Sewing Projects for Baby

{Sewing Projects for Baby, 2012}

{Sewn Bird with a Jingle Bell Inside, 2012}

{House Pillow, Front, 2012}

 {House Pillow, Back, 2012}

Even though I have a huge book project I'm working on right now, I have enjoyed making a few things for the little baby boy growing inside me. I have sewn a few toys that are far from perfect, but I hope that he likes them anyways. The bird and cat toys were quick and easy and I made the patterns from tracing paper. I love to make things that way because you never really know what to expect. Usually I don't work from others' patterns. If anything, I often look at sewing projects to get a little inspiration and then go and do my own thing. The house pillow was fun to make but took several sessions to hand stitch the windows and letters. I thought it would be neat to put the word house on the back for someday when he is learning to read. Who knows, maybe I'll make a few more shape and word pillows. I'm also making a little quilt that I will share once its finished. And I  have a few drawing projects that are separate from my book project that I will share soon! It has been a very busy 2012 autumn so far!

Giraffe Plush

{Sewing Project, 2012}

{Sewing Project, 2012}

{Sewing Project, 2012}

I made this giraffe for my friend's baby for Christmas (but only just gave it to her today. oops!) I really enjoy making my own patterns for toys and designing how their faces, limbs, and other add-ons will look. I used a giraffe patterned cotton for the body and felt for the details. I think it turned out pretty cute and I am definitely getting better at using my sewing machine! If you read this blog, I hope you don't mind because I love the satisfaction of creating things out of fabric with my own hands and it is fun to share the results with you!

Cat Plush Toy

{Wool, Cotton and Plastic Eyes, 2012}

{Wool, Cotton and Plastic Eyes, 2012}

I had a vintage 100% wool Lacoste sweater that my mom gave to me (probably from the late 70's) and it was a beautiful dark pink color but over the years some holes formed in the front. I couldn't get rid of it so it has been sitting around in my closet for years. I finally decided that I would felt it by washing it in hot water and tumble drying it. It made a really nice felt and I used part of it to make this little cat plush. I used the sweater for the back and the face. I used a pretty Amy Butler fabric for the front. It is so fun to make squishy little plush toys! I think I might make a bear for my mom out of some of the rest of the sweater. She collects bears and it would be neat to make it out of a familiar sweater. I also have plans to make a few other similar projects. The problem is, when I start sewing, I just don't want to stop! I love it! I have a healthy load of freelance right now too so I try to fit the sewing in when I can.

Holiday Bunting Workshop

{Crafted Project Example, "Noel", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Merry", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Winter Textures", 2011}

{Examples, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

I was asked to create a workshop as part of the Des Moines Art Center's Annual Art Noir Holiday Studio. My holiday bunting project was one of several that included glass blowing, an ugly mitten decorating contest, gift tags, and origami ornaments. Its always a fun event and this was my second year doing a project to teach. I met a lot of fun people and everyone seemed really excited to make their own bunting decoration to cheer up their home! I created three examples to give people a little inspiration and an idea of how the project would look when completed. From there, people got really creative and had really awesome ideas! It is always wonderful to be around creative folk and this event was no exception!

Art Imitates Craft

{Mixed Media Handmade Card with Tatting, 2011}

{Collage and Ink in Sketchbook, 2011}

I've been taking a tatting class at the Des Moines Art Center for the past few weeks. I'm finding that I like the patterns that lace-making inspires. The above image was our first real project with finished examples of tatting. They are little floral rings that I glued to a card. I also added some subtle acrylic details in white. The second image was partially inspired by tatting, but also all of the Indian designs I have been looking at. My dear friend is getting married and since she is Indian, her wedding will also be. Its such a colorful culture and I love looking at all the intricacies in the patterns of fabric, jewelry, paper products and just about everywhere else! The truth is, I usually don't notice how things inspire me until they are done. Then, when I see them side by side, it becomes apparent! I'll be sure to share some more tatting projects if I manage to finish some larger ones.

Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party Planning

{Sewn "Bride" Sash, 2011}

{Handmade Invitations, 2011}

My friend is getting married very soon and I am throwing her a Bridal Shower/Bachelorette Party. She is having a traditional Indian wedding so I wanted to bring that flair into some of the decor. I just completed this sash for her to wear during the festivities. I'm happy with how it turned out. I also created these invitations using different papers, a craft punch, brads, and a little Adobe Illustrator design. Can't wait to get the party going!

Simple Foodie Apron

{Apron Sewing Project, 2011}

{Apron Sewing Project, 2011}

I used Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing, for the basic shape of this apron. I embellished it with a different pocket and used some really fun food fabric that I bought out of a remnant bin several years ago. I think this would be great as a hostess apron for a BBQ; its certainly a conversation starter! Oh, how I love anthropomorphic foods!

Mixed Media Pin Back Buttons

{The New Stash, Mixed Media, 2011}

{Buttons, 2011}

{Some Favorites, 2011}

{More Favorites, 2011}

I spent a good amount of this morning creating mini wearable collages. I have had a button making machine for a few years now and have used it to make several types of buttons. (often featuring my own illustrations.) For this lot of buttons I used found papers, vintage illustrations, vintage texts and magazine clippings. I tried to put together images, words and patterns that spoke to me. I think the chicken buttons are my favorite. I'm really into chickens in general right now! Probably because I consider myself a bit of an urban farmer (but only grow vegetables at the moment) and chickens would be awesome to have!

