Monday, September 19, 2011

Latest Project

Look what I made this weekend.  In my previous post I told you that I was waiting for wool felt, well it arrived and I made this incredibly cute Pocket Pixie Doll this weekend. Pattern courtesy of Gingermelon at Etsy.  She has the cutest patterns!

It's an easy pattern, but it involves stuffing small parts and that presented a challenge.  I loved the fact that I could sew by hand.  I actually enjoy sewing by hand. This pattern required that you use four different stitches.  I think I am beginning to really enjoy embroidery! Not sure I would make one again, maybe only as gifts.  It took me several hours just to create one doll. 

I must say that I do enjoy sewing with felt and the 100% wool felt lives up to it's name.  Much better than the eco-felt.

Let me know what you think if her.  She doesn't have a name, maybe Lavender. 

Her hair is hand sewn on one strand at a time and I used 100% wool yarn.  Her dress has 2 tiny pearl beads for an accent and hand sewn lace on the bottom of her dress.



Happy Crafting everyone.  Take Care.




Thursday, September 15, 2011

Doing the Research

Hi Pigeon Peeps and Crafters,

Hope you all "never forgot" 9/11 this past weekend and so far having a good crafty creative week.  It's almost Friday and where did the time go?  I have been busy going a lot of research on what to create for my shop.  It is quite the challenge because I like working with so much different media and materials that I can't decide on the perfect project.  I enjoy doing so many different things: sewing, painting, calligraphy, macrame, beaded jewelry and the list goes on!

But since I am doing the research I might as well share what I created this past weekend.  I enjoy up cycling fabrics.  If I can find a use for it it makes me happy.  I love all those recycled stuffies that use old wool sweaters and vintage fabric, it's so inspiring! I attempted to make a heat rice therapy bag out of an old clean white t-shirt.  Then created my own applique and used heat bond to iron it on.  It turned out okay. 

Here's how I did it: Basically cut out a square about 3.5" X 5" long, stitched it together and left an opening on one side to add long grain white rice.  Filled it up about 3/4 cup full, then double stitched it to close.  That's it.  Now for the testing and research.  I placed it in the microwave and heated it for about 30 seconds.  Heated up nicely but being t-shirt cotton, it doesn't absorb the moisture like 100% cotton. It felt moist the entire time.  I don't think that would work well perhaps making the rice eventually go bad. So I decided to use it as a bean bag instead.  Problem solved. Lesson learned, when making rice bags use material that absorbs moisture and can breathe.  Like fleece, cottons, and linens. So back to the drawing board. :)

Here's the project:



Have a great rest of the week.  Happy crafting!





Saturday, September 10, 2011

Where did the lights go? Shop Re-opened and Felt!

If you haven't heard by now there was a massive power outage here in my area on Thursday.  We had no power for almost 12 hours.  But everything is back up and running now.  No problems.

Announcement: My shop is now officially reopened. Yay! I am slowly adding my inventory to make room for other new items in the works.  I am constantly thinking of ideas and different materials to work with.  My latest obsession is with felt.  I love it.  It is so fun to sew with.  The possibilities are endless.  I made some little felt creatures with some really inexpensive eco-felt, they turned out okay but cheaper felt has a tendency to pill and pull apart. Really not impressed.  If you are sewing projects with it, I recommend wool blends or 100% wool felt.  Much better quality. 


This is my cute owl.  He is created with eco-felt.  I have ordered some wool and I can't wait to sew with it. i made a few more items that I will post later. 


Enjoy your weekend.  Happy crafting!


 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I am returning with my shop to re-open soon!

Oh my gosh!, It's been so long. It is been a crazy few months personally, but I soon will be up and running again. I actually have be contemplating and whether to re-open the shop.  It's not easy trying to make a go of it and thrive to make ends meet. But there are several reasons why I want to make this happen.  First of all: I enjoy making and creating.  I am totally obsessed really.  I have a room full of craft supplies, an awesome sewing machine that almost cooks itself, and plenty of fabric to sew a quilt or two or three! 

Second of All: My 2 boys are my biggest inspirations. So with that being said AND the fact that my youngest Son, who has Autism and my oldest who just entered high school year are my biggest inspirations.  I just can't face closing up shop.  So my friends, stay tuned. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.  I love feedback.  Take Care Pigeon Peeps and happy crafting!