tiny flower quilts

It seems like I've been cutting out circles of fabric all summer. Everywhere I go I bring a bag of scraps and some scissors, and here is why...

To make these little wall hanging quilts. 

It's been years and years since I've made this kind of quilt. It's been fun putting colors and patterns together, but more fun sitting on the beach and doin' it.

the next batch

Another batch of purses... almost ready to go, or I should say- with their faces on.

Scribble sewing on a few...

Waiting to be washed, for a more weathered looking face.

It's time for a vacation, which just means bringing my sewing machine to a different place. Going to the beach, and sewing at the beach is ALL good.

getting it together

Purses, put together (but without their handles, yet). It's been so long since I've made purses, and I'm not sure why- moving, procrastinating then running out of time before a deadline- you know- stuff like that. I've enjoyed the process, more than I thought I would. I should make bags more often-

For the dog lover, more Heather Ross fabric that I only have left in bits and pieces, so I have to try and make the most of it. I put some city fabric behind it, Hudson Bay to be specific (I can't remember the manufacturer...).  Loads of whimsical silliness in this batch- dogs, monkeys, elephants, unicorns, loteria cards, owls, birds and bikes. If you want to get your eyes or hands on these bags you've got to come to Swiss Days in Midway Utah (Sept. 2-3) where we will making our big debut, with other sewn goodies as well, stay tuned to see just what else I'm making.

making purses

For the first time in what seems like forever, I am getting a batch of purses ready to be sewn together.  It's one of those things I procrastinate because it feels like such an overwhelming project-- but once I get rolling, I can't stop. Another idea strikes me and I have to design just one more...

Occasionally, I have a panic attack thinking that I am running out of fabric, which is completely ridiculous and would likely never happen even if I didn't purchase another yard for the next 5 years. But, I am running out of the bicycle fabric going into this purse. I think it's from the Heather Ross Lighting Bugs and other Mysteries line of fabric from a few years ago. I only have a few little strips left. I kind of want to hoard what I've got left, maybe I'll hang onto a bike or two. I'm almost out of VW Vans and goldfish fabric from the same line- for those of you who remember. So stinkin' cute.

So, whoever gets this purse should feel super lucky...

It's all about the circles (and bikes and flowers), this batch of purses is full of them.

picnic blanket thing

Based on a quilt top that my mother-in-law made for me a few years back and in the true spirit of reduce-reuse-recycle... it's the 'picnic blanket panel thing'. 

Both M and quilt are looking very cute here, modeling spring reading fun-in-the-sun.

Here we go with another... all ready to piece. Not as easy as it looks, wait, let me rephrase that... Yes, as easy as it looks if you like to spend hours, days and weeks cutting up squares of random fabric and sewing them all back together again.
Ahh... what some would consider 'fun'.

bazaar finds

Here are some shots from the Beehive Bazaar this past weekend in Provo. Oh how I love this building (this part of it, not the bathrooms...) the Women's Center it's called, and I don't think it will be around for much longer. The building and others around it are slated for demolition for the new Provo Recreation Center sometime this year. So, for the sake of nostalgia... a few pictures of the Women's Center looking it's best.  The morning sunlight streaming in the colored glass windows on fabulous handmade goods.

Watercolor prints by Ashley Mae. 

Recycled wool felted goods by Carrie Poulsen of Big Brown House.

Felt sushi, pita pockets and so much more by Bug Bites Play Food.

The softest, cutest cleverly named dollies by Urban Patchwork.

A mind bending amount of work by so many talented artists and crafters go into making the Beehive Bazaar so unique and completely handmade. Thank you everyone who participated- vendors and shoppers, it was better than ever!

ribbon dollies

My Q has been making these ribbon dollies for the Beehive Bazaar this weekend, aren't they so very cute?
To get a dolly for yourself and about a thousand other way awesome things (we just set up the show, so I got a sneak peek...) head out to the Bazaar in Provo UT this Mother's Day weekend.

new goods for the bazaar

smaller messenger bags

drawstring backpacks

ahh, the details...

and a few more drawstring bags 

something for the boys

This bit of clever inspiration came to Steve O as we were puzzling over designing something handmade for boys. It's been feeling nearly impossible to come up with something that boys would appreciate and wear that isn't too cute, girlie or a skull and crossbones- an image I am so done with.
He came up with this luchador mask from lucha libre,  Mexican wrestling (the book shown is Espectacular  de Lucha Libre, fotographias de Lourdes Grobet) and went as far as to draw it all up, cut it all out and everything. Manly enough for sure, I think I'll add it to the very short list of good design out there for the fellas.

I just couldn't pass up these boys, I found these two never used, but previously owned linen tea towels at the local thrift store this week. At first, I had no idea what I was going to do with them, using them as towels was out of the question, within a week they'd be ruined. Make them into oven mitts?... frame them and hang them on the kitchen wall?... no, they aren't that funny... And then it hit me today- I'm thinkin' a little something/something for an apron or two, perhaps on a pocket. Just you wait, I'll see what I can come up with.

