For a Special Girl....

...because nothing says "You are Special" like a custom designed backpack in your favorite colors and featuring your favorite characters.

And nothing goes together better than pink velveteen and red piping.

Purple Necktie Skirt

Sometimes my customers aren't sure about the waistband tie. I have designed it to go in the back (over the zipper) and to tie in a mock Windsor knot or a simple overhand.

Valentine Handbag

So cute! All novelty neckties. Look closely and you'll see the "Conversation Hearts."

Aqua Handbag

I'm coming off a 2-week sewing binge. Don't know what got into me. After making an aqua necktie skirt I did a re-design on the handbag pattern. It's a slightly different size and shape.

And don't think it's easy to find aqua neckties...

What do you think?

Feather Fairy!

Here is a close-up of the feather fairy design. There is a circle of tulle for the dress, feathers (of course,) a 16mm wooden bead for the head and silver tinsel for the hair. The arms are wire and she holds a wreath fashioned from green tinsel.

Please give it a try - it's easy!

Ornament Wreath Do-Over

2010 Vintage Ornament Wreath

Last year I attempted my first vintage ornament wreath and while it was very pretty, I knew that it could be better. First of all, the ornaments were merely stung onto a wire hanger base and therefore a lot of them were facing the wall! Also, because the wreath wasn't flat on the back, it didn't quite hang right.

2009 Vintage Ornament Wreath

So a couple of weeks ago, I carefully disassembled the wreath and started fresh.

I saw some ornament wreaths at Pier 1 and I noted that there was a tinsel garland peeking out from between the ornaments:

Pier 1 Wreath

After collecting MANY more ornaments this year, I started over with a straw wreath form. I wrapped it with green tinsel garland. Also, I took the top off of each ornament and filled the necks with construction adhesive. I made sure that each metal top and wire loop was securely affixed to the inside of the ornament. It takes about 24 hours for the adhesive to dry. Then I used greening pins to attach each ornament to the wreath form. It took forever. There are over a hundred ornaments!

I love the way it turned out. Until next Christmas...

Where's Laura K?

Our Christmas Program was called "Winter Wonder" this year and it was a lot of fun. Can you find Yours Truly in the cast photo? (Click twice on image to enlarge.) Click here for last year's cast.

James and Sarah

Merry Christmas!

Fairy Feather Fest 2010

It's a Fairy Feather Fest. You're invited, be my guest.
We will get our fairies dressed, in their feathered best.



These adorable girls came over on Saturday for the SECOND ANNUAL FAIRY FEATHER FEST (Now with theme song...)

Here's Lindsey,

Kaitlin,

Bobbi,

Leah,

Sarah,

and Ryan (with her Pittsburgh Steeler-themed Feather Fairy - GO STEELERS!)

Festive Fun was had by all! Click here for FFF2009!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I first made these matchbox mice about 25 years ago. Maybe longer. Every year, as we decorate the tree, the kids love to locate the mice.

I was pretty sure that I had saved a package of the boxes and sure enough I located them as I was cleaning out some supplies.



These are at least 25 years old, I have no idea where to find them any more, but there are lots of matchboxes out there that would be equally as cute.



Here is a little photo tutorial. There's not much to it!



Just a little bit of felt, a scrap of fabric, a little embroidery, glue and blush the cheeks. There is a ribbon hanger. That's about it!



Sinple, cute and classic. I mean, who doesn't love a mouse in a matchbox?

I also did a variation with a pair of mice in a Crayola box. The idea was from an old Hallmark Christmas card. That was really cute too!

Anyone else remember these?



Happy December and Happy Crafting to all!

Thanksgiving 2010

Will, Matt, Mandy Harper, James, Kaitlin, and Dan.

We loaded up the minivan on Wednesday and drove 12 hours to San Francisco to visit Matt for Thanksgiving. This photo was taken in our hotel, The Sir Francis Drake. On Wednesday night we took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf, had chowder in sourdough bowls, bought some salt water taffy and some goofy hats.

On Thursday morning we did the Turkey Trot Trail run at Golden Gate Park for charity. We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal at Campton Place. Then we took afternoon naps and went to the movies. It's always a challenge to select a movie that everyone wants to see, but we agreed on Red - and it was great!

On Black Friday we had pancakes at Sears Fine Food and then headed to Muir Woods and enjoyed the cool redwoods. Ahhhh.... Then we went to Berkeley, had lunch and shopped a little. I went to Castle in the Air. We did a little tour of Cal Berkeley - which is GORGEOUS - and stopped at a bike store. Most of the Kluvos just LOVE bike stores.... I waited in the car.

We returned to San Francisco had an early dinner at the hotel and headed out to the tree-lighting at Union Square. Couldn't resist stopping in Borders. Later Mandy Harper stopped by our hotel with two huge boxes of her famous vegan treats. We left at 5:00 on Saturday morning. Arrived safe and sound on Saturday evening. Everyone alive and mostly undamaged. We did have a couple of close calls though, especially during the car ride home... Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Happy Halloween

My neighbor, Sarah G models one of my "spooky" ruffled skirts. Thank you Sarah!

