My Homemade Fabric Face Masks

These are my home sewed masks that I have finally perfected after many attempts.

There are only 3 seams. I use a piece of 8-1/2" x 11" computer paper as my pattern. What could be simpler than that? If you are working with a printed fabric, you must place the pattern where you want the design on the front of the mask to be featured. You can make a pattern from a large gallon size zip-lock bag. The front of the mask will be at the bottom half. Cut your fabric and fold in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew a bottom seam and turn right side out. Press. Fold over each side and sew a seam for the cording. I always insert my cording before sewing and don't catch the cording with any machine stitching. Raw edges are fine, nobody will be any the wiser, I have been working with 19" lengths of cording for each side. Now for the hardest part, the gathering. Pull the cording so both sides are equal before you start pulling. Gather the fabric as tightly as you possibly can and tie off with a knot on each side. Now fold the folded edge in half , gathered ends together, land make a small 1/8" tuck with about five locked stitches or so to mark the nose area. This is not a tapered dart, just a straight tuck. You can leave this part out if you like but it helps to have it. This is the most comfortable and breathable mask and I can wear mine for long periods without having to keep touching it because it stays in place. I just happened to have this cording in my stash of sewing and gift wrapping supplies. I think you could use bias tape that has been sewed shut too. Or any braided twine that would be comfortable over your ears. I have not tried elastic because I didn't have any.

I posted more photos on my Instagram for you to study. Just click on the arrows to see them all. Feel free to ask questions if I have not made the instructions clear. You can turn under the two sides before you start sewing if you want a finished underside rather than a raw edge but this just adds to the bulk. You could also overcast if you don't want a raw edge. You can whip these up in no time. 

They are tight to get on once you have your ends tied off but worth the effort. I use a square knot that says in place: Left over right and right over left. 

I don't know if hair ties would work. 

Einstein Quote with Bicycle

I added the text to this bicycle graphic and posted it on my blog in 2009. Albert Einstein was quite famous for riding his bicycle around Princeton.

via

Pumpkin Season is Here

It's here. I see pumpkins on doorsteps already but few colors in the leaves in my area. via

Halloween decorations are starting to appear too. I made this greeting from an image I photographed from my Royal Book of Crests and added the seasonal text. I saved it to my phone so I can text it to friends later in the month. I really wouldn't want a bat on my family crest or coat of arms, would you? But this little bat has a very friendly face and is rather cute when all the other bats on the antiquarian book page were pretty scary. Happy Halloween! xo

September First

I designed this graphic and posted it one year ago today. Maybe it will be new to some of you. I have been distracted for the past two weeks. My PC computer running on Windows XP finally gave up the ghost and I was unable to get it up and running again. It had been giving me trouble for a long time and I put up with it because it had Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and was connected to a scanner and a printer. I disassembled everything and moved my iMac to the same spot where I have a very comfortable computer chair. 

I was able to connect a scanner and a printer quite easily and I am loving my new setup. I had the disc for Microsoft Word but it would not install on an Apple computer so I am learning Google Docs and can pretty much do what I did on Word. There is a workaround for almost everything, isn't there? I have been organizing my attic and it is an endless job but I have moved mountains. 

I don't have cable in my studio/computer room/sewing room/ and I've been missing it. It's nice to have a movie or the news on while I am sewing, ironing or organizing. I usually listen to a podcast or NPR on the radio and I will continue to do so. I'm very excited to report I found internet TV with movies, live news and so much more. It's called Pluto TV ( https://pluto.tv/ ) and it's wonderful. There is a yellow circle in lower right corner that will pull up the tv guide. The movies are amazing and there is a huge selection of shows. It works on any device....desktop computer, laptop, phone, or iPad. I found a blog post on cordcutting.com that explains it in detail HERE. There are commercials but I have found them to be entertaining as they are mostly about what else is playing on Pluto. Try it if you don't have cable in a room where you are working. There is no pause, repeat, or going back but it's totally free so that's fine with me. Let me know if this will be helpful for you as well.

Happy September. Enjoy the long weekend. xo

Easter Baskets for You

I made this for you on on my phone. It is a gloomy rainy day and I was feeling a little creative. 

September Already?

I am not ready, are you?

Books are Your Loyal Friends

I created this repeat blog post a long time ago and I still love it. I found the perfect image for this wonderful quote about books. It's true, isn't it? The big melt continues and spring is trying her best to break through the snow piles. I can see parts of my driveway I haven't seen in ages and for the first time I can remember, there's no snow on top of my car. Hope you can say the same. xo

My First Art Photo

Bird's Nest with Feather

click image to enlarge

Leaf Detail with Rain Drops

I just returned from a late morning walk with Webster so this photograph is really fresh. I am blown away by the detail I am able to capture with the camera on my new phone. This is a cropped detail. So Happy!!! Have a great weekend and I'll do the same. See you later. xo

Open Tulip iPhone Photo

I took this photo yesterday with my iPhone while on a real estate appointment with a buyer and her builder. Tulips are so beautiful in all the stages of their bloom cycle. This one looks like a kaleidoscope in the center, doesn't it?

Seed Saving Envelope to Print

My original post featuring this envelope can be viewed here.

Dogwood Blossoms in the Snow

This is an iPhone photo I took back in the spring with some free editing with PicMonkey for the winter. I like it, don't you? The program is not an app. Works on computer only (Mac or PC). It's awesome!

Floating Daisies

I took one of my photos from this summer and somehow darkened the background without losing the two daisies and then cloned out the few blades of grass that remained to get these floating daisies. I'm sure I could never figure out what I did again....but I like the end result.

My 1922 Bronze Dog Medal

Below is a circa 1930 photo of Admiral Byrd receiving the "Bide-A-Wee" Medal in recognition of his humane treatment of animals.

Top photo is mine; bronze Bide-A-Wee medal circa 1922 from my personal collection. Read the history of Bide-A-Wee, founded in 1906 here.
Named for the Scottish expression “Stay a While,” the organization maintains facilities for rescue, adoption, training of pet owners in proper care of animals and even operates pet cemeteries.

I Made Some Dog Money for Webster

Now all he needs is a wallet. I'm having so much fun with my new app. I took an iPad photo of a 1922 bronze dog medal in my collection and turned it into a Dog Dollar.

Old Garden Shovel Handle Detail

I found an old Nikon photo I took in my back garden several years ago. This old gardening shovel has a cracked handle so I use it as a perch for the birds.

Happy July 4th from My Cottage Kitchen

This was the only thing I could come up with quickly and easily to wish you all a fabulous Independence Day. We are having a lazy July 4th here at the cottage and I am enjoying it to the fullest. Piggy is sleeping on the sofa next to my mom and I think Webster has gone back to bed. Tabitha is stretched out in a cool shady spot. My refrigerator is full of nice cold foods that require no cooking but I'll probably grill a burger later. Enjoy our nation's birthday.

[my iphone photo]

Moth on Window Screen at My Cottage

I still use my Nikon SLR for photos like this. I couldn't have captured this moth on the screen in my bedroom with my iPhone. It's good to have more than one camera. 

Peony in the Rain at My Cottage

The rain let up for a minute or two and I ran out front and snapped a few quick photos of my peony buds that are opening slowly. I hope the week isn't as bad as they are predicting with rain every day. I no sooner get ahead with my grass cutting than I'm way behind again. Oh well, what can you do? At least it's not hot yet.

 

Happy 2012

January 1, 2012 I scanned a decorative alphabet from one of my old books and made this greeting last year. I still like it too. The first morning of the year is mild and beautiful here at the cottage and the coffee is wonderful. My New Year is off to a perfect start. Hope yours is too.