Family Sillouette Seiries

For our latest sewing bee project we were asked to create something that we could hang on the wall and admire. And lately, I’ve really been into the whole heritage/legacy thing and I saw this idea of fabric silhouettes in a book.

I made Hubby’s first because he’s bald and I figured he would be easiest (love you, Baby). When I showed it to him, I asked if he would like any words printed on his. He immediately decided upon “Papa Bear.” And thus the series was born.

Turns out this whole thing was freaky-simple. All I had to do was:

1) Take a profile picture of my subject
2) Blow up the picture on the computer screen to desired size
3) Trace out silhouette on tracing paper
4) Cut out the shape
5) Trace around cut out onto desired fabric (If you are using a light quilting fabric you might want to consider a stabilizer, but that’s optional)
6) Cut out shape
7) Adhere to background fabric (Again, you might want to consider a stabilizer for the background)
8) Stitch into place
9) Stamp on words (optional, I used just regular stamp ink, like for paper)
10) Cut out background fabric to fit your frame

See? Ten easy steps. Each project took maybe 45 minutes. And it was totally worth it. Now I smile every time I look up at the wall. And I know these are going to hang in our home for a long time.

Sweet Tree Pillow

This is another sewing group project, but I thought I would use it as a warm up for the family tree project I'm working up. And it turned out specatularly well... if I do say so myself.

This whole thing was finished in about 2 hours.

I used a natural colored linen blend fabric for the pillow. The purple tree that you see is actually a pieced-together stamp that I made. Then I used some fabric paint to stamp it on, piece by piece. First the trunk, then main branches, then smaller branches. Next I cut out the leaves out of some leftover scraps and sewed them on with a criss-cross stitch. After that, just sew the pillow pieces together, stuff it, seal it, and Voila! Tree pillow.

Soon, I'm going to make a much bigger version of this to hang on the wall where the leaves will have our ancestor’s names going back 5 generations. Should be pretty bitchin.

FREE Apron Giveaway

Horrah! It is here! Sew Mama Sew's Handmade Holiday giveaway is here! In addition to this blog there will be many many other blogs giving away handmade goods and/or supplies to the crafty world at large. It is a fabulous event!

This year I decided to make a curvy reversible apron. It was inspired by the one in Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing book. One side is black with a stitched floral pattern and the other is solid muslin with a bit on lemon applique.

All you have to do to enter to win this item is leave a comment below and the winner will be randomly selected. Be sure to leave me some way of finding you if you win (by either linking to your own blog or posting some form of contact information.) You have until December the 6th to leave a comment and I will post who the winner is on December 7th. No international shipments, sorry guys!

Incase you have never heard of the epic event known as Handmade Holidays, you should most definitely check it out. Everyday the wonderful folks over at Sew Mama Sew posts new ideas of things you can make for gifts (or for yourself.) An awesome spot for sewing inspiration.

Aprons are Awesome

Aprons are totally coming back into style. Personally I think half aprons are the best. And I love making them. I actually hung a rack in my kitchen specifically designated for aprons that I make. You know... in case other people want to come over and cook with me and may have the need for an apron. Ok, ok. I know I'm a dweeb. And I'm hanging my head on the inside.

The apron to the left is one I made for my stepmother but I think I want one for myself too it can join this one on the kitchen rack. The pocket was inspired from another one of Lotta's books. I think next time I will use more solids though.

Angry Owl Tote

What better way to end the summer than with an Angry Owl tote? Sturdy, made of canvas and denim, and it has fall colors. Currently holds my lunch on most days. Plus you just can't miss the owl. I'm not sure why he came out angry, he just did. You would think its all in the brows, but I think it goes deeper. The tight-fisted little claws. The pursed beak. The cramped-looking wings. I didn't feel angry while I made it. Hmm... perhaps its just a coincidence.

 
I thought about making an Indifferent Owl. Shrugging Owl. Cold Shoulder Owl. Awkward Silence Owl? Perhaps Angry Owl is plenty. Look! It even looks angry from the back.

What about other moody woodland creatures? Any thoughts?