We're back!... and now I find myself looking everywhere for my desk. I'm sure it was here before I left, but finding it these days after a big whirlwind of sewing, packing, setting up, and unpacking I just can't seem to find it.I can't wait to share with you a few photos from the show, but for now a cheery Gerber daisy sends you sunny, happy greetings your way. See you soon!
Around here, if you haven't figured it out already... QUIET = BUSY.
In fact, I have been so busy that I haven't even had the chance to tell you that the reason for all the busyness is preparation for our big annual show, Park & Garden at Gut Stockseehof. Just like last year, my husband took the little guy for a "boy's weekend getaway", and all those ideas that have been floating around in my head for months finally had a chance to get made into something. Imagine this... the equivalant of one month's worth of sewing packed into four days of work. Wheh!
Sewing machine is still a hummin', but I thought it might be nice just to say "hello".
One of the very first German blogs that I stumbled onto after I made it into the blogging world was Sandra Monat's blog, Herzenart. How could one not be in love with her quirky and super fun Vikings, knights, and British guard softies that would absolutely thrill and delight kids of any age? This past year she also came out with her own ribbons, and I fell in love with one of her projects that she made with them. (As you very well know with my love for ribbons, I'm always looking for fun ways to use them)
I adjusted the pattern a little bit to add this bright aqua accent band since my ribbons are not as wide, but I couldn't be more pleased with the result. Sandra did a guest blogger series on whip up with her pin pouffe tutorial. You should really check it out... a really great tutorial for a quick and easy ribbon project that would be perfect as a gift or just something nice for yourself.
So, I promised to show you more from my ribbons, and I intend to deliver. This second colorway actually happened somewhat by accident, but I'm glad it did. We had originally planned to only have the ribbons made in the light and dark blue colors, but later on found out that for practically the same amount of money, we could split the colors. Of course, it kicked out our original release date, but I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I have really enjoyed working with the softer, more feminine spring colors.How about a closer look?...
I decided to combine the soft spring green and fresh aqua's with a couple fabrics from one of my all time favorite fabric collections, "Weekends", from Erin McMorris to make a sweet little cosmetic, sewing bag, or whatever else one can dream to put in it. What a perfect way to add that extra little something.
So, what are your spring time projects this year... cleaning, creating, or relaxing?
You may remember a while back, I shared just how easy it is to turn a pretty ribbon into a bracelet. So, with my new ribbons, I decided to put a little twist on it to make a pretty little bookmark as well... so, so easy! I layered the ribbons, stitched them together, added ribbon crimps to each end, and a few charms. Done.
I just love these sweet little tulip charms. I thought them to be very fitting for my "Dutch" themed ribbons. I have to admit that I would love to visit Holland during the tulip season. I would think that is much more fantastic in real life than I could imagine. Hmm... something for my "one day I'll..." list. What's on your list?
So I thought that I would share with you a little more about the process of designing my own ribbons, but first, how about a closer look at them and then a couple projects?
As a young girl growing up in the U.S., it was always my dream to visit Europe... so romantic with it's long and full history, beautiful buildings and architecture, and wonderful cultural influences. Who would have ever thought I would one day end up living here?!? But of course, one has ideas of how things are in other lands, which may or may not hold true. And while I have not visited Holland (yet!), I suppose that this design reflects what I imagined so long ago to be a sweet little Dutch girl working in her garden. I felt like the blues, reds, and oranges were in keeping with traditional colors, and that is how I ended up choosing them for this first design.And now for a project idea... from there, I simply took the design and blew it up, then used it as a template for this sweet pillow applique. Of course a few of my ribbon accents, and done.
So, if you have stuck it out with me through the long, dry silence, then perhaps this next post might make the wait now worthwhile. Since December of last year I have been working on a little project that has consumed the majority of my creative time... and now I am finally ready to share it with you! So without further ado, let me introduce you to Sweetpea Designs... my very own ribbon designs!
Quite honestly, this probably might have never come to pass without the encouragement of a friend. How is it that sometimes an outsiders prospective sees things so differently than the one on the inside? So, one little statement got my wheels turning... and here we are now.
