Tiny coat and the like...

I couldn't help myself...After seeing Emily Martin's (Black Apple) Knitting Kitty doll and her tiny felt accessories, I had to make some for my own little lady (who has yet to be named...any suggestions?).

Here's Emily's Knitting Kitty doll....I'm sure you can see how I was inspired :)

Knitting Kitty

(to see more go to http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/ )

Now all she needs is a name...and maybe some friends :)

Black Apple Doll

I was inspired by Emily Martin's (of Black Apple) adorable dolls and spent today making one of my own. Isn't she a cutie? I especially love her scarf, bow, and button. Maybe I'll make her a felt jacket and shoes...

Liberty of London Purse

I finally decided what to do with one of my new Liberty of London fabrics. I'm not going to lie, I'm proud of it. I tried new things...sewing in a zipper, making my own pattern, using interfacing, piping, etc. The strap is from another bag I had. (It was removable and I never really used it.)

And....TADA!

Now I just need to decide what to do with this :)

So darn cute!

I came across this craft on another blog and can't wait to make one for myself! These dollies were created by Emily Martin who is the top seller on Etsy. Visit her blog at http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/ and be bombarded by adorableness!

Check out this link for a free template and video tutorial:

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show

And thanks to sew-ing.blogspot for sharing the idea :)

Bag Lady

I recieved my order from PurlSoho.com and couldn't wait to turn it into something! I made another multi-compartment tote. You may be wondering, "What do you do when you have ten of them?" Yes, a love for sewing does tend to lead to many finished projects laying around waiting for a purpose (especially when you only know how to sew certain things). But I like to believe that "practice makes perfect" and the more I make, the better quality they are...and the more I have to give away and/or sell. In any case, who wouldn't love a cute bag with so many convenient pockets to put things?

Now what to do with my Liberty of London fabrics??? Update coming soon :)

Handmade Journals

Art + Life Journal:
Hand-stitched binding
Paper, recycled cardboard, ribbon, lace

Artful Ideas Journal:

Rubber band binding

Cardboard, recycled map, paper, raffia

Bike ride to the fabric store

Today we had gorgeous fall weather! It was the perfect day for bike-riding and sewing by an open window. I pedaled over to Joann's Fabrics and spent over an hour looking through fabrics to make a bag from my Martha Stewart encyclopedia. Nearly everything in the store was on sale so there was a lot to choose from. I left with half a yard of this, half a yard of that, 6 yard of bias tape, 2 skeins of yarn, a Diet Coke, and a pack of Twizzlers.

The rest of my afternoon was spent in my breezy craft room at my sewing machine making this...

Pin Cushion

Why buy one when you can make your own?

Space to Create

Today I was inspired to turn the desk in my spare bedroom into a craft workspace. After organizing my fabric scraps, buttons, ribbon, sequins, rubber stamps, and various other materials I realized how convenient it all was just sitting there together. Why hadn't I done this before? Now, more than ever, I'm inspired to utilize this room and make stuff!




Once everything had found a place (Jacquie, you left those big jars here! I hope you don't mind that I'm using them) and I'd pinned some inspirational clippings on the wall, it still felt like something was missing....and I knew just what it was!



Meet my new sewing machine (my first very own sewing machine). Her name is Simple, and according to the box she came in, she was "Hand-picked by Martha." Stewart, that is.

Until now I've relied on borrowing my Mother's and friends' machines (and snuck into the sewing lab a couple times during college...ssshhh!). Now that I finally have my own I just can't wait to create a plethora of fun projects!

Another new discovery I made today was a website called PurlSOHO.com. TONS of adorable fabric and every other sewing/knitting/crafting thing you could need. See for yourself...

http://www.purlsoho.com/purl

I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time in here this weekend :)

Felt Flowers

Felt Flowers:
Felt, buttons, thread, hot glue
Pins, barret, ring

Children's Book

Children's Book:
Blank hardcover book from Bare Books
Illustrations - watercolor

Crocheted Clutch

Crocheted Clutch:
Wool yarn, embroidery thread, plastic button

Felt Critters

Felt Critters:
Hand-sewn
Felt, embroidery thread, fiber fill

Accordion Book

Accordion Book:
Front & Back Cover - recycled cardboard
Pages - black construction paper
Illustrations - catalog clippings and rubber stamp design
Wooden toggle closture

Recipe Journal

Personalized recipe journal:
Molskine notebook, hand-drawn colored pencil illustration

(Make sure to spell-check when you make yours! :) )

Oh Martha...

Yesterday I was at Barnes and Noble and found this amazing book while browsing the crafting section. Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts is AMAZING. From basic techniques for sewing, fabric dyeing, embroidery, printing (and more) to 150 awesome projects, I was more than inspired to take it home and try one immediately. There are a wide variety of projects, which I like because lots of craft books have multiple projects for just one craft like book-making, decor, clothing, toys, organization, etc. Martha has all these (plus so many more than I mentioned)! What's even more awesome, the book comes with a CD of all the patterns and templates used in the book. Anyway, you get the idea. I love this book.

I've even completed my first project...


...What should I try next?

I've got the itch to stitch.

Two of the greatest traits I've aquired from my Mother is her creativity and craftiness. As far back as I can remember she has sewn my clothes, costumes, and toys...baked my birthday cakes, apaulstered our furniture, sewn our curtains, painted murals on our walls, wove baskets and so much more. Still today she is an avid rubber-stamper and card-crafter. Creating brings us joy. Being able to make something useful and beautiful with your own hands is satisfying and inspiring.

I decided to begin this blog to share my crafting ideas, projects, favorite tools, and other artists/crafters who inspire me.

"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."

- Camille Pissarro