Tutorial: Fabric Hearts Garland

Remember the tiny fabric hearts I made the other day? This is what I made them for. A very quick and easy to make garland. Since my domain is fabric and thread, I thought it would make a perfect sense if I make a Valentine Day's garland using fabric instead of paper. Being a big fan of fusible web, it was a perfect way for me to use it and use all the scraps of fabric left from making Fabric Love Hearts.

Tutorial: Fabric Love Hearts

With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought I would make a few quick and simple decorations for our home. Nothing big and fancy, just a few small things that we can keep or use for some other occasion. Fabric Love Hearts. They can easily be turned into a garland or gift tags, they can be hung on a tree as lovely ornaments or they can fill a basket or vase to the brim to brighten up your room. You can make just one large heart or as many as you like of smaller sizes.

Selvedges. Interesting Pieces of Fabric

I got two craft magazines recently. Molly Makes and Homespun. These magazines are always full of interesting projects, ideas, photos and inspiration.

Wildflowers. Amazingly Beautiful

Wildflowers. So tiny, delicate and pretty, they grow in vast meadows and pop out among rocks and country roads. They are the first ones to come out in spring to bring us the reminder of the coming summer and they are the last ones to go in autumn. I love them so much. So simple and yet amazingly beautiful.

Hot Pot Holders. Never Say Never

When I saw Amy's at NanaCompany tutorial for potholders, I knew I had to make them. They are the most beautiful potholders I have ever seen. Amy is amazing at making small pretty things with lovely details. Even though the process of making the potholders seemed to be quite simple, it scared me because it required a lot of binding. I always doubt myself when it comes to sewing. Don't you?

Work in Progress: Little Progress and New Inspirations

This is how much, actually, how little progress I have made on this piece. It took me a few attempts to work out how many counts of embroidery floss to use for each part. I started with two counts of floss for the stems of the flowers, but it looked too heavy. I only realised that after two posies were completed. So I had to start again.

Fabric Stash. No More Additions. For Now

It's been a while since I shared with you new additions to my fabric stash. I have to admit, I went on a fabric shopping spree late last year and ended up buying a lot of fat quarters, much more than I need for things I make. After paying for the last bit of fabric, I found myself feeling quite guilty. It was an impulse purchase, something I don't usually do. So at that moment I decided to stay away from fabric shops for a while and try using only what I have in my stash for at least next month or two and buy fabric only if I really, really need it.

Sketching

It's been a long while since I sketched or painted last time. I am hoping that this year I can get back to learning and practicing Sumi-e, the "art of one brush stroke". It's a very relaxing and even meditating process, from the moment you start making ink to the very last stroke of the brush. I hope I make more time available for pencil sketching, drawing and simply doodling. I used to carry a small notepad in my bag at the very beginning of last year but then the rush of everyday life took over and the notepad was left on the shelf collecting dust.

Some Sad Things and Some Happy Things

Remember my garden in a coffee cup? Well, I have some sad news. It's gone. Forever I suppose. We went away and one week without watering was enough for this tiny green world to suffer so much that it could not bare it anymore. It dried out. Once we got back home, I tried to revive it but the damage was too much for the little plant to handle. It is sad but luckily I split this plant in two a few weeks after I bought it because it was getting a bit wild in the tiny cup. It's growing ok in a large pot outside. So I should be happy that it was only a small part of the plant that died. Now I have to find some other plant, that can survive without water for long periods of time. Any suggestions?

Work in Progress: Getting Ready

I couldn't wait for any longer, being away from my sewing machine. I had to get it out from the box and bring it back to the living room to it's place on the dining table. My head is spinning with all the projects I have been thinking about and making notes over the holidays. There are so many new and old things around that inspire me, fill me with ideas and make me want to keep creating. I am looking forward to a whole new year of learning new skills, meeting new creative people and having fun along the way creating.