My iPad Saved My Life!

I know everyone has some type of creative outlet...of course, those that know me know I have way more than one! As we all know, in the beginning of the pandemic, face masks were not available for all of us, so I started making them. I ended up making close to 500 and spent my entire Spring of 2020 in our basement, sewing...all day and night! I even had Wayne helping me! I made several patterns and he would get everything cut out and ironed and I would just sit there and sew and sew and sew and SEW!! Ugh!! I sewed so much, I sewed all of my sewing inspirations out of me entirely! I didn't even turn on my machine during 2021 and I have zero desire to ever sew again. But I'm kinda hoping that changes, since I have so many adorable fabrics that are begging to be turned into something cute!

Just ONE day of my months of sewing every single day!

And now the CDC says these don't work! NOW they say the only ones that work are the ones they have available, which were NOT available when we needed them!!! So frustrating, especially for someone like me that threw themselves into a project to help others! I'm just hoping all of the masks I made had a placebo effect and kept everyone protected anyway!

But, there is an upside to all of my mask making madess!! I used the money I made to buy and iPad Pro and an Apple pencil, so I could start drawing in the Procreate App! And boy has that paid off for me!!! I absolutely love it!!! Drawing has saved my sanity AND my life!!! There is nothing more rewarding than sitting down with a blank screen and letting whatever is in my head come out through my hand...it's an amazing process to watch. And one of the best things about Procreate, is that you can record a time-lapse video of your drawing, like this:

This is Lola! For her full story, check her out on my instagram page:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathy Hardy (@dornickdesigns) 

So much fun! I encourage anyone looking for a creative outlet to invest in an iPad and start drawing! You just never know what you might have inside of you that is dying to come out!!

Happy Tuesday! Live your life and NEVER stop learning!!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Making protective masks!

Never in my wildest imagination would I have believed, if someone had told me, that I would be making protective face mask because of a global pandemic! I still can't wrap my brain around it all! But, on the flip side of that, I'm so happy I have been able to make these and get them to people that need them! And now, with the shortage of masks, I've decided to share how I make these and give you the links to the video and pattern, as well as links to materials I'm using. Sew, here goes! First of all, watch this video to get your pattern drawn out and ready:

This pattern is actually on the small side, so I use it for kids and petite adults. I added 1/4 inch all the way around for a "medium" size, which is the size I wear and 1/2 inch for a "large", which is the size I made for Wayne. You need to cut out your pattern and all of your fabric pieces to get ready for sewing:

On the masks I've been making, I'm also ironing on a fusible stabilizer to front outer layers of fabric

I'm using Pellon 931TD Fusible Interfacing  and cutting it 1/4 inch smaller than the mask [as shown in photo above]

Next, I cut two pieces of 100% Non-woven Polypropylene [which is what is used for filters in surgical masks] for each front piece and pin these layers right sides together and sew from point to point with 1/4 inch seam

After sewing, make several cuts along the edge, just so the mask will open up on a nice curve

Then turn this layer right side out and get it nice and flat

Then sew the other outer layers together...right sides together and sew from edge to edge. Also make small cuts along the edge on this layer, as well

Keeping this layer you just finished wrong side out, slip it over the other mask piece that is right side out [so the two right sides will be facing each other...and pin all along both edges

This is what your outside should look like

This is what your inside should look like. Make sure you pin your seams open, so you can sew them flat and then sew around both outer edges with a 1/4 inch seam...just go slow, since you will be sewing in a curve and over the seams

This is what your outside edge should look like when you are finished sewing the edges together

This is that your inside will look like...now, using one of the open ends, turn the whole mask right side out and work it with your hands to flatten and smooth out the edges. Then you are ready to finish the ends

Iron both ends of the mask and make sure your seams are nice and flat...be careful NOT to iron the polypropylene, since it is a plastic type material and will melt! And yes, I learned that the hard way! 

Work the mask with your hands and get it nice and flat and your edges ironed and smooth. Then fold your edges in three times on each end and pin

Then zig-zag stitch from top to bottom of each folded edge, making sure to backstitch, so your stitches will stay tight

Go nice and slow, so your folds will stay together good

This is what your ends should look like when you're done! Time to cut the elastic!

Be sure to use 2mm elastic cord for your mask...not only is the 2mm stronger, it is much more comfortable behind your ears. Cut two 11 inches pieces and string them through your end loops with a large eye craft needle, or whatever you have that can string your elastic through

Once you pull the elastic through, tie tight knots in it and work it back through the loop to hide the knot

And then you are done! Yay!! Stay healthy and well!!

Let me know if you have any questions!! I will be most happy to answer them!

love and peace always, Kathy

Sewing and Empowerment!

I'm not sure how "empowered" I was today when I sewed through my finger, but I certainly wish, at that very moment, Divine would've taken over and finished my sewing project,

which turned out super cute! It's a Yoga Mat Bag I made for my Aunt! She loves "Elephanuts" [as my little sister used to call them]. The only tricky part about making this particular bag is that I had to wrap my brain around what size to cut the bottom circle to fit the bag, since I had to make it seven [7] inches wider then the original pattern. After a little trial and error, it turned out perfect! And now I have patterns for three different size bags! Yay! So maybe THAT was my empowerment! 

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

I am a seauxing fool!

