Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

I will be taking some time off to relax with my family.  
Followed by some much needed new year = fresh start organization and clean out.

Look for me to return around January 6th, along with some destashing that may interest my fellow crafters!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Quilted Growth Charts

Since the recipients of these gifts are both under age 2, I think it's safe to post them before Christmas...

Several months back I got my hands on some fabulous Dr. Seuss fabric and was just dying for a project.  I wanted to somehow showcase the characters.  A friend of mine also loved the fabric and wanted something for her boy's room.  And that was the start of the Seuss-inspired growth chart.



I framed each of the characters with coordinating fabrics from the same line (note, matching 'wonky stripes' is impossible - don't try it).  Starting with 'The Cat' along with 'Thing 1' and 'Thing 2', then 'Sam', 'Horton', 'Yertle the Turtle' and ending with 'The Grinch" along with Max.  Each framed character is separated by a block that lists various Seuss Titles.  And at the top the chart is personalized.  

This growth chart was so much fun!  It's a lot of color and character and wonkiness but I absolutely love it.  And I think I have enough fabric for one or two more...

And the latest chart is a take on the same quilted frames idea, only this time I used a Butterfly print from Michael Miller's Wings of Peace line.  In each block is an applique letter and then it is framed with a pink linen blend (oh so lightweight) and then trimmed in a matching pink broadcloth.  And of course, the finishing touch - 5 custom embroidered butterflies.  My favorite is the purple one at the top, though there is also a shimmering blue one in the middle.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Custom Purses - Tween Style

It's that time of year - Handmade Holidays!  And you know I'm making up loads of handmade gifts and since we have already celebrated Christmas with my in-laws, I can go ahead and share some of the handmade goodness.  First up...purses for my nieces.

 I added their names and kept them so similar that you have to look pretty close to see the minor details that I changed from bag to bag.



I started with a fantastic fabric and planned a tween-sized, slouchy hobo purse but quickly figured out that I needed to make some alterations. I needed to make a flat bottomed bag so that they would easily stand up on their own. I needed a mid-weight interfacing so it would be stiff but still keep the softness and gather easily. My sister-in-law told me the girls love to keep their Nintendo DS with them, so I made sure to make a pocket just the right size.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Hard Day's Night

I'm buried deep within my studio at the moment, but I hope to have something new to show you soon!  Have a great weekend and I will be back with you next week.