing is....everyday, the ornaments change location. The kids find it so fun to move them around the tree, to decorate and redecorate and redecorate:) (I finally see I'm rubbing off on them.) These are just some more pictures of our tree. Every year, I take a bazillion pictures, close-ups and all. I never want to forget how beautiful it was that year.   The crocheted birds nest made by my mom. I'll have to post the snowflakes she crocheted. They're absolutely beautiful!  Now, at our house...

I'm so excited about today's posting. For one, it's been on my 'to-do' list for sometime. And second, it's super delicious. The pictures I post today were taken last month, in early October, when it was greatfully warm outside and I was able to pick this amazing herb in a short sleeve t-shirt. Now it's the end of November and snow will be on it's way. (Must...pick...more...and freeze.) This amazing perennial herb is 'yellow dock'. Some of you may even have supplements in your cabinets, but eating it is sooo much better! It promotes elimination of toxins, bacterial infections, acne, treats headaches, and constipation. Now, I'm really fortunate to have yellow dock growing all around my yard. And I'm 99.9% sure that you would too, if you never cut your grass. I guess living in the country has its benefits. It thrives well in any location, from well-drained soil to clay. For us, it grows among the wood lines and beside our garden. So... on wi...

This little project started off to be a pillow sham for my daughters room.... Somewhere between being too stubborn for measurements and musical rhythms guiding my way, I ended up with a crooked rectangle that couldn't be stuffed. I didn't feel like undoing or cutting away any material, so I folded it over and left it there. After another project left red material scraps lying perfectly above the brown, retro print, I realized I had to make a little bag. For starters, it was already lined, hence -  'pillow case done on both sides'.  I cut up the red scraps to form handles & trim. (Now before any opinion is formed.....yes, I am aware it is still crooked.....but sooo cute:)) I will probably never leave my house with this little number, (the stitching is not my best), but I had to post it. First, for how darn cute it looks. Second, it may spark a reader to do something even greater. And third, it's great for storage where people can't have bo...

Tis the season! Holiday shopping has started and holiday outfits are all about. One can't help but love the adorable and sweet skirts that are lining the clothing racks at so many stores.  But they're all red, green, white, and black! Where's the color? Having little girls means colors, rainbows, and sparkles. Soooo...like all the other times, I examined a cute little number, how it was made, and got moving to the fabric store.  I cut my material length by following a little skirt in my daughters closet and added 2.5 inches for the waist and hem. After serging the purple rectangle, I created the 'waist space'. I know that this is not an actual sewing term, but this is the space where the elastic band will be.  The blue sparkle material was hemmed on one side and a zig-zag stitch on the opposing to make sure no ends would fray.  Now, I didn't want the glitter fabric lining the waist, because I already know, "mom this is itchy." Instead I...

I did it! I did it! I really, really did! And boy oh boy am I ECSTATIC about it! After searching the web to find various methods of baking and creating with medlar, I pieced together a few simple steps to come up with this beautiful tart but sweet jam. Everyone that steps foot in this house, gives it a try and is blown away by the taste! I just had to share. Now, not all of the fruit is ripe when picked. Remember, this little guy needs frost to make the pulp turn soft, to be edible. (That's why it's considered a late fall, early winter fruit.) So....first take the fruit that is not soft. Cut off both ends, keeping the skin on, toss them into a cooking pot, (this particular sky blue pot is cast iron - cooks really great, but when you cook with cast iron, remember that the heat does not need to be as high as the recipe may call for.) Next, take your soft fruit and from the papery bud ends, hold it and squeeze all the pulp out. The amount of fruit calls for the equal am...

I absolutely adore this dress! I usually don't go for the strapless thing, but this little number was too cute. It has a classic, retro shape, accompanied by the coolest brown and black plaid print. The complete dress is lined from top to bottom and is perfect for a summer evening or a picnic. I loved it soo much...studied it from top to bottom and after sometime, I decided, "I can do this." The diagonal of the skirt with the vertical and horizontal top is eye catching, so I wanted to keep this element in my project. I got a Butterick Pattern, some red, white, and blue plaid shirting fabric, (which was not a good choice according to the ladies at the fabric store....) and off I went. After measuring, and starting to piece my dress together, I realized the skirt was fabulous on its own. Therefore, no one piece here. I decided to make a separate top and bottom to maximize my options. The skirt looks great with a pair of leather brown boots for fall.  Like the orig...

Sewing is one of the most relaxing and mind appeasing things I have done next to gardening. I love the fact that one can chop up a bunch of fabric and put it back together to create some beautiful pieces of clothing.  Now I have to admit, I am a self taught seamstress. I did not take any classes. Hence, I still make mistakes. I got my first sewing machine when I was fourteen. I remember it was such a treat. At sixteen, I made my first skirt. (And actually wore it too!) I'll post that pic soon. Since then, I have enjoyed doing projects from making my daughters dresses, and skirts, to tops and bottoms for myself. I LOVE making aprons and can spend multiple hours in a fabric store without feeling overwhelmed. EBay is a great place to buy beautiful quilting and apparel fabric at a fraction of the cost.  I notice that alot of my friends say that they would love to sew, but can't stand sifting through all the choices in a fabric store. So......I figured I'd share...