New additions

I completely got wrapped up in Halloween and forgot to mention that the NEW fall issue of the Make-Do Mail is available in the shop! Full of great fall tips, recipes and projects!

And you'll also see there's a new section of the Make-Do Mercantile called The Corgi Shop. Two new corgi items and both are customized to your preferences! And there will be more soon!

Enough talk!

Enough talking about it, finally here it is! My new pattern for fall, the Black Forest Scoodie!

It's a super-warm double-layer fleece scarf-hood combo! Perfect for those with gnome fantasies or a secret elf personality. The scarf wraps around to keep out the chill and the pointy hood can be worn pointed up or flopped down! Just like when the Pillowcase Pinnie was introduced, you can buy it at the special introductory rate (save 50 cents!) and of course there's no shipping charge for a PDF pattern! Love that!

Tell me what you think!

Now available!

In the store now, Yo-settes for Halloween. And soon I'll have some for Christmas and some for everyday that are customizable with your initial!

Etsy news

On a whim, I visited the Treasury today and I happened to see that there were going to be open spots in just a few minutes and what do you know, I got one! (For those who don't Etsy, treasuries are like themed favorites lists but they only allow so many to exist at one time so it's kind of hard to get a spot to create one.) Mine is all aprons!

Check it out here.

And here's a screenshot for posterity since it expires in 2 days.

I added some new things to the shop, including a few Christmas items (Vintage window flocking stencils, fabulous eighties Shirt Tales fabric!) and here's a sneak peak at what will be there in just a few days, my new fall pattern!

Chicken Scratch Pattern #3

This one has GOT to be one of my favorites! I love snowflakes, I decorate extensively with them at holiday time (I don't like Santa or religious themes so snowflakes and snowmen it is!) Scatter it about on a pillow? Make some potholders as a gift with a snowflake centered on each one? Of course, it would look lovely on an apron! What wouldn't?
This pattern is for your own personal use only.

For something else that would make a lovely gift for those who enjoy their time in the kitchen, check out the Make-Do Mercantile! Like how I can work that in just about anywhere?

Chicken Scratch Pattern #2

Ok, I just couldn't wait a whole day! So there will be two patterns today! This one is a more traditional border that would look lovely at the bottom of an apron, around a skirt or maybe around a tablecloth! If it's too wide, you could just do a section of it since it's made up of three different sections. It's like three patterns in one!

This pattern is for your own personal use only. And, of course, if you want a pattern for a complete chicken scratch apron, check out the summer issue of the Make-Do Mail!

I just couldn't wait! Chicken Scratch Pattern #1

So, yes, it's a few hours before Monday officially but I just couldn't wait to post my very first in my week-long series of chicken scratch patterns!

Of course, the reason I'm so excited is that I have opened up my new etsy shop,
The Make-Do Mercantile!

You can get my very first drafted-by-me pattern for a pinnie you can make from a vintage pillowcase!

And the very first educational pamphlet and badge set for the Make-Do Marigolds mail club! Which brings us to why I have drawn up these free patterns. In this summer issue of the Make-Do Mail, the craft project is a chicken scratch apron and while I love the pattern I put into the booklet, there are so many cute ones an there don't seem to be a lot available online.

So here is the very first in a week-long series of free patterns. Check back each day for a new pattern! I can see a couple of these birds flying across an apron. Or curtains, wouldn't that look great?

This pattern is for your own personal use.

A bit about chicken scratch
Chicken Scratch is cross stitch (and other simple stitches) done on gingham using the squares as a grid. It is also sometimes called cross stitch on gingham, Amish lace or snowflaking. Although not as well known as cross stitch or needlepoint, you can find more info on the web about chicken scratch then about some of the more obscure needlecrafts like huck weaving and hardanger embroidery. It seems to be enjoying a small revival!

All the patterns I will post this week can either be worked in cross stitches or double cross stitches. I think this one would look great in double cross stitches since it's kind of a loose pattern but it would show up well worked in single cross stitches on a light fabric done in dark floss. The number of strands of floss you use will depend on the width of gingham you use (meaning the width of each square) and your personal preference. I like to use eighth inch gingham and 2 strands of floss for most of my aprons.

Some further reading on chicken scratch:
PDF from West Virginia University Extension Service
Crafttown's pattern for a little tree
Crossstitch.about.com has three little printable patterns
PDF from University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
Instructions and heart pattern from Pegasus Originals
Primrose Design's chicken scratch tutorial

So much for Monday

So, anyone waiting with baited breath for the surprise yesterday was of course disappointed. But not to despair! The surprise has been postponed until next Monday. Here's a hint:

Make-Do is Done!

It's done, it's done!! The complimentary copies are on their way to the fine ladies who replied to my emails! And it's up on Etsy!

I'm so excited! I have a special surprise for you next week to celebrate the debut of the Make-Do Mail! Stay tuned!

Contest winner!

Edit: If you haven't received an email from me yet, it's because I was not able to find your email address on your website. Please email me if you were one of the 29 who left guesses and want to take advantage of my offer.

First off, I bet you are all waiting to see what that building is! There was only one correct guess, from Karla and Karrie. Yes it is a McDonald's! Complete with drive through, and chandeliers!

We stopped here because I have world's smallest bladder and had to use the restroom, and because it was just wacky!

True to my word this morning I choose, at complete random, the winner to the contest and her name is:
Lolly

But no one goes away empty-handed here at CorgiPants! I have a special offer for everyone who offered up a guess!

I have been working on a new project. I call it the Make-Do Marigolds, a mail club with a depression-era work ethic, choc full of tips and hints, recipes, and projects for home and garden. Membership packets and Make-Do Mail booklets will be available in my Etsy Store.

Do you find yourself wishing you could darn those socks instead of throwing them out? Wanting to use up that stale loaf of bread in some creative way instead of wasting it? Dreaming of fixing your broken radio instead of buying a new one? Then might I suggest you join the Make-Do Marigolds, a club for trying, learning and preserving the skills and attitude that make your grandmother would be proud of you for possessing!

When you join the Make-Do Marigolds, you get a membership card (which is also a handy kitchen conversion chart for your pocket!), a welcome letter and our latest edition of the Make-Do Mail, our series of educational booklets. Each edition of the Make-Do Mail contains recipes, projects and the badge you earn by completing that booklet's requirements!

After you are a recorded member, you can earn more badges for each booklet you complete and accumulate the skills you need to Make-Do with what you have!


I would like to offer a membership packet including a copy of the very first edition of the Make-Do Mail, Seasons Series #1-Summer, to everyone who posted a guess (with only one little condition). All you have to do after receiving your packet in the mail is either email me with your true and honest thoughts and/or blog about it on your blog. Look for an email from me later today, just respond with your address to claim.