Creative Thursday

schoolhouse tunic

In the year and a half that I've been designing fabric, I've also been taking a lot of sewing classes. I cannot tell you how much it helps me understand who and what it is I am actually designing for. Learning how the pattern I design might be used, has been incredibly helpful in thinking of the best presentation and layout of the each design. (I for one really like stripes, because they are much easier, a little cheat sheet if you will, for me to cut and sew in a straight line ;))

My most recent class that I took at Sew L.A. {which if you are in L.A. I highly, highly recommend any and all classes there} was to make this Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated. What is suggested, and what I actually did this time I took a class! was make a second piece simultaneously at home. This definitely helps nail down that initial learning process into more than just instructions that literally float away from my brain the very next day, if not the same day.

The Iphone has also been super helpful with classes too, as I've found that I'm a visual learner so snapping a photo of the teacher demonstrating the next step for us,  helps me way more than just taking notes. A combination of Iphone photos, notes, and last but not least the actual pattern instructions {I'm not really a very good instruction follower kind of girl} and I was able to successfully make a second tunic at home in the span of the same 3 weeks {with minimal mistakes I might add}

The pattern is for intermediate level and definitely pushed my skill level which was perfect for where I'm at with my sewing. It takes just under 3 yds. of fabric, both fabrics shown above are from my first collection, meet the gang, and I recommend choosing the size up from what you usually wear.

Having also sewn my first small quilt last year, I find apparel sewing to be even more challenging. Then again my quilt was made from 4 blocks, all square. Some of the quilts I see - whoa - seriously skilled people working on those. Totally different sewing experiences though, apparel vs. quilting. I have to say I'm loving it all, minus that pattern cutting and the pinning. As per usual, I've got big plans and want to start designing my own line of clothing, and patterns, right after  I finish this book and...

Some accessorizing with a striped cowl and some yellow rain boots - voila. {If you're wondering what I'm looking at in these photos, it was Garbo. I'm telling you she's my muse} I've also worn both of these over jeans. Lets' just say I've been wearing one of these almost every day. 

bunnies!!!!! in the shop

I made 6 and am willing to part with 5, for now ;)

Loving the little 'Meet the Gang' button on this one. So much fun sewing and painting these this past week.  Just makes me happy. Hope you enjoy them too.

sewing sunday

My first holiday collection of fabric arrived last Thursday and this time rather than stare it for weeks on end before cutting it. I just went for it - had to sew something right away. 

So, I made a new bunny today {might be one of my most favorite creations to date}

I created this first holiday group with an intention of using the majority of the designs year round. It was fun to work with it, even now at the beginning of Spring time, and still feel inspired by the colors and the designs.

A few years in the making, I have been wanting to create a signature Creative Thursday softie and this one could be getting close...! A little of everything, my own fabric! {I still can't get over the fact that I'm sewing with my own fabric} machine sewing, hand stitching and painting.

This is also good inspiration for my upcoming class at the Makerie. I like to create, particularly when sewing, through improvisation, which also means working in the 'mistakes'.  When I started out this morning, all I knew is that I wanted to make a bunny that I'd love - that wouldn't be too complicated to recreate, and that could be made with slightly new variations each time.  I tend to get bored repeating the same thing over and over. Several hours, a few mistakes, and a couple of changes later, I had no idea what the final one would like until I sewed on my second attempt at the face. 

I might have to keep playing with this new fellow and make a little batch of Easter bunnies...

hope you're having a good weekend - and you remebered to set your clocks back I mean forward! I'ts 5 pm and light out!! hello springtime! happy sunday

i will carry this with me everywhere

It's pretty much because of Lizzy that I decided to pursue designing fabric. 

We first met while teaching at Squam and she's the first person who literally looked at me and said "You should be designing fabric". And I remember exactly how she emphasized the word should in usual Lizzy style.

And it's pretty much because of her that I even decided to go to Quilt Market last year and present my designs. Because of the message in this card that she sent me.

And it's pretty much because of her that I sat down with Kathy {the art director we now both work with} to share the very beginnings of a fabric line.

And this weekend, she sent me the sweetest little bag that she sewed combining both of our new fabrics. I am literally beside myself, not only because I love it so much, but I hardly even know how to begin to thank this kind of generosity.

This bag, my new favorite that I will now carry with me everywhere, is a symbol. Not only of a friendship, with the kindest person who has the most giving heart, but also ~ a fellow artist who reminds me again and again that there is room for all of us ~ the kind of room that holds the space for all of us to succeed and thrive together.

{thank you Lizzy}

happy halloween! + a sewing illustration

It's Halloweeeeen! Since it's celebratory sort of day, I decided to make creativity {and carving pumpkins} my highest priority. I've been so excited to illustrate more with my sewing machine and finally gave myself the opportunity to explore this mostly new medium for me. 

Essentially a free-motion illustration on the sewing machine, on natural cotton combined with batting and my fabric on both the front and back sides ~ I also hand embroidered the border and painted the skeleton. Seriously, I loved creating this and am feeling pulled this direction in my art. I think I've probably mentioned that before? I have no idea where it will take me, but anxious to see. 

So this is the first time I've made available for purchase over at the shop. I also created this little piece to wish you a Happy Halloween!!! 

It turned out to be a particularly fulfilling creative day and now at nearly 5 pm with more work to do, I'm wondering exactly how and when the pumpkin carving will fit in? Ok, fine. You know me and my love for roasted pumpkin seeds. I will find the time. have a fun Halloween out there!

embroidery patterns + kits

So this is the inspiration behind the little snippet of  Ruby that I shared with you last week. I thought it might be fun to create an embroidery pattern to complement my first fabric line "Meet the Gang". And after sharing these in my class last weekend at the retreat, I saw firsthand how much fun everyone was having stitching and painting these little fellows, especially RUUUBY!! 

And yes, painting and stitching. I'm sort of enamored with combining the embroidery and applique with acrylic paints on fabric. I started exploring that a short while ago and now with my work in fabric design, I feel like I get to combine my loves and explore a whole new direction in my art.

If you feel inspired, you can create one too. I've listed a pattern, ready to go! already printed on fabric, so you can grab a needle and thread and start stitching. I've also listed six kits that include a hoop, a needle, a sampling of thread and my fabric.

You can find everything over at the shop {pssst...including a limited number of fat quarter bundles of 'Meet the Gang' that I just listed today}

And that blog post... the one I've been promising to share...for a really long time...with larger views of the fabric...that one is next!

I hope you enjoy these new additions!

embroidering

An embroidery Sunday.

hope you are having a wonderful Sunday wherever you may be

{oh and! hey! happy october too!}

i made some pillows

With my own fabric. Seriously. There is nothing more satisfying. 

What's also special about this photo is that the pillows are resting in the seat of the very first creation, one of my hand painted vintage chairs, that I released under the Creative Thursday name in 2004. A full circle moment.

My plan is to post the entire fabric line {coming out so soon now!} in the next week or so. 

Ric Rac Rabbit - my first downloadable pattern PDF

I did it! Dipping my toe into the world of pattern design and released my very first one today.

Now you can make your own little Creative Thursday fellow to cheer you on in all your creative endeavors. 

With my fabric almost out there in the world, this is where I'm headed. I'm inspired to create more that you all can create with.  Hoping this will be the first of many patterns to come.

Ric Rac Rabbit is right here over at the shop

summer shop update tomorrow @ 11 am pst

15 one-of-a-kind, original creations and 15 {only 1 of each} new canvas wall art. From clay sculptures to softies to embroidery to aprons...and a terrarium ;)

See you there!