wise craft

Wrapping pretty packages

Perhaps its because my birthday is around the corner, or Spring, or you guys, but I am intrigued by the idea of nicely wrapped package more than ever.  I came across the book Presentations, the other day at the library.  I don't really consider myself a Carolyn Roehm fan (mainly because I just don't know enough about her) but I really enjoyed looking at the images in this book.  The record keeping side of me wanted to not only share some of my favorite pages with you, but have them on the blog to refer back to as well.

Don't these images just make you want to give someone a present?  Click on for a closer look.

   
   
   
   

In the spirit of handcrafted things, I love the idea of thoughtful presentation.  I was the family member who tried to create elaborately wrapped presents with silk flowers and lots of pouf when I was younger.  It never worked very well, I wasn't patient enough to figure out how to secure everything, so usually by the time the gift was presented, the adornments were already falling off.  Later, when my children were really small, little details just felt too fussy for the "just rip it off" attitude we had.  But now I guess I've come full circle.  I appreciate details, not expensive details, just little special touches like these.

In the spirit of using what I have April, I think I'll nose around my craft supplies as they move upstairs and set myself up a little wrapping station.  Thanks, Ms. Roehm, for the inspiration.

And thanks so much for the nice comments about yesterday's post.  I sincerely try to get to all the comments, because they all mean so much.  Wish you all could come over and help me pick out some paint colors.

I'm off the computer tomorrow, or at least trying very very hard...

I'm screaming...on the inside

Not to fear, though, its all good.

The quilt is moving along famously.  I am reluctant today, as always, to put "in progress pictures" up because frankly, I can never find a good way to photograph unfinished things, and I always feel like I over explain the photo.  But since several have asked, the above picture is of the finished quilt top.  It is waiting for its "sandwich" of batting and backing fabric.  (Picture Blair suddenly skidding to a complete stop here.)  I have no feel whatsoever for what the back should look like.  When I bought the fabric for the top, I was too overwhelmed to the amount of fabric I was holding (king quilt, remember) to even give a thought to backing fabric.  Now, I can honestly say I'm completely stumped.  So if you find me in a fabric store wandering the aisles, mumbling to myself, best just to let me be.  deep thought...  I'm waiting for the a ha! fabric moment, you know, like when you finally walk into your perfect house.

On a semi-related subject, I have apparently been throwing my creative weight around here a little too haphazardly (translation- I've been leaving crap everywhere), resulting in an amazing stroke of dumb luck for me.  Peter has offered to turn his office into a space for me.  A room that currently houses our computer, a small TV, and Peter's storage of work-related stuff.  But soon to be my very own bonafide craft room.  I feel like I've just been asked to the prom.

It's definitely a man's space right now.  Here's just a peek at what is clean enough to share with the world.  Peter has a heavy obsession with cycling and Tokyo, so that's the decor, applied over these very deep red walls.  He collects vintage cycling jerseys, old cycling posters, Tokyo maps, etc and they are all in this room.  Click over here to get more details.

Don't worry, though, he'll be taking over a nice basement space (that he has kind of already taken over) and we're both getting a good solution out of this switcharoo. 

Have I mentioned I love this man?

I have been asked to pick out a paint color and to tell him what I want to happen in the room.  This room is Eastern facing, with good light all day.  I'm planning a quilt wall a la Angry Chicken, as well as adequate storage for all my bits and pieces.  Good thing I've recently gotten some inspiration.

There may be a hiccup in wise.. production for the next few weeks, but I will be one happy camper when its all done.  I feel a little like I'm going legit.  Not stuck in the basement anymore.

Have I mentioned I love this man?  Oh yeah, I did.

I must get back to my new game with Ian now.  While I am on the computer, he and I talk on our walkie talkies.  I say things like "I'm on it!" or "You must go in!" with an "over and out!"  thrown in once in a while, he does the rest.

An indulgent afternoon...

A very rare purchase for me these days, my favorite interiors magazine.  Seemed like changing of the season was a good time to buy it, plus it has tons of pink in it.  I love pink these days.  Also I just spiked my really stiff afternoon coffee with hazelnut syrup.

Party bags

The new bag I was working on here.  I wear tested Charlotte at a small party Peter and I went to last night.  Yep, I felt very sassy indeed.  Nice to feel sassy sometimes.

Camille-

Charlotte-

Kate-

This third one is made from fabric Peter brought back from Japan last year (which I now see here). I don't think I'll be getting any more of this fabric at that price, so this is the last of it, bye bye you pretty fabric you.  Do you guys have trouble cutting up your pretty fabric?  I don't seem to have a problem with it at all, I can't explain why.  I'm usually rather non-committal about such things.  I guess I prefer to see it made up into something rather than just sitting on my shelves.

