Thursday, April 19, 2012

Inspiration

I'm in the process of designing several projects at once.  Normally this would be an overload of the senses especially as I am finishing up my last semester of a graduate program.

So how do I get myself into such a creative blitz.   

I think it's a combination of having a new baby to create for as well as the dangerous website known as Google.  Especially image search.


I love owls.  There is just something that appeals to me about them.  I was googling images looking for possible prints to frame for the nursery when I found these images.

The colors in this one just reminded me of a quilt.  My brain went straight from there to possible patterns. 



The eyes on this one are just too cute for words.   Hmmmm possible plush toy for baby.


There are lots of owls being created in my craft space right now.  Be on the look out for the finished projects here and in our Etsy shop.


What about you?  What inspires you to create?  Is it an image, a written pattern, or something as abstract as a color?

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Our Etsy Shop is Up and Open

Our Etsy shop is now open.  Right now we have primarily sock monkeys available, but keep checking back for a variety of products and designs.


Thursday, April 12, 2012

Product Safety


From time to time I get questions about the safety of my handcrafted softies for young children.  It is widely recognized that buttons can pose a choking hazard for small children.
I often use buttons because I like the look it gives a finished product.  But when making a toy for my own baby I consider several factors.  The most important one to me is this: is the toy going to be a decoration or actually played with?
If the softie will be used as a toy, it doesn’t matter how much supervision I provide, the toy will end up in my baby’s mouth.
If this is a concern when making your own softies I urge you to consider alternatives for the eyes, wither the safety eyes that are available at most craft stores or eyes directyl sewn on the softie.


On the original Skittles I used buttons.  It is a shelf sitter in the baby’s room, our of reach.  On Skittles II I hand appliqued felt eyes with a basic blanket stitch.  This one was for a friend’s two year old grandson to play with.
The look is completely different but still adorably cute.  
The options available in fabrics are virtually endless.  Don’t limit yourself to felt.  Use your creativity to explore with all types and prints of fabric.
As always, Happy Crafting!
P.S. I couldn’t resist just one more picture of this adorable sock bunny.


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Hello Kitty

My 9 year old loves all things Hello Kitty so when I walked into my LQS as they were packing up for the Smoky Mountain Quiltfest I could not resist the new stock.  
They had this adorable panel that my little girl just fell in love with.

Her birthday was just a couple weeks later so I had to get busy.


I squared the edges of the panel and added a simple double border with cornerstones.

The cornerstones are a square in square design.








I had to try my hand at another pieced back and came up with this belt buckle design.  I love how it mimics the cornerstones on the front.



I quilted it with a simple diagonal strip about 2.5 inches apart.



The look on my daughter's face was priceless.  I was flying pretty high until when we started taking pictures for this post.  Then my 12 year old decided she was going to steal the coordinating pillowcase I made.


We recovered it, broke up arguments and now are back to the enjoyment of a successfully crafted gift.

Have any of you crafted the perfect gift for a loved one?  Share in the comments.  I would love to hear your stories.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Sock Monkeys

Ever since the addition of our new bundle of joy the Daddy of our household has been going monkey crazy.  Little Bit is Daddy's little monkey so he has been finding monkey toys and clothes every single time we go shopping.


Here she is playing with her monkey pull toy attached to her car seat.  (Notice the monkey on her little sweater.) I've also been scoping out the monkey fabrics at all my LQS's.  I might as well jump on the bandwagon, right?

Then last week I was browsing around on Pinterest and I stumbled upon lots and lots of awesome pictures of sock monkeys.  I was bit by the bug.  After playing with several different patterns and altering them to my own liking this was my result.

Meet the newest additions to our family: Cheetah, Skittles, and Pinkie


They really like the tree in our front yard.  I think they are missing home.


Now you too can give a home to a homesick sock monkey.  Trees not a requirement.

Check out our Facebook page for details on purchasing or email me.

You can also find us over on Pinterest.


Happy Crafting!





Saturday, March 17, 2012

Mama's Got a New Bag


It's springtime and I needed a bag in some of those lighter tones.  I saw a bag in one of my quilting magazines and decided to make some alterations.  I wanted something large enough to carry all the essentials from my purse with the addition of my laptop.  I often take baby girl with me to classes and the addition of the diaper bag and carseat to carry was playing havoc with my back.  I needed to eliminate a bag.


When I completed this bag I was so proud of myself.  I took it into the other room to show my husband.  I was absolutely in love with the finished product. Then.....my husband asked, "Why did you make another diaper bag?"  Way to deflate my ego. 

But now looking at it I can see possibilities in this pattern for a diaper bag....hmmm.  Just add a few pockets here and trim there.  Maybe......


But for now I am enjoying my bag as a project bag for knitting and quilting projects that I take with me to soccer and band practices (oh the joys of being a mother).

Here are a few pics of the interesting additions I made to the pattern.

Cross hatch quilting on bottom
 For the next one I would like to add some feet the base.  I hate putting cloth bags on the floor, especially after spending time putting in all the details like this quilting.

Added flap with snap

 I love the magnetic snap on a flap.  It makes me feel as if I will actually be able to keep the bag closed. "I will not overstuff, I will keep my bag organized.  I will.  I will."
Who am I kidding?

Inside pocket

I added pockets on both inside panels.  One is stitched to hold ink pens and my cell phone, while the other is left whole.  Currently the pockets are holding a needle case, spools of thread, and scissors.


Recycled Belt Piece 
 I had this metal belt that I just loved.  It has been in the bottom of my knitting basket for 3 years now waiting to be repurposed.  The clasp broke and I couldn't bear to throw it away.  The links make perfect  hardware for this bag.

Strap and Loop
I love the detail the repurposed belt link and the fabric handles and loops give.

So even though my well intentioned husband had burst my bubble, I have to give him credit.  He started my creative juices flowing again.  Elasticized pockets on the outside side panels and a row of elasticized pockets on the inside panel.  Possible different hardware.....lots of cute baby fabric....I saw some amazing robot fabric the other day....and I just found out I have a great nephew on the way.   Yes, hubby's innocent comment may have just got him more than he bargained for.

I think I need to go rewrite this pattern to fit my needs, and maybe, just maybe a trip to the fabric store is in my ever growing to do list.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Back to the Blogging World

Things have been crazy around here starting with the arrival of this cute little Christmas present.




Needless to say this beautiful baby girl has turned our household upside down.  But I am loving every minute of it.  

There has been much crafting going on and lots of pictures to share on this blog.  Stay tuned for all those little updates.