I bet you can't look at this and not smile!  I have been finding some of the cutest fabrics lately!  These Farm Animals are enjoying their Yoga practice and are the cutest little things, ever!

Of course, it's for sale here in my etsy shop!  I LOVE it!

And then, there are these hilarious Lama's that made me smile the whole time I was sewing!  

And the bags are lined with pre-washed, unbleached organic cotton muslin and have a cute little pocket sewn in that is made from a piece of vintage Kantha quilt from India!  These come in handy for so many things!  

Hope you enjoyed the Winter!  It's almost Spring!  At least, our yard thinks it is!  

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Surround yourself with people that you can be vulnerable with. People that make you feel normal in all of your weirdness. That live their lives according to their own rules and that give you the freedom to be yourself just by being who they are. Kind people. Good-hearted people. Free spirits. Dreamers. Believers. People that are not afraid to stand in their truth and that inspire you to live yours.
Keep them close, even if you're miles apart.
Life is short and true friendship is hard to find" ~ Rachel Brathen

I'm a sewing fool!!

I've been addicted [as of lately] to making these awesome journal covers!  I finally got my pattern down [that took almost a week] and now I can't decide which one is my most favorite!  These fit a standard 9.75 x 7.5 Composition Notebook perfectly!  And, I've also sewn in a strip of leather, so you can easily mark your page.  The outside cover features a nice zippered pocket, 

which can be used to store your pencils, markers, favorite pens, etc. 

 The inside flap also includes a smaller pocket that is perfect for keeping your favorite pens and pencils, a small notepad, or business cards.  I love them!  They would make great gifts, too!  Check em out in my Etsy shop!

And now I've gone and bought a heavy duty sewing machine, so I can start sewing on leather!  I can't wait to get started with that!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

love and peace ~ Kathy

"If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it." ~ Ruthie Lindsey

Cat bag winner, new jewelry and a coupon code!

I love giving things away...I love making people smile --- so, with that being said, the winner of that adorable little Cat Bag is [insert drumroll] --- Karen Bennett!!  Yay!!!  Wayne picked the winner out of a pile of folded papers that included everyone's name that commented either here on my blog post, or the post on my facebook page!  Congratulations, Karen!  I hope you enjoy it!  And, for those of you that left a comment, but didn't win, you can purchase it here, with a 20% discount!!  Just use coupon code "CATBAG" at checkout!  Coupon code will expire on October 31st!  Thank you so much!!  And please stay tuned for the next giveaway...coming up soon!

So I've been on a roll of sorts, making these awesome tassel bracelets with semi-precious healing stones.  I love that you can wear two or three, stacked up together for a super fun look!  This one is made with "Tibetan dZi Agate" stones and includes two Brown Lava Rocks that can be infused with your favorite essential oils [optional]! 

And then there's this one, made with gorgeous "Fancy Jasper" stones and an adorable Matte Hematite Buddha Head!  It also includes two Lava Rocks that can be infused with essential oils --- so cute!

And then there's these adorable "Buddha Wisdom Eyes" carved bone and faceted Black Tigereye Teardrop earrings!  They are my absolute new favorites!  I love them!

Happy Autumn!  I'm off to enjoy some nature!  Seize the day!

love and peace always --- Kathy

"Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods.  Wash your spirit clean." --- John Muir

Cats out of the bag!!! Giveaway!

How cute is this!!!  I've always said "if I ever have a cat, it will be solid black" --- and this little cat bag is so cute!!!  It's the perfect size for tossing in all of your personal belongings!  AND, the best part is, I'm giving it away!!  All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post for a chance to win it!  I'll be picking a winner Monday!  Good luck!  And who says black cats are bad luck!

Of course, if you don't win, you can always purchase one from my Etsy shop!

Thanks so much!!  Love and peace always ~ Kathy

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something, but to be someone." --- Coco Chanel

Whatever you are...be a good one!

I can't believe Summer is already over!  Seems like it just began...time keeps going by faster and faster...I can barely keep up!  And Halloween will be here before we know it!  I've been busy sewing and making new jewelry --- getting ready for the holidays, which seems so strange to be saying!  I adore these little tassel bracelets --- they are so cute and so easy to just pop on, as you head out the door --- they go with anything --- and, this one in particular is made with some gorgeous Matte Tigereye stones.  I've also been including a couple of Lava Rocks, which can be infused with your favorite essential oils...if you so desire!  

I've also been busy making new zipper pouches that can be used for so many things.  This little Sock Monkey bag had me smiling the whole time I was sewing it up!  Sew cute!!!  

These little bags make great gifts!  You can check all of them out right here in my Etsy shop!

So the "Whole30" came and went, along with 22 lbs.!!!!  I'm so stoked!  Now we have transitioned to a somewhat "Paleo" way of eating!  And Wayne and I both feel sooooo much better!  If you've never tried "Spaghetti Squash", it is really awesome! Topped off with baked chicken cutlets [using this recipe] and some delicious "Rao's Marinara Sauce" [I could literally live on this stuff! Toss up a small side salad and dinner is on!  So good and GOOD for you!

On that note...now that I'm starving, I'm off to fix lunch and make some new stuff!  Stay safe out there!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Living in balance and purity is the highest good for you and the earth." --- Deepak Chopra