Another patchwork bag as well, Tessa-

I'm going to put these up in my shop by the time I go to bed tonight.  Meanwhile, I've pulled some new patchwork bag fabric combinations that I plan to work on this week, just waiting for more supplies to arrive.  I'm very happy because Jen, my dear sis-in-law, is going back to Japan tomorrow and is bringing back fabric for me.  I can't wait to see what she brings back, I sent her here for ideas.

Have you seen the amazing new Japanese craft books here and here?  So much great stuff it hurts.  Really.

If I haven't responded to you lately, please forgive me, my clicker finger moved a little too fast and I accidentally delete some emails.  Can't find them for the life of me. 

I had things I wanted to write about, but now I'm blanking.  I need coffee.  Have a great day.

Using What I Have and Cooking

I was having just an ordinary day.  That is, until a box arrived at my doorstep.

...vintage Kimono fabrics, vintage trims, laces, brocade, velvet, all from a dear friend who was cleaning out, lightening her stash and wanted to share.  Its hard to be speechless in an email, but I was when I tried to write.  There are perfectly- spaced basting stitches on a couple of the pieces.  Thank you Erieann, I won't start gushing again and embarrass us both, but I am even more excited about this upcoming month's challenge now.  As a matter of fact, I have a little something planned with all this for Erieann and I.

It has been a productive week for me, maybe because Spring Break is right around the corner and my kid free time will be limited for a couple of weeks.  Emma has a longer break than Ian, so I look forward to some girly time crafting.  Wish we could do what Lyn and Molly are doing, doesn't that sound fun?  I will hopefully have 2-3 new purses in the shop by Monday morning, and I can't wait to share the progress of this.  Yesterday, I laid the squares out on our bed and all the creamy white and pale blue immediately made the room feel light and airy, like Spring.  You may remember, I gave myself a deadline of May.  Hand quilting this is going to be a little scary, but I'm too in love with it not to see it through.  Maybe I have enough time to organize one of these before I get to that point, huh?

On another subject entirely, Amy discussed her favorite cookbook in her last post.  I love it when a post gets me thinking about something that I haven't stopped to consider before.  Most weeks, we plan our meals for the upcoming week on Sunday, I mark off what we need on a preprinted list we have on our computer, then Emma and Peter usually go to the grocery store together.  This may all sound extremely and uncharacteristically organized for those that know me, but it was born entirely out of necessity.  I have a huge dislike of going to the grocery store, even though most of my friends consider it recreational fun to browse through grocery store aisles.  Using this system, if I play my cards right, they come home with a week's worth of ingredients, my recipes have been marked, and I feel a bit like Rachel Ray when it comes time for dinner, the way she opens the fridge and its just all there. 

I use four cookbooks almost exclusively, although I have many more.  If I have basic ingredients, but am not sure where to start, I turn to The Best Recipe.  There are very few pictures, which years ago would have completely turned me off, but there are explanations about why you add or don't add something, when to add, etc., which I find fascinating.  Our family makes homemade pizza on Friday nights, and my basic dough recipe comes from this book, as does our basic chocolate cake recipe, and countless other ones.

For party, "what shall I bring?"- type food, I use The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and Barefoot Contessa Family Style cookbook.  I have made almost every salad and they always turn out great.  Lot's of pretty pictures too.  These books have some of our dinner time favorites too, the Cheddar Corn Chowder is one of my favorite soups, and the broccoli and garlic recipe is a side dish we eat almost weekly.  Plus I just want to pinch Ina Garten's cheeks.

The last book I use frequently is The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins before they got mad at each other and started writing their own individual cookbooks.  Our copy is from Peter's bachelor days and there's some yummy stuff inside the covers.  Our favorite meatloaf recipe is in here, one that my kids actually entertain the idea of eating.

And even though I love Martha, her recipes do not do it for me, other than her Thanksgiving Turkey.  I've used it for 8 years with excellent results each time.  Although I am eagerly watching every month as Kelli shows us the results of Martha's cake of the month.  These all look so good Kelli.  Wish cake was a food group.  I just love saying the word....cake....cake.

Thinking out loud

As I sit here with a rather stiff cup of afternoon coffee, looking out at a Spring rain, I'm realizing I don't have enough time to sew, but time enough to run a quick load of laundry.  So, instead of doing either, I'm going to chat with you and think about what I'm projects I want to do next.  The Plush You II show happening at Schmancy in September is foremost in my mind at the moment, I'm feeling the need to get back on the plush toy bandwagon again I actually did more of these pre-blog, but I don't have many pictures. I've got a truckload of muslin beside my worktable, so I'm trying to figure out where to start.  But then there are those little diversions being brought to my doorstep.

whispering "make me into something, quick".  Focus...focus...

