Old School Acres

Happy Thanksgiving!

He's having pork.

Embroidery + applique = CUTE!

And a sneak peek for my Back-Tack 4 partner,  Shan.  It's hard to take photos of sparkly things.

 

I have a trade secret?!?

I had to giggle at Rhiannon's comment to my last post.  She wanted to know if my supplier for squeakers and rattles is a trade secret.  I'm happy to share my sources for anything you see on my blog.  If you ever have a question about anything leave a comment or send me an email.

So, for all who wanted to know where I buy squeakers and rattles for baby toys, it's CR's Crafts.  Those doll- and teddy-supply companies stock some awfully handy and fun goodies. 

Rattles

Large squeaker

Flat squeaker 

Music buttons

Happy shopping!

Jingle, Jingle, Happy Bells

After a long search last year, I found a supplier of rattles and squeakers for baby toys but a nice jingly bell eluded me.  Cat toys are an option, but not exactly what I was looking for with regard to price and quantity. Eventually I had a light bulb moment and decided I could make my own.  I'm all set with 28 bells at a price of about 28 cents per bell.  For all you toymakers, here is what I did.

What you'll need:
30 mm bells.  I bought 28 at Hobby Lobby for $5.99
13 mm bells.  A package of 64 is about $3.30 at discount stores
A standard screwdriver

Firmly hold one of the large bells in your hand.  With the screwdriver gently and carefully pry up the "petals."  You might be more comfortable putting the bell on the table, inserting the screwdriver tip into the bell, and pressing down on a petal to straighten it.  Or use a pair of needlenose pliers to pry the petals out.

Being careful not to remove the "ringer" part of the bigger bell, insert the smaller bell into the bigger bell.

Then press the "petals" back down to enclose the small bell.

Insert the bell into your toy (surrounded by stuffing) and voila!  A toy with a pleasant-sounding jingle.

Vintage repro goodies

Ready to become banners/pennants/garlands. 

 

Most are from RJR's Everything but the Kitchen Sink IV line.  I bought these at Reproductionfabrics.com

My sewing machine is more than just a paperweight

My true love is sewing wool felt by hand and I've been resistant to using my sewing machine.  Now that I've used it a while I'm pretty happy with the results.

Bag and block set

Bag and block set

Holiday bags

Embroidered shirt with bitty bag

All available exclusively at The Baby Gardner