New Ornaments and My Favorite Tips

A friend and I took a day trip to Lancaster County, PA to visit the quilt shops.  While we were in one of the shops, we found some cute stocking ornaments.  I made a few...

I was so happy to finally find a pattern that was very easy to follow.

Now, for my two favorite tips that I have learned along the way.  The first I learned when I started making art dolls.  I cannot recall if someone mentioned it to me or if I read it somewhere, but they suggested using hemostats for stuffing.  They said that this reduced the lumping that can occur...and they were so right.  The other tip I learned a long time ago while watching the Carol Duvall Show, where they said that if you put cream on your hands prior to using the glue gun, the glue would not stick to you.  As someone who always burned her fingers every time I used the glue gun, I was so thankful for this tip/advice.

Now I am passing on these tips...would love to hear from all of you as to what your favorite tips are.  Who knows, I may pick up some new tricks.

And the Winner Is...and A New Cork Table

And the winner of the giveaway is...

The 3rd comment which was Needled Mom.  I will send out the package ASAP.  I hope you find use for the lace and pin cushion.

I have a tendency to cut out articles I like and keep them in a binder.  A long time ago, I had seen a tabletop covered with wine corks.  At the time, although I did not have a table top I could use this technique on, I kept the article.  Through the years I have been collecting corks with the hopes of someday using them on a project similar to the one in the article.  I thought it might work on a door, cork board, etc..  Recently, we removed a couch from my family room and had to do a re-do.  When all was said and done, I needed a small side table.  So with my corks in hand, I thought I could make a side table.  I had an old, damaged globe stand that was in my basement for about a year.  Why did I keep it?  I honestly don't know, but I am glad I did.  Because here is what my side table looks like now...

I have to say that I used a lot more corks than I thought I would.  But I do love the way it looks and it is functional (after adding a glass top).  Isn't it neat?

A New Web Site and My 100th Post (and Giveaway)

I have been busy creating a new web site www.talinshandbags.com.  It has been a lot of fun and I hope you will stop on over and check it out.  I look forward to your suggestions and comments.

On another note, this is my 100th post!  Who would have ever thought I would make it this far.  I have to say that I really enjoy blogging and reading all of your comments.  I am not sure if all of you non-bloggers know this or not, but when you leave a comment (and you do not have a blog) it shows up as anonymous.  I cannot reply to these types of comments even if I want to (and I do!) because it does not know your email address.  So if I know your email address, just leave your name.  If I do not know your email address and you would like me to respond, leave your address in your comment.

So now for the giveaway.  I have been using a lot of lace in my projects these past few weeks, so I thought I would send the lucky winner 2 yards each of 9 different types of lace/ribbon.  I have also included a pin cushion that I made.  I really like it, hope you do too.  For those of you who make flowers or would like to, I have added some stamen (below the pin cushion) for the centers of your flowers.

Rules to enter the giveaway:
1.  Leave me a comment.
2.  Become a follower (or if you already are one) and leave me another comment for a second chance.
3.  Blog about it and leave me another comment for a third chance.  Please leave me a link, so I can check out your blog.

I will pick a winner next Thursday, December 9, 2010.

I had to include this picture of my sewing table...

I really do not know how it got this way.