Parade Print in Orange from Helen Rawlinson, $17.29.
Pretty Pachyderm, $42 from Nifty Kidstuff.
Washi Tape Organizer from 464 Handmade, $30.
Crocheted Hearts, $6 from Viola’s Boutique.
Tangerine Checker Throw Pillow, $58 from B. Perrino Quilts.
Fabric Bundle, $13 from Cottonholic.
Kokeshi Doll Tooth Pillow from During Quiet Time, $16.
Echino Dot Fabric Fat Quarter, $4.25 from Charm Stitch.
Bright Quilt Wood Wall Hanging, $195 from Gary Park.
I haven’t been working on any projects that I can show you now, but my kids have. My 9-year-old got a Bebichhichi doll from the Japan store when we were in Epcot a couple of weeks ago, so she made a house for the doll. Remember Monchhichi? Oh, these little versions are so cute. I think this is the beginning of a collection. Just what we need. Anyway, my daughter is having fun working on the house and furniture.
And my seven-year-old is learning to sew! She was so eager to learn and I knew she’d have more fun learning from someone else, so I signed her up for classes at Whipstitch, where she learned to make this too cute kitty. Looks like she picked out some of Rashida’s fabric for her project! And I’ve discovered if you hate turning fabric tubes, let your kids do it! Their tiny little fingers do it much faster.
Exciting news! I’m working on a follow-up to 1, 2, 3 Sew. The new book will be called 1, 2, 3 Quilt and — you guessed it — it will be all about quilts, including quilted and patchwork projects! I’m excited to be working with Chronicle Books again. This book will be geared towards beginning quilters and those with more experience who are looking to try new designs and techniques.
I just finally finished up a couple of quilts I’ve been working on for a while (not for the book). One is the Crossed Quilt Block that I wrote about last spring and another is a baby quilt. On the crossed quilt, I made the quilting in a wonky pattern just like the crosses. I’ve got a new free motion machine that I’ve enjoyed working with and am loving the handmade look it creates and am enjoying the quilting process, but still not a fan of binding quilts. But I love the puckered look of a freshly washed quilt.
The book will include some very finished, manicured looking quilts as well as those with a more handmade aesthetic. So I’m curious — what kind of quilts do you like? What would you like to make? Modern, traditional — a mix? What techniques do you most want to learn? What are you afraid to try? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as I’m working on the book. The book will be available in Fall 2013!
Quilting
Paper Crafts
Crafts
Be sure to check out my tutorial round-ups from 2010, 2009 and 2008.
Happy New Year!
Just thought I’d pop in to write another quick post about our holidays. In addition to giving a few handmade things, we received a few as well. My mother-in-law gave us a nice fair-trade nativity set made of magazines, including this figure below. My nine-year-old saw these and immediately starting rolling magazine pages, so we need to work on a project soon.
My mother gave the girls these vintage monogrammed handkerchiefs, thinking they could be the “something blue” for their weddings. As they are only seven and nine right now, she’s really planning ahead!
And I’ve been ordering fabric from some of my favorite fabric shops (Fabricworm, Lola Pink Fabrics and Sew, Mama, Sew!). I’m working on a big new project — details soon!
The holiday stuff is all packed away now as I’m a bit superstitious about leaving it up after New Year’s Day. My favorites are these vintage ornaments that belonged to my great uncle. Still in their original box!
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy new year!
