November 27, 2012

Paper Snowflake Pillow - a New Free Project



This morning at our house we had a few snow flurries...
nothing major, just decorative.
:)
I just love how each snowflake is unique, 
and also very beautiful.

{Here's how they look under a microscope...photo from interestingtopics.net}


 A few weeks ago,
snowflakes inspired me to create a pillow,
and the free pattern is now available for
you to download

{Go to pellonprojects.com and choose Projects, then the Home Decor tab, to find my Paper Snowflake Pillow project.  It's free to join the site, and then you can download the PDF file.}



I may have mentioned before how much I love using Pellon 987F fusible fleece
in so many of my projects.
I literally buy it by the bolt!


The brilliant idea I came up with was to use Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece
on the OUTSIDE of the pillow,
as the main design element!



Maybe you had been waiting patiently to see the front of this pillow.


{I featured the back for my own free tutorial for making 


So now you can make your own
Paper Snowflake pillows!

I chose some aqua and red prints for my original pillow.
I love the contrast of the top fabric...both are from Joy by Kate Spain...
perfect for the background of the snowflake.

{The bottom fabric is awesome, too...will be used for a future pillow!}


Then I used some Ta Dots in Ocean by Michael Miller.

{Raise your hand if that shocks you.  Anyone???}



And for the backing, I love the snowmen from Ann Kelle's latest Christmas line, called Jingle, for Robert Kaufman.



I'm actually working on my second paper snowflake pillow right now!
I've got some Cherry Christmas for that one, by Aneela Hoey for Moda.

{I'm going to have to get a bigger Aneela Hoey box!}


I don't provide a template for the snowflake design, because...



That's the idea...no two are going to be alike!


But I promise...they will all be very pretty.


See what I mean?


I kinda went crazy with the quilting on my first one.
I liked the way it looked on the back, too...all squishy and soft!



A Snowflake Pillow can be used all winter, 
but a Christmas snow is always extra-magical.


Maybe you could partner up with a child you love,
to design and cut out the snowflake shapes.


If you do make one, or a flurry of Paper Snowflake Pillows,
I'd love to see them on my Flickr group page,



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November 23, 2012

Anita Little Christmas Tote Bag!


Here we are at the end of November,
the inaugural month of the

{It's never too late to join us!}


Our first project is the Anita Vacation Tote Bag,
which is a pattern of my own design.



Summer days are in the distant past now,
so I decided to make something for winter...
introducing my
"Anita Little Christmas Tote Bag"!

{I crack myself up.}



I had some Christmas fabrics in my stash
from Sheri Berry's "12 Joys of Christmas" line.

The focus fabric has little mugs of Christmas cheer,
saying Joy, Peace and Noel.

{So inviting!  Hot chocolate, anyone?}


I liked the bits of black and white, so I chose another fabric
from my stash to accent that aspect of the feature print.

It was part of a Michael Miller line called Rouge et Noir.


Here is the finished bag, all ready for Christmas shopping!


There's a zippered pocket to keep my money and credit cards secure,
yet easy to find when I'm ready to buy something special.


I have some holiday magazines and catalogs that fit nicely in there...


along with a knitting project.




This will be my comfort and joy tote,
for taking a break or staying occupied at appointments.
I can tuck some special treats away.


Look...I even have a really pretty new Tumbler mug rug 
that was sent all the way Across The Pond from The Patchsmith!

{Thank you, Amanda!}


That's where my Scottish shortbread came from, too!

{Soooooo yummy, and those Flakes are being opened right after the photo shoot!}



It matches my tote, with the same coral and apple green tones!
I LOVE that! 

{Coincidence???  I think not!}


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November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


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November 19, 2012

Winner of Simply Colorful Coaster Set

Thanks for playing along in the 
giveaway for the Simply Colorful Coasters!


I'm so happy that each of you stopped by for a visit!

Mr. Random Number Generator
has chosen a winner...

#9 - Deborah

who has a charming blog called Simply Miss Luella!

{Pop in to say congratulations and see what Deborah has been up to!}

I've contacted Deborah
and will be sending the coaster set out very soon!


Stop by again any time for a visit!


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November 17, 2012

More Zakka Sewing Kits

It seems like such a long time ago that
I was sewing a new zakka project every week!

I don't miss the frenzied pace,
but I sure do miss the sense of accomplishment
it brought, and the excuse to try something new.



One of the cutest projects from the Zakka Style book
was the adorable sewing kit.


I offered mine for sale in my shop on Etsy,
I used some Wonderland prints by Momo for Moda, 
plus a creamy linen.


Pretty soon, I had a request for a custom sewing kit,
using blue fabrics.
I chose some French Blues by Timeless Treasures.

Here's what I came up with...


I think the linen sets off the blue shades perfectly!



 After many many views and favorite hearts,
someone decided she just had to have the pistachio Wonderland version
 for her very own.

{I love those scissors!}


Soon after that, the buyer asked me to make
another one, this time with linen and 
beautiful reds.

{I just love how she put that...beautiful reds.}

I selected the oatmeal linen
and some prints from Gallery in Red II for Marcus Brothers.
Not too long after that, this one was born.


Here are some more glamour shots...
you know I can't resist those, with my little models who never complain!


It's just right for holding some notions and little scissors.


The pincushion is a charming stand-alone gift,
but it's twice as sweet with the little pouch!


It was hard to send this one away!


Any more requests?
I really love making these!
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