I love making birthday presents for my two nieces. This year I wanted to make a slim, almost sleeve like bag for Ellie to hold some more adult type art supplies. Initially I was looking for an kit, but really couldn’t find anything that had a good variety and was of better quality. That’s when I thought to make a bag and stuff it with individual items for her to use and enjoy.
The outside is all canvas, while the interior is soft cotton flannel. I used fusible webbing to adhere the ELLIE letters and hand stitched “creates” with DMC.
There was plenty of room for everything: pastels, sculpty clay, brushes/watercolor, and two pads of paper:
Included in her gift box was a little softie I created from a drawing she had made for us. It’s the sweetest owl and he’s been residing on our fridge since he was drawn:
I scanned him onto my computer and printed him out onto a sheet of printable fabric. I then quilted the owl imaged fabric onto some solid cotton flannel. I finished it off by using some sweet Japanese owl fabric I had in my stash and stuffing him with polyfill and some dried lavender buds. He smelled good!
♥
July 2nd, 2009 ★ No Comments »
I hand-sewed this little lady last year while I was tending my booth at the Arlington Fair. She was originally supposed to be a smidgen of a doll that would hang out in my workspace. But somehow, I cut the arms and legs really thin and weird and I couldn’t turn them right side out. So I chopped off the limbs, stuffed her with lavender buds and made her into a sweet sachet. I like her face. And she smells good.
July 2nd, 2009 ★ No Comments »
Has been a million years since I’ve posted something crafty?
Yes, yes!
But here we go, a project I started and COMPLETED in only about a week!
Unheard of!
Some of you crafty folks might know of a very sweet site Wee Wonderfuls.
I gather quite a nice bit of inspiration from Hillary and her work.
This was no exception.
I looked at this adorable photo of her daughter and just knew I wanted to make some fun banners for my sons’ room.
I don’t like to copy things exactly, so I thought for a while about how to make this project mine. And ultimately, my boys.
Here is what I came up with.
This one for my Matty:
The letters are felt, hand embroidered using DMC thread.
For the end flags, I wanted to pick images that represented Matty’s interests.
He’s a reader and loves music.
So…
He likes to bring his instruments onto his bed. To play and snuggle with them.
And yeah, he’s totally allowed to stand up and jump on his bed!
Now for my Noah.
His end flags couldn’t so much reflect his interests, ’cause well, he’s only months old and his interests right now are eating paper and pulling my hair. I didn’t really know how to indicate that in stitchery.
So I gave him a little red birdie:
And some sunshine:
I think he approves:
materials used:
scrap cotton fabric
flannel
linen
interfacing
dmc embroidery thread
poly thread
ribbon
May 12th, 2008 ★ No Comments »
Phew.
It’s all done.
It wasn’t THAT much, but you know, being that I had (and still have) like a billion things to do before the new babe gets here, it felt like my plate was extr-y full and all.
But now?
All done!
Well, the custom sewing projects are done.
And shipped!
That’s the best feeling.
And now all that’s left is for all the lovely ladies to enjoy their new items. Yeah, yeah, THAT is the best part.
So here is the work:
A ladybug hip-pack and hairband set.
Matty actually modeled it for me! (Being that in my current state, or you know, ever, do I have a 28-30 inch waist. Ahem.)
A pretty pink pinwheel purse (say it 5 times fast baby!).
And finally, a three piece set: messenger bag, laptop sleeve, and wristlet. A lot of work, but very pleasing. I loved doing the exterior embroidery design and I’m thrilled with how everything came out.
And that’s all for now! I need a break. But probably won’t take one. I have plans to actually make myself some stuff now. Finally!
materials used:
nylon quilted
wool felt
magnetic snaps
zipper
lightweight corduroy
cotton
thread
nickel swivel clip
d-rings
dmc thread
interfacing
cotton canvas
September 17th, 2007 ★ 2 Comments »
Yeah, I can’t get enough of the owls.
I just ADORE them.
I still had some of this very awesome Japanese owl print cotton and decided to make a few items . My favorite part is hand sewing the wool felt appliqués on the outsides.
