Artist Trading Cards- Steam Punk

I was going for Steam punk with goggles but I think I got a little Planet of the Apes in there too!  I used collage, real typewriter pages from 25 years ago, gears, guitar parts scrounged from the workshop, vintage lace and magazine photos.  Then I painted it all with coffee to give it a more aged look.  After the swap, I was left with the 3 big gorilla faces.  Maybe a little too freaky?  It was fun making them.

Organizing your Closet for Spring

Each new season, I like to go through my closet and weed out.  I've been getting newsletters from Get Buttoned Up with organizing tips.  This recent article, "Simple Closet Switches" suggests buying flat, flocked hangers to streamline and unify your closet.  I totally agree.  I bought some and it actually helped make more space because I replaced bulkier hangers with the flat ones.  Tip #4 though, I don't agree with completely.  I do have a door shoe rack, but mine has closed pockets and hangs on the lower half of the door.  The one shown in the article has open shelves and looks like it is face level on the door.  I don't want the bottoms of my shoes right in my face every time I go in the closet!  The Buttoned Up newsletter has lots of great articles and ideas to keep me motivated. 

Ceramic Easter Bunny and Buttons

We love All Fired Up!  Here is my latest:

I painted him like a patchwork, with stitching around the edges!

Surrounded by roses my kids made in school.

And 3 buttons, because I can never resist buttons.

Class: Alterations and Repairs

Henrico County Adult Education Class Starting Soon!

We had a packed class for Beginning Sewing, full of enthusiastic students.  Great job everyone!

Next up-

Clothing Alterations and Repairs

Save money by fixing the clothes you already own.

Starting April 9, 2013, 6:30-9:00pm

 

Sign up deadline is March 26, 2013!

For more details and to sign up-

www.henrico.k12.va.us/adulteducation

Easy Table Runner

Using this super easy flip quilt pattern, I sewed this graphic table runner in black and white with pops of hot pink and touches of periwinkle and green.  The runner is longer than the above photo.

Here is a close up of the binding and corners.  This pattern is perfect for non-quilters and

un-perfectionists!  A great way to use up scraps too.

Silk Shantung Dress with Asymmetrical Hem

My middle school daughter made this dress for an art project.  I was pattern maker and technical advisor, she designed and sewed it.  It is silk shantung with an asymmetrical hem, shirred waistband, lined in purple cotton.

The dress also had a box to go with it (part of the project).

She made/drew/sculpted everything except the ceramic bathtub and the tiny clothes pins.  She even made the blue grass by individually gluing yarn down.

Her project (along with others) has been chosen to be on display at a local boutique.

Free Skirt Class Give-Away from Quilting Adventures!

Great opportunity- Quilting Adventures is giving away a free spot in my upcoming skirt class!  For all the details, click on the link and good luck!

Feline Friday- Sewing runs in the Family

Two paperweight kitties in their new home!  My aunt (who inspired me to start sewing in the first place) sent me this picture of her new cats along side of a puppy made by my grandmother (also inspiring).  Actually my mom was the first one to teach me how to sew, on her old black metal Singer (I remember the smell of machine oil and the hesitating hum of the engine before it took off- ahhh I was hooked). Soon I'll be posting a picture of my daughter's school art project- a dress.  So yes, sewing does run in the family!