With all that being said, the whole process took a little longer than what I had first thought. Tweaking the design, selecting colors, waiting for samples, finding alternatives for funny shades of greens or blues, then more waiting. Then the final decision... and of course more waiting. Perhaps this project has made me a little more patient than before... Tja, who are we kidding, the waiting almost drove me crazy.... so, would you like to see more?
O.K., so I guess it would be fair to say that I have been "missing in action" this past week, but with good reason. We decided to take the week off for Easter and visit family. First stop was a visit to Tante Bip & Onkel M's house where the little guy kept his older cousins on the move and very much on their toes. Second stop was to Oma & Opa's house. You know, standard Easter events... coloring eggs, searching for treats, and eating way too much chocolate. What more could a kid ask for? But we're back now and I sure am ready to get back into the swing of things... and how are you? Are you ready for spring?
So the end is in sight and close... very close, and things are just about ready for my big "reveal". Colors... done. Projects... done. Photos... done. Ideas... millions more. Final draft of my desk? well, not quite yet, but I'm very, very close.So, how about if I share just a little taste of what is yet to come...
Hmmm... tulips, daffodils, and other favorite flowers, and just in time for spring too.
So, do you already have your weekend crafting projects lined up? If not, how about a little "link love" for a few DIY projects using ribbons.1. Everyone has at least one boring lampshade somewhere around the house that is just begging for a makeover. Why not add a few ribbons for this super criss-cross DIY lampshade.2. Is it still a little cold in your part of the world, that weekend pleasures include snuggled up with a good book? Why not make this super easy, super sweet bookmark.3. Don't know what to do with those leftover ribbon scraps? This ribbon vase would add cheer to any corner of the home.4. Favorite fabric, mixed with favorite ribbons, and framed in a sewing hoop... doesn't get any easier than that.
So what are you waiting for? TGIF!
When I first spotted the strong turquoises, vibrant oranges, and deep reds with unique folk art designs, I was instantly drawn to these fantastic ribbons by Sue Spargo for Renaissance Ribbons. It is quite obvious in her designs how much her environments and past places she has lived, such as South Africa, England, and now the U.S., has influenced her designs.
Not only does Sue design ribbons, but also many folk art quilt patterns, books, and uses a variety of mediums to embellish and enhance her quilt masterpieces. I love how nicely these ribbons work with Anna Maria Horner's "Hugs & Kisses" fabrics.
... so can you tell that ribbons might be my topic of choice for a bit? You don't mind, do you?
When I first heard that Anna Maria Horner was coming out with her own ribbons, I think it would go without saying that I was super excited. Then when I found out that Renaissance Ribbons would be producing them, I was even more excited. I would probably consider RR to be the Cadillac, the Rolls Royce, if you will, of the ribbon world. The quality is oh so divine... and I mean divine, not to mention the range of patterns and colors that they offer. Take a look at these scrumptious beauties...
These ribbons coordinate so perfectly with Anna's LouLouThi collection, and I suspect that there might be several that will work with her upcoming collection. (keeping my fingers crossed that it is released this spring) So, are you already dreaming of projects accented with these luscious trimmings? I know I am.
I've been kicking around a certain project now for the last several months, and now I finally feel like I am coming into the home stretch. Working with color, as it should be very obvious, is a passion of mine. But I have to admit that when it comes to really fine details, it is not the easiest thing.
One could not imagine how many million shades of blue there are, or green, and, and, and. One slide too many towards yellow and one could end up with a really ugly pea soup green. Slide a little too far to the blue side and one ends up with a boring mint color that reminds one of funny tasting candy in a retirement home. But it looks like things are getting narrowed down and the end is now in sight. Now that the hard part is over, it still looks like a little more waiting until the final product lands on my desk. But as I guess they say... good things come to those who wait, right?
We've not even come into March yet, and already I am thinking about what projects I have in mind for our show in June. Wanna little sneak peek? I had actually started this around the same time that I was working on the fun, but practical shopping totes. It's a slight variation with a little less basic form and a little more feminine shape... I'm sure you recognize the Anna Maria Horner fabrics.
I guess I have so much that I would like to accomplish before then, and the ideas for projects are darting around in my head like ping pong balls in a final duel, so it should be interesting to see which ones win out. I know I'm not the only one... so, how do you decide which sewing projects you want to work on first, and which ones have to take the back seat?
