Patchwork Addiction

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Marian brought me two patchwork squares that she bought at a Denyse Schmidt sample sale a few years ago. I got so inspired that I decided to make them into pillow covers. The squares are the middle of each of the pillows above and below. You can see where I started adding on in the gold and orange fabrics.

But, can I tell you that patchwork is addictive? Once I got started I didn't want to stop! So, I made another pillow cover on my own--below. I just used the fabric that I had, and the new pillow covers really spruced up our bedroom!

Happy Anniversary

My blog is now one year old. I posted my first entry last year on February 28th. My first postings were about Valentine's Day projects, and I showed you a picture of my Origami heart garland. Well, that photo was horrible, so here are some better ones!

I just searched and searched to try to find instructions for this heart on the Web, but I couldn't find anything. I don't think I ever had instructions for this heart, and if I did, I no longer have them--I just keep taking apart old ones to remind myself how to make them. I will continue to try and find the directions. Maybe I will even work up to making a video tutorial for you!

A Christening Card

I can't always make handmade cards, but I try to make as many as I can. I've always loved to make cards--even when I was very young.

Here's a card that I made for my father when I was 6. :)




Here's a picture of a card that I made for a contest in high school. My school used it as their Christmas card that year. Unfortunately all that remains is this photocopy. The original card had red ink printed on white cardstock.

I recently made this christening card for my nephew. I have a punch that is the shape of a postage stamp, and I punched stamps from all of my blue scraps. I used photo squares as adhesive. Simple.

Inspiraton

Here are some things that I do when I'm looking for inspiraton or if I am hankering for a new project, sewing or otherwise...

*I go to Make & Mingle, a local sewing shop in Fairfield. They have so many great fabrics, supplies, project ideas, and more. Looking around this beautiful shop always gets me inspired. You can find them here. (The little vintage bundle above came from Make & Mingle.)

*I go to Joann Fabrics or A.C. Moore and wander around. I don't necessarily buy anything.

*I go thrift shopping.

*I look at my own stash of fabrics and paper and all kinds of scraps.

*I get sewing and craft books out of the library or look at ones that I own.

*I look at back issues of magazines like DIY that I have saved.

*I look at my favorite sites, like Sew, Mama, Sew and The Purl Bee. (Links are on the right side of this blog.)

*I go for a nice, long walk.

What do you do for inspiration? I'd love to hear your ideas.

A Gift from Little Pink House

I just wanted to share a beautiful item with you. I bought these sachets as a gift for a dear friend. I got them here from Melissa Crowe's Etsy shop, Little Pink House. They are really so nicely made--felt flowers appliqued with perfect, tiny stitches onto linen and filled with lavender. A great handmade gift if you are looking for ideas. I love Melissa's work. You can find her blog, Checkout Girl here.