I'm so excited.
It's finally out.
Stitch's Spring issue (not really a sentence, more like a phrase, but work with me here)
That's my pillow.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Three Words
(per sentence)
I'm so excited.
It's finally out.
Stitch's Spring issue (not really a sentence, more like a phrase, but work with me here)
That's my pillow.
I'm so excited.
It's finally out.
Stitch's Spring issue (not really a sentence, more like a phrase, but work with me here)
That's my pillow.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Edible Scraps Basket
Like probably everyone that sews, I am blessed (cursed?) with an abundance of scraps. Except, I have two categories of scraps, one of which I can't seem to part with. I have leftovers of beautiful fabrics purchased at stores or gifted to me by friends. Those are much loved, but, if I feel those bits are too small to be of any use, I can be pretty unsentimental about discarding them. Then there are my hand dyed scraps.
These are left over from projects I've made for personal use or gifting as well as remnant pieces from items I've made for my store. Some of these strips and squares are really quite teeny. But I can't quite bring myself to get rid of them.
I don't want though to just collect them. I make variety packs of these fabrics for my shop, but the scraps in this basket are too small for that. It has been a real quandary and I didn't have any great ideas for using these scraps.
And then I bought this cookbook and took a nap. But before I fell asleep I was browsing this recipe.
As if by magic, when I woke up I knew what I wanted to do with at least some of the scraps. I hadn't made the recipe yet, so I don't think it was the flavor that inspired me, but rather the colors on the page. I cut and sewed some of the bits together with the cookbook open to this recipe.
Maybe it wasn't the colors on the page, but the nap that clarified for me what I should piece the scraps into. It could have even been the oreo cookies I ate after my nap. I don't know, but I feel like I've made a dent into that basket of scraps. Just a little dent, though, more like a ding.
These are left over from projects I've made for personal use or gifting as well as remnant pieces from items I've made for my store. Some of these strips and squares are really quite teeny. But I can't quite bring myself to get rid of them.
I don't want though to just collect them. I make variety packs of these fabrics for my shop, but the scraps in this basket are too small for that. It has been a real quandary and I didn't have any great ideas for using these scraps.
And then I bought this cookbook and took a nap. But before I fell asleep I was browsing this recipe.
As if by magic, when I woke up I knew what I wanted to do with at least some of the scraps. I hadn't made the recipe yet, so I don't think it was the flavor that inspired me, but rather the colors on the page. I cut and sewed some of the bits together with the cookbook open to this recipe.
Maybe it wasn't the colors on the page, but the nap that clarified for me what I should piece the scraps into. It could have even been the oreo cookies I ate after my nap. I don't know, but I feel like I've made a dent into that basket of scraps. Just a little dent, though, more like a ding.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Mini Quilt Monday
Whew! Made it by the skin of my teeth. It's been a busy morning, but I'm ready with my mini quilt and links to some other folks who've made minis as well.
But, before I get to that I thought I'd mention that my my work is being featured today on Scoutie Girl, a terrific design blog. Not only that but there's a link to my store on the site and that will be up all week. How cool is that? So, if you have a second, hop on over there and check that out.
OK, on to this week's mini quilt.
I had to take these pictures pretty quickly as it was starting to rain just as I got outside. This week's mini is a wee bit bigger than last week's, but still well within the parameters of a mini, I think. All the interior squares are dyed to mimic piecing with the technique that I described in my Quilting Arts article last December.
A fellow flickrite and I are admining (real word or product of the internet?) a group on flickr to feature over dyed and discharged fabric. If you've been experimenting with these processes or think you might in the future, or just want to see what folks are coming out with, Here's a link to that.
Also, check out the mini beauties made by Marty , Jacquie , and Melissa . I'm quite taken with them.
I'm not done with my Monday mini quilt madness ( now that's alliteration my high school English teacher would have been proud of). I'm sure you're all aware that the upcoming month of May conveniently begins with the letter M. It's practically kismet then that Mini Quilt Mondays continue through May. So, look for more of those here at the start of the work week and, by all means, let me know if you'd like to participate. You can make a mini for one Monday, or the even numbered Mondays or all of them. Just drop me an email (malka@stitchindye.com) anytime before 10:00 am CST on a given Monday and I'll link to your image or post.
But, before I get to that I thought I'd mention that my my work is being featured today on Scoutie Girl, a terrific design blog. Not only that but there's a link to my store on the site and that will be up all week. How cool is that? So, if you have a second, hop on over there and check that out.
OK, on to this week's mini quilt.
I had to take these pictures pretty quickly as it was starting to rain just as I got outside. This week's mini is a wee bit bigger than last week's, but still well within the parameters of a mini, I think. All the interior squares are dyed to mimic piecing with the technique that I described in my Quilting Arts article last December.
