Stash Week Day 3: Fabric

So here's the fabric stash. The previous owner of our house was an avid knitter and had this island with baskets installed to hold all of her knitting supplies. The top row and middle right row hold the cotton prints. At various times they are more or less arranged by color palette. Most of this fabric was purchased from various Etsy sellers (you can see some of my favorites by going to my dormant Etsy shop and looking at my Favorites), one or two local quilt shops, my all-time favorite fabric store in Phoenix, J. Caroline Creative and the Fat Quarter Shop. I have been on a fabric-buying moratorium since late 2008, so you probably aren't seeing any new prints in there! Bottom left holds a small selection of home decor fabrics for projects that have been envisioned but not executed. Bottom right holds fabric scraps. So here's a quick tip for finding new fabrics. When you are going out of town and will have a few minutes to kill, find a few fabric shops beforehand to visit. To do this, go to the website of one of the popular fabric designers, like Amy Butler or Joel Dewberry, and find out where they sell fabric in the town you are visiting.

See you tomorrow, and thanks for stopping by!

I Want To Be Like Claire

One of my top 10 favorite blogs is the awesomeness that is Blah to Tada. Its author, Claire, is the MacGuyver of crafts. She can take any little scrap of anything and turn it into something beautiful, amazing and/or useful. Inspired by Claire after a week of having zilch craft inspiration, I covered a coffee can to keep sharp tools away from toddler fingers. No, it's not an original idea, but it was "free" because I reused things I already had on hand (a can, some Mod Podge, a 13 x 5 inch fabric scrap and 13 inches of grosgrain ribbon left over from another project). And it makes me happy. Thanks Claire!!!

Are You Kidding Me?!?!?! Amazing Giveaway!

This is actually a real giveaway! I would probably die immediately if I won. Whipstitch Fabrics, via the awesome Fabric Shopper blog, is giving away two fat quarter sets that YOU DESIGN!!!! It's SO EASY! You visit Whipstitch Fabrics, select 12 fat quarters that fit a theme of your choice, go back to The Fabric Shopper and leave a comment with your selections. Two winners will be selected to win the fat quarter pack they designed!!! I might have to make my husband design one too!

A Simple Plea To Denyse Schmidt

Denyse Schmidt: Please re-release Flea Market Fancy. I will wash your car. I will wash your dog. I will hang your Christmas lights. Please. That is all.

Especially this print:

And this one:

In the meantime, I'll probably buy this from Amazon:

Fabric-Covered Box: Before And After

My little girl received a birthday present back in March in this sweet Papyrus gift box. It's such a pretty box, but it got pretty beaten up by the USPS. So, we decided to recover it with fabric.

Shockingly (not), I covered the bottom of the box in Heather Bailey Freshcut fabric. The top is covered in a coordinating print from Moda. The top is covered in the method of wrapping a present, but for the bottom, I just wrapped a strip of fabric around it. I hemmed the bottom of the strip and covered the top of the strip in grosgrain ribbon.

I glued all the fabric to the box with Mod Podge, and I used Terrifically Tacky Tape to put on the ribbon. I'm using the box to store blank, ready-to-decorate cards.

Have a great night!

Craft Room Part One And Banner How-To

Welcome to your tour of my craft room. Since I am only able to keep one section clean at a time, each section is going to require its own blog post (i.e., week of organization). Here is the little area where I do my computer printing/copying/enlarging, etc. I have an HP 4-in-1 that works okay for most things. Next to that is my little Ikea box that holds all my stickers. Next to that are a couple of magazine files I got a few years back at Target. They hold all my printing media, like cardstock, transfer paper, full-sheet labels, etc.

Banner How-To

I made a little banner to tie everything together, and it was super easy. I used double-fold bias tape because that is what I had on hand, but you could just as easily use single-fold bias tape, twill tape or even a long piece of ribbon if that's what you have handy. I will say that the bias tape is nice and firm and makes a lovely curve that lays flat against the wall. Next, Google "isosceles triangle" and print out whatever image comes up! That's what I did, then enlarged it, cut it out, traced it onto cardboard to make a template and cut out the template. After measuring the length of the banner and determining how many triangles I would need, I traced triangles onto ten fabric scraps with a disappearing ink fabric marker and cut them out. I laid the bias tape out across the ironing board. Then I took a roll of double-sided fusible web -- the really narrow kind -- and cut a long piece of it, which I then cut lengthwise. Then I laid that on the inside of the bias tape and stuck my triangles on top of it. Then I laid the other half of the fusible web on top of the triangles and pressed the bias tape closed on top of it. This way, everything stayed in place while I ironed and sewed the banner, and it gave the bias tape some additional heft. Once everything was ironed down, I sewed the length of the banner with a zig-zag stitch. I hung it up with push-pins. It was so easy, and I love how it turned out. I'm sure I'll be making a lot more banners!

