HELLOmynameisHeather

A Steady Drip

Hey everyone -- thanks for all of the excitement over the Sweet Summertime shirt for my daughter.  Yes, I made the pattern, so I don't have a pattern number for you -- so sorry :-(  However, I am planning to publish some patterns this fall.  I have lots of ideas in the works, but I'm totally open to suggestions. If you're just dying to have a pattern for any of my personal projects (like the shirt), certainly give a holler.  A little positive pressure just might do the trick! 

Getting there -- today I drafted the pieces for what will likely be my first published pattern -- a ruffly apron for girly-girls. I'm planning to draft a second design to go with it and grade the two designs into 2-3 sizes to cover all ages.  It'll likely be a couple of months before I take any patterns to the printer -- I'm hoping to have a number of designs ready to go at once -- but when I do, you'll be the first to know.

Again, thank you for your encouragement, a steady drip of affirmation -- LOVE this blog thing!

The Sugar Shop

I keep a lot of my sewing supplies in old-fashioned glass jars. Not only can I see where everything is, but my supplies look delicious this way. They call to me, “Heather, Heather, come play with us!” Several of these fun jars line the high shelves of my studio – with pink walls and distressed white furniture, my studio is a virtual candy store, hence the nickname above!

There are many systems for organizing embroidery floss, involving cases, binders, hinged rings, zippered baggies, plastic cards or any combination of these.  I prefer the hinged rings.  I can clearly see my colors, without a lot of extra ‘packaging.’

I record the color #s on the end of the plastic cards with a permanent marker. In the off-chance I need to replenish a specific color mid-project, I'll know what to get. When I’m traveling with a project, I detach all of the necessary cards and group them onto a new ring.  The best part?  The rings easily stack in their jar, where I can drool over the colors at will.

For me, creatively, it’s important to see my supplies.  A random arrangement of spools in a jar might inspire a new approach to color or a unique patchwork design.  The same goes with buttons or stacks of fabric.  When your supplies are in a snarl and tucked away in a shoebox (as were my threads a few years back), you’re limiting your creative resources.  Attack one category at a time:  fabric, thread, trims, buttons, etc.  Rent a good movie and enjoy the monotony of it all.

Personally, I still need to sort out my trims.  I’d like to wrap them around these chipboard cards and line them all up on a shelf, keeping extra cards on hand for future trim binges.  But, I haven't discover a resource for these gems. If anyone knows where to get ahold of a stack of these, PLEASE let me know!  I have a back-up plan involving corrugated plastic, but I’m holding out for Plan A. 

Yes, I have far more supplies than my space allows for and not everything is neat and tidy.  But, every effort I've made at organization has proven well worth my while.  In fact, I'm sure there are some fantastic forehead-smacking ideas out there in blogland. Tell me your favorite tricks -- I’d love to hear how you keep your supplies in check! 

Sweet Summertime

Success!  Now my baby has a happy little shirt for summertime.  And, lucky baby, the need for photos provided a jaunt at the park with her favorite ball. Happy baby, happy mama!

Play Time!

Thank you everyone for your cheerful comments -- I came home to a mailbox plump with kindness! I’m glad to see that the Bitty Booties™ pattern is such a hit and that successes are being flaunted. If you haven’t taken a peek at the Bitty Booties™ Gallery yet, you should.  Frogs on toes, hearts on soles, leather flowers – lots of fun ideas!  Loving them!  And be sure to add your goodies into the mix.

I have a number of ‘business’ projects in the works.  In the next little while, I need to design my website, master my new Bernina Artista 640, write an article for Sew News and design some irresistable patterns. (I just love how the line between work and play can be so blurry these days)  I’m waiting for some return phonecalls on most of these to-dos, which has left me tapping my toes most of the day. 

Enough of that now, I’m going to sew something fun!  I pulled these funkies from my stash and I’ve resolved to make a summery shirt for Charlotte.  I take it if I announce a project on my blog, then I must get it done. That’s how it works, right?  The middle fabric is a vintage piece from who-knows-when and the top piece is from Japan, I believe.  I threw in the avocado jacquard for good measure (my favorite color), though I don’t know if it’ll get used.  I’m going for a sleeveless, tanky-type top.  I’ll have the bodice gather into a yoke, and add some straps at the shoulders.  I might even gather up the waist with elastic thread in the bobbin.  Hmmm…I’ll work out the details as I go. 

Off to play!

The New York 'Post'

Guess where I’ve been this week!  Times Square, Rockafellar Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Soho, Washington Square, Union Square, The Empire State Building and Free Spirit – a virtual travel guide to New York City. The strike-offs for my new line of fabric with Free Spirit are in from the mill. I flew in to review the colors in depth, hang out with the ladies and enjoy a weekend traipsing around with my mother. Flagrant fun! 