I have been behind on my swap packages and I am so sorry.  Life has really gotten in the way.  For swaps, I like to devote uninterrupted time to putting the final package together, making it just so, which just isn't always practical.  So, I promise to get these moving, speedy quick Kristina and Sandrine, please forgive my tardiness.  I did get my article for The Polishing Stone crossed off my list.  I am honored and excited to contribute to this publication.  Their mission statement reads "Refining the life you live into the life you love."  How nice is that?

More diversions, like one of my thrifting scores today,

This circus fabric is a curtain panel.  There were several of these, complete with valances.  I would love to have been in the house that had all this circus up on their windows, to see what such a room would look like.  Nobody I know would stand for looking at that many clowns on a daily basis.

Amanda, is it you that said you are especially fond of the old Sunset crafting books?  The one on the left is one, called "Stitchery: Embroidery, Applique, and Crewel".  Its full of great ideas.

I have been known to plan a looooonnnngggg time before I actually begin the execution of a project.  Many days I'll have grand plans of heavy production to start the moment the kids are in bed, only to plop myself in front of the TV instead, too tired to think. But eventually I get there.  I could take a lesson from Emma, who decides what she wants to do, then jumps right in and does it.  Look at her version of Japanese cute-

to hold her button collection.

Springy spring!

First of all....WOW!  I mean, really... *wow*.  Thank you so very much for the amazing outpouring of congratulations on my last post.  Clearly this "sphere" is so much more than crafting and creating for us. I found myself sharing with others over the weekend, how....special, how...nice, how...important, how...empowering this whole blog network is to me, and this time it mattered not a peep if they didn't really get it.  Its not meant for all to get, and that's OK (this weekend, I realized I don't get Curling.)  It is interesting to hear how we arrived here, but what really matters is that we are here.  For a few of you, it marked your first comment ever on a blog (Sheila), for some of you, you're almost ready to take the jump and start your own blog (Stephanie C.)  And Stephanie, your story had such an important point for us all, a lesson that sometimes when we feel a passion like we do for this world of creativity, less can really be more.  I actually started answering all your comments individually (I was really going to try), but quickly realized I couldn't keep up. So, simply, thank you, words just can't express.

Today, these were in my mailbox for Emma-

Stephanie knew that Emma liked stamp collecting and look at this wonderful collection of stamps.  So fitting.  Emma is so excited.  She has filed them in her little accordion file where she keeps her special stamps.  Steph, what a sweetie you are, thank you.

On to business, congratulations to Jeni, Mick, and Robin, you each have a piece of the newsprint fabric coming to you.  So email me at blairpeter@comcast.net with mailing info and I'll pop it off to you.

More purses done over the weekend, which are headed out the door.

"Ava"- Emma's new favorite color is orange (I thought it was pink??), so she wanted this one.

And "Emma" (you knew an Emma bag was coming).  I thought in this one I'd show you the ultra sophisticated way I'm photographing these bags.  In the industry, Peter says this is called "tabletop" shots.  The really high tech way we do a tabletop in our house is basically moving the kid's art supplies and toys out of the way, putting the bag on the coffee table and standing on the table over it (notice my foot in the bottom left frame, Emma's colored pencil box upper right, Ian's insect book upper right). 

I'm hoping to get more bags completed by the end of the week.  In the meantime I'll share a bit of some new things on my worktable.

A new handbag prototype, remember the shell buttons?  I'll let you see more when I've made a real sample.  (Claire, I use my needle book all the time.)

A new pincushion to accompany me on my worktable from Toni (thank you!)

And just look at the Spring flowers blooming.

My 100th post

This marks my 100th post.  And there are really two people responsible-

It was late early Spring 2005 and I really wanted the gnome fabric by Munki Munki that had been out the previous season.  I had investigated all known local avenues turning up nothing, and one night checked the internet.  I googled something and stumbled upon Hillary's blog.  I was confused at first about what I was reading, but not for long.  Wee Wonderfuls blew me away, and I eventually told her so.  Seemed like every day I checked in, there was a new, gorgeous, original, beautifully made project.  And almost a year into reading Hillary's daily crafting adventures, I still find myself anxiously clicking over when my bloglines signal a new post.  One of the things I love best about Hillary and her blog is the fact that she has such a distinctive style, in her writing, her creations, the look of her site, it all ties together.  She has a confidence about what she likes and doesn't like.  She seems to have done it with little effort (at least from the outside), and I think its all to do with the passion she has for what she does.