My apprentice

Important  qualities for an apprentice:
1. Serious work ethic.
2. Sees what needs to be done and gets it taken care of.
3. Not needy, likes working in his own private space.
4. Fluffy and cheerful- in a quiet sort of way.
5. Works for free, thank goodness.

quilt block tablecloth

How about jazzing up your picnic or party this summer?
I've been cutting up squares from piles and piles of scraps I've have piling up around the sewing room for years now,  and here is the (almost) finished tablecloth (I still need to put a back on this one) . I like the way they are turning out because as it turns out- I've got quite a plethora of vintage and colorful varieties of fabric scraps. These tablecloth/picnic blankets will be available at the Beehive Bazaar, May 5-7 in Provo and soon after on Etsy.

Ahh... spring break

Finally spring break is here. It's time to go south for a week, hopefully to warmer weather- it the very least- it will be raining and not snowing. There will be a lot of sewing, but hopefully some hiking and relaxing too.

Find the camping embroidery pattern from Sublime Stitching here.

Sound of Music drapery costumes, part 2

While leisurely looking through a shoe box full of real photos, we came across some more pictures of the drapery costumes I made years ago- it looks like 2000 or 2001. Here's the moment Rolfe, the evening's host, was asking Gretel about her hurt finger, (as you might recall- that got caught between Kurt's teeth). The cast was real, a broken arm with impeccable timing.

I've now scanned and put up all of the photos I have of that night. So fun- if ever you get a chance to be part of a sing-a-long, and dress up (even better)--> dive in head first.
More pictures here.
Drapery costumes part 1, look here.

rope, sling backpack

OK, here's one of the backpacks I'll be making for the Beehive Bazaar (among other things).

I don't know the official name of this type of backpack, my kids tell me it's a 'ball sack'... um, I think I'll make up my own name, I'm pretty sure I can't call it that with a straight face.

My kids love theirs and have been carrying them to school all week. This is a good thing, especially for my son- since there isn't a lot of 'handmade' out there for the fellas.

only a month away-

I'm sewing (or just cutting out stuff) like crazy these days... goods for the spring Bazaar. I've been working on some new things this year- some are so new- they only exist in cut up stacks, ready to be sewn together.
I made a few really cute sling backpacks this weekend, and I would show them now but they are in use. Snagged and(please Mom, can I have that one?) loaded up- off to school. I guess that's a good sign. I'll get some pictures of the rope backpack up in the next few days, and how about a tutorial too?
To view the other Beehive Bazaar artists look here.
To like Beehive Bazaar on Facebook, and check out the Spring Event, look right here.
To see what the heck a rope sling backpack looks like, look here.

progress

Once again, I'm organizing. I'm frugally sorting through scrap bins and totes, walking down memory lane, and coming across a few surprises- fabric that have been give to me by those who know I sew and collect fabric, somedays- one more than the other. By the way- bring it on- I'll be your Salvation Army drop box anytime. I came up with the saw horse idea yesterday.

I have all these scraps cut into various size strips all wadded up here and there, very hard to keep track of, or make use of. I needed some sort of display/storage system.

I've got this bit of space in the sewing room, by the sink, so I dragged this horsey from the garage and set to work.

It's not very exciting, I suppose, in general... but it has been making me happy all day to see my sewing room get organized and to find what I'm looking for is delightful.


OK, now down to business-
To all you jokester/ April Fool pranksters out there- here's the best prank I can think of... if you can pull it off, it's bound to be talked about for years to come.
It's the old dirty diaper trick, baby shower game. All you need is a fresh disposable diaper, chocolate bar and a microwave. Take the chocolate bar and melt it into the unused disposable diaper- be creative here folks- Snickers, Milky Way, Mounds etc. Then using your best acting skills, you can really gross someone out. Find the diaper, smell it, taste it- you get the picture. Good Luck.

swiss days

I recently learned that I am going to be a vendor at the 2011 Swiss Days Festival in my new hometown, Midway UT, (September 2nd & 3rd, Labor Day weekend). This bit of news is exciting and scary. I have a LOT of stitchery, sewing and all of that work to do, it's going to be a busy year, and I can't wait.

scribble sewing and swirls

fashion district

We stopped into downtown LA's Fashion District to have a wander and pick up a few items of fabric, trim, zippers and what not. Just a bit late in the afternoon- 4 pm- everyone was getting ready to close. Michael Levine, one of my very favorite fabric store was just closing... pretty bummed, (I really needed a bunch of zippers) we found some other goods along the way, like this really great ribbon for Beehive Bazaar items Q will be making for the spring show May 5-7.

a nappy bag

Just finished this specially ordered diaper bag for a local gal. I haven't made any bags since the move.  I had to fumble around the new sewing room looking for all the elements of bag making for quite awhile before I got everything organized, lots of muttering "now, where did I put those... magnetic snaps, zippers, straps and hardware, plastic canvas..." going on.

I've been recently deciding to mix up the fabrics and colors on the outside of the bag, no more "party in the back, business in the front"---> now it's party everywhere/all the time.

This canvasy striped fabric on the inside is super duro, for outdoor furniture I think. You could probably wipe it all down with a wet cloth daily if necessary. Like if your precious little one spit-up in there, baby food spill, diet coke mishap, dirty nappy temporary storage...