A fellow flickrite and I are admining (real word or product of the internet?) a group on flickr to feature over dyed and discharged fabric. If you've been experimenting with these processes or think you might in the future, or just want to see what folks are coming out with, Here's a link to that.Also, check out the mini beauties made by Marty , Jacquie , and Melissa . I'm quite taken with them.
I'm not done with my Monday mini quilt madness ( now that's alliteration my high school English teacher would have been proud of). I'm sure you're all aware that the upcoming month of May conveniently begins with the letter M. It's practically kismet then that Mini Quilt Mondays continue through May. So, look for more of those here at the start of the work week and, by all means, let me know if you'd like to participate. You can make a mini for one Monday, or the even numbered Mondays or all of them. Just drop me an email (malka@stitchindye.com) anytime before 10:00 am CST on a given Monday and I'll link to your image or post.
Friday, April 24, 2009
We have a winner!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway. It was so much fun to read your comments, especially your varying descriptions of disgust with the discarded gum.
According to the random number generator, comment #75 is the winner.
Also, for those who plan on posting a Monday mini quilt, whether here or on flickr, feel free to email me a link and I'll include it in Monday's post.
I'll be back in this space on Monday with my Mini Quilt Monday contribution.
Have a lovely weekend!
According to the random number generator, comment #75 is the winner.
Also, for those who plan on posting a Monday mini quilt, whether here or on flickr, feel free to email me a link and I'll include it in Monday's post.
I'll be back in this space on Monday with my Mini Quilt Monday contribution.
Have a lovely weekend!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
An Earth Day Don't and Do
Don't:
Litter by sticking your chewing gum in a nearby potted palm.
I started to take the picture because I was struck by the pink/green color combination. But then as I focused through my view finder, I realized that the "pretty pink thing" was actually gum. Yuck!
Do:
Use recyclable cloth totes to carry your groceries, sundries, science experiments, etc.
This one is crafted out of my hand dyed and patterned fabric with interfaced and stitched handles.
And it's reversible.
Also it could be yours because, in honor of Earth Day, I'm giving this tote away. Just leave me a comment and I'll enter you into the drawing for the bag.
I'll select a random winner and announce the name on my blog this Friday.
OK, now have a Happy Earth Day!
Litter by sticking your chewing gum in a nearby potted palm.
I started to take the picture because I was struck by the pink/green color combination. But then as I focused through my view finder, I realized that the "pretty pink thing" was actually gum. Yuck!
Do:
Use recyclable cloth totes to carry your groceries, sundries, science experiments, etc.
This one is crafted out of my hand dyed and patterned fabric with interfaced and stitched handles.
And it's reversible.
Also it could be yours because, in honor of Earth Day, I'm giving this tote away. Just leave me a comment and I'll enter you into the drawing for the bag.
I'll select a random winner and announce the name on my blog this Friday.
OK, now have a Happy Earth Day!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Mini Quilt Monday
Why is it Mini Quilt Monday? Is my adoration for adroit alliteration not a good enough reason to declare it Mini Quilt Monday?
Will Mini Quilt Monday be a regular feature? I can't commit because nothing spells disaster for an idea better than commitment, but I will say that I do have the makings for another mini quilt on my design wall.
Can anyone else play along? Hey, who am I to stand in the way of the creation of more mini quilts?
Nuff said.
p.s. I'll be adding the mini quilt along with a few other goodies to my shop if you're interested.
Will Mini Quilt Monday be a regular feature? I can't commit because nothing spells disaster for an idea better than commitment, but I will say that I do have the makings for another mini quilt on my design wall.
Can anyone else play along? Hey, who am I to stand in the way of the creation of more mini quilts?
Nuff said.
p.s. I'll be adding the mini quilt along with a few other goodies to my shop if you're interested.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Stars
In my garden...
and on my bed.
I worked on this pillow sham off and on for a while. The stars were pieced using a paper piecing technique and then appliqued onto some white linen. I decided to stipple quilt the bulk of the background because I wanted texture but without an organized pattern. I think that the second sham, in keeping with the celestial theme need to be something like planets or moons.
I'm so enjoying having this bit of handmade goodness on my bed. So often I make things like this to give or sell. It's nice to have some of it close by to enjoy.
and on my bed.
I worked on this pillow sham off and on for a while. The stars were pieced using a paper piecing technique and then appliqued onto some white linen. I decided to stipple quilt the bulk of the background because I wanted texture but without an organized pattern. I think that the second sham, in keeping with the celestial theme need to be something like planets or moons.
I'm so enjoying having this bit of handmade goodness on my bed. So often I make things like this to give or sell. It's nice to have some of it close by to enjoy.
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Love the bag - count me in for your giveaway please. Happy E/day!