Several months into blog reading (lurking, really)  Peter had just come home from Japan and had brought back tons of crafting goodies.  I timidly emailed Hillary one day and suggested a swap.  Now, mind you, Hillary didn't know me from any stranger on the street, I really wouldn't have been surprised if she'd refused (I'm not sure if I'd ever even commented on her blog at that point).  But she agreed and I was over the moon!  That's when this guy came to live with me-

WR-1138.  I can't help but smile when I pass by this wee robot.  He is in a prominent place in our house.  When he arrived, Peter and I agreed that this is the type of thing we want out around our house, handmade, really original things.

From Hillary's I found Stephanie's.  little birds...ah, little birds.  I have such a soft spot for this blog and for Steph.  I love reading about her beautiful family.  She incorporates such style and grace into her writing.  She infuses crafting and creativity into her daily life, whether on her own or with her kids, and this is similar to what I attempt in my own life.  Plus Miles and Mia are almost the same age as my kids, so I felt like she was a sort of kindred spirit I'd never met.  I am so glad you are back to posting on your blog again Stephanie.  Something was definitely missing with you being away.

And now look what is living here at our house (shhhhh don't tell Emma)-

A sweet little lamb made by Stephanie for Emma's Easter basket (Ian's will have a stuffy too, but I'll tell you about that later).  In all it's tiny stitches-itty-bitty-bell-pink-and-green-ribbon glory.  It is just perfection, every inch.  This little lamb was a long time in coming, the first one Stephanie made and mailed to me never showed up.  It vanished into thin air it seems.  (Steph, I'm still peeking out the door every day on lamb watch, by the way).  We waited, wondered, I checked with neighbors, till finally we gave up and she made me another one.  This one is safely in our hands.  Luckily, Stephanie had insured the first package she sent, so she could at least get reimbursed.  A lesson for all of us selling and shipping handmade things that this is the reality of what can happen.

At first I would check blogs only occasionally and it took me at least a month before I ever even knew to click on the comments, duh!  But before long I began a new routine of sitting down with my morning coffee and checking/lurking.  I was utterly awestruck at this world I'd stumbled onto.   All these people, so creative, talented, and inspiring.  All the things I was interested in here in my little part of the world!  Its hard to classify what we do and post about on our blogs to someone in our real lives who doesn't really "get it".  I have found myself muttering "I...make things, all kinds of things."  But craft blogs gave so much validity to what I enjoyed doing every day.  You girls were serious!  I loved it.

So finally I jumped in.  Hillary answered my mundane questions, directed me to some appropriate avenues for what I was making at the time (like Kim's Modern Quilt Along with my Once Upon a Time quilt, and Maitreya for my 1st patchwork handbag).  The thread went on from there, and still goes on.

100 posts later, why did I start my blog?  I loved the act of recording the creative process the way a blog can.  It was an unexpected bonus for me to find my own style laid out before me on my blog.  I wanted the opportunity to participate in a talented world.  (I believe we are a very powerful force in this crafting world, and if I were still in the industry I would definitely take notice.)  I valued the support of the commenters, the encouragement of fellow bloggers, and let's face it- I love the "wow" from you guys.  Someone who "gets it" likes it!  My husband and family are supportive in their own way of what I create, but I will be the first to admit that the cheers I get from you guys are the ones that really make me blush.  I respect and value what you guys have to say, because you're doing it too, you understand the process.  Plus, how excited can I expect Peter to be over a purse for crying out loud?   

I won't gush again over the amazing relationships I've formed with people all over the world since the start of this blog.  I consider you all part of a wider circle of friends than I could have ever wished for.  And, although I'm fairly new to this circle, I have benefitted in ways I never imagined.  You all have so much to share and have shared your generosity with me.  Thank you for reading and supporting my ramblings, it means so much.

In celebration of my 100th post, I will randomly draw 3 commenter's names (commenters on this post) out of a hat and mail you a large swatch of the newsprint fabric I made this flower from.  I'll draw the names on Monday night 9:00 pst.

p.s.- The top photo is my first paper flower from the Paper Source kit I ordered.  Oh, these are addictive.

