Idea Board

Burlap Key Fabric

I have art and project ideas EVERYWHERE. In sketch books, on post it notes in my purse, pinned to my office wall, in a notebook in my car, and on and on. I also keep ideas on this idea board. I found it at a garage sale, and has nice basic wooden frame and a cork board. But, when I saw this fabric at Joanne's Fabric I knew it would be great for the design board. They had a several bolts with different designs including a nice Damask Pattern. This was a simple project which only took a few minutes to do. I measured the board, cut the fabric and used my hot glue gun to put it together. The burlap easily tucked into the wooden frame.

 

Scandanavian Stitches Book Review

With the cold weather and it being dark out so early, I find myself doing more wintery things. This includes doing more reading and I've recently started to order books on Amazon. How did I not do that before!? I love to peruse all the sewing, craft and art books. I can spend more time than I care to admit looking at books, creating wish lists, and ordering.

I pick wine by the label, and it turns out that I also like to pick books out that way! I love to look at the covers, and pick them that way. Just letting the cover catch my eye, title, and of course the subject, too.

It was fun to pick out a few books, just based on stumbling upon them.
One such book is Scandanavian Stitches by Kajsa Wikman .

It's a wonderful book filled with beautiful and simple projects. Here is a doll I made from the book. She was very fun and quick and just took little bits of fabric, thread, buttons to make.


The wings are made of a fabric which is a lightweight metal mesh. Her hair is cotton rope, seperated into
strands. I used some hand dyes ribbon to help her fly.



She is a nice addition to this cabinet.

Fabric stuffed animals

The circus is in town, and it's featuring a few giraffes and one lovable elephant! These are two sided stuffed animals, all very kid friendly. The eyes are french knots, the mouth just a little hand embroidery. No little parts, or buttons so they can be for small hands. The giraffe fabric is by Lonni Rossi and it's just perfect for these little guys. I will have these patterns available on Craftsy shortly.

These were originally made for Lonni for her schoolhouse at the Houston Quilt Market. They are constructed pancake style.They would look great in any fabric, too! Retro fabric would be very fun. Think I will have to give that a try. The giraffes are about 12" tall and the elephant about 5" tall.  

Fabric Bird

This little birdy decided that being colorful is really the best way to be. The more colors the better, and as many fabrics as possible. These are fun to make- the more quirky the better. Great way to use lot's of little snippets of fabric, beads, bits of yarn and thread. I have basket filled with scraps, and make these by just playing with the fabric, picking colors that I like together. The tail is fun to do- layers of different colors! This one is about 4" or so and hangs from some twine.

What a mess

What a mess! How can I get any work done with such a cute cat on my table!? Mimi is a Manx, and true to her breed, she loves to be in the thick of things. As I type she is walking back and forth over the keyboard! When I sew she finds the most comfortable place to lay is exactly wherever I am working. She thinks it's even better if she takes up the whole table and lays on my fabric. I appease her for just a bit then, she is relocated! I have to get some sewing done afterall. If only she knew how to sew, she'd be sucha big help.

Fabric Cuffs

Fabric Cuffs- I saw something like this in Cloth, Paper, Scissors. I have drawers of buttons, tons of fabric and trims and this is a fun way to play with them.  I'm not sure if I'll keep making them, so far it seems liek they are fun to make but I'm not really sure how open people are to wearing them! I'm working on how to take this concept and make something else out of it. Notebooks? headbands? We'll see where they end up!

   

Fabric Elephants

These are super fun to make and look great in fabric by Lonni Rossi. Simple construction makes them easy to make. They are about 7" tall. Just cut out the elephant shape, sew on the "feet" using a scrap piece of fabric. You can zig zag or straight stitch it to the right side of the fabric. The best part I discovered is sew all around the elephant, and leave an opening at the top (top of the "back") Then just slip stich closed, and cover with the saddle!

And this little doll goes to Quilt Market

This original doll was made to showcase the new fabric line from Andover by Lonni Rossi. The line is French Twist and it's gorgeous! stunning patterns and colors that just make you want to redecorate your house. She sat on a quilt. I wanted her to look like a doll from yesteryear, simple and sweet. I'm pleased with the results.

Art Quilt, Fabric Doodle, Applique

Mimi,,,,not so flying at the moment

Mostly done piece

Free motion around the letters

the yellow with white trim is an old napkin. I don't mind that the white does not extend all the way around. wabi sabi. 

What can I say? My cat thinks she can fly. Really. Just catch her running around the house and it seems like she is chasing some invisible mouse. She jumps of tables and has a Buzz Lightyear type of experience. She is flying,,,or maybe just landing gracefully. She likes to sleep most of the time, but does get her crazy moments. A favorite place to nap is on whatever project I am working on. That does not fly with me (pun intended) so I let her lay on my table for a few minutes, snap a picture, then it's bye bye. This started as a drawing in my sketchbook and made it out of applique. I still have to mount it and frame it,,,,maybe get that done this weekend. I am trying to put my name on pictures, this looks a little clunky, but it was easy to do on my computer. maybe I'll find a better way, that is just as quick.

Be Free

BE FREE! 4" x 6" Fabric applique on timtex. Drawn face. I added a bracelet flower to her hand, and maybe will post a picture of that, too. In the meantime, wanted to show this hippie chic. And, I have finally taken the time to "stamp" my name on my images.