Color Chic

A Request... Pillow Please!

It's been awhile since I made a pillow, so I was quite delighted when my neighbor asked if I would make one for her little guy. Bright Fluorescents with Black and Gray was the request. I have to admit this was a really fun project, putting together a pillow that he would like. Of course I used the Dinosaur Jacquard, also thought it would be fun to add a bit of reflective tape... just in case it's dark in his room, he can shine a light and find it! I wasn't sure about the Pom-Pom trim but she said absolutely!

If anyone has any secrets to using Pom-Pom trim I could use it. I just used a lot of straight pins to hold it all together, stitched down the side using my zipper foot and hoped for the best!

But first it was necessary to put the zipper in, so I decided to put the trim on the side that would have the photo on it and then put the zipper in, I really should have taken better photos of this process. But I sort of just do things by trial and error and hope for the best.

There are so many really good tutorials out there for pillows that I didn't want to waste space on one that is just so-so! Sew Mama Sew has a list of really great pillow tutorials to use! I definitely should have followed the tutorial from Noodlehead when putting the zipper in!

Basically the pillow is done and I'm loving these bright colors, now I just need to personalize it with a photo for him ; )!

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Linking up with:

Cherished Bliss

Sew Chatty

Polka Dots on Parade

A Valentine for You...

A few more days to enter Ribbon Jar Giveaway. You can find the details in our Newsletter!

My Sweet Valentines....

Satin, Silk, Ric-Rac, Herringbone & Velvet...

A Giveaway at Ribbon Jar! Be sure to sign up for our Newsletter!

Sharing Christmas Projects...

There are times when handmade crafted projects are a hit and sometimes they are a miss! This year I'm happy to say they were a hit and well received! Those that received this hand crafted gift loved them and those that didn't shared a bit of disappointment on their faces (sorry to those that didn't).

It all started when I ran across this old photo of my Mom in a grade school photo. She volunteers 3 days a week, 6 hours a day (sounds like a job to me, but I disgress) and  needed a tote to carry her lunch and reading material to school.  I shared the back of it here, but didn't want to give to much away. Now the front...

That's her on the bottom row, 5th from the right!

I made a pillow for my sister, with ribbon that complemented her room on one side, when she tires of looking at us on the other : )!

My Honey wanted me to make one for his Mom so he found the perfect photo for her tote; Mom with kids on their Alaska trip. I can only imagine traveling with four kids in a station wagon!

This will be perfect to take on her many adventures!

There are more... I'll share them in a Newsletter soon! This was a fun project for layering warm and vibrant colors and texture!

Gift Bags...

When it comes to wrapping gifts I typically use lots of Ribbon to complement the package. But since Amber started making these sweet bags for her gifts I knew I would have to give it a try. She comes up with great ideas and I copy her ; )! My bags do not have the awesome patchwork pattern, so I added a bit of ribbon to embellish them.

This first one was for the blanket I previously posted about...

And this bag was for my niece who is super excited to be having a girl and loves the color pink!

I really wished I had taken a photo of the sweet pink blanket I made for her baby, but imagine soft pink flowered flannel on one side, super soft pink fabric on the other with lots of pink and green ribbon around the edge.

The baby shower was today and she loved it!

Amber has a link to making these bags on her blog : )!

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I'll be sharing this on:

Seamingly Smitten

Cherished Bliss

Polka Dots on Parade

Sew Modern Monday

Sew Chatty

The Girl Creative

Fall Pillow Complete...

The Pillow I started a couple of days ago is complete!

The texture and rich fall colors are fabulous!

Of course I added my signiture... That would be Ric-Rac to the envelope pocket. I love the little scalloped edge along the back.

Playing around with the ribbon was half the fun! I wanted to make sure that when the project was complete the colors would work well together.

This Wonder Tape was perfect for holding the ribbon down.

I realized after doing a few pieces of ribbon that it would work best if I over layed the pieces.

Make sure you have plenty of thread and bobbins filled as you'll go through lots!

I basted the Ric-Rac down to the face of pillow before sewing the front and back together.

The pinned them together ...

Turned it right side out and stuffed it with a 20" Pillow Form!

When chosing your ribbons I would use lots of Jacquards for their brilliant design, Herringbone for solid color that the other ribbons play against, textured Grosgrain and Ultra-Suede Ribbon, and a bit of sparkle to keep it fun!

I brought home one yard of each, but after starting the project I liked it so much I decided to make the pillow bigger. No problem though... I know a really great place to get more! So make sure you order at least 2 yards of some ribbons, to make sure you have enough to play with.

