This weekend my craft room was finally orderly enough that I could actually create! What a great feeling! So, the first project I tackled was the flag window treatments. I got the idea from the book Happy Voodoo Gris Gris, and put my own spin on it by using favorite fabrics for a brighter look.
I cut the fabric to 8.5 inches tall by 7.5 inches wide, then hemmed the sides and bottom and made a sleeve at the top through which I ran the ribbon. I hand-sewed the flags onto the ribbon, by putting two stitches in the upper corners of the fabric.
The effect wasn’t quite what I expected, and it makes it clear that I need to get new blinds (something with a little more flair), but they definitely add a sense of playfulness for the time being. And by making a smaller string for the closet door, I was able to carry the design around the room more, making the window look not quite as spare.
Did you get a chance to create over the Labor Day weekend? If so, share it with us in the comments below.
This week I have been psyched about fabric. When my parents were in town last weekend, we took a trip up to Waynesville, Ohio, a town known for it’s cute downtown filled with antique shops. And two fabulous fabric shops.
Both are called The Fabric Shack, but one specializes in decorating fabrics and the other in quilting fabrics. For our short trip, we focused on the quilting fabric store. And even that was a lot to focus on! The store is huge, with a rack of Amy Butler and Heather Bailey fabrics to catch your eye as soon as you walk in the door. Kaffe Fassett, moda, and so, so much more. I ended up getting just two pieces for window treatment project (to be revealed soon, I hope), but my mom made up for my small purchase.
If you don’t get to Ohio much, check them out online.
Another terrific online fabric source is…Etsy. We all know that’s the place to go for adorable hand-crafted goods, but who knew some of that hand-crafted goodness comes in the form of fabric, too. Check out this line-up on Domino magazine's site, listing 15 sources for fabric on Etsy. Fun and funky stuff. (Thanks, Eileen, for the tip.)
What sorts of great fabric finds have you had lately? Please share in the comments!
Hi, there. Christine here. After spending the last month moving and then traveling, I am ready to nest. To get out my sewing machine, leisurely go through my fabric stash, and start making stuff. Although I have many windows that need new treatments, I think I'm going to start small. Just make something fun and fanciful to get myself back in the groove.
Hi, there. Christine here. I recently went on a trip to Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA, with my sister and Mom. In both cities we had a great time exploring the historic districts, walking cobblestone streets, and enjoying fabulous foods like macaroni and cheese and collard greens (yum!).
We went to Charleston first, and took a walking tour of the city that really gave us a nice overview of buildings and the preservation movement to maintain them. In this city, they started saving old buildings in the 1920s, very early compared to most cities, and the mayor makes keeping the city clean and well kept a priority.
Next we went to Savannah, and I have to admit we were a little disappointed at first. They are still very much in the process of preserving and maintaining parts of their historic district (although the areas around the famous squares are beautiful). But the cool part about their current preservation movement is the involvement of the Savannah College of Art and Design. It seems like every large old building in the area has been renovated by SCAD and turned into part of their campus. It's great to see the impact that one organization can have on a city.
In one of the buildings we happened upon shopSCAD, a store of handcrafted items of the college's students, alumni and faculty. It was filled with funky jewelry, screen printed t-shirts, collages--really artwork of every sort.
You, too, can shopSCAD, without having to travel to Savannah (although, I do recommend it) by going to their online shop. Check it out!
Hi, there! Christine here. I just returned from the Craft and Hobby Association trade show near Chicago, and while this isn't a big show for soft crafts, there was one exciting bit of sewing information to come out of it: One of my favorite scrapbook paper companies is coming out with a line of fabrics! Yippee!
BasicGrey has long been known for their beautiful, lush paper designs, and now they are bringing that same sense of style to fabrics made by Moda. Here are some pictures from the show to give you an idea of what is to come in October...
The circle design in the top photo is one that I have used often from their paper line, so I can't wait to use it in my sewing. And I love the incorporation of the giant flower on the bag, too.
Check the scrapbooking category on MyCraftivity later this week for more of what's new from CHA.
