May The Luck Of The Irish Be With You Always...

Long Hair Mishap

You know you finally have really long hair when you get it sucked into a moving fan!

I had just washed it, air dried it, and it was floating around loose. I bent over to get something off of a cabinet shelf near the floor where the fan was and - BAM - part of it got sucked into it.

Thank goodness it was a lower powered one and not a large one. I lost what I thought was a lot of hair 'cause I have fine hair as it is, but hubby said he didn't call that a lot of hair.

It certainly could have been much, much worse. My angel was looking out for me I guess. I don't know how I got the fan out of my hair 'cause I never got to it to shut it off. I just remember picking it up and pulled back on it.

I think/bet every gal with really long hair has had at least one mishap, scary or not.

I'm nearing my goal of 36" - now about 34" long.

Almost St Patty's Day

I wasn't sure I'd find cheap enough decorations for St Pats Day in time to enjoy before the actual day, but Dollar Tree came to the rescue. I'm not wanting to spend much each holiday for either tree decorations or stuff to make a fireplace garland. Hopefully, for Easter, I can sew up a fabric garland.

A Little Fairy Garden

I bought this super cute, mini set from Enchanting Garden Art, a really cool shop at Etsy. Click on each pic for a detailed, enlarged pic.

I found the moss, rocks, greenery (shrubs) and the pot that has that broken vintage look to it at The Dollar Tree. I added my own bird in the bird bath, another bird at the base of the chair and a birdcage.

I love how the lighting in this pic came out looking like this set is sitting in the shade.

Pillowcase Grocery Tote Plus

Taking the pillowcase grocery tote a step further...After sewing yesterday and last night, I was suffering from a back muscle spasm (which I get a lot) that wouldn't quit and continued today somewhat so I just sat, relaxed, watched TV tonight, and embellished. My back seems to be better now. This commercial pilloqcase wasn't made like most so I got thinner handles out of this one.

I've had this pillowcase for I know over 15 years, maybe even 20 or more so It's definately vintage. Now I have a "free" vintage tote.

Pillowcase Grocery Tote

After dealing with other reuseable grocery totes that I really didn't like, I decided on one that I would like. I wanted one that was easy to throw in the washer and dryer and would come out looking good, didn't collect lint, cat and dog hair and one that I could make.

I found the free tutorial that I liked HERE. She uses every single inch of the pillowcase and what she cuts off, with no waste.

I have the match to make to this one and another pillowcase waiting in the wing to be stitched up too. When not in use, I will store them in the little fabric bag that the two pillowcases came in when I bought them at Walmart. I knew that little bag would come in handy for something.

Didn't the tote come out cute? I can also see it with a fabric rose pin attached and used for other things.

Another version of a pillowcase tote is HERE.

The Luck Of The Irish

May the luck of the Irish be with you when you wear this fabric shamrock brooch.

At my Etsy Shop.

Featured In A Treasury

I'm not sure how I missed this last month, but one of my pins was featured in a Paris treasury at Etsy. I'm always so honored and appreciative when that happens.

NEW - Fabric Rose Brooches/ Pins

To celebrate the coming of Spring, I've been making and adding these little, fabric rose brooches/pins to my Etsy shop - Sew Art It Is By Kitty Red and I can't stop making them. I've listed 4 and have 4 ready to hand stitch and then list. Two of the new ones that I hope to list in a day or two will be in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

A Simple Idea & My Fav Comb

Such a simple idea - A brilliant idea - Drop your shampooed, long, wet hair inside a 100% cotton pillow case, twist, stand up and tuck it into the back. Why didn't I think of that!?!

It is so much easier to use than a towel or a turban 'cause all of your hair will fit. I bought a couple online from Dharma Trading Company. They sell 100% cotton pillow cases that don't have a finish on them - just pure cotton and cotton stitching. I understand that a cotton pillow case or a cotton t-shirt is the best thing to wrap your hair up in after you shampoo it.

