Embroidery: first attempt

This is my first attempt at embroidery. It was a lot of fun, easy, but harder than I expected. It's on a tea towel, and the design is my own. I used a heat transfer pencil to trace my design then ironed it on to the towel.

Throw pillows

New pillow cases for some old throw pillows. They are inspired by some pillows a friend had on her couch. I hope to post the pattern soon.

More current projects

I've started doodling. These are some invites for various weddings.

beep… beep…

This is a birthday card I made for some friends. Their boys turned 2 a couple of weeks ago, and have been going through a construction phase for a while.

I used 3 screens per image (gold, green, and white). Alignment was a little bit of an issue with this one.

Playing with printing

I've been playing with linoleum block printing lately. This is a print I made from a picture I took of a sign in Noe Valley.

Current Projects

Along with my knitting I'm currently working on lots of fun things right now. Above are snippets of some invitations and cards.

Mazzercise

I felt the need...

Vase Cozy

I made this for my sister a couple of Christmases ago. It's 2 pieces of garter stitch sewn around a vase I purchased from ikea using a blanket stitch. The yarn was from my stash.

Version 2

I've created both of these before in different colors. The french press cozy is a request from my uncle, and the cat is for my cousin who is about to have a baby. When I find something I like knitting with that is also machine washable, I'll knit her something useful like clothes ;)

Coffee press cozy:
I discovered the french press cozy pattern from Derek & Lauren via Design Sponge. The wooden buttons are from Britex fabrics, and the fibers are from Imagiknits and are a wool and a wool silk blend. The request was for woodsy colors because the recipient is retiring from the forest service. So, I chose the darker green fiber because it has a texture that reminds me of moss when knitted.

Kate:
Kate is made up of kid mohair and wool blends also from Imagiknits. The creator of her pattern and many other fun things is Jess Hutchison. If you like her style you may also like the knitted creations by Anna over at Mochimochiland

Renegades

I managed to make it to the Renegade Craft fair this weekend. What a fun show! I didn't have my camera on me so I tried to makes notes of some of my favorites. I did make it out with a new skein of handspun yarn from Betsy ply. I can't wait to play with it.

Squeaky and Fuzzy

I've always wanted to try softies. We have some company staying with us this weekend (Beulah the pug) so I decided to make some quickie toys. The used toy store down the street gave these guys up, originally a rabbit and a lion. I removed rattles and crinkle paper and placed squeakers in them to make them more appealing.

Needle felting nonsense

Lately I've had the urge to try out dry felting. I knitted and wet felted this purse a long time ago, and only use it occasionally. So, I thought it would be a good canvas to practice on. I started trying to follow the lines, got bored, and started doodling.

A daycation up the coast

James and I drove up the coast on the PCH a few weekends ago. We stopped whenever we felt like it. The whole trip was gorgeous. Below are a few pictures of crafty things that caught my eye.

We stopped in a small used bookstore where we payed what we thought the books were worth. We picked up a few goodies, and I shot a picture of the cover of this book because I like the print and type.



There was a yarn shop in Point Reyes along the way, and of course I had to stop. The owner had these awesome plushies on display. Owls are the new deer.

An Invasion

These are a gift for my man. They are gouache, thread, and ink jet on water color paper sandwiched between 2 pieces of acrylic and a piece of acetate. After finding out how easy it is to have acrylic cut and drilled, I hope to do some more projects with it.

Courtney von Albright

After seeing someone in this dress version C (the dress furthest in the back), I decided I had to have it. Unfortunately she purchased it from a vintage shop. I researched the dress and found this vintage pattern. The fabric shot on the right minus the adorable puppy in the middle is my practice fabric. I'm almost finished with the dress and minus a few squiggly lines it fits pretty well. Since beginning this project I've noticed Diane von Furstenberg's work everywhere and really started to admire it when I see it. This could get expensive ;)

Bridesmaid's belt

This past weekend I attended the wedding of a friend. The bridesmaids, bride and I are all close friends which made for a really fun time. Since we all used to knit together, The bride decided to incorporate it into our outfits. She designed the belts and we all worked on them leading up to the wedding.

Two weddings and a clutch

I am in two weddings in May both of which I can't wait for. I've been looking for a clutch I could use for both weddings, but since one wedding has white accents and the other has ivory accents it narrowed the possibilities quite a bit. After much unsuccessful searching, I decided to pull out my new sewing machine and make one myself. This is my second project on a sewing machine and I'm really getting in to it.

Both fabrics for this piece were purchased at Britex in San Francisco. The exterior fabric is textured and is ivory with white accents The liner is silk and a print by a designer named Anna Sui

Pattern notes: This pattern w/ Uhandbags instructions was really simple. I used only one piece of fusable interfacing for this one b/c I wanted a floppier bag, and my pattern is altered a little b/c the frame I used isn't the same as the pattern. I used E6000 glue, and it was a scary mess.

More helpful handbag sewing tips and make your own purse here

Light Box

I made myself a light box in an attempt to improve my photos. These shots were taken while messing around with my camera settings and in the last remaining minutes of direct daylight in the house.

Learn how to light, and create your own light box here.

Bath Time

New Project! Herbal teas for the bath. I tried out a "relaxing" blend last night. These are prototypes. I want to see if I like the blends and improve my sewing skills, this is my first sewing project, before I try to pawn these off as gifts. I tried out a "relaxing" blend last night. It was successful, though the glass of wine probably helped... The chamomile in the blend was really fragrant, and the oats and salt made my skin soft.

Learn how to create your own Bath teas here.

Shower Invites

Invites for a friends bridal shower. The "theme"or look of the shower is Texas shabby chic. The wedding colors are pinks and green and the wedding is in a rose garden. So we added pink to our theme as well.

A lacey idea

This is a picture taken by a friend, Rebecca Schmidt, of waves rolling back on the shores of Jericoacoara. I think it would convert nicely into a fun free form lace pattern. I'll add it to my project list ;)

Socks rock!

This is my first pair of socks to knit. I finished them in January and I love them more than I thought it possible to love a pair of socks. I never had the need for socks and didn't understand the obsession with knitting them until I moved to a city that has a decent public transportation system, and weather that requires them.

Although there were a few bumps in the beginning of the project*, I really enjoyed this pattern overall. They fit so well I will probably knit another pair using it.

*A note about the pattern: there are some pretty significant changes which caught me off guard and caused some frogging. Check the pattern corrections online before you start.

Comfy Socks by:Ulli S. Shibuya

New business cards

We went to SXSW interactive this past weekend. It was a great time as always. I made some business cards with my Gocco to hand out while I was there.

Poster board

Made from an old poster frame, old moving boxes, spray mount, and fabric and ribbon scraps. The brown ribbon on the side is for things I don't want to poke a hole in. If I made another one of these I would use cork instead of the boxes. I think it would hold the pins better.

French Press Cozy

This is currently keeping my coffee very warm. I used buttons I had lying around to fasten it, but I would like to put some chunky dark wooden buttons on when I get around to it. I like the fact that the stripes are so close together in color. I think I will try that again somewhere else.

French Press Cozy by:Derek & Lauren