Curling up with books

Last night while I was preparing dinner I caught a glimpse of Emma reading in the family room, just like you see her in the picture.  There was such a pleasant-ness about it.  A cozy, comfortable, "all-curled-up-with-a-book" kind of look.  We were at the bookstore yesterday and she found one of those young reader paperbacks for girls.  You've seen the kind, usually about horses, with a necklace hanging off the cover (this one had the proverbial pony necklace).  She really wanted it, but to me it didn't look like the type of book she could read, plus I knew it was the necklace she was after most.  So I asked her to read the back cover to me while we were standing in the store.  Well, she did!  I made a deal with her that I would keep the pony necklace until she had finished the entire book.  She's been working so hard, reading alone, to her stuffies, and to me last night before bed.  I am really pleased to see her working this hard for something she wants.  I am pleased to see her enjoying reading and I especially love talking with her about what's happening in the book.  But a little dumbfounded too.  I mean, weren't we just reading the same Maisy board book over and over again just a few months ago??

Books have been on my mind lately, for lots of reasons.  I love to read before bed and its really the only time I ever to, although I will admit to many an evening barely being able to flip through the pages of the current craft book I'm "studying" before I turn out the light.  Reading often gets pushed aside for the sake of crafting, but as warmer weather starts to fill my thoughts a little more, I'm starting to think about "summer reading".   I don't really mean summer reading in a literal sense, more the idea of allowing myself the time to get swept away in a good read.

A short list of books I plan on for "summer" reading
Devil in the Details
A Room of One's Own- thanks to Erieann for suggesting this classic which I've never read
Housekeeping- thanks to Alicia
Mirabilis
Life Mask  - By Emma Donoghue, who also wrote Slammerkin, which was a book that really has stuck with me.  It was intense, emotional, I couldn't put it down.

I would love to hear what types of books you are reading or are planning to read.  I used to be in a book club, but quite frankly, I couldn't keep up.  I don't like to read on a schedule, when that happens I immediately feel stressed.  These days I just talk with friends who are in book clubs and usually get good suggestions that way.

And, because this is first and foremost a craft blog, I'll show you the patchwork bag I just finished.  This one for myself.

I actually started it a long time ago.  I put it down because it was such a bugger, this bag resisted every bit of construction I tried to put it through.  The fabrics all stretched like crazy in different directions and the layers I ended up sewing through were so thick.  I always do the most slap-happy construction when its for me  Why is that??  But, its done and its sentimental, and I'm glad I saw it through.  I have scattered all the contents and am amazed that this is now all I leave the house with.  I went from carrying everything but my blowdryer to work...to carrying diapers, sippys, and toys, leaving only room for a chapstick for me...to this.  Notice my tissue holder that Lisa made.  I treated myself at Christmastime with it and I realized I've never shown a picture.  I love this little guy.

Just enough room in there left for a good book. : )

how to make a fabric flower

I had a request for a tutorial on the fabric flowers I've made recently.  I didn't realize how tricky it is to write one of these, so if I leave any important information out, let me know.  These flowers are easy to make.  And quick.

Materials:
templates- download here
fabric
scissors
small piece of felt in a coordinating color
needle and coordinating thread
pin back
button to be covered and small amount of fabric to cover it (or any button you choose)
fabric glue (optional)

1. Cut out the number of flowers needed as indicated on the templates in your chosen fabrics.  Here I've used only one fabric, but you could mix fabrics any way you like.  Cut into each flower where the dotted line indicates, optimizes flower flutterability.

2. Stack the two large flowers on top of each other.

3. Fold each of the smaller flowers in half and lay them on the larger flowers, overlapping them similar to the way I've done here.

4. With needle and thread, make small stitches at the center, through all layers, to secure the flower petals and hold everything together.  Don't clip thread until after step 5.

5. Cover the button with your chosen fabric if using a fabric-covered one, then using the same thread you used in step 4, attach button to the center of the flower.

6. Cut the piece of felt in a nice rounded shape, large enough to sew the pin back onto, but not too big to show from the front of the pin.  Secure the pin back on to the felt, then sew the felt to the center of the back of the flower (I blanket stitch all around the edge).  I like to use a bit of fabric glue behind the felt, just because I like things permanently in place.  Perhaps I've seen too many wardrobe mishaps in the world.  When I can secure, I definitely secure.

7. At this point, your hands should hold a finished flower.  Or, in my case, a finished "paper" flower.

If you make any flowers, would you let me know?  I'd love to see them.  I can't seem to stop making them.

This finished flower is the charm on "Clara", the newest bag to go up in the shop.

There are some really fun fabrics in this one.  I jumped up and down when I saw the newsprint fabric, I've been looking for something like this for a year, since I found this.  And speaking of great fabric, did you see all the new Japanese import fabric in at Reprodepot (scroll down the page)?  They have practically all the fabric pictured here!  Unfortunately, I found it after I ordered way too much of this from Cia.  I'm done for now.  But maybe you're not.

Post your fabric flowers to the fabric flower flickr pool!

All my other tutorials can be found here.