samsstuff

tacoma, WA, US
member

I started out making things as a child & learned a lot from my grandmother, father (he started out, in the Air Force as a parachute rigger), mother & of course school (my favorite thing was making collages. In addition to the other interests listed, I love photography & art. I am learning more about product photography for my shop & also about digital photography. In the past I have done mainly 35mm, so everything is new! I have a shop on Etsy (samsstuff) & I add new stuff all the time.

craft interests: crochet, embroidery, fashion, home decorating, jewelry making, restyle, sewing

my etsy page:
http://www.samsstuff.etsy.com

Member Since: 02/10/2009

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Easy Fix For That Tight, Uncomfortable Sleeve.

Have you ever purchased a seemingly perfect, adorable short sleeve top, only to find that the sleeves are tight & uncomfortable? This has happened to me, on more than one occasion. The tops end...

Hand Embroidery!

One of the biggest "craft" trends that I've noticed recently is that of embroidery, hand & machine. We've gotten into embroidering just about anything. I've even seen an article recently on a...

Vintage Handmade, Part 2, the 70's & 80's

A look at some of the craft & sewing trends of the 70's & 80's, that mirrored the trends found on the street & in the stores of the day. The 70's was the "me generation" & the...

Vintage Handmade!

Today, I wanted to highlight a great new fashion trend that goes beyond handmade, vintage handmade! Many of these items have an amazing attention to every detail! The items pictured here where all...

A variety of hand crocheted headbands

A variety of new hand crocheted headbands from my shop (samsstuff.etsy.com). All where hand crocheted with a half double crochet stitch, hand embroidered & the hand stamping was done on vintage...

Sam's Things

These are all items from my shop. I do a variety of crafts, each with a story to tell. Some are retro or made with vintage/antique items. Virtually all have a bit of an edge. I am new to this forum...


recent comments

Re: Project Runway Week 12 Recap

Gordana's gown is absolutely gorgeous, but it seems as though there is more going on than judging the items made for the challenge, at this point. Irina's dress does not seem very flattering & Carol Hannah's dress, while lovely in the drawing, does not seem to move well with the model. All in all, though I have to agree that, as much as I love LA, it was not a very interesting season.

Re: Project Runway, Episode 1 Recap

I love Project Runway! I missed the first episode, so sad. Judging from the photos, I have to agree with the judges, though as far as who got sent home, there are some close seconds. Some of the designs are a bit bland & others are just not right for the red carpet. Some great looks, some near misses & others that don't quite work, typical for any group of designers. Can't wait to see what in store for the rest of the season! There's something interesting in every episode.

Re: Choose the Winner of the SewStylish Spring Fashion Contest

Maybe it's the pretty butterflies (I'm a sucker for shiny, pretty things), but I think that I like Little Rachel's dress the best. I like the retro feel of Gertie's dress & admire the construction work of AthenaWaves dress, but my vote goes to Little Rachel. All of the entries are lovely.

Re: How to Make a Bangle from a Vintage Map

Cute idea! I love old maps (& bangles). Thanks for the article!

Re: Book Giveaway: Chic & Simple Sewing by Christine Haynes

I'm always looking for new, stylish things to make, so this would be perfect!

Re: Crafting with VHS Tapes

Amazing things that I would have never thought of making with video tape! Great article! Thank you, Diane! I might have to try the bracelet! (I'll have to start with a less enjoyable film than "The Princess Bride" though, even if it is a VHS)

Re: Book Giveaway: Betz White's "Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials"

Most of the things that I make have been re purposed from more than one source, so this would be a perfect book for me. I love the cover photo, by the way!

Re: Crafts I Want to Punch in the Face

Yes, for me it's the people who say "Oh, I can do that" or...well I won't go there. The lack of space thing too & yeah, pretty much everything else on the list!Yikes...

Re: How to Turn Blah Buttons into Bodacious Buttons

Too cute & so simple, what a great idea! Thanks for trying out the different methods for us! Thanks for the article.

Re: How to Embroider Your Own Buttons

Very cute buttons! I recently started making embroidered buttons too! So much fun! I like the idea of using thrift store fabrics, giving them new life. Thanks for sharing your project!

Re: Book Giveaway: Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing!

Sounds awesome! Not your average sewing book! I'd love a copy of my own!

Re: Fiber Care Tags for Handspun

Cute tags!

Re: A variety of hand crocheted headbands

Thank you so much TaDaBoutique! I love making things & rarely revisit a design (I think some call this ADD!)

Re: Book Giveaway: The Bold and the Beautiful: Button It Up

So many buttons, so little time! I love buttons & have a huge # of them that I use & re-use in a variety of projects! I always save the buttons, when nothing else is worth saving on old clothes! This book sounds great, I'm always looking for more ideas! Thank you Susan Beal! (love the red button necklace, by the way)

Re: kokoleo creations by KB VanHorn

Very cool!

Re: How to Restyle a T-Shirt With Pin Tucks

Cute idea!

Re: How to Use Scraps of Knit Fabric to Make Origami Squares, Part II

I love this idea! It's very current, in terms of style & the directions are easy to follow (unlike many other origami directions). Thanks for sharing!

Re: Crocheted Brown Scarfett

Very cute!

Re: The Artist's Shui

Lovely! I need to do this with my whole house (& then prevent my husband & son from dumping more stuff on the arrangements). The book does sound helpful. Nice article!

Re: Ceramist Combines Crochet with Clay

These are very pretty! I'll have to check out her shop. I wonder how they're made?

Re: How to Make Bottle-Cap Buttons for Knit Slippers

Cute idea for buttons & simple to make!

Re: How to Make Snuggly Slippers from Old Sweaters

Even if I didn't have old sweaters lying about, I might just have to go to a local thrift store & pick some up for this! Thanks for sharing!

Re: Hip Hoodie Free Download

So cute that I had to immediately go to the site for a look! There are some nice, simple & very cute ideas there. Thanks for letting us know about it!

Re: How to Make a Machine-Embroidered Felted Wool Tote

Cute bag & it looks fairly simple to make! I'll have to try it out.

Re: Etsy Hearts Erika Kern: We Know the Feeling

I love the little stuffie/doll!

Re: Tweed Jacket Restyle

This is very cute! Sort of retro & lady like, but new at the same time.