12.20.2009
12.09.2009
Lavender Sachet + A Tutorial
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The lavender I use to fill them came from Purple Haze Lavender in Sequim, WA. It is heavenly.
To Make them you need:
- 1) 4 - 2 1/2" squares of fabric
- 2) Silk or Poly organza for back
- 3) New or vintage button for front
- 4) Stay button for Back
- 5) Ribbon (optional)
- 6) Lavender florets to fill sachet. I got mine here.
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Stitch the center seam using a 1/4" s.a.
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seam allowance. Leave an opening approximately 1" centered at the bottom.
Clip the corners and press the s.a. open.
Turn to right side.
I ordered 1/2 pound organic lavender which is enough to make many, many sachets!!
(My table never looks this clean. I should take photographs on it more often!)
12.01.2009
Toile and a finished project!
I adore toile fabrics and decoration. I recently purchased this book, Toiles De Jouy, which has beautiful examples of the French fabric maker's toiles.
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I've been collecting ever since and have purchased them on Ebay (left), at auctions (center) and on my travels in the South of France (right).
More of my ever growing collection. I found the plates on the right at my local T.J. Maxx for $1 a piece!
I recently finished these pillow covers. (Yay, 1 more thing to cross off the list!) The white swirl printed fabric is actually napkins I bougth at Anthropologie some time ago. The toile was purchased at Jo-Annes.
I love the way they turned out!
I used three self fabric covered buttons for the back envelope closure in contrast red toile with red toile binding in the same pattern. I had never made covered bttns before. They were so easy and I'm really happy with the look.
Happy sewing and collecting!
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I love the way they turned out!
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Happy sewing and collecting!
11.30.2009
Holiday Traditions Old and New
I love Christmas. I haven't always felt this way but since having kids I seriously get into the holiday spirit. It is exciting making the boys dreams come true and to experience the wonder of Christmas through their eyes.
We have established a few family traditions in the past few years. The first is going to Snohomish the day after Thanksgiving and watching Santa enter the town in his horse drawn sleigh. Snohomish is a lovely little town and has lots of great antique shops. (I'll do a separate blog post on Snohomish in the near future!)
Another tradition is putting the Santa photos in frames and hanging them on the tree.
We always ride the carousel downtown and enjoy the "snow" at Pacific Place.
This year we started a new tradition - cutting our own tree. It wasn't purely motivated by the romance of trekking through the snow to find the perfect tree. We were tired of spending lots of $$ on the "perfect" tree. I happened to see coverage on the local new that with a $10 permit, you can go into national forest and cut your own. There are designated areas, but that being said, I was surprised at how many areas allow it.
So this is the tree. At first we were a bit worried since it is much barer than the perfectly dense and shirred Xmas trees we usually get. It has grown on me and I'll have to say I rather love it. It is how nature intended. You can actually see the ornaments on the tree!
We decided on this one. The day was not quite as I imagined but I'll cherish it always and look forward to doing it again next year.
11.20.2009
Jewelry Show this Saturday!
If anyone is looking for something fun to do tomorrow night, there is a fabulous jewelry show and party (oh yes.....there will be lots of wine and food) at Danaca Design in the U-District. Myself as well as nine other talented designers will be showcasing their work. We are raffling off an incredible necklace for only $5 a ticket. Each and every designer collaborated on the necklace by making a bead. Proceeds benefit the Jewelry Art Stimulus Fund which will provide scholarships for jewelry classes at the studio.
We are also featuring many of the artist's jewelry as well as some paintings and stones in a silent auction which will also benefit the scholarship fund. Check out the link for photos of the items!
Following are some of my favorite pieces!
Yes....I have been a busy bee!!!!
11.16.2009
Holiday Inspiration
It has been a crazy past few weeks in the Randell household. We have been continously sick with a cold or the flu which explains my lack of blog posts.
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I'm so excited for Christmas this year. Seems like the Fall is flying by and Christmas is just around the corner! I have been perusing the web and found these lovely projects and images I just had to share. . . . . . . .
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10.27.2009
Cute (free) Skirt Pattern
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I love the ruffle detail, the flower applique and the wool jersey fabric it is made out of.
The instructions can be found on Heather Bailey's website here.
Hope you are enjoying your week!
10.23.2009
Some Cool Freebies
10.15.2009
Too many projects, too little time.....
I love to make things and dabble in all kinds of crafty mediums
but lately it has been all about sewing.
I've spent the last few nights taking it apart getting it ready to use for the project.
and I knew this would be the perfect use for all those lovely squares. I found a great website here that explains the history as well as the technique.
The technique is English paper piecing and the pattern is called Grandmother's flower garden. It is done entirely by hand which speaks to my love of intricate details and handcrafted items.
I'm also working on some p.j's for the boys, new pillow covers for our bed as well as some clothes for myself. I can't complain, life is good and I'm looking forward to finishing some projects!!
10.11.2009
I've got the bug.....
The quilting bug that is. It is something I've always wanted to try and I love it!
I finished my very first block lastnight!
I've been collecting these Munki pj's that have the most adorable prints by Heather Ross.
I think they are great for quilting and I'm really looking forward to using them.
You can read more about the Munki obsession here.
I went looking for this lastnight. I found it at a yard sale years ago. It is the beginning of a quilt and looks like the squares are made from vintage fabric. For years I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. I think I'll be taking it apart and using the pieces for a future quilt!
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I think they are great for quilting and I'm really looking forward to using them.
You can read more about the Munki obsession here.
Happy Sewing!
10.05.2009
Anthropologie Love
Paint by number plates. How cool is that?
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I just received the October issue of Anthropologie. I Love, Love, Love this store. If I had to choose only one place to shop it would be here. I've attached some of my faves. Happy shopping!
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