I like the pillow case 'cause all you have to do is drop in your hair and it touches nothing else. Neither the cotton pillow case or the cotton t-shirt will sap all the needed moisture out of your hair like a bath towel or twisty turbun will. The end result is that your hair will then be much softer when combed and left to dry naturally.

And, this is my most favorite comb - Hairsense Seamless Bone Comb: Volume - 2 1/2" x 7". I've been using it for about a year now. I always grab for it first to hit any tangles that I might have in my wet or dry hair. Plus, it is great to use if you fight static in your hair like I do in the Winter.. I use it and now have no static to deal with.

The two hair forks (wood and plastic) I purchased on-line really cheap and decorated each up with jewelry findings embellishments and E6000 glue.

Backtracking To Christmas

I started working on this vintage Christmas wreath when I separated out the decorations for it while trimming our Christmas tree last month.

But, I never got back to actually making it until after Christmas as I had to find a wreath first. I completed it tonight. It really looks better in person. Then, you can really see the bright colors, the depth of the wreath and the glitter.

It has decorations that my daughter and I made when she was little, some I bought way back then, a couple (pink gingerbread boy and girl) from Avon back when I was selling it and a few I bought in recent years. The big elf doll I bought on clearance this year at Hobby Lobby and added buttons to his jacket and bells on his toes. And, the one elf dressed all in blue is a really old vintage decoration.

I hope my daughter likes it as I made it with her and my grandsons in mind. She will be getting it eventually.

Decorating For Valentine's Day

A lost, then found, little fiber optic Christmas tree found in the basement has now become my holiday tree that I will decorate for different holidays as the year moves forward. At night it is is so pretty and cheerful...

This year I would have loved to make decorations, but in an effort to save time to do/make other things I spent only 97 cents at Walmart for some super glittered confettii; found some tape and some ribbon and made some quick ones.

Also, I've always wanted to make a garland for the fireplace so I did this year for Valentine's Day using simply ribbon, tiny, tiny clothespins and store bought Valentines. So simple, yet effective...

Maybe I'll make something out of fabric to hang there after Valentine's Day is over. Plus, I have some really cute Easter fabric I could use to make a "flag" garland to hang there.

Long Hair After 50.

On May 1, 2010 I decided to start my long hair journey, layered hair and all, with the longest layer being 27-6/8". I want to see how long I can get it, with it looking good and healthy by the time I reach age 60.

It's been a slow go growing out the layers to achieve an all one length goal. For the most part, I'm there except for the layer of grown out bangs. Now I need to work on thickening the ends.

Currently my hair is between 32" and 33" - waist length on me. In the past, soon to be 2 years, I've cut an inch or two off here and there to get to all one length. Once I took a quiz to see what my growth potential is - the result was 39".

Currently at age 57-1/2 years old, we'll see...


25 Plus Things I Know Now For Sure While On My Long Hair Journey.


1. 1/4 cup of white vinegar in 1 cup of warm water is the best final rinse you can use to make your hair shine, adjust your PH and to prevent build-up in your hair.

2. Mixing some honey in your palm with your conditioner will make your hair super soft because it's a humidant, but it will over time lighten your hair. In most cases, the result is pretty though.

3. Using a water softener on your shower head is a must if you live in an area with really hard water that contains lots of chemicals. The result could be hair breakage if you don't.

4. Fine hair seems to hold best in a bun using forks instead of sticks.

5. Any hair ornament that isn't smooth will over time cut/break your hair leaving you with short wisps of hair.

6. Time is your friend when you're growing your hair to a super length so make it your best friend of which you have huge patience with.

7. My most favorite way to "shampoo" my hair currently is wet it completely, put conditioner on length and esp on the ends of my hair and use the shampoo only on the scalp - Rinse and condition again waiting the required time before rinsing it out of your hair.

8. Using a silk/satin pillowcase is a must if you sleep without a silk/satin sleep cap if you don't want your hair to be a mess in the morning with tangles which only pull your hair out. Ideally, using a pillowcase and a sleep cap is best. Your face could benefit too.