 

To hear more about my trip and a sneak preview of my fabric, click here.

Bitty Booties™

Bitty Bootmakers, it's your day!  The free baby shoe pattern is yours...all yours. You won't believe how easily these go together too. Never one to stick to the directions myself, I've included lots of ideas for how to customize the design. So, be sure to read through the entire pattern before gathering your materials.  I'm expecting big little things!  Download your copy by clicking the "Bitty Booties" link in my sidebar, under "Free Patterns."

Join the "Bitty Booties" photo group and show your stuff -- I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Fishin' Accomplished

Success.  Fishin' Accomplished.  After several hours drive and a few near-misses with leaping elk, we set up camp on the Black River. That is, Isaac and Elijah set up camp, while I chased Charlotte around in the dark. She is fearless and couldn't care less if she can see where she's going.  Hence, the bandaid. 

A friendly camp-neighbor came by to offer assistance.  Within minutes, Isaac and he discovered that they were born within days of each other in the same exact hospital and were there together as newborns.  Weird!  This has made me wonder...How often do we come across people that we're  connected to in some strange way, never discovering the connection?  We'll never know!  What if the bank teller is really my best friend from kindergarten, I just don't recognize her?  Frustration and fascination all at once.  Makes for a great camping memory though, doesn't it?  Especially because Gavin, the virtual twin, took us fishing the next day and Elijah caught a "Cut-throat" trout (that's really what they're called). Very exciting!  But, I missed it --I was napping in the car. As you can see from the photo, we were up watching Teletubbies into the night, trying to contain Charlotte and lull her to sleep. Aaah, technology!  It was a good nap though.

Headband Haven

Inspired by the fabulous headbands being created by the likes of Sally and Sarah, I've started a flickr photo group.  Now we can all share our fabulous Hooray for Headbands creations! (free pattern in my sidebar) If you have been busy making headbands or are planning to soon, snap some photos and add them to the group. In flickr, search for the group by its name, "Hooray for Headbands."  Or, follow the link below:

Hooray for Headbands Photo Pool

See you there!

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Boy Bands & Campfire Girls

What a hoot! You guys left the funniest comments on Turkey for a Straw.  Thanks for the laughs!  We’re going camping tonight.  This is the third effort to go this month and we’re not letting anything stand in our way. It’s not the best timing for me though -- I have a lot on my plate this week.  But, I’m not up for being the wrench this go round.  So, off I go with a smile. (First time taking baby Charlotte too – yikes!)

On a different note, Sally made the most fabulous headbands this week!  And they’re for her adorable little boys.  Finally, a “boy band” worthy of accolades! (Has anyone ever seen Conan O’Brien’s spoof on boy bands? – I swear, it’s the most hilarious bit ever!) Anyway, you should go take a peek at her beautiful photographs and use of color.  She always does such a classy job!

Lastly, the baby shoe pattern is done.  I still have to make a couple of sample pair to photograph. After that, I’ve got to learn more about bandwidth and how to avoid going way over my allotment, so my site’s ready for a flood of downloads.  Once that’s all sorted out, I’ll get the pattern uploaded.  Any suggestions?

OK, time to pack, the s’mores are calling. ☺

Recipe for Good Times

Good Times - serves 2

Ingredients:
1 heaping bag of vintage micro-scraps
1 good friend or loved one
A pinch of beads
A dash of ribbon
A sprinkle of buttons
1-2 hours of silliness

The result?  Two funky portraits of me :-)

Elinor envisioned me with pink hair and a purple plaid baby in my belly.  The fabulous coat shows my vavoom, don't you think?  In my version I have pigtails, a duck knee and a tricky puff-sleeve.  Good times.

Insider information for all of you Portland Oregonians, Elinor's teaching a class on flat dolls with 5 other wacky ladies (all bigtime professional doll designers) over at Fabric Depot in August. Full day, SIX patterns and only $40.