Be sure to sign up for Ribbon Jar Newsletter to keep up with new product, cool ideas and special deals! If you share your projects with Ribbon Jar and we use it in our Newsletter, you'll receive $15 towards your next purchase

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I'll be sharing this on:

Seamingly Smitten

Cherished Bliss

Polka Dots on Parade

Sew Modern Monday

Sew Chatty

The Girl Creative

Ric-Rac and a Handbag

 Last week I shared on facebook that I was about to start another project! I had a Painted Frog, Polka Dot fabric, Ric-Rac test sample and yards of very fabulous Ric-Rac!

Tonight I sat down at my sewing machine and started sewing. I'm never quite sure exactly how some projects will develop sometimes they just progress as the project moves from one stage to the next!

I started by trimming the frog so it had two inches of fabric around it.

I added Ric-Rac to the top and sides for a bit of added detail:

The inside of this handbag will be a fabulous Polka Dot with colors that work perfectly with the frog!

I covered the back with Ric-Rac by first drawing lines to use as a guide and then played with the Ric-Rac until I got the desired pattern.

The back was a bit larger than the top but I simply trimmed it once I had the Ric-Rac sewn on.

With right sides facing the front and back were sewn together.

It's late and the lighting isn't the best but it's mostly done! I need to find a bigger button as a clasp.

I will certainly try to take some better photos to share!

Not sure what I'll use this bag for, it has a nice big pocket inside so I could use it to carry a knitting project! or perhaps  I will give it as a gift...

Any thoughts?

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I'll be linking up to:

Blue Cricket Design

Seamingly Smitten

Cherished Bliss

Polka Dots on Parade

Sew Modern Monday

Whimsical Bee Pillow!

I decided I needed to make another pillow as you can never have too many! I started with a whimsical bee painted by Arlene. She's been busy painting "Garden Creatures" on fabric, and you thought she just worked in her yard and and threw fabulous parties. I digress... but the woman truly amazes me with her many talents!

I played around a bit with White Sand and Cadmium Herringbone and Black 6mm Ric-Rac. Once I had decided I wanted the ric-rac on the herringbone I sewed the entire amount needed into one long strip.

Then I cut the strips needed for the back and used fusible tape to hold it in place before sewing it down. Then I trimed the edges for a nice finish.

I knew I wanted some kind of border to accent the painting, but I would need to lay it out before sewing it down. Again I used the tape to hold the herringbone in place before sewing. After laying down the tape I placed the cadmium herringbone face down, then placed the white sand on top of that.

I love how this playful pillow turned out, even if the bee does look a bit evil! But then some of them are... I've known many to get stung this season!

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I'll be linking up to:

Blue Cricket Design

Seamingly Smitten

Cherished Bliss

Polka Dots on Parade

Sew Modern Monday

Making a Lavender Sachet

Last year I picked and dryed a lot of lavender, then enjoyed it hanging in my closets and dried in vases throughout the house. It's such a soothing scent. With a new harvest hanging to dry I used last years dried lavender to make a lavender sachet.

I used some Pink Chalk stash and started with a 6" X 6" square before added Lilac 17mm Ric-Rac for design. I love the purple against the green, it's perfect for what will be inside the little green pouch.

After basting the ric-rac to one side of the right side of fabric, I placed right sides together and sewed just inside the seam. This way my basting stitch did not show. I only sewed three sides together so it could be filled with the dried lavender petals.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If Ric-Rac comes in contact with a really hot iron it will melt! I always use a damp thin cloth (hankerchief works well) to cover project before ironing.

Once I've filled the little pouch with lavender I fold the top side in and stitch across the top. A braided cord was added so this can be hung on a door knob or from a hanger in the closet. Not only is lavender a wonderful scent, but a deterent to keep moths from eating your winter wools.

To cute to put out of site in the closet... I'll just have to make more!

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Linking up to:

Creative Itch

Until Wednesday Calls

Fabric Tuesday

Reposting... Pillows for the Cowboy!

Last year I made these super cute pillows for "A Little Cowboy Nursery"! and since Ribbon Jar's shelves are bursting with Ric Rac in all your favorite colors, I decided to repost for a little inspiration!........

As many of you know I'm working on a Nursery for a "Little Cowboy", and today was just the perfect rainy day to be sewing up some pillows for him.  

I found this awesome "Cowhide Fabric" for the pillows and embellished it with Jumbo Ric Rac from the Ribbon Jar. 

   

After sewing the front & back together I top stitched to give the pillows a finished look.  I loved working with the Ric Rac and the added design it gave to the pillows. 

 

 I love how they turned out! My client already has the other one, so now she'll have a pair!

Here's a sneak peak to the other project I've been working on:

 

I can't say to much about it as it's a surprise! But I used lots of Ribbon from Ribbon Jar!