Latest sewing project

is a canvas tote with a Ralph Lauren paisley pocket 

and blue cord detailing.

It was one of those wonderful canvas bags 

that comes with the company's logo printed on the front

that my neighbor was giving away.

 I chose to cover the logo with a great big pocket

and a little embellishing.

Perfect for toting your favorite magazines in!

Grateful to have it published in Greencraft Magazine!

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Matelasse apron

I found this sweet old fashioned looking quilted pillow sham 

being discarded and decided to rescue it.

I loved the colors, greens and pinks with a floral motif

and best of all it was matelasse, the best fabric for an apron because 

it is so absorbent and perfect for a messy ceramic artist like me.

I cut away at the top corner

 and used the cut away piece as a pattern 

to cut the opposite side as well.

 

Then I folded over the back side twice, 

rolling and pinning it as I went along.

That made it easy to hand stitch it down.

 I cut away and used the bottom half of the back lining of the 

pillow case to create apron strings

by cutting it in 3 even pieces 

and making long tubes to attach to the neck and two sides.

Look how cute the scallop edging at the neck 

and along the sides of the apron shows so well!

 

This was super easy 

and I didn't even have to pull out my sewing machine.

Practical and pretty!

Grateful to share the creativity with GreenCraft magazine readers!


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Simple Scarf

While viewing Ralph Lauren's fashion week photos

of ready-to-wear for the spring 2012 collection

showing a myriad of beautiful neck scarfs in pastel colors

including peach and baby blue along with flowy chiffon skirts in sherbet-florals,

worn with cashmere sweaters in sunny yellow and apple green.

I'm inspired to take a look through my current collection of scarfs

to see what I have that may emulate the same look.

I find this little number in the same genre

and discover this variegated eyelash thread in a similar colorway.

I can't seem to resist adding a bit of embellishment to give it some texture

using the variegated eyelash thread.

With super easy basting stitches added

this simple scarf can easily transform any ordinary outfit

into something special!

Grateful to have it included in Somerset Life Magazine 

and 

Creative Living Ideas magazine!

Sweet and feminine apron design

I have a collection of aprons.

I use them while gardening,

painting, playing with clay

as well as cooking.

I tend to be a messy artist

some of us just "are".

For me it seems the more creative I am

the messier I am.

Here is my sweet new apron design...

girly, feminine & simple.

The fabric reminds me of burlap

but is soft and washable.

I used a vintage button for the closure at the collar

in place of ties at the neck,

and vintage lace with thin satin ribbon threaded through

for gather details at the sweetheart neckline

and on the pockets.

I cut long wide ties for a big fat bow in the back

and lined it for extra durability and body.

And even though it was made with scraps

found about the studio,

I see it more for puttering or cooking

than being abused with wet clay or charcoal from drawings,

at least for a while.



Grateful to have it shared in Apronology Magazine!

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Silk Ruffles & Rosettes

... just sharing my latest fabric creation.

A sweet silk scarf with a wide gathered ruffle on one end

and multiple layered rosettes embellishing the other,

and too many tiny ruffles to count in between!

I found the weightless silk top fluttering in the breeze,

another alley find on my walk home from the beach.

The neighbor had been editing her closet

and there were numerous items left out for others to

discover, take home and treasure or share.

I loved the beautiful fabric this top had been made with,

and having nothing to risk I tossed it in the laundry.

Grateful it laundered beautifully,

but since it wasn't my size or style,

I chose to re purpose the top into this ultra feminine ruffled scarf.

Unfortunately I did not take a before photo,

but this snapshot will show you what was left

after this sewing project was completed.

Thrilled to have it shared in Stampington's publication!

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Pink sweatshirt weather

The past 2 weeks it has been raining and drizzling in So. California

a nice change from the intense heat a few weeks ago.

I decided I needed a classic pink hoodie for early evening cardio along the beach

( pink being a favorite color )

and fortunately, I found this simple cotton Nike number

( perfect except the inside lining next to the zipper

kept flapping out by the collar and bugging )

The solution was to re purpose a sweet pink paisley cotton shirt

as the new lining

After lining the front of the sweatshirt

I used the collar cut in 1/2 for the new hood ties,

and the cuffs were gathered and used as embellishment on the pockets

a pretty pink button added to the zipper

and I am thrilled with how girly it turned out !

and another bonus, it washes beautifully !!!

LoVe It !