Turkey for a Straw

I love straws.  I do.  I love them enough to grab a stack, tie a bow around them and use them as the subject of my first lesson on my husband’s fancy, enormous and heavy camera. That being said, this temporary focus on straws forced me to analyze my affection:
    •  Straws are empathetic. Your drink can be mighty-crazy cold and a straw will deliver it right past your sensitive teeth.
    •  Straws are heroic.  A straw will save you from a block of ice barreling toward you as you tilt your head back to drink.  This is especially obnoxious when the ice has managed to form a virtual iceburg, the shape of your glass. Your beverage may then splatter from the thrust of the dislodged ice and you’ve gotta change your shirt.  Not if you use a straw!
    •  Straws and lipstick get along.
    •  No orange mustaches.
    •  Straws are great for driving.  With no head tilting, you can keep your eyes on the road.
    •  Good for smiles.  It’s actually better for your teeth, when enjoying a sugary drink, to use a straw.
    •  You can match your straw to your mood. It’s like saying, “That’s right, I’m feeling pink today!”  Children instinctively understand this.  (Isaac thinks this is a very interesting intellectual concept)
    •  Straws are cheap fun. (I get my fix at Ikea, they sell boxes of 200 straws for $1, in funky color combos)
    •  Straws like to party.  Display an array of cute, coordinated straws at a baby shower or birthday and it’s inexpensive table décor.  Functional too.
    •  Straws like to dance.  Stir your drink to “In the Good Ol’ Summertime,” while kickin’ it on the hammock.  Straws like that.
    •  Straws reduce stress.  A straw can help you keep track of your glass.  Everyone gets a different color -- easy living. 
    •  And, face it, slurping is fun!

I’m not alone.  My sister, Julia, loves straws too.  When she serves me a drink, it’s always, “And what color straw would you like?”  She keeps a serious stash of options. (What’s that all about?  It’s not like straws were a big thing at our house.)  So, after much analysis and self-reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion that straws are just great.  I’m convinced that there are folks all around the world like my sister and me, who anonymously keep an ample supply of straws on hand for all of the glorious reasons above. You should too – go get yourself some!  Straws are neat.

For a good, old-fashion "Turkey in the Straw" sing-a-long, click here.

Flouncy Bouncer

Wow – thank you for all of the feedback! (I’m working on the baby shoe pattern and I’m hoping to have it up for you by the end of next week)

Ok, so I was thinking of making a tomato-esque pincushion pattern for myself.  I picked out this rich mustard wool/rayon felt and the plaid/floral cotton, then started sketching out a pattern.  As I was working out the dimensions, my mind wandered... I could make a ball... I could make a ball for Charlotte... Why are there no girly balls?...(indignant)Girls like to play with balls too... This fabric over here would make a fabulous ball... What if I made Charlotte a girly ball instead?  So, I moved to a new sheet of paper and designed this:

I stuffed each ball lightly, then added in a little beanbag filled with poly-pellets. Then I added more polyfil until the ball was rather firm (so the beanbag ends up in the center of the ball, with padding all around it). The beanbag gives them the perfect weight for tossing and somehow, magically, they actually bounce a bit!

Elijah wanted some too and these ones go with his room so well -- It’s important for children’s toys to enhance the décor of their room, right?  Ha!  Just a bonus ☺

Isaac (my “in-house” photographer) even got in on the action this time and snapped this beautiful still-life. Now, back to that pincushion.

Big Plans, Small Pins

Elijah’s summer started a week ago. I still can’t believe school gets out in May -- that’s nutty. At the beginning of the summer I always conjure these fantasies of a regular craft day with my son - like -  every Thursday we’ll make a Christmas present for someone, or every Tuesday we’ll make a paper project. One year we even got so far as to list out a dozen ideas. I’ve got to find that list.

So, once again, the cogs are turning (I love when he’s home, it just feels right). What would Elijah like to learn?  How do you find that interface between all the girly crafts out there and the interests of a nine-year-old boy?  He wants to learn to sew and to knit and to quilt. I’ve explained to him the potential social ramifications and he’s cool with it. He likes the things I do. When I started an art journal, he started one too.  When I made pincushions, he made one too.  When I tried out Hillary’s shrinky-dink pins, he made some too!  I think it’s fantastic – and great fun for me.  Moreover, I want him to have every opportunity to find what he likes best.

Now, I’ve given it some thought and here’s the plan: sign him up for a couple of sports, invite his friends over like crazy, do the macho boy stuff: computer games, sword fights, remote control cars, etc.  Then, in a quiet moment, sit him on my lap and teach him about the things I love to do. Make things, make memories. He’s growing up so quickly and I’ve just got to go with it now, this summer, before he’s off to college… What?  Next year?

Here's my adorable family of pins: Heather (me), Isaac, Elijah and Charlotte.

Note:  Try doing shrinky dinks with a heat gun (like what you use for embossing), instead of the oven -- INSTANT gratification and no bent pins.

Headband Helper

Headband groupies -- I added a couple more detail shots to the Hooray for Headbands post from a few days ago.  Now you can clearly see how the hidden elastic works.