etsy shop Archives - Page 8 of 13

Posted on March 5, 2014 by admin

Scarves, scarves, scarves!

When cleaning out the studio last week, I ran across a bunch of lovely silky fabric. It wasn’t anything that I would sew as it tends to spit out the pins as you sew. It is way above my comfort level to sew with and was given to me by both my Mother in Law and my Mom. I had been on a recent shopping trip with my teenage daughter and noticed that infinity scarves and scarves in general were the latest thing. (They have probably been the latest thing for quite awhile.) Â I had enough to create a variety of different scarves. Some are infinity and some are not. I am counting these for the challenge.

I made an infinity scarf out of the beautiful green, black and blue optical print.

I made two of these long rectangular scarves with this lovely black fringe from my supplies. They came out quite nice.

I also made an infinity scarf out of the same fabric. It reminds me of storm clouds.

This is a beautiful silky feel window pane plaid of purple, green and red on a blue background. While I was taking the photos I found an alternate way to wear it. A simple pull through knot.

So five scarves would be numbers #56, 57, 58, 59, 60! I haven’t decided if these will be in listed in the shop or for personal use. We will see!

talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on March 3, 2014 by admin

The New Blanket

The new blanket! I have been admiring this pattern around the internet. I know that Lucy of Attic 24 is making a variation of this same pattern. Her blanket is beautiful as always. Â I have posted bits and pieces of my blanket on facebook so if you follow me there then you have already seen a little of it.Â https://www.facebook.com/Chocolatedogstudio I started this blanket back around the middle of February.

Here it is at the very beginning. It is a perfect scrap afghan pattern as you can use any colors you want. I am using a complete stripes worth of each color.

It will be a great blanket as there are no holes for air to get through. It is taking me a bit to get it finished as I keep setting it down to work on other items in the 100 items in 100 days challenge! I am using my stash for this so it counts as well but the sewing machine has been calling these days.

Talk to you later,

Karen

You can see Lucy’s blanket here:Â http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2014/02/creative-happiness.html

Posted on March 2, 2014 by admin

#49 and #50!

It has been awhile since I posted in my 100 items in 100 days. I have been working on it nearly every day. I have just not had time to post photos of my work. It will be another couple days until I can sit down and take some great photos. It has also been overcast and cloudy, which makes for drab and dull photos. I will leave you with these quick pictures I took of some embroidery hoops I am working on. I am in the process of using up these embroidery hoops. As you can see there are so very many that need to be used!

So these would numbers 49 and 50, which makes me half way there and on the downhill slope of the Challenge. I never thought I would be able to get this far but this is working out quite well! I have been forced to think outside the box and work on bit and small projects for my shop! It has been exciting to sit down and sew everyday. Â I have made about 10 or more items that I need to photograph so I can show you.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 28, 2014 by admin

Scrap Busting with Quilts

Quilts are a time honored way to use scraps. These quilts were made by the women in my family, Grandmothers and Great- Grandmothers and I think one Great-Great Grandmother.

This sun bonnet sue is one of my favorites.

My Grandma was a member of a quilting group. They would meet once a week or month and quilt the top of a member’s quilt. Â It was a social time and also a time to get much needed work done. These quilts were made for use and they kept the family warm on the cold winter nights. Â My Aunts can sit down and tell you where each piece of fabric came from. They came from a time when women made their own clothes and skill with a needle and thread was valued.Â My Mom taught me to sew and I am teaching my girls or at least making sure they learn the basics. Â Sewing is expensive Â these days unlike my Grandmothers’ days when everyone had to have some skill at sewing.

I have been thinking about sewing some quilts with my scraps. I have sewn one quilt top that is just strips of fabric but the more complicated patterns are calling to me. I need to baste all the layers together but I keep putting it off.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 25, 2014 by admin

The second challenge

I have been thinking of a second challenge. This one has to do with crocheting Â and granny squares. I have seen so many beautiful squares and I want to make them all. Did you know that the average granny square blanket uses at least 100 squares? So if I make 100 different squares I should have enough for a blanket. If I make a couple of each design I would easily have a nice sized crochet blanket. I am not going to give myself a time limit on this challenge but I am going to make 100 different granny squares and then make them into a blanket. Here is my first square. It looks a little wonky and needs to be steam blocked. Â This pattern is found in the book The crochet Motif by written by Edie Eckman.

So this is number 1 out of 100 Granny Squares!

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 21, 2014 by admin

Friday!

I have several ideas rolling around in my head to sew today. A couple of receiving blankets, pot holders, another coffee press cozy and then some things to finish up. I have a quilt to layout and baste. I have some other wrist warmers I can crochet, grey, yellow and brown and maybe navy. I want to make some place mats for the shop and more potholders. Â There is decidedly too much to do and not enough time to get things done. I am feeling overwhelmed. It seems no matter how much I use up what I have there are still tons of supplies to use. Here are a few photos to prove the point. Yes, it is really a mess but I have been cleaning and these photos were taken a couple of weeks ago.

This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg of supplies in my studio.There are several laundry baskets of yarn, 6-7 large plastic tubs of fabric. I have received 5-6 large plastic tubs and drawer units of fabric from my MIL’s long term stash of items. It is overwhelming me. The little things that I keep making only seems to be making more scraps that take up more and more room! I need to clean the studio this weekend and make order out of creative chaos! So, that is my plan for the weekend and hopefully I will also get some items cut out and ready to go! The good news is that I do have enough of what is needed to make another weekender bag, maybe two!

talk to you later,

Karen

NOTE: So that you know I am human and weird things happen to us. We now have a water leak that requires repairs. So, I will be cleaning up the mess today and probably tomorrow after the repairs are done.

NOTE: I am cleaning the studio and why oh why must it look worse before it looks better….? But it is improving…slowly but surely. The house is repaired and running properly.

The cleaning is coming along slowly but it is getting done. I am trying to integrate my MIL’s fabric with my fabric so I am not buying things I don’t need. I would rather just sew it all up and get it out of my hair. Cleaning craft supplies drives me crazy.

Posted on February 18, 2014 by admin

# 47 of 100 items in 100 days!

I made these pretty pot holders for my daughter. I will store them for her until she needs them. She cut them out for her quilt and they were left over. They are Â bright and colorful.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 17, 2014 by admin

#39- 46 of 100 items in 100 days Challenge!

Here is a huge addition to my 100 items in 100 days Challenge! I was super productive today and many things were started and finished! A huge Thanks to my Mom! She gave me some elastic so I could stay out of the fabric stores!

So here is # 39