I have moved...

Hi There,

After a long absence, and transition.  I now have a new blog and a new name.  I covers my creative side of course, but this blog is geared to drawing, hand lettering and design projects: My Etsy store is still active but I have also changed the name and I currently have no items for sale.  I am completely changing the focus to being more graphics related.   This is my final post here.  If you are interested please head on over to my new wordpress blog:  Blue Pigeon Studios.  Thank you for your understanding.

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.



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!

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!

 

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!

Take a Peek

Lately I have testing many of my items in the shop to see whether or not I would get any interest, it's been a journey and everyday I try and make a go if it. 

Also my computer problem seems to be solved.  Just needed a clean up and maintenance!

Back in December for the Christmas holiday, I made several I spy bags.  They are hit with many kids, including Yours truly.  This weekend I whipped up three to eventually place in the shop but I wanted to give you preview.  These are fun to make.  They aren't quite finished yet because I need list of trinkets and a picture card attached to the bags.  I wanted something to place the cards in and those are on order.  BUT I might just as well laminate.  Anybody know of an inexpensive laminating machine at a reasonable cost.  I don't need anything large nor fancy.  One that does business cards will certainly do.

Here's the promised preview:



Autism Awareness!





What's Inside.



Besides creating some really cool "I-Spy" bags,  I was experimenting with potholders.  I enjoy all the kitchen novelty fabrics and just having fun with it.  This potholder is a cute bright green with orange giraffes.  So bright and cheery!

I apologize for the last image.  My camera washed out the color.  The true color is more of the first image.  Enjoy the pictures. 

Hope everyone is having a great day. 

Autism Awareness, Technical Stuff, and other Mumbo Jumbo.

April is Autism Awareness Month and tomorrow is "World Autism Day."  Hope you can support it!

My story with Autism is an adventure, but here is a very shortened version. From the very beginning in the womb I knew something was not right.  My son would toss and turn constantly and keep me from sleeping.  He could not stay still and I don't think he was very happy inside my belly. He didn't like to be held, wiggle and stream to be set free. As a toddler his speech never progressed, so we did test after test.  His doctor thought he was just slow developmentally. Pushing ahead a few years educators and doctors finally diagnosed him with Autism at six years of age. He is a verbal child and he can not tell how his day has gone, but he can certainly give many hugs. He is the most sweet precious boy and I wouldn't change him for the world. This graphic sums Autism up rather well. Keep in mind that Autism is different with every individual, that is why it is considered a spectrum disorder.

I have been out of sorts lately but, but now in sorts! I enjoy the blog hops and parties, but truthfully I find it difficult to surf the web lately.  I can't visit my favorite blogs with out having my computer freeze and this is sad. :( So I limit my visits for fear of crashing!

Case in point I am having to re-type my entire post because of frozen computer issues.

With that in mind, I have a new FB page.  Please let me know what you think.  I will use it for updates, happenings and keeping in touch with my followers.

I also have a new website, it's a WIP (work in progress), so bare with me.  I would like to eventually email my followers with a newsletter and anyone who stops by and leaves their contact info.  You can say "NAY" if you like, I know that people don't like alot of junk in their box. 

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their crafty adventures.

Take Care,

Show and Tell

New stuff in the works:  Personalized Heat therapy rice bags.  Is that cool or what? I have been busy brewing up new ideas and everytime I come up with something different.  It's a good feeling to know that the more I think the better my ideas get!

You can personalize them with your name up to 5 letters or how about just your initials. Size will vary, large, small, medium, etc.  Great for everyone in the family including: Grandma, Grandpa, Brides and Grooms. How about the Geek in your life? Perhaps a little gaming jargon. LOL,BFF, ROFL, OMG, 1337(not sure what one is) A special date maybe?  The possibilities are endless.

I hand draw all the letters and then zig-zag stitch.  They are backed with heat-bond lite for stability. 

Let me know what you think and I will pass it along to my friend the pigeon who visits our patio every morning for some tasty tidbits.  This pigeon happens to be gray. :)

 Hope all is well with my pigeon peeps.  Happy Crafting!

Need your opinions on new ideas! Can you Help?

Hi Pigeon Peeps,

I have been coming up with some pretty good ideas lately, but I wanted to ask for your opinion. I am not having much luck in the marketing area.  But it's not my area of expertise.  I wanted some opinions or comments on some new ideas that might be of interest.  Thought about creating some really cool pillow covers with cute sayings on the pillow.  I make my own letters and that is the fun part. I made a sample one. What do you think?

I think they have potential and choosing the right fabrics that grab the attention helps too.

Then I thought about creating some different stuffies to add to the owl collection.  I created a new one and I am calling her "Krazy Kittums!"  She is a little tweaked because working with certain fabrics tend to be a challenge.  Embroidery isn't easy on soft stretchy fabrics. But I made a good attempt.

So there you have it.  My latest creations.  Happy crafting peeps.

Shameless plugs...how much is too much

I was on a roll last week with creating a few owls for the shop and I actually created another Valentine owl different from my larger owls.  I am Feeling a bit discouraged because I do get a few views but that's about it. I am on facebook (putting shameless plugs there on my personal page), twitter and I enjoy the blog hops, but  I don't have the time to join the parties.  It's either work to craft stuff for the store, and neglect the blog.  I find that listing the items takes a tremendous amount of time too.  Maybe I am just trying to hard and have too much going.  I want to write on my other blogs, but there again, that would take time away from the goal of trying to make a go of  the shop.  I asked a friend about my dilemma, she suggested craft fairs.  Okay idea if your not hesitant about going out there and putting forth the effort or time.   My point is I don't want this blog to sound like a constant advertisement for the shop, but I feel like that it's turning out to be that way.  But most of items I create are for the shop.  I might just  have to change the way my blog functions.

Forgive me if  I sound like "Donkey" from Whinny the Pooh. I know things will improve, gotta keep the faith.

 Happy Crafting Peeps,

Be My Valentine♥

Hi Peeps,


 Wanted to share with you my newest owls!  These are perfect for up coming Valentines Day!  Share the Love and Hugs!

♥Valentine Owl Stuffy♥

 

 

 

 

 

♥Hot Pink Valentine Owl♥

Enjoy!  Hope all is well with everyone and you continue to be inspired by what people have created.

Newest Creations!

Have been getting my creative juices going.  I put a new Owl in the shop.  I need to do some more marketing of my items.  The owl is made with a very soft and fluffy fabric.  It is comparable to minky or soft pile fleece.  In the works is an owl I am creating for up and coming Valentine's Day.  So stay tuned! A perfect gift!

Sewed up a potholder recently, because the one I had in the kitchen had seen it's last days.  It a made entirely from 100% linen and imported Japanese linen, what a cute print.  I used three different prints. Check it out.

I also have a new blog.  I know, I know, I don't keep up with the one that I have but it's a blog about my other passions and random ramblings.  So check it out: Passionate Montage and see what you think.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Enjoy crafting and creating peeps.