9. Quality over Quantity, ie. Length is not always your best route.

10. The only cure for layers is time and patience and more frequent trims to achieve all one length.

11. A healthy diet, lifestyle (exercise), vitamins and drinking plenty of water will grow hair.

12. Hair DOES grow faster in the summer months vs. the winter months.

13. Working some jojoba oil into the length of your dried hair and then brushing it in with a bristle boar brush keeps it healthy.

14. If need be, washing your hair every day, every other day or whatever is not bad for your hair and doesn't make it fall out. Sweat needs to be washed out of it and off your scalp or you could develop an itchy scalp condition.

15. A sock bun is not cheating - A bun is a bun is a bun.

16. My favorite long hair style is and probably always will be a cinnamon bun.

17. Going to bed wearing a braid, a ponytail, pigtails or my hair just flowing freely doesn't work for me. Even a bun now and then doesn't either because of the poking pins or the pull on my scalp leaving sore spots on my scalp.

18. If I can keep it on and I don't get hot, a sleep cap works best for me giving my hair a break from wearing it in a bun all day and keeps it from getting tangled.

19. Fine hair will tangle in the slightest breeze.

20. Fine hair is like delicate silk and is the hardest to grow long.

21. I never thought I'd say this, but letting my hair dry naturally using no hair dryer is working for me.

22. Aloe Vera Gel has been a great remedy for taming my fly aways and "healing" them when I pull my hair straight back.

23. Once I quit coloring/highlighting my hair, I found that I really like my natural white hair streak that starts behind my right ear and shows when I wear my hair up, and it's getting wider with some other white hairs sprinkled here and there.

24. I don't care if others think my long hair and/or my white hairs sprinkled here and there makes me look older. They think it does, I do not. Who are they trying to kid with their short cuts and dyed hair?

25. Cutting my own hair and not coloring or highlighting it anymore at a salon saves me SO much money. Money that I can spend on other things.

26. Having long hair makes me feel more feminine and since not many at my age have it, it also makes me feel somewhat special - Not better, just somewhat special.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

An Early Christmas Surprise

Hubby took me to the mall a few days before Christmas so that I could visit Kay Jewelers and get free batteries for 2 of my best watches.

It's a special plan that I bought over 5 years ago. For the life of these 2 watches I can get free batteries for them. I didn't even buy the watches there! I expect when they advertised the special they figured most would lose their receipt and/or their watch would just quit working. ;o)

While we were waiting at the counter I saw hubby go pick up a sales flyer, and asked me if I would like one of these necklaces - Open Hearts by Jane Seymour "If your heart is open, love will always find its way in."

We walked out with me getting this for Christmas! My birthstone is a ruby so this one is perfect. He picked this pendant out as his favorite. I was just looking at and considering the smallest, 2 heart pendant that they had for sale.

Christmas 2011

A Gnome Merry Christmas

At night there is a light inside that can been seen at the door's window. :o)

FREE Wrap It Up and Tag It

FREE DIY Wrap Up: 90+ Tags, Toppers & Wraps

Knit Some Gators

Aren't these mini, knitted gators just too cute for words?

It's a FREE pattern!

My Mexican Casserole

I just took this out of the oven this morning - All ready for dinner tonight when hubby comes home from work.

Grease your dish - Add a little of this and a little of that; whatever your definition of Mexican is - Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 min. and you have Mexican Casserole.

Listing For Blackbird Earrings

My Blackbird Earrings were chosen for an Etsy treasury. That link is inside the listing.

Fun, New Hair Toys

HERE is where I found my new hair toy set below made out of upcycled kitchen forks. I love this set - joy and sorrow.

On a side note, it's the first week of November and my hair now measures 31 inches after a couple of trims. I've lost nearly 2 inches in length, but almost all the layers have now grown out. Yay...now maybe I can stop trimming the ends for awhile and make some length progress.

Click on the pic for detail of these forks in my bun...And, I wear my white streaked hair color proudly and it's maintenance free. I'm done coloring to cover it...Who am I kidding?