Will at The Grand Canyon

Ken and Will made a road trip over fall break. They drove to Flagstaff for pizza, then to The Grand Canyon for the night and hiking the next morning. Then they drove to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil and of course the famous "Pawn Stars" pawn shop the next day. Finally over the Hoover Dam and back home.

Best Dad Ever!

Sew Much Fun!

Several months ago I was invited to judge the "Love to Sew Runway Challenge" at my local Bernina store, Sew From the Heart.

Now you know that I HEART my Berninas (I own FIVE - two are sergers - and still have the first one I purchased in 1983!) and I am always ready to encourage anyone to sew. I was flattered to be asked.

The contest was on September 24 - 26. On Friday night, the four contestants each selected a mystery bag. Inside was an assortment of fabrics. They checked out the fabrics, the yardage, etc. and went home in the evening (without the fabric) to design their garments and draft their patterns.

The next morning they arrived at the store to begin sewing. They sewed all day and the staff provided everything they needed. They had tables, machines, sergers, dress forms, pressing tools, and even their own "Tim Gunn" (actually the very talented Carrie Morgan) to guide and encourage them.



I couldn't resist stopping by on Saturday afternoon to meet the contestants and to check on their progress.

Lovely Amanda McMurdy received a pale green wool plaid fabric. She is making a coat - note the minkee lining!



Tara Brooksby is making a gray plaid dress with a solid gray center front panel. She also has a coordinating silky orange fabric, but at this point I am not sure how she plans to use it.



Terry Young is making a lined bustier top with a sweetheart neckline. She also has some giraffe-print minkee...



Armita Rolf Von Den Baumen has a fabulous solid red wool. This is a great color and I am sure that her design will have real impact. At this point, I think that she has an advantage. The luck of the draw has given her, in my opinion, the "best" selection of fabrics.

It's hard to tell how things will go - the designers will work into the evening and also have the option to return to work on Sunday until 2:00.


On Sunday I returned to Sew From The Heart to conference with the other judges and to determine our judging and scoring criteria. We decided to award points based on Creativity, Execution, Fit, Overall Appeal and Technique. There were ten possible points in each category.

Each designer presented her garment to the judges. First, Amanda,



then Tara,



then Terry,



and Armita. Each described her inspiration and intention for her design.
Aren't they all wonderful?



Then everyone left the workroom as we examined and scored the garments. When we sat down to compare notes we discovered that although our points were different, we all agreed on the winner and also in the order of finish.

(The order was not important because we were only choosing a winner, but still it was kind of amazing that we each determined the same ranking.)

By now a small crowd had gathered in the store and every chair was filled. The audience was enjoying some lovely snacks provided by the Sew From The Heart.

The dressmaker forms were pulled out of the workroom and into the shop so that everyone could admire the designs. They are all fabulous! Don't you agree?

After a brief presentation we awarded first place to Tara Brooksby. Honestly, her skills are AMAZING. Everything from her piping, to her rolled collar, to her precisely matched plaid was perfectly executed. Then to top it off, she created a messenger bag to complete the ensemble.

Congratulations Tara!



The prizes were WONDERFUL. Each contestant received a huge box of thread, another huge assortment of fat quarters, a Bernina tote bag full of notions and accessories. The winner received a gorgeous red dressmaker's form. Click here to see more photos. The staff at Sew From the Heart is extremely professional, warm and welcoming. I'd especially like to thank Linda Lieberman for coordinating the event.



I was kind of nervous about being a judge. Frankly, I don't have nearly the sewing education or design skills to do what any of these contestants did. I didn't feel like I was very "qualified," but I do love the store and there's no way I would turn down the opportunity.

I found that I really enjoyed it. The other two judges, Nancy and Barbara were a blast, and sort of filled in where I was lacking. They were more hesitant to stand up and present our decision, whereas, you can imagine - I was perfectly willing to do so!

Thank you Sew From The Heart and to all of the talented designers and new friends. This was SEW MUCH FUN!!!!

Attention Phoenix-Area Fashion Designers:

"Sew From The Heart" is sponsoring a fashion design competition September 24 - 26 called "Love to Sew Runway Challenge."

There are a few spots left for designers. The prizes are great, but I think it is more about the fun and the experience. What a great way to prepare you for Project Runway! Click here for more information.



See you on the runway!

Vintage Inspiration - Crazy-Quilt Blocks

It's hard for me to resist picking up examples of vintage handwork in the antique stores. I wonder, "What was she going to make with this?" and "Why didn't she finish?" These two rather large crazy-quilt squares (Can you see that there are two squares? They are overlapping in the photo.) were asking to be made up into this bag.

Marigold Madness

These are for a precious daughter and her newly-decorated room. Hope she likes them!

Another Aqua Assemblage

I confess that I have enough "vintage aqua" stuff to create about a dozen of these! SO MUCH FUN.

However, it sure is difficult to get a good photo of an item framed behind glass. There is always a reflection. These shadowbox frames have the glass permanently installed. Any tips?