Eyes open!
Eyes closed!
On that second pouch, you will notice some extra cuteness in the corner there. I added a pink owl button and a removable pinback button, which I got from the very cool Kung-Fu Cowgirl over on etsy. See the whole set that I got? Darling!
Both pencilcases are in the shop, along with a few other items that I was able to whip up while waiting for some fabric to come in for the custom jobs I’m in the middle of. (Poor sentence structure!)
Check ‘em out folks!
materials used:
wool felt
dmc thread
interfacing
cotton
twill
thread
zipper
button
September 12th, 2007 ★ No Comments »
…of the custom work I’m in the midst of.
I’m loving this black mini purse.
It was made at the request of a very lovely lady, Jeanie.
I met her at the Arlington Fair.
She was helping her friend Judy in the jewelry booth next to mine.
Both of those ladies definitely helped pass the minutes.
(And allowed me to take a loo break!)
Oh and Jeanie’s husband rocks. Did ya know?
Check it.
So this mini is for her friend Mandi.
Mandi is cool.
And she has an 80s tribute band, The Reflex.
I think she’ll dig this mini.
Who could resist a mini made exclusively for themselves?
materials used:
ebony heavyweight twill
heart print cotton
magnetic snap
thread
wool felt
dmc thread
interfacing
September 1st, 2007 ★ No Comments »
And just as unbelievably cute!
Here are better pics of me new gal-pal Roberta.
Kitty-cat gal-pal.
Does that even make sense?
Who cares!
Look how pretty!
And the obligatory close-up of her fashionable little red birdie accessories:
You know you want a bag just like hers!
materials used:
wool felt
craft felt
dmc thread
cotton
grosgrain ribbon
buttons
polyfill
August 22nd, 2007 ★ No Comments »
I made new pencilcases over the weekend.
And they are cu-yewt! (That’s cute, but you know, even more.)
There are 10! Can you see 10? Click the thumbnail and you will.
It helps, as you’re watching, go like this, “blop-blep-bup-bop-boop-blop…” outloud. So people think you’re weird.
Oh and if you can’t see the animation, your computer is lame.
Kidding!
But I’m not computer savvy, so I don’t know what’s up if you can’t see it all moving and cool like.
But anyways, the pencilcases are in the shop!
materials used:
canvas
twill
cotton
zippers
shell disc beads
wool felt
craft felt
dmc thread
interfacing
October 30th, 2006 ★ No Comments »
This weekend was a wash, I will grant that.
But here is some new stuff that I sewed (is that a word?) prior.
Lavender Etsuko Scene print. This is a Japanese import purchased from reprodepot.com. They are still my number one source for cool fabrics. And quick! And they take PayPal! (You can see how I can get myself in trouble.)
Pretty corduroy.
More import fabric. This time it’s Etsuko Balance. In oatmeal.
And a striped kitty pencilcase for good measure!
materials used:
canvas
twill
cotton
corduroy
nickel d-rings
zippers
interfacing
nickel magnetic snaps
wool felt
dmc thread
nickel o-rings
nickel swivel clips
October 22nd, 2006 ★ 1 Comment »
Mike had a long weekend, so I had an opportunity to sit down and cut out more bags and accessories. Usually when I cut stuff, I’m all wiped out and won’t sit at the machine for another day or two, or more! But this time, I got right to it.
First up, I finally used this ridiculously adorable hippo fabric. I could only get one fat quarter of it though, which is like 18 x 20? Not that much. I couldn’t decide whether to do a wristlet and a hairband, or maybe a few keyrings and a makeup bag? Decisions, decisions!
I ultimately decided on:
A wristlet and a pencilcase!**
Next up is a cozy, warm, brushed twill bag with a cool striped flap:
Finally, an ultra-cool circle bag with matching accessories!
materials used:
twill
canvas
cotton
brushed twill
nickel components
zipper
interfacing
wool felt
dmc thread
**HOLY FAST SALE BATMAN! No sooner did I list this cool pencilcase did someone snap it right up! Well that’s just cool my friends.
October 9th, 2006 ★ 2 Comments »