Friendship Bracelets

{Friendship Bracelets, 2011}

{Friendship Bracelets, 2011}

{Friendship Bracelets, 2011}

I found a really inexpensive and fun tutorial for a breezy summer craft! One of my favorite blogs to read, Fieldguided shared a link to a friendship bracelet DIY project on the Honestly... WTF blog. Making these bracelets made me think of my trips to summer camp and swimming in the lake! Plus, colorful friendship bracelets are all the rage right now! These are the first few I made, but I have enough embroidery floss to do several more for friends!

Good Things Come in Small Packages

{The little package I received, 2011}

{Pin by Jenn, 2011}

{Fabric Ring by Jenn, 2011}

{Flower Hair Clip by Jenn, 2011}

{Flower Hair Clip by Jenn, 2011}

My new niece (by marriage but the family tree is too confusing to delve into) sent me this sweet little package earlier this week. It contained a few of my very favorite things; flowers, accessories and a pretty little touch of patriotism. Her husband is currently serving in the United States Marines and my husband is a Marine Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (this is only the first of several parallels that seem to link us.) Jenn is a creator, a thrifter, and seems to share a similar sense of humor. I met her for the first time during Christmas because geographical locations make regular visits impossible. I instantly liked her and I think she is such a wonderful addition to the family! Check out her blog: Jenn Camling Blog I think you'll like it! Her spirit and honesty really shines through.

Pretty Paper Pinwheels

{Crepe Paper Pinwheel, 2011}

{Crepe Paper Pinwheel, 2011}

{Crepe Paper Pinwheels, 2011}

I made these paper crafts for a friend's baby shower and saved them after the festivities were done so I could decorate for Valentine's Day. I watched and read about a lot of tutorials on crepe paper crafts and flowers and I didn't find anything that I especially liked. After experimenting with a few ideas of my own, I came up with these little pinwheel shapes by creasing the crepe paper and forming circles. I used a craft punch to make the center shape of the pinwheel and taped them together. Paper crafting is one of my favorite activities and I had fun creating these.

Crafty Projects: Teacups and Scarves

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Pilea Plant Care Guide, 2011}

{Teacups with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

I planted several Pilea plants in vintage teacups as Christmas presents for friends this year. Pilea plants have tiny leaves and are really easy to grow. I used a Martha Stewart craft punch to make the rabbit shapes and glued them onto toothpicks (added eyes and rosy cheeks with a marker too!). I made a little care guide to go with the plants, wrapped them up and sent them on their happy little way! The care guide was made using watercolor images that I Photoshopped together. Maybe you'll recognize the imagery from this post!

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

My other recent project, that I made last night, was an infinity scarf. If you have followed this blog for awhile, you know I dabble in sewing. I really like the satisfaction of making something useful with my own hands. Part of the reason I made this is due to my New Year's resolution. For the year of 2011 I vow to not buy any new clothing. I also started a new blog to chronicle my year of handmade, upcycling and coping with not shopping. (Many of my blog friends don't know this, but I LOVE shopping! This is going to be hard.) If you want to read more about my year without new clothes you can visit it at 7YearsBack. I'll be sharing more writing and projects for handmade living over there. Of course anything creative, such as this infinity scarf, will always have a mention on this blog. Though, probably with less explanation! In general, I like this blog to be less wordy and more image focused.

Happy Little Things

{Etsy Treasury Featured Artist, 2010}

*Click HERE to visit treasury!*

{Etsy Treasury Featured Artist, 2010}

*Click HERE to visit treasury!*

I'm super excited to be a featured artist in a few treasuries on Etsy! You can still get 15% off until December 24th by using the Coupon Code CIBLOGSALE at checkout. Even if you are done with your holiday shopping, why not get something for yourself? Thanks for visiting my shop!

{Printed Tag Sheet from Previous Post, 2010}

I printed out some of the tags that I had created as a free download for this blog! If you still need a few tags or have some wrapping paper that matches, visit my post from yesterday to get yours!

{Completed Tags, 2010}

I used some ribbon and crafty scissors to cut my tags out for a little extra flair! They actually print out more colorfully than shown in the pictures. My husband has been in Israel with work so I let him take the Nikon and have his Fuji. I'm glad he took the Nikon, but I will be happy to have it back soon!

Free Holiday Gift Tag Sheet

{Gift Tags, Watercolor and Digital, 2010}

I used a collection of watercolor images and photoshop to create a part of a Christmas gift for my friends, but I can't share that just yet! Until then, I have used that same collection of images and created a gift tag sheet just for you! Just follow the simple instructions below!

For best results:

1. Click on the image and zoom in.
2. Either drag to desktop or right click and save.
3. Print
4. Cut out and enjoy!

Sugar Skulls

{Completed Sugar Skulls, 2010}

{Materials: Royal Icing, Sequins, Colored Foils and Sugar Skull, 2010}

{Frida Kahlo Inspired Sugar Skull, 2010}

{Sugar Skull Detail, 2010}

{Sugar Skull Detail, 2010}

{Sugar Skulls from above, 2010}

The Des Moines Art Center asked me to decorate sugar skulls for the annual Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). This is the Art Center's 10th anniversary of this ritual event and they needed some new skulls decorated for the display in the museum. The altar display honors those who were leaders within the Hispanic culture of Des Moines, Iowa. To read more about the event at the Des Moines Art Center click HERE. If you are in the area I highly suggest attending the event! It is a colorful, culturally rich day with music, food and great art.