Free Online "Sewing Machine 911" Class at Craftsy

Craftsy is currently offering a free online sewing class "Sewing Machine 911" with Claudia Miller.

I signed up and have gotten up to the first lesson and even though I have been sewing since I was in grade school and somewhere above but not quite intermediate sewer, I did learn a thing or two that I did not know before.

There are 5 segments:

1) Introduction
2) Parts
3) Types of Machines
4) Troubleshooting
5) Machine Hygiene


In addition to the online video, you have the opportunity to type in questions and others that are taking the class can answer them (and vice versa) to have a more interactive experience.  You can also take "notes" while you are watching the video that you can refer to later.

If you take watch the entire course online it will take about 80 minutes.  I would recommend it for beginners or anyone wanting to brush up on knowing more about sewing machines.

To sign up for the class click here

Disclaimer:  I have no affiliation with Craftsy and have and will received nothing for this post or referring anyone to Craftsy.

Firmoo Free Eyeglasses to First Time Buyers (just pay S&H)

I took advantage of this offer from Firmoo a year ago and received the above glasses, hard case and soft bag, cleaning cloth and mini screwdriver and replacement pads for free, paying $4.95-$6.95 shipping and handling for the basic glasses.  It is a great price to have a backup pair or just something different to wear.

They now have a better selection and also have an application where you can see how the glasses will look on you by uploading a photo.  You just click on the pair of glasses you are interested in and upload a picture of yourself.

Here is a sampling of what they offer:

You do need to know/obtain your prescription from an optomitrist and enter that data in when ordering.  Be sure to have your optomistrist measure your PD (pupil distance) it is needed to completed the order.  Mine didn't and I ended up looking up how to measure this online here.

They also have an option to earn credit towards future purchases using a code or promoting on Facebook, Twitter or email and the user gets a 10% discount. 

In case there is a returning customer, you can try using my code below to see if you can get a 10% discount, however, for new customers, the free promotion is the best deal.

10% discount code:  a974e9ef4a

For this deal visit Firmoo

FREE DOWNLOADABLE 2012 OWL CALENDAR

Artwork by Carly Johnson Issac

If you have an owl lover on your Christmas list, My Owl Barn has collaborated with 45 artists to create a free downloadable 2012 calendar where you can choose what image you want for which month here, or download their download their pre-made calendar and print if off for gift giving or for personal use.

Here is a sample of what I downloaded (prints 4 months per page).

FREE 1928 EARRINGS - JUST PAY $5 SHIPPING

Deal spotted at Coupon Katrina

I love vintage and vintage looking jewelry and was excited to see that 1928 Jewelry currently had a promotion where you can get your choice of the above 4 earrings free (retail value $18) - just pay $5.00 shipping now through October 4th. 

I just ordered a pair of the black and I was able to use my Paypal account and did not have disclose my credit card information, which always makes me more comfortable in dealing with a company I have not ordered from before.

While I plan on wearing them for everyday, they would also be a great accessory to any vintage outfit of gypsy costume for Halloween.

Disclaimer:  I received nothing for this post - it is a deal offered to everyone that I wanted to share.

LIMITED SELECTION OF FREE SEWING PATTERN DOWNLOADS AT HOMESPUN THREADS

For a limited time only, Homespun Threads is offering patterns a limited selection of  sewing patterns with instructions to download and print for free.

There are several cute baby items, totes, and bags.  I downloaded some baby shoes, the pocket bib and the Sash Handbag  that I plan to make after the Holidays are over.


Image: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Misc. Recycled Gift Wraps

It is based on the Risque Reindeer Gift Bag at Cut Out and Keep, except I was going for cute over being risque.

It is made entirely of recycled paper.  The face was from a Halloween craft project from a magazine for a jackolantern and the antlers handprints cut out of two similar shaded magazine pages (they turned out a little droopy - next time I try this I will use cardboard from a cereal box as backing.)

This is based on  Upcycled Gift Wrapping by Vanessa with a tutorial over at Craftzine.  On this one I used the page of a magazine,  a piece of sweatshirt for the bow and cut  out letters of the name kidnapper style from a magazine and glued them on with a glue stick.

This is basically the same concept, except I used a brown paper bag, cutout letter from a magazine and a cut off handle from a red plastic bag for the bow.

This is just an ad from a magazine with the letter for the name drawn on another solid part of page and glued on with a glue stick.

Upcycled Gift Wrappings

Gift package wrapping made entirely of upcycled items.

This was based on tutorial over at Craftzine by Vanessa at Designs by Vanessa:
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/12/upcycled_gift_wrapping.html

Items used:

• Bubble mailer
• Magazine pages
• Scrap of fabric
  
• Scissors
• Glue stick
  

It is the same concept except I used an old bubble mailer instead of a grocery bag, a scrap piece of fleece instead of a piece of sweater (although I love the sweater look - just haven't chopped up any recently so I don't have any scraps) and instead of the cardboard tag I cut out letter for the name free hand from an old magazine.   The piece of paper with the wording is Singular ad.

This was a page out of a magazine with letters cutout then tied with a scrap of green fleece.