Charmed, I'm Sure

I realize that I am the last person on the planet who needs to be looking at fabric shop websites. BUT it is my duty to tell you that Fat Quarter Shop is having a big sale that ends today on lots of awesome Moda "baked goods" (e.g., jelly rolls, honey buns, etc.). I, for one, am a big fan of the charm pack. Here are some that I really "NEED." Seriously, though, I love Fat Quarter Shop, and the turnaround time on orders is amazing.

Swatch Portraits

Here is the beginning of my "swatch portrait" wall, i.e., my favorite fabrics hanging in "frames" made of cheapy wooden embroidery hoops. I wish I could say I invented the idea, but no. I found inspiration in the craft blog world, such as here and here and here. This is an inexpensive and easy way to look at your favorite fabrics every day (which is good when you are obsessed with your fabric, like I am).

Easy DIY Lamp Makeover

Contrary to my husband's claims, I did not PURGE all of his things when we married and combined households almost six years ago. I did keep some things. Like this plain white lamp. I needed a little something for the spare bedroom, so I decided to fix up this lamp. I cut a strip of fabric about four inches wide and long enough to go all the way around the lamp with an extra inch or so of overlap. Then I made a little mark in pencil at the center of the lamp so the fabric strip would be center. I didn't sand or anything. I just slapped some Mod Podge onto the lamp and laid the fabric down on it. I smoothed as I went along to keep the fabric from gapping or having any air bubbles. Once it was dry, I used fabric glue to glue a piece of black grosgrain ribbon around the top and bottom of the fabric section. I added a new lamp shade from Target, et voila!

Recent Fabric Favorites

I was perusing J. Caroline Creative, trying to restrain myself from making any purchases, and spotted a few fabrics that I "need."

1. Red Joyful Damask by Michael Miller fabrics. 2. Garden Friends Zig Zag Zoo in Mint by Jay McCarroll for Free Spririt fabrics. 3. Petal Flower Dot by Robert Kaufman fabrics. 4. Espresso Mingle Dot by Robert Kaufman fabrics. While there, I also spotted some ribbon I need, such as this fabulous Orange Waved Dots by Keri Beyer. It's sold in a 25-yard roll -- anybody want to go in on it with me???

I'm Back . . . Woo

So I finally got a chance to make something. I really have spent the last two weeks de-Marthaing and putting everything into nice, neat binders. Now that I am finished, I decided to work on a project I've wanted to do for a while -- a covered canvas to hold hair clips, following this easy peasy tutorial by the lovely Julie at Joy's Hope. I used Michael Miller Waterlily fabric in blush and some green grosgrain ribbon from Michael's. I also found an old frame, which has been sanded, painted and is currently drying in the garage. I'll update when it's framed and in place. This is seriously the easiest project on the planet, and I got the canvas at Michael's for $8.99, less 40% off coupon. This could be a gift that looks much more expensive than it cost to make.

Tomorrow

I have covered some photo albums with fabric, and it's super easy. I'll post a how-to tomorrow. I must warn you that it's addictive! You'll be out at TJ Maxx (my secret source) scrounging through the piles looking for albums to cover.

Flights Of Fancy

Turning my thoughts away from Christmas for the just the briefest of moments, I wanted to comment on how much I like Paula Prass's Flights of Fancy collection for Michael Miller fabrics. It has shapes (pebbles, quatrefoil) and colors (lime, orange) that I love. It would be perfect for home accents. You can get the entire collection at J. Caroline Creative, AND through December 20, shipping is a flat $5.

An Apple A Day

This Sandi Henderson Farmers Market fabric just makes me smile. There are lots of people selling it on Etsy -- including this three half-yard bundle from Fabric Shoppe.

Garden Of (Fabric) Temptation

Why do I even go there? I can think of few things I need LESS than MORE fabric. Yet, it's an obsession. Like people who hoard matchbooks, wine corks or cats. In any event, Fabric Supplies is one of the best fabric stores not only on Etsy, but in general. They have TONS of stock, most of which is about $7.50 a yard, and their shipping is totally accurate -- not based on number of items or price. Here are some of my current faves. Feel free to purchase, because I DON'T NEED TO!

Alexander Henry Starlings in Pink, which makes me think fondly/wistfully of my dear friend Anne.

I am really into patterns that are so "traditional" or folksy as to be over the top. The first two are from My Folklore by Lecien (imported from Japan): Trellis in Light and Birds in Black. The third is Floral Stripe in Blush by Heather Ross.

Heather Bailey Bijoux, Mod Beads in Lime. Fine. I admit it. I already have some of this for Spring/Summer pants I plan to make for baby.

Orange-y Goodness

As you know, I am the number one fan and stalker of Jessica Jones's blog, How About Orange. Well, Jessica's new collection of fabric for the J. Caroline Creative online fabric store (which I also stalk) has arrived. I love, love, love this orange "Boardwalk" fabric. It's a home decor fabric....where do I need a little jolt of color in my house?